14 make it to the bitter end of gruelling race (From Penarth Times)

14 make it to the bitter end of gruelling race

BARRY 40 MILE TRACK RACE (SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2006)

FOR the first time in the 20-year history of the event, race day dawned with snow on the ground.

It was only a dusting, admittedly, but sufficient to warrant a barrage of early morning phone calls to Race Director Mick McGeoch's house.

"Was the race still on?"

Ultra runners are a hardy breed. They don't log thousands of miles to be deterred by a bit of rough weather. Of course the race was on.

Twenty three of the 30 race entries reported to race registration. The weather was bitterly cold, obviously, but there were two other critical factors.

The prevailing wind was a spiteful, energy-sapping constant, but it was also very damp. Indeed, exactly the sort of weather that, if you once got too cold, getting warm again would prove a forlorn hope. Choice of race kit was never more important.

The race start was almost a relief. Watching the early laps of an ultra are fascinating. Like an Agatha Christie thriller, the outcome is notoriously difficult to predict.

The early leaders were Jim Rogers (East Hull Harriers) and Andrew Farquarson (Kent AC), closely followed by pre-race favourite, Stuart Buchan (Kingston-upon-Hull). Stuart led last year's race for 156 of 161 circuits, only to be overhauled in sight of the finish.

His relatively conservative opening laps were an indication that he didn't intend to repeat that experience.

Fourth and fifth were two newcomers, Rob Wood (Taunton AC) and John Pares (Buckley Running Club), both of whom had showed good recent ultra form.

Through five miles Jim and Andy clocked 32:33, with Stuart 33:15, and Rob and John 33:31.

Five athletes still on the same circuit at this stage had all the hallmarks of a closely-fought, tactical encounter.

These relative positions were much the same at 10 miles. Andy and Jim were still together (64:48), whilst Stuart was not losing any further ground in third (65:40).

John and Rob also kept each other company (66:46). At this stage there was still quite a lot of talking going on between athletes as race strategies were being thought out.

Jim Rogers took a clear lead shortly after, but a "pit stop" on Lap 56 saw him concede it once more. John Pares also had to stop on Lap 50, and by 15 miles was over four minutes adrift of the leader.

Was this a first sign of the weather taking its toll? Some of the runners were visibly bending into the headwind as they entered the home straight on each circuit.

By halfway, the leading positions were starting to close up. Jim Rogers led in 2:12:15, but by just ten seconds from Stuart, and Andy only six seconds back in third.

Three athletes within 100 metres - this was turning into the thriller one might have expected. John Pares was now starting to reclaim some of the deficit (2:15:15) and Rob Wood was still in touch with 2:15:43.

In the ladies race, Sue Taylor (Kenilworth Runners) led Loretta Daley (Cardiff AAC) by four minutes at 10 miles, and her 20 mile time of 2:52:20 gave her an 11 minute advantage. Both ladies looked in good shape.

The first retirement from the race came after 41 laps. Bob Emmerson (Leamington C & AC) completed every Barry 40 between 1986 and 2002, setting 11 world bests in the process.

However, in 2004 he had a replacement left hip fitted, and has only relatively recently been able to resume training.

The weather was by now beginning to influence proceedings. Having run so fluently for so long, Stuart Buchan suddenly started to slow, and retired after 95 laps.

Andy Farquarson was also having problems, and Jim Rogers was moving clear. However, moving faster than anyone was John Pares, and he clearly began to sense that victory was possible.

As a useful reference point, Marathon times for the first three were now Jim 2:53:07, John 2:55:28 and Andy 2:56:28.

John was relentless in his pursuit, and was actually speeding up. The section between the Marathon distance and 30 miles is often psychologically the hardest of the event.

The body is very, very tired but there's still a significant distance to run. Several further retirements occurred in this section, including Andy Farquarson after 116 laps and Rob Wood after 110. The race looked to be between Jim and John.

By 30 Miles, Jim's lead was down to 18 seconds, 3:19:33 to 3:19:51. Third place was now held by Andy Cleves, who though running well was 16 minutes in arrears.

On lap 122 John took the lead. Having run so well for 30 miles, Jim began to struggle, and eventually retired after 130 laps. The ladies race was also effectively decided around this time, as Sue Taylor also withdrew after 122 laps.

The final 10 miles is always the toughest physically, and for the leaders it was a case of keep the head down and finishing a very tough job.

John Pares took his foot off the throttle a little with the race won, but looked in total control. To be able to run the second half of the race a minute quicker than the first spoke volumes for not only his race preparation but also his self control, a vital ingredient in the ultra runner's armoury.

While his time of 4:29:14 may look unspectacular, these were the toughest conditions in the 20 year history of the race.

It was the first time since 1991 that a Welshman had won the event.

Andy Cleves also showed fantastic pace judgment to place second in 4:48:49.

Having won the Welsh Ultradistance three times previously, taking the silver to such a performance as John's was an excellent showing. Another regular to Barry, Walter Hill, was rewarded for his long journey from the south-east with an excellent third spot.

Walter has been a regular 24 hour performer for the UK in recent years, and that experience shone through yet again.

Finish of the day was that which decided fifth and sixth places. After a cat-and-mouse battle for the last half dozen laps, Jeremy Mower (Gloucester AC) outsprinted Frank Moritz (LG Hubersdorf, Switzerland) in the final 100 metres.

Loretta Daley (Cardiff AAC) took the ladies race with something of a flourish.

Having been a short distance track runner for most of her 14 year athletic career, she has taken to ultras and her determination to finish the longest event of her life was inspiring, even producing a last lap sprint to ensure a sub-seven hour clocking.

A total of 14 of the 23 starters finished the race, a remarkable testament to the fitness of all, especially in the conditions.

Inevitably after such an event, many Thank Yous are in order.

To the athletes, obviously, but especially to the officials who helped out on such a tough day.

Lap scorers, official timekeepers, feed station helpers, they were all heroes. Many thanks, once again, to Pip Hyatt for providing the refreshments that kept everyone going.

Barry 40 Mile Track Race - Sunday March 12, 2006

30 Entries accepted

23 Starters

14 Completed the 40 Miles

1. John Pares (V40) Buckley Running Club 4:29:14

2. Andy Cleves Les Croupiers 4:48:49

3. Walter Hill (V50) Crawley AC 5:04:48

4. Matthew Hobson 100 Km. Association 5:16:32

5. Jeremy Mower (V40) Gloucester AC 5:19:26

6. Frank Moritz LG Hubersdorf (Switzerland) 5:19:31

7. Tony Holling (V50) Port Talbot Harriers 5:36:05

8. Terry Caveney (V45) Les Croupiers 5:40:49

9. Alan Mann (V45) Les Croupiers 5:48:58

10. Richard Brewer (V50) Les Croupiers 5:51:03

11. Malcolm Knight (V60) Newbury AC 6:29:31

12. John Keogh (V55) Hunters Bog Trotters 6:45:49

13. Mark Green (V50) 100 Km. Association 6:50:18

14. Loretta Daley (LV40) Cardiff AAC 6:59:21

Retirements

Jim Rogers (V40) East Hull Harriers 130 laps in 3:38:56

Chris Carver (V40) Otley AC 124 laps in 3:58:13

Sue Taylor Kenilworth Runners 122 laps in 4:33:40

Andy Farquharson (V40) Kent AC 116 laps in 3:15:39

Rob Wood (V40) Taunton AC 110 laps in 3:12:23

Paul Tranter (V40) Unattached 106 laps in 3:15:51

Stuart Buchan (V45) Kingston-Upon-Hull AC 95 laps in 2:12:25

Gary Hyatt (V55) Les Croupiers 75 laps in 2:41:28

Bob Emmerson (V70) Leamington C & AC 41 laps in 1:36:23

Welsh Mens 40 Mile Championship

1. John Pares Buckley Running Club 4:29:14

2. Andy Cleves Les Croupiers 4:48:49

3. Jeremy Mower Gloucester AC 5:19:26

4. Tony Holling Port Talbot Harriers 5:36:05

5. Terry Caveney Les Croupiers 5:40:49

6. Alan Mann Les Croupiers 5:48:58

7. Richard Brewer Les Croupiers 5:51:03

Welsh Ladies 40 Mile Championship

1. Loretta Daley Cardiff AAC 6:59:21

Open Race

1. John Pares Buckley Running Club 4:29:14

2. Andy Cleves Les Croupiers 4:48:49

3. Walter Hill Crawley AC 5:04:48

Other recipients of trophies as winners of sub-categories within the event were:(Eligibility for male trophies is dependent upon finishing outside the first three)

Ladies Race

Loretta Daley Cardiff AAC 6:59:21

Male 40-44

Jeremy Mower Gloucester AC 5:19:26

Male 45-49

Terry Caveney Les Croupiers 5:40:49

Male 50-59

Tony Holling Port Talbot Harriers 5:36:05

Male 60-69

Malcolm Knight Newbury AC 6:29:31