Eryri Harriers presentation night

After a lot of preparation from the committee, it all came together on the actual night! And you should see "night" here in a wide sense. Activities started at 4 pm, with a run we had tagged onto the night in an attempt to attract more people. I'm not quite sure if it worked. There were seven of us (and a dog) lining up in our fell running gear. I think all of us would probably have attended as well without the run. But at least we would get a nice run out of it!

The idea was to run the route of a new race in the Tuesday Evening Series. That's a series of short fell  races. This one will be quite long in that context. The furthest point would be Gyrn Wigau. 

In spite of the predictions, it was dry when we started, and we happily headed for the first public footpath into the hills. Mary, who was leading this run but not the race, was keeping an eye on the map. Where would the checkpoints be?

Soon we started to cross the valley. We were on the western range, and had to move to the next one along. The ridges are quite dry, but the valley is not. It was inevitable we would be coming out with soaking socks and shoes. Doesn't matter! We had dry clothes waiting for us.

View during the run

I was glad to reach the other side. Then it would just be a long ascent. That is what I am best at. But at some point I heard Mary shouting behind me. I waited for her to find out what that meant. We were running out of time! We had to cut the route short. So we did not actually reach Gyrn Wigau. It meant downhill pretty much the rest of the way. I am slow at that! But so be it.

We both got back in time for dinner, and before the rain started. Success! And it turned out that the cricket club, which was our venue for the night, had showers available to us. So I grabbed my dry clothes and headed for them. The first changing room was full of men, so I headed for the second one. That one turned out to have urinals! So I figured the men were actually in the wrong place. I went to go and tell them that before they were all in the showers.

Most of them left. One was reluctant as he was already far in his preparations. He politely asked if I was ok with him just staying. That was not very British of him! But I am not British at all, so I was fine with it. And there were two shower cabins so plenty of space for both of us.

When we were clean again we went into the room where the event took place. Time for some socialising and a drink. There were lots of lovely people! Neil had come too. We settled on a table with Borders League veteran Tony and his partner Lesley. 

Soon there was food. I was peckish! And then there were the awards. And handing them out was done, in my opinion, with a lovely balance between attention for the individual winners, but not dragging it out for the audience.

They started with the juniors. I don't know these, but it looks like we have some smashing kids in the club. And then we went onto the adults. And they were awards for the third, second and first finisher in the road, cross country and fell championships. I'm only competing in the first. And I had come second! So I got a little memento. In a way, the road championship was the most exciting, as all winners were actually there. Quite unlike the cross country and fell awardees!

Road championships winners

We also have special prizes: special achievement of a woman in fell running, most improved male, special contribution to the club, and outstanding athlete. The lady who had won the fell prize was away, but her mum was there to pick it up. Tony had Juan most improved male. I knew he knew he was up for an award, but also that he didn't know which one. It turned out to be this one I could see he got emotional. I thought that was sweet. He deserves it! But I could imagine that he had imagined that award would go to some young up and coming runner, while Tony is almost 60. But he has been in great form in spite of big medical problems. A worthy winner!

Special contribution to the club went to Helen, who has been our cross country chief for years. And he is also a Borders League stalwart. 

Outstanding athlete this year was Tinka, the superfast Dutch lady wins races like there is no tomorrow. A big one she won for instance was the She Ultra. She had been nominated a lot!

After the awards, our guest speaker took this stage. This was David "Jacko" Jackson, who turns out to be a former professional rugby player and now leading coach in breathing for runners. But in my circles, he is more well known for being my former colleague Suzie's brother. He did a great talk! And he was quite convincing saying that breathing is an under-emphasised aspect of running, and a lot of improvement can be made via that route. He also asked for a volunteer at some point, and I stepped up. It turned out he wanted the volunteer to shove a cotton tip into his nose. Well, if he's sure?

The club has arranged with him that he will do some sessions for us at mate’s rates. I sure will try to get a place on one of them! And I also bought his book.

That was the program of the evening over. There was a bit of time for socialising, but then everyone went home. It was a Sunday evening, after all.

I had greatly enjoyed myself, and fortunately, so had Neil. I know a lot more people, and I even got an award! So then it's easy to enjoy yourself. But it has been so well organised that it was for the likes of him as well. Success! And I will try and get first place in The road running championship next year. With Anna being pregnant, this would be the year to do it!