ORC Standish Hall Trail Race, nr. Wigan
24th February 2024


Pos Num M F Name Cat CatPos Club Time
8 486 007 Julien Tour M40 (002/010) Penny Lane Striders 00:43:03
12 288 011 George Aylward M40 (003/010) Penny Lane Striders 00:44:03
53 332 045 Steve Dipple M50 (012/022) Penny Lane Striders 00:51:38
70 305 013 Sarah Bradley F40 (003/008) Penny Lane Striders 00:54:23
77 384 014 Sarah Jackson F45 (001/015) Penny Lane Striders 00:55:06
86 335 018 Kam Dosanjh F45 (002/015) Penny Lane Striders 00:57:30
168 352 108 Tony Green M65 (007/008) Penny Lane Striders 01:12:35

25th February
Sheeptracks
17.5 miles and 5,000ft plus ascent

2nd Lawrence Eccles 02:58:30

The weather gods were on my side as thick mist descended on the hills above Llangollen, near the horseshoe pass, before the race. I knew the route well so was pleased with the chilly pea soup conditions. The organiser played a trick on us all however! He set-up the start at the beginning of the wrong path for the race. He probably laughed a fair bit as we all ran off on the sound of the didgeridoo. When the path pulled left and levelled I got suspicious and me and the leader corrected. He, Joel Gomes, quickly retook the lead. I never saw him again (in the race).

Joel's race became somewhat legendary throughout the field as people came into the finish telling of sightings of Joel; often heading in the wrong direction. Soon after CP1 he had managed to double back on himself and get thoroughly confused. To his credit he finished over an hour behind the winner and got a wooden spoon for doing the most extra distance at 9km.

Sheeptracks is kind of a navigation event. The route is released a few months in advance. I had practiced sections and new it sufficiently well come race day that I never used my map or a compass. Post race there was food and drinks, at a price, in the warmth of the Ponderosa café. I also ate a few creme eggs compliments of the PLS Friday night quiz. Next year's race is rumoured to be on the infrequently visited moors near Denbigh.