RR10 Race 5, Ampfield Woods - Results

Another warm and sunny evening (what's not to like about summer cross country) greeted us at Ampfield Woods, Hursley for race 5 in the series.
nThe start seems to always be a bit tricky at this event and to avoid last years bottleneck, the start had been moved to just beyond the T junction at the end. It was all slightly chaotic and resulted in people not finding their natural start positions within the pack. The more obliging you were (some were, some were not) the bigger job it was working your way through the crowd. This clearly was not too much of a problem for Wayne Bevan who worked his way through most of the 450 runners there to finish 7th, 2nd WADAC runner home and with South Downs Way Relay legs!
nThe course was different to last year, which was gratefully received, no mud and avoiding the deep, dry ruts that have been created in the previously wet areas. 2 laps whizzing through the trees and ferns was fun, hot, steamy and dusty with a beautiful grassy finish along the avenue of trees then over the bridge and the welcome sight of the finish funnel and the table overflowing with cakes.
nOur ladies team came 1st! Annie Mann was first lady home, Ellie Davies 3rd and Ellie Swire 8th. A superb result! Our men also did a sterling job, 2nd overall, just behind Romsey. Harry Williams was first for WADAC and 4th overall, Wayne Bevan 7th, Paul Boyd-Leslie 9th, Pete Sansome 11th and Jack England 12th.
nNumbers were very similar to last weeks race, 415 overall compared to 413 last week (22 WADAC men and 13 ladies).
nNext race is the leafy trails around Marwell Zoo on the summer solstice, Wednesday 21st June.
nPlease also put Wednesday 2nd August in your diaries for our turn to host, marshal and feed cake to the runners at our own RR10 race at Whiteshute Ridge.