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Gaddesby Gallop Saturday 20th December 2003  Results



Photo : Lionel Heap

To see a map of the run Click here

This year's Gaddesby Gallop was run in rain and steady drizzle with a keen Easterly wind.  At least it wasn't snowing.  Last year's critics who complained that the course wasn't muddy enough had their wishes granted in the four foot deep dew pond and the four foot diameter drainage pipe.  Fantastic.

The race was run by Richard Brown (Charnwood AC) in 35:40.  Jenni Newton (Wreake Runners) was the first lady back in 48:29.  First local was Andrew Stevens (Gaddesby Gallopers) in 46:29.  First local Lady was Justine Hunt (Gaddesby Gallopers) in 54:57.

 

Times were slower than last year due to the weather and to the course which was a quarter of a mile longer.

For full results click here

 

 

The Course

The course takes the runners over pastureland to Barsby. The route then follows the Main Street for a quarter of a mile before leaving the village on tracks and field edges in a semi-circular route to Ashby Folville. The race then runs around the back of the village across muddy fields and through the brook. Finally the runners head back towards Gaddesby church across the fields to finish opposite the Village Hall.

The Race was supervised and timed by officials from Wreake Runners. A permit was applied for.

Press Articles

2002

To see the Melton Times report on the run Click here

To see the Leicester Mercury report on the run Click here

2002 Report

The race was started by Santa from the field opposite the Cheney Arms pub. In addition the Church Bells were rung to signal the start. It had been raining for some days prior to the Saturday and the going was very heavy in places.  The 79 starters ran down to the Brook on a muddy track before fighting their way around and across recently seeded fields and muddy pasture fields towards Barsby.  Conditions had caused the organisers not to route the runners through the dew-pond at the top of the first ridge but this didn't stop the eventual winner from plunging in in front of an incredulous marshal.  The organisers decision was vindicated when the leader had to breast stroke his way out.

After several more muddy fields the runners went through Barsby and out across the fields towards Twyford before turning back to Ashby Folville.  After a rest running on a metalled track  the runners crossed the road to skirt the village which involved running across  a ford (sadly ankle deep) and a large muddy set-aside field before more pasture land until the final leg back to Gaddesby.  This involved more recently seeded muddy fields, waterlogged pasture and the coup de grace  - a traverse up across a recently ploughed field.  The final dog-leg back to the finish at the Village Hall across pasture came as a relief.

The finishers were given a ticket entitling them to free mulled wine and a mince pie back at the pub where the village carol singers were entertaining the bystanders. There were also bacon  and sausage cobs for sale

2002 Results

 The first man back was John Collingham of Wreake Runners in 31 mins 14 secs.  Next was Mark Rose of Shepshed RC in 31:40 followed by Ian Murdey of Beaumont RC in 32:13. 

First woman was Renee Heath of Charnwood AC in 36:42 followed by Jo Payne of Shepshed AC in 42:47 and the Sue Cox in 43:24.

First local man back was Ken Flear, and best local woman was Justine Hunt.  There was a special prize for the last local which was awarded to Matthew Hargrave, aged 10.

There were 79 starters.