Cyprus 4-Day Challenge 2008

Priests on stand by for Jimmy in the Med.

Late November and the Earlswood branch of B&RAC set sail for sunny Cyprus to take part in Cyprus 4-Day challenge.

First official requirement of the Tournament was the race briefing where all rules and routes were explained in detail by the frighteningly efficient organisers 2:09 events.

Competitors from all over were introduced - UK, Norway, Holland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Brazil amongst many making up the 250 runners. It was then announced that reporters from various countries 'Runners World' magazine were here covering the races, and a television crew from Sky Sport Italy were broadcasting the event. It was at this point that I had I mild 'out of my depth' panic attack.

Race 1

6k individual time trial, along the coast through a banana plantation. We were set off at one minute intervals in alphabetical order. It felt like one of my usual Sutton park disasters (minus the bananas), but  surprisingly found myself in 47th place.

Race 2

After an early morning call (Denise just rolled over and went back to sleep) we were driven to a beach at Akamas gorge. A 7 mile hill race on trails to a church at the top. It was tough especially when the sun came out, but it was the same for everybody. Most were reduced to walk-run strategy by km 3. I was struggling towards the end and did feel a bit guilty about muttering where's this  flipping  church, only to be met by one of god’s earthly representatives at the finish line. It felt like I had a good one ....  but I had dropped to 50th place overall, how did that happen?

Race 3

Another early call, (Denise barely opening an eye by this stage). The race trail 1/2 marathon through the Neo Chorio forest, the start was in a nature reserve it was a steep 6 mile up followed by a steep 6 mile decent with a one mile run to the finish on the  beach.  Earlier in the week at the race briefing, we were advised by organiser, Mike Gratton to take it steady at the start of the down hill as it would punish our legs. 

I set off a decent lick and at the top I decided to go for it (what did Mike know, he'd only won London). I was flying, right up to the sandy, flat last mile to the finish, and my legs came to a grinding halt, and crawled over the line still in.... 50th place.

 Race 4

Join in with the rest of the island in the Phafos 10k. Early call (last one of the holiday) and Denise had decided to join me no this one. I needed a reasonable time to dip under 4 hours for the whole challenge. My legs were in a pretty poor state, but I dug in and just dipped under my target time, and my overall position..... 50th what a shock!

We were met at the finish line by a free beer stall. An interesting experience at  09:30am (my first beer of the holiday).

B&R went on to win the beer leg.........

We will be going back to have another go.

Click for event pictures

Jimmy Atkins.