Coniston 14

Saturday 28th March 2009

A 14 miler to celebrate Richard's 40th

Above: Paul (187) followed closely by Richard tackle the Coniston 14.

In celebration of Rich Shardlow turning 40 a small contingent from B&R combined a weekend in the Lakes with the Coniston 14m road race.

Running were Rich Shardlow, Paul Collins & Jane Hawkins with Melanie Hepke & Ian Keyte providing vocal support and with Ian still injured, the consensus was the distance was ‘too close to a marathon for Ian to attempt’.

Despite a forecast of 40mph winds and sleet the race started under perfect sunny spring conditions, with the 1500-strong filed heading out of Coniston via a series of challenging climbs, taking an anti-clockwise route around the lake.

By the return point at around half way the conditions changed and the 40mph winds suddenly hit you in the face.

The return leg definitely proved a far greater challenge than the out leg, and an easing of the winds only occurred when faced with the numerous climbs.

B& R Results:

14         Paul Collins        1.25.31 (£50 prize)

32         Rich Shardlow    1.29.04

257       Jane Hawkins     1.44.15 (25th Lady)

1303     Tony Gulliver      2.27.27

Staging the race on the Saturday morning allowed for a the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday to be enjoyed to the full, without the normal ‘burden’ of preparation for a race on a Sunday.

We will be returning to Coniston in 2010 and hope to make a serious challenge for the team prize.

Click for full results

(Paul Collins)