Madness!

Despite misgivings about the date conflicting with another small sporting event taking place at the moment the 8th Maiden Newten Madness was well supported on a lovely evening which even saw the post race prize giving take place outside for the first time in race history.

As the 117 runners toed the start line for Phil's "brief"-ing the burning question was whether Paul Rose would defend his 2011 title or whether Alex Todd, Axe Valley Runner's winner of the recent Haselbury Trail, would give him a run for his money.......or would some speedy tourist from parts unknown take them both by surprise?  Further down the field most people just wanted to finish in time to partake of the fantastic spread of cakes provided.......

The course record of 37.49 was set in 2009 by Bertie Powell of Woodford Green and as the minutes ticked by it became apparent that it would be unbroken for another year.  Eventually a cry was heard from the last marshalling point and the ever consistent Paul appeared powering over the line in an excellent time of 39.45, just over a minute ahead of Alex.  Alex was closely followed by Mike Pierce but then there was a gap of almost two minutes before the rest of the field began to arrive.

As usual Yeovil Town Road Running Club had turned out in force, not only taking the overall winner's trophy, but also the first V50 prize with Mike Harvey finishing in 45.40 and keeping it in the family, Mike's sister, Rose Harvey, also from YTRRC was first lady home in 48.59.  Richard Orme from Egdon Heath Harriers broke the green and white stranglehold on the honours to take the first V60 prize in 51.41.

Egdon Heath also took second place in the ladies race with Elaine Falcus finishing in 50.14 and the V35 and V45 prizes went to Sandra Hewson of Westbourne RC and Alison Barry from Wimborne AC respectively. Maiden Newton Runner's Lesley Westgate took the V55 prize narrowly beating her arch rival, the other Lesley (Nesbitt) by 8 seconds in the process.

First Maiden Newton Runner home was Richard Rider in 11th place with Dave Carnell following him over the line and Jackie Webb was delighted to break the hour to finish in 58.18.

Early feedback indicates that everyone found the race as well organised and friendly as ever, Phil having done his usual excellent job of making it happen whilst the rest of us flapped around pretending that we were helping.  And I think it would be fair to say that the reputation of the post race refreshments being the best in Dorset was proved to be true yet again.

Thanks to everyone that came along to make it such a great evening especially when the alternative would have been to stay at home and watch the fantastic achievement of Mo Farah becoming a double gold medallist at that other small sporting event...................

The results are here: http://www.yeoviltownrrc.com/2012_results/MNR10km.pdf