Here we are! The series begins again, the kit dusted off and old whatsapp groups rekindled for another series throughout the summer. With mostly the same core team, with a few substitutions, one being the RD we looked to kick off the series with an incident free, enjoyable event and I think we agree that is what we got.

The Mob Match for the first race of the season is a great way to kick it off, and that we did in glorious sunshine. A credit to DBMax who once again handled all the series and on the day entries without fault and arrived at the start/finish point in good time.

15 clubs represented made this first race one of the best attended races in the towpath’s history with a bumper crowd of 228 entrants for race 1.

Race numbers collected, kit erected, water station filled and marshals in situ and everyone was ready to go, firstly briefed by Justin from DBMax on the Mob Match format and then Debutant RD Mark Watts going over a few race pointers.

19:30 came around and the race headed off down the damp course with a few blasts of the airhorn, time to sort raffle tickets and prizes.

Before we knew it, we had our first runner home – Aled Anderson from Bristol and West in 34:32, closely followed by Andrew Grigg (34:48), also representing Bristol and West. Rounding out the male top 3 was Robert Farley from Bitton Road Runners in 34:58.

In the Ladies race, first across the line was Charlotte Taylor in 36:57 for Bristol and West. Second was Ffion Harris (unattached) in 40:32 and coming in 3^rd was Katie Egan representing Southville RC.

Age group results are as follows:

FV40 – Sophie Voller – Westbury Harriers – 42:17 – Apologies Sophie, still having nightmares about calling you FV70. The counselling is going well though.

MV40 – Henry Sly – Bristol and West AC – 36:47

FV50 – Ann Singer – Portishead Running Club – 46:14

MV50 – Ian Leonard – Emersons Green Running Club – 36:08

FV60 – Nicola Rickard – Portishead Running Club – 54:31

MV60 – Jonathan Taylor – Unattached – 43:25

FV60 – No FV60 entered.

MV70 – John Rice – Emersons Green Running Club – 51:21

FV80 – No FV80 entered.

MV80 – Beavis Gillett – Unattached – 1:10:32

Once the individual results had been announced. It was time for the all-important team prize. Top 3 earned a trophy, third place received a slightly broken effort due to the couriers but that will be sorted when the new one arrives.

The results in reverse order:

15^th – Run Mummy Run – 34

14^th – Vegan Runners – 43

13^th – Staple Hill Runners – 69

12^th – Hogweed Trotters – 107

11^th – Birmingham Running – 168

10^th – Bad Tri – 211

9^th – North Somerset – 216

8^th – Bitton Road Runners – 439

7^th – Clevedon AC – 712

6^th – Great Western Runners – 1510

5^th – Portishead Running Club – 1592

4^th – Westbury Harriers – 1987

3^rd – Emersons Green Running Club – 2255

2^nd – Southville Running Club – 2877

1^st – Bristol and West AC – 3229

A full results list can be found here: https://dbmaxresults.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16421&RId=30300

So, Bristol and West earned the crown of Mob Match champions for 2024, earning the title from Southville who won last year’s crown.

A big thank you to everyone who made the event happen, the runners for having no ego and running with a smile throughout, DBMax for the chip timing and support and the marshals and core team for delivering a great first event.

Can we be better though? If you have any suggestions that we could implement for the next race? If so, please email committee@greatwesternrunners.org.uk and we’ll look at them. Did you like the prizes, was the wine good or was it like vinegar? Let us know!

Thank you to @Voomnutrition for supplying some of the prizes. Go onto their website and receive a trial pack for the cost of postage with the code GREATWESTERNRUNNERS

Race pictures are now live and can be found using this link:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/70214272@N04/0wX12Qf7kR

Credit Geoff Clough

One last point, there are some works going on for the next race so some of the paths leading to the start/finish area will be out of action so please arrive a little early to ensure you don’t miss the start.

See you all on Friday 21^st of June for race 2 of 4!

Entries available and on the night.

Mark

GWR Club Chair and RD