Eating up the miles for fun
Heather Fell admits she is on a bit of a mission at the moment.
Since returning from her commentating duties at the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, the former international modern pentathlete – a silver medal winner at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 – has been racing almost every week.
Indeed, since lacing up her racing shoes for the first time this year at the final South West PB Series 5k event at Odd Down, Fell has raced every weekend and on two occasions twice in a weekend, including most recently the Bath Skyline parkrun on Saturday and then the infamous Over The Hills 12k multi terrain race on Sunday.
The latter was a notable occasion as not only did Fell mark her debut in the race with a handsome victory but she also led a Team Bath AC clean sweep in the women’s race with Laura Backhouse and Emily Griffiths completing the podium.
For good measure, Beccy Tarling, Georgie Wells, Sevim Sangwell and Debbie Heywood all made the top 12 to underline Team Bath’s dominance.
“It has been a bit crazy racing so much but I am really enjoying it and that is what these local races are all about,” said Fell.
“Since coming back from Japan I have embraced as many races as possible to get fit and, to be honest, after Covid it is so great to be back out racing and meeting up with friends and clubmates. I really missed it and I feel like we are all on a catch-up.
“Maybe it just feels like a novelty to go to races again and meet up with lots of people and have some fun. Plus, there are so many new runners at Team Bath which is great.”
The club certainly had a huge presence at the race, which was promoted by Avon Valley Runners, with the men also dominant.
Aidan Daniel ensured a Team Bath double with a solid victory while James Donald (sixth), James Woosnam (ninth and first veteran over-50), Barry Awan (11th and second M50), and Lawrence Martindale (16th) all making the top twenty to ensure a team win as well.
In addition, Niall Urquhart was top M55 while Tarling, Lisa Bennett and Ilana Wigfield were second in the W40, W50 and W55 age categories.
“It was a great day all round for the club” said Team Bath endurance coach Paul King.
As for race-hungry Fell, she now turns her sights to the Sodbury Slog on Sunday, another legendary mudfest boasting 1,000 entries over ten miles of goo, muck and water in south Gloucestershire.
“I love cross country,” explained Fell.
“I have never run the Slog either so I’m looking forward to it and have 12 friends joining me so it should be fun.
“It is pure running, times are irrelevant and like at the Over The Hills race there is the reward of great cake afterwards.”
Even for an Olympian, what could be better?
■ ON the international scene, Team Bath AC newcomer Marianne Carpenter finished ninth in the over-45 age group at the World Duathlon Championships in Aviles, Spain. Clubmate Andy Alcorn was 25th MV50.
■ THE University of Bath will again be hosting the Tri-counties Cross Country Championships this winter.
The annual fixture, which comprises the championships for Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire in order to streamline administration and improve the quality of competition, will take place on Sunday, December 19 (11am).
This is a week later than normal and will be welcome news in particular to Team Bath AC as it avoids the normal
clash with the second Gloucestershire Cross County League match held the previous weekend.
For entry details visit Tri-county XC Championships 2021 via jotform.com.
Timetable: 11:00 - U11 Girls (1.9km – 1 short lap)
11:15 - U11 Boys (1.9km – 1 short lap)
11:30 - U13 Girls (2.8km – 1 long lap)
11:50 - U13 Boys (2.8km – 1 long lap)
12:10 - U15 Girls (3.8km – 2 short laps)
12:30 - U15 Boys (3.8km – 2 short laps)
12:50 - U17 & U20 Women (4.7km – 1 short and 1 long lap)
13:10 - U17 & U20 Men (5.7km – 3 short laps) 13:40 – Championship for Senior & Masters Ladies (6.6km – 2 short and 1 long laps)
14:10 – OPEN event, including Championship for Senior & Masters Men (10.3km - 1 short and 3 long laps)
Entries will close on midday on Saturday December 18 – full marks to the organisers for the late deadline to encourage greater entries – and there will be absolutely no entries allowed on the day.
■ The athletics coverage in the Chron is sponsored by Running Bath