2009 WyeForest 50 Report & Results

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REPORT

Congratulations to all who successfully completed the 2009 WyeForest 50 and commiserations to those whose bodies failed them on the day.

Quote of the event: “It's a strange hobby walking long distances in the middle of the night”.  

A massive thank you to everyone who made the event possible with their help and support at the event, HQ, checkpoints, marshals and the sweepers.  The usual Bristol & West stalwarts were prominent, although depleted by illness, but it was good to see newer members and volunteers from other LDWA groups make an essential contribution to the event. Sheila Street deserves special mention for an all-night cooking marathon of 12+ hours non-stop … an unseen heroine of the kitchen.

The first event was held in 2003 with minor route modifications in 2006. The 2009 event involved a major change of the return route suggested by Simon to avoid shivering in a tent in a forest with dubious activities going on all around.  It was replaced by the delights of the Parkend Cricket Pavilion, a pleasantly appointed rural idyll.  This had the advantage of a shorter distance from 56 to 52 miles and reduced the number of checkpoints (and number of helpers) required.  However walkers had to brave the hazards of Lydney High Street with late night clubbers, druggies  and drunks – walkers were advised to keep together in small groups just in case.  Some had rude words shouted at them but nothing worse.  The police, despite a polite request for a night-time patrol, remained silent and unseen. The latter checkpoints had a long opening hours of 8 and 11 hours.

However, it is amazing how much change there is in the countryside over a three year period. Our attention was drawn to forestry operations in the previous week but thanks to close co-operation with Forestry Enterprise, these were completed and route restored and improved.  A major bridge was fenced off and declared dangerous, requiring a last minute major 4 mile change to the route 2 days before the route descriptions were due to be sent out, just in case 'elf&safety' found us wanting in our duty of care.

The forest bluebells were magnificent this year, as were the snowdrops when we were testing the route in January/ February.  Landowners along the route in rural areas during the night section were notified, and both remembered and complimented us about behaviour during 2006 event.

It was very pleasing to have a maximum entry this year by the end of January. In fact we accepted 221 knowing there would be unfortunate circumstances preventing some showing up on the event. We had virtually a 50 / 50 split between Online (SportIdent) and Postal entries – with even the majority of Postal entrants downloading the entry form …. only a handful of forms were actually posted out !

Again geographically you descended on us from all over the country. Our near neighbours from Dorset, Cornwall , Devon, Somerset , Wiltshire & Wales were big supporters. It was nice to welcome those from further afield; the Home Counties, Midlands, Derbyshire & High Peak , Yorkshire , Northumbria , Norfolk & Suffolk , Lancashire . Thank you for coming and we hope you enjoyed exploring our neck of the woods.

Registration went fairly smoothly. Promptly at 9:30, I waved the magic wand, an unusual alternative to flag or starting pistol but I also put a spell on the weather, which certainly worked.  Despite an unsettling weather forecast, there were only 2 short local showers and the rest of the day was sunny with amazing views, although the temperature at Parkend dropped to 1º at 02.30 Sunday morning.  After the event some walkers requested I magically transport them home with a further wave of the wand but I decided not to risk failure and had to disappoint them.  I promise to practice harder next time. (Tony Reed - what next time?)

Of the 221 entries there 22 non-starters and 22 retirements – so 199 starters and 177 finishers.

30 people earned the coveted ‘South West Triple Challenge’ certificate for completing the Dorest Giant, Wellington Boot & the WyeForest 50 in consecutive years (see TRIPLE column in Results).

As well as our own group members and members from other LDWA groups, we are indebted to all the spouses, partners, family members and friends who turned out to help us out. Without all their efforts there would be no event. Those involved are as follows (with apologies to any inadvertently missed).

Abandoned Property: The following items will be sent to those giving a full description and a promise to refund postage: Anorak XL (with shorter arms!) Rab Active, grey/black; Trainers size 42 (8½) asics grey/stone; Gloves green/blue L; and 2 map cases one with OL14 map. Please contact event secretary (07909 534710).

Badges: WyeForest 50 badges are still available and also anyone who was awarded a South West Triple Challenge Certificate can still obtain a special badge as well. All badges £2 (cheque payable Bristol & West LDWA) available with s.a.e. from:  WF50, 19 Rozel Road , Horfield, Bristol   BS7 8SQ

You will all have had your highs and lows during the event and will have taken home your particular memories (hopefully fond ones). However for more memories, pictures taken on the event can be found on this web site, along with details of our other activities.

Please put the following dates in your diary:

Saturday 20^th June 2009 - Malvern Midsummer Marathon (26 miles)

Saturday 26^th September 2009 - Cotswold Challenge 20^th anniversary (25/ 26.5 miles)

Jenny Reed on behalf of Bristol & West LDWA WyeForest 50 Committee

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