Race Report – Mob Match v Chepstow – Tuesday 17th August 2021

Tuesday 17th August saw the revival of an ancient feud (well since 2010 anyway) when a magnificent sized team of 54 TRC runners crossed the bridge to take on Chepstow Harriers in a mob match. The last time this event had been held was in 2013 on home soil and this was the fifth time we had taken on Chepstow. This was the biggest team we had ever mustered, as team size is vitally important for a mob match, and was met by 56 runners from Chepstow.

Meeting in the tunnel under the M48 the TRC team looked fantastic in club colours. A rush of kit sales prior to the event saw many new T shirts on their first airing. Then up onto the bridge for a rolling start. This was a 5 mile event, so no half way and back like the parkrun. At the turnaround point in England, Steve Wiltshire, Val James, Rebecca Twyman and Jay Bartley did an excellent job of marshalling and cheering. The return into Wales was into the wind and forever uphill with the finish 100m needing a final dig-in to get to cross the line.

The result was a close finish with Chepstow on 3087 points and Thornbury 3018 points, the 2 extra runners making the difference. The 26 Chepstow ladies scored 734 points to the 23 Thornbury ladies score of 491. Whilst the 31 Thornbury men who scored 1056 points against the 30 Chepstow men with 835 points.

With 54 runners, and everyone scoring and contributing the overall result, it’s impossible to mention everyone. So here are just a few TRC mentions:
• Highest placed runner was Nick Williams in 2nd in a time of 29:41
• Highest placed age adjusted was Nick Langridge with 76.71% (31st overall)
• In the various age categories the top TRC placing were:
o Ashleigh Ferris 1st F Senior
o Ali Vaz 3rd F V40
o Maria Hobbs 6th F V50
o Karen Carr 1st F V60
o Johan Hobbs 1st M Junior
o Nick Williams 2nd in M Senior
o Andrew Darton 3rd M V40
o George Evans 1st M V50
o Nick Langridge 2nd M V60

It was fantastic to see so many of the newer members taking part and representing TRC – Ali, Maria, Johan, Terry and Katie (sorry if I missed anyone!) Also fabulous to see those who graduated from beginners earlier this year taking part in their first race for TRC – Rachel, Amel & Beck.

The WhatsApp groups were buzzing after the event with everyone clearly enjoying the opportunity to run with others and participate in an event. Many people already asking to do it again next year. Could 2022 be our year to bring an even bigger TRC team and clench victory?

Link to the results summary:
https://chepstowharriersnewsblog.blogspot.com/2021/08/mob-match-tuesday-17th-august.html

And this one to the individual results:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i4YOjMLjnYhzJkkdvLo6dpMotwzdAHky/view

Well done to everyone who took part.

KW 20/08/21