ABRaS/MSF Hatta Cross-Country Race
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Race Result March 201027 March 2010 - Dubai Road Runners Autodrome 10km A fantastic new location for the DRR 10km road race at the Dubai Autodrome proved a challenging and daunting venue for many ABRaS members and Dubai runners. The thought of all those hills were too much for DCS runner Anne Marie who took the easy option of jetting off to tackle Everest, and top ABRaS runner Emma managed to avoid the race altogether by allegedly getting lost on the Arabian Ranches interchange thanks to Amandas directions (thanks Amanda). Mens race Many of the ABRaS top male runners were also missing (where were you guys?!), so the clubs expectations were laid squarely with Ben Walton, who was obviously ‘up for the race’ as he managed to bag the coveted ‘number 1’ bib (a habit which is becoming a slightly worrrying trait - does he sit there waiting for race registration to open?!), and he was also spotted at the venue at 5:30am. Ben did not disappoint making the podium with a fantastic 3rd place (37:46), beating Mirdiff Milers Chris McCann (38:31). Ben ran most of the race on his own, commenting that ‘he wasn’t sure if Chris was really trying, and that the eventual winner went storming off and I just assumed he did not know what he was doing. Unfortunately he did.’ Emma eventually negotiated the Ranches interchange (to be fair not an easy task) and turned up to run one lap super fast and give Ben a bit of company on his solo run. Eoin (42:34) went with the lead group early on and paid for it later on, ending up with a bit of an internal ABRaS race between Declan (42:10) and Tracey (42:20). It was actually all getting a bit tedious as we kept swapping places. I was wondering why they just didn’t give up and let me win. Brett Smyth (46:56) had personal reasons for attempting to get a PB in that a very important lady was arriving that he had to collect from the airport at 9:15. I am not sure how impressed she was going to be when he arrived post sweaty race with no shower. Sean Staunton (47:02) was not impressed either commenting ‘I started the race next to Brett. The next thing I knew he shot off like a man with a mission!!. About 7K into the race, Brett dozed off a little and i started to catch him. Unfortunately with about 1K left, Brett realized that he needed to hurry up or would not make the airport in time. A surge of adrenaline must have led to his sprint to the finish - much to my surprise and disgust’. Phil Clarke managed to avoid too much stick from the club for his dismal performance (a personal worst in 1:17 and last ABRaS runner home), on account of him forgetting to pop on his ABRaS vest that morning (probably feeling a wee bit tired after overdoing it at DCS long run, friday brunch and a late night ..... ). He ran a lap, waited at the finish to shout in the winners, then bizarrely continued onto complete his last lap. A great performance by Chandan in the M18 category, finishing 12th overall in a superfast time of 39:25. Angeline has promised to find you an ABRaS vest for your next race! Other notable performances from ABRaS members included: Mugur Florea (36:53 2nd place overall) who is in fine form before the Zurich marathon, Antonio Di Somma (38:38 5th overall and 1st M55), David Thurley (41:32 2nd M45 ) proving rather annoyingly that he loves the hills (he beat me and thats annoying). Ladies race The ladies race started off with Abu Dhabi runner Valerie Eveloy setting the pace for the chasing ABRaS ladies, Anna, Tracey, Debbie and Julie. After 4km Anna must have woken up as she raced ahead, caught Valerie, and left the rest of us trailing behind. She finished well clear of the field in 41:08 - a great run on 140km of marathon training in the previous week (is she mad?!). Feeling a little dehydrated (!) I could not decide for most of the race whether I was really into it or not, and with 2k to go decided to bust a gut (encouraged by Mirdiff miler Graham Spriggs), and tried to chase down Abu Dhabi runner Valerie Eveloy. Valerie was behind Anna in 2nd place and first female vet 40. I had left it too late to catch her but still managed to bag 2nd place and 1st FV40 as Valerie had not registered to run ... (it would have been far easier if i had realised this with 2k to go). Julie (42:58) proved really strong on the hills getting the better of Debbie and finishing 3rd overall and 2nd V40. Julie ran part of the race with David Hunt (43:09) where she would get ahead on the downs and then he caught up again going up, however she had him on the final downhill and finished ahead. Debbie was not at all happy with the hills, but still managed to pick up some crystal ware for the home cabinet as 3rd in her category (44:05). In fact following her families performances, collecting 4 prizes between them (Declan 42:10, 2nd M18, Max 1st M8 and Elisha 1st F8), she may be required to hire her own relocation services for a move to a larger villa (and larger trophy cabinet). The family were sadly let down by dad who hadn’t quite mastered the art of running whilst on crutches. A poor excuse, but think we will see more of Nick Powell on the running scene in the future. Margaret Campbell (45:56) was pleased to be running again after 4 weeks injured (freak toe chair incident) and got a good 6th place overall. On her way to the race (trying to find the start) Julie came across Stephanie Magrath wandering around lost ... luckily for Stephanie she got a lift to the start and finished in 48:40. Jo Deuskar (49:33) enjoyed the new course, but complained of her worst time of the season due to the heat and the hills! Rachel Greenwood (50:18) ran well but just missed out on the 50 minutes target. Naomi (DNF) and Emma (DNS) should have done a team relay as Naomi only managed to complete the first lap, stating that she had only managed to drag herself to the race in order to eat as much of the breakfast as possible. She was spotted later on doing a good job at this. Junior Race Finally ... Several people commented on their dismal performances, including David Hunt (43:09) who was particularly critical of his efforts, having been beaten by both Anna and Julie. He described his efforts as ‘his worst 10k this season, but he beat Deb Powell’ (Think David doesn’t like to be beaten by the girls?!!). He has decided more training and improved downhill skills would do the job. To our wonderful coaches, despite no PB’s, few fast times, and lots of comments regarding the hills at the autodrome, don’t worry. Please can we remind you that Dubai is largely flat, most races are on the flat, and we do not need any more purgatory on the hills at safa park. Thank you. Thanks to DRR for organising a great event, for full results and photos pls see the DRR website 5 March 2010 - ABRaS Hatta Fort Hotel Cross-Country Women’s RaceA modest field of women lined up for the start of the first race. With peacocks signing the first right turn the women set off at a steady pace at the whistle. It was Julie who made the first move, obviously charged with the adrenaline of smuggling a whistle through customs (and helped by the fact that she knew where the course went). At the end of the first lap it was Julie, closely followed by Anna, with Sally still in contact. Other ABRaS, including Jo, Becky, Amanda, Stephanie and Dianne looked to be enjoying their first XC outing. By the end of the second lap Anna had pulled well clear and Sally was catching Julie. At the rear of the field it was Kimberly, Syma and Jane (wife of the mountain goat] battling it out. At the finish Anna took the honours in 27:06, followed by Sally 27:22 and Julie whistling in for third in 27:29. Men’s RaceA larger men’s field lined up to listen to starting instructions. Chris, obviously shocked that someone had been brave enough to smuggle a whistle across the border, set-off before the whistle and was recalled and given a final warning – do not wear road racing flats for a XC race! As the men charged off it was noted that Dave (the mountain goat) was wearing an ABRaS AC vest for the first time. Gulf News and The National were called to record this landmark event, but were unable to attend due to breaking news about whistle smuggling in the UAE. Neil, back on familiar terrain, was leading the way after a lap, closely followed by Chris, Eoin and Dave. (Unfortunately Andy had to pull out after 500m due to injury.) Other ABRaS, including Sean, Fabrice and Dirk were all running strongly off the back of hard training. By the end of the second lap Dave was up to third and living up to his mountain goat tag, mainly due to the hair on his chin, but also credit to his ability to jump from the top of a hill and land at the bottom in one piece. The places had not changed by the end of the third lap, and at the back of the field all eyes were on Robert and his mission to get close to 55 minutes. Neil thundered home in an impressive 31:25, with a big gap back to Chris in 34:55, and trip-trotting into third was Dave in 36:57. Last to finish was Robert in a time of 55:57. Children’s Race10 children ranging from age 7 to 11 started out on their testing course, including a hill that would have seen many of the seniors break into a walk. A testimony to the mini-ABRaS AC ethos and training, many of the youngsters looked to be competitive, whilst still enjoying the fun of the sport. Two of the mini ABRaS AC young rising stars were Emil Rayfield and Samuel Berrill in a head-to-head battle at the front of the field, led and guided by our very own super fast Thomas. At the end of the first lap it was Samuel with a 5m gap over Emil – both were looking relaxed and strong. Thomas on the other hand was sweating and looking stressed by the responsibility – or was it the pace? The rest of the young runners soon filed through, including Sophie Ryhs-Maitland, Max Palmans, Alanna Rayfield, Ewan Clink, Holly Rhys-Maitland, James Clink and Mathew Johnston. (Davey Jackson had found a shortcut back to the finish.) At the finish it was Samuel who took the honours, just 4 seconds ahead of a fast finishing Emil. Sophie finished strongly in third. All the children received medals and lots of praise from proud parents and fellow runners.  Neil Tate coming in for 1st place Children's start |
