Tywyn Weekender by John Terry
In the end 31 Harriers turned up at the Vaenol Camping site for the 2008 Race the Train. Although numbers were slightly down on previous years, those that did brave the journey over to mid Wales were met with a pleasant surprise - a very nice campsite, located only 5 minutes from the race venue and believe it or not, some nice weather! Of course the nice weather didn't last, but everything else remained good! On the Friday night there was a group BBQ and the weather held off long enough for us all to sit around chatting until about 9.30 - when a decamp to PGs tent was necessary as the rain really began to fall.
On race day we had participants taking part in three races. In the 3.5 miles children's run, Jack Waters and his friend Elijah both ran well to finish in around 27 minutes - a great time over a challenging course. In the 10k race, Gemma Steel showed how much she had improved, winning the race in a time of 41 minutes and collecting 80 pounds in the process! In the men's race Aaron Bird came home to rapturous applause in a time of around 75 minutes, looking like he had throughly enjoyed the event.
Before much longer it was time for the main race. At 2.06pm the train sounded its whistle and 11 Harriers began the run. Representing the club were PG, JT, Darren Wilson, Lee Tomlinson, Jason Lavine, Dave Kind, Dean Kelleher, Nigel Stock, Sarah Maynard, Trevor Hope and Peter Attaway. The course has changed significantly from previous years, with 0.75 of a mile knocked off the end, and a massive field in the middle remaining unploughed. This resulted in some much quicker times than before - with 6 Harriers beating the train home. PG was first home in 20th position and a time of 1.33. JT next in 33rd and 1.35, Darren ran a great race to make the team (which finished second overall behind Kenilworth Runners) in 1.37, just ahead of Lee 1.38 and Jason 1.40. Dave Kind ran a brilliant race, knocking 14 minutes off his old PB to finish in a time of 1.47 (just ahead of the train!) Dean and Nigel ran the race together in a time of 2.03, Sarah had a great race for her 2.24, with Trev making 2.32 and Peter Attaway 2.34.
Thankfully the rain held off for most of the race, but come 5pm a torrential downpour had most of the Harriers sheltering in the race marquee, where fortunately there just happened to be a bar. The weather did its best to spoil the evening party too, but the Harriers are a hardy bunch and it would take more than a bit of rain to stop the show. The final part of the night saw a number of Harriers pile into Lee's motorhome to watch the ladies marathon and a final bedtime of 3am! The weather was just as bad sunday morning, so pretty much everyone upped sticks and left. Of course by the time we arrived for lunch in Aberdovey the sun came out, but that's the appeal of race the train - as soon as your tent poles hit the ground in Tywyn, the rain comes down!
The new campsite looks very promising, possessing as it does a number of static caravans at the back, that might appeal to some of our more discerning members, as well as a shop, launderette and its close proximity to the town centre. See you all next year!