RHS Mini Marathon 2018: Official Report

RHS Mini Marathon 2018: Official Report – Adam Warren

School Sport Mr Hodson May 4, 2018 0 Comments

Sunday 30 April saw one of the busiest weekends of the ‘Summer’ term, with Divisions, Chapel and the highly anticipated 8^th Ultra – Mini Marathon, and 18^th Annual Mini – Marathon; all of these events taking place in more of a traditional Scottish Summer climate than the usual RHS Mini – Marathon weather. Despite this, 73 pupils, staff and parents set off for the light Sunday afternoon activity of a 10.5 mile race, with 24 of the younger members of the School community (and Mr Dixon) setting off for a casual 5 miler. Our London marathon finishers, Kieran Farrer (HK/NL) and Nathan Mellors (HK/NL) clearly felt that 10.5 miles was simply too short a race and so opted to observe from the comfort of a wheelchair in Nathan’s case. Instead, their mothers represented them in the Ultra- Mini, running two strong times indeed.

An impressive turnout, in spite of the dank conditions.

Both races were serious spectacles, with very few expressions beyond grimaces, as the athletes basked in a balmy 4⁰C with a 20mph Northerly wind. The exception to this being John Wells (CD) who simply seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole experience. The race started fast, with Freddie Wotton (HK) leading the race out across the parade square, arms aloft screaming ‘I’m winning, I’m winning!’ for a whole 20 meters until he promptly caught the curb by Cornwallis and kissed the tarmac picking up a fairly extensive set of grazes to both knees and the hand.

The pace was rather strong across the field for such dire conditions for a distance event, with Conor Ryan (CD) and Hadrian Ville (SV) pushing well clear of the pace setter for the first 5 miles (Me, HK) and powering off across the damn on lap two. Several gruelling battles highlighted the 16km race, with Ryan and Ville racing for the win, Hodson and Batman racing for the Staff win and Gould and Routledge powering on together, Mr Gould firmly set on the Butt and Oyster as his post – race ‘treat’.

Mile 6: Everyone’s favourite Sports Correspondent gets unceremoniously dropped by Ville and Ryan.

A group of die – hard members of staff braved the weather to marshal and spectate, whilst a small but energetic group of pupil supporters rallied on the gate by the dam. All of those who braved the weather to support must be commended as, although less than ideal, their energy and helpful comments (ranging from ‘you’re nearly there’ – As one began the second lap, and ‘Care for a glass of water?’) were hugely appreciated by all the 98 runners in both races.

Sterling efforts from Theo Gardiner (BK) and Tom Lockyer (DK) racing hard to finish not too far from Connor Ryan’s record (32:03) in 0:35:10 and 0:36:05 respectively. Grace Gardiner (RL) won the girl’s Ultra – Mini race in a quick 00:44:10, with Emily Colston (HW) close behind in 00:45:03 and Izzy Botley (RL) taking third in 00:49:27. A special commendation must go to the Second Master who flew round in 00:43:54, finishing a highly respectable 5^th place.

In the Mini, Hadrian Ville pulled away as he descended the drift, leading all the way home in 01:09:09, with Conor Ryan finishing in 01:10:35, followed by Joe Fletcher (DK) in 01:11:51. Katie Cuddihy (HD) lead the girls field, crossing the line in 01:19:08, 15^th overall. Jessie Wilkinson (HD) and Caitie Bennett (HD) finished in 01:37:09 and 01:34:26 respectively. Mr Hodson surprised a few and finished 1^st in the Staff category, in 01:15:10, with Mr Batman literally six seconds behind him. Apparently, the Oxford Graduate was deeply saddened that he didn’t get to go up in assembly and receive a medal, so maybe something could be arranged for Speech Day instead?

You know you’re not allowed to write on your hands, Mr Battman!

James Fewtrell’s (RL) 1999 record of 1:01:07, remained firmly unbeaten, with Mr Gould observing: ‘Crickey that guy finished literally an hour faster than Routledge and me’. Lt. Gould crossed the line in 01:58:29, a strong time for such challenging conditions.

A first Mini organised by Mr Warren, and thanks must be extended to him and all the staff who marshalled and manned water stops as well as Mr Vickers’s for catching people’s best side during their ordeals. Hopefully 2019, will see finer weather and larger fields, with maybe Mr Gould beating Mr Hodson and Connor Ryan pushing to get his second RHS marathon record by beating Fewtrell’s (if he can even beat Hadrian first!).