GREEN BELT RELAY 2004
   Barry Dabrowski reports…

GBR Stage Wins for Steve, Simon & James Steve Endacott (new young member), Simon Loach and James Godber were the individual successes for Dulwich in the GBR this weekend with 3 brilliant stage wins as Dulwich Runners Men's Team took 6th place overall, with the Mixed Team in 19th of the 25 complete teams.

On Saturday, Steve started us of on Leg 1 from Hampton Court to Staines by winning (by about a minute) in
1:17:34, then at the end of Day 1, Simon Loach stormed to victory with a stage record on Leg 10 from Passingford Bridge to Blackmore in 47:48.On Sunday, James Godber had a superb run leading from start (Blackmore) to finish (Thorndon Park) to earn his coveted winner's T-Shirt in 1:06:52, winning by over a minute. On Leg 13, Steve Endacott was a close 2nd having battled with the leader for most of the leg, then came a gallant 3rd on leg 19 (covering for injured John Lowe). Simon set off like a greyhound on the last leg, but suffered for his poor pace judgement and slipped to 3rd. Full results are now on the web site, though there were a few problems caused by the late arrival of race numbers, and some gaps in the initial results. Overall, the DR teams had a good but chaotic weekend, except for Mike Dodds who got lost, muddy and bruised on leg 4 (one of the toughest), and had to be rescued from a wall in High Wycombe.

Andy Murray reports…
Stage 3 Boveney-Little Marlow 11.2 miles A very beautiful leg, alongside the river past Windsor racecourse, Bray and Cookham but recent rain meant very slippery conditions on the towpath stretches and a lot of changes of speed. I started in eleventh, overtook a couple on the towpath, then two more, one being ex-DR Andy Clarke, just before the first road bridge. The second half became harder as my breakfast felt uncomfortable in my stomach and the wind against us increased but I held my position. The leading runner from Flanders went off course. Andy Murray 63.31. (+Kirstin Baker)
Stage 16 Merstham-Box Hill 8.9 miles - Started fast as I wanted to get through the first gate without queuing and was in third position going up the first hill but soon down to fourth. We followed the ridge south of the M25 gradually uphill towards Reigate, occasionally getting good views to the south but mainly running on wooded tracks. I wore fell shoes this day, giving much better grip on the muddy stretches. A couple of runners came past when I was checking the route at turnings. Eventually we got to the undulating gradual uphill road to Box Hill, where I overtook one runner but could make no headway on the other two in sight ahead. Felt reasonably strong through to the finish.

Clare Wyngard adds…
I would just like to say thank you and well done to all the runners of the GBR for making this weekend so special. An extra big thank you to Barry for his organisational skills and to Peter (G), John (T) and Brian for ferrying everyone around the beautiful countryside. Not everyone enjoyed themselves however! Mike Dodds stepped in at the last minute to complete the mixed team and was given the hardest and longest leg on Saturday (not that he knew this before he set off), from Little Marlow to Great Kingshill. Alexander (his son), Stage winner Steve (E) and myself went to a lovely spot at 9m (manor house, bluebell woods, top of steep muddy bank) to cheer the runners on. Tiernan very much appreciated Alexander’s singing “You feel good” (adapted from James Brown) and his shouts of “You need a bath” as I’m sure some of the other runners did! After waiting some time, Mike did not appear and then we were worrying about Tiernan finishing and not having his kit. After two and a half hours from the start of stage 4 (13.3m); half the runners had still not come home. One had finished from the opposite direction. Then I got a call from Mike to come and rescue him. He was sitting on the wall of an elderly couple’s house (not even on the course) covered from head to foot in mud, leaves and blood, with blue lips. I have never seen any one eat a banana and drink a bottle of Lucozade sport so quickly. Need I add, he was not at all happy and did not have a good word to say about the organisational skills / course markings of the GBR. When we asked Mike if he had not seen anybody to ask directions from, he admitted he thought he saw someone on a bench/under a tree – on closer inspection he discovered it to be a bag of fertilizer! (so perhaps it’s not all the fault of the organisers…). Ten minutes later he had a pint and we were all a bit happier and warmer in the pub – even tho’ Tiarnan’s kit was now in St Albans! But that‘s another tale – and perhaps some of the happier GBR stories will be in Shorts.

James Godber adds…
I just want to thank Barry and everyone from DR who gave up their time to ensure that this event ran as smoothly as possible. It was great to be a part of it and see so many people running well, whilst being able to enjoy themselves and the countryside!