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2004 Race 3: Alternative British Champs 20/3/04
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 Nash and Elder blow away the rest of the field
Howling gale force conditions and driving rain met the competitors in the third UK Cup race of 2003. The courses started into a technical area of low visibility forest (with some questionable mapping) which claimed many early casualties among the elite including Claire Ward and Helen Winskill. Then it was out onto the windswept moorland for a long (3km for the men) route choice leg accross the highest point. Virtually everyone opted for a long track run in this 'fell-racing' section of the course. Finally there was a section of medium length legs in full view of the finish arena, which would no doubt have provided some excellent spectator interest, had everyone not been cowering in their cars away from the elements.
The general consensus was that the organisors did their absolute best under some pretty extreme conditions, although the courses were perhaps not quite challenging enough for the UK Cup.
Congratulations to Ed Nash who won the men's elite on his home terrain 3 minutes ahead of Rob Baker. In the women's class Rachael Elder scored her first ever UK Cup win ahead of W20 Mhairi Mckenzie. |
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