I should add reports on later year outings
In 2005, the event was held in mid-august, back on the rack, but again a
depleted field because so many people were on holiday. Let's hope for a
September date in 2006! Then we might get a good-size field again.
In 2004 there was a difficult version on grass, lap times 10 seconds over
track times, so less time to recover. The track was undergoing long term
repairs, attendance at normal training was depleted, so not too many people
turned up for The Devil.
2002 event on Wednesday 28th Aug
Report on the 2002 'Devil take the
Hindmost' Event
My experience:
There were about 80 set out on one at the Joe Allott track in
Rotherham today (28 Aug 2002)
Lap 1 seemed quite easy. 1:38 towards the back of the field (taking
it easy, I claim). Part way round advised no-one would
be eliminated this lap.
Lap 2: steady, quite a crowd behind, 1:32.
Lap 3: Need to accelerate a bit in the home straight for 1:28
Lap 4: 1:27 to keep out of trouble. That's 18 gone now.
Lap 5: It's getting quicker. Looking round at the start of the
home straight, I can see its tight. End up doing 1:25
Lap 6: It's hotting up! Manage 1.25, again, just keeping ahead
of trouble.
Lap 7: Loose contact early after effort of last lap, and trail
in at 1:40
As spectator I saw:
Lap 11: Janet Hindley, second last lady, eliminated (Paula Fisher
3rd).
Lap 12: last lady, Sarah Kreil, eliminated. Good effort
Lap 20: Only 4 left. A devastating run by trophy winner Rob Watkinson,
who has kept his light under a bushel until now but now puts in
the fastest lap of 53.4 s, as could be expected from the Yorkshire
800 m champion. Second was Carl Ryde, third Jon Thewlis (a junior)
and fourth Shaun Hogton (veteran)
Green Jersey point competition: after lap 5, the first 3 each
lap scored 3, 2, 1 points, to add interest through the middle
of the event. Eventually won by Mark Ruddleston, whose idea it
was, although he was eliminated with about 2 laps to go. Last
o/50 to survive was Mick Marsters.
The event was started
and presentation made by
the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr. Aubrey Senior
Proceeds to the Rotherham Hospice
Later a presentation was made
to the club members who officiated at the recent Commonwealth
games in Manchester.
Info:
Herringthorpe Stadium: Register in time for start at 19:00
- or you may be eliminated first lap, on the start line.
the Phil Allen Memorial
Event for the Phil Allen Memorial Trophy.
Who fancies a 20 x
400 m reps session? Laps starting on the gun at 2 minute intervals.
If (like Paula) you do 71 second laps on 10 k pace, you have a
49 s recovery time. If, like me, you take 92 s, you get 28 s recovery.
Experience is that the pace soon hots up at the back.... (and
the back soon catches up)
The catch is that,
on each lap, the back-markers (or devils) are eliminated. By lap
10, there will only be 20 left, leaving 4 athletes for the showdown
on the last lap. Believe it, the last 4 are athletes, although
upwards of 100 joggers and athletes will set out on the quest.
Presentation at the
track after the race. Afterwards, go to the Cricket Club for a
Disco and spoof tribute evening, but no doubt the cognoscente
will retire to The Limes (or the real ale pub in Masbrough) after
the event.
EOD £5.00
Pre-entry £2.00 to Mark
Ruddlestone or Phil but you are invited to make an additional
optional donation to the hospice of (at least) £3.00, so
you might as well enter on the day :-) . Entry forms
with contact information at the Kiosk (at the Stadium) Monday
and Wednesday nights, or enter on the night.
Report on the 1999 'Devil take the
Hindmost' Event
Unfortunately I missed 2000 (return of prodigal son) and 2001
(not around at the time)
I can only report my
experience:
There were about 80 set out on one at the Joe Allott track in
Rotherham today (Aug 1999)
Lap 1 seemed quite easy. 1:30 and in the middle of the field.
Well ahead of the eliminated 6 (including race organiser's Dad)
Lap 2: steady, quite a crowd behind, 1:32. Mick Hague amongst
the 6; he used to be good, but he couldn't resist the cooking
of the hamburgers.
Lap 3: Need to accelerate a bit in the home straight for 1:30
Lap 4: It's getting quicker. 1:27 to keep out of trouble. the
extra 3 seconds of rest don't make up for the extra effort. Peter
Elliott's wife eliminated (it's OK, the top stars sending their
proxies. I understand he had a commitment elsewhere). That's 24
gone now.
Lap 5: It's hotting up! Looking round at the start of the home
straight, I can see its tight. End up doing 1:23
Lap 6: Too soon, despite the extra 7 seconds recovery. Soon loose
contact, and trail in at 1.31, and out.
Lap 7: Timing starts: leader does 53.5, having saved himself.
Will this be the best of the night.
Lap 10: down to 22
Lap 20: Only 4 left. A devastating run by the trophy winner (name
to be supplied).
Organiser Mark Ruddleston still there but not in touch.
The presentation was made by the Mayor of Rotherham
Proceeds to the Rotherham Hospice (at a suggested £3.00
per participant)
It was the sort of event Phil would have relished!
Great Event: look forward to a re-run next year.
Comments to:Henry Marston
Back to Henry's RHAC Trail and
Road Home Page
Back to The RHAC Road Home Page
Updated 6 August, 2002