“We lined up this year at Maer Road car park with four new, and very welcome faces, Sam Larkham (OE Staff) and his daughters, Jasmine and Ruby and Old Exonian, Guy Levell (1991-1997). Old Heleans turnout came up a bit short, with only John McCawley, but we’re sure this is an aberration, hopefully, not to be repeated. After the heatwave temperatures in the 30s only a few days earlier, temperatures today in the low 20s were welcome, but even then, under full blue sky sunshine, it was again a hot and sweaty race. Our starting officials lined us up, ready for a race of their own, to drive to the Budleigh finish line, stopwatch in hand, ahead of the first runner finishing.
“3.00pm and we were off with James Saddler (1994-2005) immediately to the fore, wearing his Adidas Adizero racing shoes (other brands are available), and John (OH, 1974-1977) already unable to meet the challenge. But wait, the patter-pitter of Rees Jenkin’s (1988-1993) trainers were immediately at John’s shoulder, and it appeared there was a challenge race for 2nd and 3rd places to be had. Rounding Orcombe Point, we saw James ahead extending his lead significantly, whilst Rees continued to follow John stride for stride. This continued as we approached and descended into Sandy Bay Holiday Park, when…what devilry was this? The Holiday Park had erected new static caravans on our route. We couldn’t run forward and so diverted left, then right again, as we attempted to dodge our way back to the straight and narrow and hit the camp tarmac. But worse still for James ahead of us and unbeknown to us; he had diverted left, and continued left. As he found his way back to the true trail, he seriously thought he would find his first place position compromised and be chasing behind us again. But no such luck for us, even with the error, James still remained ahead, although as we climbed back from sea level out of Sandy Bay, it did seem odd that James could be seen not that far ahead of us once more.
“The climb out of Sandy Bay, also initiated a turnaround for the 2nd and 3rd place positions, as Rees overtook John on leaving the car park. Rees climbed the hill with strength, and stretched the gap to John by 10-15m, as we again negotiated additional new static caravans on our trail. Many a cross country runner has experienced such situations when overtaken, and having to decide whether one can respond, or through the effort and strain of the moment, relinquish their place to a better runner. Truth be told, John initially thought this to be the case, that the duel was lost. Then minutes later, John detected a minor slowing in Rees as they both continued to climb, and perhaps foolishly, John decided to take his chance and pull back alongside Rees. Rees voiced some congratulatory response to John’s determination, whereas John through effort could only grunt something nonsensical in reply.
“John and Rees hit the final hilltop at Westdown View (120m+ or 400 feet above sea level – since Sandy Bay), and thereafter it was to be a gradual descent. The dangerous ankle-twisting cobbles (legacy of a large ancient river that ran through here in the Eocene period) on the narrow path that followed, were too much for Rees, whereas John, throwing caution to the wind sought to extend his lead, such that Rees may also mentally give up on the chase, as John almost had minutes earlier. At this time of year it was not just ancient river cobbles to negotiate, but also stunned and frightened grockles seeking an afternoon stroll on the coastal path, as we tried to avoid running into them. There may have been unsavoury words thrown our way, but we were quickly out of earshot, so were oblivious. John extended his lead over Rees to nearly 40 seconds by the finish line, but in truth, it had been a close run thing. James had finished nearly 4 minutes in front, even with his holiday camp detour.
“Jasmine (13) followed about 10 minutes later, with Guy, Ruby (9) and Sam a further 10 minutes behind. All were enthusiastically clapped in through to the finish line, after which the usual picnic, drinks and announcements followed, Old Exonians again retaining the winners’ trophy. A great afternoon as always!”
– Thank you to John McCawley (Hele’s School, 1974-1977) for writing this wonderful account of the OE Cross Country Race
