 Runners ready for the off |
 The walk through vineyards |
 Lifting the pumpkins |
 Yes that pumpkin is huge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Click on photos to enlarge - use browser back button to return | |||
|
Runners ready for the off |
The walk through vineyards |
Lifting the pumpkins |
Yes that pumpkin is huge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Click on photos to enlarge - use browser back button to return | |||
He travelled a bit further than usual for his Sunday morning
Trailblazers run, but Tony Molesworth was rewarded handsomely for his
effort on October 2nd with an unusual prize. Tony was first in the Vet
70 category in the Provence-Luberon Half-Marathon in the south of
France. He won not only a giant pumpkin, but six bottles of local wine
(and a pair of bright orange flip flops!)
Tony ran superbly in the heat to finish in 1.55.45, some 50 seconds
ahead of his closest rival, and knocking more than seven minutes off
his time in the same race last year. Overall he finished 366th of 905
finishers.
Not far behind Tony was Bettina Gruninger who crossed the line in
1.58.24 in her second half-marathon in seven days. It was only a few
minutes slower than the PB she had set at Windsor the previous Sunday.
Richard Abraham made up the trio of Chiltern Harriers racing in
Provence, opting for the 10k distance, and running well to finish in
58.16.
The Provence-Luberon event is held on the first weekend of October
every year and involves a series of races over different distances,
from a Marathon down to the attractive-sounding "Randonee Degustation",
or tasting walk. Not surprisingly, those travelling with Tony, Bettina
and Richard opted for this. Merrin Molesworth, Jane Peel and James
Timothy took up the difficult challenge of walking 10k through
beautiful countryside, tasting the local produce and drink en route. In
the village of La Bastidonne, they were serenaded by a band, and
welcomed by civic dignitaries in their finery, something appreciated by
the former Mayor of Chesham, Mrs Molesworth.
Jane Peel