“And here comes Simon Brister of DVO into the finish … he takes the lead in the M75’s by four seconds …”
To my great shock and disbelief, this is what I heard blaring from the loudspeakers as I crossed the finish line of the JK Sprint Race at Loughborough University. Back at download, there it was in black and white. Fourteen minutes and eleven seconds. 1st out of 31 in M75.
I knew that for once I’d run well, fast and careful, no slip-ups. But with 52 runners in the class and 2 hours to go before the last competitors left the starting gate, I couldn’t really believe I could possibly win. Time passed slowly.
We went down to watch the finish as the later starters would be due to appear. I knew who to look out for! Peter Gorvett of SYO. I checked his start time and we counted down the seconds. Tension was high … the last finishers sprinted and gasped over the line … it was over.
So, my first podium place in orienteering – and quite possibly my last – but a proud moment!
[Very well done Simon – some big scalps there!
As a perpetual tourist, I thought you might enjoy some detail about the Cedar of Lebanon outside the Edward Herbert Building, which served on Good Friday as an excellent Event Centre. In front of the tree, is Lynn Chadwick’s 1966 Witches sculpture. – Ed.]
