| Barry Drew was the only Carnie to brave the biting winds and snow showers and venture up onto Bodmin Moor for the 5 Tors Moorland Run. Organised by ECH, the course is just under 11 miles of rugged, exposed moorland. 107 hardy souls completed the run including Barry in 73rd position with a time of 1:53:36.
Hopefully, Barry will send us a report for you to marvel at. That will be sometime after his frost-bitten fingers have been sewn back on and his nuts have thawed out next to the fireplace!!
Awesome one, Barry!
"The Five Tors is one of my favourite runs but, having booked a ski holiday for 15th to 22nd March, I thought I would have to give it a miss this year. However, when I got to the bottom of my final run on Friday still in one piece I decided the Five Tors might be a possibility. It did not seem such a good idea when I awoke on Sunday morning with the thigh muscles still feeling the effect of a week on the slopes, but the decision had been made to go for it.
As I approached Minions the rain was getting progressively heavier and there was slush lying in the ditches. When I arrived in the car park I looked unsuccessfully for fellow Carnies (wimps!).
Now for the difficult decision as to what to wear. I was surrounded by runners in full waterproof gear, hats and gloves but I decided to go for shorts and no hat or gloves.
As we set off the rain was stinging our faces and I started to regret the gloves decision because my hands were like icicles. The circulation returned after about 1½ miles. At 2 miles the rain stopped and the sun appeared - it was starting to become enjoyable. As we approached half way my decision on what to wear was vindicated as I spotted several runners taking off waterproof tops and tying them around their waists.
We were now approaching the muddiest part of the course with a very real danger of losing a shoe at every step. I could not believe that I had run the same course last year in road shoes.
With all the tors climbed the last couple of miles should have been plain sailing but the ski trip was beginning to catch up with me and the flat section did not seem any easier than the tors.
I crossed the line in 1 hour 53 minutes, slower than last year but, considering the conditions, not too disappointing.
Just one final obstacle to overcome - the car park was so waterlogged that I had to be pushed out by 4 Hayle runners before I could return to civilisation."
Barry Drew
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