Mendip Muddle 10th Oct 2010 Race Report

The Mendip Muddle is Weston AC's toughest race, yet is arguably the most enjoyable. Enjoyable that is if you don't mind over 1600ft of climb over the 12.6 mile course. Held in the glorious and spectacular setting of the Mendip Hills near Weston-super-Mare, the Muddle attracts a hardy bunch of runners who appreciate the dramatic views from the highest point of the race, at Beacon Batch. The promised 20 degrees Celsius temperatures didn’t materialise but thankfully neither did the rain which was a marked improvement upon the 2009 race.

Competition was fierce this year with a record entry into the race. First across the finish line was Matthew Crane (Senior Male – Bristol & West AC) in 1h 19m 11s, with Richard Phillips (Senior Male – Serpentine Running Club) in 1h 20m 04s and Stuart Leaney(Senior Male –Clevedon AC) in 1h 20m 56s following closely behind. For the ladies, first homewas Emma Hitchins(Senior Female – South West Road Runners) in 1h 36m 51s, with Lynette Porter (FV40 – Bitton Road Runners) in 1h 38m 27s and Becky Glover (Senior Female – Serpentine Running Clun) in 1h 38m 27s making up the other major placings.

As winner of the FV40 category, Lynette Porter also collects the Trudy Rowe Trophy. This trophy was first awarded to Niki Morgan in 2009 in memory of Trudy Rowe, who was a big fan of the Mendip Muddle race.

Thanks to the record entry of 347 entrants and generous sponsorship of the race, we were once again able to donate a significant sum to the Wrington Vale branch of the RNLI. A big thank you to the Weston AC and RNLI marshals and volunteers who gave up their time to make sure the runners got around safely and for also giving them generous encouragement along the route.

A note for your diary, next year’s Muddle will take place on October 9th 2011. See you there! Full race results and Muddle details can be found at

RACE RESULTS & PRIZE WINNERS – MENDIP MUDDLE – 10th OCTOBER 2010
Individuals – Men – Overall
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 1 / Matthew Crane / Bristol & West AC / 1:19:11
2 / 2 / Richard Phillips / Serpentine / 1:20:04
3 / 3 / Stuart Leaney / Clevedon AC / 1:20:56
4 / 4 / Tom Fisher / Avon Valley Runners / 1:22:28
5 / 5 / Kit Stokes / Team Easy Runner / 1:26:46
1 / 6 / Kevin Crenol / Burnham Harriers / 1:26:46
Individuals – Women – Overall
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 29 / Emma Hitchins / South West RR / 1:36:51
1 / 32 / Lynette Porter / Bitton Road Runners / 1:38:27
2 / 36 / Becky Glover / Serpentine / 1:38:49
3 / 37 / Grace Crane / Bristol & West AC / 1:39:21
4 / 54 / Kerry Wray / Southville RC / 1:44:57
5 / 66 / Cheryl Hudgell / Les Croupiers / 1:46:59
Senior Male
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 1 / Matthew Crane / Bristol & West AC / 1:19:11
2 / 2 / Richard Phillips / Serpentine / 1:20:04
3 / 3 / Stuart Leaney / Clevedon AC / 1:20:56
4 / 4 / Tom Fisher / Avon Valley Runners / 1:22:28
Senior Female
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 29 / Emma Hitchins / South West RR / 1:36:51
2 / 36 / Becky Glover / Serpentine / 1:38:49
3 / 37 / Grace Crane / Bristol & West AC / 1:39:21
4 / 54 / Kerry Wray / Southville RC / 1:44:57
Male Vet 40
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 6 / Kevin Crenol / Burnham Harriers / 1:26:46
2 / 10 / Patrick Foley / Portishead RC / 1:30:46
3 / 16 / Sean Driscoll / Totton RC / 1:34:06
4 / 18 / Jonathan Gledson / TACH / 1:35:02
Female Vet 40
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 32 / Lynette Porter / Bitton Road Runners / 1:38:27
2 / 78 / Niki Morgan / Chepstow Harriers / 1:49:12
3 / 99 / Emma Parfitt / Nailsea Runners / 1:53:03
4 / 111 / Maria Powell / Clevedon AC / 1:55:15
Male Vet 50
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 13 / Nick Somerville / WellsCity Harriers / 1:32:17
2 / 15 / Peter Fews / Unattached / 1:32:57
3 / 43 / Adrian Wood / SomerSC / 1:42:39
Female Vet 50
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 101 / Julie Scholey / Les Croupiers / 1:53:40
2 / 146 / Elaine Nimmo / Carnethy Hill RC / 2:01:57
3 / 152 / Judith Gamblin / Unattached / 2:02:30
Male Vet 60
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 55 / Jim Langford / Unattached / 1:45:00
2 / 76 / Bill Thompson / Unattached / 1:48:57
Female Vet 60
Category Position / Race Position / Name / Club / Time
1 / 251 / Hilary O’Shea / Unknown / 2:27:15
2 / 268 / Jean Hughes / Langport Runners / 2:33:46