Boundary Run 2006
By Si Rutherford
In recent years, the Cambridge Boundary Run had become something of a legend amongst current members of the club. There were whispers of a near forgotten race between hundreds, a race further than a marathon in length, winding along the historic city's boundary. A race that evoked memories of a time when shin splints were supports for rickets sufferers and Bowerman's hot air inspired Prefontaine, instead of inflating his trainers. Twenty years had passed since its last staging and intrigued current Hareys often asked: Was it really that far? Where did it actually go? Why did so many do it and why does it not happen now?! Thus, in the summer 2005, it was decided that the best way to answer these questions and affirm the legend would be to breathe new life into the Cambridge Boundary Run.
A few months of planning, and many miles of reconnoitring later, the Boundary Run's cryogenics were all but melted. At 10.30am on Sunday 5th March 2006 the blood began to flow again as Hareys past and present, locals and runners from clubs across the South of England gathered at the start line under brilliant blue skies, but sheltering from a rather nippy Northern wind.
The recreation of the route had been master minded by Alex Ho, who in training for the London Marathon, ran every path and track around Cambridge, hunting for the smoothest and simplest path staying close to the boundary, factoring in numerous changes to the landscape since 1985. At registration each runner was a given a booklet worthy of publication, describing the route in minute detail, including photos of every junction along the way. This had been produced by Alex single-handed and is a monumental piece of work. The documentation of the route is a huge asset to the club and will make future runs an ease to stage.
With the slight alterations to the route, the runners would attempt a whacking 25miles, taking a delectable tour of the finest countryside surrounding Cambridge: a few of the treats being Wandlebury, Nine Wells, Grantchester, Madingley, Girton College, Milton Nature Reserve and the River Cam. For those who valued the use of their legs in the days after, there was also a half marathon option, finishing at Coton village green where a bus awaited to return runners to the start.
Sweatshop Cambridge had generously offered to provide race support for this fixture (in addition to the Chris Brasher College League.) Not only did they help in the planning of the event and the printing or race numbers, they also arranged for us to hold it at their base in the swanky Next Generation Fitness Club, just off Coldhams Lane. Changing rooms of unprecedented luxury to cross-country runners, parking, baggage storage and refreshments were just some of the advantages of the location. The support of Sweatshop and Next Generation Fitness Club was a huge boost to the Boundary Run and increased everyone's enjoyment of the day. A huge thanks to them for supporting this unique running event, in particular Andy Noyce, instrumental in the race even happening.
"Three, two, one, go" were the starting orders of Professor Roger Griffin (more affectionately known as Yogi to Hareys and his friends). He is a previous winner and has completed more Boundary Runs than anyone -- 16 before 1985. He then turned heel and joined the masses to complete his 17th Boundary Run... at the age of 70!
The competitor's respect for the task at hand was demonstrated by the unusually slow pace at which the race started, even Aidan Brown held back the urge to sprint past the dawdling pack which made its way through Cherry Hinton to Fulbourne. After making light work of the only real hill in the course beside Wandlebury, the pack wound its way into the first water station to be greeted by Ailbhe and an iron board, and a little further on a neat matrix of cups of drinking water handed out by Rich Lebon and ambulance driver Mark Coley.
When people stopped to drink, the field began to string out, but the front pack still knit closely together as they ate up the miles passing through Nine Wells and Trumpington onto Grantchester. At the second water station at the beginning of the meadows the runners were greeted by Diarmuid "Johnson" O'Seaghdha, who hadn't grasped the concept of a fair race and began his run 7 miles in. This was cheeky enough, but he then began to wind up the pace as the route turned into the Northerly wind and with tired legs the previously harmonious front pack began to break up
By the time the leaders had passed Wolfson College to reach the half marathon point at Coton, the lead group had been whittled down to a meagre four, who greedily swigged water and grabbed some of the refreshments Andy Duncan had on offer on his trolley. Not far back Aidan Brown stormed into Coton at the head of those completing the half Boundary, saving his sprint for a lap of the fields to take victory in 1:28:47. Helen Mort was the first woman home in 1:40:38.
In contrast to the unity of the first half of the race, during the second the field stretched out around the boundary of Cambridge and runners were left battling exhausted bodies and having to navigate in small groups. Brief respite was gained at drinks stations where Will George gave bicycle support, malt loaf was handed out by Leika and "Top Gun" tunes spurred them on at the final station, manned to the last by Rich Lebon and Claire Nance.
However, the pace at the front was still continuing to pick up with Diarmuid pushed by Henry Brown and Rich Hewitt, flying round the northern side of Cambridge with home almost (only another 6 miles!!) in sight. Diarmuid was the first to drop back leaving Henry and Rich to battle it out for victory. In the final couple of miles Henry's marathon pedigree (2:30pb) shone through and he edged away from Rich to return to the Next Generation Club, and complete the full circumnavigation of Cambridge, in a staggering 2 hours, 45mins and 35 seconds. But the performance of the day surely went to Rich, who having never run anywhere near this distance was only 23 seconds away from victory. No doubt he has some fine marathon performances to come.
Other notable performances came from first woman Silke Pichler; her eighth position overall showed her preparation for London was going well. Likewise, a fine third overall went to Chris Morris who took the scalps of many more experienced runners with a display of very consistent pacing which showed great promise for London. Second woman was Sarah Kummerfeld who not only had no experience of running this far, but also spent the day before marking out the course, so would have had more reason than most to succumb to exhaustion! There were plenty more Harey heroes, to mention a few: Celina Hutton made light work of the whole run at her first attempt at anything this long, likewise Charlie Pitt Ford and his brother. And, our EZ run reps Laura Frost and Ruth Hedden were still smiling (and singing) when they completed the 25 miles.
83 runners started the boundary and two hours after Henry had stormed through the finish, all had returned (most still running!) and 46 having completed the full boundary distance. All runners should be very proud, as this was no mean feat: the strong wind, tricky conditions underfoot and navigation thrown in made it probably more challenging than a marathon. Everyone proclaimed they were thrilled to have had the chance to partake in such a unique race and how much they'd enjoyed discovering Cambridge this way. Although some found the task of navigating a little tricky, all said how much they were looking forward to next year's race.
So, the legend of the boundary run is now a reality and with the current boom in marathon running (30 H&Hs entered for London this year) hopefully it will remain a permanent fixture on the H&H calendar for distance crazed runners to enjoy for many more years to come. This year the race was run at cost, but as its popularity indicates, it is hoped, it will be an excellent way to raise funds for the club
We are indebted to the following people without who the run would not have happened: Alex Ho, Andy Noyce and Sarah Kummerfeld. And of course many thanks to the other volunteers who all made huge efforts to ensure the smooth running of such a mammoth race: Aidan Brown, Pete Leek, Richard Lebon, Andrew Duncan, Andy Bell, Jacob Eisler, Lee Harper, Mark Coley, Paolo Natali, Meleika Gooneratne, Claire Nance, Lance Rane, Sarah Coggrave, Ailbhe Burke, Will George, Richard Hewitt, Matt Sims, Jason Wong and Philip Scard.