Cycle News Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Huw leads Hardrock field

STAFFORD athlete Huw Jones became the first winner of the Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge on Sunday.

The 35-year-old was almost four minutes ahead of his nearest rival after a marathon-long event in Dalbeattie Forest.

He ran the first 10-mile leg in 1hr 6mins 13secs and followed up with a time of 1.13.11 for the 16-mile mountain bike ride.

His overall time of 2.19.24 was 3mins 55secs ahead of 28-year-old Tim Darlow of Edinburgh whose run and cycle times were 1.03.42 and 1.19.37.

Third place went to Richard Idle, of East Lothian, whose combined time of 2.40.16 also gave him first prize in the veterans’ section.

Best local performance was by Norman Neilson who clocked times of 1.07.42 and 1.40.57 to finish in sixth place and take the prizes for the highest placed Stewartry and Dalbeattie competitor as well as second veteran.

Garry Burns and Alan Wight, both of Dalbeattie, finished in eighth and ninth position, taking the prizes for second and third Stewartry entrant.

The only woman in the individual challenge, 45-year-old Jenny Smith from Kirkcudbright crossed the line in 22nd position and was awarded the prizes for first lady, first lady veteran and first local.

A field of 22 individuals and 27 two-person teams were sent on their way by Councillor Helen Bell and one of the top favourites in the team event, John Macnamara, Gatehouse, and Stephen Martin of Castle Douglas made a cracking start.

John completed his run in the fastest time of the day, 1hr 2mins 20secs, to give Stephen, one of the top bikers in the country, a seemingly unassailable lead.

But trouble lay ahead when Stephen suffered two punctures and was eventually forced to cycle over the rough forest track on just the front rim.

His bad luck continued as the wheel collapsed and he was thrown over the handlebars and it was a blooded and bruised Stephen who crossed the line, having carried his broken bike for about five miles.

Stephen and John finished in ninth position, more than 25 minutes behind winners Gareth Montgomerie and Simon Tuchewicz from Castle Douglas. Simon clocked 1hr 9mins 32secs but Gareth, another of the country’s top bikers, set a blistering pace for a time of 1.05.20 and an overall time of 2.14.52.

Second were Alan Tuchewicz and John Armstrong in 2.22.27.

With about 70 people taking part, organisers of the inaugural event were delighted with the support and the positive feedback from competitors, and confirmed that plans are already underway for next year.

One of the organisers, Andy Webster, said the competitors had come from all over the country and many had said how impressed they were with the course.

He added that as most of the organisers were competing in the event they were hoping that more people would come forward to help next year. Anyone interested in helping or sponsoring should contact Andy on 01556-612253.

Councillor Helen Bell handed over the trophies at the King’s Arms Hotel. This year’s main sponsors were Howies Forest Products, Castle Douglas Cycle Centre, Thistle Products and The Galloway News.

Trophy winners: Kinnaird’s Cup (allcomers individual) - Huw Jones; B Smith Cup (Stewartry winner) - Norman Neilson; R Murray Shield and Hardrock Challenge Shield (ladies winner) - Jenny Smith; Neilson Bros Cup (veteran winner) - Richard Idle; Dalbeattie Foresty Community Partnership Shield (first Dalbeattie competitor) - Norman Neilson; team winner - Gareth Montgomerie and Simon Tuchewicz.

Individuals: 1, Huw Jones, Stafford, 2.19.24; 2, Tim Darlow, Edinburgh 2.23.19; 3, Richard Idle, East Lothian, 2.40.16; 4, Alistair Brown, Dumfries, 2.41.00; 5, Peter Glencross, Cumbria 2.42.38; 6, Norman Neilson, Dalbeattie, 2.48.39; 7, Ian Paterson, Dumfries, 2.51.03; 8, Garry Burns, Dalbeattie, 2.55.32; 9, Alan Wight, Dalbeattie, 3.02.41; 10, sam Hodginson, Edinburgh, 3.03.04; 11, James Kinnaird, Dalbeattie, 3.03.49; 12, Bob Green, Hardgate, 3.05.21; 13, Simon Mein, Dalbeattie, 3.05.47; 14, Stewart Henderson, Kirkpatrick Durham, 3.13.47; 15, Gibb wallace, Dalbeattie, 3.18.20; 16, Kenny Dewar, Dalbeattie, 3.21.32; 17, Joe Sylvester, Midlothian, 3.35.35; 18, Craig Parker, Palnackie, 3.41.12; 19, Derek McCormack, Dalbeattie, 3.41.21; 20, Carol Newcomen, Dalbeattie, 3.41.22; 21, Jim Goodfellow, Dalbeattie, 3.46.11; 22, Jenny Smith, Kirkcudbright, 4.18.42.

Teams:1, Gareth Montgomerie/Simon Tuchewicz 2.15.52; Alan Tuchewicz/ John Armstrong 2.22.27; 3, Sandy Shankland/Jim Mair 2.27.06; 4, Mhairi Douglas/John Douglas 2.28.03; 5, Ian Fenwick/Ian Houston 2.31.00; 6, Stuart Logan/Roger Waterworth 2.35.41; 7, Douglas McMillan/ Tony Caig 2.36.42; 8, Samantha Kelly/ Kenny Lamont 2.3925; 9, John Macnamara/Stephen Martin 2.40.13; 10, David Cashman/Tracey Stamp 2.44.52; 11, Neil Mackintosh/Kevin Scott 2.45.18; 12, Andy Webster/Hadrian Fraser 2.46.29; 13, Mellanie Martin/Dean Martin 2.49.19; 14, John McRobert and Paul Canon 2.50.40; 15, Brian Bruton/Andy Stevenson 2.52.00; 16, Joseph Carson/John 2.52.48; 17, Stewart Robertson/Paul Minto 2.53.39; 18, Steph Smith/Gary McMinn 2.58.16; 19, Ian McTier/Jamie McIntosh 2.59.23; 20, Neil Henderson/Debbie Park 3.06.45; 21, Colin Burnie/Ally Black 3.09.13; 22, Christie Clemie/Martyn Clemie 3.14.37; 23, Graham Kerr/Hazel Smith 3.24.02; 24, Miriam Bell/partner 3.24.59; 25, Murial Henderson/Gail Currie 3.31.15; 26, Charles Clemie/Sean Clemie 3.33.03; 27, Fred Smith/Paul Park 3.33.12.

(Source: http://icdumfries.icnetwork.co.uk/sport/localsport/gallowaysport/tm_objectid=14734352&method=full&siteid=77296&headline=huw-leads-hardrock-field-name_page.html)