Sunday 9th March, 2008
Barry is a town with a proud sporting history, and Jenner Park is a stadium which has seen plenty of action. Whilst it is best known for its football, it has also staged many important athletic competitions over a number of decades. Most of these have been in the more traditional track and field events, but since 1986 a growing reputation has been earned for staging the only ultradistance race in Wales – the Barry 40 Miles Track Race.
This is a race entered by people for whom a marathon isn’t the end – it’s just the beginning. They not only challenge each other, more importantly, they challenge themselves. And such is the reputation of the event that 28 athletes from all parts of the UK have signed up to run 161 circuits of the track.
If you think that 40 miles means running slowly, let me assure you that this is a race. Last year, 73 year old Geoff Oliver smashed the world’s best for 30 miles and 50 kilometres for an Over 70 athlete. Two years previously he demolished the previous 40 mile best. It was the latest in a long line of spectacular performances – in fact, 57 world best performances have been recorded here in 21 races – one of the main reasons why the event has such a reputation.
The race is the brainchild of a local runner, Mick McGeoch, who won the first two editions of the event – the second in 3:58:40 – equating to faster than six minute miling. Mick has been the Race Director since its inception.
Geoff Oliver, now 74, returns to challenge his own world marks once again. The youngest athlete, Nathan Montague, is 27. All have their own individual reasons for running and personal challenges. Four of the entrants are ladies, with Emma Gooderham, from Malvern, a strong favourite. Emma improved her marathon best by seven minutes to record 2:57 for the distance in Gloucester just six weeks ago.
Last year’s winner of the Men’s event, Scotsman Andy Farquharson from Kent AC, returns to defend the title which he won in nail-biting fashion twelve months ago. However, this race is the most open Barry 40 for many years, and Irishman Ian Anderson (Knavesmire Harriers), Dominic Croft (Woodstock Harriers), Latvian-born Viesturs Dude (Crawley AC), 2000 race winner Chris Finill (Harrow AC), Colin Gell (Sale Harriers), Matt Lynas (Thames Hare & Hounds), Nathan Montague (Swindon Harriers) and 2005 race winner Stephen Pope (Unattached) are all in with a shout. The only predictable thing about ultradistance is its unpredictability. Anyone could win. Race strategy and psychology are as important as fitness.
The event incorporates the Welsh Ultradistance Championship for the 19th time, and with Welsh Champion John Pares not defending his title, race favourite is probably fast-improving Mark Shepherd (Team Kennet), who improved his marathon best to 2:43 recently in Germany. In the ladies competition Loretta Daley (Les Croupiers) has her sights on securing a hat-trick of titles, the first Welsh lady to do so.
Local man Gary Hyatt is no stranger to the Barry 40, having completed the distance on 8 of the 10 starts he’s made. He returns this year having just celebrated his 60th birthday, and has his sights on a new best mark for 40 miles for this age category. As ever, wife Pip and daughters Sally and Kate will be both supporting and providing refreshments for the army of volunteers who make the event possible. As ever, it is a huge team effort, with vast vocal support to cheer as many athletes as possible to the finish. If you ever doubted the power of human spirit, come and support these athletes. This is now the longest-running annual ultradistance race in the UK. The race start is at 10.00 AM and admission is free.
