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Roubaix 2010 Race Report
28H and 24H relay

After successfully recruiting 2 ladies relay teams and seven walkers for the 28 hour individual race, the teams finally met up late Friday in the Village Marcheurs to set up GBHQ and pitch assorted tents, then eventually heading off to La Belle Fontaine for the pre-race meal.

After registration on Saturday morning, the relay teams waved off the 28 hour athletes to their race start in Croix a couple of miles down the road. It would be a good couple of hours before they would return to Roubaix to start on the Petit Boucle for the next 24 hours. Leading the way was OSSIPOV (RUS) (winner of the last few Roubaix 28H). Close on his heels was Zoltan CZUKOR (HUN). Positions at the top of the leader board would change several times over the hours....
Competing for GBR were Centurions Ken and Bob Watts, Kevin Marshall and David Jones.

The ladies race this year was without Kora Boufflert (2009 winner) however, Claudine Anxionnat (FRA) Sylviane Varin(FRA) and Olga BORISOVA (RUS) were on the start alongside quite a few unknown walkers from Russia, Belarus and France. GBR fielded Centurion Sandra Brown (winner of many a Roubaix).

5pm soon came around for the relay and Cath Duhig led off for the Lightning Ladies along with Sue Rey for the Thunderbolts. 21 minutes and 43 seconds later, Cath came storming in ahead of everyone and off went Norma Grimsey. A few minutes later Sue R handed over to Serena Queeney. Norma's first lap was 24m 28s - faster than last years times. Kathy Crilley finished off Round 1 in a time of 27m 45s. Sue Smith took over from Serena (27m 42s) who came in at 26m 57s. The teams kept more or less to these times - slipping a minute or two towards the end of the 24 hour period.

For the first time in many years the race was without chip timing and the organisers had to rely on manual lap recording. This was a bit of a worry as it was a bumper start list for both individuals and teams. During the night the leader board was in complete disarray - no-one had a clue who was where and it stayed this way almost to the end.

We knew Sandra was gradually overtaking the ladies (and a lot of men!). Eventaully the organiser sorted the top dozen places, but the rest of the leader board remained empty. Our GB relay teams knew they weren't first or second or even third! But were they fourth or fifth or sixth?

The Dutch had a print out from the organisers showing their team in 3rd place and the Lightning Ladies in fourth place after 21hours 35 minutes. They were disputing the results as they knew the French mens team had not overtaken them. Now everyone realised why GBR team manager, Kathy, was adamant about keeing our own lap times. The lap recorders had clearly missed a lap or two. Notwithstanding, Kathy herself admitted that our own lap sheets suffered for a couple of miscalculations!

The final results showed the Lightning Ladies with 191 km, however this was finally adjusted to reflect the correct distance of 193.59. (Only a couple of kilometres behind the magnificant Cavalefaire team). The Thunderbolts completing 179. 690 - beating the Lightning Ladies 2009 result! Much to their delight!

So, Sandra dominated the ladies race yet again. No surprise there. A quiet start, good pace judgememt and well timed, never mind the opposition - this all adds up to an athlete who knows her stuff. Just quietly seeing off the opposition. Simple!

The men's race held no surprises. OSSIPOV won, as he has done in previous years with a result of 234 515kms. Good to see Dominique Naumovicz in a well earned second place with 226 575kms. His wife, Veronique, was not only in the relay but was also supporting him as well. Now there's dedication for you.

GBR provided us with good results also. Kevin came in 13th with 199.765km. Yes, he was indeedf severely chastised for not walking a wee bit faster to get over the 200km mark. After all his exertions over the last few months - a testament to his stamina, muscle cramp took it's toll necessating a quick visit to the on site masseur - which probably lost him those extra metres. Tant pis.

Hopefully, this will not deter him from his goal of participating in the 2011 Paris Colmar.

Dave Jones of Redcar - not fully fit at the outset (but very keen to participate) came in 20th with 186.370km.

Les Freres Watts came in with Ken in 27th place with 175 945km and brother Bob in 34th position with 158 570km. Not bad considering their last race was Roubaix 2009!
Other placings were was CONSTANDINOU John of Birchfield with 146 145km placed 42nd and Karen Davies with 131 255km in 49th place.

There were 51 finishers (classified) and 15 dnfs.

Summing up...

Good results by all.
Good fun and plenty of camaraderie - not just between the Brits - but with all the walkers.
Roubaix is special. It's a jolly hard race - 28 hours, but the people of Roubaix make it special with their warm welcome - every year and it just does not seem to diminish.
Here's to 2011!