The best S.A.R.K. 10 ever?
This years Sark 10 went ahead regardless of low numbers and thus maintained the now 28 years of successful continuity.
The numbers were notably low, usually around 50 to 100 persons actually run and many more children in a race of their own. This year the date was moved from the 2nd bank holiday weekend in May to September. This decision was intended to coincide the Sark 10 with a Sark cycling event making for a Sark ‘Sports weekend’. Also, the Sark Celebration of the Sea would provide added entertainment with live music all day and most of the night!
The Guernsey Velo club decided not to come to Sark for logistical reasons and simultaneously the GIAAC felt they had no choice but to hold their own inter-insular track and field event same day. With the impetus from Guernsey lost the children’s race did not go ahead and the race itself, requiring 25 marshals had a lesser number of race participants. Moreover, the Jersey boat to Sark was cancelled further hitting the numbers.
Happily, race organiser Mike Doyle said that this was one of the most enjoyable events he has ever organised.
The unmarked course was traversed in two groups of medium and slow pace with two local knowledgeable runners guiding the tricky undulating course. Any runner that knew the course could break free at any time. Group one set off from Doyle’s home with a 15-minute lead. Group two, the medium paced runners started to peg group one back from the Little Sark silver mines onwards (3 miles onwards). Local girl Bromwyn Rogers led her group as far as the Silver mines until Mike Doyle decided to lead thereon. He eventually won the race with Bromwyn close behind, the former finishing in 1hr 5.10 and the latter 1hr 6.37
In third place was Alistar Bisatt from the UK in 1hr 10.18 with Guernsey’s Sean Collins very close behind in 1hr 10.19. Second lady was Elyse Dandecker in 1hr 26.0. The blustery but sunny day afforded stunning views for the remaining field with Roger Hill (UK), Peter Gilliver (Gsy) and Ed Thomas finishing respectively thereafter. Local resident Alex Magell, who only came out for “some of it” managed to complete the entire course in the respectable time of 1hr 39.45 whilst also assisting the slower runners in getting round the course. There were a few runners that came for the 5k and they created their own 5-mile course under the guidance of the ever-enthusiastic JP Mace. This group included Lesley Bailey from Herm whilst her husband Andrew ran the full Sark 10 course.
Doyle said that not having to mark the course out and then spend another day clearing up made the day far more enjoyable. Added to that he was able to use his own home as headquarters opening up his swimming pool for the runners to enjoy a refreshing dip after the run. The entire group gathered together afterwards for tea, ‘after eights’ and a photo shoot (see picture). The field, though small, was represented from Herm, Guernsey, Sark and several runners travelling especially from the UK for the race. All runners were awarded finishers medals and it was decided among the group to donate all their entry fees to the Flying Christine ambulance service for Sark (150 pounds being raised). Such was the spirit of this small but grateful group.
In summary, for race organiser Mike, this was a very enjoyable and interesting year. The continuity is maintained, but the decision on whether to return next years event to it’s original May date or whether to keep this event in September hereafter will be a difficult one that needs to be made quickly. Either way, the GIAAC’s membership support is a very important part of this event, so very careful event scheduling will need to be mutually planned to avoid similar issues next year.
Thanks are extended from Mike Doyle to all those who came and ran this year. “You were a wonderful and unforgettable group”.