---

Rowing Over the Start Line

Rob Howard / 17.06.2006

Saturday morning was bright and sunny in Barmouth and the breeze on the waterfront suggested the forecast of a force 3 to 4 wind might be accurate ... to the relief of teams who had spent too long motoring to Barmouth the previous week.

As the town began to fill with weekend beach trippers and race supporters the shops were busy as teams bought last minute supplies and dashed off to use the Woolworths photobooth. (All the runners must have a mountain card with a passport photo on.)

Among the shoppers were the crew of Influenzaprotection.co.uk, who had arrived at 00.55 in the morning after stopping to fix an engine problem. Their late arrival cost them a penalty of 5 hours 27 minutes before they had even started! “Rules are rules�, was the comment of unflinching Race Secretary Colin Walker.

During the morning all the teams handed in their disclaimers and declarations and completed their mountain cards before the race briefing from Race Director Meic Ellis. There were relatively few team changes this year and no last minute waits for runners or crew to arrive by train or car. This year’s entry seem well organised and prepared.

The most team changes were on Tactix – Spirit of 3 Peaks, the Barmouth boat. Race found Rob Haworth couldn’t compete and was replaced by another committee member, Ian Hudson. It’s also noticeable this year that few women are taking part. In recent years there have been all-female teams, but this year there are only 4 women in the entire race.

See All Stories On This Race