As the sun came up the race committee descended upon Epsom Downs and the weighing room to sort out stakes and tape and headed out to prepare the course. The area was a hive of activity. It was great to see so many of the club turn up to help out with marshalling duties. Entries had been flooding in thick and fast. An extra 11 were taken on the day taking the number of finishers to 642 with one retiree.

The race was started by Epsom Allsort Judy Davies honouring the memory of her much missed husband David Davies and then joined in the race finishing in a very respectable time.

Congratulations go to Eddie O’Gorman from Chiltern AC first past the post in 34.21, with Nick Shasha, Torq Fitness second (34.55) and Neil Smith from East Grinstead Triathlon third (35.53). Returning to defend his title, Epsom Oddball Vince van Woerkom (36.19) could only manage fourth place despite attaining a PB for the course.

In the ladies race, Meera Siva, Reigate AC successfully defended her title with another great performance finishing in 42.32. Local favourite Phyllis Flynn, Stragglers AC come home in second place in 43.24 and third lady was Phillipa May, Farnham Tri Club with 44 mins dead.

Neil Smith’s performance helped his club, East Grinstead Triathlon Club to the team trophy.

My thanks go to Sport systems, www.sportsystems.co.uk for providing race admin support and finish area support and to local running shop Run to Live www.runtolive.co.uk for providing sponsorship and prizes. Many thanks also go to the great team of Graeme, Steve and Martin, for all their help, all the marshals who turned up on the day in freezing conditions to assist the race and the competitors themselves. Well done to all and hope to see you again next year.

Alan Burrows, Race Director.

Results compiled by Sport Systems.

Sports Systems were employed again to process entries and to deal with the finishing results.  For the first time in the history of the Perch the race was won twice in a row. Well done to Vince van Woerkom, who finished in a time of 37.31, which was a cracking time considering the conditions of the course.  Just 24 seconds split first and second, seeing Belgrave Harriers’ Michael Webb coming home in 37.55.   First female this year was Meera Siva of Reigate Priory, romping home in 42.08, 1 minute and 1 second ahead of Vicky Foad of Sutton Runners in second place.  Team honours this year went to Dorking and Mole Valley AC, taking the men’s crown and Runnymede Runners the ladies.

A huge thank you goes to Graeme Brown for doing so much to make my role a whole lot easier through the last six months and managing the finishing line. My thanks also go to Steve Howson for yet again sorting out the shirts.  A special thank you to Martin Day for stepping up and taking on Gareth Pemberton’s role of organising the course and marshals. Martin was also thanked as was everyone else involved in helping the lady who broke her ankle.  Flowers were sent to her from the club.  She has since popped into the running shop for a cup of tea and a chat and is making a good recovery.  I would also like to thank everyone who gave up their time to volunteer their services throughout the many jobs on the day.  Without you all, the race would not be able to go ahead year on year.  I apologise if I have been unable to contact you in person to pass on my thanks.

If anyone would like to become more involved in the organisation of the Perch then please do not hesitate to contact myself or anyone on the committee.

Any suggestions or comments about the Perch, be they good or bad, please let us know.

Alan Burrows, Race Director.

Results compiled by Sport Systems. The following results are available on their website in PDF format, and can be downloaded if required.

Early 2008 was a vast contrast to the previous year. Much more settled weather meant no need for a lumberjack this year and near perfect conditions underfoot! For the 5th year in a row, the weather was cold, dry and sunny. You would think that we would have to pay a fortune for the glorious weather we seem to get year on year.

A slow trickle of entries leading up to the race had us all on the edge of our seats. Fortunately, the last couple of weeks saw Sports Systems processing massive amounts meaning again we were sold out before race day. Although slightly down on the total number of runners for the previous year, we still ended up with 561 finishers. Again, an Oddball took the honours, Vincent Van Woerkom finishing in a time of 36.44. Congratulations to him. Just 17 seconds split first and second, seeing Tadworth’s David Freeman coming home in 37.02. First female this year was Mira Salmi, romping home in 41.43, 3 minutes and 5 seconds ahead of Louisa Seymour in second place. Team honours were split this year with the Oddballs taking the mens crown and Sutton Runners the ladies.

A huge thank you goes to Gareth Pemberton and Graeme Brown for acting as chief sages through the last six months and being there throughout the whole process and making the organisation so easy for me.

My thanks also go to Steve Howson for yet again sorting out the shirts, particularly dealing with the numerous last minute revisions with patience.

I would also like to thank everyone who gave up their time to volunteer their services throughout the many jobs on the day. Without you all, the race would not be able to go ahead year on year. I apologise if I have been unable to contact you in person to pass on my thanks.

Any suggestions or comments about the Perch, be they good or bad, please let us know.

Alan Burrows, Race Director.

This year, the results were compiled by Sport Systems. The following results are available on their website in PDF format, and can be downloaded if required.

I must class this January morning as a Beautiful Day or a Perfect Day,for the weather over this wonderful setting must be our best we have ever seen in the 7 years we have run this race.
The ground and air conditions were perfect for running over the scenic Epsom Downs/Walton Downs area.
Yet again a record number of entries for the Perch were taken with 625 runners finishing the undulating course.Our apologies to runners who were unable to take part after the closing date.

In the men's race we had a new winner this year,Steve Ablitt from the AFD club in a time of 33.58 which was only 1 second slower than last year's winner.
In second place was Ian Durrant from Guildford & Godalming A.C. in a time of 36.07 closely followed by Gareth Watkins in a time of 36.13.
In the women's race we had also a new winner this year,Claire Adams (unattached) in a time of 43.10 closely followed by Viv Mitchell from South London Harriers for 2nd place in a time of 43.34,with third place the same position as last year to Sandra Blenkinsop from the Stragglers in a time of 43.47.
The Men's team prize went again for the second year in a row to the Epsom Oddballs R.C., the scorer's being Vincent Van Woerkom position (5),Peter Drummond (15),Paul Ralton (17).

A thanks to the sponsors being John Steward Accountancy,Toprunner and Sweatshop.

If you have any thoughts on the race we always welcome feedback good or bad to improve our next Perch Race.
You can contact me by e-mail on:graemebrown53@msn.com

I look forward in seeing you all at the 2007 Perch Race.

GRAEME BROWN (RACE DIRECTOR)