Unfortunately we were unable to put together a complete team, with only 18 runners taking part over the weekend. Despite this, we mounted a vigorous defense of the title and moved to within only a few minutes of the lead during day two. Unfortunatly a late withdrawal, through illness, all but ended our chances of defending the title. Although, in truth, it was always going to be touch and go.

However, the weekend was not without its successes. Team captain, Graham Crump, realising the team was going to be short, organised for our stronger runners to take on the challenge of retaining the Monarchs of the Mountains, the quickest cumulative time over the six designated mountain stages.

Phil Parry led the way with a convincing run on leg 3, finishing first
vet and second overall, only a few seconds behind the stage winner. Clive Bromhall produced the highlight of the weekend with an outright
stage win on leg 7 to extend the lead in the race for the Monarchs. Jerry Hogan finished off the day with an impressive run on leg 10, the
half marathon mountain leg, to consolidate the lead. Day two saw Mark Dickinson dig deep on leg 11 and Terry Townsend dig even deeper on leg 14, the dreaded Drovers stage, to keep the team in the lead.
Finally, Alec Woods produced another fine run to take first vet
and second overall on leg 16 and confirm the team as Monarchs of the
Mountains.

Other notable performances were Dave Gapper's top ten finish on leg 12
and Matt Robinson's great run on Leg 13, to finish first vet and
second overall.