The return of the Wisley MABAC

The Puffers are known for their inter-generational involvement. This is in running for the most part but today Roger Clark marshalled and brought his next generation in the form of Karen and Ian to marshal too, together with an exuberant member of the fourth  generation who shouted encouragement from the sidelines. To complete the Clark ensemble, Lyn did sterling work with Won Kyong Reilly in recording all the finishers. Back on the course, Liz Swan, Martin Rose, Steve Westlake, Roger Horne and Kevin McMahon filled the remaining marshal positions. For the record, not only did no-one complain about the lack of marshals or their unreliability (at the last MABAC at least one group took the wrong route on each lap) but there were many positive plaudits. Even the lady who usually complains was moved to say ‘it was a brilliant race, on a really lovely course, thank you to everyone involved.’ 

To the runners. There are ten clubs in MABAC, with the Puffers being the smallest but one. So, to get a strong turnout for any event is always a challenge. But we have plugged away during the year with a hard core and after Waverley Harriers failed to turn up last month, thereby scoring nul points, we were just a whisker behind them as we entered the final race. WH clearly noticed this, bringing out their heavy hitters for the day and taking three of the first ten positions. But we almost matched them. Dylan Lockyer put in a brilliant performance at Farley Heath last year, finishing second. Today he made a welcome return, with a very impressive 7^th place finish in a strong field. Not far behind was David Ebert, in 12^th place, while a strong performance by Ian Turner saw him finish in 19^th. 3 runners in the first 20 is good going by any standards but Puffers could boast strength in depth, with Alex Gillespie finishing 23^rd and Will Westlake 28^th, meaning that our five top scoring men all finished in the first 30. I don’t know when the Puffers could last boast that. 

But our ladies were not to be outshone either and here, too, our strength in depth made a big difference. First home was Paula Holmes, as 7^th lady and 36^th overall in a fine performance, her regular distanced runs throughout the year clearly showing through. Commitment clashes have meant Katy Gibson has not been able to come to MABAC events this year as often as she would like but today there was no clash and she was not far behind as 9^th lady. Aimee Billington is another who cannot join us regularly. Today she was on antibiotics for sinus trouble and uncertain whether she would be able to join us almost until the last minute. But join us she did and brushed aside any handicap to finish as 12^th lady. Katie France was in a ‘competitive race’ on Friday (you mean MABAC isn’t competitive, Katie?!) and offered to marshal but agreed to run instead to score valuable points, duly finishing as 16^th lady. Our 5^th lady, scoring ‘extra’ points, was Vicki Francis whose position as 26^th lady finisher meant that our five top scoring ladies were also in the first 30. 

But today our ‘extra point scoring’ finishers did not even account for half of our overall complement – it’s not often we can say that. Also bringing in important points for the men were Step Lockyer – father to Dylan and making his first run with the Puffers – could this be another family team in the offing? – followed by Ken Swan, Ian Holmes, and Alfie Day, all of whom have been among the ‘extra points’ scorers for the Puffers at other MABAC events during the year, a sign of the depth of talent that turned out for us today. They were followed by Puffers stalwarts Rob Lewis, Will Archer-Burton, hopefully back to fitness after a long absence from MABACs, and David Rider.  Similarly, for the ladies Esme Holmes, Barbara Rossouw and Katherine Sela all made welcome contributions. An honourable mention goes to George James who agreed to take on the unenviable task of ‘last runner marshal,’ doing so very effectively and making life easier for the marshals in the process.

Mention must also be made of our two walkers, Bob Moore and Sue Brown who helped make it such an impressive turnout overall. With so many involved, I may well have overlooked someone. If so, my apologies – and please let me know!

Today’s results mean that Epsom Oddballs finished as the MABAC ‘champions’ for 2025 with Puffers 7^th in the table, our best performance since before Covid. Well done all! That concludes MABAC events for 2025. The next race on the calendar is the annual road race in Windsor Great Park, on Saturday 14^th February, while ‘real’ MABACs start in the rain and mud of Reigate on 1^st March (which happens to be my birthday. So if I’m not there, you know why!). And bookings are now open for the Cranleigh 7/14/21 on 29^th March, with an early bird discount if you register before Christmas.

Finally, please mark your diaries for two Puffers events, both before Christmas. The first is the traditional mid week evening ‘Christmas lights run’ around Sheerwater and Pyrford on a day/date to be decided. But let me suggest 17^th December and invite reactions. Longer-term Puffers may remember the annual Christmas handicaps we used to hold at Ripley. They fell victim to the pandemic but this year we are proposing to revive them in a different, ‘family friendly’ format. More details to follow but please keep the morning of 21^st December free for what we hope will be a light-hearted event to round off and celebrate a successful year for the Puffers.