Report from race director John Franklin:
Malcom, Richard Harbon, Astrid, Martyn, myself and daughter Sam set out in a howling gale to set the course up at 7.30am. We split up to cover all areas of the course. The winds seemed to get even worse. On our travels around the course Astrid, Sam and myself found a large part of an oak tree had fallen onto the route. The top was still hanging precariously in the lower branches - we taped it all off. We battled round for an hour or so and then met back up at Keepers Cottage car park. We looked nervously at the trees which were bending and cracking alarmingly. The wind was really roaring across the hills and at times it was hard to stand upright! Roger arrived and the phones started ringing - other clubs asking if the race was going ahead.
At 9.00am we took the decision to call it off after a short conflab. Alot of branches, twigs and other debris were flying all around us and it seemed to be irresponsible to go ahead.
We made as many calls to other clubs, St John and NHRR as we could and proceeded back round the course to collect all our signs and tape etc.
Martyn reported back that the fallen oak branches caught in the tree fell just in front of him. The area around the building site also had some dangerous potential to send materials flying across the course ast possibly its most exposed part. Clealy the potential existed for some really serious falling trees and potentially accidents with a lot of runners being on the course.
Back at the club Ian Sutcliffe and a few other were busy telling those who arrived that we'd had to call it off. Lots of excellent rolls and hot tea for all was very welcome. Looks like alot of peoples packed lunches will be well stocked tomorrow.
On reflection it was a shame but it would have been much worse had someone been hurt. We had to take a quick decision, the weather advice and views of us "on the ground" at the course pointed to being safe not sorry.
Thanks to all NHRR who helped in any way to prepare for this race. Sometimes things just don't work out