A Sunday morning jog is one thing. A race for runners that takes in some of the Barbury Horse Trials’ fixed obstacles is quite another.
The Marlborough and District and Swindon Phoenix Rotary Clubs’ ‘Horseless Steeplechase’ was run on Sunday (August 4) to raise funds for Rotary’s charitable work and especially for the Greatwood Children’s Fund.
Greatwood is the home for retired racehorses at Clench Common, just south of Marlborough, which specialises in working with the horses to help disadvantaged children and children with learning difficulties to develop and find themselves.
It’s the event’s second year and the organisers hope it will become an annual fixture. Last year they raised more than £1,500 for local charities.
There we more entrants this year. And there were more spectators too – taking advantage of the spectacular Barbury countryside, a fresh wind and the sport.
There were very serious runners and others who were there for the fun of it. They all raised money for charity.
The Rotarians have use of the course and its obstacles thanks to Barbury’s owner Nigel Bunter who is a great supporter of Greatwood.
In the first race, 36 ‘Novice’ runners tackled a two-and-a-half miles course over fifteen obstacles. The first three men were:
1st Glyn Dolman from Swindon – 18minutes 15 seconds
2nd Frank Franklin from Swindon – 18 minutes 39 seconds
3rd Andrew Gartshore from Royal Wootton Bassett – 18 minutes 55 seconds
The first three ladies were:-
1st Diana Dee from Fairford – 18 minutes 48 seconds
2nd Ami Calway from Cirencester – 18 minutes 55 seconds
3rd Rachel Robins from Barnstable – 20 minutes 22 seconds
In the second race, 30 ‘Thoroughbred’ runners went twice round the course – five miles and thirty obstacles. The first three men were:-
1st William Feline from Fareham – 30 minutes 31 seconds
2nd Paul Bailey from Wroughton – 31 minutes 8 seconds
3rd Nick Jarman from Foxham – 32 minutes 39 seconds
The first three ladies were:-
1st Sam Kelly from Royal Wootton Bassett – 33 minutes 8 seconds
2nd Hannah Brown from Swindon – 38 minutes 58 seconds
3rd Elaine Dean from Swindon – 39 minutes 18 seconds
It’s tough getting over obstacles that trained horses – with more legs and considerably more height – generally take in their stride.
And some in the first race needed a little help from fellow runners.
The runners were given a gentle route through the fearsome Hippo water jump – and it’s probably worth reminding them what horses and riders have to face there during the cross 
country part of Barbury’s horse trials.
