Erwee threatens ‘Dogbreaker’ record
THE long-standing Guernsey full cliffs record became seemingly that little bit less invincible on Sunday – on a weekend of astronomical achievement on the international running scene.
Tiaan Erwee had appreciated Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-2hrs marathon effort that seemed to redefine the limits of endurance performance and, a day later, he applied new pressure on a highly durable local trail record.
However, unlike Kipchoge in his highly ambitious time-trial, Erwee had lined up in the dreary conditions of the gruelling 15-mile ‘Dogbreaker’ expecting little besides inching down his personal best.
Erwee finished in 1hr 45min. 35sec. to conclude an unbeaten GAC Cliff Path Series campaign and, more importantly, become the closest challenger ever to Paul Ingrouille’s 28-year-old course record of 1-44-19.
Ingrouille watched the run from the sidelines and noted how past stars Steve Dawes, Jamie Marsh and Nick Despres had been the only others to come reasonably close – all boasting older times in the 1-46 range.
Erwee had only just scraped under 1-50 previously, but he strode quickly onwards following a conservative start, defying the persistent rain and crosswind that buffeted runners for the event’s lengthy duration.
‘You have to play the cards that you’re dealt, so I am definitely happy with the result given the conditions,’ said Erwee.
‘Now it’s more knowing that it’s in reach if all goes to plan – we’ll have to see for next year.
‘Reaching Petit Bot, I was already on a fairly good time. He was definitely a lot faster onto the halfway mark and it was more for me to try to make up the lost time in the second half – I’m quite OK with that, to pick up in the second half.
‘It’s more just working on that first half as it’s a lot more technical and with those downhill sections, you can easily lose a few seconds here and there, and you really can’t afford that.’
Kirk Bourgaize came a firm second to seal series runner-up, clocking 2-02-58, and handy veteran Graham Merfield took third another 10 minutes later. Marlene Spiteri was first woman and earned series honours.
Erwee had earlier enjoyed the hype of Kipchoge’s epic run the previous day in Austria, expecting it to have a ‘Roger Bannister type effect’.
This prompted the South Africa-born runner to comment on the support streaming around the social media running community.
‘It’s actually quite a big hype and it gives that little extra adrenaline, knowing there’s a lot of people supporting your run and looking forward to seeing results at the end of the day.’
