Last Checkendon....of this season anyway!

On a balmy weekend at the beginning of April a crowd of NATBs descended on the last Checkendon event of the 2016/2017 season. And what a weekend it was!
Camped together like old stylee tribesmen we formed a mad troop all there to laugh, have fun with our dogs, and try not to fall off/over!
The dogs were all happy to be in one of their favorite places, they quickly settled into their camps and soaked up the atmosphere.
Those of us with the very furry dog type knew we may not be able to race both days as high temperatures had been forecast for the weekend. Jan and David sensibly bought forward the start times but we still knew we would be battling the elements.

After the normal sportsman behaviour of helping each other to the start, mingling with all competitors and helping out where possible the NATBs crashed in a heap to enjoy the sunshine, and basically burn themselves or get sun stroke!
Emma and Helene spent some time in the woods in the afternoon capturing some amazing picture of Helens dogs Maz and Toffee in a pretend canicross pose, which was a great hour or so spent with Jason Brown who kindly took the amazing pictures, some posted below.

Sally had come up previously with a very good idea and as a club we purchased some club rosettes to present within the club as a bit of fun.
During the day on Saturday we made the decision to present 2 of the rosettes to some new potential members who came along to try our junior canicross. Alana and Evie were desperate to have a go at running with The Woos, so we begged and borrowed some junior belts for them to try. The woos managed to not look too disgusted at having to run a further 1.5k after already completing the course in the morning, and managed to trundle round much to the delight of the girls. 2 potential new members in the making we believe!

The rest of the Rosettes were handed out after the presentation and they were awarded as follows:

Matt West - Top Dog - awarded for his hard and earnest efforts at improving his fitness levels to try and match those of his dogs. All joking aside Matt is putting in a sterling effort and is secretly loving the way he feels!!
Izzy Powys - Top Dog - awarded for not only a spectacular dive off her chair the weekend before but for taking a rather grand dive as she got into the first section of the woods on Saturday, but getting up and continuing to run and complete the race - awesome work!
Danielle White - Winner - for NOT falling off all weekend, skills are improving! hee hee
Team Tea - Winner - this was presented by Emma for not only Sally gaining a PB with Vinnie round the course and completing both days (no guns shots heard!) but also for the best fall of the weekend going to Cliff, a spectacular "over the handle bars" job which resulted in an early finish to the race on Sunday and a very buckled front wheel! (Stanley was fine!)

Thanks goes again to Ma SHWA and her team for including us in the fantastic food and company for the weekend.
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At the end of the weekend during the presentation the NATBs presented Jan and David with a few gifts and a card as just a thank you for all of their hard work during another fabulous season of fun and organised frolics!

There were a lot of pictures taken so please excuse the massive gallery!
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Cant wait for the next one in September!!

Results
Male Bikejor
Matt West 7th
Cliff Tarrant - Fell off on Sunday, is rubbish so no placement.....tut tut(!!!)

Female Bikejor
Emma Giles - 8th place (dog switch on Sunday from Kavik, it was too hot for him so Oki stepped in and scared the living daylights out of Emma on the way around!)
Emily Thomas - 10th place
Sally Tarrant - 11th place

Male Scooter
Gary Oke - 4th place

Female Scooter
Danielle White - 7th place

Canicross, Mixed Male
Gary Oke - 10th place

Canicross 17-39
Julie Grham - 4th place
Hannah Giles - Only ran Saturday but great time
Emily Thomas - 7th place

Canicross Veteran Female
Helen Pettitt -2nd place
Joanne Heath - 6th place
Isobel Powys - 8th place
Emma Giles - ran Saturday only, not a great time! Must do better!