It was a decidedly grey and drizzly evening for the 2017 edition of the Otter mile, run on Friday 28 July and taking in a pleasant and winding portion of the Thames at Windsor. 13 swimmers braved the conditions, along with an array of supporters. Having taken a boat ride a mile upstream the swimmers made their way back to Windsor leisure centre with various degrees of urgency.
Open water supremo, Pip Bennett was the first to finish (in 20 min 37 sec) but took himself out of the race for this year’s trophies by donning a wetsuit (a one off, he assures us) so it was left to Hayley Davis to battle with Dave Warren for top honour and, in her first Otter mile swim, she took the overall win - the first lady to do so this decade. Well done Hayley! She showed her commitment to all things Otter by following this up with a trek to Barnet the next day for the annual Middlesex Masters competition, and reigned supreme there too. Dave won the men’s trophy. The men’s and women’s top 3 were:
Men
1. Dave Warren, 21 min 4 sec
2. Mike Reys, 21:36
3. Chris Grey, 21:42
Women
1. Hayley Davis, 20:57
2. Lex Higlett, 21:45
3. Carly Jackson-Clark, 24:58
The mile is run as a scratch race, yet there is also a handicap event (the Hon Handicapper having decided the handicaps in advance and working out the handicap placing upon completion of the race). So in addition to the ‘first past the post’ trophies, there’s a handsome handicap plate on offer. This year Mike Reys defied the handicapper and added his name to the list of mile handicap winners - well done Mike! Top three in the handicap race as follows:
1. Mike Reys (handicap 21:15, actual 21:36, difference +0:21)
2. Hayley Davis (20:30, 20:57, +0:27)
3. Lex Higlett (21:00, 21:45, +0:45)
Special mention to Ben Cocksworth, Alex Bion and Carly Jackson-Clark, all from the water polo side of the club who competed in their first Otter open water event and proclaimed that they’d be turning up for another one!
Following the racing we quickly retreated to the pub to replace the burnt carbs. Thanks to Hon Handicapper, Dave Warren, for making the boat, safety and pub arrangements for this year’s event. The final club open water event of the year is the Quarter-mile, which is held at Parliament Hill Lido on Saturday 12 August. Contact Tracey Allen (traceyallen28@gmail.com) if you’d like more info or to sign up.
13 swimmers at the start of the Otter Mile
Women's and overall winner Hayley Davis receiving the trophy from President, Paul Hindle
Men's mile winner Dave Warren receiving the trophy from President, Paul Hindle
Mile Handicap winner Mike Reys receiving the trophy from President, Paul Hindle