Life is full of choices , sometimes you get them right , other times not . The choice that Tony made was to change the Sale 5k to the Gun Run for this weeks Summer Series race.
One was a race around part of Wythenshawe Park , the other a 9.3k (5.8 mile) trail race over stunning and undulating countryside a couple of miles south of Wincle .
Tony most certainly got the choice right !!
The Gun Run has been around for close to twenty years and is organized by the local community to help raise funds for the village hall which turns itself into race HQ.There was even a bar !For a variety of reasons the Gun Run lost its way a couple of years ago but was resurrected last year (45 runners) and with the aid of a new local who also runs got close to the target of 100 runners this year with 94 runners. Another near record turn out for WRC with 26 runners.The high turnouts for races seems to be the result of the increasing success of club individuals at all levels thus creating some real ‘ in club tussles ‘ but also the lively banter from which no one is exempt after the race and usually continued in the pub.Those not running missed a treat .
In line with its tradition , the trophies to be won were magnificent twelve inch high shields on which each winner has their name engraved,but are returned annually . The widow of the race founder was there to present the trophies . Each runner received a burger from the barbecue and there was also a fine selection of cakes all home baked.
Before giving the race detail , I must award this event the rarity of 5* for the quality of loos , not often that prior to the race , individuals collectively pass ( ouch !!) comment on their quality .
So for the absentees , you get the scene !?
The race itself started from the village hall and climbed initially on country lane for a few hundred metres before continuing the ascent to ‘The Gun’ ,over moorland and rocky paths . From there it descended on similar terrain before the push to the finish with a mile of up and down , with the final half mile being most definitely up !!Finishers were warmly welcomed by the locals and on a hot night
were sprayed by hose on reaching the finish .
Individual highlights were Mike Halman as race winner and Jane Clarke as lady winner . Congratulations to Jane on her first win .Rob Downes was first vet , only one vet category .
Mention should also be made at this point of the gleaming red Ferrari in the car park , the like of which had never been seen before in these parts if the local reaction was any indicator .After pulling into the car park as wings and hood retracted and closed , our own Batman and Robin appeared aka Mr Cooper and Downes .
The alternative transport chosen was bycicle by Jim Pendrill . Deprived of the car by his wife and the train arriving late in Macclesfield necessitated Jim cycling to the race.
RESULTS (see also http://www.ukresults.org/2005/gunrun.html)
1.Mike Halman 36.08
2.Rob Downes 38.27
3.Stuart Parrott 39.04
4. Jim Pendrill 39.34
5. Nick Bishop 39.42
10. Tony Hulme 41.30
16. Ian Smallwood 42.46
18.Peter Carne 43.08
22. Ray Noble 43.40
23. Mike Cooper 44.03
26.Gavin Mendham 44.21
28. Steve Smith 44.30
31. Jane Clarke 44.53
32. Andy Watts 44.59
36. Sally Gilliver 45.53
41. Steve Russell 46.24
45. Katy Green 47.56
47. Nicky Mowatt 48.08
55. Bill Stanniard 50.28
60. Sally Maddock 51.43
64. Kate Sutton 52.49
71. Penny Hinke 55.25
72. Peter Watson 55.53
75. Julie Lucas 56.19
80. Roy Pownall 58.35
90. Trevor Faulkner 61.22
So there you have it . Great night , fantastic secenary , super company , hospitable locals and a trip to the Ship at Winckle to finish . A race for the diary , see you next year .
Nick .