Gun Run 11/07/06

Full results now at http://www.ukresults.net/2006/gunrun.html
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A small but sweaty Wilmslow team made the journey past Wincle and beyond to race the classic Gun Run.  It was part of the 2005 Summer Series and many will remember toiling up the final mile and needing to be hosed down at the finish.  This year it wasn’t quite so hot giving more time to knuckle down and enjoy the scenery.

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I recognised Dave Neill (World Masters 2005 Mountain Running V50) jogging around by the start line looking ominously fit.  But as I led off up the hill it was business as usual, as Mike Halman eased past me followed by a useful looking runner wearing a skeleton print vest.  Dave finally overtook me as we turned up towards Gun Hill and clinging on, I followed him past “bones”.

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We chased across the moor and over the Gun trig point with splendid views opening up over Macclesfield Forest and the Peak District.  Shuttlingslow looked rather small and harmless in the evening sun (but wait till Thursday night).  It would have been a great spot for a picnic and a glass of wine but I pressed on down across the fields. 

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The descent was rather crunching on the ankles with a mixture of hardened mud ruts and rocky paths demanding concentration.  The well-marked path twisted quickly through woods, over gates and stiles and even through a back garden before finally flattening out onto a dusty white farm track.  This section gives the illusion that you are rapidly gaining on the guys in front as the gradient of the long track slowly changes from steady downhill to an increasingly uphill climb.  Anyway, I could see Dave Neill about 250m ahead just starting to break away from Mike.  With a couple of miles of road running now ahead my money was still on the Wilmslow man.

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The mile of undulating road seemed surprisingly hard work and it was a relief to canter off down the steep hill.  The final grind up didn’t seem half as mean as last year.  It seems a tradition at the Gun to wander well back down the hill shouting helpful encouragement to incoming runners.  Despite this attention Bill, Penny, Julie, Cat and Trevor all motored up the hill like they had another 10k left in their legs.

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Tony managed to run all the way round carrying a digital camera so we look forward to seeing the pictures.

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Mike had to settle for 2^nd place in the end while Jane went one better winning the ladies trophy.  Thanks only to Mike’s generous sacrifice I retained the veteran’s trophy.  We all tucked in to the free barbecue easily justified on the grounds of our improved times.  We also won the team prize on a recount with Jane as 4th counter.

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2                     Michael Halman       M                    35.29

3                     Rob Downs              MV                   37.21

13                   Nick Bishop             MV                   41.26

20                   Jane Clarke               F                   43.15

54                   Tony Hulme             MV                  49.49

59                   Bill Staniard             MV                  51.25

63                   Penny Hinke             FV                  52.30

68                   Julie Lucas               FV                  53.20

70                   Caroline Marshall      F                    53.30

72                   Trevor Faulkner        MV                 53.53

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Rob Downs