I’ve run the Roaches summer race twice – and fallen over each time…
Fancy dress and an extended course and mud – a winning combination perhaps??
The persistent rain didn’t dampen the 9 Wilmslow runners who made it to the start.Mike needed his sleek normal kit as a front runner whilst Tony and Jane were resplendent as pirates -I think Tony should wear eyeliner more often…. Paul Ayres having finally remebered what time the race started hadn’t remembered the fancy dress though. Don’s jester hat was matched by Catriona and Trevor in their Xmas ones. Good to see Sally out despite the foul weather.I’d been warned against the bear suit but it looked warm and also afforded more protection against the Roaches rocks.
Following the advice of Tony and Trevor about the bottleneck over the bridge we all legged it up the lanes – the breather as I waited a few moments to cross wasn’t unpleasant. Up some muddy fields through a gate past the cow s**t and up onto the road to where the summer race starts. Still keeping Paul and Don in my sights the Roaches loomed out of the mist. Smile for the photographer then oops fall over to become a bedraggled bear asap.Disgruntled but not disheartened pick my way over the rocky path past some walkers who are bit fazed by the strange spectacle of runners in Father Xmas outfits etc.
Down off the crag and onto the road and Tittesworth resevoir ie the finish is picked out in watery sunshine. Back over the field – through the cow s**t this time as no-one cares by now and back onto the finish stretch. Great to finish and get a bottle of Xmas cracker ale – to be savoured later.
3 Mike Halman 51:26
42 Tony Hulme 62:05 1st V55
45 Jane Clarke 62:45 1st L35
61 Paul Ayres 66:07 V50
102 Don Bullough V45 69:28
127 Kate Sutton L40 72:22
156 Sally Maddock 75;22
203 Catriona Marshall L35 80:59
207 Trevir Faulkner M60 81:14
