The screams of the people on the funfair as I parked for this event made you realise that this was an extraordinary venue. Slickly organised and great fun to take part in.
A jog round the twisting course revealed a huge start line, little mud and a killer hill. Having found the rest of the team we lined up just along from Liz Yelling. As we were channelled from the wide start into the narrower course proper the tapes were still roadwith apart. Sally M still had a bad chesty cough since Wythenshawe and was always just ahead.
I didn’t see the others behind tho’ Sally said she saw Amanda at some of the turns. The hill narrowed and kicked at the top – luckily there were too many people to have to try and run it. Typically all the spectators had gathered there to urge us on. We had ample support from the men’s team along with Paul Sanders and Frances McGaff.
On the 2nd lap I looked up to find the gap with Sally had closed. Gasping from the oxygen debt of the hill I managed to get past but could still here rasping breathing behind for far too long as I slowly got away.
The finish banner was strung between 2 JCBs as they are made in the local village of Oakamoor – I went back via the M6 and the factory is huge. Amanda came in smiling as ever – and went on to the Blackpool 1/2 marathon today with an impressive PB of 1:39.Catriona finished strongly despite misjudging the finish and ending up with a blister.
Watching the men was fab – the large numbers meaning they took a good 10 mins to stream past on the first lap. By lap 3 I think we girls were glad we get away with only 2 circuits.
Asking the chairman and friends this am on the Sunday Alderley run (- a mere 16.4 miles) we think this is the first year the ladies have ever had a team at the Nationals. So 2nd in the MDCCL and competitors at the Cheshires and Nationals – not bad for a small club. 14 women have made up the teams over the season. Well done to you all and be proud of what we have acheived.
Kate Sutton