Marsden 10 Mile Challenge

Having missed two summer series races and the Welsh Castle
relays I looked for a “local” event for Sunday. Entry on the day secured a
place in the Marsden 10 mile challenge.

Marsden is a small village on the opposite side of the M62
to the Bluebell Trail event. Arguably it is more scenic in that there are long
stretches at altitude with views over the Pennines and north Peak District.
Travel time was approximately 40 minutes around the M62 to J22 and then 8 to 9
miles of fast country roads; so should meet the approval of those not liking long
car journeys for short races.

The total number of runners, and walkers, was around seventy,
so not the largest of events. A good turn out from Wilmslow would almost double
the field. The greatest number of runners from one club was the Stadium
Striders. After a few meters I had at least four of their runners around me.

Moving out of the village the route quickly starts to climb
at a shallow gradient, but it was enough to sort out those that were
comfortable on the hills. I found myself in third place as we moved off road
onto steeper climbs and held this position onto a long flat stretch around a
reservoir. On the flat I managed to move clear of two Stadium Striders runners
by around 50 metres.

Things soon changed as two Stadium Striders runners passed
me at around the 4 mile mark. It was difficult to keep pace as we were then
climbing the longest section of the course. The climb was long but not as steep
as say Boars Head. This final climb section was on road, but there were no cars
to be seen in either direction on this quiet back road.

At around mile seven the climbs were over and all that
remained was an easy three mile descent, off road, back into Marsden. Easy apart
from stitch that I usually get when descending. This made the final three miles
feel double the distance.

As we descended I could see the two runners around 200m in
front. Also visible in the distance was the leader and second place runner. As
with most of the race I ran the final stretch on my own. The runner behind
finished about 70 to 80 seconds after me.

I eventually finished in 5^th position in 71 mins
(taken from my Garmin as results not yet published). The profile of the run is
shown below.

The local Mayor was handing out medals on the finishing line
and came over to chat. Apparently he was originally from Bramhall and seemed
surprised that someone would travel from Wilmslow. The hospitality continued
with post-race teas and food in the race HQ, which gets particular mention on
Runners World forum.

This race is a possible candidate for a future summer series
race event. If not it is a great standalone race, in the middle of other summer
series races.

Mike