There was a good turnout of Wilmslow Club runners at Helsby on Sunday. A few who normally run it chose the nearer, local shorter 8k-ish trail race. However 12 runners managed to make it.
Ian reports that this race is regular run for those trying to get over the excesses of Christmas and the New Year. Or starting marathon training.
Ians view:
When I arrived at the start area the team was limbering up with the help of the Bears from Running Bear. Now warmed up, we huddled together in the cold and damp hoping to get going quickly. Way at the front of the masses Diane got away speedily…that was the last I saw of her.. Diane had a great result adding another podium finish – 1:22 3rd V40. Nicky set off at high speed I wondered if I would ever catch her. Ang appeared in front of me about a mile in – a brief word and we carried on with our own race. About 2 miles in Zoe appeared on my shoulder and we overtook Nicky together. We sort of ran together, I would try to break away only to hear the slap of Zoe’s trainers catching up. Zoe would shoot passed me on the uphills and I would hang on (just) behind. On the downhills I got the advantage of a longer stride and would overtake Zoe. I took the final downhill at speed hoping to get far enough away from Zoe so she would not catch me by the finish – it was not to be, she zoomed passed me in the final half mile. What a great race we had.
Nicky came in just behind us and collected 2nd place in V60 (1:42). Less than a minute behind Nicky was Ang who was 3rd V55 (1:43). Thirty seconds later Huma crossed the line (1:43) 18th V50. Gareth was pleased with his time 1:44. Nicola and Mark must have run together as they finished within 10 seconds of each other (1:46). Alan came in 1:55 closely followed by Steve and Jan (1:56).
Overall a good day out in the cold.
Nicky added . .
Typically after a mild few weeks the weekend of the Helsby half marathon the temperature dropped and several parkruns were cancelled due to ice. As I set off at 8.30 Wilmslow was shrouded in mist and the side roads were very slippy.
Poor Zoe had an accident and ended up in a hedge – all were fine but hopefully James was understanding about the damage to his car!
There were a select few of us mainly from group 3.
Di Mc sped round without being seen. Cat disguised as The Running Bear did the warm up and her stand was a focal point for us to gather before and after the race.
There seemed to be more people running this year. The main car park was full by 9.30. The start was quite congested but we soon spread out. Luckily it was not icy – or maybe the front runners had smoothed the way for us. Zoe and Ian overtook me early on and chased each other round, Ian stronger on the uphill and Zoe on the downhill and pipping Ian at the post.
Behind me I hadn’t realised how close Angie was. She had a fantastic race coming back from injury. Huma also did her best time for years. Gareth, steady as ever, in training for London.
Mark and Nic crossed the line within seconds. Alan had a problem with his back and Jan ran out of steam towards the end but a swig of orange squash refuelled her batteries.
Steve Russell as always very casual, still in his layers as we lined up.
I hadn’t done the miles this year and nearly didn’t participate but I am glad I did
We all really enjoyed the race. I think the cold actually helped us. Although the course is undulating, I looked forward to mile twelve when we flew down the hill and I tried to overtake all those runners who had passed me on the way up..
The organisers were very ecological this year, paper cups at the drink stations, large bags to throw them in, warnings of disqualification if you threw litter, paper goodie bags and filled reusable drinks bottles as our ‘going home prize’.
Many thanks to Elspeth for her support.
Thank you Ian and Nicky
There were 1710 runners this year up from 1632 runners at last years event.
Sorry I can’t find any pictures of this event!
For full results click here.