Hi! I noticed that Ian Roberts embarked on the tour of Merseyside on Sunday [27th] with the wife “known as Susan hereinafter”.
The Tour is 80,467KM long! It consists of 6 races across 7 days. He completed it Saturday [Yesterday]. His reports follow.
Sunday: Race 1 Southport half marathon, kept a steady pace to complete in 1:50, perfect conditions, flat with a gentle breeze. So 13 miles down 39 to go! Ready for Thurstaston multi terrain tomorrow. Susan did an excellent 2:18 and I say excellent after 3 ops in the last 12 months and her longest run so far this year of 8.5 miles. Keep you posted tomorrow as to how it goes as I’m thinking by the end of the week, I am going to need some support from the running group chat 😃 Thurlston trail Run6 miles tomorrow, described as along the beach and hills!
Monday 28 June Thurstaston multi terrain 6 miles
So, this one was always going to be a tougher one including a pebble beach and the hill climb before last two miles flat. Great course though. 19 miles done. Sustans trail tomorrow night. Oh 53 mins for me and 62 for Susan
Tuesday 29 June Sustans trail 10 mile
A flat and fast course along what is known locally as ‘The Ralla’ – an old railway path which is now a very popular cycle path used by many of the local community. This leg will pushes your Tour mileage up to 29 and counting.
Tonight’s update Sustrans cycle trail – 10 miles in Walton Hall park. Was Hot 🥵 but another good course more miles down 23 to go. Tomorrow is a night off so a well-earned rest. 1:25 for me and 1:39 for Susan
Thursday?? 1 July Otterspool Prom 5 miles
It’s flat and fast, as long as your legs and lungs are up to it!
It started on the grassed area by the Red Bull monument runners headed north along the prom, as far as the Britannia Pub where there was a structured u-turn to bring us back to complete the 5-mile leg. Now we have 34 miles chalked up.
On the tour tonight it was fancy dress night – and hot 🥵 once again I think having a break last night made it harder this evening to get going again. 39 mins for me an 45 for Susan.
Fancy dress Susan was Bridget Jones with bunny ears and I was a Glastonbury dude!! It’s not easy running in baggy cotton trousers. Only 18 miles to go. Cross country tomorrow!
Friday Stadt Moers 6-mile cross country in?? 9210m
Our course tonight was Knowsley. Beautiful evening for 2 laps of the course. A little harder this evening on tired legs but still enjoyed it. 50 mins and 58 mins for Susan. Last race in the morning 40 miles done and 12 to go!
Saturday New Brighton coastal 12 mile
Last day. Well, here we are. The final 12 miles over flat terrain along the north Wirral coast line. Starting in New Brighton the race starts at the end of King’s Parade and heads toward Hoylake before turning round to head for home for the final time.
Tour completed but no one mentioned 1 mile on the beach 1:42 for me and 2:00 for Susan.
Would I recommend it? Definitely! I was nervous about doing it as it wasn’t confirmed as going ahead until quite recently so training got it never really happened. But really enjoying it so far, great crowd of runners and amazed what you can do on tired legs.
Comment from Roy – Having run several of the old ‘Tour of Tameside’ I can appreciate how much Ian and Susan are enjoying this type of event. Well done both of you.
Now for some earned rest!!
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Fantastic Effort both of you. Official results below:
| Tour of Merseyside | 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Name | Chris | Ian | Susan |
| Surname | Pownell | Roberts | Roberts |
| Gender | Male | Male | Female |
| Gender Position | 1 | 71 | 60 |
| Category | MOPEN | M55+ | F45+ |
| Category Position | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| Club | KNOWSLEY H | WRC | |
| Southport Half | 01:13:03 | 01:50:10 | 02:20:18 |
| Thurstaton | 35:21 | 53:52 | 01:02:20 |
| Sustrans | 55:14 | 25:03 | 01:40:09 |
| Otterspool | 27:17 | 39:36 | 44:59 |
| Stadt Moers | 33:36 | 50:34 | 58:56 |
| Wirral Coastal | 01:08:28 | 42:55 | 02:00:11 |
| Chip Time | 04:52:58 | 07:22:09 | 08:46:52 |
| Chip Position | 1 | 82 | 191 |
| 267 Runners | |||