Thrills , spills and more from Boggart Hole Clough .
Driving to the race , the weather was a reminder that we were in XC season . Chill and gusts of wind all around .
On arrival , the car park and surrounding roads looked busier than normal and from watching the ladies race and the latter part of the mens race ( more of that later) , turnout looked decent .
I like BHC . Not mad on the first loop but like the rest : not the beauty of Heaton Pk but more harsh landscape with twisty narrow tracks and plenty of mud .
In cold conditions the ladies were away but without Julie Lucas who was struggling to find BHC on the M62 corridoor sonewhere near Huddersfield . No surprise junction numbers did not ring true when speaking with her on the phone ; With Huma making her debut Julie could relax a little with the knowledge that the team had sufficient vets . Must be a ladies thing as Nicki was similarly lost but in Moston , not the moors ! Clare chose the safety of Chairman Roy’s car to get to the race !
I fine run by Clare " I really dont like XC "in 11th place . A welcome appearance from Kate Ayres in nifty bandana with Captain Kate in hot pursuit followed by Nicki and then Sally Price , Huma and Amanda. Welcome Huma who will be an asset I am sure as she gains lost fitness and good to see Amanda racing XC , make up intact .
Apologies if I have missed anyone : Well done all and thanks for staying to support the men : what a welcome cheer at the end of each lap , even if it did not reach the noise levels of the Mcr Tri club supporters .
Some of my pre race prep went awry calming distressed female runners and allocating numbers to new runners ( get the excuses in Nick ) which in turn caused a different distress to yours truly .
Malc finished strongly for the men with Tom , Stuart , Rob and Jim chasing him home . Rob Elstone made a welcome appearance and ran a strong race ,completing the mens team .
One spectacular fall in the mens race just ahead of me , with the runner on picking himself up resembling the epic shot of Fran Cotton ( Frank who ?).
At this stage myself and Steve Dempsey should have been battling out the next place . Sadly a severe case of runners trots meant that running rather in contorted fashion for two laps saw myself take a strategic detour at the start of the last lap.
Steve finished strongly as always and was followed home by Peter Carne and Gavin.
Despite not being a fan of mud , Chairman Roy was full of smiles as he ran through his adoring fan club of ladies . Trevor finished strongly holding off a sprint finish.
www.bbresults.com for results by Wednesday .
Thanks again to Dave Read for the support : most welcome , also to the families McGaff and Pendrill.
Roy , Dr Kate , Clare and myself returned to the pub for a debrief and for me to overcome the emotional scarring of a DNF ! This time Trevor’s turn to get lost in the short drive to the pub . Intersting pub , warm atmosphere , welcome surroundings ; guest appearances from Rob Taylor and Len Best ( Stockport ).The warming coffee ending up being warming mulled wine while chairman Roy was warming to the very bare midriff of the barmaid .
Another good turnout for the club with many fine runs . Close to 20 running from Team Wilmslow : a fact recognised by a Salford marshall who asked me on arrival if Wilmslow would be out in force as customary ; A further endorsement of our emerging XC talents : well done all.
One word of warning : dont forget or lose your numbers : Steve Dempsey did so after one race and whilst being given a replacement was warned that any similar losses would have his number being tattoeed on a painful place : On investigation race co-ordinator Julie , was reluctant to disclose for now where on the anatomy : Ouch , you have been warned !
Next race Sunday 2nd December @ St Helens : Map reading lessons to be provided .
Nick.