Arriving rather late due to wet weather parking chaos I was pleased to see a few more Wilmlsow team mates than I was expecting. I could still feel plenty of Shady Oak in my legs although I was encouraged to hear that Mike Halman felt the same. The start was delayed and in rather chilly rain Ray Eagle was looking well turned out in his customised bin liner.
Eventually we set off from the old bridge out of the city. The route is not unlike Wilmslow, only slightly downhill out but noticeably uphill on the way back. As the fastest dozen or so athletes ran away down the hill I found myself running alone over the motorway bridge. There was a bit of wind and rain but compared to the Shady Oak the conditions were positively summer.
At about 5 miles there is the aptly named “Straight Mile” and at this point with the mile stretching out flat in front and behind you can feel like you’re not making much progress. Fortunately I was joined by a Styal AC runner who was holding a good steady pace. Working together we gradually gained on and picked off runners fading from the leading group. By 8 miles we were heading back towards Chester making our way past crowds of slower runners who were still on the outward tack. Small groups of locals huddled under umbrellas and shouted much needed support for the last runners as we ploughed on past up the hill. Somehow the wind still seemed to be blowing in our faces.
It was rather slippery under foot as I ran back along the city pavements and over the river. Looking down from the last bridge I could see Mike Proudlove a few minutes ahead racing past underneath to the finish. I couldn’t see our own Mike H and hoped that he was in front (he was indeed).
There were some good times given the rain with most Wilmslow runners close to PBs. The strong showing was rewarded by a surprise win for the men’s team.
2 Mike Halman 1:10:47
10 Rob Downs (1 V40) 1:16:09
26 Andy Penney 1:19:22
55 Ray Eagle (3 V50) 1:23:25
58 Trevor Morris (13 V40) 1:23:43
69 Ray Noble 1:24:40
108 Mike Cooper (27 V40) 1:27:12
415 David Wheable 1:38:25
458 Sean Barry 1:39:38
884 Trevor Faulkner (12 V60) 1:50:08
1909 finishers
Teams
1 Wilmslow RC 83
2 Mike Halman
10 Rob Downs
23 Andy Penney
48 Ray Eagle
2 Buckley Runners 85
3 Wirral AC 120
Full results at http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2006/chester.htm
Rob