Rudolf’s RED NOSE RACE – 5M

Sunday, 24th December 2006

 

MARTIN’S RACE RATINGS:

Scenery:                      7

PB poential:                4 – a couple of kissing gates to negotiate – but good runs from Steve Myerscough, Graham Ingham, Peter Gleaves, Andrew Owen and Joanna Goorney, (apologies if I’ve missed anyone)

Atmosphere:               10 – a third of the field were in fancy dress

Organisation:              10 – Dave had even put down flour mile markers. Even Wrinkly Boss Whiteman was impressed.

Value:                          10 – goody bag containing wine, beer and mince pie - £4/6 to enter. (I think Dave must have used the 40% off Thresher’s vouchers!)

Beginner Friendly:     10 – 90% trail

 

The race was full, which was a fantastic achievement considering the forms only came out six weeks ago. As usual there appeared to be a few numbers not picked up. (About 40?)

 

A movement in the club, led by the ladies, decided to run in fancy dress. At first I thought I’d rather run in running gear. Then, nearer the date, I thought I’d run in a token Santa hat. But the week before I thought I’d go the whole hog after I spotted my Santa outfit in a kitchen cupboard. I didn’t really want to get it out whilst my 9 year old son was knocking about. On the morning of the race I went to get it, but was horrified to find it wasn’t my Santa outfit at all, but a red bag of barbecue briquettes! My eyesight is going now I’m 50! All was not lost however! We went to B&M Bargains on Whitegate Drive and bought an outfit for £1.99! I had to keep the trousers up by wearing my shorts over them – Superman - eat yer heart out!

 

Michaela and I jogged down to the Start at the Zoo Car Park and received a few funny looks. I didn’t recognise a few Santas at first. The best fancy dress was Rudolph (Nicholas Brantwood). I thought I might be first Santa, till I saw Steve Myerscough! Sexiest: Kath Hoyer?

 

Set off with joggers Lee Barlow, George Kennedy and Peter Cruse, but my competitive nature got the better of me when I could hear Michaela coming!

 

I passed Simon Eaton who was struggling with a calf injury and set my sights on Andrea Smith (NF). Andrew Owen was looking good and passed me about half way. I passed Andrea at about 3 and then passed Joanna Goorney except she kept passing me again. There was good support all the way round from the marshals. Terry Bradshaw (NF) drew alongside and we battled it out to the finish. I finished just ahead in 33:20. I felt knackered at the finish. Captain Barlow asked me if I was OK! I think I was just a bit dehydrated. I gave Elaine Bertenshaw a Christmas kiss, (after kissing Steve Myerscough’s and Kerry’s gorgeous Jack Russell puppy - which incidentally bit Kath Hoyer!*), and jogged back to the Fire Station with Andy Yelland.

Had a lovely hot mince pie and a brew and then adjourned to the Saddle, (Blackpool’s oldest Pub).

 

Afterwards I heard Brian Porter kept the Fire Station throng entertained with his Cossack dancing whilst wearing a huge inflatable Santa outfit.

 

Not seen results yet, but Paul Muller won and hopefully our Joanna Goorney was 1st Lady.

 

P.S. To Elaine: I didn’t really kiss Steve and Kerry’s dog! *as if the wasp incident wasn’t bad enough!

 

 Finlay McCalman?

 

Date for your diary: Next year’s race: Sunday, 23rd December 2007

 

Thanks to Dave for organising and all his helpers.

 

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 25th December 2006

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor