Radcliffe AC

5 Mile Trail Race

Friday, 11th August 2006

 

From the Mason’s Arms, Sion Street.

 

An out and back course round Ringley Woods. There are two climbs; one quite steep. Total climb around 200 feet.

Do it again:                 Yes, loved it.

Scenery:                      5 – route runs parallel to the River Irwell on what appears to be an old railway route

Atmosphere:               9 Very friendly race/ plenty of marshals

Organisation:              10 – novel reusable numbers. Results available on the night.

Value:                          10 – Sarah Sherrratt got her monies worth! (2 bottles of wine)

Beginner Friendly:     10

 

Didn’t know I was going till 3 o’clock and I also ran at lunch time. What the hell, I’m off to Majorca on Sunday for a fortnight and probably won’t get much running in. I’d run the Radcliffe Trail before, so I was familiar with part of the route.

 

Sarah Sherratt turned up with about 10 minutes to go. Another runner entered after her!

 

The race starts off from the Pub and for about a quarter of a mile it is only on the road and then across quite an impressive bridge and onto the Trail. I kept Chris “keen as mustard” Whitlock in view and he seemed to tire after about a mile, (he’d raced yesterday at Horwich and so had Sarah). I saw my chance and overtook. We turned left and did a roller-coaster loop where I overtook quite a few runners and felt good. Just as I headed back onto the Trail, off the loop, two or three girls were just starting the loop. I managed to overtake one more runner just before the bridge and sprinted into the finish.

 

I ran back down the course to shout in Chris, Sarah and Julie who all had good runs. Julie had run today with the Wrinklys, (they set off from the beautiful Cuerden Park which is big enough to hold a one lap 10k race and proceeded to run on tarmac!!!)

 

The race was run by ex Salford runner Ken Chapman in 27.14.

12th Peter Cruse 30.32

27th Martin Bates 32.43

39th Chris Whitlock 34.24

49th Sarah Sherratt 36.31 (1st FV35 and 4th overall)

63rd Julie Cruse 38.47

 

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 12th August 2006-08-12

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Website/Magazine Editor