Blackpool Inter Club Grand Prix

Monday, 19^th June, 2006

We went into the race one all with Preston. The word gets round. I knew North Fylde was missing a couple of runners. I’d heard nothing about Preston and I arrived at Stanley Park to see several Preston top sticks: Gary Wilson, Steve Hallas, Adam Sutton and Dave Partington. Twenty five minutes or so later it would all be over.

We had Charlie Pass. Similar guy to Steve Hallas; both unassuming gentleman and great runners. Nothing seems to deter the true club runner and the Inter-clubs seem to bring the best out in them.

Barry Norman was here, but didn’t realise, until I did a lap of the park to warm up, he was here to watch as he was injured. I warmed up with Chaz, Nigel Shepherd, Pete Cruse, Glen Mitchell and Steve Myerscough joined us for half a lap.

No sign of Les Cornwall. Perhaps it was going to be Preston’s day.

It was a fast start. I started behind Johnny Winters (B&F). Sorry, Johnny, but what were you doing on the start!!!?? It took me 20 yards or so to get past as there was a container on my side which made it difficult/dangerous and it annoyed me – someone will get injured one day and I’ve had my fair share of injuries. Johnny finished 140^th.

It was a twisty, turny course with runners desperate to get a good start. Trevor Rayner went over on his ankle ‘early doors’ on an uneven path and pulled up. I hope he’s OK, because he’s running out of his skin.

Gemma Titterington, Caroline Betmead, Phillipa Walsh and Carolyn Robbins all steamed past. I liked the course. Out of the Park, down East Park, back in, over the two bridge, alongside the lake, round the grass oval behind the Model Village (dodging dogs), through the Italian Gardens and out again for another lap. (Caroline was the 1^st lady).

Michaela was at the Italian Gardens and by the Boating Lake and shouted encouragement as did Dave Young and a few others. It was a good race to watch.

I seemed to remember losing a position or two on last year’s race near the finish and, although quite a few runners were coming past, I was determined to have a good finish, especially after Preston won the first fixture by only two points. (Gary de Banke and I were only two positions behind Prestons 10^th counter at the North Fylde fixture). I passed a couple of Blackpool runners and Phillipa Walsh with 150 yards to go and managed to hold on. I think I finished about 50^th in 25 minutes or so.

I saw a Red Rose runner with a head wound. He had gone flying near the finish. I shouted Jenny Salt in, except it was Andrea Rayner, (sorry Andrea, my eyesight is getting worse!)

I did another 2.2 miles lap to warm down and came back to see Glen waiting at my car on Woodland Drive. Sorry Glen! Glen told us the butties weren’t at the Sports Centre, but at the Café! I collared some Red Rose Runners wandering about lost and Chaz phoned Pete Cruse to let him know. The Café was a superb venue – plenty of room and nice grub. Pity the Jazz band wasn’t on. I passed secret notes to Richard Davies about a Trail Race at Kendal, (pretending not to let Peter Cruse see it) – all a bit if fun, honest! (The ongoing Competitive Miles Saga for those not in the know!)

After a bit of a wait, Howard Henshaw announced the provisional results:-

Vet 60 1^st Wesham. (I remember Howard at last year’s race. At this point saying, “That’s all you’ve won!”)

Vet 50 1^st Wesham

V40 1^st Wesham

Open 1^st Wesham

Ladies 3^rd Wesham (Women later changed to 2^nd!!)

52 Wesham runners finished – 40 Men and 12 Ladies and at least two appeared to drop out (John Whiteman and Peter Cooke). 188 runners finished and we had 20 in the first 58. I think three Wesham runners made their Inter Club debuts: -

84^th Neil Whiteman.

91^st Chris Whitlock

117^th Lisa Dunne.

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 21^st June 2006-06-21

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Website/Magazine Editor