Burnley Cross Country Saturday 11^th November 2006

We heard three different times to meet at The Fairfield – 12:30, 12:45 and 1 o’clock. Michaela wanted to bet me £10 it was 12:45 but I hadn’t got the courage of my convictions! (And she never pays up anyway!) Michaela and I got there for 12:30 and were staggered by the turn out – it was awesome! No parking spaces left! We were all marvelling at the tremendous Gazette write up, (even though Michaela was missed off, but two great colour photos). We all set off in convoy at 12:38. It reminded me of my days watching the mighty Seasiders. All that was missing was the Wesham scarves hanging out of the windows! We arrived at Townley Park at 1:25 and Michaela amazed me by squeezing into a minute parking space that I wouldn’t even have attempted.

I get confused, (now I’m 50), and I thought the Ladies started at 1:30pm and Michaela hadn’t got her number yet. I couldn’t understand why the Ladies hadn’t started to line up until it dawned on me it was 2pm!. Michaela wondered what I was fretting about. (I knew Helen and a few others were behind us and I thought they would miss the start).

Michaela picked up her, (2^nd) number and I ran back to the car as she’d forgotten her gloves. Richard (Garstang RR) gave Michaela a cuddle from Dave Nielands, an arch rival and friend….this is what it’s all about - to digress!

Dave Waywell had bought a table and two large flasks for the tent. Luxury! Dave Young is going to enquire about getting a second tent now our numbers have swelled so much. We’ll be having showers next!

The men set off at 2:30 and were doing 10K. (An ABC, a CDE and an FGH!!). Confused? So was I. I thought, “I won’t go into the lead; I’ll follow Charlie and Alex!” My spikes were killing me. I’ll have to find my Walsh’s for the next one! There was a really good turn out and some quality at the front end. I didn’t see them - someone told me!

This wasn’t the Burnley course of old, (sadly). It was basically a few laps round some football pitches, but still enjoyable. The Ladies cheered us all on every lap. I heard one voice, (I think it was Sue Samme of LSARR) - “Go on Martin, (I don’t hold a grudge for not getting an invite to your party!”) I grimaced a smile and plodded on. I finished behind Willie Richmond (LSARR), on my last outing at Leyland, so I was pleased to get in front of Willie, early doors.

On the first big lap I overtook a prone body, flat out – head buried in the mud and leaves. On closer examination, it was wearing a Wesham vest. It was Les! I asked if he was OK and he said, “Carry on, I’m OK”. He’d gone over on his ankle and he appeared to be in shock.

On the last lap Derek Crane, (BWandF AC), overtook me, but I managed to get him back and overtook a few more on the run in, (cheered on by Michaela).

I had to wait my turn for room in the tent to get changed and I thought about the old days when the tent was the size of a toilet and barely enough room for the bags! Julie Cruse and Michaela were on the prowl to catch a glimpse of Mickey’s secret tattoo and I can’t reveal the outcome on a family website.

On the way home the driving conditions were atrocious. Michaela took it all in her stride and we were first back to the Fairfield! I watched the football results as Michaela got the ale in and, to cap a brilliant day off, the Pool had won 1-0 away at Huddersfield in the F.A. Cup. We were shortly joined by Messrs Cooke, Cruse, (and Julie!), Barlow, Young, Buckley, Collier, Midgley, Wyld and, (stalwart Marie who had to drop out with a sore Achilles!)

RESULTS:

Ladies (5.848K):-

50^th Kath Hoyer 28:45

57^th Julie Cruse 29:19

59^th Yvonne Russell 29:28

66^th Helen Briggs 29:51

71^st Michaela Dempsey 30:37

99^th Hayley France 33:24

104^th Pauline Weller 34:00

120^th Tracy Hulme 35:29

121^st Amanda Hinks 35:33

125^th Beth De Nobrega 37:33

Men (10K):-

11^th Charlie Pass 37:03

31^st Alex Rowe 38:41

59^th Lee Barlow 40:59

64^th Karl Lee 41:03

67^th Joe Hodgkinson 41:13

72^nd Derek Buckley 41:25

90^th John Collier 41:59

104^th Steve Myerscough 42:42

106^th Dave Waywell 42:45

116^th Richard Davies 43:21

118^th Peter Cruse 43:25

133^rd John Bertenshaw 44:01

170^th Martin Bates 46:22

178^th Andrew Owen 47:06

186^th Graham Vickers 47:38

212^th Mark Midgeley 49:46

216^th Jonathan Lawson 50:09

232^nd Nigel Shepherd 51:09

237^th John Sharples 51:33

246^th Peter Cooke 53:09

251^st Derek Goodenough 54:22

252^nd Norman Bateman 54:32

FULL RESULTS

Written by: Martin Bates.

Submitted: 12^th November 2006-11-12

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor