Wray SCARECROW 10k

sATURDAY, 22^nd aPRIL 2006

Martin’s Race Ratings:

Overall score 8

Do it again: Yes

Scenery: 10

PB potential: 0

Atmosphere: 9

Organisation: 9 – Just fell down on mile markers (to small) and the race started 2 minutes early

as a car was waiting to get through.

Value: 10 – Just £3 to pre-enter and pick your own T shirt at the finish.

Beginner Friendly: 10

My pair of Nike Air Structure shoes has had it. Too many competitive miles………and playing football with my son! I wore New Balance instead, but they felt too heavy. I’ve got some new Puma shoes, but they’ve blistered my toes. I don’t think Nike Air Structure are made any more, but if anybody sees them for sale anywhere, please let me know!!

The scarecrow theme this year was football, but anything topical seemed to go. (Wallace and Grommit was a popular one). We were admiring the scarecrows when Yvonne Russell stopped in her car and asked where the parking and registration was. The next car was Peter Gleaves who asked the same thing! I bought an Eric Clapton cassette for 50p, but regretted after that I hadn’t rummaged round more. I passed on an Ian Drury cassette, but wished I’d bought it when I heard him on Dr Who when I got home! Michaela’s choice of music is a bit more obscure. I think one was by a band called Plankton. Mind you, she’s got better taste than me, especially in running shorts.

The race set off from Gars End at 1:13pm. I prayed everyone from Wesham had made it. Steve Myerscough only got there at one, but he was in the lead for the first half mile and looking good. I just hoped he knew the way! Steve, Pete Cruse and George Kennedy were in front and the possibility of a team prize spurred me on. I pegged George back initially on the first hill, but he regained his gap on the flat and extended it.

A figure came past with long hair and I thought first Lady…. till I noticed his beard! I didn’t see any mile markers after 3. I tried to gauge it from my watch and road signs. I knew there was a Horwich runner trying to chase me down and I noticed a sign saying, ‘School 175yds’ so I thought there was 175 yds to the finish and went for it. I managed to hold him off.

I sat down for an orange drink. Graham Vickers steamed in. Peter Gleaves steamed in a second later and collapsed in a heap.

‘Pieman’ stopped his watch because some innocent bystander happened to be standing by the finish funnel with something that looked remotely like a stop-watch in his hand. Must have lost, ooh, all of two seconds and the real time keeper soon got to know about it as he scurried in with a raised voice and gestures!

Kath Hoyer was 2^nd lady and carried off a mound of prizes. She didn’t know her photo was in the Gazette till I told her and she was really concerned, “What do I look like?”

Michaela and I met Peter Gleaves, John Sharples and Steve Myerscough in the ‘George and Dragon’ and had a few pints of Scarecrow Ale (Mitchell’s). We had to leave about 5:30pm and missed the Hog Roast. Instead we made a 15 mile detour to the Burger King at The Motorway Services.

1^st Andrew Buttery (Rossendale) 36:29

4^th Steve Myerscough 37:26,

10^th Peter Cruse 38:27,

18^th George Kennedy 40:20,

27^th Martin Bates 41:49,

33^rd Graham Vickers 44:18,

34^th Peter Gleaves 44:21,

37^th Alan Taylor 45:12,

44^th Kath Hoyer 46:15,

48^th Nigel Shepherd 47:26,

49^th Yvonne Russell 47:27,

56^th John Sharples 49:21,