MEN’S CAPTAIN’S REPORT

This year has been a completely new experience for me being Team Captain. Normally I would turn out for the team, run my leg and disappear to the pub. This year I disappeared on holiday, drinking lager by the pool with my good friends from Wesham, who were doing the Barcelona Marathon. I had left Alex to organise, on the day, the Relay Team which narrowly missed out reaching the National 12 Stage finals.

I tried to do my best to rally the troops for the Inter-clubs Series which we fought hard throughout and won a couple of the races. However, Preston turned out with all their ‘big guns’ so we finished second overall. I only hope that this is not just a “one hit wonder” and Preston turns out again, in force, in 2007.

The club has seen some fantastic achievement by members as individuals. One of the highlights for me was watching and cheering them all in Barcelona and somehow, Russ Mabbett getting under 3hrs in 75 degree heat! Wow – that was a hot run!

John Bertenshaw has been an inspiration to many runners. After running for more years than some of our runners have been alive, he ran several PB’s at 10k and half marathons, to show it’s never too late to achieve your goals. The ‘young guns’ shot down some of the more experienced runners: Karl, Joe and especially Steve Myerscough, have done the club proud and set themselves some great PB times. I ran with Karl until 9 miles at Wrexham, when he left me and set a new PB at half marathon with under 1hr 18 mins.

Joe went to Scotland, to the ‘highlands’, to achieve his first sub 3 hour marathon. One day I hope to manage this feat. Steve is going faster and faster. Last year I was in front of him every race. Now I only see him at the start and in the distance! I tried to give him a run for the Men’s Championship, however, he knocked me down every time. Well done becoming our new Champion for 2006.

The only real down point is that some of our runners have been injured for long periods of time in the year and, for some, are still out injured. My heart goes out to them. I hope that they come back stronger and better than before – don’t give up!

To end on a positive note. I hope that I cheered on everyone at all the races I attended which spurred you on to achieve your goals for 2006. Most important, that you enjoyed your running and will be back in 2007 running your heart out.

Many thanks

Captain Barlow