THE 3^RD LANCASTER 5km RACE SERIES

Saturday, 25^th July 2009

Do it again: Yes

Scenery: 6 – quite a pleasant cycle path running along the River Lune…. and the local tip!

PB Potential: 9 – (Includes 2 laps of the track.)

Atmosphere: 8 – quite a low-key race but good for viewing.

Organisation: 10 – been a critic of some of Billy’s races as the distance cannot always be guaranteed but I think he’s got this on spot on.

Value: 10 - £3.50 to pre-enter and everyone received a beer and a glass.

Beginner Friendly: 10 – Organiser, Billy Gardner shouted encouragement to every single runner through a loud hailer.

Directions: FY5 3BF to LAJ 5JS – 23.7 miles – 36 minutes.

A585 to A588 toA6 to A589 (Keep river on your left) (Salt Ayre Sports Centre will be signposted.)

Dempsey kindly loaned me £10 to so this race, (a bit near payday!) As we set off my son, Levon, decided to clean out my glove compartment, throwing away the last 10 years AA cards etc. Because his head was bobbing up and down, he became a little carsick and I had to slow down which wasn’t a problem as we had plenty of time. (Michaela wasn’t with us as she has raced at Ilkley that morning.)

I’ve raced from Salt Ayre a few times but never done the 5K. It felt rather novel racing on a Saturday Night.

As we lined up on the start line on the track, Billy always likes to crack a few jokes. He mentioned that the race was sponsored by Ian Bailey of Lancaster Runner’s Centre…and we were not allowed to beat him. The race has been going 4/5 years and tonight’s was the biggest filed so far – (115 entries).

There were quite a few youngsters on the start line who didn’t look like they would keep the pace up over 5k – (they didn’t!) We did a lap of the track then headed out on a small loop back towards Lancaster then back and up towards the Golden Ball – known locally as “Snatchems” as press gangs operated here.

The turn around is a bit before the pub and I was startled by the front-runners running back toward us so soon! We had to squash in a bit together so as not to get in the way of the speed merchants. Rebecca Robinson of Kendal was in the thick of it. Mick Edge was just a bit in front of me. I speeded up, overtaking a few to try and get nearer to him but Mick seemed to take off as well. Seen some really fast girls but nobody of note from the Fylde. I think they were all at the darts ….. getting tips for the Lane Ends challenge!!!

Got back onto the track and had to do another full lap. Good job no one was near me as I had given my all and had nothing left.

I cheered in Paul Carter, Alan Taylor, and Rod Berry and then rejoined Levon and set off back.

4^th in the Series: 29/8

5^th in the Series: 26/9

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 25^th July 2009

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor