The Northern Vets Secret 10k

Sunday, 6^th June 2010

My usual travelling partners, Peter Cruse and Michaela were doing Longridge this weekend – not that I’ve been racing much of late…….well not much compared to these two! I noticed I had written Bispham 10k in my diary and tried to search the internet to find out more details. Maybe I’d dreamt it as I couldn’t find anything. I then checked my cheque stubs and found a counterfoil payable to Northern Vets for £4 dated over 2 months ago. I’d sent off the top part of the entry form and therefore had no details of the race. Training partner, Bob Shaw still had an entry form, but still not a lot of clues on that apart from collect numbers on the day from Bispham Fire Station. I sent a text to Dave Waywell which went ignored, (he must have run out of credit?). I decided to run down from home assuming the race started close by on the Prom. (It did. The route started behind Bispham tram stop to Anchorsholme, then turned back to just short of North Pier, then back to just passed Bispham tram stop.)

Scenery 9

Do it again Yes

Value 10

Organisation Bit hard trying to get details……bit like the secret underground rave parties of the 1980’s! The two turn-arounds were ably marshalled by Pete Earnshaw and Ian Evans. Drink station manned by Mr and Mrs Sherwood plus dog, Barney. Anywhere where you had a choice was coned off. Only slight hiccup, was a few minutes delay at the start as Dave had to dash back to the Fire Station for his stopwatch. But still give it a 10! Second claim Northern Vets membership is £10 – see http://www.nvac.co.uk/

P.b.potential I’d say slightly undulating, but Alex did 35.21, so I’ll give it an 8.

Atmosphere 5

Quite a small field (30), but a few spectators including Vaughan Saddler.

Beginner Friendly 10

I got a bit of a rush of blood at the start and was 4^th for about 200 metres. Alex and Steve Nolan from Horwich were soon out in front on their own and then Pete Waywell and Alan Hudson were battling it out for 3^rd. Three more runners passed me and I settled into 8^th position. A few walkers/holidaymakers on the route and a dog nearly tripped up the 7^th runner, Mervyn Ward of Warrington. As I got closer, the owner had put its lead on. There were one or two undesirables knocking about between the Gynn and the turn round shouting mild abuse, but don’t let this put you off!

The seventh guy was too far away to catch and Vet70 (!), Fred Gibbs behind me was just over ¼ of a minute behind. I finished in a disappointing 41.44 – I put it down to some drugs I’m taking! (As I’d run well at the Blackpool Handicap on Wednesday.)

1^st Alex Rowe 35.21 3^rd Pete Waywell 38.45 (guest) 4^th Alan Hudson 38.59 8^th Martin Bates 41.44 13^th Phil Leaver 45.53 14^th Kath Hoyer 45.54

Other locals John Bradley (Blackpool) 48.50 Last runner: 62.26 and 1 DNF There were refreshments and showers available at the Fire Station.

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 10^th June 2010

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor