27th Beaverbrooks 10k Fun Run

Sunday, 10th May 2009

 

Do it Again:    Yes

Scenery:          4

PB potential: 0 .......as not recognised as the official distance, but 10/10 for your own personal goal. Chris Whitlock did a P.B. today and I've no reason to believe it isn't accurate. Everybody’s Garmin said it was accurate.......so I was a little disappointed to do a 10K 2 days later 50 secs slower than Beaverbrooks!

Atmosphere:   9

Organisation : 5........inadequate toilets (or did I just arrive too late as usual?) and results (in the past have been rounded up or down to the nearest 15 seconds after 40 minutes or you could be missed off completely!) Maybe this year will be different with the tear off bit on our numbers? *

Value:              5 ...Post £9.50, On-line £11...on the day £9.50 for club runners

Beginner-Friendly: 10

 

I'd been e-mailing Pete Waywell and Kirsty had kindly offered to look after Levon and Pete Waywell kindly offered (tongue in cheek), to be my pacemaker! (As I had sent a text to Pete Cruse saying I was going to kick his butt today) - (I think I was a bit to flushed with success after Thursday’s Inter Club!)

 

Michaela was driving us down and my phone burst into life, (that was unusual because its only usually Michaela that rings and she was sitting next to me!), as we went passed the Norbreck Hotel. It was Kirsty - we had just sailed past her, (she was walking down with Megan on her bike and Thomas in his pushchair.)

 

Levon and I got out and walked down with them for 5 minutes or so, and then I left them to jog down to the start.  Saw quite a few runners.........I wanted Michaela to pick two strangers up at Anchorsholme tram stop, but we didn't have enough room, plus the tram came and we were stuck at red lights. As I jogged down saw James Unsworth, Lee, Tanya, Pete and Bev in the distance. I shouted Pete and Bev, but they didn't hear me! I tried to use the loos at Queen’s Amusements, but they weren't having any of it and referred me back across the road to the public loos, (but I didn't have any money on me... (What a rip off!)

 

By the time I'd got to the Hilton, Michaela had entered and parked near Gynn Square after getting into an argument with a lady taking up two spaces, (she was cheekily reserving it for somebody following her down)! She angrily gave her the Agincourt salute and later, as if to even things out for justice's sake, she got one back at her when she beeped at a pair of two abreast cyclists who were holding the traffic up!

The weather was sunny, (yesterday Levon and I got drenched). I was chatting with Alan Glasgow and Russ Mabbett sporting a natty Union Jack vest at the start. No sign of past winners Johno Prowse or Steve Littler. Quite a few notable absences - hope no serious injuries. As in virtually every race, quite a few runners stood in the wrong place, (to get their 2 minutes of fame?) Grrrr! There was a good atmosphere with quite a few in fancy dress including a good posse of Wesham ladies, (see Monday’s Gazette supplement), and good commentary from Radio Wave. The wheelchairs set off first and then we followed shortly after. I missed a drink at the first drink station. I always seem to get myself on the wrong side plus as usual, it was a bit crowded. Lots of local support from Wesham members (Blackpool and Lytham)

 

I didn't manage to keep up with Pete Waywell this time and didn't really see Pete Cruse apart from the turnaround. The lead guy was way out in front. Didn't see any stag/hen parties en route. Perhaps they must be in Krakow!

 

Ran with a young lad, (young compared to me), and he commented he couldn't shake me off, (in a nice way). At the last drink station, he had some female admirers 'manning' the drink station and they soaked him! Got to the Metropole and Levon gave me a shout. It always seems a long run-in from here, but just one runner 'got' me and Russ came in a couple of seconds behind. We were 38:00 and 38:15 according to the Gazette. Gemma Unsworth (35:53) and Bev Wright (38:15) - (both Blackpool), were first and second. Mark Midgley’s son, Jamie was first Junior (39:00?). Blackpool Victoria Hospital's director of fundraising, Ramesh Ghandi shook our sweaty hands as we came in.

 

Pete Waywell, Anne Docherty, Michaela and I started giving out Sotos forms. Must have handed out quite a few between us and if 1 in 10 enter, we will have done well.

 

I used to boycott this race in the past, but I have grown to enjoy it. It’s got a good atmosphere and I get a buzz when runners and spectators shout out my name.

 

1st Ian Grime 31:32 (Newham)

 

  • It wasn't. Carmel was completely missed off, (not that she was bothered), and I (V50) was lumped in with youngsters like Pete Cruse and Trevor Rayner in an unusual V 46 - 55 category. Don't want to wade through 3,418 times, but I know Karl Lee was 1st in his category in 35:28 and our 1st Lady was Joanna Goorney (40:00) - 5th overall and Chris Whitlock dipped under 40 minutes for the first time. Thought it might be an idea if they charged us a £1 extra and had chip timing?...........but why change a winning formula as far as the organisers are concerned?

 

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 15th May 2009

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor