Well what a weekend, I feel totally shattered!
The first thing I want to mention is the weather. What were the odds on us seeing unbroken sunshine and temperatures of 19 degrees at the end of March in rainy Manchester? Utterly unbelievable!
Now to talk about the running, the event is in its second year and created a lot of interest, reaching the entry limit before Christmas. It attracted endurance athletes from across the country with entrants coming from as far as Kent, Devon, Cornwall and Scotland. There were a mix of Iron men and 100 marathon club members, as well as other ultra and multiple marathon runners. We were also joined by runners from more local clubs, including Leigh Harriers, Horwich, Radcliffe and Stockport who wanted to take part in this challenge.
On the race weekend we had 38 runners on the Saturday & 35 runners on the Sunday with 30 of them completing both days. Superb performances from the winner Rogers Hayes (from Devon) completing the 2 days in 6 hours 40 minutes and 33 seconds and Caroline Hemming (from Glazebrook) for the ladies in 7 hours 2 minutes and 56 seconds. There was a new course record set on the Saturday by Allister Goulding from Leigh Harriers in 3 hours and 10 seconds, shame he didn’t break the 3 hours, maybe next year. Great effort from all the runners whether they completed 1 or both days.
On the Saturday Steve Coleman, Paul Basnett, Craig Bradbury, Stuart Adamson & myself represented Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners with Stuart Adamson & myself completing the Sunday as well. This is a fantastic first time achievement for Stuart. Sadly Craig had to pull out at half way due to stomach problems but Steve Coleman had an impressive finish on the Saturday and took 2nd place in 3 hours 24 minutes 22 seconds.
Thanks go out to…
Yuk-Lam, for letting me arrange the event, holding the fort at the Gin Pit and looking after the refreshments & the kids while I ran it!
Gary & Clare, for time keeping.
Manning the water stations were Neil, Emma, Anne, Mark, Clare, Craig, Dave & Soozy with their dog Bob and Barry on the Sunday after running on the Saturday!
The marshals, John, Christine & Anne.
Helpers at the finish, Cath, Anne & my mum, Irene.
My dad Bill, for helping me put up the signs.
Spencer, for cycling the course early on the Saturday morning before the start of the first day to make sure there were no last minute problems.
Phil, for the photos.
Jackie, for getting the 420 bottles of water.
Pat & Joe at the Welfare club, for letting us use their facilities.
And everyone else that came down to support.
Charlies Angels!
Many of the runners have emailed or Facebooked me saying how much they have enjoyed the event and to pass on their thanks to all the helpers.
I’ve not had a chance yet to tot up exactly how much we have raised but it will be in the region of £850.00. The money will be going to the Brathay Trust from Ambleside near Windermere to help them with the great work they do with disadvantaged young people.
The runners all seemed to enjoy the event and have given very positive feedback, to such an extent that some have already decided to come back again next year. I haven’t even contemplated next year but it’s highly likely there will be a Gin Pit double in 2013.
