Thanks
I’m always very nervous in the days leading up to the Gin Pit Double weekend, hoping everything will go as planned and that the weather, which I can’t control behaves itself. This year it all came together, thank you to everyone who contributed, marshals and runners alike.
I know I say it every year but without all the wonderful helpers that give up their time over the weekend, the event just couldn’t take place and due to their level of enthusiasm it would not be as successful as it is. So many of the runners love the event and often return, they all comment on the brilliant support from the marshals. This year you were all exceptional. Firstly, I want to thank Yuk-Lam for putting up with me in the build up to the event and for the two whole days she spent at the Gin Pit, starting with the registration to time keeping the last runner in. I also want to thank Abbey in the kitchen, dishing out the pasties and Lucas at the finish line.
I have a BIG thank you to the marshals at the check points, you all did a sterling job! On day 1 we had Corky, Megan, Louise and Vikki and on day 2 we had Cheryl, Andy, Catherine, Joan, Paul and Simon. You were all Brilliant! Also, Also, I need to thank Spencer, who cycled the course early day 2 to check on the signs and replaced a couple that had gone missing overnight.
I am very pleased to announce we made £1771.58 for my chosen children and young people’s charity the Brathay Trust.
Start Line – Day 1
The Race Report
At the front both days we had a fantastic battle between Gareth Tomlinson and Simon Fawcett. Both days Gareth nudged it, to take a clean sweep of all the male trophies. On day 1, Gareth even dipped under 3 hours! Their cumulative times were, Gareth in 6 hours 7 minutes 40 seconds and Simon in 6 hour 10 minutes 57 seconds, both phenomenal times. Well done to Gareth and hard luck Simon as you both did amazing, after 2 days there was only a mere 3 minutes between you both. For the ladies, the spoils were shared. On Day 1, we had a very surprised Liz Tunna, who had no idea she had won, with a time of 4 hours 24 minutes 18 seconds. For day 2, Amena Madden’s strong consistent running shined through as she finished in 4 hours 26 mins 11 seconds. Quietly plugging away both days was Swinton’s Ann Wright, who completed both days in 9 hours 30 minutes 12 seconds.
On the Sunday we had the Gin Pit Half, Phil Hardman zoomed around the course in a very impressive 1 hour 18 minutes 26 seconds and for the ladies, Josie Maley-Jones came in first in 1 hour 38 minutes 26 seconds. I must also mention, this is the fifth time Josie has come home first lady in this race.
Me and Spencer, day 2 in Worsley.
My Run
From a personal perspective, I had a lot of reservations going into the weekend. I wasn’t really expecting to even get the chance to run both days, expecting that I might be needed somewhere to help out with the event. I was privileged that my family and friends were so helpful and supportive that I actually got the opportunity to run both days.
That was only one hurdle, I have been having issues with my right knee and wondered if it could even hold out for two marathons in two days. To my surprise it did. In fact, it had to hold out for much more than that, as I run around 10 miles of the course on the Friday putting up the signs and a similar distance on the Monday taking them down again. This has all made for great training for May’s 10 marathons in 10 days challenge. As my knee seemed to hold up pretty well, it has also given me a positive boost that maybe my knee will hold out and I can complete the 10in10. That said, I do have to bear in mind that during the 10in10 the course will be much more hilly and demanding on my knee. My times were very slow compare with recent years, but I don’t mind, it is all about finishing my 10th Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days in a mere 6 week’s time.
Over the last 6 months, while arranging this event, one of the jobs I had to do was design the medal ribbons. I was really proud of this year’s design, which was based on Manchester, its industrial heritage and the Hacienda night club. I was that pleased with them, I dearly wanted to earn both medals by completing both days. For this strange reason, I was especially pleased to complete the Gin Pit Double this year.
