by Sandbach Striders
on Saturday 14th March 2015
Running three laps of Oulton Park Race Track wouldn't normally be top of my list of favourite runs, it just seemed slightly dull, seeing wide expanse of track ahead and little in the way interesting scenery. However my fears were pleasantly unfounded, I quite enjoyed it!
'Extra events' held there annual 10k (& half marathon) on Sunday 8th March, in aid of cancer research. Heather Carter and myself were the striders representatives for this event. We arrived on a damp drizzly morning, thinking the rain was bound to ease up, it didn't, this was the theme of the day, rain and more rain!
Arriving to a full car park, and big queues for registration, this was a popular run, with a mixture of club and fun runners. After a short warm up, Heather and I made our way onto the race track for the start of the race.
What seemed like 3 to 400 hundred runners lined up on the track, and after a quick race breifing, we were sent on our way. It all seemed a bit surreal initially, wide expanse of road, not a car in sight, and pleasantly peaceful, this was rather nice. This was the main attraction to the race, wide roads for runners and only runners. The field soon spread out and Heather and I soon broke away with the lead runners and after a lap, we were soon overtaking the back markers. On the third lap I was able to push on a bit, with Heather not far behind. At the end of the third lap, we peeled of into the pit lane for not quite a grandstand finish, but never the less, a welcome sight. I crossed the line in just over 41 minutes, and Heather just over 42 minutes.
Heather continued her winning ways, being first lady home in all categories, a fantastic achievement, and I came home first over 50 vet, a good day for Sandbach Striders.
This was a surprisingly enjoyable race, very well organised, great to run on a wide peaceful track with no cars in sight and the tea and bacon butties weren't to bad either. If you fancy something different, this race is worth considering.
For more information visit the website.
Tony
