Sandbach Striders

South Cheshire Harriers held there annual 'Air Products 10k' on Sunday 5th April. This is far from being a glamorous race, without a hint of any countryside, trees or hills, it's possibly the most uninteresting, boring run on the race calendar, its basically two laps of Crewe industrial park, not a pretty sight! 

Saying that I quite enjoy it in a sadistic way, why? because its a flat, fast course, and has a lot of PB potential, its also on our doorstep.


Five striders were present at this race, Liz, Lindsay, Nick, Denis and myself. I came across Liz, Denis and Lindsay at the race entry, where we collected our tee shirts and took a team photo. Spirits seemed high in the striders camp with optimistic talk of quick times, and today was a perfect conditions, light winds, cool on a flat  course.

We all made our way to the start point, across from the MMU college campus with enough time for a pre race warm up. At 10.15 am, we were sent on our way, about a 300 meter dash, round a roundabout then double back for two laps of Crewe industrial park. I started a bit too quick and was soon overtaken by a load of runners. After a two kilometres i found my pace and settled with a group. In years gone by I would have had a race strategy, thats all gone out of the window now, I simply set a pace and try an hang on to the finish. The first lap completed I felt okay, between 5 and 8 kilometres was a bit of a struggle, but at the 8 kilometre mark I  new it was just 8 minutes of running, I  could do it. With about half a kilometre left, I put a final burst in to cross the finishing line, in 38 mins 59 secs, a fraction slower than last year but a great time.  Lindsay finished shortly after in 44 min 37 sec, followed by Nick in 49 min26 sec, then Liz in 52 min 41 sec, and finally Denis in 52 min 59 sec. All PB's bar myself, let the side down! 

This race might not be to every ones likings, but its very well organised, and we really all enjoyed it. 

For more information visit the website.

 Tony