Post Race Review
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Newcastle 7
2008
2009
Well although it’s not on the championships
listing the Newcastle 7 which was on Sunday 19 April is a
very challenging race. The first 2 ½ miles Black’s Bank is all
uphill. It does even off for a while and then climbs again. The good
thing about all the climbing is that you do have down-hills and this
is where you can catch up. This year I was a minutes slower,
however, the weather was absolutely brilliant with sunshine
throughout. A nice person on route even put a water hose on for all
the runners to go under (after tackling the killer hill). Yes
although hilly I would recommend this race.
Chester Spring 5
2008
Great turn out of Sandbach Striders for this race. Good parking and changing facilities. The race itself is fairly flat and the course is fast. It's a popular weekday race with lots of local clubs. The first three miles is flat and fast, the fourth seems to go on for a bit but once past that and on the home straight the last mile flies in quickly.Liz
The course started with a downwards hill which was great to get
some speed up. But I couldn't help thinking I've got to come back up this amount
of elevation at some point' and the downward hill just kept going on and on and
on up to about 2.5 miles. I was preserving my energy for the dreaded return
upwards and it never really happened. I think there was one steepish mound and
that was it!!!! I got a new PB of 35 mins and 15 seconds but I feel I could have
run faster if I knew the course.
I thought the marshalling was excellent, there were 2 or 3 marshals on every
turn. Some were encouraging, some were not. - Whatever!
The photographer caught me by surprise under the bridge on the last mile. ha-ha.
I thought there was supposed to be a medal or something as a momentum of the
race but I received nothing. Maybe my mistake. Perhaps next time the organisers
could put something up??
All in all a great race though and i will be returning next year to go all out
on the whole course ;o) Steven
2009
Brilliant race, fast course, nice atmosphere. Worth doing again. Liz
Dougie Mac 5k
2008
2009
The Dougie Mac 5K 5 April is a lovely race.
Started at 9.45am and home by 11.00am (brill). It has one hill in the first
mile and the rest of the course is flat. Very scenic running around the
Wedgewood Estate. This year the walkers did a different route and this
helped differentiate the walkers from the runners. Well organised. Enjoyable
- a course where you can get PB. Liz
Crewe 10k Air Products
2008
In short: Watch out for the fast start!
In full:
I killed myself in the first km. I did it in 3 mins 48 secs
which is fast for me. All because of the speedy start. If you don't want to
start too fast i suggest you start nearer the back and be conscious of your
speed. Not a bad race overall though. Not very exciting but I will still do
it again. Nice T-shirt. Worth racing just for that! Steven
2009 (New course)
Good run – flat course – well organised. Liz
Cheadle 5
2008
In short: Scenic and slightly challenging
In full:
Loved this race. The off road sections were particularly
enjoyable. The marshalling could have been better as traffic still continued
to pass us on the quieter parts. The last stretch (mile or so) was good as
it was all up hill so it gave me a chance to overtake some of the people who
had not reserved their energy! Definitely will do again Steven
Muller 10K Market Drayton
2009
Post review – Brilliant Goodie bag. Nice
quality t-shirts. Lovely tray of Muller goodies, plus there was a
free tasting booth with yet more freebies. Lots of things for kids
to do and they all got prizes (free). The race itself was
undulating, plenty of support around the route. Well organised.
Liz
Mow Cop Killer Mile
2008
In Short:
Hill?... or a mountain?
In Full: What a great race! This was a surprisingly
very well organised race (surprisingly because its the residents that
organise it rather than a running club - some lessons could be had here by
some other clubs!). The route goes as follows: slight incline, round a bend,
gets steeper, round another bend, gets steeper, runner looks up to see a
wall of concrete, blinks a few times, realises its
actually more road to run up (a 1-in-4 climb), digs in and just keeps
going!!! The croud really helped at this point with their cheers of
encouragement - possibly helped by the fact there is a pub just here to keep
them interested! Despite the massive build up of lactic acid in the
legs (they were very jellyfied) and the burning/freezing sensation in the
throat and lungs I would definately do this again. Certificate is a nice
change to a t-shirt or medal too. Bring on next years! Steven.
Christleton 5K
2009
Fast course would have been faster without the wind. Would recommend this one again. Nice place for a pint too. Liz
Chester Half Marathon
2009
A good turnout from the club, but need to enter early. Entries open just after Helsby in January. A nice course starting on the racecourse, then through some villages and country lanes, and back to the racecourse. Well organised. Good quality t-shirt, not so sure about the colour. Good support from the crowds. Only complaint – it took 2 hours just to get off the car park! Don’t park on the racecourse.JillMobberley 5 Mile
2008
Although it was advertised as 5 miles it did feel longer. The race was mostly off road, running round nice little dirt tracks and then along grass adjacent to Manchester airport. The route was very scenic. One little steep hill was conquered. Yes…. I definitely do this one again and I would recommend it. Liz
In short: Great for the money! Actually 5.30 Miles.
In full: This race was set in a lovely scenic area, running along
quiet roads and dirt tracks. There were a couple of good features such as
the aeroplanes flying over head, running alongside the runway, a stream
through a tunnel and lets not forget the 'killer' hill!
The marshalling could have been better, and I expected better from such a
big club. There were cars pushing their way through and driving very close
passed people still running (i am happy to say i wasnt one of them...but
that's not the point!)..This was a bit dangerous, not to mention rude from
the drivers with disgruntled faces.
Don't let the drivers put you off
though as this was only the last section of
the race. Perhaps a better area for the finish next time?
I did enjoy the rest of the route and will probably do it again. But this is
definitely not a PB potential race as it is actually 5.30 miles, NOT 5
miles. No memento but what do you expect for less than a fiver?
Steven
2009
Nice unusual race – multi terrain. Bit of a
hill near the end!!!! Pity they don’t put mile markers on the route
though. No water stops hence we all headed for the pub! Would do it
again.
Really interesting route - nice country lanes,
ran close to runway and through tunnel. Only one small steep hill!!
Caroline W
Delamere Trail Race 5.8 Miles (approx)
2008
Well 6 of us did the Delamere Forrest run last night and it was hard. It turned out to be 5.8 miles of up and down hills round and round twisted bends. It was a nice run albeit a bit hard underfoot. Would I recommend it – yes – though get some hill training in. Liz
Hell Up North
2008
It was hell!
OK no pretending that this isn't a tough run and you don't have to mind wading up to your waist (or higher if you're short) in seriously smelly mud but the race has a great atmosphere and it really is about having fun doing something challenging and wacky. Not sure what it is but there's something in the Delamere mud that makes it extremely difficult to scrub off! A great ending to the clubs first nutters series, you don't have to be mad but it really helps..... look how well Giles did!!! Chris
Sandstone 10k
2008
Turned up at Beeston Cattle Market on a snow covered April morning not knowing quite what to expect of this run. Turns out it was possibly the most scenic run I’ve ever done (in Cheshire). After a short road section the path follows part of the Sandstone Way and soon crosses fields on the way to Beeston Castle. Muddy in places with a short but steep climb around Peckferton Castle estate leads to one of the best downhill sections I have ever run. More fields to cross before returning to the start. Don’t remember getting much at the finish apart from a bottle of water but the entry was very cheap and the Oatcake van was waiting in the car park! Giles
Hanchurch Hilly
2008
Nice little run around the woods near Handchurch. Most of the race is gently downhill along trails through the woodland, it’s only right at the end that you have to get back to starting height! Nowhere near as hilly as the name suggests but because it all comes at once it’s hard work on the calves. Nice midweek run though and a good change from running on the road! Giles
Wincle Trout Run
2008
My first ever fell race! Based around the Dane Valley this has to be one of the most scenic races in our local area. After a pretty steep downhill and a river crossing the path begins to climb through the woods around Gradbach. No time for a detour to Lud’s Church today (although I’m sure everyone running would appreciate the sight!) but the route does take in the (semi-famous) Hanging Stone. Some pretty steep sections on the return to the Start/Finish though! Once back you can appreciate the fete, probably the main attraction! Plenty for all the family so see and do. If your take your own dog along you can even enter him in the catch the sausage competition! I know I’ll be back next year! Giles
Gun Run
2008
Thought I’d get this run in as I was having my Gall Bladder removed the following day & you’ve got to take the opportunity when you can! It’s classed as a CS fell race which means there’s less than 125ft of ascent per mile and it’s less than 6 miles (as easy as Fell Running gets). Fortunately the main uphill was split into 2 sections with the Start/Finish about halfway up. Fantastic views across to the Roaches from the top of Gun Hill, still the best way to spend a midweek evening in the summer! Giles
Roaches Fell Race
2008
Well, this one’s classified as a BL which means it’s less than 250ft of ascent per mile and over 12 miles. Did some calculation of this and found out that it just misses out on the A rating by 3 foot per mile. I don’t think I could fool anybody into thinking that I ran all of this, really heavy under foot in parts and pretty vertical in others (especially heading up Shutlingsloe from the steep side!) I think I even encountered some light snow while crossing the Roaches. Excellently organised race with all the vitals for a good fell race (lots of mud, steep hills, river crossing & or course the scenery). Hoping this will become a regular fixture on my calendar! Giles
Prestwich Challenge
2008
A bit of an oddity this one, I still can’t decide if I really liked it or really hated it! There’s some long stretches of running along river beds and crawling through pipework with occasional climbing nets, steep banks, gravel mounds, lake crossings, etc. thrown in. Was going fairly well until near the end when I was presented a tyre to run with. Have you ever tried running with a tyre? I opted for the over the shoulder approach but managed to bruise my ribs quite badly! Some areas were so steep and muddy there was no chance of keeping your feet and crawling on all fours was the only way to make progress! There’s even more challenges for team entries (4 man skies, stretcher carrying, dingy crossing, etc.) The jury is out on whether I’ll return to this one next year! Giles