Biddulph Running Club, held there annual 'Mayors Charity Race' today at Knypersley Pool, it's a 5 mile trail run around knypersley pool reservoir, followed by a long uphill climb through woodland, over biddulph moor before returning around the lake back to the finish. It's a challenging course, very muddy (trail shoes a must) but equally rewarding with some beautiful scenery.
It's one of my favourite races, not only for the lovely course, but it has a very friendly feel, with cake stalls (always a winner for me), raising money for charity as well as tea, coffee and soup for all the finishers. The race has a nice quirky touch, with the mayor donned in hat and gown rings his bell says a few amusing words before sending us on are way.
250 runners gathered on this breezy Sunday morning for this race with three striders present Darren Varley (aka:'speedy), Steve Fallows and myself. After the lord mayor said his few words and were sent on our way, the first mile and half followed an undulating trail around the lake, before a steep uphill climb through woodland to the top of biddulph moor, this was tough going. We then crossed two muddy fields before returning to the lake and heading back to the finish.
Darren was first strider home, followed by myself then Steve. We all agreed it was a really enjoyable race; great scenery, well organised, very reasonable (£8), and of course lots of mud, definitely highly recommended.
Results as follows:
Darren Varley 33:58' (13th)Tony Taylor 35:45' (20th, first vet 50)
Steve Fallows 39:20' (38th)
Tony T