Today it was 'Wilmslow Half Marathon' day a very popular race on the half marathon calendar. It's long been established as one of the main half marathons in the northwest attracting a huge field in excess of 4000 runners, a mixture of club runners and social runners wanting to take on the challenge.
It's popular because of it's route (winds around through the picturesque cheshire countryside and a relatively flat/undulating course), its also very well organised, with pacers helping runners to achieve there time goals as well as plenty of water stations, and 'first aiders' en route (hopefully not needed!), bag drops, physio's and catering.
Fourteen striders attended this half but with it being so busy, I only saw Jason and Jo before the start, Jo wearing the latest fashion in bin bags, I don't blame her, it was cold!
At 10.30 prompt we were sent on our way and we left wilmslow heading out onto the country lanes, firstly towards the village of Morley, then along various country lanes to Mobberley, before returning back to Wilmslow for the finish. I would describe the course as undulating, with plenty of flat bits, but with a few hills throughout the course.
The striders results were as follows:
| Tony Taylor | 1hr 27m 2s |
| Andy Bennett | 1hr 36m 24s |
| Lisa Highfield | 1hr 49m 53s (pb) |
| June Wray | 1hr 51m 59s |
| Katie Payne | 1hr 52m 30s (pb) |
| Jo Askey | 1hr 56m 24s |
| David Sharp | 1hr 57m 15s |
| James Halling | 1hr 58m 33s |
| Lee Ann Galway | 1hr 59m 59s |
| Louise Lewis | 2hr 3m 17s |
| Jo Bulley | 2hr 3m 59s |
| Jason Bulley | 2hr 4m 11s |
| Claire Dalton | 2hr 6m 48s |
This is a local half marathon well worth doing, it's very well organised with the pacers being particularly useful to club runners. The only draw back with this event is it's a bit pricey (£32), though I think still worth doing.
Tony