Race report by Gareth:
Last night was the penultimate chapter in this years midweek road/trail champs…the Radcliffe AC multi terrain 5K race.
Another incredible turnout of 23 Lostockers chose club over country & rocked up at the lovely Sedgley Park RUFC which had great facilities for a race HQ, not to mention a BBQ & bar for after the race!
This is a great test for a 5K, you could comfortably add 3 minutes plus to your usual 5K time & still have ran a great race. It’s such an interesting & varied route, absolutely never dull & provides a few challenges along the way.
Starting on the road just round the corner from the rugby club we were soon heading downhill into Phillips Park across cobbles, down a steeper hill on trail, then the weirdest sensation of all across a single file bridge over the M60 which bounces as you run on it, makes your legs feel crazy! Back into the park on the other side of the motorway onto some more single file trail, through a couple of fields, then onto a flat gravel section, back onto trail alongside the River Irwell where you slowly start to go back uphill, turn a corner then bang!..a really steep shortish hill about 1/3 of a mile long which reduced most of us to a walk, back across another less bouncy motorway bridge before heading back very briefly on tarmac before a fast finish alongside the rugby pitch. I get why it’s called a “multi terrain” race lol.
This is such a friendly event with lots of enthusiastic cheery marshals, every time I said “thanks marshal “ they replied by shouting “go on Paula” which confused me for a while until I realised Paula from Radcliffe was just behind me, I held her off all the way and am delighted to say I have beaten Paula Radcliffe…well nearly 😜.
Lots of excellent performances on the night, Paul Edwards , inexplicably racing for Spa Striders according to the results 🤷🏼, strode home to be first Lostocker, Andy K pipped Greg on the cobbles to win the battle of Bolton council, Gaz just about made it despite major train issues from London, and ran a stormer despite no prep to be just behind the super consistent John H.
Young Luke confidently explained that he was going to beat me at the start (and he did) and had his sights set on Greg before succumbing on “Heartbreak Hill” but did enough to hold off Brian who came a fantastic 2nd M65 & his Dad Chris who continues to run strongly. Janet was first Lostock woman & another 2nd place age category performer & Beverley & Jenna both ran great to be 3rd F55 & F35 respectively.
Biggest cheer of the night was for newcomer Rachel W as she powered down the finishing straight with a big smile on her face & for Dougie on his birthday, massive thanks to Sally for making a wonderful red velvet cake to celebrate. I always love the fact that we all cheer each other in & stay until the last Lostocker crosses the line, no other club comes close to doing this like we do 💚🖤.
Well done everyone on another great night.
