Race report by Greg:
Lancaster Bomber Run at Alexandra Park Oldham organised by Phoenix Runners Manchester .
I saw this advertised a few months ago and seeing that my Facebook algorithm is 90% Lancasters Bombers and my house is a museum to this amazing aircraft and anything related to Bomber command .
When Andy K saw this and said that’s definitely a Greg run I had to sign up .
The run is at Alexandra Park that dates by to the 1830s . The reason why it’s The Lanc Bomber Run is that roughly 3 miles away was the main factory in Chadderton. This was the main Factory and was the biggest employment in the area . Roughly 3,032 where manufactured here from the total 7,377 ever build . The bombers then travelled to Woodford for assembly.
This morning was an early start. I arrived at the car park well ahead of the scheduled 8.30 start. The fog and mist added to the excitement.
After receiving my bib number and a glimpse of the medal, I went back to the van to keep warm and kill some time.
Roughly there were 100 people entering all doing different options. 5k 10k, half,marathon and ultra . The course was laps of the park consisting if 2.91miles . Quite a few people I spoke with were doing the Marathon.
It was well marshalled by Phoenix Runners issued with tambourines providing lots of support and noise.
The course was up and down and some stonker hill climbs had me knuckling down. Lots of folk opted for the 5k so the park was relatively quiet after 40mins .
I completed 5 laps totalling 14.55 miles in 2hr 17. Happy with my efforts today. Third back from all that completed the half.
Finished in time for the 2 minutes silence. Thinking of everyone in all conflicts and to the 55,573+ in Bomber command that paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Absolutely Love my medal , it’s a cracker. Definitely one for the wall.
Finished off with coffee and bacon sausage in the cafe a . A great morning out.
