So on October 2nd, I left my warm home just before 8am. The clever car told me it was only 4 degrees C, & I wondered where my gloves were from last winter. What a beautiful way to start the Autumn/Winter season, with a startlingly bright drive out to Congleton. Mist lay low over the fields, where pheasants or partridges pecked at the ground.

A very well organised race HQd at Congleton High School. It had warmed up nicely by the 9.30 start. The 3 hardy BVRs set off for their 13.1. Steve Webb finished first doing a sub 1.40, especially impressive as only a week after Macclesfield half, & almost 4 minutes faster. Julia Foy followed, beating last years’ time, & was very pleased with a sub 2 hour run. Ruth Amin 3rd home for the club, pleased with an ‘only slightly slower than Wilmslow’ time, despite the hills & a lack of long distance running in the approach!

To summarise, a well marshalled race, where runners and cyclists owned the country lanes, with the best goody bag I’ve ever seen. Cracking value & a must do for next year. RA