Stockport provides the local racing calendar with a number of highlights each year. The Stockport 10, the Hatters Half, the Offerton 10k and our very own Hit the Trail and Mad Hatters to name but a few. The Marple Runners Trail 10k is a relative newcomer on the scene so I wasn’t sure what to expect as I proudly donned my shiny new and improved BVR vest for its first outing of the year. Experts say that these premium quality updated classics with their black panelling and soft, stretchy, lightweight Qwick-Dri™ wicking fabric will shave seconds off our finishing times. Having read the label attached to the vest, I left the house convinced of its special powers.
Anyway, back to the race. It had been described as a multi terrain, mainly off road 10k Trail race. In need of a tune up before the Wilmslow Half Marathon, this would be just what I needed. The race did not disappoint. With climbs and steep descents; twists and turns; there was plenty to challenge the 250 or so runners. In return we were offered a scenic route along the country lanes of Chadkirk and the towpaths of the Peak Forest Canal. Friendly and vocally supportive marshals dotted the route. In fact, the organisation of the race as a whole seemed faultless.
A high point of the race for me was crossing the Marple Aqueduct. Unusually for me, I found I was able to pick up the pace at this late stage of the race. Although, I’m pretty sure that this had more to do with my fear of heights than my sensible pacing strategy. The River Goyt and surrounding woodland 100 feet below provided a stunning backdrop to the closing stages. Nonetheless, I didn’t stop to take it all in and pushed on nervously.
At the end we were rewarded with a medal, a bag full of snacks, a buff and even a copy of the Beano (a nod to the Marple Runners’ Dennis the Menace style colours). I hope to be back at this one again next year. All in all, a great race to have on the doorstep.
Well done all who ran over this long week into weekend of running. Particular slaps on the dogged backs of James, Julia, Yana, Annie, and Emma as Full Tameside Tourists. Congratulations to Emma for a strong performance across all four days of her first Tour, which followed another run at Round the Resers. Five races in five days. Respect. And she leads the Championship. Mentions also to Yana, who turned in four PBs, and Frank, who scored PBs in each of the three races he ran.
And a last item of news was that Annie yet again won her age category at the Tour. This not only makes her a professional in being able to stuff some prize money into the key pocket of her shorts, but also a legend in Tameside, from Denton to Stalybridge. Well done Annie.
The next race is the rescheduled Wilmslow Half Marathon (in Wilmslow) next Sunday.
Hosted at Colshaw Hall in Upper Peover this 10k follows leafy Cheshire lanes in a circular route, passing the iconic Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank. With just over a 1000 runners this was a popular run with local clubs, on what was a busy weekend in the race calendar with Hyde and Marple taking place on the same day.
A single BVR runner took part (new member Karen), concentrating on running a steady pace following an epic heat-related fail at Anderton the previous month. Really enjoyed the run, which was well supported by those in the few (very swanky) houses along the route.
Congratulations to our Men’s and Women’s Champions for the 2017-18 Autumn / Winter season – Derrick Watson and Kath Horwill.
In the men’s competition, it was Men’s Captain Patrick O’Brien who was squeezed into the second spot with Phil Wilcoxon taking third. Among the women, Ruth Amin took the runner’s up spot while Julia Foy and Annie Hirsch tied for third.
Our progress award went to Elaine Mottershead.
Congratulations to all runners who completed the season!
Belle Vue Racers’ own living legend, Andy Wood, was recently presented with a Special Achievement Award by the club, to mark his completion of fifty marathons. Halfway to a century of 26.2s and a constant inspiration, well done Andy! Pictured here with our Honorary Chair Lynda Guy and Club Secretary Ruth Amin.
Congratulations to our Men’s and Women’s Champions for the 2017 Spring/Summer season – Damien Tolan and Ruth Amin.
Damien and Ruth, BVR S/S 2017 Champions
In the men’s competition, it was Andy Wood who took second spot, with Ross Pettigrew, Patrick O’Brien, Derrick Watson and Vic Walsh caught in an unseemly skirmish for third place – just four points separating the four men – with Vic coming out on top to take the bronze.
The women’s competition saw a familiar trio on the podium with Annie Hirsch taking second spot and Julia Foy third. Not far behind we saw Yana Anderton, Rachel Watson and Deborah Maskell leading the chasing pack, perhaps manoeuvring themselves for a tilt at the title next year?
Congratulations to all runners who completed the season! Best of luck for the forthcoming season, starting at Congleton Half and Gin Pit 5 on Sunday.
It was a beautifully sunny, late summer morning for Bollington 10k. This is one of the most scenic of all of our fixtures – resulting in sheer pleasure of being able to run. Marathon training Damien & Ruth had just come for a little ‘bimble’, revelling in what seemed like a short distance. Yana & Rachel joined them as a team of four hardy Belle Vue Racers.
The course set off (& finished) at the leisure centre. The first 5k is very undulating, but never overwhelmingly steep for long. The route goes through Bollington centre, out to Pott Shrigley, where cyclists & runners merged harmoniously, & then on to the Middlewood Way for a couple of flat miles back to Bollington. The views are incredible at times & there’s lots to look at in terms of countryside & posh abodes. It’s a well marshalled course with good local support; chip timed with a decent medal thrown in.
Damien Tolan came home first with a PB, followed by Rachel Watson, Yana Anderton, & lastly Ruth Amin with a PB. The season is nearly over – just Hatters Half Marathon, Blackleach YMCA trail race, & the 12 minute test left. Ruth
