2016 Championship - Race 5 - Lyme Park Parkrun

Wow, what a beautiful run.

After realising I had attended more socials than races in my first season in the NW (Y) FPRC (I keep trying to add the word ‘young’ in but Dave is quick to correct me that we are not young J) race series, I thought it was time to get the running shoes back on.

7:30am and my alarm clock went off – my daughter Cara jumping on me in bed telling me it was time to go for a run. I wasn’t really feeling like running knowing the course was wet, hilly and my first race off-road since I did cross country at school. However, buoyed on by the billing that Lyme Park Parkrun has by many as the most beautiful parkrun, I was soon driving to the park with some pre-race motivational music blearing out.

After the usual pre-race chat, excuses, introductions, update on Dave’s achilles etc. attention soon moved on to the leader board table. Word was doing the round that a number of the faster runners weren’t making the race today (including Byron recovering from his 100miler and preparing for an ultra next week – good luck!), so big points were up for grabs. That made the mood in the camp slightly more serious as we headed out from the shelter to the start line in the pouring rain.

Following the race briefing, which included congratulating Tim Hayle and Jon Williams on their 100th parkrun, we were off. I started in a pack with Jon, Jill, Tim, Charlie and Gareth. The first 800m was all up hill and is described on the website as tough, narrow and loose under foot – they were not wrong. There was no sign of Dave’s legendary sprint start, but Jill soon disappeared into the distance with Charlie and Gareth following. I kept Jon within my sights and had Tim hot on my heels.

The race quickly settled down and thinned out, with me keeping Jon in my sights thinking I’d try get him at the end. The course was then gently undulating for the remainder including going up to Lyme Park’s Cage. Even on a wet and cloudy morning the views from here were stunning and apparently on a clear day you can see over Manchester and beyond.

As we headed into the last 1k, the reality hit that Jon was pulling further away so I went defensive and kept Tim at bay behind me. A quick catch-up and photo with the rest of the group after the race and then it was time to get home in the dry and warm.

Driving away from the race I saw Charlie running back up the drive out of the park looking fresh as a daisy. I think someone mentioned he was just jogging around the 5k as part of a 20 mile run that morning. Great effort!

So, in summary a great morning, in great company, in a beautiful setting. Although I think next time I’ll wait for a sunny day and go for a walk around the park instead J. I look forward to seeing you at the next social…I mean race.

Thanks Carl for stepping up to the plate with the report, very much appreciated. The quick photo is below – missing some who had to dash off.

Our results were:

Ladies

1. Jill Parker – 9th overall and 1st lady – 21:11 – 20 points

2. Fran Whittle – 44th overall and 4th lady – 26:12 – 18 points

Men

1. Charlie Batho – 8th – 21:05 – 20 points

2. Gareth Hurfurt – 14th – 22:22 – 18 points

3. John Williams – 17th – 22:34 – 16 points

4. Spencer Seymour-Smith – 19th – 22:39 – 14 points

5. Carl Acton – 28th – 23:43 – 12 points

6. Tim Hayle – 33rd – 24:24 – 10 points

7. David Avery – 54th – 27:29 – 9 points

8. Rob Dawes – 55th – 27:38 – 8 points

9. Dave Simmons – 66th – 29:11 – 7 points

Non-qualifying friends on our mailing list

• Jon Simpson – 18th – 22:38