NWFPAC ‘Michael Page’ Championship 2026 – Race 1: Wythenshawe Parkrun

After a relatively mild start to February, Saturday morning saw frost with temperatures dropping to -3 for the highly anticipated NWFPAC 2026 Championship opener: Wythenshawe Park Run.

Dave’s Friday email suggested a record turnout could be on the cards, though many initial acceptances appeared more likely tentatives.  However, the lure of the NWFPAC inaugural appearance at Wythenshawe was strong enough for 26 to brave the cold and in doing so set a new record turnout, beating the 25 who appeared at Stamford Park Parkrun in 2017. 

As it was Valentines Day, what more romantic than dragging the other half to Park Run in sub zero temperatures to carry your hoodie and trainers (I hope you took Emma out for a nice meal Dave!).  Many of the NWFPACers did likewise, with quite a few couples making up the leaderboard – officially and unofficially, and some controversially (more on that later).

The start line experience at Wythenshawe's Parkrun is notoriously chaotic – a cross country-esque start which felt like an infantry charge towards the enemy – over crispy and crunchy grass, large icy puddles and boggy patches as temperatures rose and the ice began to melt.  Footwear choice had been sensible on the whole and I only clocked Jordan wearing bright green carbons, which resembled Shrek having returned home by the finish.

After a tentative start and many familiar faces racing past me, I managed to catch up to Dave, setting into a nice rhythm as we 'ticked' along and ran together at 8 minutes per mile – a pace which would have been relatively comfortable for us both a few years ago.  I'd like to say we enjoyed a nice chatty run, but it was more like exchanging mutters and murmurs periodically in between heavy breathing as we trudged on.  In Dave’s defence, he had ran 9 miles before hand...as had many others in the group what with marathon training in full swing.  I unfortunately didn't have that excuse to make!

As we clocked two miles, I'd hoped to have pushed on and picked up the pace, but the mixed terrain and grassy sections had taken their toll.  We both threatened to kick on, often making small advances at single file sections.  However, as we passed the children's farm and playground, and cut through the woodland on lap 2, there wasn't much left in my legs.  'I'm hoping for a bacon butty' commented Dave as we passed the café and hit the final tarmac section.

‘Pushing each other on’ for the final 'sprint', Dave in gentlemanly fashion allowed me to take the lead and 'hit the tape' – more in the fear of re-pulling his infamous hamstrings again, but also in the knowledge we were both to receive a measly single point each regardless.  A 25 minute 5km had never felt as tough with such little reward.  Though a nice coffee and natter with the group afterwards sufficed, on what turned out to be a lovely bright enjoyable morning. 

To the results. Aisha took the full 20 points... with her other half Martin winning the event, pushing Steven Henderson down into 2^nd and therefore receiving 19 points.  A strategic move some may question! 😉

A strong NWFPAC field as always, with many ladies and gents making the top 10s with solid times and a few event PBs (Stephen, Mike, Tom and Briony).  A special mention to Claire Richardson incredibly running at 39 weeks pregnant.  That baby will have some lungs!  A great effort and definitely deserving of more points.

Rantander set out a strong stall as they aim to defend their team Championship and target a 3^rd title in 4 years.  Great to see a strong female line up this year with 4 ladies making up the top 10.  Will we have a female individual champion in 2026, our first since Charlotte Howarth's win in 2022?