Shady Oaks Whaley ‘6’ Road Race 14th June 2000

This was my first attempt at this Goyt Valley Striders event.  Looking around at the vests it appeared to be very popular with Wilmslow, Stockport and Buxton runners.

I saw last years results whilst waiting to enter.  Winning time 36.5 minutes.  Outside six minute miling ? Then I saw the course profile, approx. 800-foot of climb! A sort of fell race…. but mainly on the road. Simon showed me the start and finish route before diving into a bush to relieve the effects of pre-race nerves. (or was it that leftover pizza?).

The route covered road and track through pleasant territory I was previously unaware of.  The start is on a flattish minor road behind the Shady Oak pub which soon joins another track/road leading up and over the hill which leads down into Coombs village.  The course then climbs back over the hill again via a steeper minor road.  The finish is fast being the only proper bit of downhill I could remember. (the descent into Coombs was a distant memory at this point of the race).

Yet another little jewel of a race which although mainly road, truly had all the ingredients of a fell race (lot of up, some down, cheap entry…and cow s***).