Wrekin Championship Race   2nd April 2000
5.5 miles  1700ft Climb

The first race in the English Championship series brought us to the Shropshire plain. The Wrekin is the only visible relief to the landscape in this otherwise flat locality around Wellington. (Look out your back newsletters for an hilarious account of the Wrekin topology written by Simon after a previous visit. It’s in the style of Paul Whitehouse’s Fast Show characters – the Doberman brothers. Well worth another read). ……….cut back to the plot.

The weather had generally turned a bit grotty after a couple of nicer days in what has turned out to be the wettest April on record. So it was off down the M6 with the wipers on. Journey time was less than anticipated and we arrived in good time to register and see the start of the women’s’ race at 2.00pm.

We were delighted to see Sally there representing us in the Glossop vest. She was looking purposeful from the outset as she set off amongst the flying starters. She was justifiably confident after her efforts of the previous weekend when she won the grueling Edale Skyline race and smashed the women’s record in the process. As we warmed up on the first section of the course at Ercall woods we could see the race unwind. Sally was having a great run and was storming up the final climb. She went on to clock 44:40 and finish a close second to Kate Bailey in a high quality field. A tremendous performance that sets her up for a bountiful championship series. The Saddleworth women packed well with four in the top twenty to make take the first team prize, showing they are now a force to be reckoned with.

And so, it was follow that chaps………….if you can!

Simon, Brian, Andy Wilkins and Frank assembled to make up a vet team in a very strong field. The course was out and back comprising two main climbs and descents with lots of fast running in between. The weather made the underfoot conditions tricky in places, particularly the downhill sections. My most vivid recollection of the race is losing footing descending a steep bank, bum sliding over a few tree roots before bouncing back into upright position. That helped to concentrate the mind a bit for the remainder of the race. As I walked and gasped up the final short but steep climb, I recalled how strong Sally looked as she powered up that section.

Inspiration – Yes, Perspiration – Yes, Motivation – Yes, Acceleration – alas No !!! C’est la vie. When you’re knackered, you’re knackered. Climbing is not one of my strengths at the moment, but I partially recovered to take a couple of places on the downhill section to the finish.

Simon was our first vet home (46:10), followed by Frank (47:00), Brian (51.20) and Andy (51:50). Our good friends and local rivals from Pennine were there in numbers and did particularly well in the V50 team placings, finishing a creditable second due to strong runs from Tony Hulme, Rob Taylor and Alan Brentnall.

Sally’s run was definitely the pick of the day and a beacon to us all.  Follow it ? – we could. Equal it ? – we couldn’t.

Results

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