The race track at Oulton Park is normally a petrolhead’s paradise, with the whine of touring cars, Formula 3 and vintage sports cars more of a feature than the gentle pitter-patter of running shoes on the smooth racing surface.

Not so on Sunday 8th March, when there was a dual 10k/Half Marathon event. The Half Marathon was a 6 lap course which started on the start grid, which I’m sure made for an entertaining first corner, and finished in the pit lane, much like Sebastian Vettel did last season in the F1.

Two Striders, Adam Whitworth and Emma Wilkinson, had no such issues; Adam finished in 23rd (22nd male) and Emma, in 38th, was the third lady. Good work on the podium finish! Alas, we have heard there was no champagne.

The first male was Mark Swannell of Bolton Harriers, in 01:18:33, whereas the first female was Gemma Connolly, running for St Helens/Sutton, who crossed the line in 01:21:34.