Back over the Pennines for another racewalk. 5km out and back from Simister to Heaton Park. 9 walkers started at different times to make it a handicap. I was in the last group to start with Martin (who is in my training group in Sheffield) and Adrian (our champion walker).

It was pretty horrible weather, cold, wet and windy. I started quite fast to try and get the race out of the way, Adrian soon zoomed off. I was just ahead of Martin as we entered the park, by the turn I was clear and I had passed all the early starters. Photo shows me just before the turn.

On the way back Martin caught me, he even got slightly ahead at 4km but I soon got back ahead. We were both going hard and we were catching Adrian. With 500m to go I made my move. As a runner I have zero sprint finish but as a racewalker I can go quite fast at the end. I got clear of Martin and caught Adrian, who got the shock of his life when I appeared on his shoulder. Adrian got back ahead and beat me by 5 seconds. I finished 2nd in 31.02, a very good time in the dreadful conditions. I haven’t beaten Adrian for over 10 years, I didn’t expect to get so close.

Further reports and full results – see link below