Race Date: Sunday 1st May 2022

“It’s like a First World War battlefield!” warned one winter visitor to the new route for the original Steel City Trail 10 run at Whirlow. “Tree carnage!” said another.

Last Sunday’s run was a little less daunting, as the sun was out (a little) and among the hundreds of felled larch tree stumps and piles of brash, there was a new bouncy path to try out, with emerging saplings and wildflowers.

The adjusted route through Rough Standhills is now runnable and walkable, but years of pine needles underfoot make it feel a bit like you’re wearing far more expensive carbon fibre shoes than you really are. After that, as previous runners may remember, it’s back to the usual two lap course including the traditional SCT10 hills, tree roots, rocks and on Sunday’s case, fields with lambs watching the 29 runners pass by. (It’s also now 10k, meaning no one will have to run round the car park a couple of times at the end).

After a slight hiccup in April (sorry everyone) the regular series exploring the amazing variety of Outdoor City trails and pathways will now revert as often as possible to the 3rd Sunday of the month (except for Striders 40th birthday month, where it will move to the 4th Sunday, 24th of July). We aim to get a six month schedule out on the Steel City Trail 10 and Striders FB pages in the next two weeks. (19th June will be Bradway, all being well).

The new route at Whirlow is now likely to be permanent following last winter’s tree work, following a statutory felling order to remove diseased non-native Japanese larch trees. The route over Rough Standhills will see a new woodland of native trees and wildflowers gradually take shape for SCT10 runners, with our aim to have two runs a year at Whirlow.

Members of the Friends of Whirlowbrook Park came along on Sunday, to pick up a donation of just over £140 from runners at the Whirlow Steel City Trail 10 which will help the voluntary group carry on their work to keep the park looking beautiful.

First man back at Whirlow SCT10 May 22 was Sam Evans (44.36 – Totley AC) followed by unaffiliated Michael Cockings (45.26) and Tom Cliffe (46:13), while Strider Kathy Liddiard (56.50) was first woman, followed by unaffiliated June Crowson (58.58) and Tessa Bainbridge (1.03.19).

As usual, the marshals were praised by everyone afterwards, so thanks to everyone who helped out. And if you haven’t tried the series yet, do come along to the next one at Shire Brook Valley Nature Reserve on 15th May (run start 9.30). These events aim to be challenging, but fun, and welcome to all runners, however fast you want to get round.

Hopefully, they’re helping to introduce trail runners to fabulous paths and locations they’ve never run before. And they’re not all like The Somme.

Striders results: