An early Sunday morning dash to Cheshire for the Oulton Park Running Grand Prix on the motor racing circuit,  organised by Run Through.  I’m quite impressed by Run Through’s races, with interesting venues – Alton Towers, Aintree Racecourse, Media City – relatively low entry fees and well-organised events.  The age category prizes are usually free or reduced entry to one of their future events which is a clever way of pulling you back for more.

 

 

A range of distance were on offer on the day from 5k up to a full marathon.  I’d opted for 20 miles as part of my build-up to the Manchester marathon, which involved a short out-and back, followed by 7 laps of the track.

Motor racing circuits are excellent venues for running – traffic-free (strangely) and good for spectating.  What they aren’t – as people who have done the Masters relays at Mallory Park will know – is flat.  I don’t recall a single flat section on the whole circuit, and a short but steep climb became increasingly unpleasant with each successive lap.

 

My plan was to run the race close to my planned Manchester marathon pace.  The crucial thing, I told myself, was not to go off too fast.  Conditions were perfect as we started – lots of sun, not much wind, still quite cool – and it felt pretty good running on the racing circuit.  I was sure I was keeping to a steady pace so was horrified to hit the first mile marker in 6.24 – much too fast!  A rapid application of the brakes and I dropped back to something closer to the required pace for the remainder of the race, finishing in 2.22.45 for 18th position and first M60.

The 20 mile event was won by Jonathan Cleaver from Rossendale Harriers in 1.59.23.  First female was Fay Hughes from Wirral AC in 2.13.33.

Striders Results: