Race Report: Alsager 5m 02/02/2014

Today 5 striders ran the Alsager 5. 

Denis, Martin, Liz, Tom and Ben pre-race.

The weather was excellent and it was vest weather, although I was too chicken to run in mine.  As I had arranged to help set up for the Sports Massage Therapists station I found myself there at the unearthly hour of 9.15am where the rest of the team had already set up their beds. I collected my chip timing tag and t-shirt ( a nice one this year) and was soon lining up on the start line at 10.50am. As I looked around I saw a lot of new faces but not many of the ones I usually race against.

Ben on the finishing straight.

This race is always a fast one and the start is always congested. With  a sound of the horn we were off, but we only got about 100 yards when everyone halted abruptly as someone had fallen.  The course itself is flat with two loops. I felt good even though I was absolutely knackered, having done a ladies pamper night the night before ( note to oneself – don’t do this again next year). Soon I was heading home on the last night which I always find a real pain, the road past MMU-Alsager site seems to go on and on. 

Liz at 4.5 miles and still smiling

I looked at my watch and knew I was not going to beat last years’ time (funny that as the weather was absolutely horrendous).  Ben was just in front so I thought if I could just stay with him (ha ha). Next I was in the finishing funnel with Ben just less than a minute in front.   Good weather, good race, plenty of sunshine. Yip I’ll be back next year (if I am not in the land of Oz).

Liz sprinting down the finishing straight.

For more information visit the Alsager 5 website.

Bryan Dale (and his glamorous assistant) took thousands of photos at the event, all of which are free to download from Bryan's website. 

Liz