RUNNING: TATTENHALL Runners had a prizewinner in the recent Zoo 10k race - Lesley Clague, who finished in 56.59, was awarded the first lady veteran 60 prize for her efforts.
The weekend of October 25/26 was clear and very cold in the Langholm Hills for the KIMM. Tattenhall runner Mark Smith successfully completed the Short Score with his KIMM partner Graeme Bradshaw.
At the end of day one they were in 77th place, but they had a blinding second day, making up a staggering 24 places to finish 53rd out of 250 teams. It was a very tough course this year and there were many retirements. The views (for the faster teams who finished earlier) were spectacular, with the Lakes one way and the Highlands the other, Mark and Graeme hope to do either the Medium or Long Score next year.
Saturday, November 1 was also clear but with a cold biting wind for the tough Langley 7.1-mile race. After a level first mile along quiet rural roads, the route climbed steadily up to the highest point of 1,275ft at Cessbank Common, before plunging down some very steep descents with stunning views across Macclesfield Forest, to turn round the Ridgegate Reservoir and back to Langley Playing Fields for the finish. Dave Ratcliffe completed the course in 49 minutes 20 seconds and Tessa Swaine in 63.13.
The weather on Sunday, November 2 had turned to heavy rain for the Cheshire Championship Fell Race held at Cilcain near Loggerheads. This 10-mile race, with approximately 3,100ft of climb, takes in Foel Fenli and Moel Farnau and attracted nearly 100 entrants on the day. The ground was very slippery and boggy underfoot, and one part of the course had to be run up a stream.
Tattenhall Runners had a fine result, being the second Cheshire team to finish in the Championship. They were led home by club chairman Simon Ellis, 7th overall and 4th in the Cheshire Championship in 1 hour 30 minutes.
Steve Hammond was 19th (and 5th in the Cheshire Championship) in 1:37.57, with Nick Holmes just behind, 24th overall (7th in the Championship) in 1:38. 58. Sarah Hammond was third lady overall and also took the third place in the Cheshire Championship in 1:45.00, showing what strong fell runners Tattenhall have among their members.
Sunday also saw heavy rain at the Derwentwater 10-Mile Road Race. Starting from Keswick in Cumbria, the normally autumnal scenes on this undulating route were obscured by a torrential downpour. Lawrie Woodley finished in 167th place in 76.1.6 and Jane Woodley in 91.38.
