Longridge Seven

The day was fine and bright, but the early morning frost meant that the organisers found it necessary to delay the start until the sun and additional gritting made the course safer. Initially announced as 30 minutes, the delay was subsequently reduced to just 15 minutes.

Despite these measures, the first half of this seven mile road race sported many icy patches, such that in places runners resorted to using the rough grass verges, rather than the tarmac.

TF had placed herself further forward at the start than the three Swift brothers, setting herself up as both a target and a pacemaker for the rest of us. YJ passed me early on in determined pursuit, but I soon realised that the gap between me and the lady in red was not going to reduce, and I saw it (not too) gradually extend until she was lost to view. Jan Atkins also passed me, and she too opened a significant gap.

The course undulates for the first three miles, but a significant amount of net height is gained. The fourth mile includes a fairly stiff climb, with the highest point reached a little way into the fifth mile. Thereafter, the course is predominantly downhill, giving runners the chance to improve their overall average pace.

At the finish I was met by YJ and TF, both clutching their Christmas puddings, having finished in that order, YJ having finally caught the lady at about the six mile mark, managing to open a gap of only 8 seconds before the finish.

The race was won by Alasdair Russell of Kendal in 38:37, Lucie Custance of Clapham Chasers was first lady in 45:17. YJ, 137th in 58:26 had to make do with 2nd V70 out of 9. TF was 141st in 58:34, 5th LV40 out of 11. I clocked 65:35, 9th V60 out of 11 and BLB (Big Little Brother) Bob recorded 68:27,  215th out of 245 finishers.

TF's pace was 8:22 per mile; not quite the sub 8 she was looking for, but taking account of the hills, the ice and the longer distance than the 10k she is targetting, I'm sure it will convert to a sub 50 minute 10k sometime soon. 

And if you're interested, no, it wasn't a good idea to make a large hole in a litre bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label, in the wee small hours of race day, in the company of a guy whose early athletic achievements include an outright win in the Horwich Beer Race.