July 4 to 6, 2025 - A Bit Of Running

Here are Jan, me, Paul and Andy after Saturday's parkrun at gloomy Fletcher Moss (Wythenshawe having been cancelled).

That followed an energetic session on Friday evening for me and Sue, when we took part in the second Sale Sizzler 5km race of the season. There was rain in the air - in contrast to the first race, so my camera was left behind. Anyway, our times were quicker - 28:17 for me in position 390 out of 402 finishers, and Sue came home in position 337 in a good time of 23:48. It's very much a race, and despite my best time for a while, there were very few finishers after me and I was last in my age group. The hazards of old age...!

Full results are here.

During the Sizzler, I noticed that we passed a new fence and gate across the parkrun course. Luckily the bottleneck it may cause is towards the end of the lap (ie half way round the 5km route).

On to Saturday, Sue travelled to Trentham Park to join 870 other runners on their excellent one lap course. She managed 25:34, in position 132, and was the first of many in her age group and in the top ten age related position. Well done.

Meanwhile, on a very overcast morning, I took a very gentle 31:49 at Fletcher Moss, finishing in position 311 out of 441 starters. What a contrast with the race the previous evening!

Here's the field by the start.

Jeanette, despite nursing a long-term injury, turned up in a flash new car with har walking poles.

It's a bit of a squeeze for 440 people at the start, where I started at the back with Jeanette.

Jan, Paul and Andy dashed round and finished well ahead.

Jeanette wisely took it very easy.

Full results are here.

I was sensible on Sunday and simply volunteered at the Wythenshawe Community run, taking care of the 2km turnaround point.

Here's the leader, Andrew, who came storming past.

Some of the 79 runners carry on to run 5km, others turn around for the 2km route. The following are just a few pictures taken at this point.

All very jolly, despite a bit of drizzle.