Thursday 17 June 2021 - A Sale Sizzler

It's a while since our last running race in September 2020 (at Tatton Park), so it was a pleasure to be able to cycle along to Wythenshawe Park last night to say hello to old friends and take part in the first of this year's 'Sale Sizzler' races, organised by Sale Harriers and by Fechin McCormick in particular.

It was good to see Mark Hunter, masked above, looking fit and well. I'll add a photo of me and Sue at the finish, if Kate will let me have it...

We arrived in plenty of time. There were lots of marshalls. Here, they are being briefed.

It was a lovely evening, with conditions pretty much perfect for the 500 participants, and the organisation went very well. "Don't warm up on the track!" (That doesn't affect me as I warm up by way of a slow first kilometre.)

We lined up in rows of five and groups of 30. The start went well and nobody seemed to be baulked as the faster runners started first and the slower ones like us were near the back. Here we are, approaching the start.

We both ran faster than expected. Here's Sue striding out to the finish.

And here's Fechin, about to announce the winners in each category. The winner flew around the 5 km route in 14:09, a course record I think.

Sue and I came home in our usual positions. I seem to make a habit of coming second in my category, but that's not bad for a 'jogger'. Sue judged things perfectly to finish 6th out of 13 in her category, in the position indicated by her number! Click on the image to see it properly.

That was a lovely event, and great to see so many people enjoying themselves.

Here we are at the finish, with thanks to Kate Holloway.