The Manchester 10K Run, and a bit of Jazz

On 31 May 2026, 'Team Owen' took part in the Manchester 10 kilometre race, together with over 38,000 other runners. Owen overcame his difficulties to finish in a personal best of under 1 hour and 5 minutes. Remarkable, as he was hoping to get a time of 1 hour 15 minutes. He was accompanied by Jan, Sue and Paul, who all helped each other to dodge past the 1 hour 15 minute runners with whom they set off.

Here are Sue, Owen and Paul at the finish.

They raised a four figure sum for NSPCC. Donations can still be made here.

Well done, Owen, who is pictured below with his mum, who kindly produced lots of goodies in a bid to preserve Owen and the rest of the team's state of euphoria.

Full results are here. Whilst the running area was crowded, there was plenty of space nearby to linger in Manchester's familiar sunshine.

Next day, the Aire Valley Jazz Band entertained us at Eagley Jazz Club. An excellent evening's entertainment once the band had quickly set up after some of them had been delayed on the M62 motorway.

The  Aire Valley Jazz Band's musicians are:  

Andy Henderson (cornet, vocals and band leader),  Andy Wallis (reeds),  Eugene Farrar [?] (trombone and vocals),  Jim Wright (banjo and vocals), Phil Kampen (bass),  Rod McNamara (brilliant on drums).