RRC RACE REPORT - White Peak Half Marathon and 10k

It was an early start for our athletes on Saturday morning taking part in the Matlock Athletic Club Festival of Running, in memory of our dear friend and running clubmate Steve Beckitt.

The weather on route was more akin to a January morning, cold drifting fog getting in the way of the lovely views out of the passenger windows.

As we gathered in the picturesque village of Cromford to collect our race bibs, talk was of tactics, times and toilet duties, and of course the weather !!

After being shuttled up to the start line in a series of coaches, we arrived with plenty of time to spare, the ladies joined the back of the enormous queue for the 4 portaloos, and the men quickly got friendly with the bushes!!

Up on the start line ready to go and the poor ladies are still queuing but after a slow and thorough safety briefing, they quickly join us and we’re ready for the off. As the gun goes the clouds separate and the sun shines down, it’s gonna be a hot one !!

Mile 1 ever so slightly uphill

Mile 2 slightly uphill

Mile 3 uphill

Temperature rising

Mile 4 uphill

Temperature rising even more

Mile 5 uphill …………..

Mile 8 still uphill, is this geographically possible??

So hot, so sweaty, where’s the shade?

Mile 9 DOWNHILL YESSSSSS…

NO NO NO no cause to celebrate, it’s so steep the knees are screaming to go back uphill !!

A few more ups and downs, a few more steep knee jerkers and we’re down on the flat canal for the last mile, getting hotter!! The finishing line can’t come fast enough.

First home for our club, making his debut at the half marathon distance, Harry Macgregor surpassed all expectations by finishing a superb 2nd overall in 1hr20. An amazing achievement by someone with unlimited potential.

Age has no barrier for our Graham D, easily claiming the trophy for first Vet60 in 1.32 chased home by the ever improving Laura Mann 1.33, earning another trophy for finishing 2nd lady overall.

Aaron greenwood continued his rise up the placings with a time of 1.40 with Paul Greenwood (1.45) and John Fellows (1.49) trailing.

Marie Bromwich was our Second Lady home with a brilliant run to post a time of 1.55 with Sandra Ford, another one debuting, chasing at 1.56.

Showing great consistency, Louise Siddall crossed in 1.59 with Nadine Allott (2.02) and Sarah Millns (2.04) not far behind.

Stuart Frith came down off his roof to cross in 2.25 together with Vicki Beckitt (2.25), Louise Taylor (2.31) and Angela Wright (2.32).

Over in the 10k and returning from injury, Claire Chapman came home in 46.25, easily claiming second place in her age category.

After collecting the race mug at the finish line and the three prize winners, Laura Harry and Graham collecting their trophies the next stop was the local drinking establishment, well earned!!

See you next time!