Organisers Comments 2002

What superb weather we had this year!!

Several weeks of fine, dry weather had left the course in very good condition and we were expecting that there might be lots of records. It seems, however, that as fast as various improvements make the course quicker, the addition of extra stiles and kissing gates make it slower so, in the end, there was just one record set this year. What a record though, Victoria Musgrove was not only the first lady overall in the A race but set a new L40 record by almost 8 minutes!!

Slightly smaller numbers this year probably reflected the clashes with Great North Run and Open Country Mini Mountain Marathon as well as Orienteering events and who knows what else in today’s crowded calendar. From a runners point of view I heard of no–one getting lost so hope you all enjoyed yourself. From an Organisers point of view, I felt so confident in the many marshals and the rest of the team that I decided to run myself this year. It’s hard, isn’t it?! – by the time I entered Delamere I was completely spent and my calves were locking solid. As far as I am aware, everything went very smoothly and I just need to apologise again to Sandra Owen whose performance as an L50 was excellent in being the 2nd woman overall and who I tried to deny her trophy. St John had to deal with a badly twisted/fractured ankle – I hope the lady from Tattenhall Runners is OK.

In the A race, congratulations to Paul Frodsham who has been first Vet before but not had his name on the winners trophy for a while. His lead was being closed down rapidly towards the end but he held on by around 30 seconds. Just to dispel any doubt about the team prize, three runners from Altrincham came in 3rd overall, absolutely together. In the B race, Marc Laithwaite ran a very creditable 57 minutes and came in completely on his own as the next runner was 6 or 7 minutes down.

My thanks on your behalf go to:

• Robert Evans at Beeston – B race start
• Dave Morris at Bickerton – removing gates
• Beeston Castle – parking and toilets
• John Street at the Council – ranger for the whole trail
• Forest Enterprise – permit for Delamere and the finish
• Simon Bentley at Northwich police – A51 and A54
• Chester police for signs at Beeston
• Nantwich police for the A534
• St John for Medical support
• Steve Ingleby – finish, Jill and Barry Barnes – entries plus loads of other jobs, Andrew Williams – computing and results and website, Clare and Simon Crocker – Beeston Start
• The 40 or so other members of Deeside plus a couple of partners and members of Macclesfield Harriers who turned out to help.
• Other people who I will inevitably have forgotten.

Hopefully you will all have a chance to set a new PB next year – there are likely to be some changes on the organising front so keep your eyes on the Website for news.