Well theres a few events each year that really do make up the running calendar and the English National Cross Country Championships are one of them. Held this year in the grounds of Alton Towers, and near enough so those that like their thrills could go into the amusement park after their race.
Over 5,000 athletes entered the races for males/females at U13, U15, U17, U20 and senior categories - an amazing course, fast start, soft underfoot, and a sting in the tail in the last third of each lap with a 100m long hill bordering on fell race proportions.
My race went OK time wise (44min:46s) for what the program said was 12km but was in fact somewhat shorter - I did manage to lose one of my spikes after 2km and had to dive out of the taped course to tie laces and get my footwear back on - in all I lost about 30-40 seconds messing about with my laces, but thats a lesson learned and wont (?) happen again. Some great performances by Stockport Harriers, in particular Steve Vernon finishing 3rd overall in the senior mens race - some 12 minutes and 698 places ahead of yours truly !
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