Christmas Races by David Phillips.
Well what another strange running year 2021 was with only 13 events (14 in 2020) but at least there were 2 races in the last 3 days.
25/12/21 Warwick Christmas Day run 3.2 miles in St. Nicholas Park (4 laps) at 10:30 hrs.
This event has been going now for c60 years and has always had a local pub for its HQ. Over the years the race HQ has been in several pubs and for the last 5 years in the Roebuck Inn in Smith Street, Warwick where we signed in and met afterwards. What has changed recently is that it is not now an official race with a license and entry fee but it’s what is called a “training run round the park” so it’s quite easy to put on. We just signed the paper sheet in the pub, collected a number and went to the start with nothing to pay. So well done Kenilworth and Leamington running clubs for putting this on.
About 40 people ran (many from local clubs) and it was again an enjoyable occasion as it is traffic free, along the Avon for a while and running amongst families on their Christmas day walks with many dogs. There are usually around 100 who do it but with everything that’s going on we are all glad it wasn’t cancelled. Then after the race back to the pub for prizes, free coffee and biscuits, charity donations for St. Michael’s Hospice near the Park, drinks, usual faces etc.,
I think I’ve done it about 30 times now so roll on next Christmas.
Massey time:
David Phillips 44.42 (last-or was I the real sweeper?).
27/12/21 Ilmington 10.3k at 10:30 hrs.
Well what a nasty, cold, misty, windy, wet and foggy day for this was for the 3rd event in the 5 race Winter Series and what a good turnout with 4 Red and Whites running. As usual a few of us slower (and older) ones started off 20 minutes before the start and this time the race was anti-clockwise. So the long never ending uphill plod to the top at 4+k was a real cold killer. Normally at the top (Warwickshire’s highest point) you can see for miles in all directions over several counties but today about 50 yards was the limit!
Then it’s downhill for 2k to the 6k mark so that’s not too bad except many runners had caught me up by then but at least I saw many friends as they passed me including 2 Massey men.
Then back into Ilmington for the last 3 k which are all up and down but not at the previous height.
Eventually the playing fields and pavilion were in sight plus the finish line so another job well done.
As usual sausages for all finishers and the usual coffee and cakes stall was open so another morning well spent.
Next in the series is on 23rd Jan (a week before my birthday). So well done again Rob and Sarah of Tempo Events for keeping your races going in these dodgy times.
Massey times:
48th Adam Williams 46.44
68th Alan McDougal 48.55
244th Alison Lowe 1.07.38
292nd David Phillips 1.27.52
Happy New Year Everyone.