Quarry Bank Trail Race

Quarry Bank Trail Race

League 1: Ollie (1), Barry (5), Ashley (6), Mark (11), Nic (20), Lewis (21), Gary (31).

League 2: Matt (19), Frances (29), Jarrod (32), Mike (45), Stephen (50), Colin (52), Di (55), Sue (65), Tom (113).

League 3: Colin (146), Paul (153), Chloe (197).

League 4: Kate (178), Gareth (189), Nicky (200), Nadiah (301), Lesley (313), Janet (324), Laura (616).

League 5: Patrick (344), Catherine (382), Ian (541), Elspeth (580).

Quarry Bank is a course of two halves. The first, on tarmac with one gentle hill, is no preparation for when you turn at the ‘Valley Lodge’ Hotel to steps, steep hills and, at the wrong time of year, mud. The genesis, but starting at the club, was in the 1990s by ex-coach, Tony, for the Christmas Handicap and was also frequently used for Thursday and Sunday training runs. The contrast between the two halves made familiarity a big advantage, saving something in the first half could pay dividends for the greater demands of the second.

That, at least, is what I thought until I met Kate and Nicky. Andrew apparently had, whilst I had not been concentrating, added a third section, a loop nearly to Twinnies, this was going to push my limits, I was glad to have Elspeth, still coming back from her two-year injury, for moral support.

I think Quarry Bank for the variety and setting it offers is the best course in the area. At one time I would report on the race as it developed but within minutes the rest of Wilmslow had disappeared ahead in a cloud of dust.

Ian