By Lewis Glover
A bright dry evening at Cromford had 16 WRC runners make up a part of the large turnout of 320 participants from 12 clubs descending on Cromford Meadows for the second race of the 2023 Summer series.
Starting with a spritely dash from the rugby club back towards Mill road, the throng of runners had not dispersed much before the left turn onto the canal path where it becomes very narrow very quickly! Nobody knocked themselves out on the low bridge, much owed to the excellent marshals bellowing appropriate warnings upon the approach. Due to the limited path width the pace remained consistent along the lovely flat of the canal section, following which a quick trot across the bridge at High Peak junction we were straight into the jowls of the railway tunnel before exiting onto the climb towards black rocks.
Needless to say, pace was somewhat adjusted for the onslaught of the incline with runners digging deep to find extra lung capacity and stamina to keep going to the top. There was some thankful respite upon reaching the old engine house, with the welcome flat section to black rocks carpark (the turn point) and back.
Thereafter followed the speedy 450 foot steep descent comprising much foot slapping from tired jelly legs back down and through the tunnel, emerging somewhat disoriented from the dark and the dust.
The subsequent run from High Peak junction back along the tow path to the turn onto the meadows, by some supernatural phenomenon is considerably longer on the return leg than on the way out (or so several of us taking part were convinced of..)
There was then the final sprint, for those that could muster, back towards the rugby club finish. Post race chat and rehydration was made all the more pleasant by the array of scrumptious cakes baked by Kat.
Results wise Wirksworth fared well with some great running. Notable efforts included Kathy Mitchell who, spurred on by a hard cut off time target, achieved a first place in her age cat. 4 minutes 49 seconds ahead of the 2nd place contender no less! Also, Steve Elliff gained himself a BDL PB being first club member over the finish line, at 47th overall – particularly impressive in the large field.
The evening’s events culminated with the winter season prize giving where Wirksworth’s Denise Jane Mackey won her age category for the ladies.
Next race of the season is at Denby on June 6th
Men’s results here: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=314316
Women’s results here: https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=314315