Report by Adam Leighton
WRC were out in club colours once again on a pleasant Tuesday evening race meet. Heanor RC were our kind hosts for the COVID special BDL event of 2021. Plenty of runners turned out with big numbers from the usual suspects: Heanor RC, Matlock AC, Ilkeston RC, Kimberley & District Striders.
For once, I arrived early enough to “help” Dave and Mark set up the team tent and flag and even had time for a few warmup laps of the cricket pitch. It felt great to be back in the buzz of pre-race catching up and chat.
We had 9 runners out for Wirksworth on the night, sadly on this occasion, no ladies were racing for WRC which is a real shame, not just because of the points…we have many strong and talented female runners amongst our number. (Come on ladies!) 😊
The weather on the night could’ve gone either way, most encountered torrential rain travelling to the meet which, thankfully, had all but let up by the time we were all lined up to start.
The 5-mile course was 2 laps of undulating fun over mixed terrain, mainly trail and track around Shipley Park. Conditions underfoot were good considering the amount of rain just prior. My Garmin logged a total elevation of 426ft at the end of it.
278 Runners made it around the course, Jake Fry (34:18 – 49th) was first over the line for Wirksworth, closely followed by Peter Johnston (34.50 – 58th), Lewis Glover (35:05 – 64th), Mark Crawshaw (35:57 – 77th), Graham Robinson (36:34 – 91st), Dave Spencer (36:57 – 96th), Adam Leighton (38:41 – 126th), Simon Edwards (40:31-154th) and James Watson (41:29 – 169th). Well done to everyone who ran, great job!
Great support from WRC finishers spurring on those coming in around the cricket pitch to get over the line for Wirksworth. Special thanks to Peter for spotting and encouraging me home…I needed that! Also, a big thanks to Heanor RC for putting on a well organised and marshalled event with plenty of parking and good facilities.
Image source: MAC Facebook Page