Sale Sizzler by Paul Basnett

On Thursday evening 4 A&T members made their way to Sale for the final 5k sizzler of 2011. The weather was overcast and a little chilly in contrast to the warm weather we had for the other 3 races in the series. After a long speech about various things 374 runners started the race with the usual jossle for position on the track. Glyn Thomson decided to come and give this event a go and I thought he was Nasser in disguise, or he thought it was a Monday night at the track, as he shot off like a bullet at the start. By the time we left the track to head into Wythenshawe Park he was about 50 metres in front of me and it took me until the start of the second lap to catch him. The winner of the race was Ben Fish from Blackburn Harriers and AC with a time of 14.57. Dale Kenyon was first back for A&T coming in 138th position with 20.19 and I believe getting his PB in the process. I was home next taking 194th position with 21.57, followed home by Glyn Thomson taking 214th and a time of 22.45. Joan Cooke, our only lady runner to do any of the sizzler runs, came home in a time of 27.58. As I had done all the races in the series I was awarded a medal at the end which I had to ask for as they did not know who had, and who had not done all 4 races. The usual goody bag with cereal bars were also handed out and every 20th competitor to finish was also given a spot prize. After picking up the results I also noticed that one of our second claim runners Janet Grint and her husband Lee had also run the race. They both finished 5 seconds in front of me so I'm surprised I didn't notice either of them! I will hopefully be back next year to do the series and would again recommend the course for anyone wishing to attain a PB.