Hollins Green 5k

On Saturday afternoon 6 A&T athletes made their way to Hollins Green for the 2nd race in this years North Cheshire 5k Grand Prix series. The weather was pretty good for running with spots of rain, cooler temperatures than last year and little or no wind, for a change! The course itself is pretty flat with the main obstacle, bar some over zealous competitors to put it polite, was the run around the obelisk after about 50 metres from the start! Then it was a downhill section through the streets of Hollins Green before climbing back past registration and the pub. The course then made its way onto a country lane that made a small climb before going over a railway bridge where it then dipped down at the other side. At the other side people like me, that is a mid pack runner, could see the leaders about 600 metres in the distance as they had made their turn for home. In the last 400 metres there was a bit of climb that you didn't notice too much as you knew the finish was very close.

In a stonrg field of 268 competitors the winner, Liam Renton of Warrington AC, completed the race in 15.42. First back for A&T and having another very good run was Ian Newcombe finishing in 50th place with 18.34. Scott Christey finished not far behind Ian claiming 57th place with 18.53. Colin Kay also had good race and was chasing down Scott in attempt to claim his scalp but finished 4 seconds adrift in 60th place with 18.57. The Baron came next with a seasons best 22.04 to claim 161st postion. Michaela Shaw had a good run to dip under her pre-race target of 23 minutes with 22.56 and 189th position. Bev Tickle put in another good performance to finish in 243rd place with 27.23.

After the race it was time for a cool down which entailed sampling the guinness in the pub across from registration. Thanks to Terry Gardiner for the support and the photographs although I don't know what the hoover was all about! The 3rd race in the series is at Bowdon on Thursday 7th June.