Heaton Park Parkrun - Championship Race 12

As I have been very poor in my attendance in this year’s championship, I ensured that I turned up to the final race in the series safe in the knowledge that I am not in for any prizes come the awards night. It was cold and wet in Heaton Park and as the huge masses of park runners arrived and the small band of NWFPAC runners clustered near the start line. Alan, John and I got ready to go (we hadn’t seen David or Sophie yet) and, as the pre-race briefing finally finished, the heavens opened and the rain poured down. Dave Simmons with poppy in tow couldn't run but was happy to provide moral support.

I set off with John just ahead and the plan was to run on his shoulder until the last km and then try and pull away, but youthful enthusiasm got the better of me and I went past him at the top of the hill soon after the start! By the time we reached the end of the first mile, the rain had stopped and John had come back past me, so it was clearly time to revert to plan A. The rest of the race was much of the same with John and I running shoulder to shoulder and, as we reached the top of the hill with 1km to go, I managed to go past John and pushed hard to try and put some space between us. As I came round the by the golf course with 200m to go, David Burton of Clearwater came past me. I gave some encouragement with the words “Oh F*&& off you B&£^"*&”, which he took in the spirit it was meant. I tried to sprint him to the line but my race shy old legs weren't up for the fight and I trailed in a couple of seconds behind.

All good fun, I will try and do more next year!

Our results were:

Men

1. Wesley Mort, HSBC – 16th – 20:15 – 20 points

2. John Williams, EY Transaction Advisory Services – 20th – 20:23 – 18 points

3. Alan Budenberg, Barclays Wealth and Investment Management – 61st – 22:37 – 16 points

4. David Avery, Lopian Gross Barnett & Co – 80th – 23:23 – 14 points

Lady

1. Sophie Sasimowicz, Lopian Gross Barnett & Co – 131st – 25:05 – 20 points

As mentioned by Wesley. in addition to our runners we found David Burton of Clearwater Corporate Finance amongst the masses. David isn’t on the mailing list and therefore isn’t eligible for the points this year, but we’ll try and get him on for next year – that said, he’s a bit quick so maybe not, as he finished in 15th with a time of 20:13 and would have taken the 20 points!