Run Tatton Half - 'Michael Page' NWFPAC 2019 Championship - Race #8

Run Tatton Half Marathon

‘Michael Page’ NWFPAC 2019 Championship Race 8

AKA ‘Not the EHM’

The late cancellation of the original half marathon in the Championship, The EHM in Warrington meant that the series has had a delayed finish with the replacement fixture Sunday morning in Tatton Park.

Weather seems to have been a consistent theme in this seasons run reports. After the heavy rain of last week we were greeted today with a fairly cold damp foggy morning which meant that prior to the race there were plenty of people hiding in their cars as close to the start as possible. The organisation of the race was good and with 1004 runners it needed well-planned parking and sufficient facilities, both of which were provided. It also helped then that the race set off bang on 9am as advertised – not too often you see that.

I had been looking forward to a nice scenic run with good views over the park and across the Cheshire country side – however the fog put an end to that! It was a lovely 2 lap course, largely off road around the paths and trails of the estate. With just a few undulations, a couple of switch backs and good running surface it turned out to be a reasonably fast course.

With the Individual Championship already decided the previous week at Heaton parkrun, Byron had turned up with a faint hope that a non-appearance by the Lethargic Hares might let Run on the Bank in at the last minute for a double top finish.

With Charlie absent post Dublin, it was down to me to do my bit for the team. (Charlie had been at my house Saturday to ensure I was going to turn up and understand my race plan!!)

Byron & I had missed each other at the start so it was only at the switch back at half way we passed each other he realised I was there. I got the greeting ‘Morning Gareth’ closely under his breath by ‘…..b@ll@!ks’ as the realisation that their chance of a team win was over (unless I didn’t finish).

In total there were 7 NWFPACers running. Byron provided service as normal coming in first of the bunch. There was then 3 minutes between 2nd & 4th, with Rob Fairbanks coming in 2nd, David Chambers 3rd and me 4th.

Then I’m not sure if they were running together or whether there was actually a bit of a race going on in 5th & 6th as Dave Simmons came in 16 seconds ahead of Adrian Rogers in 6th. Completing the magnificent 7 was Adam Barnes.

I think there were at least a couple of PBs which is pleasing to see (well at least one which was mine and I think Dave C mentioned his was a PB also). With the weather still pretty damp and no indoor area immediately by the finish line, after a quick chat about spring marathons the group disappeared fairly quickly with their goody bags, funky medals and bright yellow T Shirts.