‘Michael Page’ NWFPAC 2021 Championship – Race 7: Great Manchester Run Half Marathon

Sunday saw the 7th Championship race in the series taking place at none other than the Great Manchester Run, with NWFPAC runners taking part in the half marathon event to clock up those all important points. We had four runners taking part in the championship race being myself, Dave Simmons, Adrian Rodgers and Nicola Boorman. The event page boasts that the course is perfect for PB hunters which certainly proved to the case for the NWFPAC runners.

Given the size of the field I didn’t manage to find anybody ahead of the race, so took my place in the starting pen between Superman, Bananaman and a walking ovary whilst I went over the race plan in my head. Conditions were overcast and cool before the starting gun, but as we started running soon brightened up into what turned out to be a fairly nice day.

Not only was this my first race since learning about the group, but it was my first time racing a half marathon in years having only picked up my running shoes again 8 weeks ago. My plan had been to break out just in front of the 1:45 pacer in the opening mile or two before sitting there for the rest of the race. A few miles in, the 1:45 pacer behind me was out of sight and I couldn’t see the 1:40 pacer anywhere in front as I made my way along Mancunian way. As I made my way back from the Etihad and passed the 2:00 and 2:10:00 pacers heading in the opposite direction within about thirty seconds of each other, I realised it was perhaps a little naïve of me to have so much of my race plan riding on the pace runners and I should have instead blown the cobwebs off my wallet to buy a smart watch.

After what felt like a well-paced middle third, I passed Dave heading in the other direction making his way onto the final straight and managed a cheer. Making my way into the last couple miles, fatigue was setting in and I definitely felt like I was flagging. Turning the final corner onto Deansgate and seeing the race clock at the finish line I realised I was well on track to beat my goal and managed a strong finish in front of the crowds.

After being very pleased with my own PB, it was great to see the theme continue with the other NWFPAC members. All Championship race runners managed either a PB or raced the distance for the first time. Adrian led the pack setting a PB with a blistering 1:25:51. Dave finished second in the group, setting a PB and breaking 1:30 for the first time with 1:29:19 - he was somewhat pleased as you can see from the photo! Nicola took third slot after racing her first half marathon in an excellent 2:04:32. I finished out the scoring with a PB of 1:42:51. Also running were Paul Bannister and James Wall who finished in a blistering 1:18:03 and 1:23:09 respectively, but unfortunately they don’t qualify for points as they didn’t give notice they were running today (sorry gents!)

Well done to everyone who took part, especially those setting PBs!