NWFPAC ‘Michael Page’ Championship 2022 – Race 8: Heaton Park Parkrun

Now living in Sheffield, I was a bit concerned driving over the Pennines when torrential rain was peppering the hills having decided to go with a t-shirt and shorts combination. Thankfully the clouds parted on the M67 and the weather gods were kind as cool, dry overhead conditions prevailed at Heaton Park parkrun for the final round of this year’s championship

After a few late dropouts and one late signup, a field of 8 lined up on the start line amongst a wider field of 540. Dave Simmons claimed to be taking it easy after having spent the previous afternoon hydrating himself at Bolton Beer Festival, where he also persuaded Stewart Haworth to rock up to take part. This run was to be Dave’s 100th parkrun so he wore a celebratory bib – the paparazzi clocked Dave and his bib but at time of writing have not yet published the photos - please check Heaton Park parkrun’s Facebook photo album for the incriminating evidence.

For those who haven’t had the chance to run around Heaton Park, it’s an undulating course all on tarmac paths – nice and simple you would think. However a dog ran into my path around the half way point which I failed to hurdle in time, resulting in me shocking both the dog and it’s owner who was walking in front. No harm came to the dog or owner other than a little bit of shock. In fact it probably helped me overall as I managed to pip a recovering Gareth Hurfurt at the finish line thanks to the adrenaline surge.

The NWFPAC mob peppered the podium albeit no overall gold medal this time. Steven Henderson came 2nd overall in a time of 16:54 (PB – well done Steven) taking home the 20 championship points, shortly followed by Byron Edwards in 3rd at 17:42. Rounding out the top 3 in the NWFPAC contingent was Charlotte Haworth, finishing in 20:46 and 5th female overall. David Chambers also managed to set a new course PB with a time of 18:46. For the rest of the group and to see if Dave did indeed take it easy or was sandbagging, please see the results below.

With it being the final round, the championship both individual and team were finalised but I’ll leave those results to the safer hands of Dave to announce who will be coronated as champions.