Race Date: Sunday 24th July 2022

The 2nd trial run of the Steel City Trail 10 at Wincobank clashed with Tramlines, but we still drew a decent crowd of runners and run encouragers (aka marshals) to Wincobank Hill on a dry but thankfully for this summer not furnace-like Sunday 24th July.

“You make us work hard for our lunch Malcolm!” said women’s 1st place taker Caroline Brock to course designer Malcolm Baggaley.

The two lap route starts from the hilltop, then winds down (and up, and down, and up) around the site of the city’s famous (but seldom visited) Iron Age hill fort, where ancient Britons from the Brigantes tribe are believed to have once looked out at the approaching Roman invaders.

In this case Richard Pegg was chief Brigante as he watched at the finish line for the approach of the 15 runners who’d stayed clear of the Tramlines beer tents and made it up to the hill early on a Sunday morning.

This Steel City Trail 10 events are usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month, at various accessible locations around Sheffield, but the July event was moved to the 4th Sunday due to our 40th birthday celebrations earlier in the month.

The events usually start around 9ish, with interesting and often bumpy routes that are hopefully fun for all, from fast fell runners to trail newcomers, to runners just wanting to explore lesser known trails around the Outdoor City.

We’re working with Sheffield Council on these events aiming to celebrate the city’s green spaces, to promote new routes for local runners and to support local voluntary groups helping to look after these areas.

On Sunday, runners made donations which will go to the Friends of Wincobank Hill, who we’ll hopefully get up to the next event on the hill.

Malcolm Baggaley again did a great job sorting out the marshals, and thanks to him and the team:  Tessa Bainbridge, Dot Kesterton, Jim Eberlin, Sophie McKie, Lisi Briggs, Paddy Treehowes, Seth Kirby, Richard Pegg and Jim Rangeley.

“Thank you to everyone involved in this morning’s run, it was my first time and I was made to feel really welcome,” said one new SCT10 runner. “Really well organised and lovely people!  I’ll definitely be back to try another course”

1st woman back was Caroline Brock (SCS) at 49:42, followed by Laura Mella at 55:20 then fellow Strider Naomi Tuckett at 56:57. First man was Rob Byers (SCS) at 44:21, followed by Adam Brooks (SCS) at 52:52 and Peter Atkin at  57:51

We’ve had to switch the schedule round a bit due to other races, so the calendar to the end of the year will now be as below (all being well).

August 21st (Whirlowbrook Park – race), September 18th (Hopefully Parkwood Springs  – trial run), Oct 16th (Shire Brook – possible race), Nov 20th (Porter Valley), Dec 18th (Redmires).

All welcome, so tell your mates and do come and join in!

Striders results: