By: Tony Bell

Race Date: 2nd November, 2024

After volunteering at Millhouses parkrun I went over the hills to Manchester for the AGM 5km for Lancashire Walking Club. Before we had our meeting we had a 5km racewalk race. Once out and back from Simister to Heaton Park. I did 1.9km warmup with some faster walking to get ready. Most of the faster walkers were absent, 11 lined up. Conditions were OK, cool, cloudy and a gentle breeze.

Off we went, I was soon in the lead, after a few minutes I had Ken on my shoulder. I was going fast but not flat out, my sore left leg was complaining. Ken came past at 1.5km but I followed him. Into the park, turnaround at 15.24, we were a long way ahead of 3rd place.

Working hard to stay in contact, we were together to 700m to go. I then picked up the pace to try and get clear but Ken came back, I tried again with 400m to go then Ken got ahead. Both of us were hindered by traffic on the road. Ken was in the lead approaching the finish but then I got level. We crossed the line together in 29.54, 14.30 for 2nd half!

Very tired on finishing, my sore left leg survived. I didn’t think I would go that fast! 800m very slow recovery before heading back inside for the meeting.

The race was won by Tony Bell (Steel City Striders and Lancashire Walking Club) and Ken Connor (Lancashire Walking Club) both in 29:54 , and Andrea Lennon (Lancashire Walking Club) in 44:30

Strider’s Results: