Race date: Saturday 9th August 2025

Race report by Tony Bell

After “thank you marshal” at Millhouses parkrun it was off to Fulwood to meet my racewalk friend Martin. Then we drove off to Chorley for a racewalk in the country.

I did 800m pre-race warmup, feeling a bit tired. Conditions were cool, cloudy and windy. We had 8 walkers toe the line, all older walkers from the host club. None of the faster walkers were present.

Off we went for our tour of country lanes, 5km out and 5km back. I took the lead from the start, I could hear Martin behind me but I didn’t look back. Up and down the hills, nearly as bad a Sheffield 🙂 34.36 at halfway, Martin 13s behind, feeling tired.

Pushed on harder in 2nd half, Martin’s footsteps got a little bit fainter but I could still hear him behind in the last mile. Didn’t have much left in last mile but did enough to win by 39s in 68.43. Rather tired on finishing, hard work. Waited for everyone to finish then 400m post-race recovery.

Strider Tony Bell was first man over the line in 68:43. First woman was Pat Evans in 79:02. Congratulations to Tony!