Race date: 11 April 2026

Race distance: 5km

I studied at the world’s finest university (Cambridge) 1995–1999. As well as getting my degree I also met my wife Shelley in Cambridge 🙂 We didn’t move away until 2005, when my work took us back to my home county of Cheshire.

In Cambridge I took up the strange sport of Racewalking, so I could compete in masters track events with middle distance runner Shelley.

I learned about Racewalking at the Enfield League in North London. However, after we moved north to Cheshire I wouldn’t compete at Enfield very often, last time in 2017.

Occasionally the Enfield League has away days, on April 11th they had a race in Cambridge! I always like going back to Cambridge, so I had a day trip on the train.

I got there in plenty of time, so I had time do a bit of city centre tourism and check out my favourite bookshops before a pleasant stroll down memory lane to the University West Cambridge Site. The race venue was by the very impressive University Sports Centre (not there in my day). Good to see old racewalk friends and old Cambridge running friends.

There are two racewalk rules to differentiate it from running. One foot must always be in contact with the ground and the supporting leg must be straight (no bent knees). These days I struggle with the bent knees rule, so I entered the B race, where the bent knees rule is not enforced.

I did 1.6km warmup before my race. I lined up with 5 other older walkers, off I went for my 5km race, 5 flat 1km laps. I was in the lead from the start. As usual at this time of year there was the Cambridge Siberian cold gale force wind blowing over the fens.

By 1km I was already working hard and fighting the wind, hard work all the way in from then, but I kept going. Very tired on finishing, I was first to finish but the wind won that one. 5km in 32.38.

I watched the start of the properly judged A race, then 800m recovery back to the sports centre to get cleaned up and get warm clothes on. Then back outside to watch the end of the A race.

A good day walking down memory lane, if a rather long day of travelling.

Striders result

5km B race