Anything but run of the mill!

Reporter: ROBBIE GILL
Date published: 13 October 2014


RUNNERS pounded the pavement yesterday as the gruelling Milltown to Moors half-marathon descended on Oldham.

Starting in High Street, runners headed towards Saddleworth before returning to the town centre, making it one of the hilliest and most scenic half-marathons around.

This year’s winner was Gareth Raven in a time of one hour, 11 minutes and 19 seconds.

The Sale Harrier revealed he’d only chosen to enter the 13-mile race on the spur of the moment.

He said: “It’s a tough half marathon. I didn’t intend to do it. I woke up at 7.30 and my wife was going out so I thought I might as well do it.

“I’d intended to use it as a training race but the other guys came out and set a quick pace. I’m really happy to win.”

The half-marathon was competed by almost 400 runners and has become a firm fixture in the calendar thanks to its challenging course and 1,100ft climb. Ian McBride of Salford Harriers came second in 1:12:41.5.


THE Chronicle’s Steve Berry was among those taking part in the half-marathon. Here’s his story.
MY aim this year was to break the two-hour barrier. I finished in two hours, four minutes and five seconds in 2013. But with less training this year I wasn’t too hopeful.


Then I discovered the “pace” mode on my runner’s watch and worked out that if I could run nine-minute miles or less, I should slip in at just under the two-hour mark.

Tough for a mid-pack runner like me on such a hilly course but I decided to keep an eye on the watch and go for it.

Again bolstered by the shouts from spectators and marshals, I reached Grains Bar with my average pace showing 8min 56sec. A quick mouthful of water at the drinks station and it was time to put the hammer down on the long downhill stretch into Delph.

I needed to do a quick couple of miles here as I knew the climb along Ladcastle Road and past Saddleworth Golf Club would once again bring that average pace down.

I had set off a bit too quickly and was now paying for it. I took a moment at the Delph New Road drinks station to catch my breath while I had a couple of mouthfuls of water and then tipped the rest over my head to help bring me round. My average pace was showing 8:40 but the next challenge was a two-mile climb up Oldham Road — my least favourite part of the course.

It really is a hard slog to the junction with Platting Road and this year I was desperate to walk some of it - but I must say the spectators were superb. From bottom to top there were shouts of encouragement and lots of applause. This really is a very friendly race.

Reaching the top and beginning my descent into Lees I took another look at my pace — 8:57. It really was going to be touch and go. I stretched out my aching legs as much as I could on the descent when normally I would be using the downhill to recover.

A few undulations along Lees Road and I was through Clarksfield and getting a lovely cooling shower outside the fire station as I passed by. A quick glance at the watch: still an average of 8:57 — I might just do this.

Left turn along Glodwick Road and slight uphill to Waterloo Street and then a lovely descent passing many hands offering out sugary sweets and water.

“Come on mate, brilliant! Keep going!” These moments really do help a runner and boy did I need help. At the junction with Woodstock Street, Waterloo Street gets very steep, very quickly. This really is a cruel last half mile. Shame on you OCL!

A quick glance at the watch. 9:00. Still possible. Then disaster: I started to walk!

I got to Union Street where a car load of young men shouted encouragement. I managed a shuffle then a jog and eventually a reasonable run round the corner to Yorkshire Street and the home run.

I did the best I could and as I passed the finish line I remembered to look up at the time — one hour, 59 minutes and nine seconds. The only downside was that I was so elated I forgot to pick up my finishers’ T-shirt!