Harriers first for Marsden

RUNNNG:

ANDREW Marsden, in his first race at the distance, spearheaded a group of seven athletes representing Oldham and Royton Harriers in the Mill Town to Moors half marathon.

In a superbly-organised race featuring a tough, hilly circular route, he crossed the line in one hour 33 minutes 45 seconds for 28th overall.

Dominic Kennerley was 41st (1:36:51), followed by Pete Williams 55th (1:39:21). Williams was the first over-55 to cross the line.

Karl Smith, also competing in his first half marathon, was 66th (1:42:09) in the Oldham event, with Darren Mannings 72nd (1:42:46), Anne-Marie Lord 73rd (1:42:55) and first in her age group (over-45s).

Sara Bott was 151st in 1:55:11, which was good preparation for the Nice to Cannes Marathon on November 4.




Chronicle worker Steve Berry took part in the Mill Town to Moors run too. here’s how he got on...


IT was billed as one the hilliest half-marathons in the country — and they weren’t kidding.

The half-marathon got off to a cracking start, with plenty of sunshine and spectators.

We set off on two circuits of Tommyfield Market via Lord Street, St Mary’s Way and Henshaw Street before we headed down Yorkshire Street.

A carnival atmosphere added a spring to my step as we raced down to the tram works at Mumps then turned right on to Prince Street and left on to Oldham Way.

Marshalls ushered us across Botom O’ Th’ Moor and on to Huddersfield Road. From here it would be all uphill to Grains Bar, via Ripponden Road.

Turning on to Ripponden Road, I saw a snake of runners disappearing into the distance. I dug in and got on with the climb, surrounded by other middle of the pack entrants.

Climbing up Ripponden Road, a few families were outside their front doors, offering sugary treats, and I was soon handed more goodies by shopkeepers — the best support I’ve seen in a half-marathon.

Four miles out, the crowds gave way to beautiful views towards Shaw. The water station at Grains bar was most welcome.

I set off at pace down the long Grains Road descent to Delph. We turned right then crossed Huddersfield Road on to Delph New Road. At the end of that we veered off on to Ladcastle Road and up past the golf club.

A tough incline along Ladcastle saw a couple of runners start to walk, so I got past them quickly and began the drop down, past Greenfield Station on to Oldham Road.

The climb through Grasscroft slowed me down and I started to take shorter strides up the hill.

I pushed up towards Platting Road and the summit, where I could head down through Springhead and into Lees.

A lot of the runners I passed on my quick descent down Grains Road and along Ladcastle Road caught me now. The summit marks 10 miles, and I had forgotten about another climb up through Lees.

Taking a sharp left off Lees Road, my once-confident stride had become more of a shuffle. Suddenly, I found myself on a bridge looking down on to Waterloo Street, where a string of runners was making its way to Union Street.

Oh no! Uphill again. Down from the bridge, sharp left and up across the car park and across Union Street.

As I climbed up Yorkshire Street (yes, up again) towards the finish line, the sound of cheering and applause was quite overwhelming.

My watch said two hours, 22 seconds. Served me right for wimping out on that last climb...

I’ll be back next year, 23 seconds quicker!



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