Sunday morning and Tattenhall hosted round 3 of this years Borders League.
Like Helsby the running club at Tattenhall has the great advantage of being near the central Sandstone ridge of Cheshire and they made good use of it. The only flat part of the course was the bit used for the first and last miles which follows the same route as that for the Tough Team Challenge. The other 4 miles of the course were much more interesting taking an undulating circular route past the entrance to the grounds of Bolesworth castle. Having done quite a few of the Border League courses I can safely say that this is one of the toughest.
The race was excellently organised. For those feeling a little bit peckish and needing to warm up hot soup and sandwiches were available in the club house after the race. I must admit they did look very tempting but I had to dash back home to catch the European X Country championships on the tele.
So how did we get on
Helsby positions and placings as follows
42nd Ian Landucci 37.35
104th Jim O’Hara 41.40
124th Jane Ashbrook 42.41
144th Geoff Shaw 43.30
154th Albert Berry 44.41
163rd Vanessa Griffiths 45.20
180th Carol Shaw 46.25
221st Andy Smith 51.22
265th Janet Shaw 57.53
266th Robbie Webster 59.13
Some great runs were had, Ian Landucci 1st home for Helsby, Jane top ten finish with a 4th in her age category, Albert and Robbie maintaining great form for a 2nd in their respective category, Vanessa on the podium with 3rd.
Special congratulations surely has to go to all the Helsby ladies who managed to place Helsby ladies top of Division Two on the day, something for everyone in the club to be very proud of and for the guys to aspire too.
Thanks to Joe and Mario for turning out to support despite the conditions.
The next Border League is 8th January at Abergele. Details will be sent nearer the time and maybe a good race to banish a few Christmas cobwebs before the Helsby half.
Ian, Geoff and Adair