Albert Rigby Shield 10K at Sutton Macclesfield, October 7

Roy Gunnett reports:

The race was held over 3 laps of the new ‘out and back’ course and was a trial for this course.
The weather was overcast with drizzle and fairly strong winds (14C).
Tony Taylor took an early lead and walked strongly throughout to win the scratch race by over 7 mins.
Pat Evans won the ladies race and Roy Gunnett came first in the handicap and was thus awarded the Albert Rigby Shield.
Dave Evans hosted the race as Fred Pearce was attending an RWA meeting. At the presentation, following the race, Dave requested that those attending should email Fred with their views on the suitability of the new course and whether they consider it an improvement in terms of safety etc. on the old course.

 
1 Tony Taylor Lancashire WC M70 57.37
2 Greg Smith Lancashire WC M65 65.09
3 Dan Maskell Surrey WC M65 65.29
4 Roy Gunnett Lancashire WC M70 66.04
5 Peter Crahan Lancashire WC M60 66.45
6 Joe Hardy Lancashire WC M70 66.54
7 Dave Crompton Lancashire WC M50 67.15
8 Sailash Shah Lancashire WC M50 67.46
9 Pat Evans  Lancashire WC W65 67.52
10 John Crahan Lancashire WC M65 70.41
11 Dave Hoben Surrey WC M60 72.25

6.66K
Ian Vaughan Lancashire WC M60

And a word from me re the new course

As one of those most vociferous about the problems now posed by the classic Sutton lap, the new 10k trial course was a sobering experience. Ahead of the race, I thought that Fred’s out and back proposal looked very promising. However, after the race, I was left feeling ambivalent, somewhat uncertain. Certainly, it remains a typical, testing Macclesfield course and that’s fine. Ironically the main concern on the day was the stretch from the start to the triangle at the bottom of Parvey Lane, which we completed obviously six times. It seemed much busier than I can remember and there were a lot of parked cars. Indeed, when I jogged back on the course after finishing, I found myself waving down traffic, including the local bus, as everyone negotiated the last 600 metres or so. Nevertheless, I think we should use the course again, but prior to the start stake out a number of  ‘CAUTION: RACE WALK IN PROGRESS’ signs.

[Oh, and thanks to Adrian for marshalling the turn way down Bullocks Lane – a lonely, drizzly task].

NEXT RACE: 5k ordinary handicap race followed by the 110th AGM

DATE SATURDAY 4th November 2017

VENUE: LADY WILTON HALL, SIMISTER LANE, SIMISTER, PRESTWICH, MANCHESTER, M25 2RX

START: 1.30PM

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the race/meeting.

To quote Fred :

‘It is essential that you make every effort to attend in order that your valued contribution will help with the election of officers and decisions to be made for the future success of the Lancashire Walking Club’.