Macclesfield Shield 10 miles 29th March 2025 (RWA25005-B)

Roy Gunnett reports:

Cool, overcast weather was the order of the day for the Macclesfield Shield 10mile race on Saturday 29th March 2025.There was a good turnout of 8 walkers and 5 helpers.The usual 5 lap ‘out and back’ course was used for the race.

Nigel Shaw took the lead from the start, a lead which he steadily extended over the others and maintained to the finish, ending up with a winning margin of approximately 7 minutes. For a relatively new starter in the sport Nigel continues to impress, he has developed an excellent and very fair style.

Behind Nigel, Martin Payne and Tony Bell walked together for the first 9 miles before Tony started to pull away from Martin and secured second place. Nigel was over five minutes faster than last year (when he clocked 1.51.42) and Martin was more than a minute quicker than 2024 (1.55.19 then).

The remaining walkers behind were well strung out. Included among these was Dave Hoben, a very welcome visitor who had travelled all the way up from the south to participate. It was great to see Ian Hilditch competing and performing well following recent health issues.

As well as winning the scratch race Nigel also won the handicap and was presented with the Macclesfield Shield trophy by Marshall Barnard. Marshall also presented the first three in the handicap with ‘Easter egg’ prizes.

Everyone enjoyed the splendid post race buffet provided by Marshall and his wife Kath. As usual a special word of thanks must go to the 5 Marshalls, without whom the race would not have been possible. Eric Horwill was starter and timekeeper, Glyn Jones manned the turnaround point with Sailash Shah, Irene Pike and Chris Harvey at other points on the course.

Scratch Results

10 Miles

1. Nigel Shaw.         106.31  (21.00,41.56,63.14,84.48)

2. Tony Bell.            113.27. (22.59,45.42,68.44,91.27)

3. Martin Payne       114.00. (22.58,45.43,68.40,92.26)

4. Roy Gunnett.       130.23 (25.02,51.05,77.29,103.36)

5. David Hoben.     135.22 (25.46,52.22,79.35,107.08)

6. Joe Hardy.           135.40 (26.50,54.22,82.12,109.45)

8 Miles

Greg Smith.              108.36

6 Miles 

Ian Hilditch                  83.09

Handicap Results.

1. Nigel Shaw.            106.31

2.  Martin Payne.        110.30

3. Tony Bell.               111.57

4. David Holben.        114.22

5. Joe Hardy.               115.40

6. Roy Gunnett.          116.23

7.  Greg Smith.            8 miles

8.  Ian Hilditch.           6 miles

Thanks to Chris Harvey and Greg Smith for sorting out the photos.

Forgive the late appearance of the race report – a mix of internet issues, my cackhandedness and the impact of an eye operation this week, Contrary to wicked suggestions made by some dear friends in the club, the deterioration of my eyesight is not related, in my opinion, to use the Biblical expression, onanism in my youth! Being a boy scout Baden-Powell had warned me of the dangers.