By Reb
This lovely little local race is a real gem. Testing but a gem and a real favourite of mine. It isn’t a league race, but with so many runners from local clubs turning out it may as well be. This coupled with teams of people setting out to raise money for local charity Loros and other runners out for fun Tuesday evening, it makes for an enjoyable Tuesday evening. 15 Wreakies turned out to tackle the route, with others creating what was described by many as ‘the best cheer zone on the whole course at the bottom of The Ridings.’ The course is made of 2 undulating laps around Rothley, starting in the village centre, the whole village turn out to cheer the runners off, heading off up Templar Way along Woodfield Lane, along Mountsorrel Lane which is a popular place for supporters to gather who can find a vantage point in the village centre. Up the Garland hill which often has may supportive youngsters with sweets, which after the climb are most welcome. Once you complete the Garland loop you are back out onto the undulations of Mountsorrel Lane and a sharp left onto the long incline of Walton Way, where chairlady Alison and her girls were a welcome sight. A right into West Cross Lane and some welcome relief from hills for a bit. Before a slight incline as we headed out left onto The Ridings, past the Wreake cheer squad and a left to start the loop again before a finish back in the village centre.
Wreake had 15 representatives Matt Gayton who came in 8th position with a time of 36.36 being our highest placed finisher. Followed by Lizzie in 21st with 38.53. Bruno in 24th with 39.16. Brian in position 102 with a time of 44.57. Harry, in his first race as a grandad position 180 in 47.15. Ricky in p180 with a time of 47.48. Christian in 232 with a time of 48.29 closely followed by Dan in p235 with a time of 49.09. P369 sees Zoe home with a time of 54.09. Richard in p406 in 55.28. p564 in 1.00.46 was Alistair followed by me in p565 in 1.01.16 – I’ll get you next year Ali. Cat Smurf in p 584 in 1.02.39. Jane in p595 in 1.03.41 and Andrea in 1.27.59. A brilliant run by all of us. Next year’s race is on 4/6/2024 and I’ve already entered, and I would recommend it to any of you who haven’t given it a go before, or even if you have. It is a great race packed with challenge and is well supported by the local community. The chippy in Rothley is also good for afters.