Championship Round #12. The Front Runners? They're the Reds....

Another much loved local event, we send big thanks to our other neighbours ‘up the way’; Bridgnorth Running Club, for a spectacular Autumn event.

Another huge turn out from CMRC! What a superb show for our club, and superb effort round this undulating and tricky course.

The course takes a scenic anti-clockwise route round the town, starting at the famous historic high street where it was awash with locals, supporters, and friends and family. There, it loops the remains of the old Castle Fortress, before heading north out of town along the picturesque scenes of the River Severn. Though of course we aren’t there for a jolly!! The reds motored on down and round toward the west, where the route hugs the parks and cricket club for a bit of relief momentarily, before some further inclines begin…..

***There is something about running in a club race***

The Shropshire Star, and many locals, were wide eyed at the sheer amount of us that had rocked up. The Star very kindly took some official race day photographs. One in particular is of Pam and Nikki Edwards, as Pam was celebrating her 70th Birthday in style, running the event with the rest of us. We loved that we could share that with you!

Bridgnorth Running Club had an apparent record number of entries for this event as it returned for its 8th year this year.

For this round we have Lyndsey who has kindly written the report for this edition…

“I’m sure we’ve all had that feeling… Sunday morning: slow get-up sounds nice, cup of coffee and watch the day warm up. In all honesty, I really didn’t fancy trekking over to Bridgnorth for a rather hilly race….. But, I put my ‘big-girl’ leggings on, had a banana and headed off.

Within five minutes of arriving, I’d already spoken to three club members, and felt better and brighter. Edging nearer to the end of championship season had a few people feeling a little weary, but as the reds gathered and grouped, everyone seemed to buoy each other up.

It was lovely to see a few familiar faces, both racing and supporting, and by the time we joined together for a photo with Pam front-and-centre for her 70th birthday race, any lingering hint of reluctance was cast aside and I for one, was ready to go!

With our wonderful cheerleaders shouting and cheering us on for an enthusiastic start, we were soon off and winding our way around the town. The marshalling was encouraging and clear, and it was lovely to see so many people watching from the side of the road or waving from windows.

There is something about running in a club race – when you spot another red in front of you, you just want to catch up and say “hi”, it’s like seeing a family member in the street…. Every time I saw a red shirt, I felt instantly heartened.

The hill leading up the bypass was a beast! Towards the top I muttered some breathy expletives to the lady next to me…. and she replied similarly!!! But reminded me that there was a long downhill stretch on the way. Charging down the bypass to try to make up a bit of time was a welcome respite… especially when I knew I had to save some energy for ‘that’ hill at the end.

Nearing the bend and coming over the bridge I looked up at High Town and considered jumping in the river to make good my escape….. However, putting temptation aside, I persevered and was soon turning the corner and staring up at a steep incline rivalled only by Ron Hill. But Ron Hill hasn’t finished me off yet, so I lifted my head up and kept moving, “pump those arms” echoing in my head.

My steps were getting shorter though, and I felt as if I was running on the spot, until I heard my name being shouted from somewhere up ahead. I looked up to see a little bubble of red on the horizon, with arms waving, pom-poms flying and a boom box belting out some motivation! That was all I needed to get up that hill and finish the race.

I shaved over three minutes off my time from last year at the same event and I’m 100% sure that this is due to the motivation I get from being in such a fantastic and supportive club.

Right… what’s this ‘Nash Dash’ I’ve been hearing about…?”

Lyndsey Edmundson

Spectating is apparently, just as exhausting….. I’m not sure many would agree, but if you are belting everyones names at the top of your lungs and clapping for around an hour; theres almost definitely going to be some cardio linked to that…. right?!

Bridgnorth, like many of our club events had a fabulous little support crew right at the top of Railway Street complete with big club speaker blasting out some tunes. Even when some of us can't run, or just don’t fancy one - we will always ‘turn up’ for each other. Known for its steep incline, the race finishes within yards of the top so this makes for the perfect place to spectate!!! We think even the marshals were glad we were there too! Thank you everyone who turned up to support and took photos! There were some fabulous pics and performances on this infamous hill!