Sat 31st March – Coniston 14
April 2, 2012
Coniston 14 or if you want to be exact 13.875 miles.The last two years have been the longer 17 miles due to the 2009 flood damaged bridge at Water Yeat, being unsafe to cross.The race starts and finishes at John Ruskin school, where you will find parking for over 1000 cars. As always, very well organised with the school PTA making lots of sandwich’s, cakes, hot and cold drinks. This year a jazz band to keep the non runners entertained and lots of running gear on show. Hot showers at the school, yes hot even when I got to them !!! .
The 1500 or so runners set off at 11 am. Due to the numbers and the time it takes for the back markers (me) to cross the start line, like many other races electronic chips are attached to all numbers to record accurate individual times. The weather forecast: sunny intervals 15c and it was bang on. Out of the school turning left the route is one lap of Coniston lake, the lake being flat the road not…… Although this is a road race it is set in the middle of the lake district so has excellent views and air that you love to breath. Brian with all his marathon training under his belt, set off near the front of the pack, never to be seen again, until the finish 1.51.29 – a massive 21 min’s better than his 2009 run. Me and Anthony (who has been living in the Czech Republic over the winter) had done little training. We decided to take it easy at the start but as soon as the field began to spread Ant picked up his pace and finished a credible 2 hrs dead although 15 min’s off his PB of 1.45.04. So that left me, out of the Lostock trio, trying to make up time on the downhill’s but struggling towards the finish on the climb up to Brantwood. Past Low Bank Ground and it was down hill or flat all the way. The last 200m down hill back to the school was very enjoyable and yes even I got a PB 2.09.32. A nice slate coaster for all finishers, a great day out and great atmosphere… Now I know the fell runners ( M.S M.C. Mike etc) like it soft under foot, long downhills to catch their breath with a bit of walking in between but I am sure, with a bit of foot hardening, they could and would enjoy this one and who knows maybe Ant’s or Brian’s PB.s would give them a challenge!!!!!!!!!!.
For the stats:
1492 runners 13 DNF
Fastest Male 1.16.03.
Fastest Female 1.28.26
Slowest Male 3.42.35
Slowest Female 3.21.02
David W
Comments
Mark Shuttleworth
Apr 2, 2012 18:48
Well done, great picture, the hill in the background looks familiar!
If you fancy another good day out in the summer and a challenge you could join us fell runners for the Coniston race up that hill!
John
Apr 2, 2012 20:18
Well done, great effort! you will soon be at my level if you keep up the training.
mike ernill
Apr 3, 2012 11:54
nice one,you all look happy and putting in some good times too.you are all ready for some fell races now.
checkers
Apr 4, 2012 16:11
Nice one, I always like going to Coniston was going to do this one as practice for the North Run, but it just never happened If you remind me next year I’ll come and join you
Could make it part of the Lostock road race championship
definately give you a race
Mark S
Apr 5, 2012 21:54
Now theres an idea Checkers, us fellrunners could take on the roadies at there own game.
David W
Apr 6, 2012 21:33
I will let you all know when enrollment opens, might just achieve my aim of Lostock AC having the biggest entry in the race. So nice to get lots of comments……Nothing like a bit of banter to meet ones aim !!!
Mark L
Apr 11, 2012 9:50
This sounds like a great race. A bloke at work does it every year and he raves about it. I’ve been thinking about doing this for a few years.
If there’s a push on for a big Lostock turnout I’d definitely be up for it. And if you’re going to offer it up as a challenge – well, how can one resist!
I suppose it’ll have to be a sub 1:40 target for next year then!