A beautiful evening again in Rainow for this 5-mile friendly fell race. A great start to evening fell races this year, with a record 312 runners. A massive thank you to my fellow Macclesfield Harriers who made this event run this year, with roles from car parking, registration and results, on course marshals, finish funnel and first aiders as well as Bollington Explorer Scouts helping to marshal.
We had a large contingent of Macclesfield Harriers racing (49), 14 from Bollington Harriers, as well as massive 64 visitors from Chorlton and 32 from Wilmslow running club. Eammon Clowes (Newcastle (Staffs) Tri Club) was first home again in 33:01 (also MU23) and the first lady was also U23 Constance Jenneson (Buxton AC) in 38:15. Macclesfield Harriers again claimed both the men’s and the ladies’ team prizes (Joseph Pickard, Cian Tay, Mark Burley, Andy Lamont and Emma Johnson, Francesca Brint, Fiona Blagg and Helen Saunders). Again, we had both male and female V70s finish this race – inspiration for us all! (Graham Barnes MV70 in 48:18; Ann-Marie Jones FV70 53:40). In total there were 9 V70s this year, and 9 U23s – as well as plenty in between.
Big thank you to Running Bear for continued support providing numbers and coveted sock prizes as well as Red Willow brewery for beer prizes. There was a great post-race atmosphere with an amazing array of cakes from the Rainow Pre-School Parents. It was also special to welcome Macclesfield Harriers Rob Hasler and Brian West and their families to attend to receive donations to their GoFundMe campaigns after both receiving diagnosis of MND this year – they both said it was so kind of the Macclesfield harriers “family” and grateful for our support. Please see their GoFundMe pages to follow their stories: #TeamHaslerMND and #WestWarrriersMND”. From entrance fees as well as fantastic cakes, the race raised £2760. On the night donations were presented to representatives from local charities/organisations: £500 to Buxton Mountain Rescue who are our local rescue team, £200 Rainow Village institute, £860 Rainow Pre-school, and £600 each to TeamHaslerMND WestWarriersMND.
Full results on: RAINOW 5 (results tab) and FRA website.
Provisional date for 2026 – May 6th 2026.
Rachael Lawrance
RD
