2022 Race Report
The Burnt House Farm rotation guarantees two things – a steady breeze in the fete field and, being on top of the hill, a cruel climb to the finish. The spectators are compensated with spectacular views and the race time keepers have a little more time to record the finishers.
The route, roughly 9.5km and 400m of climb, is a mixture of fields, forest track, ridge and moorland with two river crossings and a scramble through the chasm of Lud’s Church. The prize for all finishers is a fresh trout.
The downhill start resembled a medieval battle charge as the phalanx of 270 runners headed for a 3m breach in the wall. The field soon spread out and the lead runners had climbed the first hill and were charging along the Dane Valley Way as those in the pack were negotiating the first river crossing.
The race was won by Steve Vernon, Stockport Harriers (first in 2021), in 40:26. Joe Dale led a strong contingent of Victoria Park Harriers in second place. Allen Bunyan, Macclesfield Harriers was close behind in third.
18-year-old Harry Bond, City of Stoke AC, ran a great race to finish 4th overall (First MU23). Finlay Pettie, 16, was first MU18, 25th overall.
The ladies’ race was won by Kate Davies (Bailey), Staffs Moorlands, in 51:01, 17th overall. Nia Rose Nokes, another strong performance from City of Stoke AC, was second and Pennine’s Imogen Jones took third position.
Kate Davies, 1st Lady
Age group honours in the senior race went to Jane Searle, Dark Peak (W50), Katrin Flikschuh, Victoria Park Harriers (W60), Kurt Fitch (M50), Neil Clarke, Macclesfield Harriers (M60) and the evergreen Mick Moorhouse, Matlock (M70)
Macclesfield Harriers, had a clean sweep of the team prizes and placed first in Male, Female, Male Vets and Female Vets – a lot of Harriers out there and some great performances.
Macclesfield Harriers, 1st Male Team
The junior race, a 3km route with both river crossings and the same brutal finish was won by Thomas Wood (BU14), Macclesfield Harriers in 19:30 (despite a slight diversion taken by the lead runners at the start). Second home and first girl, was Charlotte Lunt (GU16), City of Stoke AC in 21:20.
Charlotte Lunt, First Girl
Additional junior age group honours went to Jessi Leung (GU12), Toby Binder (BU12) and Jim Millar (BU16)
Thanks again to all the marshals, Raynet, Wincle Brewery, The Ship Inn, Running Bear and Topspeed Couriers for your support.
The 2023 race will be on 10th June, from Mellor Knoll Farm – still uphill at the end but not quite as bad.
For the full results please head over to the Wincle Trout page – CLICK HERE
For more pictures head over to the photo gallery – CLICK HERE
Rob Gittins – Race Director