6th April 2024
Clarence
Back in the day when I was marathon running, I went up and down
the 20 mile Middlewood Way so many times disappearing into the world of the
Marathon Talk podcast. It helped to while away the hours plodding on a
Sunday Morning.
On my shorter runs I listened to the old parkrun show with
Nicola Forward and Danny Norman. That ended a few years ago and was replaced
by With Me Now. It was listening to one of those episodes
when I heard Nicola discussing Clarence parkrun and mentioning her Youtube
Chanel where she reviewed it (Running a very, VERY muddy Clarence parkrun,
Bury, Greater Manchester. Did I mention it was muddy?! - YouTube) I watched it and immediately thought that was exactly my cup of
tea.
My home parkrun is Woodbank and I’m a bit of a tourist (this being
my 44th location). It just so happens that following
running at Northwich last week (very much recommended ) Clarence was my nearest
parkrun, I’d not yet done (NENDY). I’ve done Cheadle a few times in February,
which is a complete mud fest (so much so that they’ve had to cancel recently it
got that bad) and I loved running there, which is why Clarence attracted me so
much.
I drove over from Stockport way this morning, completely
overestimating how long it took me to get here and parked up in the car
park. I wasn’t entirely sure where the start was but there were plenty of
people heading over so just followed them (For anyone reading this, just head
out of the carpark, turn left and it’s a 5 min walk) .
First impression is what a brilliant welcome from an incredibly
friendly team. I only said the night before that I’d do the report,
people knew me, said hello, had a really nice chat about parkrun and the
course, made even better by Spring definitely being in the air.
Second impression, (and I won’t spoil it for you if you’ve not
been here yet) but 1st timers briefing is unique.
It’s not just the standard ‘keep your under 11s on a non extending lead, and
one child per runner’ but made you appreciate the park even more.
A small field of 51 set off and I got chatting to (I think it was)
James Love who was first finisher and was wearing a Comrades Marathon top. Now
If I ever was going to do an Ultra it’d be that. (I say I got chatting,
it was for about 30 seconds before he dropped me and trotted off into the
distance.
Start is deceptively quick as the first two laps are on
tarmac. Pretty standard, but nothing special. THEN the fun
begins. Most of the rest of the course is ‘running’ or plodding through
thick, gloopy mud. The type that sucks your shoes off and still have room
for lunch. Proper, proper cross country running. Heart pounding,
legs shaking, knee trembling brilliance. In between gasping for air, I
had a massive smile on my face all the way round. The marshals were so
supportive, runners so friendly and day so nice and warm (with a bit of a blowy
wind) it makes you so grateful for being able to be out and about doing
exercise with like minded people.
There’s a couple of spots, in particular, on the run where you’ve
no choice but to run right through the puddles and celebrate like you’re a 10
year old kid again, getting covered in mud.
I finished the run and headed off to the Friends Hut for some
coffee (free but donations are very welcome) and then to the Greens for a
coffee and a sausage and egg sandwich. These are brilliant people,
helping local people in the community. I was served by a fantastic young
lady, who knew everything about her job. Absolute credit to those who
employ her.
I wandered back to my car and was about to take the Crook
Lock off and I realised I’d only brought my car key. ‘Oh Globbits’ (or words to
that effect) I thought. Luckily, the local garage
‘Finney’s Services’ were able to come out, and for a very fair fee, cut
it off for me.
Forget the stats, forget all the tables, to me THIS is what
parkrun is about. Brilliant people, superb course, fantastic community
all coming together, and a run through a very muddy field. This is
exactly why I love parkrun.
Highly, highly recommended
Hopefully do Pennington Flash
next week, but will definitely be back.
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