The Way of the Roses
The Way of the Roses is a coast to coast cycle route (thanks Google) stretching from Morecambe to Bridlington. Along the 170 mile route, the route winds through Rawcliffe Country Park, boasting toilets at the neighbouring park and ride, a children’s play area and a 3m high climbing boulder.
On 30 May, this humble setting was the location for Dan’s 50th marathon, and a small gaggle of MACs headed up t’north to witness this momentous occasion.
This was a nice low key event, organised by See York Run York. Runners had a six hour window to run as far as they wanted, getting to know an out and back stretch measuring just over 5.5k. Runners wanting to record a marathon could enjoy eight ‘laps’, and the mathematically astute may have noted that this totalled well over 44k.
Runners had ample time to ponder the decision not to simply bring the turnaround point forward 112 metres! But on a positive note, the homemade cakes at race HQ were marvellous.
MAC’s premier weather forecaster confidently predicted a dry event – and so naturally it rained for the first half hour. In order to spare their meteorology credentials, we won’t name her.
Despite the rain – or perhaps because of it – the first lap was enjoyable. The track winding through fields, along the river, several occasions where runners could choose between snapping their ankles in a damp cattle grid, or stopping to fumble through a pedestrian gate. At the first turnaround, a trio of MACs found themselves (unintentionally) at the sharp end of the pack. The nice thing about an out and back is that you regularly pass your clubmates, and we all enjoyed some smiles, high fives and cheery “well done” encouragement as we passed each other.
And then the sun came out… and it all got very hard work. The route wasn’t particularly steep, but a combination of humidity, undulations, twists and turns and all those gates took their toll. The smiles became grimaces, and the high fiving stopped. It was just one of those days for grinding it out – and another one ticked off for Dan.
Representing the ladies, Lisa Walton had originally intended to just come for support and do a lap or two. In the end, she had so much fun that she clocked four laps and a ‘heavy half marathon’ before the lure of the refreshment tent became too much.
Ian Watson clocked up five laps but had a few niggles and wisely decided that it wasn’t worth breaking himself for a longer distance.
Dennis Belbin carded six laps, providing the perfect warm up to a pre-planned rehydration event in Chesterfield that afternoon.
Dan and Andy ground out eight laps, and neither were inclined to pop round again for an ultra. For Dan, just another 1,310 miles until he can wear that prized 100 marathon shirt.
