Sandstone Trail Record

[Splatcher]

Just to clarify for anyone not familiar with the local geography, the fire station race route missed out about 3km at the Whitchurch end of the current Sandstone Trail, starting at Grindley Brook. It finished at almost the same place as the current end of the Trail, but took a different route down into Frodsham, going via the original end of the Trail at the Beacon Hill car park. Mario's 1994 time of 4:07, he estimates would have meant around 4:20 had he been running today's Trail route.

Go for it, harrymoon!

[Cheenis]

Harrymoon - did you give it a go on the weekend? How did you find it?

I was walking there on Monday and bumped into Robbie - I hope I'm banging out an hour long run for fun when I'm in my 70's! He was telling me that the trail was a lot rougher when Mario did it and some of the fields were just ploughed up so it was tough underfoot - put's mario's time into perspective! I definately need to have another go, just not sure when I'll go for it.

[harrymoon]

Hi Cheenis

Had a good run on Friday last, 3 hours 36 minutes so hopefully stands me in good stead for the distance, did the Helsby hill run to Frodsham then ran the Sandstone trail to Delamere, took some trails in Delamere then back to the club house, felt a little tired Sat/Sun so rested then drove to Whitchurch monday to do a recce again, got quite far but obviously had to turn back to get to the car, was out for 2 hours 40 monday. Rested again Tuesday and just drove to Bickerton tonight and scraped through another 2 hours although lost the light at the end so was a bit ropey.

Gonna make an attempt on Saturday, feel confident with the route now, should be setting off 9.30ish, at least that's the plan but getting a lift so we'll see. Parents will meet me at Beeston with some aftershave and a new tux for the 2nd half!

Will be doing the Deeside Multi-terrain friday night so hopefully that can be my warm up.

Will give you a text on sat if I complete!

Best

H

[Splatcher]

Hi Cheenis

ake an attempt on Saturday, feel confident with the route now, should be setting off 9.30ish, at least that's the plan but getting a lift so we'll see. Parents will meet me at Beeston with some aftershave and a new tux for the 2nd half!

Give it some welly Adair - you've got a record to set. I'll be thinking of you on Saturday morning. Mind you, I'll have been running for 4 1/2 hours by the time you set off... At about half the speed you'll be doing mind you.

[Cheenis]

Good luck Adair! You'll certainly be in a better position than I was, I hadn't run more than 10 miles for a long time and only 1 over 20 in the year so you've totally done the right thing. I'm thinking a sub 4:45, maybe even sub 4:30 judging by what you've done and the wise plan of support at Beeston. I was dehydrated for about a day and a half as I just thought I'd be able to fill up more along the way.

The first 10k is pretty brisk and there is a sandstone marker there; don't concentrate on the distance, but break it up into sections - I got into survival mode too early & I think breaking it down into sections in my mind would have helped. I'm thinking I will go for a winter attempt post sandstone trail race and maybe mid November. I'm really tempted to come out and meet you, but we've got friends coming to stay for the weekend, oh and I wouldn't be able to keep up!

Have a great run!

[harrymoon]

Cheers for the support!

Good luck with your run too Andy.

Have broken it down into three stages, basically the first section is to the start of the official Sandstone Race,
then i'll treat the second section as I would the race and try and push quite hard, then will grit my teeth once I am
at Delamere and go for broke............if things work out along the way..

Not sure what to expect but anything less than 5 hours i'll be really happy with so we'll see.

Longest I will have run so a personal achievement no matter what happens!

[harrymoon]

just thought for anybody outside of the area or anyone wishing to have a go themselves, there is a free pdf booklet of basic maps and guide available FREE from the council here

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.go...one_trail.aspx

Just download the PDF Booklet here

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.go...d68&version=-1

Cheers

[marshalini]

Haven't been on the FRA forum in ages but just checked in to see if Harry had posted about his run today.

Updated list with my precise time and date.

John Rowlands - 7:00 approx - S Cheshire Harriers (06/06/2010)
Chris Baynham-Hughes - 5:29 - Helsby RC (24/07/2010)
Andy Robinson - 6:12 - Helsby RC (14/08/2010)
Chris Vardy - 6:12 - Norfolk OC (14/08/2010)
Chris Marshall - 5:44:27.61 - Ellesmere Port RC - (12/01/2008)

Link to my Runners World Forum post of my run.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/...&cp=48&v=6&sp=

At the start, bloody freezing.

At the finish looking thoroughly miserable,dirty and knackered.

[harrymoon]

You got home ok then Marshallini, was good to see you today, sorry I was mincing rather than running at the end!

As for time, ended with 5.32.26

Cheenis, you are the man to beat! Not sure there was much else I could have done today really as had no legs after about 4 hours. Looking forward to another attempt now I know I can at least get round.

After doing that run, makes me realise how mightily impressive Mario's run was and people who can knock out those distances on a regular basis (Andy!!)

See you on the trail sometime people. Let's be careful out there :d

hm

[harrymoon]

The order of Merit

Chris Baynham-Hughes - 5:29 - Helsby RC (24/07/2010)
Adair Broughton - 5.32.26 - Helsby RC (04/09/2010)
Chris Marshall - 5:44:27.61 - Ellesmere Port RC - (12/01/2008)
Andy Robinson - 6:12 - Helsby RC (14/08/2010)
Chris Vardy - 6:12 - Norfolk OC (14/08/2010)
John Rowlands - 7:00 approx - S Cheshire Harriers (06/06/2010)