Towneley 5k 2021

Posted: July 13, 2021

When is a 10k not a 10k? When it is a 5k (obviously)!!

Last minute major roadworks almost caused the cancellation of the Towneley 10k. Instead, the organisers opted to reduce the distance to 5k and run it entirely within Towneley Park – a really pleasant oasis situated on the outskirts of Burnley.

This was the first “non Club” event in the 2021 Club Road Championships and 4 intrepid Harriers (Heidi O’Shea, Jane Stirling, Rob Kersey & Mike Hall) ventured over to the “dark side” on a warm and cloudy Sunday morning.

Due to the event change, and to reduce numbers running in the park at any one time, the race was split in two with both a ladies & mens race.

Local teams made up the bulk of the entrants with Trawden vests (Colne) being particularly plentiful. With relatively limited numbers we were also able to “enjoy” the experience of a mass start for the first time in well over a year (inter Club races excluded of course).

As for the racing, our joint Club Road Secretary Heidi led the four of us home in an impressive 24 mins 19 secs. Mike was a minute behind that time (25 mins 20 secs), with Rob 26 mins 45 sec & Jane 27 mins 32 secs.

Whilst Heidi, Mike & Jane were relatively pleased with their times Rob had a bit of a mare!! In his own words …. “I ran like a complete novice” and was “into oxygen debt by 1/2 mile”. The only upside of this was that Mike was able to beat Rob in a race for the very first time!!

A few race photos are attached to this post.

Next up in the Club Road Championships is the Norton 9 on Sunday 8th August. Entry is available via the link on the following page.