Windmill 6 2021

This was the first face to face race I’ve done since lockdown started in 2019 and it was great to be back amongst other runners again, all with numbers pinned to their shirts.  The Windmill 6 is well named, apart from running past the windmills above Ingbirchworth, it is always breezy and today was no exception.  Organisation was good with participants pre-registering online and selecting their own starting wave (in 10 minute blocks).  This worked well and due to the chip embedded in the race numbers, runners could pretty much start when they wanted by crossing the start mat.  Number pickup was very smooth and all runners did their best to keep to social distancing guidelines with many wearing masks as well.  This race is part of the South Huddersfield Road & Trail series which means that runners can keep their number for all races.  This will make what was already a safe start even safer for future events.  I overheard a competitor at the end congratulating the organisers saying that they had felt very safe and thanking the organisers for putting on the event.

The run itself was well signed and marshalled.  After an uphill start the race drops down slightly and then undulates until just after the half way point for a short steep section past the viewpoint at Royd Moor.  The run back in is a straight 2.5 miles which again is a mixture of ups and downs, none of them being very steep.  It was nice to see some support on the course and runners could be heard urging each other on.

The finish at 6 miles is always a welcome sight and the timing mat gave a satisfying ‘beep’ as runners crossed the line signifying that they had completed their run and their time had been recorded.  Finishers could help themselves to water and a quality medal once across the line and although there was no official presentation due to the staggered start, there was a good atmosphere as runners caught up with colleagues that they may not have seen for 12 months or more.

Vicky sent this comment through after the race:

• It was great – really well organised & so lovely to be running with other people. I loved watching all the coloured shirts making their way along the road ahead of me 🙂
  I had a really good run, accidentally! But this totally retains its place as my favourite 6 miler 🙂

A big thank you to the marshals that stood in the cold wind directing and encouraging runners, the Kirklees Radnet radio comms team, and to the organisers Jon and Matt for putting on an excellent Sunday morning’s racing.  Hopefully many more to come.

-Kevin Dessoy

11 Harriers took part, posting some great times:

Full results can be found here.