PRAYERS were finally answered as the sun decided to make an appearance at the High Legh Robert Moffat Memorial 14th Anniversary 10k race on Sunday March 12.
What’s more, Lymm Radio turned up to broadcast live, creating even more of a party atmosphere than usual.
Some 480 runners from all over the local area arrived to run the 10K route, supported, as ever, by a super-efficient organising team, friendly marshals on the course and local High Legh residents, who came out to cheer everyone on.
The male and female winners were Chris Stanford of Warrington AC who completed the course in 32 minutes and 42 seconds and Nicola Reece of Wilmslow Running Club in 38 minutes and 39 seconds both narrowly missing out on course records. Winners of the First Male and Female High Legh residents home were Cathal McCosker in 38 minutes and 1 second and Corrie Gerrard in 49 minutes and 22 seconds.
Race Director, James Hurrell commented ‘I’d like to congratulate to Chris, Nicola, Cathal and Corrie and also give a mention the other ‘winners’: namely those that battled injury and doubt to get to the start line, those who ran for a charity or those who simply completed their first 10K run, including the Cherry Tree Running Group and the recent graduates from the Lymm Runners Beginners Course – we salute you!’
And one of these ‘other’ winners from Warrington commented ‘I did the High Legh 10K and wasn’t feeling too good……I loved that lots of the runners and marshals made sure I was OK. Amazing People, Thank you.’
The race, of course, isn’t just a fun morning out, it also benefits the local community as proceeds go towards High Legh projects, the High Legh Primary PTA, local school sports initiatives and as a first for this year, we also donated funds to Warrington Foodbank which included money we raised from selling excess T-shirts which added a further £150 to the Foodbank total. Many runners also took advantage of the opportunity to give money to Tees for Trees instead of having a T shirt in their goody bag, resulting in a donation of over £650.00 for the charity.
Nick Gerrard, Race Team Chair commented, ‘Lymm Runners and the High Legh Community Association would like to thank all the volunteers without whom this friendly and popular event would not be possible: this includes the organising committee, the goody bag and registrations teams and also the ever-cheerful Marshals who always have such a positive impact on the runners, and not forgetting those who helped to clear up. It’s a fabulous team to work with on a great community event’
We have had more sponsors than ever this year and they have been, as ever, very generous. We would like to thank them for their donations of cheques, vouchers or in kind, including plants, water, fruit and other prizes.’
The race will be back again in 2024, after everyone has had a well-earned rest!
All photos courtesy Brian Tuohey Photography
Chris Stanford and Nicola Reece with the Winners trophy 2023
Wilmslow Women and Lymm runners men, the two winning teams 2023
Chris Stanford Male winner 2023
Nicola Reece Female winner 2023
Sponsors: Groobarbs, Kilton Inn, Roberts Bakery, Sainsbury’s Lymm, The Jolly Thresher, Abbey Leys Farm Shop, Battlefield Live Knutsford, High Legh Park Golf Club, High Legh Garden Centre, Mustang Digital Marketing, Sheldons Dairy Knutsford, Moto in the Community Trust, Mere Golf Resort and Spa, Road Maintenance Services Ltd, The Bears Paw Country Inn and Restaurant, Samantha Foxall Sports Massage & Therapy, Co-Op, and Lymm Radio
