As part of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue’s athletics section, I travelled down to St. Annes with some others to take part in this annual Fire Service 10 mile championships. Having ran this race several times in the late 90’s I was expecting the conditions to be nothing less than atrocious – howling winds and cold, driving rain. I, and every other runner, were astounded to find that the conditions were amazing for this out-and-back seafront race. Perhaps even a little bit too hot!
In the lead up to this race, I had convinced myself that I had a sub 60 minute time in my legs. Not surprisingly – having ran 17:40 at the previous days Dunky Wright 5k – this prediction promptly fell flat on it’s face as the wheels buckled after only 3 miles. Under 18 mins for the first 3 miles, the next 7 miles saw my legs get increasingly more tired and heavy. So much so that, at the turnaround point, and into just the slightest headwind, I all but gave up. It wasn’t until one of my colleagues informed me that I was sitting as 3rd firefighter, that I decided to dig in and attempt to hold this position. I managed to pass, who I thought was, the 2nd place firefighter but he quickly came back at me. This was repeated a few times over the last 4 miles, and each time he always seemed to have more energy, and always comfortably had an answer for my challenge.
In the end I finished the race in 24th place overall, and 4th firefighter. It transpired that the winning firefighter was apparently wearing his own club colours, so my colleague wasn’t able to distinguish him from the other runners.
Here’s how the fire service race finished.
1st – Chris Wales – Lancashire Fire & Rescue – 1:01:34
2nd – Brendan McMillan – Tyne & Wear F&R – 1:02:44
3rd – Andy Garside – Humberside F&R – 1:02:45
4th – Gordon Curran – Strathclyde F&R – 1:02:57
