LYMM Runners kept their cool tackling the 31-mile Cheshire Stately Homes ultramarathon last weekend as they visited four of Cheshire’s most iconic stately homes in one day!
This was for a new race for club members only – the Cheshire Stately Homes Ultramarathon, conceived by Kieran Walshe, a seasoned ultrarunner and one of the club’s founders.
The race started at 7am from Lymm Library and entrants went on a circular route on lanes and footpaths to Walton Hall, Arley Hall, Tatton Park and Dunham Massey Hall before finishing back in Lymm. It all happened on one of the hottest days of the year so far – with temperatures that day reaching 28C.
Twenty-one solo runners took part plus eight teams of either two or three, all supported by volunteers, who provided food, drink and ice lollies at the checkpoints. Runners also enjoyed a cooling hose-down, courtesy of one inventive volunteer who was waiting for them en-route.
First solo male runner to finish was Sam Stephens in a remarkable 4 hours 30 minutes, while first solo female was Fae Garland in 5 hours 39 minutes. The first team to finish was a trio of Jack Pilkington, Phil Rowen and Mark Bainton in an impressive 4 hours 16 minutes.
Kieran Walshe commented: “It was a lovely day out running in beautiful Cheshire countryside, even if it was a bit hot! Thanks go to all the volunteers who helped out, and especially to Alice Mulhall who designed a classic T-shirt for runners!”
After the race, many runners and their families enjoyed the annual Lymm Runners summer party at the Tennis Club where they exchanged anecdotes and speculated about whether this ultramarathon might become a regular fixture in the running calendar.
