Well done to everyone who competed in this year’s PUMA Stockport 10. It was another brilliant event with a fantastic atmosphere and some great performances. As usual, the race was praised for superb organisation, great sense of fun, and its friendly and supportive marshals and other volunteers.
Particularly popular was the race opening which saw Stockport Harrier Brian Leigh do a lap of the track to the Chariots of Fire theme with his Olympic torch, a huge firework at the start, and a burst of the Benny Hill theme as runners set off. Our very own Tony Audenshaw provided an ever-entertaining commentary.
This year we introduced chip timing for the first time ever. Sorry about an initial hiccup which led to many runners receiving inaccurate times by text. This has been rectified and you can view the accurate results on the chiptiming.co.uk website. The men’s race was hotly contested with a thrilling finish on the track. Mohammed Abu-Rezeq of Altrincham & District AC won in 49.55, closely followed by Josh Lilly of Tipton Harriers who took second in a time of 49.57, and Andi Jones (unattached) who came third in 49.58.
James Scott-Buccleuch was the first Stockport Harrier to cross the line, finishing in 55.20. Stockport’s Jack Nixon, running the race for the first time, was the first male junior to finish in a great time of 56.37, finishing in 11th place overall. Stockport’s David Mellor won the M60 category in 1:10:18.
The women’s race was won by GB International Susan Partridge of Leeds City AC in 57.43. Louise Blizzard of Belgrave Harriers came second in 1:02:47 and Amy Green from Keighley & Craven AC came third in 1:03:06. Sam Jones was first woman home for Stockport in 1:07:11, next was Jayne Lawton coming first in the F40 category in 1:07:54. Stockport’s Kerrie-Wood Doyle came first in the F45 category in 1:08:36.
As usual, the race has had amazing feedback on the Runner’s World website. The comment “Love, love, love this race” pretty much sums it up.
We’d like to thank PUMA for sponsoring the race, Global Therapies for coming along and providing free sports massage, Stockport’s Fit4less gym, Lo Salt and everyone who contributed to the ever-popular goody bag. As people point out year after year, the PUMA Stockport 10 is one of the UK’s most special races. It lacks many of the factors that make other races popular: it’s not flat, it’s not scenic, and it’s not traffic-free. But it’s well organised, fun, well supported and has a unique atmosphere, it sells out quickly every year as many runners return and its reputation spreads. Thank you to race director Neil Thompson, the organising committee, all of our amazing volunteers and spectators, and all the runners who helped make the PUMA Stockport 10 such a brilliant event.