Thur 8 August 2019, Sale Ten Harriers made the trip over to Manchester for the final 5k in the club’s road championship, the competitive and popular Sale Sizzler. Held at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester it is a PB course, being flat and apart from a couple of 90 degree turns has good straights on mostly tarmac paths. The race started in ideal conditions at 7.30pm prompt from the track. It was chip timed as there were almost 700 people taking part with areas for expected times from sub 16mins to 28 mins arranged back from the start line. Once underway a lap of the track was concluded before running out into the park where a two lap route was completed before heading back to the track for a final lap. At the finish medals were given out to people who had completed all four Sizzlers while everyone was given a goody bag with various items of food and drink and a car freshener. The race series this year was supporting St Ann’s Hospice and had raised more than £4000.
The first of the male Harriers to cross the line was the ever-improving Andy Whaley, who finished just inside the top sixty in a new a PB time of 17:13. Next in was the returning Simon Collins, who felt every bit the runner who hasn’t raced for a few months staggering home in 17:28. It was a close battle between Mariusz Kovacs (18:26) and Neil McDonald (18:29) to be third male home. In the women’s race Julie Tyrer (24:48) edged out Susan Ashcroft (25:05), with Sue Wickham (28:21) next to cross the line. Other Harriers who ran were Darren Kinder (19:42), Alan Appleby (22:33) and Ian Patterson (24:03). The overall race winners were Michael Cayton (14:57) and Kirsty Longley (17:04).