The Glory Years - Northern Six Stage

‘A funny thing happened on the way’

It’s not uncommon for a driver to exit a motorway at the wrong junction. A car load of Spen runners managed to come off at the right junction but on the wrong motorway, taking the M1 to Knutsford resulted in three team members arriving half an hour after the start of the race on a rain soaked Tatton Park course. It was a case of last shall be first and Ray Padgett stepped forward at twenty minutes notice to start the usually high standard first leg. Michael Sykes gained eight places on the second leg, but Keith Miller found the third leg pace fast and lost four places. By this time the Motorway hoppers were seen hot footing across the park and Alf Wolfenden regained the four places, with Richard Lee gaining one more. On the last leg the runners are spread over a greater distance and Gary Damiani’s run, the fastest of the team and gaining four places, was a fine performance. The team was not at full strength due to returns to universities, holidays and injury. 67 teams finished, fastest leg = David Lewis, Rossendale (17:42).

Ray Padgett 54th 20:27
Michael Sykes 46th 20:03
Keith Miller 50th 21:13
Alf Wolfenden 46th 20:43
Richard Lee 45th 20:40
Gary Damiani 41st 19:57