The registration was very easy and there were updates on Twitter so I didn’t worry when I hadn’t received my Race number as I knew that it had been posted. When my Race number arrived they very kindly included 4 safety pins! And very detailed Race Day Instructions which meant that I knew exactly what time to leave home and exactly where to park, which took away any anxiety.

On Arrival in Wilmslow, it was very well sign-posted and there were lots of marshalls around to direct us to the parking and then on to Race HQ. They used the local Leisure Centre for this and there were plenty of toilets inside the centre as well as portaloos outside (so no queues!) There was a Baggage Drop, which was excellent, and we waited in the warmth until it was time for the short walk to the start (again lots of signs and lots of marshalls!) The starting area was well signed for different estimated finishing times and the Announcer was keeping everyone informed as well as making us all jump to keep warm!

Once I got across the start line, the route was very kindly downhill (although not for long!) and there was a lot of support along the route. In the more rural areas the support thinned out but all the marshalls were lovely and there were still some locals out on a cold Sunday morning (including one lovely couple who were blasting out the Rocky theme tune as I shuffled past!)

The water stop was just after the 5k mark and there were plenty of marshalls and water so this was very easy. The race was advertised as being flat but my legs noticed a few hills! (luckily down as well as up!) and the final hill, as advertised after the 7km mark, was rather horrible when tired! The finish was again well marshalled with lots of volunteers handing out the goody bags. The goody bags included a fabulous medal, a foil blanket (which everyone used as it was a bitterly cold late-November morning) a huge flapjack and a load of Haribos! Just a short walk from the finish was a shuttle bus that took everyone back to the start. We collected our bags from Race HQ and got changed into warm, dry clothes and made our way back to the car park.

All in all, I could not fault this race at all. Excellent organisation, well signed, enthusiastic marshalls, lovely route and a great medal – all at a very reasonable price too!

Will definitely be signing up for the Alderley Edge bypass 10k (same organisers) and would DEFINITELY recommend this race!

Many thanks Wilmslow!