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With at least 130 runners on the starting grid, The Great Stanwix Run 2009 started in glorious sunshine and took to the streets of Stanwix for the very first time.
 Start line This was first of all a family fun run and that was the overwhelming atmosphere of the afternoon. But you know how it is with the youngsters ... they just want to compete. Jack G, Charlie M, Mikey and Jess hammered out of the gates of Cumbria University's Brampton Road Campus onto Tarraby Lane, all keen to do the best they could.
After 2 minutes, it was pretty clear nobody would be in any danger of catching Jack G. At first I had trouble keeping ahead of him on my bike as I led the pack round the course. Very quickly, Charlie, Mikey and Jess were left behing in the dust clouds as we cruised through Stanwix at a good pace, past all the marshalls who had come out to help Stanwix Community Association run the event safely.
 Steward Further on as we came to the major crossroads we whizzed pass several PCSAs who had also turned out to safeguard these potentially lethal road crossings.
 Stewards As the race turned into Knowefield Crescent, Jack was probably a good 150 m ahead of his closest competition. Within 12 minutes or so of starting, Jack was turning into the gates of the University Campus to the applause of the small crowd who were gathered to support the event. Well done Jack!
At this point a slight gap in our planning appeared as 1 runner disappeared up the leafy end of Tarraby Lane. Unfortunately, I grasped the wrong end of the stick and thought he had gone back down Beech Grove where other marshalls would be turning him round. It wasn't until the runners irate Dad arrived, on my bike, and set off up the lane in pursuit of his rapidly disappearing son that I realised my mistake. Fortunately young son was quickly recovered and finished the race in good time. Guess where we will be putting a marshall next time if this event becomes a regular .
As the competitive, youthful contingent cooled down, the more fun oriented runners arrived at the final corner (marshalled by me now).
There were runners of all ages with the youngest being around the 2 mark and the oldest apparently, a very spry 72.
There was a really good feel to the afternoon now, as mums, dads, pushchairs,
toddlers and even a fairy; trotted, walked,
piggy backed
By the time the stragglers returned, prizegiving was under way. The Mayor of Carlisle, Jacqueline Geddes, suitably refreshed after an encounter with a Cassidy toilet, still had enough composure left to present the cups to 1st place runner, Jack Glenholmes; 2nd place Charlie McSkeen and ; 3rd placed Mike Reid.
A huge part of the race was about the number of children who took part, and as we are pretty used to around Stanwix - behaved brilliantly well. After the poor press that so many children seem to attract, it was refreshing to a large number of children simply having a go and mucking in.
Typical was the reaction of the first 3 actual finishers, to the news that Charlie had gotten lost, because of our unanticipated marshalling gap at the corner of Tarraby Lane and Beech Grove. They verbally mugged Mike James and insisted that the 2nd place trophy be given to Charlie who had been the only runner in sight of Jack all the way round. So Michael and Jess, well done for your sporting attitude and for getting into the real spirit of a fun run.
The Great Stanwix Run 2009 was a great success in a nicely low key way. The vast majority of runners seemed to be familiar faces from within the community, supported by lots of friends from outside the area. So a great big thankyou to all who took part. We have no idea yet how much sponsorship will be raised, but we are looking forward to banking a sizeable little windfall to get the community hut rebuilding fund started. Which in turn, means we need to say a huge thankyou to everyone who contributed to that sponsorship fund.
The event was mainly organised by Mike James of GBEvents, who gave his time and organisational skills for free, so thanks again there Mike. The members and temporarily enslaved associates of the Stanwix Community Association were all giving their time to marshall the event.
Thanks are also due to the members of the British Red Cross who turned out to give first aid cover; the Police Community Support Officers who safeguarded everyone at the junctions and our Lady Mayor, Mrs. Jacquelyne Geddes, who kindly supported the starting and finishing formalities.
A final mention needs to be made of Asda who donated the goodie bags for everyone at the end of the race, this is a really valuable contribution to events like this and far too frequently it's taken for granted. Many thanks to ASDA.
This was a really good example of the Stanwix Community getting together and making something happen, well done everyone. Now lets see if we can get a few more people involved in the efforts to keep the Stanwix Community Association up to strength, (Secretary Wanted!) and get a bit of a buzz going about getting our community facilities rebuilt.
As the Great Stanwix Run 2009 fades into memory what does 2010 hold?
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