Grab your Shellsuit Gromit!

Fresh from running the Grand Prix races and also the excellent dancing and entertainment at the TAC 20th birthday party the night before, we made our way deep into Scouse territory for the Penny Striders 10k road race. With the promise of a flat fast new course layout, could it be a PB day?

Yet another early start as always as this one was a 10.30am kick off, we weren't too sure what to expect as we made our way there. But as we arrived at the Police Social HQ at Aigburth we were greeted with both fantastic views over the river Mersey and some quite decent weather, although there was quite a stiff breeze in the air.

Usual pre-race routine of picking up numbers and chips then we warmed up before making our way to the start out on the playing fields. We set off at 10.30 am prompt alongside just short of 400 runners for this event.

The race began with a long loop around the playing fields before making its way out onto the main road for the drop down onto the seafront. Once on the front it was nice and flat but we were greeted by a rather heavy strong head wind blowing in off the Mersey.

There was quite a drag up to the bandstand for the turn around at 4 km with the headwind really impacting our times and any possible PBs. At least at the turn around we had the wind behind us but not for long as we turned off the prom and into a wooded park area.

This is where the course covers some climbs and begins to become more of a trail race as we completed a 4K loop around the park and back on the prom for the last 1K.

By the time we had hit the 9K mark it was definitely not looking like a PB day but we pushed on to see what we could achieved anyhow. The last 500m is a bit of climb back to the entry to the playing field with a fast sprint to the finish.

We were both happy with our times and results and given the course and the strong head wind, and on reflection it was never going to be a PB day. Still a great course and quite a nice venue looking out over the Mersey.

Back on with Wallace and Gromit road tour before the Grand Prix kicks in the final three races in July. Windmill Half Marathon next although Wallace will be off to do the Catforth 10K before then.