Up, up and away at Meerbrook
It's the 3rd hilliest road race in the UK this weekend.
Grit your teeth and hold on for the Meerbrook 15K (Saturday 19 November), a tough race in the Staffordshire Moorlands which will blow away a few cobwebs for sure. The penultimate race in the 2022 NSRRA League Programme, it asks more than a few questions of whoever takes part.
The Meerbrook 15K is THE race for the hill lover and there is a particularly fine specimen in the form of Gun Hill. With 1,263ft of elevation this is a climb where you might just enter your ‘pain cave’ on the long hard slog upwards but will be rewarded with stunning views across the Cheshire Plain. Lock and load and keep going...
Runners of all abilities are attracted to this well organised event from photographer Mick Hall which offers a challenge that is hard to resist. There are also points to aim for – important to those competing in the NSRRA league, and prizes for the first three men and women, age groups and the first team.
The Race HQ is at Meerbrook Village Hall near Leek where runners collect their numbers then warm up ahead of the 10am start time. They set off down the main road and along a flat section for the first mile or so before the fun begins... Gun Hill!
Push on to the top and a quick breather before a lovely downhill stretch to turn over the legs again. Perfect. But don’t relax yet as there are more ascents along the way; however, the last two miles is all downhill to the finish.
There is a bright red tech t-shirt for every finisher along with a bottle of water.
There are virtual runs/walks for anyone unable to take part in the actual Meerbrook 15K. Details of this and entry options are available at the AV Timing website.
Image courtesy of Bryan Dale (Race Photos).