Chorley 6 Hours Road Race

On Saturday, 7th October, Les Hill achieved another UK record in the Chorley 6 hours road race in his new 60 to 64 age category. 

He ran 65.4K, 40.6 miles, to beat the previous record by 2.5 miles. This was only 3K less than when he got the 55 to 59 age record last year. However, this year the conditions were poor so Les thinks this was a better run. There was light rain for five of the six hours making parts of the 0.45 mile loop (and Les did a little over 89) muddy with many puddles. The conditions made him feel cold at times causing several clothing changes during the event.

On arrival at the race Les was given two numbers, one for front and back, and within the first hour he realised everyone else had only one number. Apparently this was because the organisers expected him to have a go at the record, after his run the previous year, and so the two numbers were to ensure the lap counters had no excuse for missing him. There were times during the run when he struggled to keep tabs on his progress but his super handler, wife Margaret, kept him updated and relaxed so before 5 hours had elapsed he was confident of getting the record. He passed that goal with 21 minutes to go and was delighted to do another 2.5 miles in that period and so raising the benchmark significantly higher.

Les covered 15 miles in the first two hours and then gradually slowed due to tiring and having to stop for clothing changes and refuelling. His average pace for the six hours was 6.77 miles per hour. In effect he ran six and a half 10K runs back to back or 13 consecutive Parkruns without a break