All eyes were on the weather. We’d already contended with Ashley, Bert and Conall. Would the Steel City Striders signature 30th Anniversary Percy Pud have to be postponed for a second year while yet another named storm lashed through the lovely Loxley Valley?
The course was set up on Saturday by the fabulous organising team, Richard, Alan, Barry, Pete, Luigi and a motley crew of volunteers keen to make sure it would go ahead and keen to preview the 2024 Percy Pud hat. The sun shone and spirits rose. Even the marquee hire firm thought it couldn’t happen twice, though they did insist on the al fresco style to keep it on the ground this time.
Puddings, hats and fridge magnets all in place. Streets efficiently swept, cones liberally distributed, volunteers ready and willing. We held our breath.
Sunday morning was wet. It was that miserable grey drizzly stuff that generally means you peep out and opt for another hour or two in bed. Yet just over 3000 hardy folk, competitors old and new, some in costume, some with charities to support, others with pb’s in mind and all grateful that last year’s postponed and then cancelled race would go ahead appeared, warmed up, took selfies and lined up dutifully for a 9:30 on-the-dot start.
Matt Rimmer from MyRacekit North assembled the pacers. I’d popped in for a chat a day or two earlier to discuss tactics. I wanted to finish inside 47 minutes so thought I’d go off with Matt, the 45 minute pacer and allow that group to surge ahead whilst not letting Malcolm Baggaley 50 minute pacer get too close.
It worked well on the day. Matt took his running cohort off and I focused on my internal metronome to get me round. That 8thk to the dam wall felt particularly challenging but the metronome held firm and I crossed the line in 46:31 chip , a few seconds faster than my 2022 Percy Pud to take the W70 prize. Even better, the rain had stopped and a watery sun greeted us as we lined up for our puddings. Son Joel had had a good race too. He pb’d in 38:18, 40 seconds faster than his 2019 best of 39:00.
Dot on the return from The Plough (Photo by Debbie Smith)
When I wrote up my log later in the day I noted this was my twelfth Percy Pud race and tenth age group win over four age groups, my first in 2011 at the tender age of 59. I recall setting a target of 60 minutes all those years ago and being delighted to achieve it. Helen Eberlin, W75 winner this year was pretty happy to hear I’ll be hanging around in this group for a year or two yet.
The race was won by Tommy Power, Hallamshire Harriers in 00:30.03.
First woman was Fran Collett, unattached in 00:34.51.
Full results can be found on www.results.sporthive.com
Left to right, Kate Waddicor, W70 runner up; Fiona Jeffries, W55 runner up; Dot Kesterton, W70 winner; Helen Eberlin, W75 winner.
Acknowledgements: My thanks and appreciation to the Percy Pud organising team for their tireless attention to making the event the phenomenon it has become since 1993.
Also to my own support group:
John Rothwell – Coach.
Donovan Blake – MSc, Strength and conditioning.
Matt Rimmer – MyRacekit North, Kit.
Sally Fawcett – Active Recovery.
Joel Kesterton – Running buddy.
