Julian’s Pre-Christmas Trail Run from Ring O’Bells, Frodsham, Sat 17-Dec

Meet point:  Ring O'Bells pub, 2 Bellemonte Road, Overton, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 6BS.

My Christmas traditionally starts with a 7 (one lap) or 14 mile (two lap) run from Frodsham to Helsby Hill and back on the Saturday before Christmas.   We all meet at the Ring O’Bells pub in Frodsham at either 8:45am or 10:15am. The route is 80% off road and best run in fell shoes or trail shoes as it is usually muddy.  Everyone of all abilities is welcome.  It is not a race so we will muster back or wait if we spread out.  I expect some of our running friends from Helsby Running Club will join us too.  A few of them just turn up for the beer and food!

The first lap will start at 9am prompt so please arrive before, to be ready to start at 9am.  It is about 7miles per lap.  There is a wonderful descent on the path running off Helsby Hill, my personal “rave run” as they used to say in Runner’s World.

If you come to join us for the 2nd lap then arrive at 10:15am to set off at 10:30am. Geoff Wilson has volunteered to lead that slower group on lap 2.  The earlier group will come back stop for a few minutes for a drink or ditch some clothing, pick up any late arrivals or slightly faster runners from the pub car park and then set off to catch the others.

To ensure everyone gets food relatively quickly we need to pre-order your food choice via me (or Andy Smith if you are a Helsby RC runner). If you don’t pre-order you will still be able to chose from the pub menu but if you do expect it will be served after the rest of us.  Thus those who order will get priority service.  Remember we are expecting at least 20 of us.

To give choice I have asked for 5 meal options:

1. Hot Pot
2. Veggie Lasagne
3. Meat lasagne
4. Steak Pie
5. Chilli and Rice.

There will be some chips and crusty bread too.   Cost is £5.50 and for simplicity you can pay on the day.  I have provisionally booked 20 places as this is the number which fit in the room with the real fire.

[I hope to run both laps.  Note Janet and Mike Salmon have bought a house nearby and might be able to look after a tired runner while the others ran the 2nd lap but beware you may have to play with Robert and Heather to earn your cup of tea].  There are options for partners just to go for a walk nearby if they can’t run.   I hope we get snow again this year.

Please email me back ASAP, ideally by Sunday 11th December but the last date to accept the food pre-order is Tuesday 13th December.

Regards, Julian