Liverpool Half

Many thanks to Diane Aykroyd for this excellent report –

I decided to join Clare, Jaz and Sue to run the Liverpool HM and after an eventful year for at least one of us the decision was taken to run and walk it so we could conserve our energy and complete the course.

The day before Sue was feeling a little under the weather and we were not sure she was up to it; but being the fighter she is we were all in the start corral dressed in our HPH vests, Minnie Mouse ears and red spotted tutu’s.

The atmosphere was electrifying even without the impromptu air guitar playing by Sue and Clare and soon we were pounding the streets and parks of Liverpool.

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The route was wonderful starting at the vibrant Albert Dock and winding its way into the City passing Mathew Street home of the Cavern Club and obligatory stop for a photo, after turning back into the city there is a steady incline towards the beautiful gates of Chinatown.

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We are doing ok and getting lots of shout outs as we headed towards Upper Parliament St – a bit of a climb. We then ran and walked past some beautiful Victorian houses before heading into Princess Park and then almost straight away into Sefton Park and thank goodness a little shade and a few downhill bits. We made lots of friends along the way singing about a little mouse with clogs on and chanting we are running really well E I N G O we are running really well

Starting to flag we decided to run each half mile for someone special and of course the first one was Ben.

However we were slightly energised by a brief foray up and down Penny Lane where the Beatles song was blasting out and another photo opportunity was taken.

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Through a bit of a funny subway and s nice downhill before reaching the stretch winding along by the River Mersey we resorted to the lamp post challenge – running then waking between posts. I had heard about the breeze along the waterfront but it was nowhere to be seen and the intense heat although sapping our strength was not going to stop us now.

I am glad to say we were not the last to finish even if we were the last to start. It was quite an emotional end as Sue only finished her Chemo at the end of January but….

‘Do You Want To Know a Secret’ it felt like ‘A Hard Days Night’ however we did it with a ‘Little Help From Our Friends’ and we were ‘Glad All Over’ even if we did ‘Cry Baby Cry’ and it was like a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ especially up and down ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘If We Can Work It Out’ we will have ‘Rock and Roll Music’ and a ‘Ticket to Ride’ to ‘Run For Your Life’ next year because you ‘Really Got A Hold On Me’ Liverpool!!!

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Diane Aykroyd

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