Distance learning
Last updated 12:16, Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Meet Alan, the skilled draughtsman who makes sure Cumbria's road races and fun runs are all accurate - down to the last centimetre.
ALAN Ritchie has been measuring all of his life. He was a skilled draughtsman before he retired and he now measures Cumbrian running courses to make sure their distances are accurate to within inches.
He is also a keen runner who has competed in long distance events for 20 years.
He said: “There’s nothing worse than having taken time to train and time yourself doing a course only to find out it wasn’t marked out accurately.
“In the 70s it was common for organisers to measure couses out in a car or from a map. It’s hopelessly inaccurate.”
Alan is the official measurer for this year’s Cumbrian Run Day on Sunday June 29, which includes three races - a 10k course, a three-mile route past Carlisle Castle and the 1.5-mile Hadrians Challenge.
The main 10k event has been named the Stephen Unwin Memorial Run, in tribute to the Border Harriers runner who collapsed and died during the 1984 Cumbrian Run. Food and drink will be laid on for all finishers courtesy of Stone Eden Nursery.
There is no age restriction on the 1.5 mile family fun run, but entrants to the 3 mile course must be at least 13-years-old while entrants in the 10k event must be at least 15-years-old.
All finishers in the three events will recieve a goody bag and medal, with finishers in the 10k also being given a t-shirt.
Alan Ritchie said: “I’m all for the new run day, anything that encourages fresh air and a bit of exercise has to be a good thing.
“It helps to motivate people because it gives them something to aim for and gives them a target.
“If you don’t have a target or a date to aim for it’s quite likely you’ll miss a day or have a lapse in training.
“The shorter races are good for families because they’re suitable for all ages.
“It’s great to be out in the fresh air. It makes you feel so much better and improves your whole quality of life. You eat better, sleep better and generally do everything better.
“When you stop doing it you start feeling uncomfortable and almost guilty so that forces you to go back.
“I’m not a gym person, I like to be out in the elements because you get so many differing conditions to challenge you.
“It’s also a very sociable activity. When I first started going out running there weren’t many other people out doing it. Nowadays there are so many doing it, you get to know new people through it.
“It gives a real satisfaction and it gives you something you can always look back on as something you’ve achieved.”
Entry to the 10k event is £12 or £10 for AAA members, the 3 Mile run is £7.00 per person or £6 for school entrants or affiliated runners and the 1.5 Mile event is £4.00 per person or £3 for school runners.
- Further information and application forms for all events are available from the Run Office on 01228 625444 or email mikej@carlisle.gov.uk .
