The day kicked off in traditional Macmillan Cycletta style with the kids strutting their stuff in the LittleLife Scootathlon, a fun mini multi-sport event involving a scoot, bike and run. The kids took to the Scootathlon like ducks to water tearing around the course without a care in the world, eager to reach the finish line to pick up their fantastic LittleLife Scootathlon medal.
Once the scootathletes had re-gained their breath and picked up their medals, it was the turn of the ladies to show us what they could do, starting with the mighty 100km ride. The crisp and foggy morning added to the excitement on the start line with over a hundred ladies nervous with anticipation at taking on the mammoth 100km ride through Cheshire’s most picturesque countryside. Lining up alongside her fellow 100km riders was an extra special lady, who knew the drill all too well. Melanie Hurley lined up in Tatton Park to complete her final Macmillan Cycletta after having taken on five of the six previous Macmillan Cyclettas. Melanie, a breast cancer survivor, has now raised over £1000 for Macmillan over the course of the six 100km Cycletta rides she has taken part in over the series. This is no easy feat so a huge congratulations must go out to Melanie as she is a huge inspiration to us all.
Shortly following the 100km riders was the equally daunting 50km ride, the most popular distance at this year’s Macmillan Cycletta Cheshire. There was to be much the same mood on the start line of the 50km ride as in the 100km, hundreds of ladies eager to put the hours of training to the test on the best and most picturesque roads Cheshire has to offer. In amongst her fellow 50km riders was a familiar face in BBC News’ Louise Minchin. Louise, having recently competed for Team GB at the recent ITU World Triathlon Championships in Chicago, was evidently not feeling the effects of her recent triathlon exploits, finishing the 50km in a fantastic time of 2:03:41, alongside her friend and cycling partner Elaine Eatwell, who finished in an equally impressive time of 2:03:43.
The last of the ladies to set off from the event village were the 20km riders. Although this was the shortest distance of the day, it was great to see so many challenge themselves to take on the 20km distance and all for great and varied causes as well. It was fantastic to see the joy and sense of achievement on everyone’s faces as they crossed the finish line in Tatton Park. Awaiting all finishers was a great Liv goody bag, including an array of goodies, from a Spatone liquid iron supplement to a bag of Popchips, a medal and all their friends, family and crew cheering them across the finish line.
A big thank you must go to Liv for providing mechanical support to all those that needed it on the course, as well as in the event village, and Macmillan Cancer Support who were a great presence in the event village all day and were there to cheer all the Team Macmillan fundraisers through as they approached the finish line. It was also great to have Zipvit Sport’s high performance energy products out on the feedstations helping to fuel tiring cyclists all the way to the finish.
The day ended in fitting fashion, as we were treated to a Super Moon lighting up the picturesque Tatton Park, closing the fantastic 2015 Macmillan Cycletta Series in stunning style!