Held for the last eight years and with continuous team involvement since 2004, the Horwich Carnival Races are a day long culmination of running and cycling events over the previous week, held within Horwich Town Centre which uniquely is completely closed to traffic for the day in order for the races to be run in safety.

Races around the town centre circuit included road walking and running events, fun runs, a bicycle obstacle relay, and various youth cycle races, including the Horwich Town Council British Cycling National Women’s Circuit Road Race Championships, the Craftprint Youths Cycle Races, Bolton Arena Schools Challenge Cycling Relay, a unique cycle race for Hand Cycles and multi-lap Senior and Junior Cycle events.

Sandwiched in between all these exciting events was the Horwich Carnival Procession, consisting of local and community groups, many on decorated floats, with the Bolton Scottish Pipe Band, Bourbon Street Jazz Band and Horwich Prize Morris Men.

In total 26 team members were present around the course, in four team Landrover Ambulances, and two team members vehicles adapted for the day to carry rescue and casualty care equipment to back up our four team vehicles. Our involvement was co-ordinated from our Control trailer, with direct links to the Races Marshal Team.

As with last year’s events, the lack of morning sunshine, accompanied by the ever present threat of rain kept away the crowds, but those present were treated to some fantastic athletes in a very varied selection of events. (and the weather did improve as the day went on)

Thankfully all the events passed without any requirement on our services however we were called to three seperate incidents not directly involved with the races. (see seperate report, Incident 43-2009)

The organisers and co-ordinators of this annual event, Horwich Carnival Races Committee, Lostock Athletics Club, Horwich Cycling Club and Horwich RMI Harriers and Athletics Club alongside Horwich Town Council and the event sponsors are to be congratulated on their skills and abilities on putting on such an event within their local community that attracts a great gathering of renowned sportsmen and women. (not forgetting all the Junior Athletes)

The team welcomes the opportunity to be associated with this local event and looks forward to next year’s Horwich Carnival Races (fingers crossed, it’s got to be sunny throughout next year!)

See the link to Horwich Carnival Races for more information.