Held for the last eleven years and with continuous team involvement since 2004, the Horwich Festival of Racing formerly known as the Horwich Carnival Races, are a day long series of running, street orienteering and road cycling events 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 running events, fun runs, various youth and senior cycle races, and for the second year running, a Street Orienteering Challenge event.

The children line up for their cycle race – the youngest competitor was 3!

In total 23x Team Call Out list members were present around the course, in four team Land Rover Ambulances, and the teams minibus, (Appropriately equipped for the event). Our involvement was co-ordinated from our Control trailer, with direct links to the Races Marshal Team. (With very experienced team members Mike Marsh and Steven Fletcher in charge of the teams involvement, whilst our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE assisted and remained available to deal with any other calls on the teams services)

Mark Scott, Gill Leigh, John Dickenson and Craig Lamb ready to spring into action

Fortunately for all, despite the cloud and the very heavy rainfalls of recent days, the day remained dry with the sun finally coming out to greet the last event, with the spectators present being treated to some fantastic athletes in a very varied selection of events.

The adult running race

The team dealt with the usual minor first aid cases, and one serious event, which warranted an emergency ambulance being called (See Incident 41-21012, Sunday 17th June 2012) After this incident and within the same cycle race, our BM4 crew witnessed another potentially very serious incident, when a pack of road cyclists at the same location as Incident 41, collided, unseating four riders at high speed. Three riders required attention from the team members and race officials and marshals present, assisted by former team member (Currently GMFRS Horwich Fire Station Watch Officer) Glynn McGann who was watching the races. Thankfully despite first appearances, and with cuts and bruises, all three managed to walk away to cycle another day.

Some of the team watching the Elite Cyclists Race

The organisers and co-ordinators of this annual event, Horwich Festival of Racing Committee, Lostock Athletics Club, Horwich Cycling Club and Horwich RMI Harriers and Athletics Club alongside Horwich Town Council, Bolton MBC 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)
Thanks from the team are expressed to the local Explorer Scouts who kindly provided catering for all the staff and personnel involved in the races.

The team welcomes the opportunity to be associated with this local event and looks forward to next year’s Horwich Festival of Racing.