Held for the last six 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, a fun run, a bicycle obstacle relay, various youth cycle races, the British Cycling National Women’s Circuit Road Race Championships, the National Tricycle Criterium Chapionship race, and multi-lap Senior and Junior Cycle events.

Road cyclists race around the closed streets of Horwich

Sandwiched in between all these exciting events was the Horwich Carnival Procession, consisting of many local and community groups (with the welcome return of many decorated floats banned on many other events due to health and safety concerns).

In total 35 team members were present around the course, in four team Landrover Ambulances, and three 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, in addition one of our members was placed all day alongside the event organiser.

Apart from the usual bumps and scrapes, and a potentially worrying cycle crash right at the end of the events (all got up to walk away) the events passed without great incident.

As with last year’s events, the chilly start to the day, cloud and lack of 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.

The organisers and co-ordinators of this annual event, Horwich RMI Harriers and Athletics Club are to be congratulated on their skills and abilities on putting on such an event within their local community that attracts such a gathering of renowned sportsmen and women.

Debriefing, following the long day’s event, takes place “around the corner” on Lever Park Avenue.

The team welcomes the opportunity to be associated with this event and looks forward to next year’s Horich Carnival Races (fingers crossed for a sunnier day though!)

(See the link to Horwich Carnival Races for more information)