Meet the Waters running team!
Waters Corporation are the headline sponsors of the Wilmslow Running Festival and each year, a group of their employees take part and join in the fun! Learn a little bit more about Waters below and the amazing group that make up #TeamWaters.
Waters Corporation is dedicated to improving human health, safety and well-being. With scientists and innovators in labs around the world, we develop instruments and software that ensure the safety of medicines and vaccines, the purity of food and water, and quality and durability of products we use every day.
Paula Manley
‘It's become part of my annual running schedule now to compete in the Wilmslow festival. I have taken part in the half marathon a few times, but since the 10k was introduced as part of the festival, I've opted for that race instead. I feel that I run my best between 5-10k and my usual weekly training just needs boosting without fitting in longer distance runs.
My training for this years festival is going well; weekly parkruns (At Delamere, Andy there is a fantastic race director!), speed work and the odd cross country race (to literally keep me on my toes). I run 4 times a week on average and do cycling and some light core exercise in between.
I really like the atmosphere at the running festival; there's always a buzz at race HQ and motivational music and support along the way. My tip is to check the weather and dress accordingly; I've seen all seasons for this race (sometimes on the same day!).
My favourite race day kit is either shorts with pockets or a running belt - handy for keys, gels, etc.
I've got no particular goal for this years race, mainly just to enjoy myself and save some energy for the hill towards the finish - We will be there this year with our science tent from our Waters outreach team and will happily chat about what Waters do!
Robert Fowler
I’m running the half marathon this year as part of my training for the London Marathon, which follows 4 weeks later.
I’ve had a reasonably consistent spell of running since the turn of the year, so will be hoping to stay injury-free and get to the start line in good shape.
This will be my 5th time taking part in the Running Festival, having run the half marathon in 2017, ’18 and ’19, and the rescheduled 10k in 2021. It’s a great course to race on, and there’s always good support out on the route. Parking at Waters makes getting to the start line fairly stress-free but Kings Road can get quite congested in the build up to the race; I like to go out onto Altrincham Road for a warm up, avoiding the crowds, before jogging down to the start in good time.
My GPS running watch is my race day must have – I try to train more to ‘feel’, but on race day I’m a slave to the splits!
I’ve managed to complete the half marathon course a little bit quicker each time I’ve taken part, so I would like to continue that trend and, if conditions are good on the day, hopefully get a PB this year!
Craig Ball
I have taken part in the half every year since 2012 when Waters started sponsoring it. I always look forward to it, it leads to lots of camaraderie with colleagues and makes me get out the door on the cold winter evenings.
My training is going okay so far, successfully getting out to do 2 x 10km in the week, and 10 miles on a Sunday morning, I must be getting fitter as its getting slowly less painful and exhausting!
Besides the sight of the finishing line, my favourite thing about Wilmslow Running Festival is simply being part of the mass of people wanting to do something extraordinary i.e. run a long distance! Advice to newbies, wear properly fitted trainers that have been broken in, good socks, match layers to the weather, and don’t forget the safety pins for the bib.
My race day must have would be the Brooks Ghost trainers (bought from Running Bear of course!), they really take a hammering.
As I get older, its nice to be keeping close to the time I have been setting over the last few years – 1:46. Also, the Waters running team raise money for the “The Christies” so if I raise a decent amount it puts the icing on the cake!!!
Andy Martell
I’m new to Waters so this is the first year I’ve entered, I saw it advertised internally and just fancied entering. This is the first event of this type that I’ve done, I entered the Wigan 10k last year, then got Covid so couldn’t go!
I try and run 5k at least once or twice a week usually at Delamere Parkrun where I’m also a Run Director. I got back into running as part of a concerted effort to lose some weight this time last year. Last weekend I stepped up to 10k in preparation.
I’m looking forward to running in a big crowd of people! I find it much easier to maintain a decent pace for myself when there are other people around.
My race day must have is my running belt which is just perfect for keeping my phone and keys nice and secure so I don’t need to worry about them.
I’ve no particular goal this year other than to get round in less than an hour. Let’s see what happens!
Louise Rodger
I’m responsible for the internal organisation of Waters involvement in the Running Festival, therefore it’s only fair that I take part myself when I’m busy cajoling my colleagues to get running! On a more serious note, it’s a really great opportunity to challenge myself, increase fitness levels and raise money for our chosen charity ‘The Christie’.
My training for this years race is going well! I decided to take on a bit of a ‘crash course’ training regime and go from 5K to HM distance in 12 weeks. So far, I’m up to 14K so hopefully on track to hit the required goal before 26th March
I was signed-up to take part in the 10K back in 2020 and we all know what that year is synonymous with.. so I have only ever done the race virtually. I am looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and hopefully being spurred on by the crowds to get to the finish line!
My race day must have is my Apple watch, I’m all about closing those rings!
My goal for this year is that it would be great if the Waters team could hit the £1500 mark for ‘The Christie Charity’!
Good luck everyone from #TEAMWATERS!
