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Best foot backward for Rachel
A HARTLEPOOL mum put her best foot backwards to become the national champion in an unusual sport – despite only trying it out for a laugh.
Rachel Butterfield, 28, took part in the first ever 'backwards running' UK Championships 'for a bit of fun' after being told about the race by a friend.
But incredibly, she is now the country's number one after she won the women's race, held in Manchester's Heaton Park, on Sunday.
Rachel ran a mile facing the wrong way round in 12 minutes 40 seconds despite doing barely any training.
And even though she is an experienced old hand when it comes to running forwards, Rachel discovered she had a hidden talent when she tried running in the opposite direction.
Rachel, who lives with husband Alex and children Harrison, five, and Molly, four, in the Naisberry Park area of
Hartlepool, says that she is still gobsmacked by her victory and was as stunned as anyone when she crossed the line in first place.
Rachel, who runs her own mobile beauticians, said: "It feels totally surreal, I only entered the race for a bit of fun and I can't believe that I am now the national champion.
"I didn't really take it seriously at first and just laughed it off, but when everybody started congratulating me it started to dawn on me that I was the champion of the whole country!
"I wasn't planning on doing any more backwards running but I guess I will have to defend my title now!"
Rachel and Alex entered the race on a whim after chatting to a friend about it at a party.
They were both amazed when Rachel came home with a plaque, a cash prize, a new pair of trainers and a bottle of champagne, while Alex finished a very respectable fifth in the men's race.
She said: "We only entered for a bit of fun.
"We were at one of Alex's friend's weddings and somebody told us about it.
"We both looked at each other and thought 'let's have a go it sound's like fun!'
"I tried running backwards in a field two days before the race, did 50 yards, thought 'God, that's hard!' and started running forwards again.
"I didn't really think I'd need to do any training and just turned up on the day. I had not imagined that I'd win."
The pair are both casual runners and go out jogging together.
Rachel did the Great North Run last year while Alex completed the London Marathon.
But Rachel admits that doing one mile backwards is just as tiring as doing a whole half-marathon forwards.
Alex said: "It was just absolutely mental. You go to an event for a laugh and your wife ends up becoming the national champion!
"She's a fit woman but it was the first time she had ever tried backwards running.
"It's been a weekend we won't forget in a hurry and we'll be telling the grandkids about this one!"
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Weather for Hartlepool
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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