Red Rose Road Runners had a busy weekend with some of their runners doing two races. On Saturday 19 runners took part in the Burnley cross country. The Men’s Vet 50 team were well placed in fourth, one point behind Preston Harriers. The team of Joe Swarbrick, Ken Addison and Fred Lynch vied for position in the early stages with little to separate them on the six mile course. Good performances were recorded throughout the team with John Shepherd pleased with his 38:36 and captain Phil Butler home in 39:34. Mick Brennand just edged a victory over Dave Earnshaw with both sprinting to the line in 42:31. Paul Woan and Phil Dean put in solid performances coming in under 43 minutes. New to cross country, Barry Wheeler and Tony Thorley ran well in the firm conditions to finish in 44:40 and 45:00. The mens’ strong turnout was completed with good runs from Geoff Orritt 47:54, Roger Johnson 54:06 and Allan Howard 56:28. The ladies team was a little depleted on the day but the team of four supported each other well. Debbie Kirkman was well placed in 28:20, Carol Douglass ran strongly in her age group in 33:00. Karen Clark and Janet Saynor cheerfully flew the Red Rose flag finishing in 36:38 and 41:16. Well done everyone.
In the popular Chernobyl 10K, 420 runners ran an interesting new course for this event. Joe Swarbrick and Ken Addison both won their respective age categories in times of 38:39 and 39:33. John Shepherd ran 40:33 with Richard Oakley putting in another good performance in 42:08. Simon Murphy ran strongly to come in just ahead of new member Simon Houghton who looked fresh finishing in 42:34. Stuart Cann ran 46:51 a minute ahead of another new face, Lee Bennett.
Julie Coupe ran an excellent 48:03 with Jo Duffy making a welcome appearance finishing in 51:54. Christina Wright ran well in 53:10 and Sue Harrison ran 58:33 under the guidance of Peter Gibson. Bernard and Evelyn Elkington put in consistent performances in the Vet 70 age group both finishing under 59 minutes.
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