The main race over the Christmas season is the Ribble Valley 10K and 19 Red Rose runners joined the 900 starters in Clitheroe. As the last club Grand Prix race of the year Phil Butler was glad to cross the line first for the club to take this year’s title. New member Jose Pinon-Shaw showed that he will be in contention next year not far behind with a great time of 41.37.
Shane Cliffe ran well in 41.59, his second race in two days. Another excellent effort from Barry Wheeler saw him break 43 minutes with a PB of 42.29. Debbie Kirkman came close to her best with an excellent run. Her target of 46 minutes looked unlikely at half way but a tremendous second half saw her finish in a great 44.18. New member Ben Donoghue will gain confidence from completing this course in 44.45. Dave Earnshaw ran 43.03 which gave him an age related victory over his team mates and John Hyde must have been pleased with a 10K PB of 46.09. Paula Plowman was second lady for the club in 48.21 just staying ahead of Jo Duffy who finished in 49.28 in her first race for months. Jayne Tomlinson made her debut and was well pleased with her 55.06.
Ribble Valley 10K chip times.
P.Butler 40.50, J.Pinon-Shaw 41.37, S.Cliffe 41.59, B.Wheeler 42.29, D.Earnshaw 43.03, D.Kirkman 44.18, B.Donoghue 44.45, J.Hyde 46.09, L.Earnshaw 46.44, P.Plowman 48.21, J.Duffy 49.28, P.Gibson 49.28, K.Burrows 51.22, Y.Johnson 53.31, R.Johnson 54.14, J.Tomlinson 55.06, N.Machin 59.16, K.Clark 59.34, C.Clark 59.45 .
The Boxing Day run at Worden Park Leyland attracted nearly 200 runners to run a course which stayed close to the confines of the park. With a few tight turns and a testing final hill up to the park it was not a fast course but the well marshalled course ensured a good work out at 10 o’clock the day after Christmas. A battle between Joe Swarbrick and Ken Addison lasted throughout the race with the two runners taking first and second V55 places. Shane Cliffe ran a good time of 42.16 in preparation for the Ribble Valley race. Peter Caunce came in as the fourth Red Rose in 48.28 and Julie Thorley ran well finishing in 51.14. On this form will soon be closing in on her 50 minute target. Bernard Elkington served as an encouraging ‘sweep’ for the slower runners but still managed to bring everyone home safely in 77.15.
Boxing Day 10K
J.Swarbrick 39.21, K.Addison 39.33, S.Cliffe 42.16, P.Caunce 48.28, J.Thorley 51.14, B.Elkington 77.15
The Christmas Eve, Rudolph’s Red Nose race had 198 finishers with a trio of red Rose runners. George and Robert Fletcher taking the chance to do the same race. Robert covered the course in 33.48 with George finishing in 43.38. Bernard Elkington completed the line up in 48.10.