At the Inskip Half Marathon Red Rose began their 2012 Club Championship. The blustery winds were a constant problem for all the runners for the first 10 miles.
Several races within the race developed between club members. Ken Addison got the better of Joe Swarbrick pulling away at the half way stage finishing 12 seconds ahead in a time of 1.26.01 to be second V55 and well ahead of the V50 winner. A similar battle between Jose Pinon Shaw and Shane Cliffe saw the lead change several times before Cliffe finally called on his race experience to come home nearly a minute ahead in 1.30.46.
Dave Earnshaw headed the next pack of runners in 1.37.46 followed by a chasing group of Barry Wheeler 1.39.07, Richard Ward 1.39.30 and Stuart Cann 1.39.40. Ben Donoghue, running his first ‘half’ in 1.42.05, just held off a strong challenge from Debbie Kirkman who began her defence as Ladies champion with an excellent 1.42.15.
Another close race developed between Julie Thorley and Paula Plowman. Julie was pleased to get home first in 1.51.40 and Paula was delighted with a PB of 1.51.56. Yvonne Johnson kept well ahead of husband Roger finishing in 2.03.33 with Roger a few places behind in 2.10.03.
Evelyn Elkington battled her way round the course in 2.16.15 to take the Ladies Vet 75 prize. Chris and Karen Clark continue with their early preparations for the London marathon coming in together in 2.23.35 and Wendy Ward completed the Red Rose line up with a gritty performance finishing in 2.23.45.