Red Rose Road Runners hosted the Worden Park 10K on May 20th. The largely traffic free two lap course attracted 174 runners. Dry and cool conditions helped the runners with the front runners getting away from the field early in the race. Callum Rowett of Preston Harriers and Robert Danson of Wesham passed the three mile point with only a few metres between them but as the race continued Rowett took a decisive lead coming home a minute in front in a time of 34.32. Danson finished in 35.32 with Mike Flatley of Middleton Harriers third in 36.04.
In the ladies race, Joanne Taylor of Lancaster and Morecambe lead at half way but Avril Duckworth of Clayton Hariers was never far away. She took the lead coming home strongly in 40.26 with Joanne second in 40.57. Third place went to Debie Shaw of Middleton Harriers in 44.38.
The day also provided the chance for a group of runners to raise over £2000 for Asthma UK. 24 ladies from Trinity and St Michael’s School had been training for the event to raise money in memory of pupil Harry Cummings who died after suffering an asthma attack whilst at school.
First Red Rose runner home was third Vet 55 Richard Oakley in a very good time of 42.26. Phil Darwen followed, in a time of 43.30. New member John Johnson followed up his Parkrun 5K with his first attempt at 10K with an encouraging time of 51.34. Viv Sherry was close behind with a time of 51.48. Venessa Morris also running her first 10K race , ran a respectable time of 54.01. Michael Jeffryes ran 57.11 with Bernard Elkington close behind, running his 300th 10K in a time of 57.30. Daniel Robinson and Kerry Dewhurst broke the hour barrier with a times of 59.37 and 59.41.Evelyn Elkington completed the course as a back marker marshall ensuring all runners came home safely.
The second in the Chernobyl 5k series took place on Tuesday 15th May with 11 Red Rose Road Runners competing on the pathways around Tram Road and Preston Junction.
Once again the club had several category winners. In 10th place and 1st v55 was Ken Addison in 18.46, 17th and 1st lady was Claire Bunce, celebrating completion of exams, in 19.55 and in 28th Phil Dean was 1st v50 timed at 21.56.
Shane Cliffe had a good run staying with Addison for 3k before finishing in 11th place with a time of 19.06. Phil Butler had a stronger run improving by 31 seconds from the April run finishing in 15th place and 19.33 with fast starter Simon O’Leary close behind in 19.40.
John Johnson had a good run in 45th spot with 24.00. Sal Cape certainly won the best improved time on the night, being well over 3 minutes quicker than in race one, her time of 28.16 gave her 65th place.
Wendy Ward came in 74th place with 29.49 and the final Red Rose Runners Judith Cook and Keith O’Brien came in together in 37.02 for 83rd and 84th places.
Results for Blacksticks Blue 10K. J. Shepherd 38.39, K.Addison 39.27, B. Donoghue 40.20, J. Pinon Shaw 40.31, S. Cliffe 40.40, S. Whitney 41.13, P. Butler 41.25, B. Wheeler 41.28, C.Bunce 43.27, S. Cann 44.55, G. Haworth 45.01, P. Woan 45.49, D. Kirkman 45.57, C.Smith 46.16, R. Ward 46.17, P. Plowman 49.54, J.Thorley 52.31, R. Park 53.59, G.Beetham 56.39, B. Elkington 58.25, S. Cape 58.47, D. Robinson 59.03, A.Howard 59.28, J.Johnstone 62.30, S. Harrison 62.59, J.Saynor 71.05, K. O’Brien 72.02.