Red Rose Road Runners’ main focus this weekend has been the organisation of the Preston Guild 5K, the first race in the Guild series. Over 700 runners gathered on Miller and Avenham Park to run a scenic and traffic free course. With the help of club members, friends and ‘Guilders’,both the Junior and main adult race were excellently supported and marshalled. Starting alongside the Japanese Gardens, the races were started by the Mayor, Bobbie Cartwright. The Junior race was attended by 54 local runners up to the age of 17 and was won by Jack Ellis of Preston Harriers in 17.53 with Kingsley Judd in second place in 17.56. The first girl home was Rachel Sidebotham from Wigan in 23.12 with Rachel Greenwood second in 24.38. All the competitors received a Guild shoe bag as a memento of Preston Guild 2012.
In the main race Thomas Carson of Bolton United Harriers took an early lead finishing in an excellent 15.36 followed by four Preston Harriers. David Rigby (15.48) Rob Affleck (16.24), Gethin Butler (16.31) and Jason Parker (16.56). The ladies race was hotly contested throughout the course with Gema Adam first in 19.15, Joanna Goorney 19.17, Red Rose birthday girl, Claire Bunce 19.19.
Although Red Rose had many of their club members involved in the organisation of the race we still managed an excellent turn out of runners. First men home were Philip Davidson and Philip Kemp in 20.18,with Richard Oakley next in 20.26. The first four ladies, Claire Bunce, Debbie Kirkman, Jo Duffy and Julie Coupe made up the winning team.
Other results. S.Houghton 20.38, L.Earnshaw 20.42, G.Noblett 20.56, R,Ward 21.30, D.Hooton 21.52, L. Brown 23.44, K.Burrows 24.19, R. Noblett 24.56, G.Mault 26.55, A.Nelson 26.56, S. Burton 28.08, G.Beetham 29.13, B. Elkington 29.29, N. Machin 29.37, C.Manning 30.01, E.Elkington 31.59, K. Ashton 52.05.
At the very tough Keswick half marathon Jose Pinon Shaw was the club’s lone representative. The testing hilly course was run by around 500 runners. Jose ran well to finish 82nd in 1.35.45.
The new race, Bikes and Barrows 10K was held at Scorton. Inevitably this was an undulating course and the 109 runners enjoyed the well organised and friendly event.
John Shepherd was in fine form in fourth position and first V45 in a time of 37.18.In seventh place Joe Swarbrick ran 38.56 to take the V55 prize. Paul Woan ran a steady race to finish in 43.38. Lee Brown continues to make progress with a time of 52.32 and Colin Manning running the first of two races this weekend in a time of 68.24.
Hameldon Hill Race, Accrington was chosen for the first of the annual Interclub Fell Championship races where Red Rose Road Runners had a contingent of 15 runners participating. Stuart Roberts led the club home after opening up a decisive gap at the start of the race and going away to finish 23rd better than 2? minutes ahead of the clubs next runner Shane Cliffe in 39th place. Barry Wheeler had an excellent run and seems to favour the fell runs finishing 3rd for the club and 40th overall. Other men running were Ken Addison, Philip Butler, Ben Donoghue, John Rogerson, Geoff Haworth, Stuart Cann and Peter Bolton. For the ladies Claire Bunce was 104th, she was followed by Paula Plowman, Glenda Dobie, Nikki Roberts and Sally Cape respectively 142nd, 153rd, 157th and 180th.. The club is defending several successes in this competition in 2011 and both the open men and ladies teams have started well.