In a busy week of running Red Rose runners raced over a wide range this week from 5k and 4 mile fell runs to a marathon with 10k’s in between.
Taking on the Lancaster Castle marathon were Mark Billington and Lee Bennett. Mark finished 51st in 3 hours 50 minutes 7 seconds while Lee managed 105th in 4 hours 27 minutes and 22 seconds for this classic distance.
In the second of the Interclub Fell Series at Darwen for the Aggies Staircase Fell run Red Rose were once again out in force to defend their trophies. Stuart Roberts confirmed his status as the clubs leading fell runner finishing 28th in a time of 34.01. Shane Cliffe once again demonstrated his improvement this year with a strong run for 44th 35.20. Phil Butler, Barry Wheeler, and Claire Bunce all finished in the 36’s. 36.01 for 52nd, 36.26 55th and 36.43 59th and 2nd lady. Ken Addison was next 64th 37.08 with fellow V50 runners Geoff Howarth, Philip Davidson and John Rogerson close behind 75th 38.13, 80th 38.53 and 88th 39.24. Bill Platt was 122nd 42.40, Paula Plowman 128th 43.32, Andrew Baxendale 130th 43.41. 1st lady V50 was Glenda Dobie in 134th place with a time of 44.24. John Wiseman was 151st 47.36 with Sal Cape, George Fletcher and Viv Sherry coming in 157, 158 and 159th in 49.01, 49.14 and 49.24. Alan Raby completed the Red Rose finishers in 163rd 50.19. A mention also to Roger Johnson who was stretchered off the course after damaging his ankle. After a check up at hospital he was told he may be out of training for up to 6 weeks.
At the Warrington 10k 2 Red Roses competed. John Shepherd ran 37.35 for 23rd place and young Phil Kemp finished in 43.11 for 69th place.
In the final race in the Chernobyl 5k series Shane Cliffe got the better of Ken Addison after another race long battle Shane was 11th and 1st v45 in a first sub 19 time of 18.52 and Ken was 12th and 1st V55 in 18.58. Phil Butler and Claire Bunce both ran sub 20. Phil 19.42 for 15th and Claire, yet again 1st lady, 19.56 for 16th position. Simon O’Leary ran 20.13 for 20th with Phil Dean 26th in 22.12 and 1st V50.John Johnson was 36th 23.59, Sal Cape 54th 28.02 with Judith Cooke and Keith O’Brien finishing together in 67th and 68th places in 35.34.
At the Sotos 10k at Fleetwood had 12 finishers. John Shepherd looking to break 37 minutes came very close with 37.08 for 1st v45 and 10th overall. Claire Bunce also came close to a significant time just missing breaking the 40 minute mark with 40.02 for 2nd lady and 31st. The experienced Stuart Cann ran a very pleasing 42.52 for 56th. The even more experience Peter Gibson ran an excellent 43.31 for 67th place and 1st V65. Dave Earnshaw was close behind Peter in 68th place 43.36. Julie Coupe came home in 121st place in a time of 48.49. George Fletcher ran 53.01 in 179th place. The yet more experienced Bernard Elkington was 1st V75 with a very useful 56.17 in 210th. Anne Nelson 216th 56.47, Chris Clarke 232nd 59.34, Alan Kelly 239 1 02 02 all had good races. Evelyn Elkington ran 1 05.25 for 1st Lady V75 in 251st place.
In the Saturday morning Preston Park Run around a very wet looking park, Shane Cliffe was 7th in 19.32, another younger club member, David Williams was 9th in 20.12, Stuart Cann 13th 20.56, Philip Davidson 14th 21.02, Barry Wheeler, incorporating the race into a long training run, 21st 23.23, Yvonne Johnson 29th 26.06 and Sal Cape 39th 27.41. These runs are free to enter and are a good distance for anyone interested in getting started in racing and maybe joining a club. Check the Park Run website for more information of this national project.