The pick of the races last week was the 5th leg of the 2013 Interclub Road Championship at Astley Park, Chorley on Thursday. The course is probably the toughest of the interclub routes with two long climbs of the road adjacent to the park.
31 Red Rose Road Runners turned out on a damp but warm evening and once again there was a good set of new faces running in club colours, which is a good sign of the health of the club
Leading the club home was the in form Ben Donoghue in 10th place with a brisk time of 28.01. Probably the highlight of the race results was the team scoring, with the V60 group of Dave Hooton, John Hyde and Joan Gouldthorpe in 2nd place, the V50’s of Joe Swarbrick, Ken Addison, Phil Butler with Dave, making up the scorers, in 3rd, the V40’s with Joe and Ken together with Steve Whitney, the experienced Stuart Cann, Mike Hall and Shane Cliffe also 3rd. In the open team race both Ladies and Men came 4th. The Ladies team was comprised of Janine Needham, Joan Gouldthorpe, Bev Hewitson, Sue Harrison and Sal Cape, the men were Ben, Joe, Ken, Steve, Stuart, Mike, Shane, Jordon Donoghue, Phil, and Barry Wheeler.
Other runners on the night were Richard Maughan , who set off at a fast pace near the leading group, Frank Nightingale, Anthony Murphy, John Wiseman, Richard Ward, Andy Speer, Roger Johnson, Luke Bosman, Martin Simpson, Colin Manning, Allan Howard, Anne Donoghue making it a family affair, Helen Orson and stalwart Dave Aspin.
At the Summer 10k Karen Clarke was 173rd in 60.38, Chris Clarke 176th, 61.05 and Bernard Elkington V75 winner 187th in 65.03.
A couple of Parkrun highlights to report this week. Colin Manning set a new PB at the Preston, Avenham Park event of 28.07 and Ben Donoghue was 1st in the tough Cuerden Valley race in 19.33.
Also one that got missed last week. Shane Cliffe was 58th at the Boulsworth Fell race in a time of 63.46.
Some fine times at the Catforth 5k on Saturday as well, Mark Billington (1) 15th in 19.42, Anthony Murphy 18th 20.07, Mark Billington (2) 20th 20.33, Debbie Kirkman 27th 21.15, and Dave Maudsley 55th 27.14