Fantastic support for the 32nd Lostock 6 mile race from Red Rose Road Runners saw 37 members racing in a field of 230. The blustery conditions were the main problem for runners until the latter stages where they encountered ’orrible ’ill , a notorious challenge in races around Bolton for many years.
Ben Donoghue, joined the leading pack from the gun and finished in 7th place in 34.18. Ken Addison kept up his early season momentum with a strong run to gain 2nd V55 in 37.33 with a great run from Stuart Cann running sub 40 min / 10k pace to finish in 38.01 and completing the team which took the 2nd team prize. Joe Swarbrick managed 38.45 to be 3rd V55 followed closely by Fred Lynch in 39.34 to be 4th V55. Steve Whitney must have had Fred in his sights throughout the race coming in under 40 minutes in 39.54.
Only small gaps separated many of our teams places with strong runs coming from Phil Butler in 40.58, Dave Maudsley, 41.36, Dave Hooton, 2nd V60 in 41.55, Doug Brydon in 42.06 and Frank Nightingale in 43.14. John Allen ran 43.42 showing his return to form after injury. John Wiseman (46.47) held off a challenge from Red Rose leading woman, Margaret Lupton who finished in 46.56 to take a well deserved first F45 prize. There was little to choose between John Hyde and Rob Mather with John just pipping Rob by 3 seconds to the finish in 47.30. Anne Wallworth put in a great performance running 47.39 to take the F55 prize with the next two ladies Paula Plowman (49.35) and Debbie Porter (50.11) taking 3rd places in their age groups.
These results produced a brilliant second place team prize for the Red Rose Ladies. The unusual distance of a 6 mile race was an occasion for many of our runners to record a PB and also to gauge their 10k performances. Well done to everyone on an excellent turnout. Further results: John Plowman 50.17, Damian Clapham 51.04, Andy Speer 51.12, Keith Burrows 51.49, Yvonne Johnson 51.59, Luke Bosman 53.11, George Fletcher 53.42, James Robinson 54.29, (2nd V65) David Wilkinson 54.52, Roger Johnson 55.45, Allan Howard 55.51, Helen Orson 58.52, Wendy Ward 58.59, Pita Oates 61.40, Evelyn Elkington 68.18, Bernard Elkington 64.18, Joanne Malcolmson 64.18, Ann Donoghue 64.55.
At the Great North Western Half Marathon at Blackpool the windy conditions were even more apparent. In a race of over a thousand runners Jose Pinon Shaw showed his strength with a great time of 1.28.55. Debbie Kirkman had an excellent run of 1.39.26 and Anthony Murphy ran a determined race finishing in 1.39.33. Jill Jefferson was the only prize winner with a time of 1.40.05 to be first F55. Lydia Drain performed well to finish in 2.09.39. The performance of the day was undoubtedly Steven Gore’s run, accompanying para olympian, Louise Simpson from Barking RR. Louise ran as a Red Rose runner for the day as Steve acted as guide in a time of 2.30.40.