Four Red Rose Runners took on the York Marathon. Michael Pate had a great run with a well paced time of 3.42.37. Janice Johnstone ran an excellent 4.48.51. Keith O’Brien and Judith Cook took on the race in the hope of conquering the distance together. After a good start Judith had problems with her knee but battled on to 13 miles and had to let Keith complete the second half on his own. He ran on to finish in a creditable 5.53.
At the Matfen 10k in Northumbria Phil Darwen put his triathlon training to the test and was rewarded with a new PB of 38.57 to finish 10th overall. Stuart Cann also posted a new 10K PB of 39.23 at the Autumn Break race in Blackpool, as second Vet 50 and 16th overall.
The Lea Town 10K attracted seven Red Rose Runners on a fine Saturday morning with near perfect conditions. Joe Swarbrick and Jose Pinon Shaw battled it out for the entire race with the narrowest of wins for Joe finishing in 39.03 for first V55 in 13th place and Jose 39.11, in 15th place and 3rd V45 in a very competitive category. Ray Taylor took the V60 prize with a well timed run in 45.41 and David Dyson, V55. ran 47.47. The formidable pairing of Carol Douglass and Joan Gouldthorpe again came away with victories in their respective age groups. Carol ran an impressive 50.19 to be first F65 and Joan finished in an excellent time of 54.34 to be first F60 accompanied by William Nelson in 54.39.
Alan Jolly had a very busy and successful weekend competing in the Bottoms Up Beer run, a 23 mile trail run in a great time of 3.41.11 following it up the day after with the tough Gin Pit 5 mile to finish in 33.44.
Half way round the world in Melbourne Mark Billington took on the half marathon incorporating the track of Australian GP. A good steady run in the middle of a holiday earned him a good time of 1.37.19 and a few beers!
Red Rose younger members were in action at the Vernon’s Fun Run. Sophie Hill was 3rd home in a time of 10.10 for the mile distance with Rachel Bates in 5th place in 10.40. Joel Bladan ran a steady race finishing in 11.23 including a mud slide in the final few metres ! Megan Gore enjoyed 12th place with a time of 12.20 followed by India Ward in 16.40 and Eric Ward in 17.00.
In the 4 mile race Richard Oakley was first home for the club taking the V60 prize in a time of 27.55. Ethan Hodgkinson paid for his early pace but still managed 29.15 just ahead of ‘quiet’ John Wiseman who finished in 29.30. Kenneth Chadderton was 2nd V60 in a time of 31.05 followed by Paula Plowman who took the F50 prize in 31.26. Jonathan Butterworth and Damien Russell crossed the line together in 32.31 with John Plowman taking 30th place in 33.12. The Red Rose contingent continued with Anees Shaikh (34.45), Joanne Malcolmson (34.47) Alex Oakley (35.23) and Vicky Gore( 35.30.) Pita and Ray Oates ran 38.46 followed by Diane Hill in 39.02 and Louise Davitt in 39.10. A Red Rose trio of Ann Donoghue, Carol Heaton and Anne Smith celebrated by crossing the line together in 41.27.
Parkrun 5k runs continue to be an inspiration for PB targets. This week the Cuerden Valley run saw Jon Royle run 25.41, Karen Clark 28.49 and Colin Manning 31.22. At Preston, PB’s were achieved by John Naylor 20.16, Kitty Chambers 23.16 and Alecia Johnstone 24.08. Well done everyone.