A large coach and several cars were needed to transport all the Red Rose runners who wanted to compete in the latest Mid Lancs fixture held in Barrow. First on to the course were the Junior girls Alice Lodge and Daisy Royle in the Under 11 race. Both competed enthusiastically and enjoyed finishing in 8.31 and 8.56 for the 2 k distance.
Finty Royle joined the Under 13 race and showed great spirit and determination to hold onto her 6th position in a final dash for the line to finish in 11.48 for the 2.5k race.
The ladies race over approximately 6k saw Margaret Lodge striding out to lead the Red Rose pack with another excellent run and a time of 26.07. Debbie Porter was equally impressive with a strong steady pace to finish in 26.42. Joan Gouldthorpe ran 27.38 to be 5th FV55. Karen Clark had another good race with a time of 29.20 to add to her recent series of 5k PB’s. Sal Cape found herself in a competitive group of opposing runners from other clubs to finish in 30.35 with Helen Greenhalgh next in 32.22, Wendy Ward 32.48 and Helen Orson 32.56. Further performances from the team of 14 came from Pita Oates 33.42, Abigail Brown 34.49, Lisa Hyde 35.53, Janet Saynor 36.16, Nina Colquhoun 36.34 and Ramona Mulligan 36.36. Joan, Karen and Janet made up the team to win the V55 class.
In the Men’s race several RR runners set an impressive pace in the early stages. Anthony Durkin and Alan Jolly lead the way with Stuart Cann also getting a cracking start. Alan Jolly’s experience and fitness soon began to tell as he worked his way into a great position finally coming home in 35.34 and 12th V40 over the 8.5 mile course. Joe Swarbrick was some way behind him but finished next in 36.24 as 9th V50 with Stuart Cann 37.02 and Ken Addison 37.14 making good times to ensure the V50 team score put them in 2nd position only three points behind Barrow. Anthony Durkin ran well for the team in 37.09 in spite of being less than 100% fit. Philip Butler finished in 38.18 to lead a V50 ‘B’ team to 6th place along with Frank Nightingale 39.26 and Phil Davidson 39.31. Mark Billington competed well alongside these runners to finish in 39.31. With a team of 22 men running, great competitivenesss and encouragement ensured races within the race.
Almost half the Red Rose team are in their first season of cross country and a wonderful spirit pervades the race day with everyone pleased with others’ success and their own contribution to the team effort.
More results: Dave Maudesley 39.51, Chris Brown 40.18, John Naylor 41.26 David Raynor 41.32, Phil Dean 42.41, Steve Worswick 43.59, Stephen Robertson 44.00, Wayne Hope 44.56, John Wiseman 44.59, Martin Simpson 45.03, Jon Royle 46.22, Damien Russel 46.50, Ben Donoghue 46.51.
At the Preston 10 mile race another great turn out occurred with some runners appearing less than 24 hours after their cross country efforts. A great performance from new member Daniel Hughes in 63.10 shows considerable potential for improvement in the near future. He was 3 minutes clear of our next runner Stuart Cann who braved the two lap course after his Barrow run. Dave Brunton ran a respectable 68.59 and Richard Maughan also broke 70 minutes with 69.48. Andrew Stell ran 75.54 followed by John Wiseman ‘fresh’ from Barrow finishing in 76.41. A battle for position saw Rob Mather just get over the line before Neil Whatton with times of 77.38 and 77.40. Michael Coupland averaged 8.5minute pace and finished in 84.43. Anneke Crosby and Joanne Malcolmson completed the race together to be our most successful ladies in a time of 85.18 with Tina Carr producing a good result with a time of 90.04. Allan Howard ran a time of 94.49 on a course he has run many times. Stepping up to the less common longer race distance several ladies joined forces to encourage each other. Kelly Day and Jane Mowbray finished almost together in times of 1.42.14 and 1.42.20 with Gayle Coleman and Carol Heaton finishing a minute later in 1.43.10. Another steady run from Dave Aspin resulted in a time of 1.45.40.
Meanwhile in France Peter O’Grady enjoyed the respected Boulogne Billancourt half marathon finishing in 1.46.08.