Red Rose Members travelled far and wide this weekend, to take part in running events of all lengths and disciplines. The headline event for many is of course the Great North Run where 57,000 runners take place in a half marathon. 29 Red vests were on display, with many runners making sure they used the publicity surrounding the event to raise money for charity, rather than just taking part.
First runner home for Red Rose was Dave Brunton in 1 hr 33, and Jill Jefferson continues in good form with a PB on a course which is notoriously difficult to race due to the huge numbers of runners involved in 1hr 34, and first in her age category. Dave Hooton , another quality vet took 1hr 41, providing inspiration to his son Liam who finished in 2 hr. New members achieved some great times with Andrew Christie (1hr 28) Gareth Bell (1hr 36) and Matt Cowan (1hr 49) being worthy of mention. Louise Walsh knocked 13 minutes off last years time, and a massive 29 minutes faster than 2013. Other results included Simon Houghton (1 hr 45) Paula Plowman (1hr 53) Peter O’Grady (1 hr 58) Micheal Copeland (1hr 59) Peter Caunce (1hr 59) Martin Simpson (2hr 4) Jamie Jardine (2hr 9) Catherine Newton ( 2hr 9) Michael Hogarth (2hr11) Allan Howard (2 hr 12) John Plowman (2hr 17) Damian Clapham (2hr 19) Pita Oates (2hr 19) Andrew Hunnisett (2hr 21) Colin Manning (2hr 21) Janice Johnstone (2hr 22) Helen Greenhalgh (2hr 24) Neil Whatton (2hr 27) Tracey Alami (2hr 29) Kelly Day (2hr 33) Susan Heatley (2hr 35) Carle Williams (2hr 37) Percy Moyo (2 hr 54) Keith O’Brien and Judith Cook ( 3hr 26).
Langdale, in Cumbria played host to both Full and half marathon events on the same course. Dan Hughes lead the Red Rose half marathon charge home with 1 hr 28, followed closely by Ben Donoghue in 1 hr 31. Great times considering the terrain. Other times include Andrew Stell 1 hr 54, Michael Pate 1 hr 58, Dave Maudsley returning to fitness in 2hr 20, Ann Donoghue, Joanne Malcomson and Martin Foley ran in together with 2 hr 52.
Much nearer to home was the Pilling 10k, a total contrast in scale to the Great North Run. Ray Taylor was first Red Roser home, in 45.10 and was first in his V65 Category. Carol Douglas ran 50.57 for the win in her V65 category, and was followed by Joan Goulthorpe, (53 mins) also a vet winner and Nina Colquhoun. (57)
Rob Mather made a short journey across the Pennines to take part in the Yorkshire off Road Marathon which starts and finishes in Haworth. Lovely views go some way to taking Competitors mind off the hilly conditions. He completed the route in 5hr 34. Janine Needham completed the half distance which is actually 14.8 miles in 2hr 37. Both times reflected the tough nature of this event.
Another Yorkshire event with a lone Red Rose prescance was the Hull Marathon. John Naylor finishing in a very respectable 3 hr 35, and all that after a PB at Preston Park run on the Saturday morning.
Garstang Half Marathon is a rural, undulating course which attracts stiff local competition. Warmer than expected conditions took their toll on one or two runners, but Ken Addison was in fine form with 1 hr 26, 11th place overall and first V55. Other results Mark Billington 1 hr 42, Steve Murphy 1hr 56, Sally Cape 2 hr 25,
Julie Thorley, Gail Hoyle and John Shepherd competed in the Great Westmoreland Trail run. At 7.3 miles in the hills around Crosby Garrett, near Kirby Stpehen, all runners are treated to afternoon tea including cakes and sandwiches when they finish, making this a small but popular event.