38 Red Rose Runners took part in the latest Club Championship run, the Lancaster Half Marathon.
Duncan Anderson showed his class with a brilliant time of 1.16.15 to be fifth runner home. Ben Donoghue ran an excellent time of 1.20.52 for 10th place. Within a minute and a half, three Red Rose crossed the line with Dan Hughes in 17th place in 1.23.30, Jose Pinon Shaw 18th in 1.24.16 and Ken Addison 20th in 1.24.54. Ken, once again was 1st V55. Andrew Christie finished in 1.27.55 with Stuart Cann finishing in a respectable time of 1.30.20.A great team performance saw Red Rose take the Men’s Team prize.
Jill Jefferson showed her strength over this distance with a great time of 1.36.20 to be 1st F55. Ruth Travis was our second female runner home in an excellent time of 1.40.18 and Carol Douglass had a tremendous run to take the F65 prize in 1.51.47. Our other Vet prize was won by Dave Hooton who ran 1.39.19 to be first V60. Alison Mercer ran a personal best with her first sub 2 hour ‘half’ in a great time of 1.58.50. Completing her first half marathon was Moira Godbert – Laird who came home in 2.16.13. Red Rose results: Mark Billington 1.36.54,Dave Raynor 1.39.59, Stuart Humphrey 1.45.10,Liam Hooton 1.49.26, Anneke Crosby 1.50.58, Debbie Porter 1.53.13, Chris Charnley 1.53.13, Richard Field 1.54.58, Mark Webster 1.55.35, Steve Taylor 1.55.58, Mike Jeffreys 1.58.54, John Ross 1.59.23, Jenny Fairclough 2.01.10, Vicky Gore 2.05,56, Allan Howard 2.07.01, Judi Ingham 2.07.55, Joan Gouldthorpe 2.11.21, Karen Clark 2.12.38, Ann Donoghue 2.19.45, Joanne Malcolmson 2.19.45, Simon Kirkman 2.23.24, Carol Heaton 2.24.20, Helen Greenhalgh 2.24.23, Susan Heatley 2.24.23,Chris Clark 2.26.40.
Meanwhile the 32nd ‘Through the Villages’ race took place from the village of Wheelton over a hilly course through Brinscall, Abbey Village and back to the Dressers Arms in Wheelton. The 8.45 mile course is a local classic hosted by Terry Dickenson and his band of volunteers. For Red Rose, Joe Swarbrick came in first in 56.21. A friendly battle between Mark Willett 58.58, and Dave Brunton 59.23 was fought out in the misty conditions with Steve Whitney not far behind with the very precise time of 60.00. Several other runners were ‘first timers’ and all will no doubt want to have another attempt this time next year. Gareth Bell was in form to finish in 63.49, Simon Houghton ran well for 64.38, with local runner Jon Royle completing the challenge well, in 65.36. Lisa Bolton finished close to her target of 70 minutes, in 70.13. George Fletcher was our only prize winner taking the V70 prize in a time of 82.33. David Wilkinson followed in 85.32 and Lisa Galloway in 86.10. Experienced Tom Hilton finished in 1.49.46 with Ramona Mulligan on his heels finishing in 1.50.10.
John Wiseman represented the club at the scenic Derwentwater 10 mile race with a time of 82.20.
Barry Wheeler 45:55, Philip Davidson 48:08 and David Anson 62:47 completed the Standish Hall 10k-ish on Saturday, a hidden gem of a trail race over bridle paths and woodland trails. Carl Thackery from Hallamshire Harriers was first across the line this time out in 37:39 so Matt Moorhouse’s course record of 34:15 stands firm from 2006, the same race that snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan completed in 38:40 on a day off from the British Open.
At £7 on the day entry and an easy 25 minute drive from Preston, this fairly hilly trail race with a loyal following represents an absolute bargain with a good chance to bag one of the many age category and spot prizes on offer.
Ciaron Roddy hit top form to gain a PB at the Cuerden Valley Parkrun in 18.34 with the added bonus of being first home. Carole Williams also gained another PB at Preston with a time of 31.01.