Six Red Rose Runners took part in the unusual 6 mile distance at the Lostock 6. A cold but fine day was in store for the runners on a course which includes the old ’orrible ’ill followed by a long drag on the main road in the final couple of miles. Fred Lynch led the club home in a good time of 41.26 on a course he has raced many times over the years in impressive times but had to be content with 4th V60 this year. Damien Russell was pleased with his time of 43.12 in preparation for the forthcoming Trafford 10k. Jill Jefferson was in the fairly unusual position of 2nd in her age group but still with a fine time of 43.25. John Wiseman performed well with a time of 43.51 followed by the improving Liam Hooton in 45.26. Alison Parkinson also had a good run with a time of 48.36 to be 3rd F45.
At the Stanley Park 10K Chris Brown was our best finisher in 44.59. David Bayliss cracked 50 minutes in 49.50. Vet 60, Austin Trelfa, ran 54.59 followed by Melanie Lowe in 55.37.Tracey Alami made her Red Rose debut with a time of 65.14 just ahead of Heidi Webber who finished in 66.22. Gina Biggs completed the line up in 76.05.
Further afield, Pita Oates continued her London Marathon preparations with a mind numbing experience at Oulton Park race track where the half marathon distance is covered by doing 6 laps of the circuit. It is a surprisingly hilly course, open to the wind from any direction on a very unforgiving surface for runners. Although she covered the first 3 laps in 56 minutes, the second half proved to be a mental challenge and she finished in 2.08. Emma Louise competed in the 10k race running 3 laps finishing in 56.50. Neither of them have any plans to return next year!
Sunnier climes beckoned three lucky runners. Sneaking away without many from the club knowing, Shane Cliffe accompanied Sal Cape and Aimee Midgley to Malta to compete in their first marathon. With temperatures far exceeding anything they had trained in at home they all completed their run. Sal’s time was 5.01 and Aimee finished in 5.27. Shane, with his greater experience ran 4.18.
Ciaron Roddy showed he’s in great form at the Preston Parkrun, running the fastest time of the day with a new PB of 17.23. Red Rose runners were also prominent at Cuerden Valley where Karl Hodgson finished first in a PB of 18.28 getting the better of Dan Hughes who also ran a new best of 18.58. Other PB’s were achieved by Michael Hogarth 27.12, Natalie Moore 27.40 and Gareth Fairey 28.53. At Lytham Hall, Gina Biggs ran her new PB of 33.09.