The weeks and months of training for marathons and half marathons came to fruition this weekend.
In Edinburgh, runners were pleased that last year’s conditions didn’t prevail again. It was still a little warm but it didn’t stop Tony Thorley achieving an impressive new PB of 3hours 40min. Paula Plowman was agonisingly close to breaking 4 hours with great time of 4.00.53 and Julie Thorley, plagued with injury setbacks recently still managed a great performance of 4hours 14 minutes. Gina Biggs ran yet another 26.2 this time in 5.33.08. Amanda Berry also wore the Red Rose vest with pride finishing in 5.41.17.
In the Half Marathon Andy Speer broke 2 hours with 1.55.22 as did Alison Mercer in 1.58.00. Martin Foley finished in 2.04.05 followed by Helen Orson in 2.19.30 and John Plowman in 2.22.15.
Red Rose were well represented at the Liverpool Rock n’ Roll Half marathon and Marathon. In blistering heat, any completion of the distance was fantastic. Robert Taylor was aiming for around 4.30 and ran a brilliant 4.30.48. Colin Manning also ran finishing in hard fought for 5.56.20.
In the Half Marathon, there was more success. A great battle for club supremacy between Simon Croft and Duncan Anderson saw them both crack 80 minutes. In 24th place Simon ran 1.19.43 with Duncan 8 seconds behind in 25th place. Andy Birkbeck ran a fantastic time of 1.40.36 in the V50 category. Jonathan Gore was the leader of the next pack in 1.51.29 followed by Anneke Crosby in 1.51.36 and Natalie Moore in 1.52.00. More great performances came from Pete O’Grady – 1.56.22, Anees Shaikh 1.57.32,Lorna Taylor 2.04.57, Judith Ingham , 2.13.48, Emily Ingham, 2.13.48, Sharon Birkbeck 2.15.43,David Anson 2.18.08, Mary Conway 2.28.50,Marion O’Grady, 2.35.13, Tracey Woods 2.37.57, Ramona Mulligan 2.56.06.
On the Fells this week 12 runners were at the first Harrock Hill race of the season. Plenty of success with well placed finishers was topped with Ken Addison as our first finisher in 33rd place and first V60 in a time of 39.38.Dave Tolson was 3rd V55 in 43.47 with Gary Corcoran next in 44.34.Janine Needham was in great form and placed as first L40 in 48.13. John Wiseman finished 52.09. Janet Tolson took first L60 position in 52.45.Ruth Travis and Debbie Porter combined to finish in 55.37.Our other finishers were Jim Robinson 56.34, Alison Mercer 57.29, Sarah Haslam 65.03, Aimee Midgley 67.43, Tom Hilton 78.48.
The Hutton Roof Crags Fell Race was well supported by the club with an excellent performance from the Men’s team. They finished 6th out of 22 teams, well ahead of some formidable clubs. In 27th place overall, James Simon showed his pedigree with a great time of 60.03. Ben Donoghue came in with a hard earned 65.06 and Phil Butler showed his prowess on the difficult terrain as our third counter in 66.08. More good performances came from the whole team, some who were experiencing their first season of fell races.
The women were led home by Emma Plant, first L20, in a time of 79.47. Debbie Porter, in her preferred surroundings was next in 84.55 with Pita Oates putting in a strong and determined effort to finish in 1.40.29.
Miore results. S.Cann 67.04, A.Christie 68.17, B.Wheeler 69.00, S.Harrison 70.00,M.McCrea 70.30, J.Naylor 72.41, F.Nightingale 73.16, J.Royle 74.18,P.Davidson 74.59, J.Robinson 95.38,K.Clark 1.48.48, A.Midgley 1.54.00, G.Fletcher 1.54.13,Sue Austin 2.00.31, J.Fairclough 2.00.31,L.Hyde 2.08.47.
Too many to mention turned up to support the excellent local race Fishwick 5 miles. 38 out of the 68 finishers wore the red vest! In the first ten were six Red Rose Road Runners. In first place was David Parkinson (Chorley) in 32.16 then in 2nd was Sam Harrison in 33.49 and third was the experienced Stuart Cann in 33.57. Others in the top 10, had their own battle with Barry Wheeler 6th in 36.54, Gary Corcoran 7th in 37.07 and Mike Hall 8th in 37.12. Emma Plant was equal first with Michelle Tickle in a great time of 40.03, Alison Parkinson was second counter for the club in 40.38 with Lisa Bolton 3rd in 40.39. Full results on UK Road Races . info facebook.
Alex Venables was the only Red Rose at the Blackpool Prom 10 miler but he did a great job. Running 65.41 he was third overall.
Parkrun continues to inspire everyone. At Preston PB’s were recorded by Claire Shaw 24.11, Nicola Hughes 27.17, Hannah Unwin 27.28, Graham Wilkinson 27.33, Stephen walker 30.29, Paul McMonagle 34.28. At Cuerden Valley Andy Clipston chipped away at his times this time running 41.56 and at Lytham Liam Hooton went under 20minutes with 19.52.
APOLOGIES to anyone missing. It’s been one of those weekends. Well done, everyone!!