The oldest half marathon in the country is the Freckleton race now in its 51st year. Red Rose were well represented in the race with 17 runners and equally well supported by non running members around the course. Unusually for Freckleton, there was rain throughout the race which may have been welcome at times. First home for the club was Simon Croft in a brilliant time of 1.19.19 in 16th place. Another excellent performance came from Alex Venables in 1.26.53 Dave Brunton clocked 1.30.27 and Andrew Stell finished in 1.38.22. Dave Hooton enjoyed the achievement of ‘first in the family’ with a time of 1.40.46, three minutes clear of his son Liam who finished ina PB of 1.43.38. Nigel Britton finished in a good time of 1.40.46. Louise McKenna was the first Red Rose lady home in a time of 1.52.34 with Anneke Crosby next in 1.56.13 which included helping a fellow runner at 12 miles who needed an ambulance. Thomas Whittle 1.56.55, Lee Parker completing his first ‘half’in 1.57.21, Gareth Fairey 1.57.47,a massive PB by about 9 minutes and Margaret Lupton 1.58.38 all finished under 2 hours. More runners gaining experience at this distance were Natalie Moore 2.02.05, Paula Stell 2.04.05, David Bayliss 2.09.38 and Helen Greenhalgh 2.24.47.
Robert Taylor took on the challenge of ‘Race the Train’, a 12 mile multi terrain run from Bury to Rawtenstall. A great T shirt and excellent ‘bling’ medal was his reward for the tough run.
In Lancaster there was a Fathers’ Day 10k with Jose Pinon Shaw being well rewarded with a toaster for 3rd place in a time of 38.26. Andrew Christie, running well, was only a few strides behind in 38.47. Shane Collins completed the Red Rose winning team line up with a time of 60.27. Davina Bowling took the F65 prize in 55.49 and Bernard Elkington was first M75 in a steady 72.33.
Success at the Race for Life event came from Sian McMonagle who crossed the line in first place in the 5k run.
A trio of Red Rosers enjoyed the Edgeworth 10k. This was an excellent event which may attract more runners next year. Jenny Bradley, Kate Clipston and Andy *** enjoyed the event.
PB’s at Parkrun events continue with large turnouts for all the local runs. 235 finishers at Cuerden saw Duncan Anderson first home in 18.56, Lisa Bolton with another improved time of 24.35, Davina Bowling starting the weekend off with 28.52 and Alice Faure improving with a time of 30.32. At Lytham 238 runners completed the event with Phil Davidson getting a PB of 20.39 and Rob Mather enjoying success with a time of 22.04.
Mark McCrea ran the inaugural Castle Canter fell race over in Todmorden at 5.30pm in a time of 1hr 18mins 50 seconds and finished 27th out of a field of 54. It was an extremely tough course in very wet a windy conditions with a lot of fine fell running competitors.
Gina Biggs went in search of yet another marathon and found one in Wakefield finishing in a fine time of 5.52.
Oh, and Mike Hall hoovered downstairs !!!!!!