This weekend saw Bernard and Evelyn Elkington celebrate their 80th birthdays. This remarkable couple are still stalwarts of the local running community and thought it only fitting to mark their milestone by hosting a 5 mile run and fun run. They chose to raise funds in aid of the Unique Kidz and Co charity which provides valuable support to disabled children, young people and their families. 200 participants enjoyed a fabulous event held at Salt Ayre Sports Centre in Lancaster. Red Rose Road Runners joined with Lancaster and Morecambe Athletic Club, a huge contingent of Blackburn Road Runners and others from far and wide to share the bond that exists between the local clubs. Results were not that important on the day, nevertheless, when the gun fires the competitive edge rushes in. The 5 mile race was won by Daniel Edwards from Barlick Fell Runners in 27.57. In second place, in form John Shepherd ran a superb 27.02 followed by top ten finishes from Ken Addison 6th in 31.02, and first V60, Joe Swarbrick 8th in 31.17, and Gary Corcoran in 10th in a PB of 31.46 taking the V45 prize. Janine Needham was second in the women’s race in a great time of 34.20 with Jill Jefferson 4th and second F55 in 35.08. In 29th place Andy Hale was the first V40 in 35.40. Janet Tolson took the honours in the F60 category in 40.14 followed by Carol Douglass in 40.23 to take the F70 prize. Almost inevitably, Evelyn won the F80 prize coasting round in celebratory mood in 58.02 whilst Bernard completed the course alongside ‘youngster’ Howard Henshaw a mere V65 in a chatty jog of 70.54.
Red rose results.P.Butler 33.36, D.Tolson 34.26, L.Hooton 34.39,J.Naylor 34.39,D.Hooton 35.20, R.Travis 37.31, R.Ward 37.42,P.O’Grady 38.00,B.Mitchell 39.09, Z.Giles 39.14,A.Lodge 41.14, P.Plowman 41.16,D.Maudsley 41.43, A.Shaikh 42.07,A.Mercer 42.43,R.Lodge 43.44,G.Fletcher 44.35,A.Howard 44.50,L.Melvin 46.16, Mary Conway 46.16,J.Fairclough 48.16,M.Lupton 49.26,L.Withnell 50.08,K.Clark 51.26,C.Clark 51.33,L.Walsh 51.44, W.Ward 52.55,D.Aspin 52.55,S.Rolston 55.15, L.Plackett 56.46,J.Saynor 58.22.
Dave Brunton went on another of his epic distances. Taking part again in the Lakeland 50 mile race he covered the course in an amazing PB of 11.11.49.Red Rose friends, Pita,Debbie Ray and Stuart were on hand at checkpoint 13 to provide food and encouragement which was a massive boost to Dave and the other runners.
Barry Wheeler and Ben Donoghue popped over to Rossendale last Wednesday for Lee Mill fell race, a challenging 6 miler. Ben broke some ribs, nothing much else to report.
Ben Smith was in town again, this time completing his 334th marathon helped and accompanied by a Red Rose and friends. He must like it here, that’s his third visit.
Parkrun PB’s were achieved at Cuerden Valley by Gary Corcoran 21.45, David Williams 22.11, Louise McKenna26.34, Nicola Hughes 27.40, Andrea Davison 31.53, Louise Withnell 33.03. At Preston Frank Nightingale ran 21.31, Sian McMonagle 22.16 and Stephen Walker 28.36.