The Hoad Hill Marathon, a very tough trail course, provided a stiff test for the 80 runners. Three great performances came from John Naylor 17th in 4.01.37, Shane Cliffe 45th in 4.51.41 and Michael Pate 47th in 4.52.55. In the demanding half marathon, Phil Davidson and Richard Ward kept close company with times of 2.08.53 and 2.09.01. Mary Conway had an excellent run in 2.34.56 followed by strong performances from Aimee Midgley in 3.11.43 and Lydia Plackett in 3.39.16.
More tough conditions were experienced on the Worsthorne Moor Trail Race, Burnley where Gareth Bell finished the 6.8 mile course in 52.50 and Graham Roberts in 70.30.
The Blackpool Airshow 10k attracted 253 runners with Simon Robinson running a great time of 40.24. Alison Mercer also had a good day with a time of 55.49 to be second F55. Gina Chelton ran a very precise 60.00 whilst Sandra Rolston ran 70.06 and Arthur Green close on her heels in 71.02.
The third Badger 10k at Cuerden Valley was attended by 29 Red Rose Runners on a night of humid conditions. Great success came from Duncan Anderson’s winning performance in 37.58 and 3rd placed Karl Hodgson in 39.30. Ken Addison produced another good performance narrowly missing the V60 prize in a time of 42.25 followed by Mike Hall who took 2 minutes off his previous time to record 42.42.This was rewarded with the quartet taking the first team prize. Barry Wheeler showed his strength in the closing stages with a final push to overhaul Joe Swarbrick in a time of 43.30. Nine women represented the club with Alison Parkinson leading the team with a time of 51.35 to be 3rd F50 out of 14. Carol Douglass was in a class of her own as F70 with our second best performance in 55.50. Yvonne Johnson was 2nd F55 in 56.39 and Alison Mercer 3rd F55 in 59.10. Joan Gouldthorpe(59.53) completed the team which took second place on the night. Karen Munnelly ran a fine 61.44, Lorraine Houghton finished in 63.05 with Jenny Fairclough only a short distance behind in 63.47 and Angie Fox Lane next in 65.51.
Men’s results. Simon Gardner 46.27,David Tolson 3rd V55 in 46.41, Rob Mather 49.03, Jon Royle 49.44, Jonathan Gore 50.24, Andy Hale 52.51, Gareth Fairey 55.05, Ray Taylor 55.15, Wayne Hope 55.30, Austin Trelfa 58.08, Michael Hogarth 61.17, George Fletcher 62.31 ,1st V70, Tom Hilton 84.48.
The Riverside 10 mile held in Lancaster is a course with a bit of everything, footpaths, country lanes and hills. Wind was also a little blustery at times. The event was praised and our lone runner, Richard Maughan was 8th home in a time of 63.39.
The Cuerden Valley Parkrun celebrated its 3rd anniversary in fine Red Rose style. Karl Hodgson was the first runner home and was also crowned King of the Valley for the year. Ruth Travis was justifiably crowned Queen of the Valley after her exploits this year. Finty Royle was on hand to present the honours after her reign last year. 49 red Rose ran the 5k course with another 10 acting as volunteers. PB’s were achieved by David Williams 21.17, Andrea Davison 31.36, Louise Withnell 33.01. At Preston Frank Nightingale ran 20.54.
Our very best V50, John Shepherd has recently been in brilliant form. He has won the Calder Vale Supper Run and also the Scorton Supper Run. Can anyone see the link? Anyone surprised !!!!
Peter O’Grady did the Dublin Rock n Roll 5k on Saturday (a quick dash by taxi from the airport to the start) finished in 22:54. Then on Sunday did the half marathon, a tough course in warm conditions finishing in 1:56:29. He then changed into spiderman costume to do the 2k fun run.