The Red Rose tour bus was out again this weekend with a great trip to the Coniston 14. 45 runners joined the field of 1147 to run in this iconic Lakeland race over a magnificently scenic but energy sapping 14 mile course around Coniston Lake. The sun came out early and greeted the club coach on its arrival. The first mile is all uphill and several undulating miles follow. By mile 8 the runners need to be ready for the serious climb to Brantwood and still be fit for the climb to 12 miles. At this point, a steep downhill section takes the runners back to lake level with the final run into the village and the welcome cheers of friends and supporters. The satisfaction of completing this race ensured a great sense of achievement for everyone. Prizes were won by Simon Croft with an excellent 1.25.12 for 9th place, he was joined by Sam Harrison 1.32.07, Richard Maughan 1.33.39 and Kristian Lowe 1.34.13 to take the Men Team 3rd prize. Individual prizes went to Joe Swarbrick for the V60 prize in 1.34.52, Jill Jefferson first F55 in 1.45.06 and Ray Taylor 2nd V65 in 1.48.11. Red Rose results. S.Woodruffe 1.36.35, M.Willettt 1.39.01, P.Butler 1.42.25, J.Needham 1.47.06, F.Nightingale 1.47.57, J.Allen 1.49.12, S.Poxon 1.49.34, S.Jackson 1.51.57, N.Whatton 1.53.09, A.Parkinson 2.01.38, J.Gore 2.06.21, C.Taylor 2.06.23, Susan Tonge ,6th Vet 60, 2.10.07, W.Hope 2.11.10, N.Moore 2.11.46, L.Melvin 2.11.49, D.Clapham 2.12.56, G.Fairey 2.14.43, C.Karn 2.17.08, S.Maltby 2.17.53, H.Greenhalgh 2.18.53, A.Mercer 2.20.12, A .Cutler 2.20.55, S. Taylor 2.22.24, M. Lowe 2.23.00, M.Conway 2.30.24, J.Fairclough 2.31.09, A.Berry 2.33.50, C.Manning 2.35.41, S.Haslam 2.39.52, J.Walsh 2.43.12, A.Davison 2.45.04, J.Szedler- Sloan 2.45.04, K.Johnson 2.45.04, F.Ali 2.45.04, M.McCormack 2.55.58, N.Colquhoun 3.18.00, R.Mulligan 3.50.36.
A band of three enjoyed the Mothers’ Day 10k in Lancaster. Jose Pinon Shaw secured 8th place with a time of 38.17, Lisa Bolton ran an excellent 46.17 and Carol Douglass impressed with a time of 50.41 to be a clear winner of the F70 category.
A large group from the club supported the Muddy Bottoms event starting from Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre. Six runners, some who raced at Coniston the day before, tackled the 9 mile course. In a show of strength of team work Steve Taylor, Martin Simpson, Wendy Ward , Paula Plowman, Mac McCormack and Ben Donoghue completed the course in 2.27.34.The 17 mile course presented even more challenge. John Naylor took third place in 2.58.47, Gary Corcoran was 5th in 2.59.59 . Anneke Crosby, Anees Shaikh and Stuart Can pooled their strength to finish together in 3.58.50 and Ray Oates, Bernard Mitchell, Pita Oates and Gareth Bell teamed up to finish in 4.13.28.