The first Inter Club race of the season was hosted by BWFAC at Stanley Park, Blackpool. The 4 mile course attracted a massive field of 390.The Red Rose team consisted of more than 100 runners with some excellent results and many new members enjoying their first taste of the Inter Club series. Although the team was only positioned 6th out of 7 in the main event we had more success in the other categories. The Women’s team were placed 4th as was the FV 40 team. The Vets team was placed 3rd whilst the V50 and V60 teams started the season with first positions. Full results are available on the Inter Club facebook page or Wesham’s club site.
Marathon events start to appear at this time of the year and the winter miles are put to the test. In Rotterdam Pete Battersby flew the Red Rose flag finishing in a time of 3.46.22. Chris Corrigan ran his first marathon, in the heat, around the streets of Paris with a respectable 4.23.42. Gina Biggs made another marathon appearance, this time at the Brighton event finishing in 5.54.47.
The Fleetwood 10k took place in unexpectedly warm temperatures with Alex Venables once again making the pace with 3rd place in 37.18. More good performances came from Stephen Murphy in 51.16, Davina Bowling 53.29, Wendy Rogerson 54.27,Louise Withnell 55.03, Matt Ashton 56.28,Nicola Patterson 56.34,Michelle Livesey 57.06, Jackie Brunton 62.33,and Stuart Harrison 63.49.
The Rivington 10 mile Trail race attracted a sizeable Red Rose contingent. Kristian Lowe showed no signs of his recent heavy race schedule finishing in 1.20.07 followed by a close group consisting of Scott Jackson 1.28.39, Phil Davidson 1.28.48,Andy Martin 1.30.13 and an excellent run from Olivia Wiggans in 1.32.15. Any race in the Rivington area will always be a test of stamina and times don’t compare to road races, nevertheless there were excellent times achieved by the whole group. William Wiggans 136.10, Wayne Hope 1.44.35, Lynn Melvin 1.45.10, Melanie Lowe 1.46.17, Graham Roberts 1.50.33, Alison Mercer 1.51.26, Paul Gardner 1.53.49, Louise McKenna 1.57.27, Cat Holden 1.59.12,Mary Conway 2.01.10, Sarah Haslam 2.10.26.
Parkrun achievements this weekend came with Mark Willett and Dave Brunton at Blackpool racing to the finish with times of 19.11 and 19.12. In Preston, Dan Hughes had a great run with a time of 17.55 with Nicola Hughes also in impressive form finishing in 23.06. Helen Clayton took her PB down to 34.10 and Jacqueline Winslow improved to 36.16. Cuerden Valley, the hardest parkrun in the region, saw Finty Royle in fine form with a new best time of 20.34, Wayne Sharples speeding through in 24.03 and Stephen Walker finishing in 26.18.