The Manchester Marathon was the highlight of the Red Rose weekend . With a brilliant team of 30 volunteer marshalls at the 23 mile feeding station, all runners could guarantee a lift from the mighty Red Rose contingent. 19 of the club ran the race with great times produced by all. Realistic pacing is the key to good marathon times and there were many superb examples of this from our runners. Kristian Lowe produced the best time of the day with an impressive 3.04.12 followed by Andrew Christie in 3.13.42. Long distance specialist John Naylor ran a steady 3.16.10 followed by Tobin Rayner and Simon Robinson both comfortably breaking 4 hours in 3.47.46 and 3.57.04. Gaby Concepcion finished in 4.03.22. Our leading lady was Louise McKenna with an impressive performance and a time of 4.13.41 followed by the more experienced Paula Plowman in 4.15.02. Emma Plant ran very well finishing in 4.23.43 before the double act of Martin Simpson and his running mate Ben Donoghue crossed the line in 4.32.00. Catherine Newton and Sarah Maltby kept each other focused finishing together in 4.33.08 and Emily and Judi Ingham achieved success in 4.38.25. Martin Foley (IRE) ran 4.50.33 followed by mighty efforts from Colin Manning in 5.16.09, Nikki Bentley 5.18.28 and Gina Biggs 5.59.57.
Mac McCormack took to the streets of Rome for the Italian city’s marathon in heavy rain and finished in 6.31.27.
Doing half the distance nearer home the Darwen Half provided a mighty test of endurance. Lisa Bolton competed, hoping to improve on last year’s time and came away with first place in her age group and a time of 1.46.49, an improvement of 5 minutes. Paul McMonagle also took on the tough course completing it in a very respectable 1.55.49. Nina Colquhoun put in a mammoth effort over the endless hills, home in 3.02.51.
Over a distance of 7 miles the Garstang Gallop can provide a testing run for anyone. Mark Billington finished in 47.50, Jill Jefferson ran 49.29 to be 3rd lady and first F55. Ray Taylor took another V65 prize in 50.24 and Carol Douglass was first F70 in 60.04. Andrew Stell clocked 52.09 and Richard Barnes 55.19.
Parkrun PB’s have been achieved recently at Cuerden Valley by John Naylor 20.18, Finty Royle 20.38,Jonathan Finch 21.50, Wayne Sharples 24.20, Janette Rayton 26.06, Stephen Walker 27.08, Ben Metcalf 27.10 and David Hindle 29.15. At Preston Sarah Runcie improved to 26.35.
Good round up thank you . Mac