In spite of the worst weather in living memory. Red Rose were well represented all over the county and a bit further. The final Mid Lancs cross country event was held at Ulverston, hosted by Hoad Hill. According to those who travelled, many on the Red Rose coach, it was a very well worth the journey. The course was varied and challenging and also afforded sea views, unfortunately on the windiest parts of the course.
In the U11 girls race Lexie Colquhoun completed her season being our heroic sole runner in the Junior events with a time of 14.03 for the 2k course. The women’s team were led by 11th placed Nicola Hughes in 29.48 for the 6k course followed by Sam Edwards 31.37, Pauline Moorcroft 34.24,(6th L55) Joan Gouldthorpe 36.26,(2nd L65) Alison Mercer 41.26, Pita oates 43.42, Jenny Fairclough 43.32,Nina Colquhoun 45.18. The men’s team of eleven saw Barry Wheeler finish in 40.40 just ahead of John Naylor in 40.52. The team also included Andrew Christie 41.13, Manolo Mendoza 41.44, Simon Shaw 44.10, Mark McCrea 46.44, Philip Butler 46.53, Philip Dean 47.51, Ben Donoghue 47.52, John Wiseman 50.29 and Gareth Fairey 61.26.
Lynne Kenyon travelled to the capital to race against Mo Farah in the Big Half. Her great time of 1.52.35 was not quite good enough to beat him.
The Paphos Marathon events saw a few of our runners enjoying warmer conditions. Aimee Midgeley clocked 28.9 miles in the marathon and finished in 6.19.15, and Shane Cliffe ran 4.51.13. In the 10k Simon Croft finished in 3rd place in a time of 34.29 and Natalie Moore ran 52.36.
A 9.00am start for the scenic Anglesey Half Marathon proved a great incentive for two of our runners. Chip timing showed that both Chris Hargreaves and Iain Mitchell achieved PB’s. Chris finished in 1.44.51, improving by 2 minutes and Iain a new PB by 5 minutes with a time of 1.46.47.
At the 315 Lancaster 10k, Sue Brooks was our only runner but she had great race coming in 12th overall and taking the prize for third woman in a time of 51.35. At the Trotters 5 mile Janine Needham was amongst the prizes with her time of 37.42. Austin Trelfa finished in 46.01 followed by Debbie Porter in 47.20 and Emily Atkinson 47.14.
Kathryn Abbott ran the Chester 10k and came away with a new PB of 53.21.
Some Parkrun events were affected by the weather but some of our runners thrived in the cold at Preston with PB’s for Stuart Smith 20.35, Pete Battersby 21.12, Jon Wright 21.58, David Eaves 26.50 and Carol Heaton 31.18. Phil Davidson completed his 150th parkrun and may take a little rest now. At Blackburn Chris Charnley recorded 20.49, the fastest time of the day.