The big race of the weekend for Red Rose was the Rivington Pike Fell Race. This was the club’s first Grand Prix and Fell Championship race of the year with a healthy turnout of 44 runners. Although a short run it is still a test of endurance for all the runners. Gareth Case enjoyed the accolade of being first Red Rose home in 39th position in a time of 22.39. Chris Charnley was next, in 23.51 followed very closely by John Barker 24.09, Frank Nightingale 24.17 and John Naylor 24.19. First Red Rose lady was Nicola Hughes in 28.19 followed by Janine Needham in 29.09 and 3rd F40. Hannah McCusker was next in 29.51 followed by Samantha Edwards 30.29, Paula Plowman 31.52 ( 4th F50) and Lynn Melvin 32.13, (2nd F55). The Red Rose finishers were :Manolo Mendoza 24.55,Andrew Christie 25.36, Pete Battersby 26.03, Gary Corcoran 26.03, Ben Donoghue 26.09,Stuart Cann 27.00, Mark McCrea 27.12, Dan Hughes 28.19, Peter Bolton 29.49, Steven Moon 32.10, John Wiseman 33.02, John Plowman 33.41, Alison Parkinson 33.44, Debbie Porter 33.57, Faron Jones 34.04, Judi Ingham 34.15, Emily Ingham 34.16, Mary Conway 34.19,Gareth Fairey 34.43, Sue Tonge 35.02, Kate Clipston 35.12, Anneke Crosby 35.13, Ruth Travis 35.29, Alison Mercer 36.21, Jim Rawlinson 36.26, Anees Shaikh 37.05, Sarah Haslam 39.36, Jenny Fairclough 42.00, Sue Austin 42.15, Roger Johnson 42.20, Yvonne Johnson 42.36,Nikki Bentley 46.13.
The Good Friday, 10 miler at Caldervale always attracts a lot of runners. This year Dan Hughes impressed with a time of 61.57 taking 4th place. Paul Duffell was our next runner over this hilly course in 68.44. Sarah Chippendale had a great run, 40th overall and third woman in 73.58. Janine Needham finished in 75.37 followed by Jill Jefferson in 76.15 to take the F55 prize. Carolyn Douglass won the F70 prize in 89.29 just ahead of Joan Gouldthorpe who took the F65 prize in 89.45. our other finishers were : Stuart Smith 71.45, Michael Oddie 74.28, David Raynor 76.51, Ben Smithers 78.48, Doug Bryden 82.37, Lisa Bolton 82.40, Stuart Harrison 83.36, Alison Parkinson 90.31, Mary Conway 95.50, Sue Tonge 96.07, Mark Gouldthorpe 98.34, Catherine Karn 1.45.06, Gareth Fairey 1.49.23. In the Fun run, Richard Chippendale was 13th home in a time 17.40.
Earlier in the week there was a Mad Bull event, the Curleys 5k. Olivia Wiggans was well up in the field finishing in 26th place and 3rd lady in 23.31. Rob Mather, 25.12, just edged in ahead of Mark McCrea 25.19. Michelle Griffiths finished in 29.01, Ros Crompton 32.00 and Sarah Haslam 33.05.
Nigel Britton had the luxury of running in France. He took part in the Auchan le Pontet 10k finishing in a target sub 45 minute time.
Gina Biggs completed 4 races over the Easter weekend. On day one, a 50k in 7.35 which was a PB, hosted by Enigma running. Day 2 was a half marathon in 4.06, which involved self navigation, with cheeky pub stops and lots of mud – The Darnley Challenge, hosted by SVN. Day 3 was a marathon, in 6.12 – The RAF centenary celebration race, hosted by SVN. Finally, Day 4 was another marathon, this time in 6.42, hosted by Enigma running.
Ben Smithers ran the Liverpool to Manchester 50 mile race. He managed this in 9:51 in the pouring rain, finishing in the top 100!
Parkrun highlights this week include a special effort at South Manchester by Mark Willett finishing in a new course PB of 19.58, especially for little Jacob. PB’s at Preston were achieved by David Eaves in 24.44 and Jo Roberts in 29.11. A very quiet event at Cheadle Hulme saw Sam Edwards finish in 7th place in 27.30 and Ben Smithers 9th in 29.36. Joel Stanier finished the Blackpool event in 25.59 with Esther close behind in 26.58. The inaugural Northwich parkrun attracted Red Rose interest. Andrew Christie 19.54, David Hooton 22.35, Philip Davidson 22.50 and Liam Hooton 23.16. At the other side of the world John Allen represented us in New Zealand. On a trip of a lifetime, he took part in the Dunedin event finishing in 22.59.