The Howgills marathon and half marathon was a big attraction for Red Rose this weekend. The event is based in Sedbergh and the course passes through the Howgill Fells, part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It’s a picturesque setting, but the course has real ‘bite’ with some serious climbing in the first 6 miles for both half and full marathon courses. 13 did the half with Andrew Christie home in 18th place in a time of 2.24.29. Olivia Wiggans was less than 3 minutes behind in 2.27.22 to take 4th place in the ladies section. Chris Hargreaves had a good race with a time of 2.44.11. Teamwork was definitely a great strength and motivator with the difficult miles. John Wiggans 2.51.43, Andy Birkbeck 2.51.59, Richard Ward 2.52.16, Allan Johnson 2.56.08, Iain Mitchell 3.06.29, Lynn Melvin 3.08.37,Lorna Taylor 3.22.24, Sarah Haslam 3.41.15, Wendy Ward 3.48.10, Louise Walsh 4.08.39.
The brave, full marathon runners had to contend with even longer in the sun with Simon Gardner our clear winner in 5.27.59, Wayne Hope with Mark McCrea 6.25.05 and Bernie Mitchell 7.23.39.
The brilliant Blacksticks Blue race is another favourite with Red Rose and in 8th place Richard Maughan cracked the tough course in 39.42. Mark Willett ran brilliantly for Jacob and Ronald MacDonald House, Manchester with a time of 43.44. Richard Barnes ran 46.43 just ahead of Jill Jefferson who finished as 3rd lady and 1st F55 in 46.48. More excellent times came from David Park 48.52, Peter O’Grady 50.15, Lynne Kenyon 51.20, Brian Hanley 53.23, Cat Holden 59.43 and Marion O’Grady 62.19.
Earlier in the week we had huge turnout of about 40 runners for the Mearley Clough Fell Race. This 3.5 mile race started at the Calf’s Head Worston, near Clitheroe. It’s a short race but with 1247ft of climb it is a challenge for everyone. James Simon headed Red Rose with a time of 36.59, followed by a Red Rose posse of Barry Wheeler 39.47, Chris Charnley 39.51, John Barker 39.56,Gareth Case 40.14 and Frank Nightingale 40.37. Nicola Hughes was our first lady in 49.25 with Janine Needham close behind in 50.02. Another good group of three provided support and competition for each other with Emily Ingham finishing in 53.31, Lynn Melvin 53.54 and Glynis Leo 55.33. Other results: Andrew Christie 43.42,Phil Butler 47.18, Jon Royle 48.53, Phil Davidson 49.10, Dan Hughes 49.25, Peter Bolton 50.57, Dave Brunton 51.21, Gary Corcoran 51.47, Mark Willett 56.28, Judi Ingham 58.14, Sam Edwards 58.59, Alison Mercer 60.12, John Wiseman 61.19,Jim Robinson 61.19,Mandy Slater 63.52, Sarah Haslam 65.40, David Barnes 70.24, Gareth Fairey 71.54, Wendy Ward 72.15,Helen Greenhalgh 72.35, Shane Collins 75.33, Nina Colquhoun 80.46, Amanda Berrt 89.52,Kelly Day 89.52.
In Blackpool, Stuart Smith and Michael Oddie gave Red Rose an excellent 1-2 in the V40 category with times of 37.59, and 40.07. Louise Withnell was our first female in 52.43 followed by Nicola Patterson and Wendy Rogerson in 53.29.
The Race2Remember was held in Scorton over an 8k course. Results are sketchy so apologies for errors. Frank Nightingale 8th and first V50, in 42.17. Gary Corcoran 12th in 43.57 and Pete Battersby in 44.40. Pauline Moorcroft was our first lady in 51.18 followed by Joan Gouldthorpe in 53.45, first F65, and Carolyn Douglass first F70 in 54.53. Results: Stuart Cann 44.58,Phil Davidson 45.48, Steven Moon 48.30, Ray Taylor 48.36, Ian Wharton 52.26, John Wiseman 53.07, Judi Ingham 55.48, Emily Ingham 55.48, Glynis Leo 56.02, Hannah McCusker 56.02, Alison Mercer 56.22, Jane Godsland 56.50,Debbie Porter 56.56,Susan Tonge 57.46, Maureen Laney 59.54, Mel Lowe 62.42,Kris Lowe 62.42, James Robinson 63.01, Mary Conway 65.24, Sarah Watkins 65.46, Jon Carberry 65.46, Katy Cleece 72.42, Hannah Clayton 72.47, Carole Williams 72.49, Karen Clark 73.44, Chris Clark 76.07.
Phil Davidson continued his Pendle and Burnley GP challenge with a 5 miler on the Pinhaw trail with a time of 41.24.
Gina Biggs went to the Very British Challenge in Penistone and completed the half marathon distance.
At the Beaverbrook 10k in Blackpool. Heidi Webber ran 68.47 and Andrea Davison 72.16. Dave Aspin finished in 73.48.
Lewis Withnell ran the Leeds Half Marathon in 1.47.40.