The Hellrunner Half Marathon held in Delamere Forest, lived up to it’s name when eight Red Rosers attempted the the Bog of Doom in what is claimed to be the UK’s toughest half marathon. With times more often matching their marathon times it’s reasonable to suppose this was no ordinary event. Running in twos and threes, the course was conquered with Wendy Rogerson and Nicola Patterson leading the way in a great time of 4.11.56, followed by Gary Turner 5.02.38 and Lucy turner 5.03.08. Vicky Calvert, Tracey and Simon Alami, were close behind in 5.18.10 and Mac McCormack home in 5.33.07.
The Manchester Half Marathon was run in a deluge of rain throughout the race which sometimes spurs runners on. Liam Hooton ran a brilliant 1.29.17 followed by Lynne Kenyon with an impressive time of 1.49.35. Mark Wardley and Gail Bristo followed in 1.54.35 and Kathryn Abbott, again broke the 2 hour barrier in 1.57.03. Ali Topping and Fiona Michelle had a great day, both posting new PB’s of 2.31.38. More success came from Anthony Pope 2.01.23,Becky Higham, 2.03.4 (PB),1Gina Chelton 2.04.03, Keith Burrows 2.08.15,Michelle Round 2.19.26, Susan Heatley 2.28.37,Hannah Clayton 2.47.01, Jessica Cook 2.47.01, Jayne Grzywna 2.48.40, Jacqueline Winslow 2.53.42,Ian Bruce 3.11.32.
Some people don’t seem to know when to have a rest! At the Yorkshire Marathon, several runners were competing in yet another 26.2 only a week after their last one. Emily Ingham lead the Red Rose team home with a great time of 3.49.12 with Ben Smithers, 3.52.56, Judi Ingham 4.19.24, Mary Conway 4.55.51, Emily Atkinson 5.29.05, Gina Biggs 5.30.21.
The Autumn Breaker 10k was held in Stanley Park Blackpool. Stuart Smith finished in 40.03, Michael Oddie 40.38 and Janine Needham in a new PB of 40.39 was second female. Full results. Richard Barnes 44.15, Brian Hanley 51.27, Katrin Elbag 55.40, Daniel Smith 59.03, Natalie Barber 59.06, Helen Patten 59.26, Karen Smith 62.28, Rachel Cook 62.32, Sami Cook 62.32, Sami Taylor 62.43, Sandra Rolston 63.31, Steve Bullows 69.57, Arthur Green 74.24, Susan Rennie 77.27,Michael Turner 94.27.
Debbie Porter and Ian Wharton took on the Gin Pit 5 Trail Race finishing in 45.38.The Alder Hey 10k race attracted a large field and results don’t show runners’ club but Phil Davidson ran 45.06 and Susan Beardsworth ran 1.17.55. Apologies to anyone else who ran!
The first Mid Lancs cross country event was held in Ulverston. Predictably muddy conditions met the runners but teams acquitted themselves well. The Ladies events produced our best performances with Sarah Chippendale, Nicola Hughes and Sue Tonge taking 6th place in the open race. The Over 35’s were 10th, the Over 45’s, Sue Tonge, Paula Plowman and Ruth Travis were 4th and Sue and Paula were joined by Joan Gouldthorpe to take first place in the Over 55 race.
A good turnout of Red Rose men saw them take 12th and 21st place in the Open race. The Over 40’s Stephen Woodruffe ,Frank Nightingale, Manolo Mendoza and Stuart Cann were 9th out of 17 teams and the Over 50, Stephen, Frank and Stuart were 5th out of 15. Full results are available on www. midlancs.org.uk .
The Lakeland Trails Helvellyn and Ullswater events were held this weekend. Olivia Wiggans took on the Helvellyn 10kTrail Race and had a great run finishing in 4th place.
At the Ullswater, in the shorter distance of 10k Alecia Johnstone was our first finisher in 1.10.44 with Austin Trelfa next in 1.23.20. Helen Greenhalgh was home in 1.33.15 followed by and Josephine Walsh and Nina Colquhoun in 1.45.46. David Watson finished in 1.46.44.
In the longer race, with 292 finishers, Ian Croft finished in 36th place in 1.19.55 with Chris Hargreaves and Andrew Christie 41st and 43rd in 1.20.49. Next came Iain Mitchell 69th in 1.26.13 and Alicia Croft 148th in 1.41.12.