The Essar Four Villages Half Marathon is a popular road race on rural roads around Helsby in Cheshire. This was the first Championship race of the year and 49 club members took part. In a high quality field Simon Croft came 16th in 1.14.55and Philip Marsden, 8th V45 in 1.19.42. David Parkinson finished 9th V50 in 1.25.16 along with Joe Martin. Complete results: .Karl Hodgson 1.26.16,: Manolo Mendoza 1.28.20, Gary Corcoran 1.30.40, Scott Jackson 1.31.50, Steve Tingle 1.33.04, Jonathan Finch 1.34.00, Andrew Christie 1.31.47,Michael Oddie 1.34.36, Steven Willetts 1.35.25, John Allen 1.36.39, Stuart Cann 1.39.24, Ben Smithers 1.40.16. Our first female was Vicky Ardern in a great time of 1.42.51. Richard Field 1.43.54, Rob Mather 1.43.56,(course PB) David Raynor 1.41.50, Laura Houghton 1.45.04, John Wiseman 1.45.39, Anneke Crosby 1.46.28,Lee Burton 1.46.37, Lisa Bolton 1.46.42, Pauline Moorcroft 1.49.38, Natalie Moore 1.50.06, Ian Wharton 1.50.04, Anthony Barnes 1.53.38, Kathryn Abbott 1.55.02,(PB) Paula Plowman 1.59.14, Alison Mercer 2.02.49,Natalie Lewis 2.02.59, Anthony Pope 2.04.43, Martin Simpson 2.07.18, Ben Donoghue 2.07.19,Anees Shaikh 2.08.11, Lisa Baron 2.16.05, Tracey Alami 2.18.09, Carol Heaton 2.19.52, Amanda Berry 2.20.41, Fiona Gutteridge 2.21.11, Martin Foley 2.21.54, Ann Donoghue 2.21.59, Craig Lancaster 2.22.34, Susan Heatley 2.29.32, Gina Biggs 2.51.32.
The Mast 10k is an out and back course from Smithills School, Bolton, to the summit of Winter Hill (Mast) and back – the first 5k uphill, the last 5k downhill. The Red Rose Ladies came away with the team prize with performances from Janine Needham (50.02), Sam Edwards (53.10) and Jane Godsland 59.06. Stuart Smith was our first runner home in 48.50. Everyone excelled on this unusual course. Lee Lawrenson (54.56), Richard Ward (56.30), Paul Fairclough (60.22), Emily Atkinson (72.23), Ruth Watkinson (94.44).
The Inskip Half Marathon is a well organised local race which attracts many runners from outside the area. 217 runners took part.Our best performance came from Richard Maughan finishing in 1.23.40 to take 30th place. In 84th place Steve Murphy ran a very respectable time of 1.38.40. Although it is a fairly flat course, cold strong winds can make it a real challenge. Gail Bristo (1.51.19), Mark Wardley (1.51.20) and Brian Hanley(1.54.40) comfortably beat the 2 hour mark and gritty, determined runs from Kelly White 2.07.02 and Helen Greenhalgh 2.13.46 added to the club’s success.
At Cuerden Valley parkrun PB’s were achieved by Garry Li (25.14) and Rebecca Chester (28.29). At Preston, Steve Willetts posted 20.24 and Debbie Hall 33.14.
Philip Davidson completed his fastest parkrun since December 2017 with a 21:21 at Fleetwood Promenade parkrun, possibly the fastest parkrun course in the region. Philip is finally regaining some form after sustaining soft tissue damage to his ankle at Weets Fell Race back in June of last year.
The club training runs go from strength to strength none more so than the jolly band who run from Avenham Park every Friday morning. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face !
[Weekly Roundup 21 January 2019]