60 Red Rose Runners competed in the final race of the Guild series. The Preston 10 hosted by Preston Harriers at Hutton Grammar School saw over 650 runners enjoy excellent conditions to run the classic distance of 10 miles. The race started with a minute’s silence in memory of Dave Rayton a Red Rose member since before the last Preston Guild.
The two lap course provided the cheerful crowd with plenty of action. Many runners were probably still feeling the effects of the Guild marathon as they lined up but there were still some excellent times posted.
John Shepherd rued his conservative start when he saw the clock tick over the hour by six seconds to be first home for the club and 14th overall to take 3rd V45. Ken Addison went off at a determined pace and finished in 63.28 for 36th place whilst, Claire Bunce ran an even paced race to finish strongly to open a gap over her nearest rival to take third place in the women’s race in 63.53. Joe Swarbrick ran 64.06. Steve Bladon and Ben Donoghue fought to the finish to cross the line together in 67.14 setting up what looks like a good competitive duel in the coming months. Stuart Cann was well pleased with his 68.48 well ahead of his Mo-bro rivals. Richard Oakley ran as consistently as ever (69.35). Doug Bryden put in a good performance (70.14) just ahead of Dave Hooton who finished in 70.53 reinforcing the depth of quality in the V55 class in the club. Barry Wheeler excelled himself by removing most of his clothing except his club vest and Union Jack pants to record a negative split to finish in 80.28 and Lee Brown knocked an impressive 13 minutes off last year’s time to run 83.19. Joan Gouldthorpe took second F60 in a time of 81.57 and Carol Douglass took first F65 in 82.09. Bernard and Evelyn Elkington maintained their stranglehold on the V75 positions taking first place in their categories. Well done to everyone.
Red Rose results: Phil Kemp 72.59, John Allen 72.56, Geoff Haworth 73.47,Cliff Utting 74.26, Richard Ward 75.40, John Rogerson 79.42, John Wiseman 79.20, Peter Gibson 80.47, Jo Duffy 80.49, Kenney Chadderton 80.55, Keith Burrows 82.14, Jamie Jardine 81.30, Paula Plowman 83.34, Geoff Mault 86.03,Yvonne Johnson 86.33, Mark Eastwood 88.08, Caroline Devaney 88.29, Gavin Beetham 89.03, Debbie Bevitt 89.53, Anne Nelson 91.18, Julie Thorley 92.35, James Robinson 92.34, Anne Wallworth 93.39, Tom McNicholas 95.04, Nicola Machin 94.51, Janice Johnstone 95.54, Roger Johnson 96.35, Daniel Robinson 98.10, Jenny Harrison 98.17, Jacqui Eastwood 98.26, Kerry Dewhirst 98.19, Bernard Elkington 1:41.36, Zac Giles 1.41.36, Evelyn Elkington 1.43.20, Adela Nuttall 1.44.41, Helen Loxton 1.45.58, Anthony Baker 1.45.58, Alan Kelly 1.46.51, Allan Howard 1.49.10, Wendy Ward 1.51.24, Dave Aspin 1.53.09, Janet Saynor 1.53.58, Karen Ashton 2.09.13, Keith O’Brien 2.15.05, Judith Cook 2.15.09.