At the latest Mid Lancs cross country race held at Astley Park, the Ladies race saw Claire Bunce just get the better of Alison John Haslam with finishing times of 31.00 and 31.23.Debbie Kirkman put in a spirited performance finishing in 32.10 whilst Nikki Roberts finished in a good time of 32.56. Glenda Dobie led the V45 team home in 33.58 with Anne Wallworth and Karen Clark making up the team with times of 37.38 and 41.10. New member Gill Allen coped well with the conditions shadowing Anne and finishing in 37.40. Sue Harrison completed the tough course in 41.18.
In the Men’s race new member Stuart Roberts showed real strength over a very difficult course with a great run finishing 85th in 44.55. Ken Addison held on to second club place in spite of turning an ankle in the first half of the race. John Shepherd finished in 47.27 with Joe Swarbrick less than half a minute behind. Phil Butler ran a steady 48.18 and Barry Wheeler completed a team of six in a time of 49.28. New to the club, Ben Donoghue, showed his determination finishing in 52.39 just ahead of the experienced Stuart Cann. Phil Dean became the third counter for the Vet 50 team in 55.30 whilst Roger Johnson ran 66.42 and Alan Howard completed the Men’s contingent in 71.33.
Several runners also ran the Longridge 7. This pre Christmas race is always a tough challenge and new members did well in cold and wet conditions. Simon O’Leary was first Red Rose home in a very good time of 48.55 with Tony Thorley next in 52.34. Barry Wheeler and Claire Bunce were next, both having run in the cross country the day before. Claire Smith made a welcome appearance with a steady run finishing in 54.42 whilst Stuart Cann crossed the line in 57.47, again after competing in the cross country. Tony Smith broke the hour in 58.17 whilst John Shepherd used the race as part of his long training run coming in next. Julie Thorley and Gail Hoyle crossed the line together in 61.47 with Yvonne Johnson just ahead of new runner Anthony Baker in times of 62.04 and 62.49. Vet 65, George Fletcher, ran a good 65.17 with Roger Johnson completing his second race of the weekend in 71.01. Karen Clark ran her second race of the weekend finishing with Chris Clark in 72.54.