The final Inter Club race of the season was hosted by Red Rose at Worden Park. After torrential rain the previous evening the runners were lucky to run in decent conditions. Thanks go to all the brilliant marshalls, the funnel team and Paula and John Plowman for their great work during the race and to Janet, Becky and all the food caterers for the great spread at Leyland Cricket Club.
The various Red Rose teams secured the positons that they had established in the previous races with the Open team taking third place, The Ladies Open and F40 team taking fourth place. The vets team were second on the night and took 3rd place for the season. The team glory was reserved for the V50 and V60 teams who have dominated the season from the first race with consistent performances from the many experienced runners in these categories. Full results available on the Inter Club Series facebook page.
Several runners went the Great North Run. An excellent run from Neil Whatton led Red Rose home in 1.39.25 followed by a swift time from Steven Murphy of 1.42.36. Steve Taylor improved on his previous time at this race by a full 9 minutes, breaking the 2 hour barrier with 1.58.12. Amanda Berry was our leading lady with a time of 2.22.28 with more great times from Kate Clipston 2.28.16,Damian Clapham 2.28.17, Alison Dick 2.38.06, Andy Clipston 2.46.04, Belinda Barker 3.09.56, Janette Covell 3.12.18. Faisal Ali , Ali Topping.
The Yorkshireman Marathon over a tough course with plenty of mud and more mud including a total climb of 3281 feet was the destination for six of our runners. John Naylor proved there is nothing that stops him running long distance with a finish time of 4.16.39. Gary Corcoran ran a solo effort of 4.44.01. A quartet of Gareth Bell, Stuart Cann, Ben Donoghue and Paula Plowman came through the finish in 6.23.06.
Nearer home, the Ribble Way Half provided a tough course with plenty of turnstile obstacles. Dave Brunton finished in 1.46.18, with Gaby Concepcion next in 1.57.58 and Richard Hally 1.59.43. Pauline Moorcroft took the F55 prize in a time of 2.00.51. Results. David Bayliss 2.03.35, Matt Cowan 2.05.52, Ben Smithers 2.10.32, Wayne Hope 2.13.57, Alison Mercer 2.21.38, Beth Hayman 2.22.56, Cat Holden 2.27.32, Louise Withnell 2.35.30, Nicola Patterson 2.36.07, Wendy Rogerson 2.36.10, Katy Cleece 2.43.46, Ros Crompton 2.43.55.
Anthony Barnes ran 1.56.22 at the Wirral Half and Victoria Turner ran 2.51.05 along with Darrell Murphy.
Olivia Wiggans took on a hilly 15 miler in Dartmoor through bogs and horizontal rain and grabbed second place. In the Skatas parkrun, Sweden, Lee Burton played host to Scott Gardner and Scott Jackson with finishing times of 29.09.
North West Counties Relays. An excellent report from our new Junior reporter Steve Woodruffe
9th Sept, Blackpool
Waterproof Parka .. check
Hat.. Check
Merino Top.. check
The weather forecast is very bad and team Red Rose is off to Blackpool, the joy!
Arriving in Stanley park we are met with a wall of sun, sun? Yes and so it was the rest of the day both physically and metaphorically, a tale of hidden heroes and the winning of the Ladies Lancashire Relay Championships. Read on..
This was the first time that Red Rose had entered such an illustrious event and it’s fair to say we had no idea what to expect. Even so Julie cajoled, pushed and organised us so that we’d put together 3 ladies teams of 3 and 3 men’s teams of 4. First priority, find an excellent spectator spot on the track and get the flags up!
It’s rather intimidating watching the finest young runners in the north west hurtling round a track and it appeared that most of them had been taught by Maureen at one time or another, is there no end to this senior athletes’ influence and talents? But soon enough it was the ladies turn for their race of the 3.2mile course.
Carla Davies, Ruth Travis and Anneke Crosby starting the first leg
Nicola Hughes, Natalie Lewis and Hannah Watson on the second
Maureen Laney, Laura Houghton and Anneke Crosby the anchors. Anneke running a heroic double to make up for Michelle being unable to attend.
Finishing in 6th 1:03:04, 34th 1:16:52 and 37th 1:17:22 respectively brilliant results all round but that’s only half the story..
The fantastic RRRR team of Carla, Nicola and Maureen won the separate Lancashire Relay Championships, what an achievement.
Time for the Chaps..
You’ve got to wonder how Phil manages to hurl support at the ladies as they pass, keep a check on all the start times and projected relay starts, make sure the next runners are lined up and still warm up and get in the ‘zone’. I cant.. I run off, keep away from everyone and return just before I’m due with nervously strained jokes! TBH with all the support from Pita, Julie and the rest of the crew you can see how team events suit us just fine. Oh yes, the men..
A very strong C team of Dan Hughes; Andy Christie, Ciaron Roddy and Duncan Anderson ran a magnificent 1:36:07 and finished 34th..
Our B team of Lee Quibell, John Naylor, Stephen Woodruffe and Sam Harrison ran in 51st at 1:42:50, John then ran the Yorkshire marathon the day after! Heroic or mad.. you decide!
The A team marshalled by Philip Davidson, Barry Wheeler, Ben Smithers and Matt Holmes finished in 1:51:05 in 61st.. Congratulations Matt.. He joined, borrowed a vest and represented the club all in his first week.
There were some seriously impressive runners out there, Mohammed Aburezeq of Altrincham ran the 4.1 twisty lumpy track in 19:51 that’s 4:50mins per mile.. eak! But he didn’t stop Preston Harriers winning with a very impressive team in 1:24:09
Can’t wait for next year
Steve