The London Marathon was the highlight of many runners’ year at the weekend. Karl Hodgson ran another magnificent time of 2.55.58 in a well judged race only weeks after his Manchester success. The real headline must go to Jill Jefferson for her brilliant performance. Her halfway split was 1.39 and her finishing time of 3.24.48 was rewarded with 4th position in her age group. Doug Bryden finished in 3.45.42 with a difficult second half of the race followed by Pete Battersby who ran a very well judged race finishing in 3.51.21. Gareth Bell had to work hard in a punishing second half after 1. 47 split at 13 miles to finish in 3.53.21. Shane Cliffe made his annual appearance at the race with a time of 4.09.42 followed by Richard Ward in 4.11.43. Pita Oates ran a very well judged race with a half split of 2.19 and finishing strongly in 4.44.49. Martin Simpson came over the line shortly afterwards in 4.46.45 followed by Ben Donoghue in 4.52.12 and a jubilant Stephen Taylor in 4.51.00.
Saturday saw 6 RRRR’s tackle the tough Wray Scarecrow 10k road race. This is part of the annual scarecrow festival held in the village. Well worth a visit without the race.
In fairly brisk conditions Ken Addison finished 11th overall and 1st V60. Anthony Barnes and Paul Woan came home next in 43rd and 45th with 48.33 and 48.40. Also in a close finish were David Bayliss and Paul McMonagle 53rd and 54th with times of 50.56 and 50.57. The final Red Rose Runner in the field of 130 was Brian Hanley 87th in 56.26.
In keeping with the spirit of the week all prize winners received a small scarecrow to take home.
Sunday saw a small group of 6 RRRR’s tackle the Jacob’s leg-it 10k (formerly the Belle Vue 10k) starting at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk.
The race now starts at the new track and sports centre but is the same route as last year. The old track is better than most!!
It is a decidedly sneaky testing route with sections over rough track and through the woods. It was also exposed to the cold wind.
Ken was determined to beat 40mins and just scraped in with 39.57 and 10th place, 1st v60. The other 5 hardy runners were, 61st John Wiseman 48.03, 125th Allan Howard 55.27, 171st David Wilkinson 59.17, 230th Sarah Runcie 65.44, and 237th Kelly Day.
In Blackpool, Jose Pinon Shaw also ran the marathon distance but in a field of 440. His excellent time of 3.06.47 saw him in 15th place and 2nd in the V45 age group. In the half marathon race Alex Venable put in a good show with a time of 1.28.11 to be 31st out 842. Anthony Barnes also ran well in 1.46.41. Melanie Lowe and Kristian Lowe completed the course together in 2.12.17 and Louise Davitt followed closely in 2.15.35. In the 10k race John Naylor was highly place in 18th in a time of 41.28.
At Cuerden parkrun Liam Hooton beat his PB by 30 seconds for a time of 21.46 and Mark McCrea also improved with a time of 22.21. At Preston, PB’s were achieved by Davina Bowling 27.06, Lee Porter 27.26 and Carole Williams 29.13.