A great Red Rose line up attended the Lakeland Trails event in Keswick this weekend. Starting and finishing at Fitz Park, in Keswick , the 5km Sport Trail, 10km Trail Run, 15km Trail Race and 15km Trail Challenge is a circuit along well marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways, taking in panoramic views of Derwentwater, the surrounding peaks of Skiddaw and Blencathra and the northern fells. In the 15k race Andrew Christie achieved the best Red Rose time finishing in 1.23.12 followed by Ian Croft, Dan Hughes and Nicola Hughes in 1.27.52. Christopher Hargreaves was only a minute behind this group in 1.28.50. Other good performances came from Ben Smithers 1.41.17, Iain Mitchell 1.41.32, Max Croft 1.42.59 and Lorna Taylor 1.46.39. In the Challenge section Alicia Croft finished well in 1.49.38 with Peter O’Grady next in 1.51.26. Austin Trelfa was only just over two hours with his time of 2.01.15 and Faisal Ali was next in 2.12.36. Encouraging runs from Josephine Walsh 2.27.26 and Sarah Eccles and Karen Bishop 2.32.33 completed the line up.
In the shorter distance of 10k John Barker took sixth place overall in a great time of 44.49 followed by David Raynor in 53.45. Lisa Bolton ran 55.40 ahead of Lee Lawrenson who finished in 57.59. John Wiseman broke the hour with 59.50. Marion O’Grady ran 1.16.44 and David Watson finished in 1.24.19. Also part of the Red Rose ‘squad’ Ruth Watkinson ran the 5k distance in 49.53.
The Garstang Half took place this weekend and Richard Maughan finished in 9th place in 1.31.15 followed by Alan Jolly making a welcome and impressive return with a time of 1.34.16 for 13th place. Michael Coupland was 58th in 1.53.38. Michelle Round completed the testing course in 2.18.01followed by Joydip Majumder in 2.33.55.Susan Heatley completed her 6th half in her 12 month challenge of 12 in 12 months with a time of 2.37.55 accompanied by Davina Bowling in 2.37.58.
At the Golden Ball 20 miler Sam Edwards beat Ben Smithers with a race for the line in 3.05.24 with Ben 3 seconds behind. Emily Atkinson also took part finishing in 4.07.15.
Simon Croft and Natalie Moore entered the highly competitive Trafford 10k. Simon finished in 33.51 for 61st place and Natalie finished in 50.10 in 421st place.
A big group took in the Fleetwood parkrun, ensuring that the Red Rose flag keeps being waved all over Lancashire! Meanwhile back at Cuerden Valley, Matt Holmes continued his great form finishing first in a time of 18.48. PB’s were achieved by Garry Li in 25.28 and Neil Healy 27.59. At Preston David Hindle ran a new best of 26.09 and Kate Clipston finished in 29.53.
In Pocklington, East Yorkshire, the Sundowner Half Ironman took place on Saturday. Mike Hall completed the 1900 meter swim dodging fists, elbows and feet, surviving the windy 56 mile bike race and the warm conditions for 21k run to finish in a very impressive time of 5hours 13 minutes. Mac MacCormack and Richard Ward shared the events in the paired event finishing in 6.49.23.