The Hunters 10k always attracts a good field of runners. This year 350 turned up with 65 Red Rose swelling the numbers. The weather conditions were fair but runners had to contend with a strong wind on parts of the course. Janine Needham had a fine run finishing in an excellent second place in the womens’ race in a time of 42.56. Sam Edwards also had another great run with a time of 45.45 and in the F55 group Ann Cleave took first place in 47.59 and Pauline Moorcroft was second in 48.51. Joan Gouldthorpe ran a strong race to finish in 54.23 to win the F65 prize.
Simon Robinson was first Red Rose home in 38.37 to take 11th position overall. In 14th place Joe Swarbrick took the V60 prize with a time of 39.05 with Stuart Cann 22nd in 40.51. He headed a further group of four crossing the line within a minute of each other. John Naylor 41.01, John Barker 41.06, Stuart Smith 41.24 and Simon O’Leary 41.53. Ray Taylor secured the V65 prize with a steady performance of 45.26.
More runners ran PB’s or close to their best and were full of praise for the excellent organisation and supportive marshalls. Results: Michael Oddie 44.16, Richard Barnes 45.08, Simon Houghton 45.16, Simon Morris 46.16, John Wiseman 47.50, Doug Bryden 48.20, Robert Harrison 48.50, Ian Wharton 48.54, Richard Field 51.01, Bryn Jones 51.19, Anneke Crosby 51.21, Paula Stell 52.06, Gina Chelton 52.15, Ben Smithers 52.17, Michelle Griffiths 52.30, Jason Spear 53.58, Ellie Brownrigg 54.11Lee Brown 54.48, Toria Callaghan 55.09, Anees Shaikh 55.15, Matt Cowan 55.32, David Hindle 55.52,Lee Lawrenson 56.14, Mike Jeffryes 56.15, Kathryn Abbott 56.19, Alison Mercer 57.45, Shane Collins 57,48, Mary Conway 58.06, Allan Howard 58.52, Joanna Dobson 58.54,Tina Carr 59..07, Louise McKenna 59.24, Katy Cleece 60.40, Emily Ingham 61.11, Gareth Fairey 62.23, Faisal Ali 62.38,Chelsey Wilson 62.39, Kelly Day 63.25, Kelly Wilson 63.26, James Hughes 64.48, Mike Crowther 64.48, Lesley Renshaw 64.50, Susan Heatley 65.37, Christine McCullough 67.21, Alison dick 68.26, Fiona Gutteridge 68.27, Anne Smith 69.55, Judi Ingham 69.58, Ruth Watkinson 71.43, Bernard Elkington 91.48, Helena Clarke 91.48.
A different challenge was taken up at the Moel Famau 8k race with 1000 feet of ascent. Rob Mather came in well under the hour in 53.50. Louise Walsh ran well with a time of 69.49 and Steve Taylor Jenny Bradley and Kate Clipston all enjoyed the run finishing together in 71.03.
Sam Edwards started the weekend off with a PB of 24.12 at Cuerden Valley parkrun and at Preston saw PB’s for Jon Wright 22.45, Lee Burton 29.13 and Jo Roberts 29.23.