Dave Neilands reports . . . .

So near but so far for two Garstang Running Club members and over totally different distances. After a break of two months Phil Roberts ran his toughest “ultra” challenge yet (he must intend to go further)  when he completed the “Rossendale Way in a Day” a 46 mile monster which encompasses the high moors around Haslingden, Rawtenstall, Bacup and Whitworth, organized in aid of the Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue. With high wind and rain for most of the day, making navigation tricky, Phil was second runner home in a time of 9 hours and 15 minutes. When asked if he enjoyed any part of it he replied (and I believe him) that he enjoyed it all – sad or what?  In complete contrast Mike Whyatt stuck to the road, and the flat, for the Warrington 10k where he too finished second and first MV40 in 33.29 minutes.

Lowering the standard just a little bit, but not the enthusiasm the Cuerden Valley trail race saw Gary Heyworth finish 41st of the 130 finishers and Sue Richmond 83rd.  No report would be complete without a mention of Richard Jones who completed three races in quick succession, first it was the Fleetwood 10k where he finished an excellent 26th and moreover dipped under 40 minutes for the first time in quite a while in 39.53 minutes.  Desparate Spencer was also on the top of her form clocking a pb in 55.17 with the 209th and final competitor finishing in 1.22.33. At the Chorley 4 Richard finished 48th in 25.01 whilst at the Carnforth 20 Barriers race he was pipped by Geoff Lyons who finished 34th of the 134 finishers with Richard 36th, Martyn Knowles 39th, Jane Holt 89th and Tim Warner 92nd.  Jane Holt went further afield, but closer to home, for the Shifnal Steeplechase Half Marathon a multi terrain half marathon in Shropshire where she set a personal best of 1.43.51 finishing  75th of 183 finishers. The name Helen Hunter, previously Vinnicombe has not appeared here recently, apparently having a baby stops you running for a while, but in Helen’s case not for long it would appear. First venture out was the Morecambe 10k where she watched dad Malcolm finish 37th in 25.56 whilst husband Greg had more sense and finished 56th a diplomatic one place behind Helen who finished 55th in 29.13 .Diplomacy did not last long as at the Calder Vale Supper run a few days later Greg finished 11th, Malcolm 21st and Helen 42nd of the 57 finishers with possibly a certain Grandma doing the baby sitting duties.

 03/07/08

 

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