Dave Neilands reports . . . .

Garstang Running Club recently staged their ever popular Guys 10 road race, generously sponsored again by and starting and finishing at the Thatched Hamlet. Despite frosty conditions with the occasional icy stretch 242 runners completed the 10 mile course. The race winner, and appearing not to notice the icy conditions was Simon Mills of Sale Harriers 53.20 minutes comfortably ahead of Eddie Simpson from Barrow and Stuart Robinson from Blackpool Wyre and Fylde. The lady winner and also from Blackpool was Caroline Betmead in 1 hour 01.38 minutes just ahead of her club colleague Gemma Unsworth with Amy Green in third place. Mike Whyatt led home the Garstang contingent in 7th place and first MV45 in 55.23 minutes followed by Malcolm Vinnicombe in 122nd place and second MV60 in 01.15.23, Sue Richmond 177th in 01.23.18, Denise Hughes 199th in 01.27.53 and Bev O’Brien 238th in 01.53.09.

Of other recent events and there have been a number pride of place must go to Julie Graham who improved her best marathon time by 10 minutes and dipped under 4 hours. Perhaps the scenery the Florence Marathon had something to do with an official time of 03.59.25. Perhaps not quite inspiring the Lancaster Half Marathon attracted Gary Heyworth and Al Hartley with Gary finishing 114th of the 419 finishers in 01.34.52 with Al 152nd in 01.39.31. The Preston 10 miler at Hutton is a two lap race which is loved by some and hated by others, however the largely flat course does invite fast times. Graham Tagg finished 50th in a vey respectable 01.03.09 followed by Gary Heyworth 121st in 01.10.25, Malcolm Vinnicombe 222nd in 01.18.40, Richard Jones making a return from life threatening injury easing round the course in 235th place and 01.19.35, and DJ Spencer 332nd in 01.34.01.

For something different Phil and Betty Roberts popped over to Yorkshire for the Wensleydale Wedge a race of 23 miles over “undulating” countryside which they completed together in 5 hours 29 minutes. Much shorter but still scenic was the 5.25 mile Eaves Wood trail race near Silverdale where Tim Warner finished 50th of the 107 finishers in 45.04 and Philippa Olive 85th in 50.28. It was back to the roads for the speedy Wesham 10k with Gary Heyworth finishing 107th of the 444 competitors in 41.44, Richard Jones 153rd in 44.08, Frank Miller (yes Frank Miller) completing a personal worst in 247th place in 48.37, Edwina Parry (second outing of the year) 270th in 49.50, Brian Hughes 283rd in 50.28, Denise Hughes setting a pb (Brian must have upset her) of 51.16 for 300th place and DJ Spencer 367th in 55.33. Even shorter was the Preston 5K where Richard Jones finished 26th of the 146 competitors in 21.22. Al Hartley was the only club representative at the Ravenstonedale 10K near Kirkby Stephen where he was 66th of the 154 finishers in 45.54.

Back on the country only five men travelled to Sefton Park, Liverpool for the Mid Lancs (don’t ask) Cross Country fixture with Craig Menzies finishing 95th, Phil Cornall 100th,Colin Jennings 101st,and Martyn Knowles 126th of the 173 finishers  .

7/12/08

Dave Neilands

 

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