Neiland's Notes

Neilands' Notes - 2009

This page is a raw copy of Dave's notes on eNibble, but without any photos or links.

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Neilands' Race News 2009
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November 1st

Malcolm Vinnecombe of Garstang Running Club wins this weeks prize for travelling the furthest to compete. The Lake Tahoe Marathon in California saw Malcolm finish in 95th place and first male vet 60 in 4hours and 8 minutes, well ahead of the 363rd and last competitor who finished in 7 hours 55 minutes. Rather than compete in the Accrington 10K, a race he has completed several times, Richard Jones went looking for a change of scenery in the Worksop Half Marathon, and not because his potential future mother in law was running at Accrington. Obviously accurate timing devices are beyond the abilities of people from Nottinghamshire as Richard set another personal best, completing the 13.1 miles in 1 hour 29 minutes for 111th place in a large field of over 1600 runners. Denise Hughes and Debi Spencer did go to Accrington where in a field of 315 Denise finished in 244th place in 56.56 and Debi 257th in 59.01. More or less the same faces were out again at the Through the Villages 8.2 miles near Chorley where Richard Jones finished 47th (and no future mother in law to be seen) in 58.21, with Denise Hughes 214th in 1.19.56, Helen Wilson230th in 1.23.02 and Debi Spencer, only a little behind in 234th place in 1.23.59 with the 253rd and final competitor completing the hilly course in 1.37.44.

October 25th

An indicator that winter draws on is that the Mid Lancs Cross Country season for 2009/2010 started at Kendal. Garstang Running Club were able to field full teams for the senior ladies and veteran ladies but despite five men turning out they did not have a full quota for any of the categories. In a field of 108 the ladies were led home in 85th place by Julia Patefield, followed by Denise Hughes in 91st, Edwina Parry 94th, Debi Spencer 95th (Debi had actually led the team up to the end of the first lap but then got a little behind) and Jane Sherriff in 98th place. See the photos here. Phil Cornall finished in 75th place in the mens race followed by Richard Jones in 113th, Geoff Lyons 133rd, Tony Pritchard 137th and an unwell Graham Tagg, 141st of the 241 finishers.

Jane Sherriff stayed off the road for the Standish trail race where the first twelve finishers were sent the wrong way, sadly or luckily this did include Jane who finished exactly 100th in a field of 109. Mick Cottam also stayed off road for the even more challenging Langdale Fell Race where he finished an excellent 82nd of the 309 finishers in 2 hours 42 minutes – so there might have been a hill or two to conquer. There are hills a plenty at the Burnley 7 but it is all on road – Richard Jones finished an excellent 10th (this sounds too much like praise, but he is bound to “peak” soon) in a field of 150 in 44.57 minutes. Much flatter terrain prevailed at the Green Drive 5 at Lytham where Denise Hughes finished 243rd in a big field of 371 in 42.44 and at the Southport 10K where Julia Patefield finished 346th of an even bigger field of 689 in 50.04.

Tough nut or idiot of the week (depending on your point of view) was Gary Heyworth who travelled to Spain to compete in the Palma Marathon despite having cracked a rib a week earlier in a mountain bike accident. His reward for ignoring medical advice was an eight minute improvement on his personal best and probably a telling off from his good lady

October 18th

For Chris Doggett of Garstang Running Club his 21st (and last?) Great North Run was not a happy one. An attack of shin splints meant that he set a personal worst of 3 hours 9 minutes – shame on any of you who are thinking you had to run to get shin splints! It was a much happier experience for Gordon Slaymaker who completed the 13.1 miles in 2 hours 5 minutes.

Family Cottam have been taking to the fells with a vengeance. Mick finished 28th in 2.17.29 in the Grisedale Horseshoe (10 miles and 10,000 feet of climb) and 41st at the Lakes Mountain Trail (16 miles and 7000 feet) in 6.58.13. Sheena finished 270th in the Three Shires Fell race (13 miles and 4000 feet) in 3.49.49. They both completed in the Hades hill Race at Rochdale with Mick finishing 15th and 3rd Male Vet 45 and Sheena 68th.As a mixed vet pair at the Sedbergh Mountain Marathon (26 miles and 10000 feet) Sheena dragged Mick around the course to finish 8th out of 26 couples completing the course. Staying on the fells Andy Gillham took the good Mrs Gillham to the Westmorland Trail Race (no doubt looking for free teas so he did not have to treat his good lady) where Andy finished 29th and Claire 112th of the 127 finishers.

Back on the roads Richard Jones continued his recent good form (and about time too) at the Burton in Kendal 10k finishing 13th of the 44 competitors in 42.55 and at the Lancaster 5K where he finished 9th of the 68 finishers in 18.12. For slightly longer races the Lake District was the place to go – to Langdales for the Great Langdale half marathon where Tim Warner finished 108th in 1.47.05, Julie Graham 249th in 2.03.51 and Alex Buxton 292nd of the 373 finishers in 2.13.21. Grange over Sands hosted the South Lakes Half Marathon where Helen Wilson finished 55th of the 107 finishers in 1.59.43. Finally pride of place goes to Tony Pritchard who was 1st Male Vet 55 and 53rd overall in 40.35 minutes at the Preston 10K ably supported by Gary Heyworth who finished 86th in 42.49 minutes.

September 20th

There is a suggestion that Garstang Running Club’s description of its own half marathon as “undulating” is a little understated. Anyone who knows the roads around Barnacre might suggest that hilly should be included in any description. Undulating or hilly – it seemed to make little difference to Steve Hallas from Preston Harriers who won the race by over a minute form Julian Mawsom from Otley who was over two minutes in front of Nick Leigh from Altrincham. First lady was Tracey Dutton of Wigan Phoenix a massive seven minutes ahead of Jane Shelmerdine of Otley with Melanie Koth of Lytham Road Runners in third. As for the club’s own representatives Richard Jones set yet another pb to finish 25th in 1 hour 30.08, a feat which deserves praise, but will not get any, with Tony Pritchard 35th in 1.31.47 and Debi Spencer, only a little behind in 170th place in 2.21.38. The 183rd competitor finished in 2.58.32, just failing to smash the three hour barrier but returning to an ecstatic welcome from her friends.

As for other races in recent weeks, the Lancaster 10 saw Tony Pritchard finish 27th and second Male Vet 55 in 1.06.13, with Greg Hunter 66th in 1.13.46, Malcolm Vinnecombe 93rd and 3rd Male Vet 60 in 1.17.15, and Julia Patefield 129th of the 193 finishers in 1.24.37. Gary Heyworth stepped up in distance from the Isle of Man half marathon for the Fleetwood Marathon where he finished 65th of 135 finishers in 3.47.19. Helen Wilson stuck to the half marathon at the same venue to finish 96th of the 149 finishers in 1.55.37. The Nottingham Half Marathon was altogether a bigger kettle of fish with 6645 finishers. Alex Brown finished 799th in 1.41.35 but the last competitor finished the 13.1 miles in 6.27.21 only 8 minutes quicker than the last competitor in the full marathon. Mike Whyatt could not sustain his recent winning form, finishing “only” second at the Blackpool 10k a massive 56 seconds behind the winner.

Finally the Cockerham Triathlon, a 350 metre swim, 15K bike ride and 5K run saw Richard Jones finish 17th overall and John Gilbert 55th of the 119 finishers. What is slightly embarrassing for the running club is that for both of them their worst event was the running section!

August 30th

Pride of place goes to Mike Whyatt of Garstang Running Club who won the veterans over 35 Ten Mile road race at Lytham by over two minutes. Finishing in a splendid 56.41 minutes Mike was followed home in 79th place by Malcolm Vinnicombe in 1.18.04, Marc Saysell 114th in 1.25.52 and Helen Wilson 115th of the 173 finishers in 1.25.53. The Kentmere fell race presented an entirely different terrain with Mick Cottam just pipping Colin Jennings in 40th place. Graham Tagg and Sheena Cottam ignored the boys will be boys rivalry finishing 115th and 208th respectively of the 238 finishers. Back on the roads at the Lancaster 10k Richard Jones finished 24th of the 199 finishers in 38.39, but was it a short course? With Dave Old 56th in 42.32, Greg Hunter 120th in 48.46, refusing to play the gentleman with his better half Helen by pushing her into 121st place, Gordon Slaymaker 158th in 54.12 and Mike Hall 173rd in 56.32. The third of this years Harrock Hill races saw Mick Cottam finish 16th, Denise Hughes 114th and Debi Spencer 123rd ahead of not many more competitors. Tim Warner was on his own at the Whalley Nab 6.5 road & trail race finishing 93rd of the 134 finishers. Also on her own was Julia Patefield at the Blackburn 5k where she finished 36th in afield of 77 in 24.40. The Cross (Morecambe) Bay challenge saw three club members take on its soppy delights with Tim Warner finishing 152nd of the 237 finishers just pipping Julie Graham with Jane Sherriff 227th.

At the Ulverston 10k Richard Jones set his third PB of the years at three different distances – 5K, 10K, and 10 miles – be ashamed any of you thinking “how bad were his previous times”? Although failing to set a PB at the London Marathon the training must have done him some good as at Ulverston he finished 31st of the 226 finishers in 39.06.

Gary Heyworth may have been “on his own” for the Cuerden Valley 10K trail race where he finished 32nd but he had eleven friends for company when tackling the Isle of Man half marathon where he went without sleep for twenty four hours. Catching the 02.15 ferry from Heysham to arrive at Douglas at 06.00 they ran the race before catching the 19.45 ferry back to Heysham. Next year they plan to do it all again but have worked out they will have time to do the full marathon.

July 20th
Garstang Running Club’s members will go to many lengths to avoid to the monthly meeting which possibly explains why 18 members, about a quarter of the club membership and the highest ever turnout competed at the Carnforth 20 Barriers race. Phil Cornall was first back for the club in 12th place in 37.22 minutes followed by Graham Tagg 14th in 38.20, Colin Jennings 16th in 38.33, Craig Menzies 20th in 39.19, Richard Jones 22nd in 39.37, Martyn Knowles 31st in 40.32, Andy Gillham 35th in 41.22, Geoff Lyons 40th in 41.46, Gary Heyworth 50th in 43.07, Helen Wilson 101st in 48.38, Frank Miller 105th in 49.16, Tim Warner 107th in 49 33, Sheena Cottam 111th in 49.57, Gordon Slaymaker 125th in 53.14, Denise Hughes 129th in 53.58, Sue Roome 140th in 56.03, Claire Gillham 143rd in 56.41 and Debi Spencer 151st of the 156 finishers in 1.02.14.

It was back to normal at the Catforth 10K where Richard Jones finished 24th in 40.15, with Gary Heyworth 47th in 42.54, Sue Richmond 131st in 51.26, Julia Patefield 133rd in 51.38 and Jane Sherriff 178th of the 188 finishers in 59.59. Richard Jones was out again at the Cuerden Trail 10K finishing 29th in 42.20, with Gary Heyworth 43rd in 45.10 and Sue Richmond 92nd in 54.15. Jos Snalam was billy no mates at the Blackburn 5K finishing 80th of the 111 finishers in 21.45. Never billy no mates P R Gelderd finished 38th at the inaugural Warton Crag Fell Race closely followed by his personal trainer J C Café in 39th place of the 52 finishers

July 5th
Is Garstang Running Club’s Mike Whyatt slowly improving? For the second time in a month he finished second in the Lancaster 5k, this time 9seconds behind the winner – last time he was 11 seconds down in 15.52 minutes – at this rate he will win a race in a couple of years. Richard Jones was a respectful 29th of 95 finishers in 18.12. Richard showed a little less respect at the Calder Vale 4 finishing 8th in 24.04 with Malcolm Vinnicombe 29th AND 1st MV60 of the 73 finishers in 29.39. Still on the roads Richard finished 23rd in the bumpy Burnley 10k in 41.22. He went off road a bit at the Cuerden Valley 10K Trail Race where he finished 17th in 41.57, with Gary Heyworth 33rd in 44.47, Marc Saysell 71st in 52.30, Sue Richmond 80th in 53.42, Denise Hughes 113th in 58.29 and Debi Spencer 137th in 1.05.46 – is she practicing running backwards? Richard was back on the roads again at the Morecambe 10K where he finished 45th in 41.04 but Craig Menzies just pipped him by 9 seconds in 42nd place. Julia Patefield also finished 174th in 52.04. The normally sweltering Freckleton Half Marathon was anything but, allowing Sue Richmond to finish 361st in 2.01.42 and Alex Buxton 379th in 2.03.06. Last race of the month on the roads was the Fleetwood 10k where Malcolm Vinnicombe finished 116th in 47.57, Marc Saysell 159th in 50.08, Helen Hunter 229th in 56.22, Helen Wilson 229th in 56.22 and Debi Spencer 291st of the 318 finishers in 1.06.37 – she is getting better being a little behind.

The bumpiest terrain of the month was for the Pen Y Ghent Fell race where Sheena Cottam finished 108th. The Holcombe Two Towers Fell race saw husband Mick finish 39th and at the Harrock Hill Race he finished 17th of the 117 finishers. The Multi Terrain Grasmere Gallop saw Marc Saysell finish 168th and Helen Wilson 184th of the 324 finishers. Finally news of the beer monster Andy Gillham, the Langstrath Fell Race yielded a voucher (which he no doubt swopped for a pint) for finishing 25th and 1st MV55. Much to his relief the race started and finished at a pub so the Black Sheep and Keswick Thirst Rescue went down a treat!

June 14th
Apparently first time fell racers dread three things – firstly getting lost, secondly landing in something decidedly anti-social and thirdly finishing last. Garstang Running Club’s Debi Spencer “scored a hat trick” at her first fell race at Paddy’s Pole near Chipping but enjoyed the experience enormously! Expecting to be “a little behind” after the first climb she had not expected to lose sight of all the runners once she had got over the top. Realising she was a little lost she back tracked and a friendly marshal put her back on track and promptly deposited her in a swampy bog up to her thighs – there is no truth in the rumour that she deliberately jumped in the bog so the good looking marshal could pull her out. Ever helpful Debi gathered up seven marshals en route to the finish and was delighted to learn she had won a bottle of wine for finishing third in her category but is wondering if her running club colleague who collected it on her behalf will have disposed of the contents before she gets sight of it. News of the other alcohol induced runner is that Andy Gillham has now got his sights set on wine rather than beer in future as his slowest ever time resulted in him also winning a bottle of wine, apparently he says he would rather have run a good time but when your correspondent offered to drink the wine for him to make him feel better the “line went dead”. At last to the results ten members took part with Colin Jennings finishing 20th in 37.36 minutes a mere five minutes behind the winner. Daniel Clark finished 22nd in 37.42, Graham Tagg 30th in 39.03, Craig Menzies 32nd in 39.26, Martyn Knowles 38th in 40.37, Geoff Lyons 42nd in 41.31, the aforesaid Andy Gillham 52nd in 43.09, Sheena Cottam 75th in 49.24, Denise Hughes 83rd in 56.16 and the little behind Debi Spencer 87th in 1.13.12

Graham Tagg had previously had a stab at something a little more severe – the Helvellyn Fell Race where he finished 73rd of the 150m finishers in 2.20.25. Equally as taxing but a little less bumpy is the Edinburgh Marathon where in warm (in Scotland ?) conditions Tim Warner finished 2136th of the 8500 finishers in 3.54.26. At the other end of the spectrum Mike Whyatt belted round the Lancaster 5k to finish second in 16.08. The first of the series of four Harrock Hill races saw Mick Cottam finish 15th in 37.36 and Denise Hughes 103rd in 54.27 – this race is a particular favourite of Denise but exactly why we do not know as every year they get her gender wrong – come on Denis! A mid summer Longridge 7 saw Richard Jones finish 27th in 50.26, Gary Heyworth 32nd in 51.46, Sue Richmond 97th in 1.02.20 and Alex Barker 99th of the 130 finishers in 1.03.16.

Further news of Pete Geldard whose training regime consists of one full strength cappuccino followed by two mugs of decaff followed by possibly some running – after his “revelation” regarding his improved form – he was approached by a national coffee outlet to see if he would be prepared to accept money if he would endorse their product – sadly he was not able to accept their offer as he gets his fix from the JC Café at Forton (that should get him and this correspondent a free coffee) who he feels offer splendid coffee and it does not Costa lot.

May 24th
A strict training regime of one full strength cappucino per day followed by one, or possibly two decaff cappacionos certainly paid off for Garstang Running Clubs Pete Gelderd at the Blackpool 10k as he ran his fastest time for ten years! Shame on you for thinking was the course short? Tony Pritchard who finished 59th in 38.45 minutes also ran his best time for several years with Marc Saysell finishing 532nd in 47.30 and speedy Gelderado finishing 769th in 49.45 – he is now worrying whether he has now finally “peaked” and Pam Murphy 831st of the 3416 finishers in 50.30.

Long, tough and hilly just about sums up the Windermere Marathon – forget the scenery when you are running 26.2 miles – with Tim Warner finishing 254th in a very respectable 3 hours 48.55 minutes and Julie Graham 496th in 4.14.26, well ahead of the 836th and final competitor who finished in 6 hours 26 minutes. At the other extreme of distance Richard Jones finished 24th in the Morecambe 5k in 18.59 minutes and 51st in the Inter Club 5 miler in 31.52 minutes.

Going off road seven members took part in the Cuerden Valley 10k trail race with Richard Jones finishing 23rd, Jos Snalam 43rd, Marc Saysell 80th, Sue Richmond 85th, Helen Wilson 86th, Denise Hughes 103rd and Debris Spencer 123rd of the 129 finishers. Going “further” off road saw the at “leisure” Andy Gillham complete more races in a month than in perhaps the previous 10 years of membership. First of all it was to Broughton Mills for the Caw Fell Race where he finished 9th and 1st MV50 – for which he received three bottles of beer and helped him develop a cunning plan. He is going to look out for the more obscure races where the faster guys do not turn up – result more beer!! On to the Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race the plan did not work out as Mick Cottam finished 22nd and Andy 30th – but no beer – with Sheena Cottam 115th of the 155 finishers. The plan again failed to work at the Fairfield Horseshoe where Andy finished 70th and Colin Jennings 136th of the 289 finishers. The search for more beer will continue at the Paddy’s Pole Fell race in a couple of weeks – me thinks he should just buy his own.

May 4th
Garstang Running Cub’s “ London ” contingent successfully completed the 26.2 miles without mishap on a day which was a bit too warm for competitors if not spectators. Colin Jennings was first back for the club in 3 hours 21 minutes, beating his personal best by five minutes, but who knows what he might have achieved if the heat had not got to him from about half way. London regular Richard Jones, again not liking the heat finished in a respectable 3 hours 56 minutes with Martyn Knowles, dodgy knee and all finishing in 3 hours 56 minutes. Rather spookily Julie Graham finished in 4 hours 9 minutes 48 seconds the exact time that she clocked lat year!!

Somewhat tougher was the Manx Mountain Marathon were Daniel Clark finished 30th in 6 hours 40 minutes knocking 8 minutes off last years time when the underfoot conditions were not as boggy. The Wray Scarecrow 10k is shorter and flatter but still undulates quite a lot. Tony Pritchard was 20th and 3rd Male Vet 50 in 40.32 and Geoff Lund 96th of the 126 finishers in 53.44. See the photos here.

Off road and free to enter and a crème egg at the end was the attraction of the Liver Hill Fell. With perfect conditions for the 5 mile race Mick Cottam finished 28th, Sheena Cottam 112 and Philippa Olive 132nd in a field of 149. Pendle Fell race attracted 210 competitors for the 4.5 mile toughy which required a hands and knees scramble to get to the very top. Again Mick Cottam was first back for the club in 39th place with Sheena Cottam 175th, Helen Wilson 204th and Philippa Olive 205th.

Apr 26th
Garstang Running Clubs own 10K - the Gallop was won by Barry Norman of Wesham Road Runners in 36.38 minutes with William Gardner of Preston Harriers in 38.11 and Jason Barlow, also of Wesham third in 38.47. First lady and an excellent fourth overall was Jennie Ransome of RR Club in 39.02, followed by ex Garstang member Jill Robinson, and now Settle resident in 42.38 with Emily Hargreaves of Lytham Road Runners third in 42.43. Greg Hunter was first back for the club in 40th position in 46.18 followed by some golden oldies, Malcolm Vinnicombe 55th in 48.49, Pete Gelderd 90th in 53.51 and Geoff Lund 103rd in 55.33. There were also a couple of “juniors” with Marc Saysell finishing 74th in 50.59 and Heather Cronshaw 113th in 57.08 with 144th and final competitor finishing in 1.12.46.

Another local race and one were members had no need to worry about the “responsibility” of marshalling was the Calder Vale 10 miler where Colin Jennings, Richard Jones, Martyn Knowles and Julie Graham put the finishing touches to their London Marathon training with Colin finishing 42nd in 1.07.41, Richard 48th in 1.08.29, Martyn (dodgy knee and all) 70th in 1.10.50 and Julie 180th in 1.27.09. Tim Warner was there to hone his training for the Windermere and Edinburgh Marathons finishing 124th in 1.17.41. On the other hand Gary Heyworth, Sue Richmond and Denise Hughes had no good reason to be there except perhaps to “escape” their “other halves” with Gary finishing 81st in 1.12.04, Sue 176th in 1.26.25 and Denise 215th in 1.34.09.

Apr 5th
March was a busy month for the “racers” in Garstang Running Club and with lots of variety. The Haweswater Half Marathon saw Tim Warner finish 264th in 1 hour 46.19 minutes and Julie Graham 372 in 1.56.28 in a field of 511 runners. Exactly one hundred competitors ran the Bleasedale Circle Fell Race with Graham Tagg finishing 34th, Sheena Cottam 92nd and Mark Saysell 93rd. The Roddelesworth Roller multi terrain race had 282 finishers with Gary Heyworth finishing 99th and Sue Richmond 188th.Another multi terrain race at Rushcliffe Park near Nottingham saw Fiona Brown finish 457th in a field of 760. Closer to home the Stanley Park 10k near Blackpool had 287 finishers with Mark Saysell finishing 98th in 47.42 minutes. The Dentdale 14.3 miles near Sedburgh had 421 competitors with Julie Graham the clubs only representative finishing 292nd in 2.08.33. The St Annes 10 miles saw Gary Heyworth finish 113th in a field of 337 in 1.12.13 with Mark Saysell finishing 223rd in 1.24.37 and Sue Richmond 228th in 1.25.14. The double distance Trimpell 20 miler had Malcolm Vinnicombe finishing 291st in a field of 493 (probably London Marathon aspirants) in 2.48.05. The same distance at the Spenborough 20 in Yorkshire had Richard Jones struggling – was it the 1600 feet of climbing or his reluctance to pass Nell McAndrew? What ever the reason Richard finished 185th in 2.51.40 – not brilliant London Marathon training! On a different level the Cartmel 18k Trail race saw Dave Heslop finish 95th and Julie Graham 164th in a field of 214 finishers. The Rosemere Duathlon – a run, bike, run event saw Richard Jones finish 12th and Mark Saysell 37th in a field of 70. The hilly Burnley 10k could only attract Pete Gelderd from the club and he exceeded nobodys expectations by finishing 165th in 53.17 in a field of 222 which meant he actually beat 57 other sloggers!! The Coniston 14 is a slog but a pretty slog and Tim Warner finished 623rd and Julie Graham 750th. Finally the Mid Lancs cross country league saw 12 club members taking part and for the ladies Sheena Cottam finished 54th,Phillipa Olive 66th, Denise Hughes 71st, Edwina Parry 76th and Debi Spencer 82nd. For the men Mike Whyatt made a welcome return from injury finishing 5th with Mick Cottam 72nd, Craig Menzies 98th, Tony Pritchard 108th, Phil Cornall 130th, Geoff Lyons 145th and Martyn Knowles 147th.

Mar 1st

(What happened to February, Dave?)

A variety of events were available to Garstang Running Club members during the month of March. First up was the Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K over an undulating course starting and finishing in Witton Park . Out of 140 finishers Gary Heyworth was first back for the club in142nd place in 44.56 minutes followed by Pete Gelderd 279th in 53.18, Denise Hughes 288th and a respectful 37 seconds behind Pete and Marc Saysell 309th in 55.26. On the same day the more rugged terrain of the Winter Hill Fell race at Rivington over 11 miles and 2700 feet of climbing attracted newish members Mick and Sheena Cottam who finished 20th and 153rd respectively in 1 hour 52 minutes and 2 hours 38 minutes with the final competitor “clocking” 3 hours 9 minutes.

Eleven club members took part in the Mid Lancs Cross Country meeting at Hyndburn. The men’s team had six competitors with Graham Tagg leading the way in 83rd place with Colin Jennings 101st, Craig Menzies 105th, Phil Cornall 127th, Martin Knowles 136th and Tony Pritchard 162nd. For the Ladies Sheena Cottam finished 66th, Helen Hunter 67th, Denise Hughes 79th, Sue Richmond 82nd and Debi Spencer 90th.

Back on the roads for the Great North West Half Marathon at Blackpool Colin Jennings finished 113th in a field of 1194 in 1 hour 27 minutes with Martyn Knowles 153rd in 1.29.49, Greg Hunter 238th in 1.35.14, Gary Heyworth 297th in 1.37.48, Tim Warner 397th in 1.41.42, Malcolm Vinnicombe 407th in 1.42.03, Julie Graham 654th in 1.51.49, Richard Jones 668th in 1.52.15 (obviously working in India did nothing for his speed) and Debi Spencer 965th in 2.07.34.

Jan 19th

Eleven senior members of Garstang Running Club turned out for the Garstang 10k starting and finishing at the High School however pride of place goes to the junior element for their performances in the fun run. Knocking two and a half minutes off your previous years time is an achievement to be proud of so step forward nine year old Millie Parry who finished 46th in 17.47 minutes and was first in her age group. Eight year old Ella Parry also won her age group finishing 49th in 17.52 minutes. Same again next year girls? Nine year old Harry Tagg was joint first in his age group finishing 15th overall in 14.42 minutes.

As for the “oldies” Graham Tagg finished 46th in 39.08, Colin Jennings 51st in 39.40, Tony Pritchard 56th in 40.08, Martyn Knowles 108th in 42.59, Gary Heyworth 110th in 43.02, Tim Warner 191st in 46.13, Pam Murphy 290th in 50.54, Sue Richmond 291st in 50.55, Denise Hughes 321st in 52.33, Mike Hall 381st in 56.46 and Debii Spencer 390th in 57.11.

One might have expected the Sands New Year Chase an on and off road race of 6.1 miles at Grange Over Sands to be largely flat, but not so. There were some impressive inclines to test Tim Warner who was 23rd in 48.32 minutes, Philippa Olive 48th in 55.02 and Denise Hughes 53rd in 57.34 with the 77th and final competitor completing the course in 1 hour 13 minutes.

It was mud and water all the way for the Mid Lancs Cross Country meeting at Leyland where Sheena Cottam finished 69th, Sue Richmond 74th , Denise Hughes 80th and Debi Spencer, apparently wanting to perfect her running on water technique rather than run through a stream, 91st of the 97 finishers. Eight male club members turned out in a field of 242 with Colin Jennings 115th, Tony Pritchard 127th, Graham Tagg 134th, Craig Menzies 142nd, Phil Cornall 145th, Martyn Knowles 147th, Geoff Lyons 179th and Richard Jones 186th. No names but can you spot a couple of under performers who did not realise giving blood might seriously affect performance particularly when trying to run through liquid glue.

Jan 5th
Now fully recovered from his climbing (or should that be falling) injury Richard Jones is again starting to appear regularly in these reports although he did not venture further than Blackpool for his two races. At the Red Nose 5 mile race   Richard finished 36th of the 152 finishers in 36.40 minutes and he was joined by Claire Gillham, making one of her treasured appearances, who finished 131st in 47.12 minutes. Richard was “home alone” as the only Garstang Running Club competitor for the North Pier 10k on Boxing Day when he finished 14th of the 85 finishers in 41.08 minutes. Probably to avoid Richard Pete Gelderd chose the Leyland 10k on Boxing Day and finished 159th of the 220 competitors in 52.22 minutes which is really good for a man of advancing years. Three days later four club members competed in the Ribble Valley 10k at Clitheroe with Tim Warner leading them home in 407th place in 45.19 with Sue Richmond 598th in 50.41, Denise Hughes 670th in 52.41 and Debit Spencer 742nd of the 881 finishers in 55.43 minutes. Last but not least this correspondents son in law Alex Brown ran another pb at Southwell 10k near Nottingham finishing 215th of the 634 competitors in 43.52 minutes. In 2008 he has improved his pb for the marathon, half marathon, ten miles and now 10k – obviously he has received some exceptional coaching!
Neilands' Race News 2009
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