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City of Salford Women’s 5.25 Run Sun 29th.
A super run from Suzanne Budgett in this all women’s race put her third overall and first vet in a time of 34.05. Nice to see Marie Holden racing again finishing 149th in 56.20. 186 ran.
Results: http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2009/swinlady.htm
The start of this race changed a couple of years ago, after floods washed away the path around the top of Sunnyhurst woods in Darwen. What used to be a short but steep scramble out of the woods, is now less steep but much faster, allowing Ben Fish ( Blackburn Harriers ) to establish an early lead and run out a convincing winner in a fast time of 31:45.
Underfoot conditions were slippy sloppy after recent heavy rain but didn't deter the 7 RMI runners who had made the short journey over to Darwen.
Graham Schofield was first counter in 11th place ( 2nd V50) in 36:50, then, Paul Boardman 27th 40:06, Albert Sunter 33rd 41:21, Tony Varley 60th (2nd V60) 45:35, Bethan Faulkner 71st ( 2nd jnr ) 47:05, Mark Collier 107th 51:41 and Mark Sammon 120th 53:55.
Worth mentioning, that I had to bust a gut to beat one Ray Owen, who has made a recent return to racing after a long absence. Ray was a member of Horwich many moons ago when, amongst his other victories, he won the first Winter Hill Fell Race in 1983
Graham Schofield.
Results. http://www.ukresults.net/2009/staff.html
The main title for the race was the ‘McCain UK Cross Challenge’ with international athletes up front vying for a place in the GB team for the European Cross Country Championships, plus it is also the UK Club Championship Trial. This gives the race a real buzz with club athletes mixing it with the best in the country - needless to say not for long - as the muddy conditions made the longer than usual courses that bit tougher, but at least the weather was kind with unusually bright and sunny conditions!
In the ladies race we were well represented with Lindsey Brindle (31.06) up front running great for our first counter in 59th place overall - and I think 4th in the Mid Lancs reckonings. Not too far behind was Dionne Allen (31.31) up from University for the weekend and strengthening the team with a super run in 62nd. Emma Perrin (32.40) paced the race well with little fade over the longer than usual 8.1k course to finish in 76th place. Michelle Devine (35.35) was next - and full of a cold, but came to support the club and did really well to finish in 100th place. We also had the luxury of a fifth runner in Christine Boardman (39.37) who gave us strong team support and worked really hard over the long course for her 120th place.
In the men’s race of 350 starters, Gary Priestley (31.28) was our only runner to have entered the Mc Cain challenge race as well as representing the club in the Mid Lancs race. His excellent current form put him well amongst the elite performers as he finished as our first counter in 82nd place and 31st place in the under 23 category. Gareth Booth (34.10) was our next runner in and was flying for two of the three laps, then his lack of racing through his recent injury just took the edge off his performance on the last lap which allowed Alastair Murray (34.14) to close him down but not enough to get past him finishing just 4 seconds behind, both ran an excellent race. Steve Nolan (36.34) - slowly getting back into form ran well for his 211th position. Denis Mason (36.45) had a mini mix up with his race number - hence the gesture in the picture – but it didn’t stop him from having a good race finishing 217th. Doug Fleming (39.21) was next in, admitting to not being a great fan of flat cross country races but he worked hard in achieving his 287th place and did well as our 6th team counter. Gary Chaddertons (39.38) arrival at Liverpool took the pressure off our Chairman, as Pete (45.37) thought he may have to be a team counter, but Gary’s appearance and fine run in 296th place, gave us a strong team back up place in the league. This left Pete to enjoy himself!! With no pressure from his usual club challengers who were competing in the SEL race.
Results: http://www.uka.org.uk/media/news/november-2009/28-11-09-liverpool/
Photos
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| Liverpool |
The entries for the Northern Cross Country Championship held this season on 23rd January 2010 at Witton Park at Blackburn have to be in by 10th December 2009. Here is my current list of Horwich runners. Please check this list to make sure you are included and that I haven’t over-looked you. If you haven’t already entered and want to run then please ring me and leave a message with your name and date of birth (money will do at a later stage). Entry is £4.
Please remember that if you wish to run in the National Cross Country Championship at Leeds on 23rd February 2010 then you must first of all register to do the Northern’s. You cannot just enter the Nationals. Entry fee for the Nationals is also £4.
Thanks
Peter Ramsdale
Northern Entries
Gary Priestley
Neil Pendlebury
Gareth Booth
Karl Ward
Alastair Murray
Andy Porter
Denis Mason
Colin Rigby
Colin Wood
Graham Schofield
Peter Ramsdale
Barry Allman
Steve Jackson
Tony Hesketh
Peter Bland
Christine Boradman
Karen Murray
Sarah Norgate
Suzanne Budgett
Will Townsend
Nathan Townsend
Angela Allen
Lesley Fisher
James Kevan
Gordon Stone
National Entries
Gary Priestley
Neil Pendlebury
Gareth Booth
Karl Ward
Colin Rigby
Colin Wood
Peter Ramsdale
Barry Allman
Steve Jackson
Tony Hesketh
Sarah Norgate
Will Townsend
Nathan Townsend
Angela Allen
Gordon Stone
The Indoor Track and Field Season starts at Sportcity, Manchester on Sunday 6th December 2009. There are 6 meetings in all which finish in March 2010. It is only for Under 15, 17, 20 and Senior Athletes, male and female. The entry form can be downloaded from the Track and Field Section - See Fixtures.
Mark Dacre
All the championship tables are now up to date on the website.
If anyone spots any errors please contact Karen on karenandali@gmail.com.
The Fell and Road are now complete, overall just has three Mid Lancs cross
countries left.
Dominic Raby’s winning time of 2:38, being 27 minutes outside Lloyd Taggart’s 2:11 course record, reflected both the poor conditions and the diversions that were added to the course to reduce erosion. First lady was Karen Davison of Dark Peak, just 10 minutes behind Domininc and in 18th place overall; keep looking over your shoulders guys!
Despite not appearing in the team medal places Horwich was well represented with 13 men and two women contesting this, the last of our 2009 Club Fell Championship races. First home and first V45 was Mick Green, 6th in a time of 2:40, with Brendan Bolland, 26th in 2:52 and Graham Schofield 2nd V50 in 30th place with a time of 2:54.
Next three men were Alastair Murray 61st in 3:04, Albert Sunter 72nd in 3:08 and Doug Fleming 108th in 3:17. Then it was Suzanne Budgett, collecting yet another LV45 prize 116th in a time of 3:18.
Then it was Colin Wood, 3:27, Gary Chadderton 3:29, Tony Varley 3:37, running very well at present and well up in the V60’s. Then Barry Chapman 3:41, Paul Murray, 1st V65 3:41 and then the ever smiling Rachel Metcalfe in 3:50.
Our oldest man to turn out was once again Ray Stafford in 4:25, picking up his customary V70 prize and reputed to be the only V70 to have finished this race more than once. Last man home for Horwich was Ed Swift in 4:35. 301 finished.
The weather worsened during the day and the later finishers experienced cold and rain which the faster runners escaped.
Ed Swift
Results: http://www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk/uploads/Results/2009/TourRes2009.pdf
Just two Harriers made the trip to Silsden in Yorkshire for this tough
'A' category fell race with very muddy conditions underfoot. The race began
along the canal with just over half a mile of flat running before the
climbs and one can easily be lulled into running easy. The course was
well marked out and marshalled by the local scouts who also put the
race on, at one point in the forest it was so dark you could have done with a
head torch. The race was won by Lewis Banton of Clowne Road Runners in
53.02, I was 22nd and second over sixty by 7 seconds to Mike Walsh
Kendal, running out of steam at the end. Pete Leighton was 37th in
63.36 and seemed happy with his run. Anyone who fancies an introduction to an 'A'
category race then this is an ideal one to test your metal.
Tony Hesketh
The weather did not relent much for this the Bolton round of the Red Rose League.
The ladies race was reduced in length, which no one complained about as the going underfoot was again pretty sticky and with two climbs per large lap it was a tough little course. Lindsey Brindle (19.51) having now decided to contest the series set off with a purpose and paced the race well coming through strongly as the race went on. Although not feeling 100% on the day she finished a strong second, which after her first place at Bury currently holds her in good stead in the league, just needing a similar performance at Rossendale to take the title. Emma Perrin coped well with the conditions and moved up to a super fifth place with a time of 20.26, making inroads overall on the race leaders. Michelle Devine (22.04) also improved on Bury and this time counted for the team with a fine run helping the ladies to first team. Lesley Fisher (23.48) was our only other lady running and this time her injury held up enough to have a good run taking first 0/50 again and being great back up for the ladies team.
In the men’s race - of three large laps - Gareth Booth (38.07) used the race to check out the progress of his Achilles injury and was very pleased to have finished without a problem, and in 9th place to boot. Simon Parkinson (41.04) in 23rd place had a fine run when leading home Steve Nolan (41.38) in 36th, in Steve’s defence he is just coming back from injury so watch out Simon. Mike Crook again had a super run taking the first vet 0/60 in a time of 45.03 in 70th place. A very interesting club battle took place next with Pete Ramsdale (48.40) powering through the mud in definitely the best run I have seen him do on the country, shadowed most of the way by Colin Waterworth (48.35) who had to make a concerted effort in the final 400m to get past Pete. Pete’s victor at Bury - colleague Pete Bland (49.35) - had to settle for a rare defeat today, but admitted that the hills were not his strong point. Barry Allman (51.50) took close order with PB for a while but had to ease the pace as the race went on finishing in 140th place. Our final runner Mark Swindell (52.58) had a super start to his X/C running with a well paced race finishing in 145th place.
Results. http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2009/rr093.htm
In an effort to make use of my reliably slow pace I went to this new prediction race from Wycoller Country Park near Colne. Thankfully it was clear, otherwise navigation would have been a real problem with an early 3 mile section of the 8 mile (1500ft climb) course over wet featureless heather moor. Pathless, lacking even the faintest trods and occasionally very rough, I was reduced to walking even on some flat sections - the Winter Hill race is much easier navigation and runnable in comparison. The second half of the race from the terrific Lad Law summit was a more normal long fast grassy descent and then farmland paths back to the finish. Fastest time of the day was 1.10.16; winner of the prediction race was within 5 SECONDS of their pre-start guess with 3 others within 12 seconds (How the . . .?) I came in much later at 28th out of 32 around 8 minutes faster than my guess which put me halfway in the prediction results.
They may run the race in some form again next year - one to look out for if you like it 'off-piste'.
Colin Waterworth
Richard Howarth made this his 5th PB of the year when coming forth in this well attended road race. His time of 54.52 took over a minute off his previous PB. Running sub 5.30 pace over ten is good running and Richard must be pleased with that. Stuart Edmundson was also in attendance running well in 12th place for a time of 58.14.
Results: http://www.ukroadraces.info/Csv_Files/2009/preston10.htm
Emma & Guy Take the Honours.
Emma Perrin notched up the third race win of her career, but it was a first for Guy Heyes as he out sprinted Rob Jackson to take the win in 17.13. Rob had made all the right moves as the front pack kept pretty even pace throughout the race with Rob making a move around the 2 mile mark, but Guy kept close order until 200m to go when a change of pace put just two seconds between them at the finish. Pete Bland was the only other Horwich runner in men’s race finishing 22nd overall and 1st 0/60 with a satisfying time of 21.30. The ladies race was a cracker with Lisa Heyes and Emma Perrin in contention from the gun, with Lisa setting the pace and working Emma hard as they ran a reverse course on the Gin Pit 5 trails. Once again it was down to a sprint finish as Emma’s tactics to sit in on Lisa paid off as she changed gear over the last hundred metres to clinch victory. Emma’s time of 19.13 was also a PB finishing 8th overall. Lisa’s time of 19.25 is some way from her PB of 16.47! But vows to get back into the groove of regular track sessions to regain some of her pace.
Michelle Devine was our only other lady running who finished in a super time of 21.33for fourth lady. Michelle went with the early pace of Lisa and Emma and had to ease back after 2 mile, but her rapid progress continues as she clipped 30 seconds off her 5k PB.
This is a nice little well organised race that warrants a bigger field.
One of our main race sponsors was robbed of all its stock earlier this week, with an emphasis on Nike shoes, plus all the clothing, needless to say that the stock may already be circulating as cheap sales, so be aware of any approach.
Lancaster Half Marathon – Sunday 8th Nov
Another PB for Richard.
Richard Howarth improved his performance once again when taking 30 seconds off his Half PB and finishing third overall in 1.13.15, this was 1 min 15 seconds faster than his time in 2008, showing again that Richard’s form continues to improve with each race. What never seems to alter is the superb performances from our ace 0/50 Paul Muller as he notched up another quality run in 8th place with a time of 1.15.48 and of course taking the first vet 0/50, in fact Paul was the first vet overall. Robert Inman had a good run in 39th place for 1.22.59, and Susan Flatters impressed, when finishing in a time of 1.38.33 for 212th overall, but was not down in the results as a female or a vet 35 - which I made her fourth. Heather Swarbrick was our only other club member running with a time 2.17.11 in 612th.
Results: http://www.ukroadraces.info/Csv_Files/2009/lancasterhalf.htm
After last years race I decided to go back and give it another go. The weather was much better than previous with plenty of sun and a slight freezing breeze but the mud was just as deep and the river just as cold.
After about 1.5 miles (and missing a gate which lead us through a big patch of nettles) five of us pulled away with Dave Aucott from Dark Peak doing most of the work for the first 4 miles. We all stayed fairly close together until the turning point where I pulled some ground back on the climb and then got a nice little gap on the run off the hill and down the road. I decided to take it easy on the remaining climbs after last year and make sure I had enough to finish. By the water crossing on the way back no one was in sight and it was just a matter of holding onto it. With about 2 miles to go and just fields to run over I started feeling heavy and had to a walk through parts of the field that were deep with mud when I glanced behind to see I was being chased down by Stephen Pyke of Staffordshire Moorlands. I just about crossed the line on two feet in first place and a time of 2.08.16 with Stephen only 16 secs behind. This was a massive improvement on last years result when I finished 86th in a time of 2.52. No other Horwich member ran.
James Kevan
Gary and Lindsey Clinch Senior Wins.
A typical cross country course greeted the runners with the mud getting thicker by the race, but it did not stop some scintillating performances by the Horwich Squad.
In the ladies race - which included some very quick U/20 girls - Lindsey Brindle and Suzanne Budgett had a super race matching each others efforts with Lindsey just pulling away over the last few hundred metres to take the win. Suzanne obviously took first vet. Not far behind in 7th place and improving with each race was Emma Perrin, who coped well with the heavy course and was just 20 seconds off a top three place. Michelle Devine had intended to race Shepherds Skyline but opted to support the club at Bury instead and ran exceptionally well for 25th place from a field of 87 - her addition will be a big boost to the ladies squad, as was the return of Karen Murray who after a couple of years out through injury and having a family finally made her come back on the race scene, and very welcomed it was to see her racing again. In typical style Karen gave 100% for her position of 30th and I know this will improve rapidly as she returns to her training regime. The ladies also took the first team position. Just a word of commiseration for Lesley Fisher whose ongoing injury flared up again just as the race started.
In the men’s race Gary Priestley was using Bury as warm up for his big race at Gateshead next Saturday; this was also the ploy of England International Mark Buckingham who guested the race and gave Gary a good work out. Gary was pleased with his run and was well clear of all local opposition. Alastair Murray was our next counter, and like most who ran on the day found the heavy conditions made it tough going with little bounce in the legs! Even so his 21st place was a good solid run. Next in was our first two 0/50’s with Graham Schofield in 30th and Rob Haworth in 32nd both running exceptionally well for the first two in their age group. Doug Fleming ran well for our next 0/50 in 68th place. Next was another saga in the battle of the two Pete’s, Pete Bland –who finished 3rd 0/60 - had to contend with a much improved Pete Ramsdale – who has taken on the mantle of giving our chairman a run for his money - until Barry gets some fitness back! Pete R (94th) was on the heels of Pete B (88th) for most of the race but made his move too soon on the third lap going past Blandy, and then ran out of steam as Blandy used his famed fast finish to good effect. Paul Murray and Barry Allman kept each other company for most of the race until Paul decided it was time to make his move, finishing in 94th place to Barry’s 110th. Mick Crook was in there having a cracking race but he is not down on the results! Karl WQard started but pulled up with an injury.
Great to see 22 juniors racing the various age groups.
Results: http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2009/rr092.htm
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All the above items are available from Keith Makin
Telephone No 01204 692233
CASH OR CHEQUES PAYABLE TO :-
HORWICH RMI HARRIERS & AC
Garmin Forerunner ( https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=11039 )
If anyone is contemplating buying a Forerunner or equivalent and would like to try one out for a couple of weeks before they buy, send me an e-mail.
norman.matthews@ntlworld.com
The runners this year had to contend with unseasonably high temperatures in the 70’s along with late course changes and even last minute route changes and diversions. So times were not as the runners had predicted or paced for. Russell Maddams running in his first international event for his country was looking for a time of between 3 to 3hrs 10mins, but realised early on that the heat would play a major role in the pace and sensibly adjusted accordingly, finishing in a super 11th place in a time of 3.19.12. Russ was happy enough with his performance on the day but would have preferred a less challenging course that Gibraltar proved to be, with undulating sections and little or no distance markers to use for pace judgement! The verdict from the runners was that the course organisation was not at world standard and that serious consideration would have to be given for a return to the Island for future races. Russ will now have a few easy weeks recovery running, which is well earned after his three month build up for the 50k.
I was asked by Norman to give a little write of this year’s marathon trip, but I thought that I would enlarge on it and give a bit of history of the race from a Horwich RMI Harriers perspective. I started to compete in the race in 1989 when Freda and I used to go down for the weekend. In those days the race was on a Sunday and we would stay the Saturday and Sunday night.
The race started in 1982 and it was well supported by RMI runners in the 80s and 90s with Eddie Swift, Paul Boardman, George Harrison, Alan Blinkhorn and I am sure others entering every year. It is also a race that RMI have had their successes in with Kev Gaskill winning the race in 1988 and 1989 Tony Hesketh being 1st veteran in 1989 and Carolyn Hunter-Rowe being 1st lady in 1996. We also picked up the team prize in 1988 and 1989. I myself competed in the race from 1989 – 1994 inclusive and then from 1997-2004 inclusive. The hotels we stayed in had changed hands 3 times in successive years when we went back in 2004 and to say it had gone downhill is putting it mildly. In 2007 Albert pervaded me to enter again and we should also have entered in 2008 when we missed out due to the race being full, a result of the increasing popularity of the race, which had now switched to a Saturday. Albert’s wife Michele and her friend Kath Swindells who had now taken up running had entered the race, so it was doubly disappointing to miss it. Michele and Kath both successfully completed the course in terrible conditions. This year Albert and I made sure that we entered early enough, Albert actually entering twice but that is another story, and the four of us sent off on the morning of the race in very wet and windy weather hoping that it would improve which needless to say it did not. For some reason with the race starting at 10:30 registration closed at 09:00, so we had an early start and then 2 and a half hours to kill before the start of the race.
We had mixed fortunes in the race with Kath improving her previous year’s time to finish in 4:52:36 for 1,037 position, whilst Michele had to drop out after 19 miles with back problems. Michele somehow got a finish time and position without crossing the line so much for modern technology, we all had chips attached to our shoes. Albert and I both started to suffer at about the 22 mile male with Albert having to walk quite a bit and me being unable to run because of cramp. The race at about 23 miles has certainly got a string in the tail with a climb of approximately 700 feet in about a mile and then a descent of 900 feet again in about a mile. Albert did 3:43:24 and I finished with 4:24:37 for a finish position of 213th and 733 rd respectively out of 1,325 finishers. After the race we all said that we would not do it again, but on Sunday second thoughts were being had. I have said to Albert that for next year we must do more running on the roads prior to the race. The furthest that either of us had raced on the road since the 2007 marathon was a Jubilee 5 mile, although I had run 14 miles about 2 weeks before as my preparation.
I can highly recommend this marathon, as the scenery is excellent, no running through built up areas and with a limit of 2,000 you are quickly into your stride. They do make regular reference to it being the hardest marathon in the UK, but I can assume you after having done the Langdale Marathon a few years ago that it is not.
Tony Varley
Just 3 Horwich runners travelled to Kettlewell in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, for the Great Whernside fell race. Not to be confused with Whernside, one of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks.
Glorious spring like weather greeted the 167 runners at the start and, whilst the summit was obscured by low cloud, route finding was never a problem over this classic out and back course, which never touches tarmac.
The race was won by John Hennegan (Pudsey & Bramley) in 30.45. Horwich finishers were: Graham Schofield 16th/2nd v50 36.03, Peter Leighton 79th 42.38 and Barry Chapman 104th 45.20. First lady/ u18 & 33rd overall, Melanie Hyder (Helm Hill) 37.53 looks like one to watch in the future. It took me half of the climb out to catch her!
Graham Schofield.
We have negotiated a deal with our kit suppliers Tobutt Sports for them to supply us with black polo shirts as illustrated for just £8.
They will not automatically keep them in stock we have to order a certain number.
Anyone interested in purchasing one – or more - either ring or e-mail me with your order.
01204 468390. norman.matthews@ntlworld.com
Possibly not the best day for racing weather wise, but the turn out was still pretty high at over 250 entries. Rob Jackson made light of the conditions moving up a couple of places from last year finishing 6th in 49.56. Same with Paul Muller two places better in 8th overall and the mandatory first 0/50 slot. But both about the same time loss through the conditions of about 50 seconds. Paul Boardman ran third counter in 25th in a good time of 54.40 Ian Hamer continued his race program with another local race this time in 28th place running 55.11. Karl Ward (44th) was our first non vet home in 57.51, Karl won’t be happy with that time but a back niggle is holding up training at the moment. In fact no one had a faster time than last year with Suzanne Budgett having the least deficit of just 33 seconds with an excellent run of third overall in 58.35, three places up on 2008 and again collecting the first 0/45 prize.
Colin Wood (62.31) was 74th with Stuart Adamson (66.08) in 114th. Derek Kay (68.01) was 122nd and 2nd 0/65, with tough opposition, the first 0/65 running 59.05! Barry Allman (70.34) was 146th not yet back to form, with Ed Swift (75.25) in 190th. Super run from Ray Stafford again showing the over seventies the way home finishing in 77.40.
Results: http://www.ukresults.net/2009/villages.html
The Prediction Race this year will take place from Curleys Fisheries on the 5th December at 1.30p.m entry fee £3.00. This includes a Bacon Butty or Cheese Butty.
Anyone wishing to help with marshalling etc, contact me Tony Hesketh on 01204 668183
Details:
Race route is a secret until the day. All runners start together over the set route no watches to be worn during race. Runners predict their finish time before starting, nearest to predicted time wins a prize usually first three. There is a prize for first person to finish.
