STANDISH HALL 10K

Saturday 27th February 2010.

Five harriers decided to do this local trail race.

13th	Simon Parkinson	40:47
16th	Denis Mason	41:53
22nd	Doug Fleming	43:08
84th	Barry Allman	51:31
100th	Mark Collier	53:55

Full results.

NATIONAL XC

Saturday 27th February 2010.

Two senior men competed at this year's English Cross Country Championships at Roundhay Park in Leeds. The three lap 12k course was particularly muddy in places, in others provided good running and benefited the good climbers and descenders, in particular on "hill 60". The weather stayed dry (just)and just warm enough for shorts. In the end the two Horwich Harriers in the field of 1428 finishers were separated by 23 places and 37 seconds with Pete Ramsdale 1225th in 60:57 and Gordon Stone, 1248th in 61:34. The race was won by Aldershot's Andy Vernon in 38:01.

Full results.

LOSTOCK 6

Sunday 28th February 2010.

A cold but dry morning greeted 329 runners at the Lostock 6M race, the first counter for this years Central Lancs Grand Prix and the RMI Road Championships. Gareth Booth led the way for the men in 5th place. The rest of the mens team, placing third, was made up from Steve Nolan, David Jackson and Paul Boardman. Just two ladies were running with Karen Murray on the comeback trail in 5th relieved to get round in one piece and Kathryn Swindell.

13 Harriers ran.

5th	Gareth Booth	33:08
11th	Steve Nolan	34:48
24th	David Jackson	36:29
33rd	Paul Boardman	37:26
56th	Kevin Newall	39:21
78th	Colin Wood	40:32
101st	Karen Murray	41:58
107th	Stuart Adamson	42:28
122nd	David Wagstaff	43:09
124th	Barry Allman	43:15
149th	Mark Swindell	44:35
179th	Gordon Stone	46:06
240th	Kathryn Swindell	51:34

Full results.

ENGLISH FELL CHAMPS 2010 RACE 1 - NOONSTONE 9M / 2300'

Saturday 27th February 2010.

All week it didn't look like conditions were going to be good for the seasons opener, and so it proved. The temperature was barely above freezing, the ground was saturated, and it looked like the clag was going to be down on top. This race has a reputation as a bog trot, and it is well earned.

First home for Horwich was Darren Kay in 9th place, with a return to form, and looking to improve over the season. Second and Third counters battled it out all the way around, and it took a sprint finish to separate Alastair Murray in 42nd and Mick Green in 43rd. The senior team was completed with Dave Milliken in 59th, still not fully recovered from injury, and James Kevan in 67th also not yet 100%.

Karl Ward was next for Horwich in 153rd followed by Brian Walton in 190th and 4th M55, Steve Jackson in 211th, and Gary Chadderton in 214th. Mick Crook followed in 230th and 6th M60, with Paul Murray in 326th and 6th M65.

Our only ladies representative was Suzanne Budgett, finishing 66th in the ladies race.

423 finished - results.

Race 2 of the English Champs is Coniston, on May 1st. Entries open on Monday (1st March) and forms will be available from here. With a limit of 400 entries, get your entries in quickly!

MARSHALS REQUIRED - LOSTOCK 6

As part of our membership of the Central Lancs GP, Horwich RMI Harriers have agreed to help contribute marshals to the races in the series.

The Lostock 6, Sunday 28th February, still requires marshals. If you can help please contact Pete Bland on 07551404047 or peterbland@btinternet.com.

CHEW VALLEY REMINDER

The second counter in this years club fell champs is the Chew Valley Skyline on Sunday 7th March.

This is just a reminder that pre-entry is required by this Saturday, the 27th February.

2010 HORWICH RMI OVERALL CHAMPS

The 2010 fixtures for the club overall champs are as follows.

Fell
Sat 3 Apr	Rivington Pike
Thu 17 Jun	Two Lads
Sun 4 Jul	Skiddaw
Sat 7 Aug	Borrowdale
Road
Wed 12 May	Haigh Hall 4
Sun 30 May	Smithills Serpant 5
Wed 14 July	Jubilee 5
Wed 4 Aug	Chorley 4.4 Trail
Cross Country
TBA	Mid Lancs Race 1
TBA	Mid Lancs Race 2
TBA	Mid Lancs Race 3
TBA	Mid Lancs Race 4

For all categories, men's, ladies and vets, it is your best 10 races to count, and you must include at least one race from each of the three categories to complete the series.

More details can be found on the club website.

Female Greater Manchester Team for Inter County Fell Race in May

Hi all,

I am getting a female Greater Manchester team together for the Inter County Fell Running Championships 2010 and would appreciate it of you could circulate the enclosed information to your female members who might be interested in running.

The Championships will be held at the Lletty Fell Race (Llangynhafal, near Denbigh in North Wales) on Saturday 22 May 2010 (9 miles).

To be eligible to run for Greater Manchester, runners must either have been born in or lived in Greater Manchester for 9 months (i.e. Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, Manchester or Salford). They must not have competed for a county other than GM or in another county's champs in the last 12 months.

If any of your female members are interested, please respond directly to me. (Any men who are keen to run should contact the men's team manager Andi Jones of Salford Harriers.)

Thanks very much,

Anna Lupton (Radcliffe AC)

anna_lupton@hotmail.com

Winter Warmer

14th February 2010.

The annual Blackburn Winter Warmer 10km Race took place over the usual challenging (hilly!) course, starting and finishing in Witton Park. Horwich Harriers had four runners in the event which attracted nearly 300 runners. Leading the way was Rob Jackson in 5th place (2nd vet 40) followed by Glyn Kay in 19th, Stuart Adamson 85th and Colin Wood 251st. This gave Horwich 7th place in the team race.

Full results.

20th Great North West Half Marathon, Blackpool.

21st February 2010.

Two harriers made the trip to Blackpool which went ahead despite the weather. Very cold and icy conditions meant race marshals had to make a decision.

Paul Muller finished first V50 and fifth overall, clocking a time of 1:15:59. Martyn Bell was pleased with his effort, finishing 7th in a time of 1:17:02, despite recovering from a heavy cold.

Full results.

Haigh Hall Relays - Saturday 13th March

If anyone is interested in running in this local relay for teams of 4 please get in touch with either myself or Pete Bland.

The event is open to mens, ladies or mixed teams so everyone who wants a run should get one.

Full details.

Alastair Murray.
alastair.murray@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIP SUBS - VERY OVERDUE

Club membership subs have now been due since October for 2009/10 and there are still 61 senior members unpaid.

If you have not renewed but you intend to, please renew asap. The club will soon be paying England Athletics affiliation fees for all members, and if you have not renewed by then it will be assumed you are resigning.

If you do not intend to renew, please let me know so I can stop hassling you.

Here is the membership form with all the details.

Many thanks,

Alastair Murray.
Membership Secretary.

alastair.murray@gmail.com

National Cross Country Championship

Leeds, Roundhay Park, Saturday 27th February 2010.

Important Information.

Athletes must wear club colours

Timing is done using ‘timing chips’. Chips and numbers collected from Pete Ramsdale on the day of the race. Chips returned after races. Failure to return chips will incur a £7 replacement cost.

There is NO parking at the park. Residential parking is only available in the surrounding streets so be prepared to park up away from the park and have a good walk. There is parking at Limewood Industrial Park. (Just off the A64 – I’m sorry I have no Sat Nav references I will try and find some). A shuttle bus service is available from 9am throughout the day from Limewood Park to Roundhay Park.

Race times

U15 Boys	11.00am
Junior Women	11.20am
Under 17 Women	11.45am
Under 13 Girls	12.10pm
Under 17 Men	12.25pm
Under 15 Girls	12.55pm
Junior Men	1.15pm
Under 13 Boys	2.00pm
Senior Women	2.15pm
Senior Men	3.00pm

Arrive in time to find Pete Ramsdale, get your number on your club vest and add you chip to your shoes, warm up and get to the start in good time

See you there

Peter Ramsdale
Cross Country Captain

WINTER HILL FELL RACE 11m/2750ft - 14th February 2010 - UPDATED : More Photos

A dry and very cold morning greeted 233 runners at this years Winter Hill fell race. Good conditions for the time of year made for fast times with the first four running quicker than the previous record set last year. Darren Kay set out for the win and was rewarded with fourth place in a time of 1:29:22. Next harrier home was Mick Green, with a great run in 11th and 1st V45. Final member of the Horwich team was Alastair Murray taking 16 minutes off his previous best time and finishing in 15th, the team finishing second to Pudsey. Graham Schofield finished 1st V50 and 20th overall.

Two ladies ran, with Suzanne Budgett finishing second overall in an excellent time of 2:06:01. Emma Perrin ran the race for the first time and did great to finish 12th in 2:14:10.

17 Horwich finished.

Full results.

A selection of pictures courtesy of Brenda Matthews.

Winter Hill 2010 - Brenda Matthews

A selection of pictures courtesy of Pauline Charters.

Winter Hill 2010 - Pauline Charters

Karen Murray.

Winter training camp 2 – Spain Girona 1st-18th Feb

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on how things are going in the triathlon world. Training has been going extremely well out here, with more focus on race type skills and linking the 3 disciplines together.

We have been doing lots of practice in chain gangs, cornering and desending ; apart from nearly taking the coach out at the start of the week I seem to be picking things up much better! The weather has been too cold to practice open water swimming but we have had all the lanes taken out of the pool to replicate mass group swimming and swimming around buoys-its a bit like cross country where its every man for themselves, elbows out and fight your way through!!

I have now experienced brick sessions where I have been doing run sessions straight of the bike and also got back into some decent track sessions- although I must admit I do miss running with the Horwich group on a wet and cold Tuesday night in a strange way!

Anyway hope everyone is training well and racing hard! My first race is this Saturday at Milton Keynes, a fairly low key duathlon to get the ball rolling!

Hope to see you all soon

Katie

Red Rose Cross Country Presentation Evening

Friday 12th February 2010 at Horwich RMI Club

The annual Red Rose Cross Country presentation evening was held in Horwich on Friday 12th Feb and the club was well quite well represented across the age groups.

First up to receive her award was Phoebe Howe who was 5th U13 girl. Phoebe has been supported by lots of other U13 girls throughout the season and we look forward to next year when they all continue in the same age group. We are looking for great things.

Next up was Nathan Townsend who received his 4th U13 boy award followed by another award for being a member of Horwich team who finished 2nd Under 13 boy’s team. Nathan was supported during the season by Cameron Critchley, Will Townsend, Jonathan Powis and Joseph Howe. Others got their names on the score sheet during the season including Matthew Ball and Sam Dean

After collecting the Lady’s individual trophy from Katie Ingram, it was engraved and given back to another Horwich lady this year. Running really well again and showing real commitment and talent - Lyndsey Brindle got her just rewards. Good family support on the evening too. Another lady receiving her reward for her efforts for the season was Lesley Fisher who finished 1st Lady Vet 50. Well done.

Whilst the league wasn’t the main club priority this year we still managed three senior awards. Rob Haworth finished 3rd Vet 50 with Mick Crook and Pete Bland finishing 1st and 2nd Vet 60. Well done guys.

We hope that next year the juniors will target this league next year as they are all very local races, and we can then look forward to a bumper presentation evening in 2011.

Peter Ramsdale

South East Lancs XC Leigh 13th February 2010

The final race in the SEL XC season took place at Lilford Park Leigh. With other commitments taking place over this busy weekend runners were making decisions about which of the races to take part in. Mid Lancs XC at Hyndburn, Parbold Hill race, Anglezarke Amble on Saturday and our own club promotion of the Winter Hill on Sunday. I attended the SEL XC as co-organiser for this final race in the 2009-10 season. With the help of Brian Schofield from Oldham and Royton and our own Neil Critchley (dad of Cameron, under 13 Horwich runner) from Burden RR, we set about early marking out the quite large loop.

There were only three Horwich runners deciding to run this race with Cameron trying to hold on to as high a position as possible in the under 13’s category. Even though the race fewer than usual numbers, the field was just as strong. Cameron battled hard and held off chasing runners to finish in 6th place. This gives him sixth overall – a very good performance, well done.

In the seniors, well vets, Rob Haworth and myself completed the three large laps. I cannot comment too much about Rob’s run as I didn’t see much of him and he might have even gone home by the time I’d finished but 14th in a time of 37.27 is very impressive. This also completes the necessary 3 races to qualify for the series. I worked hard and completed the 9km in 46.03 in 66th place. Ian Grime from Newham and Essex won in 33.04.

That completes the series in the South East Lancs, Cameron Critchley 6th U13, Rob Haworth 1st Vet 50, Tony Hesketh 1st Vet 60, Paul Murray 4th Vet 60 and me 14th Vet 50. The Horwich V40 team finished joint 5th whilst the V50 team came joint 2nd. To say that this wasn’t within the clubs targets and it clashed with at least 2 Mid Lancs races, that’s a good show. Thanks everyone.

Footnote – packed up the course, packed all the markers in my car and then found myself locked in the park – 40minutes later having found someone with a key to let me out, I was driving home – just adds to the day!

Peter Ramsdale

Mid Lancs Cross Country at Hyndburn 13/02/2010

We needed to put out a full team for this fixture to secure promotion for the mens team to the second division of the league for next year, and appears it to have been a job well done. A big thank you to all the men who turned out on the day, and to Pete Bland for marshalling the troops.

A superb run from Gary Priestley saw him finishing second closely behind Ricky Lightfoot of Ellenborough. This puts Gary in the joint lead for the league overall with one fixture remaining. James Kevan appears to be back from a period of injury and hitting some good form, with a great run for 6th place. The team of 6 was completed by Steve Nolan in 38th, Denis Mason in 60th, Simon Parkinson in 61st (only a second between them) and Gary Chadderton in 87th. Doug Fleming ran well for 95th, but was dissappointed to miss out on the team. Pete Bland came out on top today of his battles with Barry Allman, with Pete in 148th and Barry in 172nd.

The team finished 5th overall on the day, and I make it first in our division.

Full Results.

Parbold Hill Race - 13.02.10

This years Parbold Hill Race, a popular multi-terrain race, saw 9 harriers in attendance behind local winner Nick Leigh. Lisa Heyes was first lady V35 and Tony Heskeh won the V60 classification.

7th	S. Edmondson	45:05
31st	P. Boardman	49:14
63rd	L. Heyes	51:40
78th	T. Hesketh	52:30
91st	A. Gorman	53:36
140th	L. Mercer	56:40
191st	S. Gorman	59:30
255th	M. Collier	01:03:44
302nd	M. Sammon	01:06:27

Full Results.

WINTER HILL FELL RACE - ROAD CLOSURE

Please note that it will not be possible to travel from Belmont to Rivington due to Church Street being closed for repairs. Allow extra time as you will need to go via Horwich.

Tony Varley.

2010 HORWICH RMI ROAD CHAMPS

The 2010 fixtures for the club road champs are as follows.

Sun 28 Feb	Lostock 6
Sun 18 Apr	Radcliffe 10km
Wed 12 May	Haigh Hall 4
Sun 30 May	Smithills Serpant 5
Wed 14 July	Jubilee 5
Wed 04 Aug	Chorley 4.4 Trail
Sun 26 Sep	Swinton 10
Sun 10 Oct	Gun Pit 5

It's your best 6 from 8 to count.

More details can be found on the club website.

Great Western Half - SPARE PLACE

Great Western 1/2 marathon - Blackpool, Sunday 21st Feb.

Martyn Bell has entered this race but will not be doing it. If anyone at Horwich would like to take his place, please get in touch.

martyn@pslprint.com
07972 296546

Ladies Northern 6 Stage Relays

The Northern Athletics 12 & 6 Stage Road Relays this year will be held at Wythenshawe Park, Manchester on Sunday 21st March.

Any ladies wanting to run, please contact Suzanne Budgett as soon as possible, so she can have an idea of numbers before entering a team. The deadline is 1st March.

suzanne.budgett@cds-wilman.com
01204 811547

Pennine Bridleway Leg 1 - A Firsthand Report

Leg 1

The leg started really on Saturday night at 10.30pm when a text from my running partner Barry informed me of a road closure from Burnley on the road to the end of leg 1 – where I was heading early tomorrow to leave my car for the journey back home after the race.

Out came the maps, sat nav and other bits and pieces to see the best way. With that decided it off to bed ready for early start tomorrow.

Up at 10 to 6 and its been snowing! About 2 inches in Blackrod and its still falling. So packed the car and off I go. Texting Barry at points on my route, when stopped, I find out that Warrington had had, or was having up to 6 inches of snow. Anyway after a detour or two, much asking of early local dog walkers I got to the end of leg 1, parked up and picked Barry up by just before 8am. So its now back around the road works and down to the start for 8.30am. Well it took ages and as we parked up (8.24¬¬), ran to have our kit checked (8.27), toilet (8.28), ran across the car park (8.29) and joined the back of the runners to hear, “Right then off you go”. (Gordon Stone you would have been proud of the no time wasted standing around).

The first mile on the roads Barry and I spent overtaking groups to find our racing position. Then with climbs and climbs and no much down hill, we battled through a cold wind but it was a glorious morning. We both enjoyed the experience and thanks to Tony for the chance to run for Horwich in this prestigious event.

Our time of 1hour 20minutes and position 66th was disappointing as we had hoped for about 1.15 but it gave Doug and Gary something to chase over the next leg.

Well done to the A team for their efforts and a well deserved 1st place and to the ladies team, especially Emma and Geraldine who ran the end of their leg 1 with us as we slowed down. It was a pleasure.

Peter Ramsdale/Barry Allman

Leg 1 team

RADCLIFFE 10 MILE TRAIL RACE

There was a great turn out for Horwich for this years Radcliffe Trail Race run for the first time over a different course around the local trails, pathways and parks. It was a common excuse that this was a good alternative to the usual long sunday run.

First home for Horwich was Alastair Murray, 5th overall in 59:30, just managing to hold off Paul Muller, 6th in 59:57, and Stuart Edmundson, 7th in 60:27. Paul was also first V50. Completing the winning Horwich team, and packing well, was Rob Jackson in 8th. In 10th overall and 2nd V50 was Steve Nolan. Ian Hamer finished 18th, with Paul Boardman in 22nd, not having the easy run he was hoping for, and Doug Fleming in 28th. Winner of the V60 category was Tony Hesketh. (thanks for collecting my beer!) Our only lady was Lesley Fisher finishing 2nd in her category. Completing the Horwich representation was Mark Swindell in 151st.

247 Ran.

Full results.

HORWICH VICTORY AT PENNINE BRIDLEWAY RELAY - Jan 31st 2010

Horwich were able to muster 3 teams to run in this year Pennine Bridleway Relay, a Fell Relay run in pairs over five legs around the Mary Townley Loop of the Pennine Bridleway.

Fears that the relay would not go ahead due to heavy snow were not realised, but a very cold and still morning made the underfoot condition a bit tricky with widespread ice patches around the course.

Senior Men :

The Horwich Open Senior Men lead the way with the conditions obviously suiting the Leg 1 pairing of Darren Kay and Gary Priestley, putting the team in the lead at the first changeover and smashing the record time for the leg in the process. The Leg 2 pairing of Richard Haworth and Alastair Murray were thankful for the time in hand as they knew they were up against some class runners and would need every second to hold onto the lead. This they did, handing over to Stuart Edmundson and James Kevan, but only 45 seconds ahead of Salford. The battle with Salford would continue all the way to the finish, with Salford taking the lead by the start of Leg 4. It was left to the vets of the team to secure the victory. A fantastic run by Martin Jones and Martyn Bell put Horwich back into the lead, and extended the advantage over Salford, as well as setting the fastest time of the day for the leg. Brendan Bolland and Mick Green ran the glory leg, doing just enough no doubt, setting the 3rd fastest time of the day for the leg and bringing Horwich home to win with a full 59 seconds to spare after nearly 5 hours of running.

Senior Ladies :

Thanks must go to all the ladies who participated in the relay, despite many suffering from injuries, lack of sleep and illness. It was a fantastic team effort from all. The first leg runners, Geraldine Walkington and Emma Perrin started the team off well on this cold but lovely day and handed onto Suzanne Budgett and Angela Allen for leg 2, the longest leg. After such a good start, it was up to myself and Sue Hayes to cover the 9 miles of leg 3. Sue, who was in good running form, enjoyed a well deserved rest at the top of the hills while she waited for myself to catch up. We had an enjoyable run over leg 3 and handed on to a waiting Lesley Fisher and Karen Murray for leg 4, who obviously had a fantastic run and gained a 38th quickest leg time for their leg. They handed onto Margaret Huyton and Mary White for the final leg, who also had an excellent run bringing the team into the finish in 58th position (out 91 teams) and, if I've calculated it correctly, 5th Ladies Team out of 12. Well done all!

(report by team captain Rachel Metcalfe)

Vet Men :

The Horwich representation was completed by the men's vets team. I don't have many details or first hand accounts from the day, but with a few different faces stepping forward to represent the club, they put in a solid performance finishing 37th team overall, and 7th in the vets class. The team was as follows - Leg 1 : Pete Ramsdale and Barry Allman, Leg 2 : Doug Fleming and Gary Chadderton, Leg 3 : Steve Jackson and Graham Schofield, Leg 4 : Mark Collier and Gordon Stone, Leg 5 : Tony Hesketh and Neil Wrigley.

Full Results.

2010 HORWICH RMI FELL CHAMPS

The 2010 fixtures for the club fell champs are as follows.

Short:

Rivington Pike

Two Lads

Denis Stitt Memorial Race

Medium:

Winter Hill

Fairfield Horseshoe

Skiddaw

Long:

Chew Valley Skyline

Borrowdale

Tour of Pendle

It's the usual format, with your best 6 from 9 to count, and at least one from each category.

Please note that Chew Valley and Borrowdale are pre-entry, and Borrowdale usually fills up quickly.

More details can be found on the main website.

Alan Thompson

Alan Thompson died suddenly on Friday, 29 January.

His funeral will be at Overdale Crematorium, West Chapel, on Wednesday, 10 February at 2.00 pm and at Egerton House afterwards.