Monday, April 05, 2010

RIVINGTON PIKE FELL RACE 2010

Saturday 3rd April 2010.



After an uncertain week the weather held good for this years pike race. The underfoot conditions however were less than perfect for fast times, and left some who preferred to have a more cushioned road shoe for the gruelling finishing on the tarmac lacking traction on the top part of the course. Despite the mud the route was once again lined with many cheering spectators that contribute to the unique character of this historic race.

The race up front was a battle between Blackburn Harriers and Pudsey & Bramley. Thomas Cornthwaite was first to the pike and retained the lead on the descent to win from Ricky Lightfoot, Rob Hope and Danny Hope.

As usual Horwich RMI Harriers were very well represented with 27 runners out to tackle the race. First Horwich home, and winner of the Pike Race Challenge Cup, was Alastair Murray in a PB of 18:59, just holding off old Horwichian Paul Dugdale for 7th place. Graham Schofield took 15th overall and first V50. Third Horwich counter was Rob Jackson in 21st, completing his 26th consecutive pike race despite a cold, who along with Steve Nolan in 22nd completed the winning mens vets team. Tony Hesketh (correction) took the prize for first V60 in a time of 23:09, and John Coope was first V75 in a time of 32:52. Our only ladies representative was Nicole Kirkham finishing second LV50 in 29:18.

Men
1stThomas Cornthwaite (Blackburn)17:31
7thAlastair Murray18:59
15thGraham Schofield20:04
21stRobert Jackson20:53
22ndSteve Nolan21:11
26thDenis Mason21:28
27thSimon Parkinson21:29
31stPaul Boardman21:49
36thGary Chadderton22:19
41stIan Hepburn22:32
44thTim Roe22:50
46thDoug Fleming23:07
49thTony Hesketh23:09
50thMick Crook23:09
52stStephen Diaz23:12
56thAlbert Sunter23:33
62stWilf Brindle23:54
65thPeter Ramsdale24:07
75thColin Wood24:42
84rdBrent Brindle25:18
91thPaul Kaye25:58
110thRobert Whitaker27:19
131thMark Collier28:38
143ndAnthony Turner29:44
145thLawrence Pinnell29:50
147thMark Sammon30:08
148thEd Swift30:11
165thJohn Coope32:52
166thAllan Blinkhorn33:05

Ladies
1stLaura Richers (Leigh)21:46
14thNicole Kirkham29:18


A big thank you to the race organisers, marshals and helpers that make the race possible, especially Pete Bland, Rob Green and Colin Jones.

Full results at http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2010/pike10.htm

A selection of photos here courtesy of Ian and Pauline Charters.

More photos here courtesy of Thomas Irwin.
Pike Race 2010 - Thomas Irwin


A few more photos here courtesy of Dave Pinnington.