Sunday 8 February 2009

Winter Hill fell race 2009

8th Mick Green 1:38.29
17th Keith Thomas 1:47:45
82nd Richard Buckley 2:07:53
117th Mark Shuttleworth 2:20:01
135th Jason Tonge 2:26:04
136th Adrian Hope 2:26:04
156th Graeme Smith 2:39:42
165th Vikki Hughes 3:01:08

A great turn out from the club, well done everyone!

Thursday 5 February 2009

XXI TORREMOLINOS HALF MARATHON 1ST FEB O9.

DAVOS TOURS BRINGS HOME THE SILVERWARE.

When a small group of runners from Spectrum Striders, Horwich Harriers, Wesham, Blackpool Wyre & Fylde, Accrington rr, Unattched, Aldi Harriers ( who ) and LOSTOCK get together they become a force not to be messed with. The weather is normally warm and even hot but on this occasion torrential rain, wind and freezing temperatures greeted our brave group of 16 runners. At 10am nearly 1700 runners set off, they jostled and weaved to dodge the deep puddles and this was only the first 200 metres. As the last of the runners passed me I made my way to the beach to take photos and shout some encouragement. There was no let up in the atrocious conditions.
The palm trees were bending under the strain of the wind and the sea looked more like the South Atlantic than the Med and yet our gang battled on forward into the driving rain. My core temperature was near to zero as the last of our runners passed by me. I made my way back to the finish area and waited another 45 minutes before Horwich runner Colin Rigby ran in in 1hr 14min 42sec and an impressive 18th runner to finish. As all the other runners were heading home I felt like I was heading towards hyperthermia, this isnt Torremolinos its Ice Station Zebra. Colin brought our merry gang home and Brian Scully brought in the rear.
The stats for the race are ----16 runners, 6 cups --- Colin Rigby 3rd vet 40, trophy --- Keith Thomas 2nd vet 50, trophy ---Julie Cruze 3rd vet 4, trophy and the performance of the day goes to Carmel Sullivan from Wesham, 3rd lady overall ---trophy, 1st vet 35, trophy ---1st ladies overseas winner, trophy .
Dave Pearson vet 50 ( spectator ) was wet, cold and immensely proud of all those who took part and if we all go back next year, maybe we can bring even more silverware back home, is that greedy, no, because it can be done.

Dave Pearson aka Davos .

RACE QUOTES AND FACTS ,
Colin Rigby decides to plough through the huge puddles and nearly drowns.
Wesham runners said they would do the race again next year
Mark B and Julie Cruze ran in together which is so sporting
Keith Thomas said wow I enjoyed that, WHAT ! ......
Mark Lysycia said they were the worst running condition he has ever run in I was shivering so much the Spaniards thought I was break dancing (davos )
Julie Cruze didnt take her protective bin liner off till after 10k
Stewat Jones commented that whilst he was running he didnt feel to bad but 20 seconds after he finished he froze
Mark Tolbot smiled with 100 metres to go
Colin had a bad start due to overcrowding and still ran home in 18th position
Carmel Sullivan slips and falls and cuts her elbows and knees and bruises her thigh
Brian Scully raises his arms and kicks near the finish and wins a bottle of wine.