Lostock AC fell runners headed over to Todmorden to compete in the Beater Clough Fell Race and did well.
The race covers 6.8 miles and a gruelling elevation gain of 2,070 feet. With 82 runners on the start line, the race throws in forest paths, stream crossings, open moorland, bogs, tussocks and lots of ups and downs. The highlight is Beater Clough itself, a steep heather-covered ravine which sees runners descend to a stream before a stiff climb up the other side. The clough is crossed again on the return journey.
Josie Greenhalgh led the Lostockers home, finishing as third lady in 1hr 19mins 16secs. Mark Shuttleworth was the next Lostocker across the finish line in 1:29:58 and Mark Checkley clocked 1:52:27.
The following day, 14 Lostockers made the journey up the M6 to for the Garstang Gallop over the seldom-raced distance of seven miles.
It was a small affair with 127 taking part, but with friendly organisation and cheerful and supportive marshals.
Starting in the picturesque town centre with a race briefing on a traffic island of sorts outside the Royal Oak pub, participants were soon under way with a quick downhill start followed by a shortish steep climb then a nice downhill section which sets the tone nicely for the race because it’s pretty much all like that. The race was definitely undulating but not excessively so, it was extremely runnable and enjoyable mostly on pretty country lanes in a lovely rural setting.
Greg Kilshaw got off to his customary fast start closely followed by Jo McManus, Hazel Hatfield and Gareth Pratt. The four completed the first three miles together before Hatfield and Pratt were able to speed up, leaving McManus and Kilshaw. Hatfield just pipped Pratt to the post, finishing in 53:47, with Pratt clocking 53:49.
McManus finished very strongly with a great last mile, finishing in 54:41, followed by Kilshaw in 56:43. There were some further fantastic performances - Tony Maxwell finished in 58:00, followed by Brian Halton (58:26), Rachel Hancock (58:41) and Martin Smith (1:05:43). Katie Edern returned strong after being unwell, finishing in 1:08:04, and Lynda Hardman continued to show marathon training definitely agrees with her with another great effort in 1:08:22. Mark Checkley backed up the previous day’s fell race with a great last mile and even had time for selfies on the motorway bridge section, finishing in1:09:40. Gillian Caldwell finished in 1:12:25, Ste Hancock in 1:12:44 and Karen Taylor, who is returning from injury, in 1:14:37.
The was a busy weekend of racing for Lostock with members also competing in the Wigan half-marathon and 5k. The Wigan half is a tough race, starting in Mesnes Park, it heads out to the Brick Community Stadium before heading out of the busy centre to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The race follows the canal for three miles before turning to head in to Haigh Woodland Park.
This is the toughest part of the race with competitors climbing an elevation gain of 600 feet and there is a particularly steep hill at mile nine. Participants are then treated to a downhill towards the plantation gates. There is one final hill but then it is a gentle descent back to the finish.
A total of 1,214 competitors ran the race. Janet Rhodes had an epic race, finishing in a staggering 1:35:10 as the seventh female (out of 391) and was first in her age category. Paul Lacey finished in 1:58:51 and Rachel Stevens followed in 2:05:23.
New Lostock AC member Markus Stevens took on the 5k and finished in a fantastic 31:26.
The Rivington Firefighter’s Duathlon also took place at the weekend. This is a unique event which takes place with support from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and sees duathletes complete a 3.5-mile trail run, followed by hilly 21-mile bike and then complete the same 3.5-miles trail run. Competitors can enter as pairs or individually.
Andy Laycock and David Wilkes entered as a team and put in an amazing performance, finishing in 2:24:39, while Mel Crompton and her friend Beki Gerrard finished in 2:52:26. Matt Withers took on the solo challenge, finishing in 2:46:49.
Parkrun results: Bolton - Rachel Hancock 35:29; Haigh Woodland - Andy Laycock 26:36, Mike Berry 26:36, Ian Burns 29:34 (first in age category); Jersey - Sally McCoy 26:17 (first in age category); Worsley Woods - Tony Marlow 22:39 (new PB and first in age category).
