This is a race that we always look forward to so it was a shame that there was a clash with the C.L.G.P. Race at Chorley. Nevertheless, five A&T regulars made the trip to Cowpe Village and the race didn’t disappoint.
Black clouds hung precariously over the moors and I was half expecting another deluge of rain like we had two years ago, but it just about held off.
Mark and I were keen to seal the prizes for Overall winner and Vets winner, respectively. I wanted an easy run out, but Marcus has been breathing down my neck all season and as soon as he turned up I knew I had to run hard to get the result I wanted.
Off we went and the conditions were perfect after the recent spells of rain. The race starts with a steep climb onto the moors before some steep descents and hands and feet scrambles up grassy banks to gain the ascent again. Up to the memorial at Whittle Pike (For anyone interested a cross in memory of a flying officer and Scout Group founder who was lost on a flying mission in 1955), then a tricky trod around to the quick descent on road to the village. The sting in the tail is an uphill up a playing field to the finish line.
Mark had a good steady run to finish in the top twenty, followed by me then Marcus. Abbie had a great run out and looked strong as she edged out another runner and beat him to the line. Tracy then came in running strong up the field to the line, and despite her recent effort at Ingleborough, was taken a bit by surprise by this short but hilly course. The official distance is given as 4.5 mls but most Garmins were recording 5.1mls.
Congratulations to Mark Ruscoe who has sealed the Fell Champs title with two races to go.
1st Sam Tosh – Rossendale Harriers 41:33
18th Mark Ruscoe 48:05
34th Paul Jackson 50:43
36th Marcus Taylor 52:26
113th Abbie Eckersley 72:59
124th Tracy Parry 84:17
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