New Year's Day Swim - Salford Quays

Myself, Alex,Dale,Helen,Kim and at least one of the Reasons will be braving the 5 degree waters of Salford Quays in a 200m swim on New Years Day morning (no wetsuits!)

If you lose your mind and fancy joining us in the water or just coming to watch us wuss out we're meeting at USwim, dock 9 at 9.30am!

Clare

Whinberry Naze Fell Race 2011by Michelle Fuller

Helen Minshall (santa), Louise Dobson (supergirl) and myself (118) decided to burn off the Christmas pudding on boxing day at Whinberry Naze fell race.
Last year the ground was covered in Ice and snow, totally opposite this year mud, mud and more mud.  With the promise of a pack of smarties at the summit we all set of up the hill at a steady pace, Louise attending her first fell race, headed off up the track leaving myself and Helen behind. The ground began to level out a little before a steep but short scramble.  The ground levels out again with a steady run to santa, who unfortunately had ran out of smarties, very disappointed!
However the race must go on and most of it being down hill.  I could see Louise in the distance and managed to pick up my pace past Louise to the steep decent back down the track. 118(myself) finishing at 46.05 followed by supergirl (Louise) at 47.20 then santa (Helen) looking like she was having the time of her life came in at 52.27. Helen managed to get some smarties and kindly shared them out, making it all worth it.

A & T FELL CHAMPS 2012 by Michelle Fuller

A & T FELL CHAMPS 2012

I have put together 10 races and tried to keep them local in the hope that more people will take part this year.
Full details of each race will be published closer to the race date , but all details can be found on the FRA race calender at www.fellruner .org.uk

March 27th     Liver  Hill        5 m/800’       
April 14th    Wardle Skyline        7.2 m/1250’   
June 7th        Hendersons End    5.8m/800’
June 27th    Eddies Revenge        3.8m/1060’
July 21st        Ingleborough        7m/2000’
August 8th    Whittle Pike        5.1m/1400’
August 22nd    Golf Ball        5.5m/800’
October 20th    Race to the Summit    4.3m/800’
November 3rd    Shepherds Skyline    6.2m/1150’
November 25th    David Staff Memorial    5m/1200’

Best of 5
Bonus points
1pt = 8 races
2pts=9 races
5pts=10 races

Any question my email address is okmum33@yahoo.co.uk

Club Runs by Michaela Shaw

Me and Carole will be doing a 10 mile run, off road on Saturday 31st December from the Gin Pit at 9.30am - all welcome


Me and Carole will be doing a 10 mile run, off road on Monday 2nd January from the Gin Pit at 9.30am - all welcome
 

Ribble Valley 10k Results

80	739	Lewis	Eccleston	MJ	Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners	00:33:53
129	861	Alex	Foster	M	Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners	00:36:18
144	202	Troy	Topping	M45-49	Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners	00:37:01
157	1035	Simon	Ford	M	Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners	00:37:21
226	909	Stephen	Coleman	M50-54	Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners	00:39:16
401	354	Dale	Kenyon	M	Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners	00:44:20

Turkey Trot Results

first past the post

1st Suzanne Gregory
2nd Shaun Moran
3rd Alex Foster
4th Terry Gardiner
5th Neil Hodgson
6th John Lee
7th Anne McCarthey
8th Mark Riches
9th Steve Foster
10th Gary Stevens
11th Joseph Wane
12th Craig Bradbury
13th Terry Hughes
14th Mark Lysycia
15th Paul Basnett
16th Clare Unsworth
17th Scott Christey
18th Michelle Garvey
19th Kim O'Neill
20th Robin Chan
21st Ian Bushrod
22nd Helen Minshall
23rd Emma Higgins
24th Malc Collins
25th Dale Kenyon
26th Josie Maley
27th Brenda Wane
28th Cheryl Wainwright
29th Marjorie Leigh / Vanessa Marsden

Offical Times without hanidcaps

note - there are about 10 times missing so if you are not on the list below please email me with your time

Alex Foster 36.34
Shaun Moran 39.13
Mark Riches 40.01
Gary Stevens 40.14
John Lee 40.58
Scott Christey 41.20
Malc Collins 44.40
Dale Kenyon 44.45
Terry Gardiner 44.53
Josey Maley 44.55
Steve Foster 45.14
Terry Hughes 45.34
Craig Bradbury 45.38
Mark Lysycia 45.49
Neil Hodgson 45.58
Suzanne Gregory 47.53
Joseph Wane 49.00
Paul Basnett 50.17
Kim O'Neill 54.03
Anne McCarthey 58.01
Michelle Garvey 63.00
Clare Unsworth 64.00 / Marjorie Leigh 64.00 / Vanessa Marsden 64.00
Emma Higgins 64.58
Cheryl Wainwright 66.46

Turkey Trot

Emma will be timekeeping tomorrow at the Turkey Trot but she will be focusing on writing down the finishing order of the runners rather than the actual times so please take your watch and give her your official time so i can blog it later.

Turkey Trot Handicaps

After much deliberation and a few bribes the handicaps for the 10k Turkey Trot are below.

Can everyone be at the bottom of the Gin Pit hill for 10.15am for the race briefing...please bear in mind that some runners are only starting 20 Min's after the first runner so this is the time to get ready and warm up.

We will try and get the race started around 10.20am so Alex will be off around 10.45am.

Every runner "must" bring a prize for the fund so everyone is able to take something home from the race.  If people are kind enough to bring more than 1 prize i will offer them to any volunteers who have helped.

Please leave the prizes on the steps of the Welfare club "after" the race.

The course itself is not a PB one, quite wet and muddy in parts with a couple of inclines.

Please also respect other users of the trails such as dog walkers and horse riders.

When doing the handicaps i have based it on ability but also took into consideration injury and form.


0 - Clare Unsworth


+ 3 mins - Cheryl Wainwright, Christine Farnworth, Helen Minshall, Emma Higgins, Michelle Garvey


+ 5 mins -Michelle Fairclough, Anne McCarthey

 +7 mins - Marjorie Leigh, Vanessa Marsden


+ 9 mins - Steve Underwood,  Ian Bushrod, Brenda Wane


+ 11 mins - Barry Allman, Kim O'Neill, Chris Scholes,


+ 14 mins - Paul Basnett, Suzanne Gregory, Janet Grint, Joseph Wane


+ 17 mins - Neil Hodgson


+ 18 mins - Robin Chan, Steve Foster, Terry Hughes, Mark Lysycia, Terry Gardiner, Craig Bradbury


+ 20 mins - Dale Kenyon, Josie Maley, Malc Collins


+ 22 mins - John Lee


+ 23 mins - Gary Stevens, Scott Christey, Mark Riches, Shaun Moran, Peter Chan


+26 mins - Alex Foster

Anyone wishing to enter the race who is not on the list please contact me asap.

New Year's Day Open Water Swim - Salford Quays

New Year's Day Open Water Swim - Salford Quays
10.00am
DOCK 9, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays (Lowry Theatre end of Dock)

Who would like to join me, Dan and Alex in a 200m lap of Salford Quays on New Year's Day?
An icey challenge to start the year!

You don't have to be a brilliant swimmer, I reckon I'm going to be breast stroking it round (no way am I putting my face in that water!)

Further info from the USwim site:

The cool news is that the water temperature is dropping fast (6degrees at the moment) so you will be able to happily subject yourselves to the Worlds best hangover cure (freezing water) by sprinting up to 200m around Uswims lovely dock.

Wetsuits are optional (bring your own as none available for rental) and there will be a trophy for the ‘Ice Queen’ and ‘Ice King’ who melts our hearts and completes the course in the quickest time dressed only in swim cossies.

Hot showers, drinks and mince pies available afterwards

'...a few minutes of pain for several hours bragging rights!'

If you fancy it email  or text me
Clare - claroj@hotmail.com
07753 618809

Turkey Trot Information

To all Turkey Trotters

Malcolm Collins has kindly offered to put some signage on the course but please read the information below and get yourself familiar with the course.

Link http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5182525

• Start at the bottom of the Gin Pit hill going left towards towards Higher Folds.
• After 200 mtrs turn right at the big rock, follow the trails for about 1 mile (you will be running in the direction of Tyldesley)
  Follow this trail for 1 mile before turning left at the big rock heading towards the Beefold Trails.
• At the bottom of this trail (which is very muddy) turn right. This trail gradually turns into a road, bear right along this road, running towards Millers Lane. 
• You will run up a short incline, just after the top you will see a pathway on your left (next to a style). Turn left here. (This should be clearly marked)   (You should now be at about 2mile on your GPS)
• This trail joins up to Beefold Lane. Turn left at the end of this path.  (you will see a big pond on the right shortly after turning left)
  300 mtrs past the big pond turn left, follow the trail to the end and turn left which will take us back on the Millers Lane bit we have just done, do this loop again (2nd time).
• 
  After completed this loop for the 2nd time we turn right back towards the Gin Pit on the same course just in the opposite direction.
  **remember once we get toward the Gin Pit we turn towards to welfare club (not towards Higher Fold) and then turn right down the Gin Pit hill**
• The race finishes at the bottom of the Gin Pit hill.

Handicaps will be blogged tomorrow morning.

Boxing Day Run

There is a 10 mile run planned for Boxing Day from the Gin Pit at 9.30am

Michaela

Xmas Training

There is no official club runs planned for over Xmas apart from the Turkey Trot 10k on the Thursday 29th December however if anyone wants to arrange a club run just let me know and I'll happily blog it for you.

The runs can be either from the Gin Pit or Atherton Train Station

Gary
stevensgary@hotmail.com

Manchester Marathon Volunteers

I have just emailed the organiser to say A&T are interested in helping in the race.

I am putting together a list of people who have emailed and sent me messages on facebook (see below) .. if you would like to help out and your name is not on the list please let me know.

Cerys Baines
Carole Baines
Garry Baines
Steve Underwood
Mark Riches
Cath Hodgetts
Barry Allman
Anne McCarthy
Christine Farnworth
Anita Webb
Michaela Shaw

Leftover Trophies

I collected a few leftover trophies on Saturday for the people who weren't at the do itself.

I think it would be fitting to give these out at the AGM in January unless anyone wants them earlier in which case I'll bring them to training.

Just let me know.

Gary S

Whinberry Naze‏ by Michelle Fuller

Burn of that christmas pud, its that time of year again, Whinberry Naze fell race, nice short run (BS) 4 mile 750ft of asscent.

Monday 26th December (Boxing Day), Fancy Dress essential but not compulsory..receive a packet of sweets of father christmas himself at the top.

£3 on day starts from Marl pits sports centre Rawtenstall, BB4 7SN

for full details check The fell running website

 

Meet up at Atherton train station at 10.15am race starts at 11.30

 

thanks Michelle

Christmas Awards Night - Thank You

Just a note to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in organising the awards do last night.
These things don't organise themselves and wouldn't happen without the help of a lot of people.

So big thank you to the other half of the organising duo Gary Stevens, to Garry Baines for some great talking on the mic, Cath, Suzanne, Josie and Anna for serving in the kitchen and Louise for doing an impromptu clean up afterwards! Special thanks to Bob Stevens for giving out the awards themselves and to Rufus and Mark Lysycia aswell for donating prizes.
Finally thanks to everyone for turning up and making it a brilliant night! Roll on next year!

Clare

2011 Trophy Winners

MALE FELL CHAMPION 2011 1ST PLACE                           SIMON FORD
MALE VET FELL CHAMPION 2011 1ST PLACE                   MARCUS TAYLOR

MALE PREMIERSHIP 2011 3^RD PLACE                               MARK RICHES

MALE PREMIERSHIP 2011 RUNNER-UP                           PETER CHAN

MALE PREMIERSHIP 2011 WINNER:                                 SIMON FORD                    

MALE CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 3^RD PLACE                          BARRY ALLMAN

MALE CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 RUNNER-UP                        ROBIN CHAN

MALE CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 WINNER                               IAN HAMILTON                

MALE 1^ST DIVISION 2011 3^RD PLACE                                MARK CROWLEY

MALE 1^ST DIVISION 2011 RUNNER-UP                              DAVE CROWE

MALE 1^ST DIVISION 2011 WINNER                                     PAUL BASNETT        


FEMALE FELL CHAMPION 2011 1ST PLACE                     TRACY PARRY
FEMALE VET FELL CHAMPION 2011 1ST PLACE            TRACY PARRY      

                                               

FEMALE PREMIERSHIP 2011 3^RD PLACE                         SUZANNE GREGORY

FEMALE PREMIERSHIP 2011 RUNNER-UP                      JEAN MANN                      

FEMALE PREMIERSHIP 2011 WINNER                            JOSIE MALEY

FEMALE CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 WINNER                        LAURA BABYNEC             

FEMALE 1^ST DIVISION 2011 WINNER                             CATH HODGETTS             

               

MALE VETERAN 2011 -3^RD PLACE                                IAN HAMILTON

MALE VETERAN 2011 –RUNNER-UP                             MARK RICHES

MALE VETERAN 2011 –WINNER                                   PETER CHAN

FEMALE VETERAN 2011 – 3^RD PLACE                         CATH HODGETTS

FEMALE VETERAN 2011 – RUNNER-UP                      SUZANNE GREGORY

FEMALE VETERAN 2011 – WINNER                             JEAN MANN

MALE TRI-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2011 – 3^RD PLACE               COLIN RIGBY

MALE TRI-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2011 – RUNNER-UP            JOHN LEE

MALE TRI-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2011 – WINNER                   ALEX FOSTER

LADY TRI-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2011 – 3^RD PLACE              ALIX GILMORE

LADY TRI-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2011 – RUNNER-UP           HELEN MINSHALL

LADY TRI-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2011 – WINNER                 CLARE UNSWORTH         

MOST IMPROVED RUNNER 2011 – 3^RD PLACE                      LEWIS ECCLESTON

MOST IMPROVED RUNNER 2011 –RUNNER-UP                     ALAN HILTON

MOST IMPROVED RUNNER 2011 – WINNER                           PAUL BASNETT

MALE RUNNER OF THE YEAR 2011 – 3^RD PLACE                   MARK RICHES

MALE RUNNER OF THE YEAR 2011 –RUNNER-UP                 LEWIS ECCLESTON

MALE RUNNER OF THE YEAR 2011 – WINNER                       SIMON FORD

FEMALE RUNNER OF THE YEAR 2011 – RUNNER-UP          MARIA LOWE

FEMALE RUNNER OF THE YEAR 2011 – RUNNER-UP          CAROLE BAINES

FEMALE RUNNER OF THE YEAR 2011 – WINNER                  JOSIE MALEY

SPIRIT OF A&T AWARD 2011 -  RUNNER-UP                   PAUL BASNETT

SPIRIT OF A&T AWARD 2011 – WINNER                           SHAUN MORAN

ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR 2011 x 2      MALC COLLINS, ALEX FOSTER

PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR 2011           JOSIE MALEY

Manchester Marathon Volunteers

We have been aksed if A&T would like to help out in the Manchester Marathon on Sunday 29th April (see below email).  If you would like to help out please email me stevensgary@hotmail.com and i'll put a list of names together. We will probably end up manning a water station along the route.

My name is Tim Holdsworth and I am relationship Manager at Xtramile Events. One of our 2012 events is the Greater Manchester Marathon which is due to take place on Sunday 29^th April.

We are currently up to 5500 participants registered and are expecting up to 8000 to register before the close of registrations. The course has been fully signed off by the various agencies and we are now down to the planning the key support mechanisms for the marathon.

We see the Marathon as a community event and it would be great to involve Greater Manchester’s Athletic and running clubs in the event.

It would be great to get your club members involved in the marathon. Having athletically minded people marshal at the marathon would be a ideal, with the event being in its first year we are really keen to put on an excellent event and a large proportion of this will stem from the quality of marshals.

Would marshalling be of interest for your club? As mentioned earlier we are really keen to make the marathon an excellent community event, and having your club involved would help add to the experience for the participants.

We would of course provide a per person donation to your club for all marshals provided. A GMM T shirt and food and refreshments will also be provided on the day.

I am happy to meet up at a time convenient for you to discuss further if of interest.

Kind Regards

Tim Holdsworth

Relationship Manager

Xtra Mile Events Ltd

Turkey Trot - Thursday 29th December

Thank you for the great response so far .. we have around 30 names wanting to do the Turkey Trot 10k Handicap race.

If you wish to enter and have not emailed / messaged please can you let me know so i can work out the handicaps prior to the event.

Names so far ...

Helen Minshall
Steve Foster
Terry Gardiner
Terry Hughes
Cheryl Wainwright
Clare Unsworth
Mark Riches
Gary Stevens
Mark Lysycia
Josie Maley
Chris Scholes
Peter Chan
Christine Farnworth
Emma Higgins
Janet Grint
Steve Underwood
Mike Geoghegan
Paul Basnett
Anne McCarthey
Neil Hodgson
Barry Allman
Brenda Wane
Robin Chan
Kim O'Neill
Michelle Fairclough
Alex Foster
Ian Bushrod
Dale Kenyon
Suzanne Gregory
Marjorie Leigh
Vanessa Marsden
Scott Christey
Shaun Moran
John Lee
 
and...

later that evening we are meeting at 7.30pm in the Avenue pub, Leigh for some festive drinks

2012 Road Fixtures

The following dates are 'provisional' for the 2012 season:-

19^th February   Central Lancashire 5k (Bolton)

4^th March:        The Trotters 5              (Burnden)

15^th April:        Radcliffe 10km

16^th May          Horwich 5

13^th June:         Three Sisters 5k trail race (Wigan Phoenix)

1^st August:       Chorley 4.4 Trail

12^th August:    NVAC             10k @ Bispham (Wesham)    

9^th September: Pennington Flash 5 mile trail race (Leigh Harriers)

30^th September: Swinton 10

 

They will be confirmed at or shortly after the AGM by the new road captain

Saturday Run

We are meeting at the Gin Pit on Saturday at 9.30am for a steady 10 mile run all off road.

Carole

Astley Park, Chorley X-Country 10/12/11‏

On Saturday afternoon 15 A&T members made the journey up the M61 for the 3rd Mid Lancs cross country race of the season at Astley Park, Chorley. With the unpredicatable weather over the past week anything could be expected on the day. As it turned out, lucky for us, it managed to stay mainly dry if not a bit cold. Having got all in a tangle putting the tent up we all got ready and did our warm ups for the race.

As usual the first to tackle the course were the ladies, doing 2 large laps of approximately 6.2k. First back for A&T again was Carole Baines having another good run with a time of 32.22. Next home was Anne Garvey sporting her new pink running shoes, that were not quite as pink at the end, with a time of 40.04. She was followed home by Emma Higgins with 42.23 and Clare Unsworth completing the line up with 45.49.

Next to tackle the course were the senior men which entailed one small lap and 3 large laps of approximately 10.1k. First back for A&T, as is the norm nowadays, was Lewis Eccleston with 39.50 taking 24th position overall. Hot on his heels was Alex Foster finishing in 29th position with 40.18. Simon Ford followed them home with 43.48. Next in line was the tussle for first club vet spot with Troy Topping taking the spoils in the closing stages with 45.18 over Mark Riches (45.31). This result should make the last 3 races in the male vet club champs a little more interesting. Gary Stevens followed these two in with a time of 47.06 and Dale Kenyon came in shortly after with 50.03. Then it was Ian "Bacon Mon" Hamilton having another decent run with 52.40. I, Paul Basnett (55.13), followed him home after taking a bath in mud on the final lap after passing someone on the inside fairy footing through the muddy stream. I also got a gob full of mud for my troubles! Completing the mens line was Barry Allman with 66.52. Jonathan Hyde started the race but pulled up with a calf strain mid way through the first large lap. Hopefully it's nothing too serious and he is back on the racing circuit soon.

After the race I decided it was wise to use the football changing rooms to have a shower after Carole had advised that the water was warm for a change. I think that turned out to be an understatement as the water was unusually hot and I could only stay under for a second or two at a time but it got rid of most of the mud. Then it was time to have another wrestle to take the tent down before making our way home. On the way home the heavens opened with torrential rain so we did indeed get lucky with the weather. The next race is in the New Year at Hyndburn on the 14th January so hope to see you all there.

Awards Night / Xmas Do Saturday 17th December

Final reminder that this Saturday 17th December is our Awards Night / Christmas Do

A chance for everyone to get dressed up!

There are a few tickets left if you wish to come .. don't forget to write down your name on the back of the tickets to be entered into a prize raffle

Doors open at 7.15pm so please be seated by 8pm
Awards 8pm
Food 9pm (small donation welcome)
London Marathon Draw & Raffle 9.30pm
Disco 10pm
Bar closes at 12 noon

Winter Broad Meadow Marathon in Stratford upon Avon By Malc Collins

This was one of the most relaxed and friendly events I have ever done. In fact it was that laid back we could decide when we started and at the finish we had to give in our own time! I don’t know how many ran and have no idea of my position but it was a lovely event.

It started by Chris the organiser handing me my “race” number and 4 pages of directions at the Carriage Café. I was told where to start at a trail next to the car park and left to my own devices.

After only 1 mile I was already loosing a lot of time reading the directions and had already gone wrong. The directions were very good but the amount of information made it impossible to seriously run the course. I teamed up with 3 others and we helped each other round the route.

There is no way this event could have been called a race and during the run I kept trying to think of the right word to describe it. I came up with “Journey” & “Expedition” but after getting home I came up with the perfect word “Adventure”. I think I got to see all of Stratford in just one day. It is a lovely part of the country. We when through quaint villages with beautiful thatched cottages, along picturesque canal tow paths and even up a hill to a folly.

As if it mattered and today it didn’t, I finished in 4 hours 30 minutes and 41 seconds.

That’s 30 marathons for the year.

Stockport 10 by Steve Coleman

Stockport 10 mile race. Far too cold after being in Lanzarote, from 23 to 3c. Wind, rain , cold, what fun!  Ran in a red top for some reason!! ( lots of Swinton runners ) Worse result than last year at 1h 9m 19s. Was it those hills? Or the seven extra pounds in weight from eating too much on holiday?

Teguise half marathon‏ by Steve Coleman

Last Sunday I did the Teguise half marathon. Three races on the same course, one loop for the 10.5km run, two for the half and four if you did the marathon. A strange race, you did not pay until you turned up for the race. It was warm, 23c, windy and not the most well organised. I got there early for me, it was a 9 am start. It was 8.50 when they worked out that everyone had the same type of number and they did not know who was in which race. So they went though the start line up putting coloured stickers on the numbers. ( apart from the 10.5k ) I was able to go the toilet at 9 20 and get back before the start.
My sticker came off during the first loop and the marshalls would not let me pass trying to get me to take the left turn and go to the finnish. It took a minute plus to get them to understand. Came in at 1h 29m 20s. They had a runners paddling pool at the finnish which appeared popular!

My 50th Party by Brenda Wane

• 

  
  
  A very bigs thanks to everyone who attended my birthday party what a fantastic time we all had thanks for the lovley gifts thanks so much .x ,

Sunday Run

There will be a steady 10 mile run from the Gin Pit on Sunday at 1.30pm.  All welcome.
 
Thanks
Michaela

A&T cross-country – by Mark Riches

The next race in this year’s cross-country champs is this Saturday (10th) at Astley Park, Chorley

Sat Nav: PR7 1XA

This is a Mid Lancs race so wear the same number you wore at Townley Park. If you didn’t race at Townley Park then I will let you have a number on Saturday just look out for the A&T flag!

Start times - ladies 2:00 pm & men 2:30 pm

If you want to travel in convoy then we will meet at Atherton Train Station at 12:45

Further details on the website www.midlancs.org.uk/

Unfortunately, there will be no Brenda's Cafe this week so you need to bring your own refreshments

If you need clarification on anything before Saturday, I can be contacted on mark.riches@talk21.com

Xmas Do tickets

There are few tickets left for our presentation night on 17th Dec so if you would like to bring friends/family or kids just let Clare know.
claroj@hotmail.com

There will be pasties and chicken legs available for a small donation towards club funds!

Guys 10 Results

20th Shaun Moran 1.01.36
40th Scott Christey 1.05.25
41st John Lee 1.05.35
88th Stuart Adamson 1.10.54
268th Suzanne West 1.33.03

Marls Pits X-Country - 03/12/11 by Mark Riches



Marls Pits is very very hilly, and when you add 6 inches of mud on all the down hills & you begin to get a true idea how difficult this course was! Despite that we had a fantastic turnout of 19 A&T runners (some of whom hadn’t done Marl Pits before – wonder if they will do it again?)
Suzanne Gregory did a ‘Steve Coleman’ by turning up 5 minutes before the start. She handed her dog to a bewildered Paul Basnett & ran to the start only to find that it had been delayed by 10 minutes (it seems it was taking the juniors a little longer to complete the course this year – not a good sign! Eventually the ladies were off to tackle 2 large laps. Carole Baines was first A&T lady with a great run finishing 34th in a time of 29:08. Suzanne despite her late arrival was next (30:04) followed closely by Kim O’Neill who had a great run (30:58) & told me after that she “preferred that to 7 miles on the road.” Bev Tickle completed the line up with a gutsy performance (38:40)
Next it was the turn of the men (1 x small lap plus 3 x large lap this time.) We also started 10 minutes late & we were worried it might be dark when some of us finished! Lewis Eccleston had another great run finishing 12th overall & 3rd U20 (42:08) Alex Foster wasn’t far behind (42:47) despite falling head first into the mud. Simon Ford was next (44:33) followed by Alan Hilton (46.31) who had another great run off 30 miles per week he tells me! A little further down the field yours truly (Mark Riches) started quite steady as I knew what was in store! I passed Jon Hyde on the 1st large lap & set off after Troy Topping but didn’t catch him until the last lap. Any ground I made was lost by my inability to run downhill especially when it’s so muddy! Troy seemed to latch on so it made for a great finish; I just held him off (48:24 to 48:37) & Jon was next (50:36.) Steve Foster seems to like this course & had a great run (53:23) beating Scott Christie (53:23) & Terry Gardiner (54:34.) Mark Lysycia completed this course for the first time in a time of 55:56, Ian Hamilton had another good run (56:37) & Paul Basnett just beat Dave Crowe (60:59 to 61:41.) The biggest cheer was reserved for Barry Allman who completed the course in 75:20. Earlier Barry made me doubt my counting skills when I passed him & he shouted “keep going Mark just 2 laps to go” just has I was starting the last lap!
We all retired to the warm tent & the delights of Brenda’s cafe; coffee has never tasted so good but I had trouble keeping it in the cup as I was shaking so much from the cold (wimp!)
Next race Saturday 10 December at Astley Park Chorley – see you all there

Yet another trip out to Spain for anyone who would like to join me , everyone welcome .

 

Dave P ...............Burnden Road Runners 

A&T cross-country - by Mark Riches

The next race in this year’s cross-country champs is this Saturday (3^rd December) at Marl Pitts, Rossendale

Sat Nav: BB4 7SW

This is the last Red Rose race so wear the same number you wore at Leigh, Hyndburn & Bolton. If you haven’t done a Red Rose race this season, I will let you have a number on Saturday just look out for the A&T flag!

The Red Rose League charge £4.00 for the season so if you haven’t already paid me please bring your money

Start times - ladies 1.35 pm & men 2:15 pm

If you want to travel in convoy then we will leave Gin Pit at 12:15

Further details on the website www.redrosecrosscountry.co.uk

Finally, if you would like to enjoy hot drinks & chocolate after the race, you can take advantage of Brenda's Cafe; excellent value at only £1 payable to Brenda on the day

If you need clarification on anything before Saturday, I can be contacted on mark.riches@talk21.com

CLGP presentation pictures - Thanks to Andy Coates

http://s1135.photobucket.com/albums/m628/andrewcoates/CLGP%20Presentations%202011/

Sunday Morning Run

There is a run on Sunday morning.
Meet at Gin Pit for a 9.30 start, we will be doing the Pennington Flash loop, 10 miles at a steady pace.
Everybody welcome.

Turkey Trot "Double Trouble" - Thursday 29th December

After the success of last year's Turkey Trot we have decided to do it again this year but using the Bent & Bongs 10k course.

Meet up at 10am to start around 10.15 - 10.30am.

This will a handicap race .. slowest runners starting first and fastest runners last ... first to the finish wins!

It is tradition for each person taking part to bring a bottle, chocolates, unwanted Xmas present and put it into a pot .. the winner of the race gets to choose first, 2nd gets 2nd etc etc.

If you would like to take part please email me stevensgary@hotmail.com so i can work out your predicted finish time for the handicap.

In the evening we are having the Turkey Trot night out around Leigh .. 7.30pm in "The Avenue" pub.

Everyone welcome including family and friends.