Manchester Marathon 2019 Sunday 7th April – by Mark Riches

My earlier post refers HERE

I attended the marshals briefing last week and have received confirmation that we are in our usual place - drink station 11 Kingsway bus stop opposite Stretford Mall M32 9BD

I have jackets, ID & marshal handbooks for you all but food & drink will NOT be provided so bring your own; the organisers make a larger donation I lieu of packed lunch!

I will be there from 07:00, if anyone fancies keeping me company please let me know (m) 07508 213207

Elite men are due at our water station at 11:04, our busy time is likely to be 11:45 – 13:15 and we should be done by 16:00

You can do anything from a couple of hours to the whole day – just come along and have fun!

Road Race 2 – Race Report

Road Race 2 – Race Report

Sunday 24^th May, was the Gin Pit Half Marathon which, was the second event of the road calendar for 2019.  This event is part of a full running weekend including the double marathon event which, is organised by Malcolm Collins.  There were lots of huge achievements in the marathon events above and beyond finishing an actual marathon or two such as Amanda being the winner for the girls on Saturday, Scott getting a massive marathon PB and Dave being second placed overall for the double event.  Unfortunately though, none of those things earn any points on the spreadsheetJ.

So back to Sunday’s half.  The weather appeared seemingly pleasantly, sunny when most of us assembled for the team photo.  (BTW this is something which is proving to be a challenge.  We can’t get everyone on a photo so fingers crossed that we are third time lucky next month.  The ones we do have are great though.)  Chris did the run briefing and then we all set off from the gin pit trails towards the busway.  It was still a spring-like day into Worsley Woods which, is a highlight of the run.  We were checked-off and watered as we picked-up the canal stretch and this is where the cold wind was against us for 5 or so miles and it almost felt like we was back in winter.  Although the mud wasn’t as bad as it has been at times, the most runnable bit was on the canal edge and I did personally fear that I may get blown in at times!  We all got to the Marsland Green check point however, where we disembarked the canal and went over the cobbly bridge which, I must admit felt fairly steep by that point in the race which, is just before 12 miles.  The last couple of hurdles then were not getting lost back to the club and getting up Gin Pit Hill before the home finish where we were awarded with a fudge and a beautiful medal for our efforts.

We had 21 runners in the race and some very strong performances for different reasons.  Phil got a huge PB, Louise and Chris did it as a brick run for their Iron Man training, Nick ran it there, Jackie ran it home and a few people hadn’t ran this kind of distance in a while.  Here are the times and points awarded:

Tim Campbell                                     1:22:18                  30

Mark Collins                                       1:29:11                  29

Andrew Cass                                      1:29:27                  28

Shaun Moran                                     1:32:21                  27

Brendan Loughrey                           1:32:49                  26

Phil Griffiths                                       1:33:56                  25

Alex Gallimore                                   1:39:40                  24

Nick Goaley                                        1:42:57                  23

Ian Joslin and Woody                      1:48:48                  22

Paul Basnett                                       1:50:05                  21

Chris Bennett                                     1:55:53                  20

David Bennett                                   2:30:38                  19

Jackie Price                                         1:35:54                  30

Stacey Mamoun                                1:49:59                  29

Catherine Worsley                           1:54:44                  28

Louise Simpson                                 1:55:52                  27

Nicola Scott                                        1:56:04                  26

Joanne Gibson                                   1:58:05                  25

Andrea Lorant                                   2:13:28                  24

Kerry Lomas                                       2:13:46                  23

Tract Loughrey                                  2:16:41                  22

After the event it was nice to have a drink and enjoy some more of Joan’s baking with club members.  This time there were some lovely, gooey cookies.  Thank you Joan.

Huge congratulations to everyone that took part and a big thank you to all volunteers and supporters.  Thank you again to Malcom for arranging this for us as it really is one of the highlights of the road season (well a bit of it is on road). 

See you next month for a day at the seaside.  April 28^th is the Blackpool Half Marathon, part of Blackpool festival of running.  T shirts and medals available at that one.  Enter online here https://www.fyldecoastrunners.com/blackpool-half-marathon.html

Thank you,

Captains Joan-Ola

LEIGH COMMUNITY 10K ROAD RACE

Sunday 11^th August 2019, 9.30 a.m.

Special offer for affiliated club members

Leigh Harriers & AC are part of the organising group for the Leigh Community 10k Road Race. This is taking place on Sunday 11^th August 2019 at 9.30 a.m.  in Leigh Town Centre (Leigh Town Hall, Market St, Leigh WN7 1DY). 

Affiliated Club members are invited to take part in this flat, fast race which is ideal for achieving a PB. Last year’s winning time 30.52 (M. Cayton, Ribble Valley Harriers). Race is Run Britain licenced, accurately measured and chip timed. All runners receive a uniquely designed medal.

The price for affiliated Club members would normally be £17.00 but there is a special offer of a further 10% discount for this race, reducing the cost to £15.30. Simply enter CODE  LocalClub1 when you apply on-line (there are no postal entries).

​Wigan and Leigh Hospice is the partner charity for this event. By taking part you will help the charity care for over 1,000 people with a life-limiting illness and those closest to them every year. If you wish to raise money for the Hospice you can do this through a link on the on-line entry form which can be found at https://www.fyldecoastrunners.com/leigh-10k.html . Alternatively, you could make a direct donation to Wigan & Leigh Hospice whilst entering, if you wish.

We hope to see you there.