ALEX’S NEWSPAPER REPORT

For the week ending 19^th July 2008

Blackburn hosted their Celebration 5k Run through the city centre from the Town Hall last weekend, a series of races including an open and an elite race. Wesham’s Steve Littler went in the elite class, and finished an admirable 12^th in a top quality race, clocking 15:16 on the high street. The race featured seven runners finishing under 15 minutes, with the winning time 14:08 by Blackpool’s Anthony Ford.

The Rosemere 10k in Catforth from the Village Hall attracted 14 Wesham runners with 5 ladies in the pack over a new one-lap course along the quiet country lanes of rural Fylde. Janice Copeland was 3^rd W55 and 32^nd woman in 55:40; Pauline Weller was 36^th and 6^th W50 with 56:21; Jennie Thompson (W60) was 43^rd and 5^th Over-55 in 57:19; Sue Jones 48^th with 58:17; and Pauline Mills 51^st and 6^th W55 in 58:57. Steve Myerscough finished a fine 3^rd overall with a swift 36:15; Nigel Shepherd came in 31^st with 41:58; Stephen Wilkinson was 3^rd M55 and 77^th overall in 46:46; Shaun Turner 79^th in 47:09; John Howorth 4^th M55 and 81^st overall with 47:35; Peter Cooke 85^th in 47:59; Barry Edwards 103^rd in 51:07; Norman Bateman 118^th with 52:52:14; and Ken Munro 125^th with 53:19.

Alex Rowe was the first Wesham finisher in the second running of the St Anne’s Carnival 5k Road race from the doomed swimming baths to Fairhaven Lake and back on a fine but blustery morning. Rowe ran 16:55 for 4^th place and 1^st M50. Lee Barlow was next in for Wesham with 17:51 for 7^th place, with Peter Cruse 15^th and 1^st M45 with 18:47. The trio formed the runners up men’s team behind Blackpool. Michaela Dempsey was the leading Wesham woman, with a fine 21:13 to place 10^th woman and 1^st W40. Julie Cruse was 11^th with 21:31 but the ladies were short of a team. Russell Mabbett was on fine form in the early stages of marathon preparation, running 20:57 for 40^th place. Phil Leaver finished 48^th with 21:53; Dave Young’s magic number was 60 as he finished 3^rd M60 and 60^th overall in a time of 23:02; Reg Chapman was 61^st and 4^th M60 just a second behind in 23:03; and Peter Earnshaw was 99^th with 27:45.

 The Haigh Hall race series has been reduced to a 4-miler and is now run entirely inside the Country Park although the Wigan Rugby Club still provides the facilities. Peter Cruse continued his recent racing spree with another outing to clock 25:16 over the hilly course to finish 6^th M45 and 24^th overall in a quality field. Michaela Dempsey was 6^th woman and 3^rd W40 in 28:27, 60^th overall. Sarah Sherratt was 3^rd W35 and 10^th woman in 29:07, 63^rd overall.

George Kennedy ran in the JP Morgan relay in Battersea Park in London over a 3.5-mile circuit over paths and grass, running 21:48 for his stage in his team.

 Kath Hoyer finished 7^th lady and 2^nd W45 with a time of 54:04 in Saturday’s Oakworth Haul Fell Race in Keighley, a 6-mile out-and-back race from the Gala field with 650’ climb onto the hills.

Derek Buckley finished 66^th in the tough Wasdale Fell race, a long-distance event over 21 miles with 9000’ of climbing, in a time of 5:25:06, finishing 4^th M50 in a field of 125 runners.

Dave Preston took on the hilly Eccup 10 Mile race in Leeds in hot conditions. He finished 231^st and 35^th M50 in this popular race in a time of 1:19:30.

Written by: Alex Rowe

Submitted: 17^th July 2008

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor