ALEX’S NEWSPAPER REPORT FOR

WEEK ENDING – 15^th March 2008

Steve Littler followed up his record-breaking run at Buttermere with another impressive run and reclaimed his crown at the Dentdale Run on Saturday in torrential rain and freezing conditions, adding another victory as he underlines his current superb form. Steve has won this race on many previous occasions and he is now well known in the valley and welcomed back with genuine local warmth. The course had to be amended this year due to flooding in the lower reaches of the valley and a two-lap alternative was quickly arranged producing the same 14.3-mile distance. The weather started off damp and windy but the second lap turned to stair-rods with a biting wind and the going was very tough. Littler finished in fine form, however, clocking 1:18:15 and winning by 4 minutes. His current great form should afford him a good performance in the London Marathon on 13^th April. Behind Littler, Steve Myerscough also had a good run as he prepares for his marathon, finishing 20^th with 1:33:04. Dave Waywell was 1^st M60 winning his age category by 10 minutes with 1:36:35 for 37^th place overall, securing the Wesham men the top team spot. New member Andrew Whaites proved a very useful recruit again as he came in with Waywell in 38^th position with a time of 1:36:39. Peter Cruse was 84^th with 1:44:00; Nigel Shepherd was 191^st in 1:57:25; Barry Edwards 263^rd in 2:05:02; and John Butler was 330^th in 2:11:55. Kath Hoyer was Wesham’s only lady runner, finishing 17^th and 4^th W45 in 1:55:44, in 177^th place overall.

The weather cleared on Sunday for the multi-terrain Roddlesworth Roller from Abbey Village, a friendly well organised local race now in its 20^th year. On an out-and-back 5.7-mile course starting and finishing on the Rake Brook Reservoir causeway and snaking its way uphill past the Lower and Upper Roddlesworth Reservoirs through scenic woodland the race peaks on the Tockholes Road before descending back through the woods, providing a tough circuit on forest tracks. Alex Rowe made a good effort on the uphill outward stretch and then held on for 10^th place in 34:57, finishing 1^st M50. Derek Buckley was a little below par, finishing 25^th and 5^th M50 in 37:53. Graham Vickers was 114^th with 46:51; Stephen Wilkinson 118^th in 47:10 (10^th M55); Dougie Brown had an excellent run for 2^nd M70 in 47:31 (122^nd overall); and John Howorth was 146^th - 13^th M50 with 49:42. Kath Hoyer was a brave survivor from the Dentdale race the previous day, and pulled out 47:01 for 17^th woman and 5^th W45, such was the quality of the ladies race. Kerry Eccles had a great run to finish 27^th in 49:41; and Pauline Weller was 59^th and 4^th W50 in 56:36.

Just two Wesham runners took part in the Stanley Park 10k race in Blackpool on Sunday, with Chris Moss clocking a smart 45:18 for 87^th and Paul Carter 55:47 for 206^th.

Alan Hudson finished 2^nd M55 in 36:43 in the Lostock 6 road race from Barnstormers near Horwich, placing 33^rd overall. Chris Moss was 140^th in 44:31, and Sean Turner came in 221^st with 50:25.

Charlie Pass and Joanna Goorney were crowned Men’s and Women’s Champions for the 2007/8 season at the Wesham Cross Country presentation evening. The ladies awards were W35 – Joanna Goorney; W40 – Carmel Sullivan; W45 – Julie Cruse; W50 – Pauline Weller. The men were M40 – Mark Midgley; M45 – Nigel Shepherd; M50 – Alex Rowe. Marie Wyld (W55) and Mike Walsh (M75) were given special achievement awards and John Collier (M50) for having run all the fixtures. The Blood, Sweat & Spikes award was given to Alan Glasgow for outstanding dedication and loyalty, and Tracy Hulme, Kerry Eccles, Derek Buckley and John Sharples were also presented.

Written by: Alex Rowe

Submitted: 13^th March 2008

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor