Alex’s newspaper report

For week ending 5^th April 2008

Wesham took a coach-full of members to the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh at the weekend. In between training runs on the spectacular Arthur’s Seat overlooking the city centre the group, lead by Vice Chairman Dave Young, witnessed the world victories of Kenenisa Bekele who took pole position despite losing his shoe halfway round and Tirunesh Dibaba in the international men’s and women’s races. Earlier the group took part in the Welcome the World 5k race which opened the proceedings with an open road race. Gary Pendlebury was the first Wesham finisher, running 18:01 as he recovers from the Rome Marathon, finishing 54^th and 6^th Over-40 in impressive style. Lee Barlow was not far behind, coming in 84^th in 18:50, with Martin Bates 177^th in 20:40. Michaela Dempsey was 299^th in 23:16, 32^nd Over-35, with Sarah Sherratt 316^th (36^th Over-35) in 23:32. Reg Chapman was 391^st in 25:14; Finlay McCalman came in 486^th with 27:50; Dougie Brown was 402^nd in 25:28; Dave Young 435^th in 26:11; Andrea Rayner was 522^nd (83^rd Over-35) with 28:51; John Whiteman 584^th with 30:30; and Peter Earnshaw 663^rd with 32:39.

Joanna Goorney triumphed in the Dumfries Marathon on 23^rd March to win the women’s race outright by just over a minute and finishing 20^th overall in an excellent personal best time of 3:19:21. Second lady was Elaine Calder of Strathaven Striders. Overall winner was David McClelland of Irvine AC in 2:48:15.

Wesham finished 3^rd men’s and women’s teams in the opening race of the 2008 Inter-Club Grand Prix series in Blackpool’s Stanley Park on Wednesday evening in perfect conditions. Full results: http://www.ukresults.net/2008/interclub01.html

Karl Lee scored a 2-1 victory over club-mate Alex Rowe on the track at the Wigan & District Open Meeting at Robin Park on Sunday, and ran his second ever fastest time for the 800m, finishing 2^nd in the race with 2:15.3. Rowe was 3^rd in the same race with 2:18.4. An hour and a half later Rowe won the 3000m in 9:58.0, with Lee 2^nd in 10:07.0. The pair rounder off the afternoon with the 1500m, which resulted in a sprint finish between the pair, Lee edging Rowe out by 6 tenths of a second to finish 2^nd in 4:49.1 with Rowe 3^rd in 4:49.7.

Steve Littler continued his winning streak with another victory in the Blackpool Sixth Form College 10k along the sea-front on Sunday, returning to the classroom to clock a swift 32:18. Steve Myerscough took a break from the West Coast Main Line upgrade to run his first road race since January, finding it hard going to beat 38:06 in 5^th place. He held off Peter Waywell, who finished 6^th in 38:12. Gary de Banke came across the line 14^th in 40:35, 3^rd M45; and Peter Cooke was 57^th in 50:41.

Alex Rowe had a disappointing run in the British Masters Cross Country Championships in Banbury on Saturday, finishing 13^th M50 in a time of 33:07 for the 8km farmland course.

Peter Cruse was the first Wesham runner in the tough Burnley 10k on Sunday in blustery conditions, scoring 39:12 for 25^th place and 10^th M40. Dave Waywell was 1^st M60 and 26^th overall just behind Peter in 39:16. Graham Vickers was 70^th in 44:50, 4^th M50, and Colin Whaites was 6^th M50 and 92^nd overall in 46:55. Kath Hoyer was the only Wesham lady, finishing 2^nd W45 in a fine 47:10, 11^th woman and 94^th overall.

Written by: Alex Rowe

Submitted: 2^nd April 2008

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor