Half Tour of Pendle 9m/2250ft

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The FRA Championship season got off to a flying start at Pendle with seventeen Harriers making an excellent show for the club.

Darren Kay (65.44) led the way in 9th place after an uncertain week as to whether he would actually run after a sore throat and cold, but his performance helped the team to some good points, finishing as we did in 4th. James Logue (69.40) started the season well in 26th place, James was also our first vet. Dave Milliken (70.05) ran well, and was not too far behind in 30th and our second vet counter. Russsell Maddams was just 5 seconds behind Spike in 33rd, but whatever Russ did on the day would have been upstaged by wife to be Phillipa, who won the ladies race outright, and our congratulations go to her on a super run. James Kevan (70.16) was our 5th team counter in 34th and another team member who had not been well for over a week but was determined to run, as his target this year is to win the U/23 championship for the second year running. Colin Rigby (73.23) made up the senior team as our sixth counter in 56th place, and ran specifically to help the vets with their team position which he did brilliantly, with our 0/40 team finishing an excellent third – thanks to fourth team counter Graham.. Alastair Murray (73.35) chased Colin in, just a couple of places behind, and I am sure would be happy with his performance. Karl Ward (76.39) got a late entry place and finished well in 84th spot. Then came our three over 50s in the men’s race with Graham Schofield (77.01) in 88th – Steve Jackson (84.40) in 175th and Brent Brindle (90.45) in 234th which gave us 6th 0/50 team place on the day, with not too big a margin to the 3rd team. Peter Kevan took on his first real fell challenge doing great with a time of 1.32.10 in 249th . Our two more senior runners Mick Crook (1.45.37) had tough opposition in the 0/60 age group finishing 13th, with Ray Stafford (1.56.52) in fine form at the moment, finishing 3rd (0/70).

In the ladies race Suzanne Budget did bril to take the first 0/45, running 1.27.16, with Geraldine Walkington (1.31.48) doing the same for the 0/50 group, an excellent start in the championships tables. Splitting the ladies with a time of 1.29.37 was our third counter Lindsey Brindle who finished 18th lady and must be happy to be back racing again after an injury lay off.

Well done to everyone for a super turnout, lets hope we have a similar turn out at Stretton Hills on the 6th June – watch out for the entry dates!!

Results at: http://www.ukresults.net/2009/halftour.html