Rivington Pike Fell Race 2009

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Our thirty strength contingent gave us the men’s team and the men’s vets team awards, but the poor turn out of just four ladies could not do the same for them, breaking our winning streak of team victories from 2002.

Gary Priestley led the men home in 6th (19.03) with Alastair Murray (19.06) and Dave Milliken (19.07) close on his heels, fighting it out right to the line for 9th & 10th with Ali just pipping Spike by one second. It was impressive racing where the lads had no time to take in the view on such a glorious sunny day. Their efforts were enough to take the team prize. Rob Jackson (19.41) in 14th clocked up his 25th Pike race, a very impressive stat that I know he will continue to build on over the coming years. We didn’t score too well in vet categories this year with only Jeff Holloway collecting the 0/55 prize, the ladies did a little better with Christine Sweatman taking the first 0/50 and Lola Smal adding to her impressive record on the Pike collecting the 0/75 award and adding another age best for the club records. Our leading lady in the race was up and coming junior Bethan Faulkner, second U/18 on the day running 25.29, with fast improving Christine Boardman our second counter clocking a PB of 26.19. We did however take the men’s vet team prize with Spike, Rob and the ever present racer Steve Nolan being well clear of Chorley.

It was also a day for the golden oldies with Ron Hill continuing his long association with the Pike race running 30.40 a little short of his 19.26 he clocked on his first Pike race in 1958! Dennis Weir – currently free enough from injuries to take on the Pike did great, running 29.23 for second 0/70, and always nice to see Jeff Norman back on the Pike doing a super time for 1st 0/60 of 22.50, 42 years on from his first Pike race run in 17.01, a time that would have won him the race today.

Well done to all who raced on the day, the prize giving went exceptionally well with a mega prize list that was appreciated by the runners.

Results at : http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2009/pike09.htm

Photos

Pike