Red Rose Bury – Sat 7th Nov.
Gary and Lindsey Clinch Senior Wins.
A typical cross country course greeted the runners with the mud getting thicker by the race, but it did not stop some scintillating performances by the Horwich Squad.
In the ladies race – which included some very quick U/20 girls – Lindsey Brindle and Suzanne Budgett had a super race matching each others efforts with Lindsey just pulling away over the last few hundred metres to take the win. Suzanne obviously took first vet. Not far behind in 7th place and improving with each race was Emma Perrin, who coped well with the heavy course and was just 20 seconds off a top three place. Michelle Devine had intended to race Shepherds Skyline but opted to support the club at Bury instead and ran exceptionally well for 25th place from a field of 87 – her addition will be a big boost to the ladies squad, as was the return of Karen Murray who after a couple of years out through injury and having a family finally made her come back on the race scene, and very welcomed it was to see her racing again. In typical style Karen gave 100% for her position of 30th and I know this will improve rapidly as she returns to her training regime. The ladies also took the first team position. Just a word of commiseration for Lesley Fisher whose ongoing injury flared up again just as the race started.
In the men’s race Gary Priestley was using Bury as warm up for his big race at Gateshead next Saturday; this was also the ploy of England International Mark Buckingham who guested the race and gave Gary a good work out. Gary was pleased with his run and was well clear of all local opposition. Alastair Murray was our next counter, and like most who ran on the day found the heavy conditions made it tough going with little bounce in the legs! Even so his 21st place was a good solid run. Next in was our first two 0/50’s with Graham Schofield in 30th and Rob Haworth in 32nd both running exceptionally well for the first two in their age group. Doug Fleming ran well for our next 0/50 in 68th place. Next was another saga in the battle of the two Pete’s, Pete Bland –who finished 3rd 0/60 – had to contend with a much improved Pete Ramsdale – who has taken on the mantle of giving our chairman a run for his money – until Barry gets some fitness back! Pete R (94th) was on the heels of Pete B (88th) for most of the race but made his move too soon on the third lap going past Blandy, and then ran out of steam as Blandy used his famed fast finish to good effect. Paul Murray and Barry Allman kept each other company for most of the race until Paul decided it was time to make his move, finishing in 94th place to Barry’s 110th. Mick Crook was in there having a cracking race but he is not down on the results! Karl WQard started but pulled up with an injury.
Great to see 22 juniors racing the various age groups.
Results: http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2009/rr092.htm