John on Top of the World

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John Parker of Horwich RMI Harriers finished first in his V70 category
to clinch the Gold medal in the English Fell Championship for 2011.
His run at the Loughrigg and Silverhowe Fell Race at Ambleside in the
Lake District on Sunday gives him two first places and one second in
the season and with just one race remaining so he cannot be beaten.
This is a great reward for his efforts since returning to competitive
running just over a year ago.

The race distance of 8.5 miles with over 2500 feet of climbing enabled
John to put his endurance training to good use and he steadily climbed
the two hills on this out and back course. He worked with other
athletes in his age group, and athletes younger than him, and as the
race progressed runners fell away as John continued to dominate on the
climbs. With good down hill skills John maintained his position in
the race and kept other vet 70 athletes behind him for him to take the
race category and be crowned V70 English Fell Champion.

This race was the fourth race in the English fell championship for
other age categories and Horwich RMI had runners out in many of the
other categories. First home was Dave Milliken in the V45 category in
17th overall and 5th in his category in 1.13.48. The next three
Horwich runners were separated by just 3 minutes with Alastair Murray
continuing good form on the road and fell in 52nd place in 1.20.21,
Mike Green was 59th in 1.22.02 and Dave Jackson 62nd in 1.22.33. Gary
Chadderton had a good descent to finish in 93rd in 1.34.19 with Tim
Roe 110th in 1.37.20. Ian Hepburn was 117th 1.39.42 with Pete Ramsdale
161st in 1.53.58 closely followed by John Parker in 169th overall in a
time of 1.57.22. Colin Waterworth returning to competitive training
and racing complete the Horwich turn out with 177th in 2.06.05.

In the Ladies race for Horwich, Suzanne Budgett was 27th in the race
and 8th in her V45 category whilst Mary White, having returned from a
Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle just two days prior, was third in
her V60 category and 58th overall in 1.59.27.

Results Men http://www.ukroadraces.info/results/2011/loum.htm

Results Women http://www.ukroadraces.info/results/2011/louf.htm

The next round of the English Championships is Whittle Pike on 30th July – entry on the day, followed by Sedbergh Hills on 21st August, entries open this Friday 1st July.

PR.