Lancaster Festive 4k

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Lancaster Festive 4k

A few Juniors went up to Lancaster to run the annual Festive 4k. Weather having a bearing on the race with temperatures at 2’C for this quick race. With a few Christmas presents trying to locate their latest Cristmas presents in the form of Garmins. This race being a good fast race prior to the Cross Country Qualifiers on the 3rd January.

With a great start from all the Juniors a once round the Lancaster running track all 6 athletes were well placed in a race containing 214 runners. Out the the circuit first was Nathan Townsend closely followed by Senior runner Jason Parker from Preston Harriers.

The pace settled down and all boys settled into their training race. Lewis Wilkes heading up the youngsters charge through what was mostly a senior race. Next Matthew Flatters toiling with Much larger runners at this pace must have felt daunting. Matthew was being shadowed by Luke Brindle whilst Kieron Kinearly was also tussling with Finley Reid. This Gem of a race is similar to the Lancaster race series were runners take in the footpaths of the Lune and take a turn just before the Bridge.

On the turn Nathan now had Jason on his shoulder so both pressed each other for the lead, Lewis was having his own race but on his own as he had turned in 12th position with clear space behind himself. Matthew had company with seniors from Ilkley & Rossendale. Matthew the same tucking in behind larger men with Luke close behind. Keiron having Luke only meters away this was proving hard and fast for Kieron to keep in touch, meanwhile Finley was closing the gap on his team mates with each passing minute.

So the runners have to run 300m on the track before they get to the finish line, and here’s where the race picked up, with several shouting for Jason and just the same for Nathan it made a nail biting finish along the home straight with Jason just out pacing Nathan to pip him to the post. Not really disappointed Nathans time of 12:24 was exactly a minute faster than last year. Next in Horwich had Lewis Wilkes in 12th place with an outstanding 14:30, a significant improvement in his fast pace racing. Matthew Flatters cheered on by all the family including Grandmother showed his proud parents what he is capable of coming a fabulous 22nd in 15:02, with Luke Brindles family shouting him into 29th with a time of 15:47. Kieron Kinearly in 15:50 also running his fastest road race this year taking 32nd. Having the strongest sprint was Finley Reid taking 3 runners and finishing in 33rd in a time of 15:57.

Without doubt all agreed this was hard and very fast. Hence the pleased Parents and Athletes returned back to Horwich to rejoin the Festive partying and download their latest Christmas gift results on their to much amusement of their coach, who each reminded them, back to training on Mondays lads.

AT.