Central Lancs GP Kicks Off with Horwich Success

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The first round of the 2025 Central Lancs Grand Prix took place at Leverhulme Park on Sunday 16th as a baker’s dozen Horwich runners were in the mix at the Bolton 5k. Marcus Taylor led the charge, stopping the clock at 18:29 to take 1st place MV50 to open his GP title defence. Nipping at his heels was young Harry Yates, with a brilliant 18:34. Adrian Bramham was 1st MV60 (18:52) just 24 hours after winning his age category at the Parbold Hill race, despite vowing never to race on consecutive days again. Another super-vet was Gareth Webb (19:48), kicking off his season as the fastest V65 over the distance so far this year.

Horwich Runners at the Bolton 5k (L-R) Gareth Webb, Adrian Bramham, Marcus Taylor, Chris Essex-Crosby, and Harry Yates at Bolton 5k (courtesy of Stuart Yates)

Chris and Emma Essex-Crosby have been running for over 30 years, but this marked the first time they’d compete for the same club, as Emma debuted her new Horwich vest. Emma’s 23:42 was her speediest 5k in a few years and meant she was 6th FV40 and first Horwich lady. Meanwhile, Chris ran a perfectly paced race to take 5th MV45 (20:15). Sean McMyler clocked 21:24 and relay stalwart George Butler 22:09. Gary Porteous (21:40) was back for another bite of the cherry after tasting overall series victory in the MV55 category last year. Another husband and wife team was Jason (23:15) and Janet (30:22) Middleton, who took a week off from their regular Parkrun programming. Diane Furlong clocked 25:13, whilst Mary White was 2nd FV70 in a time of 26:41.

Ryan Snee continued to mine his rich vein of form en route to London Marathon with 4th place and a new PB of 73:29 at the Media City Half Marathon. It bodes well for his ‘A’ race in the big smoke in April, where he’ll be hoping to better his 2:36:30 from Malaga in December of last year. Rob Jackson took a significant step up in distance from his usual 5k. The man has some serious pedigree though, and proved that he could still go the distance, clocking 1:25:26 to finish 2nd in his MV55 category. Jonathan Jenkins also took on the twisty course, crossing the line in 1:35:50.

Also at Parbold Hill Race with the 1st V60 Adrian Bramham (49:15) were Layne Mercer (2nd MV55, 53:46) and Michelle Tunney (3rd FV40, 59:04). The 54th edition of the prestigious race was the usual muddy 6.75 miles up and back around the eponymous hill near Skelmersdale.

In the clag shrouded hills of Bowland, Sam Fairhurst and Steph Mckee took on the 5 mile (1,250ft) Bleasdale Circle Fell Race. Competitors cursed the poor visibility in a race which usually affords views of Cumbria, North Wales, and (unfortunately) Blackpool. McKee was 6th lady in a time of 53:05. Fairhurst was 2nd in 39:11, 30 seconds in arrears.

Parkrun tourists this week were Andrew Storey (28:21) at Waterwork parkrun in Belfast, Paul Kaye (22:30 at Burgess parkrun in London, speedy Isaac Parker (18:51) at Storey’s Field, Cambridge, and Brendan Bolland (36:20) at Keswick.

 

By Sam Fairhurst