Central Lancs Grand Prix and Run the Moors Head Towards Climax

The Red Vests love nothing more than an inter-club rivalry and a season-long competition. With summer heading towards its climax, there are two popular series races in full swing: the Central Lancs Grand Prix (CLGP) Series and the Run the Moors series (RTM).

The CLGP is a series of road and trail races of varying distances (1 mile to 6 miles) organised by affiliated running clubs. Best 8 from 12 form the standings and at just over halfway, a number of harriers are in prize contention positions. Paul Blakemore (Vet40), Marcus Taylor (Vet50), Richard O’Reilly (Vet55) and Mary White (L70) all occupy 1st position in their respective age categories. A significant Horwich presence with other competitors currently standing: Adam MacDonald 21st (V40), Chris Essex-Crosby 7th (Vet45), John Robertson 31st (Vet45), Kevin Newall 17th (Vet50), Paul Wilcockson 19th (Vet50), Glynn Lever 20th (Vet50), Gary Porteous 9th (Vet55), Jason Middleton 23rd (Vet55), Andrew Storey 33rd (Vet60), Gareth Webb 5th (Vet60), Doug Fleming 17th (Vet65), Michael Salmon 21st (Vet65), David Barnes 24th (Vet65) and Tony Hesketh 3rd (Vet75). For the ladies, Emma Essex-Crosby 6th (L40), Helen MacDonald 18th (L40), Michelle Tunney 19th (L50), Helen Shan 23rd (L45), Diane Fleming 2nd (L55), Janet Middleton 18th (L55), Linda Webb 17th (L60) and Gail Maxfield 9th (L65).

The second series, The Run the Moors (RTM), mostly features traditional fell and trail races through the beautiful but rugged Pennine moorlands. Races tend to be quite classic in format; however, some events have unique or quirky elements, Chip Chase and Golf Ball being a couple of examples. Traditionally a series the Red Vests do well, 2025 is boding well with 3 Harriers in the top 10 including top-dog spot occupied by Matt Fawthrop, Nick Kelly is in 5th and patriarch Adam McDonald in 10th in the open standings. In the vet categories we have Simeon Lucas 6th (MV35), Adam McDonald 4th (MV45), Michael Wilkinson 12th (MV45), Kevin Newall 2nd (MV50), Chris Charnley 4th (MV50), Alastair Murray 6th (MV50) and Rob Hope 12th (MV50). Moving into the really, old boy’s arena there is a bit of a stranglehold on the coveted gold medals. Nick Kelly is 1st (MV55), Gary Porteous is next in 11th (MV55) followed by a trio of Lawrence Pinnell, Marcus Taylor and Richard O’Reilly in 15th, 16th and 17th respectively. The MV60 is being dominated by red, Gary Chadderton is 1st, Mark Seddon 3rd, Martyn Pollitt 4th and Adrian Braham 5th. Fell loving aficionado Douglas Fleming is 1st MV65. Whilst the lads occupy 3 of the top 10 places, the ladies outdo them with 4! Sanda Kelly sites 2nd overall (1st LV55), Alison Mort 5th (2nd LV45), Helen McDonald 7th (2nd LV40), and Katherine Newall 10th (2nd LV55). Isaline Kneale is 8th LV55.

Sunday night saw Fylde Coast Runners hold their annual Blackpool Illuminations Run the Lights 5k and 10k races. A predominantly flat course, it’s an out and back passing the famous landmarks of Blackpool Tower and the Pleasure Beach. There is also the attraction of racing past raucous crowds hanging out of bars, by now buoyed by their afternoon’s libations. A total of nearly 2000 runners participated, and Richard O’Reilly finished the shorter 5k in a season’s worst of 20:01, although was spared the ignominy of being outsprinted by a young gentleman in full denim, cowboy hat and pointed leather boots.

The Bulls Head pub in Newhey, Rochdale marks the start of the Piethorne 10k, a circular 10-kilometre trail following bridleways around Piethorne and Ogden reservoirs. A scenic route of many twists and turns with an elevation gain of nearly 1000 feet, Adrian Bramham made light work of it to claim 1st MV60 prize.

In the weekly roundup of parkrun Tony Hesketh finished 253rd from 598 runners. Not too shabby for this septuagenarian and a sub 30 to boot (29:55). In the compact and bijou Pennington Flash, Maria Lowe placed 17th (23:13), Sean McMyler 68th (28:24) and Michael Crook 129th (36:58). At Bolton, England Master runner Gareth Webb was 8th (21:41) followed by Jason Middleton 50th (25:38). Graham Schofield (53rd, 22:54) and Paul Murray (352nd, 39:17) crossed the border for the wilds of Burnley. In a larger than average field of 331 park runners at Haigh Hall, Richard O’Reilly persists, starting dead last in his forlorn attempts to slow himself down before race day, to place in 20th (22:02) closely followed by Chris Charnley 28th (22:27). Gillian Smith enjoyed her symmetrically challenged time of 35:35 and 243rd. Working his way southwards into Cumbria, Brendan Bolland was 97th (24:22) at Morecombe. Mr Metronome Rob Jackson back to his usual at Peel was 12th (18:35) with Uncle Steve 435th (33:42). Isaac Parker handed in his barcode 22nd (18:44) at Storey Fields. Marcus Taylor had a strong run at the Cinder Track, Whitby to finish 5th overall in 18:33. Whilst a trio of Red Vests went to Worden Park; Sam Fairhurst 6th (18:28), Stephanie McKee 41st (22:50) and Gordon Stone 192nd (31:18).