Budgett celebrates return run with a win

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After 9 months of injuries, Suzanne Budgett returned to racing at one of her favourite events, the 39th Lowther Lakeland Fell and Trail race. Having done the off-road half marathon countless times over last two decades, Budgett enjoyed the fine weather, firm, runnable underfoot conditions and a refreshing river crossing. It was a successful comeback for the veteran, as she breezed round in a time of 2:16 to take the FV60 category prize. The Harriers other super V60, Adrian Bramham, was 11th overall and 1st MV60 (50:44) at the 6.3 miles (984ft elevation) Boulsworth Fell Race, near Trawden, Burnley.

Suzanne Budgett velebrates a successful comeback by taking the FV60 category prize.

Personal bests abounded on the track at the Trafford AC Grand Prix on August 12th. Rob Hope continued to mix it up, sampling a 3000m race. His 9:26.81 was a PB for the fell man as he continues to sharpen his speed on the orange oval. Hope’s daughter Emma leapt 4.17 in the long jump to finish an agonising 4th place, just off the podium. The young aspiring Heptathlete also took part in the 800m, netting a personal best time of 2:46.81. U17 Emily Hyder also clocked a lifetime best in her 3000m heat, stopping the clock at 10:45.42. Isaac Battye was in action in the 1500m. The U23 rang in yet another personal best on the night with his 3:55.18.

Marcus Taylor recorded an outstanding top 10 result at the City of Preston 5-mile race on Sunday, August 10th. His time of 30:28 also netted him 2nd V50. Chris Charnley (1 hour 23 minutes) ran 2 laps of the same course in the 10-mile race.

If all the world’s a stage and all the men and women are merely players, Rob Jackson’s role is to clock 18 and a half minutes at parkrun to finish 1st in his age category and 1st in overall age grading. The veteran didn’t let his weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon disrupt his usual parkrun script. Unlike the course of true love, Jackson ran smoothly despite the carnage of lapping runners on the 3-lap course. All’s well that ends well. Another Robert, Seddon, came 4th at Clarence parkrun, in a time of 19:39. Mark Seddon recorded 25:21 in his 52nd parkrun. At Worden Gordon Stone ran his fastest time at that venue, ducking under the half hour mark in 29:25. Michael Salmon (25:36), Linda Webb (27:16) and Tony Hesketh (29:30). In lieu of his nephew Rob’s attendance, Steve Jackson (32:12) took to the latter’s usual haunt of Peel for his 51st parkrun. Richard O’Reilly set off from the back of the field at Haigh Woodland, he picked his way through the crowds to finish 21st in 22:06, just ahead of Chris Charnley in 22:52, who was saving himself for his race the day after. Georgia Heath was 1st female finisher at Worsley Woods in a time of 21:05. Lyn T Smith (38:14) and Lesley Davidson tipped up to Barrow, whilst Jason Middleton (26:03) and Isaac Parker (22:57) stayed close to home in Bolton.