In an uncharacteristically silent week of racing, Radcliffe AC members began their training despite the icy conditions, hitting the roads and trails (mostly!) carefully.

Whilst there were cancellations at many events this week, 21 also braved the cold at various parkrun locations across the North West on Saturday.

Six hit Clarence Park – Rob Lister (24:27), Chris Mihalyi (25:45), Sheila Jones (29:24), Karen Doherty (29:35), Kath Davies (30:37) and Elaine Bailey (33:26).  Five took on Heaton’s alternative winter course – 3 laps up the aptly named ‘angina hill – Alex Field (26:00), Dominic Parry (26:08), Kath Biddle (28:16), Sheila McNulty (38:07) and Sara Parry (42:18). Four headed to Worsley Woods – Lucie Tighe (25:10), Mark Taylor (25:10), Oliver (27:24) and Ian Swan (29:47). Woodbank – Daniel Hunt (25:12), Isla (37:57) and John Szubert (37:58). Alderley Edge – Bev Quinton (42:25). Preston – Stephen Crowe (30:41). Stretford – Tracy Wroe (36:25).

Radcliffe members Hit the Trail

Trails and Ales returned this New Year’s Eve, a tough 7-mile course through Rivington with significant elevation, including climbs up Two Lads and to the Pigeon Tower. Mark Taylor crossed the finish line to the sound of a bagpiper in 1:12:58 and Lucie Tighe in 1:15:53.

Many attended New Year’s Day special event parkruns, with 10 at Heaton Park – Khama Banda (17:49), Dominic Parry (23:46), Jack Connor (23:54), Sheila Jones (24:26), Alex Field (24:34), Adam Wills (25:51), Lucie Tighe (28:57), Mark Taylor (28:57), Paul Stevens (28:58) and Sara Parry (39:13). Alexandra – Tracy Wroe (33:19). Bramhall Park – Elaine Bailey (33:57). Bromley – Alex Pullan (27:35). Cliffe Castle – Daniel Hunt (27:51) and John Szubert (29:23). Sale Water – Bev Quinton (41:33) and Michael Scott (41:41). South Manchester – Helen Kay (31:10). Watergrove – Stephen Crowe (32:05). Wepre – Kath Biddle (28:34).

Having already both completed a parkrun earlier in the day, two then raced the Clowbridge 5k, a challenging two lap course around Clowbridge Reservoir off the Pennine Bridleway. Daniel Hunt was back in 25:01 and John Szubert in 25:49.

On Saturday, members headed for the second parkrun of the week, with most again at Heaton Park – Rob Lister (22:59), Dominic Parry (23:14), Adam Wills (25:19), Alex Field (25:50), Sheila Jones (25:59), Sheila McNulty and Sara Parry (39:19). Claisebrook Cove, Australia – Ken Smith (29:06). Clarence – Ian Swan (22:02), Daniel Hunt (24:24), Kathryn Davies (30:16), Oliver (31:03), Tracy Wroe (39:12), John Szubert (39:16) and Michael Scott (41:50). Darlington South Park – Helen Kay (32:16). Hyndburn – Elaine Bailey (33:26) and Bev Quinton (44:08). Pontrefact – Kath Biddle (25:28). Riddlesdown – Alex Pullan (29:39). Worden – Stephen Crowe (28:40).

On Sunday, Kath Biddle took on the XMiles Adventure Coast Southport Half Marathon, a two lap course with views of the coast, along the Promenade, under the pier, around the Marine Lake and Kings Gardens and across the Marine Lake Bridge, which she completed in 2:08:31. Mark Williams also ran the one lap 10k option in 44:15 and Natalie Hitchen in 1:13:04.       

Sunday also saw the first of the Club’s Championship races, Hit the Trail, a 5-mile route around Reddish Vale. Chris Mihalyi  was the first back for club in 39:40, followed by Paul Stevens (41:38), Daniel Hunt (42:31), Chemane Thomas (43:55), Jack Connor (44:17), Ethan Malone (45:48), John Szubert (49:15), Karen Doherty (49:26), Sheila Jones (1^st FV70) (49:52), Laura Aiken (51:47), Kathryn Davies (51:48), Charlotte Holden (52:42), David Bartlett (52:44), Katherine Swithenbank (52:52) and Caroline Malone (1:05:49).

On Sunday 21^st, 12 Radcliffe AC members got in the festive spirit for the Santa Dash over in Horwich. This challenging 4-mile trail race set off from near the Jolly Crofters, with a Curly Wurly for all runners half way round the course. Most notably, the hills were no match for Chris Mihalyi who took second place overall in 34:29 (an impressive 1:30 and four places quicker than last year’s result at the same event), followed by Daniel Hunt (41:13), John Szubert (45:59), Amanda Callan (54:14), Emma Horner (54:14), Paul Stevens (54:15), Laura Aiken (54:15), Lucie Tighe (54:16), Sarah Wilson (54:20), Mark Taylor (54:20), Karen Wells (59:59) and Laura Tracey (1:06:00).

Many members also started Christmas Day with a parkrun, with the largest contingent at Heaton Park. Jack Porter led the way in 18:11, followed by Simon Foulkes (26:17), Jack Connor (27:34), Dominic Parry (27:36), Mark Taylor (27:39), Nathan Walker (27:45), Stephen Crowe (28:33), Neil Greenhalgh (30:54), Sheila McNulty (35:30), Sara Parry (39:15), and juniors Skyler (46:41) and Benjamin (46:43) with Lucie Tighe (46:58).

Bolton: Rob Lister (23:44), Christopher Mihalyi (24:30), John Szubert (27:25), Mark Williams (27:49), Elaine Bailey (33:12), David Schofield (36:17). Bramhall Park: Helen Kay (33:09). Claisebrook Coe, Australia: Ken Smith (30:17). Linford Wood: Khama Banda (19:16). Millfield: Sheila Jones (25:00). South Manchester: Steven Fawcett (18:55). Widnes: Bev Quinton (39:34). Winchester: Ian Swan (22:10), junior Oliver (29:40). Woodlands: Emma Wolstencroft (28:10). Worsley Woods: Kath Biddle (32:37).

On Boxing Day, two hit the Worden Park 10k with Daniel Hunt finishing in 48:24 and John Szubert in 54:17.