Club Cross Country Reports
All Previous Cross Country Reports now written with their respective results
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Once again sunshine was the order of the day in Witton Park, Blackburn with Blackburn a.c. as the host for this major event of the Cross Country calendar. There was a very strong head wind on the only flat bit on the tough, hilly and long run and the distances were longer that the races we had seen all season. First the ladies were on their way on the longer 8k route. Once the 300 or so runners were off the Radcliffe ladies settled into their positions. The three lap route saw the ladies endure more hills than they had seen all season and windier conditions. First home once again was Anna Lupton, an impressive season all round. Carly Appleby again after working a night shift ran really well. Gerry Dewhurst was next in showing off her sun tanned legs; very unusual for Gerry she normally has a hot water bottle on her. In fourth was the new girl Paula Abernethy in her first race for the club and did really well. Kath Davies was next running her own race and finishing very strong. 22nd team recorded. Well done, not bad for a small club. The men had to run 12k over four laps, a bit unfair but we did it anyway. Simon Bruton was in first 174th of around 600. Not bad for a lad who hasn’t been running for a year yet. Ady Harris was next who beat Steve Duxbury this time! Well done Ady. Tony Davies didn’t let the small matter of forgetting his shorts get in his way of putting in another solid run, good job there was a stall selling shorts! Robin Shiels was another new runner who arrived just in the nick of time to make sure the men had a full team of six, and I am sure Terry Nortley was impressed with his run. Jim Sutcliffe, just holding off Vince Ashton on the final flat very windy straight, were the next two runners, who have never counted in the team before, so what an honor to count in the championships for your club. North of England AA XC Results
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RADCLIFFE ATHLETIC CLUB
Radcliffe Athletic club exists to promote running in the town. To this end the club gives its
members an annual challenge, that of getting to enough road, fell and cross-country,
races in the club’s championship calendar to qualify. It is a bit of an achievement to avoid
injury and other commitments, and to stay motivated all year, to complete enough races to
qualify.
ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP
Runners completed up to 11 races, the best 7 to count. They varied from the short 5k at
Littleborough to the Swinton Half-Marathon, and the terrain could be flat, as around
Blackpool, or uncomfortably hilly, as is Burnden 10k. Weather conditions varied too.
Andy Mullarky was the star of the show. He won the Senior Road Championship and set a good
standard in so doing, with David Bartlett pushing him all the way. Among the over-40’s,
Neil Kirkby put in a great season to win his section, Tony Davies put clear blue water
between himself and the other over-45’s, and Mark Emmett tied with Steve Hamer for second
place. Adrian Harris, still doing well enough to challenge the senior runners,
was best over-50 and John Young’s consistent efforts earned him the over-55’s prize.
A little disappointingly, only two ladies qualified, but they set an excellent
standard and were worthy winners. Sarah Massey was consistent all year and seemed to get
better as she went on, finally winning the senior ladies’ section. Best among the over-40s
was Kath Davies. She too put in consistent performances all year to win her section.
Final standings for the Road Club Championship in Word Document for
HERE
FELL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Fell races can never be classed as easy. Fell races can always be considered to be enjoyable,
especially when you’ve just finished one. Radcliffe AC’s championships covered 9 races,
routes of varying distances always going up and down over hills and moors, best 5 to count.
Donna Allen won the senior ladies’ prize and, rather than just simply running to finish the
steep climbs and descents, raced away to a respectable standard. Mike Howard was the
acknowledged top gun among Radcliffe’s fell runners even if he is over 40. This tireless
climber won the club championship by the proverbial mile.
Gerry Dewhurst, often mistaken for a male runner because of the fact that she finishes well
up the field, was best over-35 lady, despite suffering a few injury setbacks.
Mark Emmett, Brian Booth and John Young, three stalwart club members supporting the club’s
activities and receiving a little well-earned acknowledgement for their efforts took the
o/45, o/50 and o/55 sections respectively. And last but not least was Alan Sumner, now
in his 60’s and still running fell races. He strode away to take the over-60’s prize,
a particularly proud achievement.
Final standings for the Fell Club Championship in
Word Document for HERE
CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
As the season is still in progress, this report will be submitted after the date of the
last race, this being Saturday 18th February 2006. Meanwhile, race reports available
Here