Roadrunner, roadrunner…

… going faster miles an hour! With the most famous road race in the world dominating the back pages this weekend, it’s no surprise that this has been a tremendous week for our tarmac thumpers. Months of dedicated training has paid off and our marathoners have come away happy with their races in London and in Blackpool. There have also been wins, course records, PBs galore and plenty of great racing

Tuesday 19 April

Bunny Run Relay

Well done to Briony Holt who took part in the Bunny Run Relays. She ran anchor leg for an U16 girls teams and they were the fastest in their category. Her team was ‘Mean Girls’ and they finished in 32^nd place overall but first U16 girls. According to her dad, carrying all the chocolate back to the car was harder than the run apparently!

Briony Holt at the Bunny Run Relay. Photo by Woodentops

Also, Jack McGuire spotted on the photos and he ran as a solo team named ‘Fastest This Decade Part 2’, finishing in 96^th place

Jack Maguire (no.S1) at the Bunny Relays. Photo by Woodentops

Full Results

Ray Shaw & June Allingan Trail 5k

Julie Toman and Ron Chappell took part in this midweek 5K race over mixed terrain.

Full Results

Saturday 23 April

Mold Aqualthlon

Well done to our junior member, Helana White who came 2^nd in the T1 category of the Mold Aquathlon. T1 is for 9/10 year olds and consists of a 150m swim and a 1500m run.

Wray Scarecrow 10K

Dan Isherwood had a great run, finishing in 15^th place with a time of 41:00 in this 10K race. Julie Toman was representing the ladies and finished in 88^th place with a time of 56:41

Awaiting Official Results

Sunday 24 April

Blackpool 10K

Hot on the heels of breaking the Burnley parkrun course record came yet another great run for Danny Collinge who won the Blackpool 10K race in 32:21. Richard Stevenson was 4^th overall and 1^st V40 with a time of 36:12. Swapping the fells for tarmac, Alan Life finished in 12^th position and 1^st V50 with a time of 40:06. Ian Hargreaves was 58^th with a time of 50:39 and our sole lady runner was Carol Life who finished in 75^th place with a time of 51:52. 328 runners completed the course

Report from Danny Collinge

The Blackpool 10k was one that I have had on my race calendar for a period of time. It is a race which I knew would attract plenty of people with there also being both the half and full marathon on the same day. When I arrived there at the prom on the front with Jon Cleaver and his little girl and wife, I felt really good and my legs surprisingly felt in tip top condition.

We went to collect our race packs which had race numbers and everything in and then went on to do our warm up after have a quick look about to see who we could see and who our competition would be.

I then lined up on the start line feeling really, really good however I did feel a tad nervous as I didn’t have a clue of anybody else’s times or anything about who I was next to on the line. Anyway the race got started and it was a relatively quick start from the front which saw myself, a runner from Salford harriers, Richard Stevenson and another v50 take up the lead. After the 1 mile marker I took a quick glance at my watch to see my clock time of 5:14 for the first mile which I knew was very, very quick. At this point I found myself out at the front by myself with about a 30m lead on second place which seemed to spread further and further throughout the race. Again I took a look at my watch at the 5k marker to see a time of 16:26 which I knew would put me in for a really good time for the full 10k. When I crossed the line to see that I had got myself another PB, I could not have been any happier… 2 PB’s in one weekend !!!!!

The race was a really good route and I enjoyed most of it apart from fighting against the wind heading towards the North Pier. I really enjoyed the day out and enjoyed my winning prize of another pair of running socks ha ha!

Blackpool Half Marathon

Four Clayton Harriers took part in the half marathon at Blackpool. Our first finisher was Jon Cleaver who was 22^nd overall with a time of 1:25:56. Robert Kay was very pleased with his time of 1:33 having not done anything like this for a number of years; he’s now raring to go onwards and upwards. Our sole lady runner was Donna Airey, who thought the event was very well organised and enjoyable. She was delighted to have knocked 14 minutes off her half marathon PB even with the typically windy conditions along Blackpool prom.

Donna Airey at the Blackpool Half Marathon

Colin White completed our quartet of runners finishing in 152^nd place with a time of 1:44:20. 835 runners took part.

Report from Jon Cleaver

Compared to my last half marathon in Blackpool this one was a breeze, albeit there was a reasonable southerly headwind (when is there not wind in Blackpool).

We started heading south for 4 miles past the tower and down to the pleasure beach with the wind behind us, I didn’t really appreciate how hard it was going to be headed north or I would have gone a bit faster to gain some time.

The next 6 miles were a bit difficult, the wind knocked 20-30 seconds a mile off and I started feeling a bit leggy from the marathon 2 weeks ago. I was praying for that turning point at 10 miles to get out of the wind.

I could finally get moving again and pushed my pace up to 06:30 for the last 3 which helped me reel in a few places. I was happy knocking 2 minutes off my PB, but a little disappointed not to go under 01:25. There’s always next time…

L-R Richard Stevenson, Jon Cleaver and Danny Collinge at the Blackpool races.

Blackpool Marathon

Report from Nerina Gill

Nerina Gill with her Blackpool marathon medal.

Last year I ran the Llanelli marathon in 4 hours and 50 seconds. It was a massive 15 minute PB, so I was delighted, but it certainly left me with unfinished business. I decided to pick Blackpool this spring, on the basis that it has the potential to be a fast course, if it isn’t too windy.

The forecast promised cool conditions, after the beautiful sunshine on Saturday, but that suited me just fine. The winds got up on Saturday night, and gave our motorhome a good battering – it was parked just off the sea front near the start. But by Sunday morning the wind had died down, it was dry, and I knew I had no excuses.

I needed to average 9.05 minute miling to beat 4 hours, so I decided to run 8.45s, to leave myself a margin if my times started to slide badly at the end. They usually do. I also decided to try very hard not to go too fast at the start, not to weave, and to stay as close as possible to the racing line.

Part of the reason I chose Blackpool is that it’s quiet. I don’t like busy races and screaming crowds. I like to be able to run my own race. And I got to do that. My average pace was still 8.45 by the 20 mile marker. I’d picked up a few faster miles running down the slight hill to the south with the wind behind. I’d done a few slower miles on the way back, but the wind was refreshing, and although I had to reverse my cap, it didn’t feel like a constant battle.

I did a quick mental calculation, and decided I could run 9mm for the last 6 miles, and still come in under 4 hours. I thought it was better to reduce the risk of cramp or blowing up and ruining it all than to try to make my tiring legs keep up the same pace.

The final out and back seemed to take forever, and those last two miles felt hard, but I was still picking people off. I saw a woman in front of me who looked like she might be a vet, but which category? I decided I’d be cross with myself if she turned out to be an F45 and I could have caught her, so I pushed on and overtook her at 26 miles. All I had to do then was stay in front. I’m glad to say it was the shortest 0.2 miles I’ve yet encountered, and I did a reasonable sprint/not sprint (don’t get cramp) to the line, keeping her well behind me. Turns out she was an F60. Oh well.

Final chip time: 3 49’ 22”, 1st F45, an 11 minute PB – and a GFA place for London next year. Not a bad morning’s work.

Bolton 10K

Five Clayton Harriers toed the line amongst 695 runners at the Bolton 10K. Our first finisher was Stephen Ainsworth who finished in 59^th place overall and with a time of 42:56.

Stephen Biscomb Reports

This is the first time I have done this race. It was one of the harder 10ks. 2 laps of Leverhulme park with a few hills thrown in. Starts and finishes on the running track. However 800 runners into an eight lane track causes a bit of a bottle neck at the start. Always good to see other Clayton vests in the lineup. Enjoyed the run, just trying to get back were I was after a few injuries. Well done to the other Harriers.

Full Results

Virgin London Marathon

Congratulations to our London Marathoners.

Dan Plant was our first finisher. He reports;

Dan Plant at the London Marathon

My second time at London and again fantastic experience the crowds from start to finish were fantastic . Up to 18 miles I was running the race of my life . Then the pain came finished in 3:26 which I was more than happy with

Lynsey Birtwistle reports

Lynsey Birtwistle at the London Marathon

This was my second London Marathon and it was just as great as the first. It’s such an emotional day and the crowds are just amazing. I ran the first half bang on pace and managed to keep up with the 4 hour pacer even though they were a way in front at the start. The weather was perfect for running. At mile 19 I lost the pacer when I stopped for water but carried on pacing myself and managed consistent pace right to the end. Didn’t stop at all this year which I am proud of; I actually ran 26.2 miles in 4:01 but with weaving around people my actual distance at the finish was 26.8 chip time 4:05 which is a PB by 5 minutes so please with that.

Lynsey is on the telly at the  VLM

And, I got on the telly crossing the finish line. All in a good day’s work.

Stephanie Hawke reports

My first marathon, fantastic experience- the crowd support is phenomenal. I was on pace for a 4hr30 marathon until about mile 15 I think, then I started to lose time. I did manage a spring finish though coming in at 4:36.

Clare Wilson reports

This was my first marathon too and what an amazing experience. Such an atmosphere that the first half flew by and I don’t think I stopped smiling. A tougher 2^nd half from about mile 19 onwards, possibly as a result of going off a bit fast, but came in a 4:30. Brilliant experience overall, still taking it in.

Stephanie Hawke and Clare WIlson celebrating VLM success

Full Results

Wirksworth Incline Race

Julie Toman, racing for the third time this week, was our sole representative at the WIrksworth Incline race in the Peak District. She finished in 105^th place with a time of 40:44

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Danny Collinge setting a new course record of 15:53. Photo by David Belshaw

This week there was a bit of parkrun tourism at home and abroad, a 50th parkrun for Dr Ron Hill, a first place finish for Jacob Boyle, and a brand new course record for Danny Collinge at the Burnley parkrun. PBs for Danny Collinge, Chris Snell, Richard John, Amanda Duffy, Cassandra Darling-Smedley, Aaron Lundie and Doug Monroe.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 309 runners took part

Chelmsford Central parkrun – A total of 522 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 157 runners took part.

Hamilton Island parkrun – A total of 26 runners took part.

Heaton parkrun – A total of 713 runners took part.

Lancaster parkrun – A total of 280 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 95 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 82 runners took part.