What a brilliant weekend for Clayton hosting two rather large and very successful events on the same day!
Saturday started with around 440 runners assembled in Barley for the 30th running of the Full Tour of Pendle. The field was boosted this year with a number of runners in the area for the FRA presentation dinner and dance being held at the Mytton Fold hotel in the evening.
“Spencer Riley”
Thirty six Clayton runners set off on a lovely clear, chilly morning, with Spencer Riley, Paul Thompson and Dave Motley making excellent starts. Matt Roberts from Eryri was first home, closely followed by Ian Holmes; Jasmin Paris from Carnethy took the ladies race, all in excellent times. Unfortunately Paul Thompson had to pull out but Spencer finished a fantastic 7th in 2:23:42 – only 6 months after breaking his ankle – quite a recovery! Fell Captain Dave Motley was the second Clayton home in 2:37:01, according to Dave a PB by 15 minutes!
“Capt Motley”
Well done to the other 34 Clayton finishers, including the 4 ladies. The prize giving was a great advert for the club with Spencer picking up his prize for 7th in the open category. Katy Thompson first lady vet 60, Jean Brown was 3rd lady vet 45 and the ladies also taking second team (Jean Brown, Avril Duckworth and Barbara Savage). Well done to Avril in her first long fell race – not an easy one for sure! A number of runners had personal bests on the day – congratulations to all of them.
Many thanks to Keiran Carr for all of his work to put the race on, and all of his helpers and marshals who made it possible.
“Barbara Savage”
After a good scrub a number of us then went along to the FRA dinner at the Mytton Fold Hotel. Marie Greenwood had organised the event pretty much single handed and what a brilliant job she had done! A number of the club were presented with their English championship medals – Linda Lord was the first up to pick up her trophy for coming first LV65, Linda also collected Wendy Dodds’ trophy for being first LV60 and her medal for 2nd LV55 (Wendy is out being Doctor for the Everest marathon so wasn’t able to attend). When it came to the men, Keiran Carr pick up his medal for being 3rd vet 65, again in the English Championships.
Alongside the championship presentations there was also the presentation for the Lakeland Classic series where Jean Brown picked up her mug for being 3rd lady and 2nd LV40. The evening seemed to be enjoyed by everyone – dancing to the band until the early hours!
Many thanks Marie!