Bumper weekend of racing for Radcliffe AC

Date published: 10 October 2011

It was a bumper weekend of racing for Radcliffe AC with one member taking on an ultra event, five a marathon, four a fell race and several cross country.

Paul Rushton ran the Nottingham Ultra 50k on Sunday. He completed the first running of the event, finishing at Nottingham Castle, in 5hrs 5mins. He said: "It was a fantastic event."

Rushton has already had success in long distance events including running two marathons in two days in March.

Also on Sunday seven members travelled to the Chester Marathon with Rob Shiels leading the club members home in a fine 3hrs 16mins 42secs. In perfect conditions, passed Chester's famous landmarks, 17 miles was run in England and nine in Wales and it was the second running of the event. Next home for Radcliffe was Gary Wilson (V45) in 3hrs 18mins 27secs: Steve Hamer (V50) ran 3hrs 44mins 12secs: Michael Cunliffe 4hrs 08mins 34secs and Dave Bartlett 4hrs 15mins 05secs.

Four members took on the 14 mile Good Shepherd fell race at Mytholmroyd on Saturday, which is the penultimate race in the Run The Moors grand prix in which Radcliffe and other local clubs take part. With 2,000 foot of ascent the race route ran through very differing terrains and had a number of tough underfoot sections along with a sting in the tail at 12 miles, a tough 900 foot climb. In ideal felling running conditions, although mud and low mist added some spice to navigational skills, an improving George Critchley (V50) was first home for the club in 2hrs 34mins 11secs, followed by Kevin McGilvray (V55) in 2hrs 36mins 37secs. Ann Marie McGilvray (V45) ran 2 hours 41min 28 sec, nine minutes better than her previous time on the course, and Kath Davies (V45) clocked 2 hrs 54mins 10secs.

On a wet muddy day at Leigh Sports Village seven Radcliffe runners took to the flat fast Red Rose League cross country course and first woman home for the club was Donna Cartwright in 15th place overall followed by new club member Joanna Stevens in 62nd place in her first club race.

In the men's field first home was Stephen Lomax, followed by Rob Andrew, Don Whiley, Mark Emmett and Mark Murphy. The club takes part in two winter cross country leagues, each with four races.

Mixing it at weekend was vet-60 John Kirkham who teamed up with runner from Rossendale Karen Taylor to compete in the Lafarge Helwith Bridge Duathlon in Settle, North Yorkshire. In the mixed teams, under the name of Holcombe Harriers, Kirkham, a keen cyclist as well as runner took to two wheels and Taylor covered the running sections. Kirkham's daughter Claire, a keen runner and cyclist also competed.

Four members recently enjoyed racing at the seaside. In the Blackpool to Fleetwood Pier to Pier 10 Mile Race Michael Shroot ran 1hr 20mins 38secs and Berin Jones 1hr 21mins 59secs.

Ann Marie and Kevin McGilvray travelled to the Southend-on-sea 10k and joined 1,500 starters. Ann Marie ran 48mins 34secs followed by heat affected husband Kevin in 50mins 7secs.