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.

 

 

 

 

 

Following last week’s senior awards ceremony, Radcliffe AC hosted an awards and party evening this Monday for their junior members. Individual members were awarded for their achievements throughout the year, with winners as follows: Junior of the Year- Skyler, Most improved- Isla, Commitment to the Cause- Seth, RAC Spirit- Poppy, Junior’s Junior - Sophie Myerscough. Juniors Seth, Oliver, Lexi, Grace, Benjamin, Skyler and Isla were also presented with certificates from the club for competing in the Red Rose Cross Country Championships.

In a strong week for the juniors, Skyler celebrated the impressive milestone of 150 parkruns! After completing her first only four days after her 4^th birthday, she has headed all over the country racking up this impressive number, with today’s event at Heaton Park in 35:17. Congratulations Skyler! She was also joined by other members Jack Porter (18:21), Robbie Parkinson (20:28), Dominic Parry (23:18), Mark Taylor (23:38), Alex Field (24:50), Kath Biddle (25:04), Richard Parkinson (25:05), Lucie Tighe (25:55), Karen Wells (30:28), Sheila McNulty (36:25), Peter Warr (37:43) and Sara Parry (39:28).

 

Resident legend Sheila Jones also ran her 600^th (!) parkrun at Alexandra Park in 23:20, maintaining the regular occurrence of bagging first position in VW70.  

 

Other results – : Barrow: Rob Lister (31:57), Bolton: Kath Davies (32:22), Elaine Bailey (34:24), Mark Williams (37:09), Clarence: Chris Mihalyi (27:23), Stephen Crowe (32:21), Galup Reserve, Australia: Ken Smith (29:11), Peel: Michael Kontowtt (22:29) Rugby: Tracy Wroe (36:11), Woodhouse Moor: Helen Kay (32:25), Bev Quinton (39:46), Wythenshawe: Daniel Hunt (23:44), John Szubert (27:22).

 

Following last Sunday’s 5k PB of 24:12 at Burrs Community Run, speedy junior Seth delivered another impressive result at the Run Through Media City Festive Junior Run, finishing the 1.8km distance in 5^th place in 7:45. Seth was also joined by another rapid junior member, Indie, who raced round the course in only 8:31 and was the 4^th girl to the finish line.

 

Paul Stevens also joined in the festive fun on Sunday over at the Hurst Green Turkey Trot in Stonyhurst. Chucking on some tinsel and a Santa hat to get in the spirit of things, Paul covered the muddy and challenging 5 miles in 50:18.

 

Donna Cartwright, Radcliffe AC Chairperson, had the following to say after Friday’s celebration of this year’s members’ accomplishments: “What a fantastic success our presentation evening and Christmas party was. I was delighted to see more than 80 members come together to celebrate our achievements across trail, road, fell, and cross country over the past twelve months. I couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and spirit shown by everyone in the club. As well as our bespoke committee, voted awards, we also presented the award voted for by our members for a truly inspirational member.

We were also pleased to hand out certificates to each of our ‘Runner of the Month’ winners, chosen every month by our members for being inspiring, motivational, and for reflecting the true ethos of our club. We presented small gifts to our wonderful volunteers, our run leaders, coaches, race reporter, and our amazing committee, whose hard work, dedication and support help our club continue to thrive. It is an absolute privilege to be chairperson of such a wonderful club!”

 

The winners were as follows:

Trail & Road Championship: Male SEN Khama Bhanda, M45 Steve Fawcett, M50 Mark Garner, M55 Mark Williams, M60 Mike Kontowtt, M65 Steve Hamer, FSEN Charlotte Holden, F35 Lucie Tighe, F45 Donna Cartwright, F50 Kath Biddle, F55 Paula Abernethy, F60 Tracy Wroe, F65 Sheila Jones

 

Fell Championship: M35 Neil Greenhalgh, M45 Ian Swan, M50 Mark Garner, M65 Stephen Crowe, F35 Lucie Tighe, F45 Donna Cartwright, F50 Karen Doherty

 

Cross Country Championship: Male SEN Andrew O’Donnell, M50 Mark Garner, M65 Stephen Crowe, F35 Lucie Tighe, F45 Lisa Riley, F50 Karen Doherty, F65 Elaine Bailey

 

Individual awards: Most Improved: Laura Aiken & John Szubert, Exceptional achievement in competition: Kath Biddle and Steve Fawcett, Most races completed in the Grand Prix:  Mark Garner and Lucie Tighe, Members’ Contribution Award: Lucie Tighe, Runners’ Runner Award: Laura Aiken, Best Newcomer Award: Jack Connor, Spirit of RAC Award: Ethan Malone, Most Consistent Runner Award: Elaine Bailey, President’s Shield: Caroline Malone.

 

After picking up an impressive number of awards the previous night, Mark Garner hit Moors the Merrier on Saturday, a challenging 21 mile fell race with Santa hats obligatory, with a time of 4:44:47.

 

Never one to miss a good mud slog, Karen Doherty made it out to the Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships in Leigh despite the previous night’s festivities, finishing the 7km course in 38:32.

 

Daniel Hunt was over at the Longridge Xmas Pudding 7 miler on Sunday, speeding to the finish line (and the pudding waiting for all racers!) in 58:55.61.

 

Andrew O’Donnell also ran the Stockport 10 (mile), an undulating course with with two challenging climbs, which he completed in 1:12:16.

 

Many Senior and Junior club members also donned a range of Christmas themed costumes to take part in the Sunnywood Burrs Community Run in aid of Bury Hospice, including Laura Aiken and friend Rachel Bailey - definitely the highlight in a wacky two person festive lama suit!