Scorching performances for Radcliffe runners10 July 2022 (by admin) |
Karen Doherty
Radcliffe AC runners shone in the sun as they posted heatwave-defying results.
Club chairwoman Donna Cartwright led by example when she was the sixth woman, and a fantastic 23rd overall, in Saturday’s Lakeland Trails 14k. She clocked 1:30:10 on the course, which started and finished in Ambleside, describing the climbs as “brutal” in the heat.
Two members also took on tough trail half marathons as the temperatures soared.
On what was hottest day of the year to date, Ian Swan ran Sunday’s Lyme Park Trail Half Marathon, which actually measured 13.86 miles and had 1,786ft of climbing. He was a fantastic 22nd out of 131 runners, crossing the finish line in 2:14:23.
Emma Wolstencroft completed her first ultra half marathon; the Ultra X trail event, which has 2,358ft of ascent on the hills around Calderdale, West Yorkshire. She ran a fantastic 3:11:12, despite falling shortly after the start and running an extra 1k when she took the wrong route.
Seven members also produced sizzling times at Sunday’s Wilmslow Summer 10k.
Mike Kontowtt was first home for the club, posting 44:54 on the fast course run on country roads. Karen Doherty ran a new pb of 56:12, Helen Kay clocked 1:01:01, Stephen Crowe ran 1:01:28, Natalie Hitchen and Sarah Rushton both finished in 1:08:11, and Bev Quinton was delighted with her new pb of 01:09:42.
Two races in three days brought great results for Rob Shiels. He was second M45 in 40:40 at Tuesday’s hilly Rochdale 10k before going on to finish third overall in 19:47 in Thursday’s Clowbridge Trail 5k.
Radcliffe runners were again out in force at the popular Saturday morning 5k parkruns. Junior Robbie Parkinson was the club’s first finisher at Heaton Park in 23:27 followed by Helen Kay (29:41), Cheryl Gallagher (32:59) and Iain Harris (40:43).
Three Radcliffe runners were in the top 15 at Clitheroe Castle: Chris Paxton was fourth in 20:42, Ian Swan ninth in 22:38, and Peter Hunter 14th in 23:23. Also running were Stephen Crowe (30:48) and Bev Quinton (36:58).
Results from elsewhere: Northwich – Elaine Bailey (28:26); Peel – Rob Lister 19:54; and Stamford Park – Sheila Jones (second woman 24:18).
A sizzling performance by Ian Swan
Tough conditions for Emma Wolstencroft’s first ultra half marathon.
A superb sixth for Donna Cartwright