6 hours Ago
Lostock AC member Jo McManus took part in the CancerCare Christmas Cracker 10k in Lancaster and put in a fantastic effort. The event encourages families to adorn their finest Christmas outfits and run either one mile, 10k or a half-marathon - and raise money for a local cancer charity. McManus opted for the 10k which started at the side of the River Lune, near to the 3-1-5 Health Club.
The race followed the riverside path, making this a flat and fast route, with leaders rocketing away from the start. The race crossed the river before runners completed a U-turn and headed back along the river. McManus had a fantastic run, finishing as the 21st person in 47mins 17secs and was the sixth female over the line.
Elsewhere, Mark Shuttleworth took part in the Moors the Merrier 21 Fell Race organised by CraggRunner. The race is advertised as 21 miles long with 4,000 feet of ascent, starting at Hebden Bridge Golf Club and traversing the open moor of Wadsworth,before it skirts Stoodley Pike and uses various paths, trails, roads to route round anti-clockwise to eventually return back to the golf club. In a biting wind, the race commenced near the top of the hill and it was then a short single-file climb before heading out along the top of the moor and going through cold, muddy bogs.
Shuttleworth was struggling to get going and get warm until he descended to lower ground where there was also a welcome sight of toffees and water at checkpoint two. Runners then made their way through fields, then paths to Walshaw Dean Lower reservoir, before turning left and heading to the remote Pack Horse pub and checkpoint four with flapjack, biscuits, malt loaf and juice and water. The next section was fairly flat and then descended through some woods and a steep concrete track to checkpoint six - a workshop converted into a banquet hall for the day.
As runners arrived, they were met by at least four festive elves. They were given cups of port and shots of whiskey chasers, and there was also food and cake on offer. From here runners headed up towards Stoodley Pike and then descended into Mythomlroyd, before looking up and seeing the golf club high up on the hill facing them with a steep climb.
Shuttleworth had a fine run, finishing in 4:50:09. Lostock AC have a busy year ahead and are currently planning the championship and races for 2025. The Lostock 6 is taking place on February 23 and entries are now open.
The event is one of the UK’s oldest road races and always sees a fantastic number of runners taking part. Details on how to enter can be found on out the club’s website at lostock-ac.co.
uk. For those who prefer the fells, the Leo Pollard Memorial Fell Race is taking place on June 5. The race starts at Rivington Hall Barn and participants enjoy a 10k run around Rivington, including a climb to the Pike.
Again, details can be located on the website. Parkrun results: Bolton - Tony Maxwell 26:13 (second in age category), Sheila Garewal 30:40 (second in age category), Rachel Hancock 54:54; Haigh Woodland - Andy Laycock 23:35 (first in age category), Chris Baker 23:34, Brian Halton 24:48 (third in age category), Luke Baker 25:10 (third in age category), Greg Kilshaw 26:44, Ian Burns 29:12, Katie Edern; Pennington Flash - Mark Checkley 30:22..
