James home in quick time as first finisher at Toughsheet
Horwich Harrier James Scott Farington was in commanding form as he won the BWFC-supported Bolton Community 10k in a time of 31mins 41secs – almost three minutes ahead of second place.
In a field of more than 1,000 finishers, Rob Jackson, who described the course as “hilly, windy but sunny”, was 18th in 39:15 and first V50, closely followed by Marcus Taylor as second in the same category with a time of 40:06 while on pacing duties.
Round Two of the English Senior Fell Running Championships took place just outside of Keswick with the annual The Newlands Memorial Fell Race.
Renowned as a challenging fell run, this category AM (medium distance, high ascent) course has competitors starting at Stair to ascend more than 3,609 feet summiting Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head and finally High Spy before the descent back to finish line to complete the 11.5-mile distance back at Stair.
Conditions were good with fast times being posted and the overall winner being within a couple of minutes of the course record which has stood for more than 20 years. The men’s team placed 17th with individual placings – Sam Fairhurst 73rd (1:49:35), Dan Gilbert 160th (2:04:00), Alastair Murray 198th (2:08:22) in his new age category, Mark Walsh 247th (2:16:56) and Marcus Taylor 274th (2:20:35).
Solitary lady representative Stephanie McKee crossed the line 120th (2:51:36) in the female open category.
Back locally for the second round of the Run the Moor series, the Wardle Skyline Fell Race took place near Rochdale. This category BM (medium distance, moderate ascent) is known for its scenic, yet challenging, route through the South Pennines of approximately seven miles and 1,200 feet of ascent. The race loops around a circular path that encompasses Brown Wardle Hill, Middle Hill, and Rough Hill offering runners a mix of steep climbs, undulating terrain, and a long descent. The course concludes with a challenging ascent on asphalt known affectionately as the ‘sting in the tail’.
Steve Thomasson completed a drizzly Leipzig 10k just under his target time of 48 minutes by sneaking a 47:30 time in spite of an over indulgence of local cuisine and windy conditions.
He said Leipzig is an enjoyable event, an agreeable city and with an enthusiastic crowd and that he would be back, although it was unclear if this was for food or another race!
