Radcliffe AC's new three-day event resounding success

Date published: 17 July 2010

Radcliffe AC's new three-day event has proved a resounding success with other clubs sending messages of congratulations.

Chairman Mark Emmett said it had been a "great start" with 33 competitiors taking on all three races on fell, cross country and trail.

It was Rob Jackson from Horwich who took the overall honours among the men with Ginny Willey from Middleton Harriers top woman.

Races could be entered together or separately and the first event, the evening 5.5 mile Bull Hill Fell Race from Hawkshaw, a regular race for the club, saw a record entry of 150 finishers with Darren Kay of Pudsey and Bramley AC setting a new course record of 35m 49secs in the great dry conditions, almost three minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

Jackson and Willey were both fifth.

The following evening saw 43 runners take on the five mile summer cross country at Giant Seat Campsite, Prestwich. The course was four laps round hilly wooded terrain with the first man being Danny Brocklehurst, Trafford AC, and first woman Willey. Jackson took second place.

The final day's fast five mile race was around the Outwood Trail, Ringley, the canals and finished at the Nellie Halstead Track in Cam's Lane, Radcliffe and had 33 runners. Jackson won it and Willey was second putting them the victors overall.

Emmett said: "It was a great start for this new event with superb support from members. This was a big commitment for a small club.The day after we were receiving messages of congratulation from clubs and individuals on a well-organised three days. Our sponsors, Polyflor, Radcliffe Building Supplies and VLA Events enabled all competitors to receive a special t-shirt in addition to race prizes."

Eight Radcliffe members ran the recent Rochdale 10k, part of the club road race championship, with Rob Shiels leading them home in 39m 18secs.

Tony Holt (V45) ran 43m 26secs: Emmett (V50) 44m 51secs: Steve Hamer
(V50) 45m 34secs: Vince Ashton 45m 45secs: George Critchley (V50) 46m
57secs: Eileen Royle first vet-60 52m 25secs and Rita Kavanagh 58m 12secs.
In the City of Manchester 10k John Kirkham ran 47m 29 secs and showing his versatility Hamer took on the 60 plus miles of the Manchester to Blackpool annual charity bike ride in 4hrs 4m, covering more than 100 miles in a day when he rode back home to Ramsbottom.