Accrington road runners was formed in 1985 and presently train at the
recently refurbished Wilson playing field facitlity in Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington.
Not surprisingly, only six very tough Accrington Roadrunners braved the terrible conditions to enter this race. 12 hours of rain made the course rather water logged but this didn’t dampen our spirits. All of our runners performed really well, especially the ladies. Unfortunately there were no team prizes on offer, which was such a shame as our ladies would have won. In the end, all ladies collected a prize and a pocket full of sweets! Debbie, only 15 seconds behind the winner was 2nd lady. Vicci, winning her second prize in two races was 4th lady with Kaye “power sliding” around the last bend to finish 8th. Both Chris and Graham finished in the top 20 with Steve 2 minutes faster than last year.
13th Graham Morris 32:22 19th Chris Barnes 34:06 28th Debbie Gowans 36:07 38th Stephen Fish 38:00 41st Vicci Burke 39:03 53rd Kaye Callaghan 43:08
Submitted by: Graham Morris
June 2008
Title: Cuerden Valley Trail Race
Location: Preston
Date: Thu 19/Jun/2008
We had quite an eventful night at our 4th “club” race.
It was a shame we only had 5 Accrington runners competing in this event, it is a really enjoyable race on woodland paths through Cuerden Valley, Preston. Unfortunately due to a “mix up” on the course, a number of the front runners including Chris took the wrong route spoiling his chances of a good time. He was still our 1st runner to finish and would have been in the top 20 without this detour. (He was not a “happy bunny”). Vicci was 2nd to finish and also won the prize for 7th lady. With over 25 ladies running this was a great result; she was only 1 minute off 4th lady! Carole was our 3rd runner back; she ran most of the race with a stone stuck in her trainer, her time was same as last year. Another year older but no slower! Performance of the night must go to Kaye; recording a time 10 minutes faster than last year, I am sure we saw slight signs of perspiration as she ran through the finish. Well done Kaye. Ian also had a good night, running 3 minutes faster than 2007 and also winning a pair of trainers in the raffle.
The race was won by Gary Pennington in 36:23 with Philippa Walsh from Preston Harriers winning the ladies race in 43:32.
Chris Barnes 46:21 Vicci Burke 48:45 Carole Morris 49:31 Kaye Callaghan 50:04 Ian Tomlinson 50:41
Submitted by: Graham Morris
June 2008
Title: Paddys Pole Fell Race
Location: Chipping
Date: Tue 03/Jun/2008
A fantastic field of over 200 local runners competed in Paddy’s Pole Fell race on Tuesday 3rd June. This “cracking” fell race over 4.5 miles with 1100ft climbing should suit everyone, a steep start, fast in the middle with a steep descent to the finish. This was the 4th race in our point’s series and 7 of our runners competed. Similar to last week’s race, it was really close with only 3 minutes covering the first four places. Graham was first to finish with Simon 2nd (still not back to his best after London Marathon) closely followed by Martin in 3rd .Chris Barnes was 4th finishing in the top half. Our only prize winner was Debbie finishing 4th lady out of 26, and only 2 seconds behind 3rd place. 6th was Alastair and 7th Steve finishing within 2 minutes of his PB set 15 years ago. Well done Steve almost back to your best. The race was won by Sean Bolland from Bowland in 31:39
The prize giving was at Chipping Village Hall and included pie and pies. 52nd Graham Morris 37.53 62nd Simon Bailey 38.33 69th Martin Bland 38.56 95th Chris Barnes 40.21 110th Debbie Gowans 41.47 119th Alastair McEwan 42.21 131st Steve Fish 43.09
Submitted by: Graham Morris
May 2008
Title: Stanhill Fell Race
Location: N/A
Date: Wed 28/May/2008
Good support from nine of our runners for the 3rd point’s race in our 2008 series.
Similar to last year, the race was really close, especially for our runners competing against each other, with only 3 minutes covering the first four places. Graham was first to finish closely followed by John, both improving on their 2007 time by 3 minutes. Martin, just back from injury and illness finished 3rd with “ever improving” Chris Barnes in 4th. Alistair 5th and Mark 6th had a real battle with only 5 seconds between them, Mark improving on his 2007 time by 2 minutes. Steve won the V55 race with Ian winning the V60 race. Kaye running in her first fell race finished really strong (and clean) overtaking a man in the final straight and finishing 6th lady from 9. Presentation was in the Britannia, and for those that stayed to see Ian and Steve collect their prizes; they were treated to free sandwiches and Wainwright Bitter.
The race was won by Lee Passco from Blackburn in 30:09. Blackburn won the Men’s team prize with Accrington 3rd.
11th Graham Morris 34:39 13th John Wieczorek 35:00 18th Martin Bland 36:24 20th Chris Barnes 37:32 25th Alastair McEwan 39:42 27th Mark Hammond 39:47 31st Stephen Fish 41:03 34th Ian Wilcock 43:03 40th Kaye Callaghan 47:05
Submitted by: Graham Morris
April 2008
Title: London Marathon
Location: central London!
Date: Sun 13/Apr/2008
Ant & Sarah at Finish
It was ridiculously early in the morning as piles of runners and supporters boarded a Hodgeson’s coach bound for London. With an atmosphere that was a cross between a package holiday to Benidorm and a school trip, Harry Haseley gradually sorted us out and gave us our instructions for the weekend. Due to roadworks it was a long journey and we were all rather frazzled when we eventually arrived at the marathon registration point at EXPO, however spirits were soon revived when the freebies were discovered (does anyone like ice-tea?). We all enjoyed a convivial meal at Café Uno, then most retired to their beds at the no-star LSE! Once again it was ridiculously early when the runners rose for breakfast and to board the coach to take them to their respective starts. The spectators had a more leisurely start to the day and time to fuel up at the breakfast bar before braving the crowds of central London. The morning of the marathon was sunny and at the 9 mile mark I was sipping a cappuccino as I watched the elite women, wheelchair racers, elite men and finally the brave club runners including an Elvis and Scooby Doo go powering passed. I managed to see them again at 13 miles and 18 miles at Canary Wharf, but by this time it was raining hard and quite cold. Central London was packed with runners and spectators and the idea of finding somewhere to relax and unwind after the race had to be dropped. Eventually everyone made their way back to the LSE and then Shakespeare’s Head to swap stories of their ordeals. Simon was our first finisher, his target was to get under 3hours, however injuries meant that he has only been back in training for 6 weeks and after 20 miles the lack of preparation began to take its toll. Simon confesses to walking and hiding from the crowds in a tunnel. He still managed 3hours 4.55, so we can only assume he is a fast walker. Sarah and Graham stuck together until 23 miles when Graham’s cramp problem, experienced in last years event began to reappear causing him to stop a number of times, but struggled on to finish in a time of 3hours 26.03. After attending to Graham and with no signs of tiredness Sarah continued on and went on to record a fantastic time of 3hours 13.04, 64th position in the women’s race and ninth in her age group. More exciting than this for Sarah it gives her a place in next years elite women’s race. Rob White was running his first marathon and had a good race posting 3 hours 30.23. John Howarth recorded 3hours 52.56, he nearly didn’t record a time at all as he was suffering badly and at 20 miles made the decision to drop out, on the advice of a steward he made his way to the nearest tube station. However the instructions for getting to the finish by train were so complicated that he decided it was easier to run there- brave decision. Simone's secret training paid off with a good performance of 4hours 18.59. Next came Ant Ridehalgh, who was running with a tenner in his back pocket in case he needed to bail out and catch the tube. Ant, as most people will know has been battling with a knee problem, which forced him to pull out of last year’s marathon and reduced this year’s training down to sessions of 3 miles, which was all he could run with out pain. However a combination of exciting looking plasters, injections and sheer determination got Ant across the finishing line, it was tough to call who we were the most delighted for, Sarah with her elite women’s place or Ant for making it. Tom Battrick battled round to finish in 4 hours 24.55 and next to finish was Tom’s motivational trainer, Carole who suffered terribly from 17 miles, feeling ill and having to resort to walking the final few miles, eventually recording 4 hours 31.58 and looking very poorly. Our next finisher was a member of Harry’s dynasty, his daughter Caroline. Luckily she ignored all Harry’s advice (“get to the front and run like hell”) and was pleased to record 4 hours 34.37 in her first marathon, in fact Caroline began running seriously in order to compete in London. Janet Holden and Caron Fenwick ran as a pair, inspiring each other to keep going and finished looking calm and content in 4 hours 46.16. Generally it was good to see our club producing some solid runs and heartbreaking to think of the months of training that go into a one off trial, which can so easily be derailed by the weather, ill health, injuries and many other things. Well done all runners, another proud day for Accrington R.R. Thank you to all our non runners who made the journey to supporter the club and thanks to Harry for a smooth trip. Written by Nancy Bailey, with additional reporting by Graham Morris.
Submitted by: Nancy Bailey
April 2008
Title: Marathon du Paris
Location: Central Paris
Date: Sun 06/Apr/2008
Feeling better back at the hotel
Well, after weeks of wondering whether I would be fit, the big day arrived. It was freezing cold as John and Alison Hope and I arrived at the start on the Champs Elysees. Getting to the appropriate place was difficult. All the different starts were directly behind each other, and the only way in to each section was through a single 3' gate. 45 seconds before the start there must have 10,000 runners outside the start on the street. The push to get in was awful. Hillsboro comes to mind.
Anyway, I had a really good start, and even in the crowds managed two 5 minute kilometres. I felt really good throughout the first 16 miles which I covered in 1.57
At 23 miles I looked at my watch. 2 Hours 50 minutes. I honestly thought I would be able to do sub 3.15. Yeah right!!
Then 24 miles arrived and I thought I could see that 'light at the end of the tunnel' they talk about when you are close to death. The next two miles were a nightmare. At 25.5 miles I ran past a lad from Otley AC and thought we could help each other to the finish, but to no avail, he was in a worst state than me. However at 26 miles the thought of only another 385 yards seemed to spur me on a bit and I finished trying to at least look like an athlete in 3.21
Thank goodness I don’t have to do it again. However, it is a really good race, incredibly well organised (apart from the start), and a beautiful city to run round. All you have to do to run is google ‘Marathon du Paris 2009’, and have your credit card ready. The sooner you do it the cheaper it is.
Submitted by: Paul Wickham
March 2008
Title: Wilmslow Half Marathon
Location: N/A
Date: Sun 30/Mar/2008
The day of the Wilmslow Half Marathon started very early, very very early if you count the fact that it was the morning the clocks went forward and so that was an hour less in bed, then we were advised to be at race HQ by 9 am as parking is difficult. It was mayhem we arrived at just after 9 to be parked in the overflow car park a good 15 mins from the HQ and the all important toilets. We met up with some of the Accrington entourage but with 4000 runners it was not easy to find all the yellow vests. This was the 3rd road points run of the season and once again we had a good turn out, 13 runners made the journey to Cheshire. The race was pretty well organised with the start marked in estimated times so that you could start with runners of similar ability. Good in theory- but I started at 2.50 and found that it was over a minute before we passed through the start and the pace was very slow for over a mile ‘til I could get myself free. The sun came out as we ran, making it quite pleasant. There was good support around the course and lots of the marshalls had made special efforts with wigs, streamers and so on. The course was pretty flat all the way around and apart from having to cover 13 miles it was a good way to pass a Sunday morning. At the finish we received a t-shirt, memento and goody bag. Many of the Accrington runners were using the race as a warm-up for the London Marathon and using their marathon pace rather than going flat out (I was going flat out!), so no prizes this week. As the Accrington runners finished it was great to hear our old friend Andy O’Sullivan on the microphone and he gave us special mentions as we passed through- he even gave Julia Hartley a mention, though she wasn’t there! Accrington were led home by Simon Bailey, who is gradually regaining the fitness lost by 3 months of injury and Sarah Ridehalgh was our first female.
108 Simon Bailey 1.24.38 357 (35th lady) Sarah Ridehalgh 1.33.23 358 Graham Morris 1.33.25 392 Paul Wickam 1.34.15 472 Rob White 1.36.10 838 Dave Smith 1.43.03 1217 Carol Morris 1.48.55 1496 Nancy Bailey 1.52.47 1661 Ian Tomlinson 1.54.59 1926 Tom Battrick 1.58.31 2138 Caroline Lee 2.01.46 2229 Janet Holden 2.03.10 2230 Caron Fenwick 2.03.10
Submitted by: Nancy Bailey
March 2008
Title: Sunday 9th March - 1000 mile Oulton Park Half Marathon
Location: Oulton Park , Cheshire
Date: Wed 12/Mar/2008
Expected the worst weather this winter but fortunately the sun shone down on the race track at Oulton Park, albeit with a gusty wind.
The route consisted of three laps around the circuit with an additional detour around the inner park along a trail. It certainly wasn't flat. Odd course actually. The first quarter is fast heading downhill (into the wind), the second quarter is undulating with a couple of heart pounding hills and the rest, leaving and rejoining the circuit at the same place, is undulating but bearable. The lack of traffic and noise was a nice change to most races, but the banked corners were a bit awkward in places!
Only Ant Ridehalgh and myself took part from ARR, approx 400 runners altogether. Unfortunately Ant has been suffering from knee pain in the recent weeks and only managed half of the run on the day, but with the laps it did mean he could watch me finish.
I finished first lady in 1hr 23mins and now hold the course record (obviously, since this is the first time the race has been run!).....can't find the official times online....not sure how close to the club record I came.
Checking feedback on RunnersWorld, everyone seemed to agree - no mileage markers (although it helped to know each lap was just over 4 miles), a few miserable marshalls and no finishing goody bag but great potential for a fantastic race in the coming years.
(Article submitted by Sarah Ridehalgh)
Submitted by: Simon Bailey
February 2008
Title: Standish Trail Race
Location: N/A
Date: Sat 23/Feb/2008
Rob W
Well done Accrington Road Runners, the Standish Hall trail race had a record turn out and that was partly due to the 18 runners, plus a band of spectators we provided! It was a dull day for the second points race of the year, but contrary to the views of some, not too cold. This race takes place completely off road and we were lucky that the fairly dry week meant that the mud was only to our lace holes. The race, billed as 10k included an impromptu diversion making it 11km and more. The quality field of women runners, including one ex-olympian, was led home in fine style and by a huge margin by our own Sarah Ridhalgh. Our leading male runner was Graham Morris, 12th overall and third M40. The women’s team of Sarah, Carol and Alison were second, equal on points with Wesham the winners. The men’s team of Graham, Rob and Paul were third overall. To check how this years points championship is hotting up see the points race page on the website.
Men’s overall winner- Damien Nicholls- 41.25
Graham Morris 46.37 Sarah Ridhalgh 47.58 Robert White 48.59 Paul Wickham 49.59 Dave Smith 54.53 Alison Hargreaves 58.24 Carol Morris 58.24 Nancy Bailey 58.36 Michael Bowkley 58.55 Steve Fish 59.05 Lynn Huxley 1.00.23 David Graham 1.00.35 Peter Blackledge 1.01.26 Simone Der Weduwen 1.04.21 Jenny Adams 1.04.33 Malcolm Bradley 1.08.27 Janet Holden 1.08.40 Mick Leeming 1.13.08
Submitted by: Nancy Bailey
February 2008
Title: BLACKBURN WINTER WARMER 10K
Location: WITTON PARK
Date: Sun 10/Feb/2008
Thought I'd drop you a line. Weather glorious, tides in, just kidding it's only the puddles in the car park. Fantastic day for a run.
John Wieczorek 40:22 David Smith 44:16 Ian Harling 46:09 Jennifer Adams 48:40 Peter Blackledge 49:35 David Heppenstall 55:19
Wish you were here
Submitted by: David Smith
January 2008
Title: Pennine 10K
Location: Halifax
Date: Sun 06/Jan/2008
This was our first “point’s” road race of the 2008 season. With only 7 of our runners competing, what we lacked in quantity was certainly made up for in quality! Particularly our girls. Sarah had a fantastic run overtaking a number of runners in the last ½ mile to win the ladies race. Jenny Adams had a great day; she was 1st lady in her age group and also won the raffle. Nicola also ran well and finished under 45 minutes, 13th lady overall. Graham was our first man, followed by Paul Wickham (who has just recovered from “man flu”). David Smith was next back finishing in the top ten in his age group, with Tom Batterick our final runner, improving his time from the previous week by over 3 minutes.
The race attracted 325 runners and was won by Ian Fisher from Otley AC in a record time of 31:49.
Although the event was over in Yorkshire (over 50 miles), it was a change to run a different race seeing “new faces” from a variety of other clubs.
Graham Morris 38:58 (15th) Sarah Ridehalgh 39:26 (19th) Paul Wickham 44:01 (68th) Nicola Wood 44:57 (81st) David Smith 45:20 (86th) Jenny Adams 49:33 (147th) Tom Batterick 53:38 (204th)
