St.Annes 10 - Written by Dave Waywell (Wesham)

Yesterday’s fine glorious weather attracted a record number of runners to this popular local event, the 19th Ultrafit St Annes 10 Mile, hosted by Lancashire Fire Rescue and Wesham Road Runners. 351 runners took part in the race which was sponsored by Ultrafit Magazine and Sweatshop. The race also raised £160 for Rosemere Charity.

Although the race itself didn’t go without incident as on the night before there was a malfunction on the door of the van, which had items needed for the race, and the organiser was unable to open it. Fortunately this was rectified too late in the evening and the organiser had to make an early start on the morning of the race to set up the course. There were further mishaps during the race whereby the runners were sent the wrong way and a runner from Todmorden collapsed a mile from the finish and he was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

The race incorporated three separate championships, the Fire Service Championship, Northern Veterans Championship and it was also the second race of 9 in the Central Lancashire Grand Prix.

The open race was won by Steve Littler from local club Wesham Road Runners in a superb time of 53.40 as he trains for the London Marathon next month. The ladies open race was won by Sarah Ridehalgh from Accrington Road Runners in an equally superb time of 61.56.

It was double glory for the teams as Wesham Road Runners took the first team place in both the men’s and the ladies team. Steve Littler, Barry Norman, Jason Barlow and John Collier made up the men’s team and in the ladies team were Joanna Goorney, Sarah Sherratt and Carmel Sullivan.

The Fire Service Championship was won by Graham Taylor from Tyne & Wear Fire Service, in a time of 55.14. Graham was second in the open race. The first Fire Service Lady was Connie Hydes from Strathclyde Fire Service who crossed the finishing line in a time of 83.31. There were a record number of entries from the Fire Service with 31 men and 8 ladies entered prior to the race.

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