Gin Pit 5 by Garry Baines of A&T

Race Report – Gin Pit 5 10^th October 2010

A high calibre field of around 200 runners attended the Gin Pit 5 race, which also served as the final CLGP race of the 2010 Calendar.

The race was won by Shaun Dimelow of Barnsley Harriers in an excellent time 26:39. He was hotly pursued by Wigan Phoenix’s Mike O’Neill in 26:50.

Horwich RMI dominated the early positions with 10 runners in the top 23 places, taking the Team Prize in this event. Colin Rigby took the V40 prize in 27:26 and Steve Nolan the V50 in 28:46. This should be enough to see them through the CLGP title for 2010 and congratulations are in order.

The A&T runners strived hard to keep up the challenge with 4 runners under the 30 minute mark. Pete Chan was amongst this group and took the V45 prize in 29:04.

Burden Road Runners, as ever, fielded a competitive team and were always in contention at the top of the pile. They were rewarded with Dave Pearson’s V55 prize in 35:33.

Swinton Running Club also turned out in force making the short trip down the East Lancs Road.

John Reilly of Middleton Harriers took the V60 prize in 32:20 and Keith Robson the V65 in 42:06.

For the Ladies Anna Lupton of Radcliffe claimed 1^st prize with 31:03. Where have you been all season Anna?

Jean Mann came in 3rd for A&T with 32:52, whilst Suzanne Budgett bagged 4th spot with 32:56.

The Team Prize was won by A&T, but this was probably not enough to prevent Burnden from retaining the overall Ladies Championship for the season.

Lauren Marsden of Swinton won the L35 division with and Kirsty Preece of Burnden grabbed the L40 award with 34:48.

Janine Ridgard of East Cheshire with 34:31 was first in the L45 category and Joan Jackson of Northern Vets came home in 35:17 for the L50 prize. For the over 55s Sheila Duckworth, an unattached runner took the honours with 39:35 and Eileen Royle of Radcliffe claimed the L60 prize in 42:08.

The various winners of the CLGP prizes for the 2010 Season will be announced shortly and a Prize Presentation evening will take place at Gin Pit on Friday 19^th November, commencing at 7.30pm. There will be a small cover charge of £2 per head which will be collected on the night. Pasties inevitably will be provided and entertainment in the form of a disco and if anyone’s up for it, karaoke, is included.