Central Lancashire 5K at Leverhulme Park by Nick Howarth

Sunday 20^th February saw Bolton United Harriers & A.C. host the first race of the Central Lancashire Grand Prix series with a new 5K event. With 245 entries, the race featured good representation from all our local CLGP clubs.

The race started on the athletics track at Leverhulme Park , Bolton , in bright but cold conditions. Taking in parkland trails and roads, the route featured a steep downhill section in the first kilometre, paid for with a tough uphill slog in the second. Bolton United Harriers’ Tony Valentine set a strong early pace, closely watched by his junior teammate, Tom Carson. The second half’s flattish terrain led to a dramatic turnabout in the race, as Bolton ’s Marc Tillotson, returning after injury, took the lead with 400m to go. In the Grandstand setting of the athletics track, he powered to the finish line, winning in an impressive 15m 47s. Tony Valentine finished second in 16m 03s and Tom Carson third in 16m 19s. Bolton UH won the men’s team prize, Astley & Tyldesley were second and Horwich RMI third.

In the women’s race, Astley & Tyldesley’s Bolton-based Maria Lowe led unchallenged from the start. Her winning time of 18m 57s was followed by Jo Goorney’s 19m 25s and Horwich RMI’s Suzanne Budgett in third (20m 05s). Astley & Tyldesley won the women’s team prize, with a strong performance by Burnden Road Runners placing them second to Bolton ’s third.

The championship is already off to a flyer and the competing clubs will be looking ahead to series’ next race at Smithills Coaching House. The Trotters Five is being staged by Burnden Road Runners on Sunday 6^th March.

Organiser Nick Howarth was pleased with morning’s events.

NB. Other category results are as follows:

MV40 Paul Mannion 16.52 A & T

MV45 Pater Chan 17.24 A & T

MV50 Steve Nolan 17.34 Burnden RR

MV55 Ken Fowler 19.46 Bolton UH

MV60 Evan Cook 19.14 Blackburn H

MV65+ Dave Waywell 22.00 Wesham RR

MJ Tom Carson 16.19 Bolton UH

FV35 Caroline Scholes 20.26 Bolton UH

FV40 Joanna Goorney 19.25 Wesham RR

FV45 Suzanne Budgett 20.05 Horwich RMI

FV50 Anne Ferguson 22.08 Burnden RR

FV55 Susan Catterall 23.05 Northern Vets

FV60 Eileen Royle 25.38 Radcliffe RC

FJ Emma Holden 27.14 Unattached