Trotters 5 - Sunday 6th March 2012 Report by Chris Greenall

Burnden Road Runners hosted the 2^nd race in the CLGP on a cold and wet Sunday morning at Smithills. Gloves and t-shirts under club vests were the order of the day for many as we were reminded that we are still in Winter.  This was the second running of this race. Numbers were up, with 201 finishers compared to 176 in 2011. 137 of these 201 were from clubs competing in the CLGP.

Bolton’s Tom Carson bettered his 2011 time by well over a minute and this helped him to a convincing win after his 3^rd place last year. The margin of victory was just as convincing in the Ladies race, with Louisa Thompson of Leigh scoring back to back wins after her recent 5K win at Leverhulme Park, this time from Horwich’s Rachael Thompson.

On the day, Carson,  Shay Walker and Mark Swanell gave Bolton the team prize. Martin Jones, Dave Jackson and Peter Rice gave Horwich the vets prize.  For the ladies, Thompson, Angela Allen and Bethany Jones easily won the team prize for Leigh. Burnden convincingly won the Vets – Kirsty Normanton, Isaline Kneale and Lesley Fisher counted.

For the Grand Prix, Bolton had their first 10 counters in the top 40 to give them a win from Horwich, whose first 6  vets produced a strong showing to win the Vets category from Burnden. Leigh’s first 4 ladies gave them the win from Burnden by the narrowest of margins. Burnden took the B team honours in a close affair from Bolton.

Individual firsts: F35 – Donna Cartwright, F40 – Angela Allen, F45 – Isaline Kneale, F50 – Lesley Fisher, F55 – Eileen Castledine, F60 – Sue Reah (unattached), LJ – Bethany Jones, L17 – Emma Holden.

M40 – Shay Walker, M45 – Peter Rice, M50 – Steve Nolan, M55 - Rudolf Maciejkowicz, M60 – David Burke, M65 – Kevin O’Brien (Clayton-le-Moors), M70 – Malcolm Towler (Northern Vets), MJ – Rob Short.

The rain had all eased off by the time of the race and runners were pleased to receive their technical running t-shirt at the finish. Many also received spot prizes. A big thanks to race sponsor Up & Running. Burnden thank chief race organiser Stew Jones for putting together such a well run event. We are especially grateful to the local Cadets who played a great role, turning up early in miserable weather to help marshal the course.