Recent Stunning Individual Performances (Part Two)
On 4th October 2008 Phil Abbott braved the elements in the Lake District to compete in the Coniston trail race. Starting and finishing at Coniston Hall, just outside Coniston village, the 15km circuit along well marked and marshaled footpaths and bridleways takes in panoramic views of Lake Coniston and the surrounding peaks of the Old Man, Swirl How, Wetherlam and Dow Crags. Unfortunately this year and on the advice of Mountain Rescue the course was shortened to 6.8 miles. Runners were warned to be careful. Phil took the course in his stride, finishing in 52 minutes, in 61st position out of 302 finishers.
On 4th October 2008 Colin Bostock headed back to the safety of the hills to take part in Grin and Bear it, a Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team event starting from Langsett Barn. The course followed a good trail path along side the Langsett Reservoir turning onto Hingcliff Common. The path then wound its way over the moors to the first checkpoint at Cut Gate End. A right turn then took the route onto Featherbed Moss & Harden Moss, which is Bog Monster Territory! The Bog Monster had a good day. The survivors of the Monster then picked a green lane across to Lasche and some welcome food. From this point on the hard work was done and with a mixture of fields, road & Trans Pennine Trail the race made its way back to Langsett. The weather was slightly damp for a couple of miles with strong winds throughout, making the going hard at times. A good event with hot food provided at the finish. Colin crossed the finishing line in 2:56:00.
On 5th October 2008 Catherine Rowe and Bill Sheppard headed to the Mountains of Scotland to take part in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon. Recognised as one of the UK's leading marathons, the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route through stunning Highland scenery, along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, and then crosses the River Ness to finish in Inverness Queens Park Stadium. Bill set a new personal best time, finishing in 4:02:58, whilst Catherine finished in 4:07:20.
On 5th October 2008 three club members headed up North to represent the club in the world's biggest half marathon, the Bupa Great North Run which celebrates its 28th anniversary in 2008. The event is a point-to-point course that starts in Newcastle and finishes in South Shields. This year 52,000 runners took part. Jackie Mather was first home for the club, setting a stunning personal best time of 1:43:17, finishing 3696th. Chris Bradley completed the course in 1:53:24, finishing 8596th, whilst Peter Thorburn finished in 2:15:43 in 22093rd place.
On 5th October 2008 four hardy Long Eaton fell runners decided to tackle the Hope Moors and Tors Challenge run, a 20 mile fell race in North Derbyshire. The course involves 3700 feet of ascent. The day started off dry and as the day went on, even the sun made an appearance. The going was wet under foot from the outset on the path across to Castleton but as the climbs began the runners were able to keep to drier areas until Grindsbrook when you just had to get in the water. Eddie Mathieson came a cropper on the Edale skyline injuring his leg, (get over it Eddie its just a graze!). The route was a figure of 8 so on the 2nd time back to Edale, tea and biscuits were on offer before the ascent back to Hollins Cross, leaving just Lose Hill to climb. It was then all down hill to the finish. Phil Walters just made the finish under the 4-hour mark, due to a groin strain, finishing in 3:59:01. Nick Stevens finished in 4:03:29, with Eddie finishing in 4:20:29 and Colin, who stopped for afternoon tea, finishing in 4:35:34.
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