Lionesses roar to team success in challenging Meltham Tough
STAINLAND LIONS had the winning ladies team at Sunday’s Meltham Tough 10k, which was also the second race in the club championships.
The race certainly lived up to its name this year, with runners battling hail and freezing conditions on the hilly course that has 650 feet of climbing from the centre of Meltham to Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.
A healthy field of 43 Lions
Incoming club chairman Tim Walker was the only Lion at this year’s St Aidan’s Winter Beast
took part and outstanding performances from Maria Harron, Clare Smith and Zoe Greenhow earned the women’s team prize.
Darren Reece was the first Lion, in 11th place, Maria Harron won her age category, and there were other category prizes for Darren Reece, Derek Parrington, Clare Smith, Zoe Greenhow, Helen Armitage, Michelle Rogerson and Virginia Lewin.
Several runners managed to improve on their times set over the same course last year and Paula Statham-Drake made a welcome return.
Results: Darren Reece 38:16, James Penson 42:40, Derek Parrington 43:22, Richard Crombie 44:31,
Clayton Cutter 45:18, Fraser Ambrose 45:23, Jim Harris 46:57, Maria Harron 47:07, Clare Smith 47:30, Steve Hallam 47:38, Paul Corns 47:42, Zoe Greenhow 48:05, Helen Armitage 48:10, Ian Hoskins 48:22, Michelle Rogerson 49:17, Martin O’Brien 49:41, Danny Stafford 51:31, Gillian Jago 52:46, Jan King 54:36, Gail Schofield 54:38, Gordon Murray 55:33, Andrew Falkingbridge 55:57, Mark Preston 56:05, Paul Butterfield 56:12, Karen Thorne 56:25,
Michelle Rushby 56:28, Christine Cliffe 56:30, Paula Pickersgill 56:36, John Rushworth 59:08, Dawn Medlock 1:00:20, Claire Smith 1:00:45, Philip Richards 1:01:20, Virginia Lewin 1:04:05, Alex Whyte 1:04:36, Richard Brewster 1:04:50, Samantha Varley 1:07:02, Paula Statham-Drake 1:07:12, John Hirst 1:07:12, Justin Scargill 1:07:53, Patricia Hallowell 1:08:50, Melissa Vincent 1:10:43, Jackie Barker 1:11:27, Abi Bouckley 1:14:54.
David Culpan was the only Lion at Saturday’s Hoofstones race, an eight-mile fell race with 1,500 feet of ascent.
Low cloud and mist, together with wet underfoot conditions made the going tough but a new course record was set on the day by event first-timer Peter Davies, who clocked 1 hour 38 minutes.
A trio of Lions tackled the
Parky Up North 10-mile race on Saturday. The event was a fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK and Lion Anne Cawdron will also be fundraising for the charity when she runs a full marathon later on this year.
Results: Peter Cawdron 2:01:39, Carol Heptonstall 2:09:51, Anne Cawdron 2:09:51.
Incoming club chairman Tim Walker was the only Lion at this year’s St Aidan’s Winter Beast on Sunday, finishing in 57:48.
The challenging course takes in sections of trail and cross country. The Lions will be visiting St Aidan’s again in October for the popular half marathon, which is a counter in the club championships.
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