Running

Published at 11:12, Thursday, 17 May 2012

THE fourth road champs club counter race in local running club Black Combe Runners’ road races series for 2012 took place right on their doorstep when the annual Dalton-in-Furness 10k got underway from the town’s Cricket Club.

Weather conditions were sunny and breezy for the race as 89 athletes started, and from the off the lead was a brilliant three horse affair as Paul Singleton (Ambleside AC), Rogan Ashton (Otley AC) and Paul Foster (Durham AC) fought it out for much of the race.

The lead changed several times en-route right up to the final sprint on the cricket club grounds to the finishing line when the closest finish for first and second occurred as both runners were given the same time (36:07), and the Ambleside runner clinched it by the width of a vest.

The Durham runner was three seconds adrift to take third, but won the MV50 prize with this stunning performance.

Barrow Boxing Club, despite having no top three finishers, took the men’s team prize.

The ladies race was won by Helm Hill Runners’ Melanie Hyder in 37:28, a great effort from the young international. Last year’s winner Jane Perry from Lancaster AC took second in 42:17, coming in front of Ulverston Glaxo Hoad Hill Harriers’ Stephanie Gillies (43:01). Hoad Hill also went on to take the ladies team prize with Karen McKinnon and Rachel Ashton their other counters.

The surprise of the night went to Peter Hall from Barrow Striders who won the MV70 prize with a superb 41:18.

For the BCRs, club and handicap points were up for grabs to the three who turned up. James Goffe was first in a good 43:21 whilst Rob McKeever and Karl Fursey battled it out for the next places, finishing in 50:48 and 51:15 respectively. No BCR ladies took part.

The club’s next fell champs counter race is the Ennerdale Horseshoe 23 mile, 7500ft ascent event at 11am from the village on Saturday, June 2, with the Brathay Windermere marathon, at 10.30am this Sunday.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk