Lancaster Bridges 10K, Keswick AC Club 10K Championship -Sun 3rd April

Eighteen yellow and green vests mixed in with the sizeable crowd of 338 this morning, which was a record field for the race. The heavy showers that had earlier fallen on the course had been blown away on a steady breeze, to make for very pleasant conditions for the opening race of the 2011 Club Road Championship.


A large group which included the 2010 Club Road Champion Russell Maddams, Fell Champ Steve Hebblethwaite and Josh Hebson in only his second competitive outing over the disctance, went through the opening mile in 5:15, 32:30 pace. At two miles, former winner of the race Steve Littler (Wesham RR) hit the front and took up the pace, pulling away with James Reed (Altringham & Dist) as the group stretched out behind. However the flight of steps up the embankment to bridge number two requires a considerable effort off race pace, and despite Reed's kick to edge out Littler for the victory, a modest 33:03 took the win today.


Further back, Russ, off the back of high mileage in preparaion for the marathon was strong -coming through to take third in 33:27, ancohoring a delighted first placed Keswick AC men's team with Steve (34:22) and Josh (35:15).


Contrary to an earlier published report it was new Keswick AC signing Neil Cockbain who took maximum points in the V40 Club Championship category with 37:21 from Andrew Slattery (40:35), and Mike Beechey who was involved in a finishing dash with Quentin Merritt, Q pulling out the stops for 43:51 to Mike's 43:56. The result sets Quentin up as the man to beat in the V50 Road Championship as he moves into the category this year.


In the ladies competition, only 18 seconds separated the first three in the battle for early season Road Championship points -2010 V40 Club Road Champion Sue Wilkinson clocking 46:05, just edging out Helen Winskill (46:18) and Annabel Holmes (46:23) for top honours. Her 46:05 gave Wilkinson the prize for 1st FV45, and sets her up as the favourite to defend her FV40 club-title from last year, while Kim Clark (48:45) took top honours in the FV50 category.


Although not a day for pbs, a great start to the 2011 Championships and some excellent racing was enjoyed. Early in the season for many, it will be interesting to see how folk come on as spring moves on into summer with the next fixture in the 2011 Keswick AC Club Road Championship (best 4 races from 6 to count) at the Keswick Half Marathon (1st May), then continuing with the Lambfoot Loop 10K (24th May), Bodyfit 5K (13th July), Lancaster 5K Series race 4 (27th August), and Brampton-Carlisle 10 (20th November). Well done to all those who raced today.

1. James Reed (Altringham) -33:03
2. Steve Littler (Wesham RR) -33:04
3. Russell Maddams (Keswick AC) -33:27

5. Steve Hebblethwaite -34:22
8. Josh Hebson -35:15
21. Neil Cockbain -37:21 (V40)
23. Ian Davies -37:55
43. Andrew Slattery -40:35 (V40)
74. Quentin Merritt -43:51 (V50)
76. Mike Beechey -43:56 (V40)
157. Chris Clark -48:27 (V60)

52. Karen Bridge (Eden Runners) -41:11
53. Joanne Taylor (Kendal AC) -41:17
65. Caroline Hemming (Spectrum Striders) -42:48

11. Sue Wilkinson -46:05 (V45)
116. Helen Winskill -46:18
118. Annabel Holmes -46:23 (V40)
131. Rachel Slattery -47.10 (V40)
160. Kim Clark -48:45 (V50)
170. Nikki Kay -49:36
179. Fionna Rigg -50:09 (V40)
271. Sarah Ashcroft -58:47 (V45)
279. Sarah Pepper -1:00:17 (V40)

Full results here.

All pictures © Phil Winskill