Roy Gunnett reports:

There was an excellent turnout of 15 walkers for the Allen Trophy 7 miles race held at Chorley on April 27, 2019. This was the first race following the passing of our President Fred Pearce and our thoughts were much more on our dear friend Fred than the race.

The race was held over the new ‘out and back’ course. This is tough and hilly, made even harder on the day by 45+ mph winds resulting from Storm ‘Hannah’.

Adrian Edwards and Martin Fisher battled it out for the lead with Adrian proving stronger in the last mile to secure the scratch win. Third finisher Tony Malone fought hard to break his target of a sub 70 minutes time and only just missed out. He was however rewarded with the handicap win, thus taking the Allen Trophy. The last time he won this was in 1975 when he was 24!!

The rest of the field was well strung out behind. Phil McCullagh yet again passed many in the second half with what is becoming his trademark tactic of negative splits.

7 MILES

1. Adrian Edwards M55 LWC 67:56 [H’cap 1.30 H’capTime 66:36 Pos 4 Pts 22
2. Martin Fisher M55 Redcar WC 68:08 [1.00; 67:06 Guest]
3. Tony Malone M65 LWC 70:15 [6:25; 63:50; 1; 25]
4. Stuart Edgar M45 Dudley & Stour 76:08 [7:10; 68:58; 7; 19]
5. Tony Bell M55 76:51 [7:45; 69:06; 8: 18]
6. Phil McCullagh M60 LWC 79:16 [14:30; 64:46; 2; 24]
7. Roy Gunnett M70 LWC 80:36 [13:40; 66:56; 6; 20]
8. Joe Hardy M75 LWC 80:45 [15:10; 65:35; 3: 23]
9. Pat Evans W65 LWC 83:08 [16:30;66:38; 5; 21]
10. John Crahan M70 LWC 84:31 [13:00; 71:31;11; 17]
11. Ian Hilditch M75 LWC 84:45 [16:30; 70:15; 10; 16]
12. Ian Vaughan M65 LWC 92:59 [18:50; 74:09; 12; 15]
13. Steven Wild 92:59 Unattached/Guest
14. Andrea Lennon 100:50 [31:40; 69:10; 9; 17]

3.5 MILES

1. Judy Fisher LWC 56:33 [Pts 14]

NEXT RACE:

BMAF 5k CHAMPIONSHIPS AT HORWICH, JUNE 16 at 11.00 a.m.