If not misty and moisty, a grey and gloomy day awaited the arrival of competitors, officials and supporters for the Bill Jackson 5 kilometres held in conjunction with the Club’s Annual General Meeting. Eleven sturdy souls toed the starting line including newcomer Alex Rowe, a marathoner of some repute.

Fortunately, given the enforced absence of stalwarts, Dave and Pat Evans, a healthy number of supporters were available to fulfil the usual practical tasks.. Holding affairs together was the indispensable, distinguished figure of Eric Horwill, who had travelled by train from the Midlands, far from an easy journey, to be our timekeeper and recorder. Irene Pike and Christine Pearce kept him company and under manners, whilst Martin Payne and Sailash Shah, both injured, covered the twists and turns of the course. Chris Harvey and myself, something of spare parts, shouted encouragement and doled out bits of technical advice.

From the outset of the race a pattern was established. Tony Bell and Ken Connor fled the field and raced neck-to-neck or enjoyed a ding-dong battle, whichever cliche you prefer, through to the finish. By and large the rest followed in something of a procession, enlivened by two prolonged duels between, firstly Ian Hilditch and John Crahan, secondly Greg Smith and Steve Wilde. In the end Tony and Ken dead-heated for the honours, creating great excitement in the village. Such was the commotion that several drivers lost their bearings and proved to be a pain in the buttock for all competitors in the closing, narrow stages of the course – of which dilemmas more later.

The race was followed by the AGM – with Greg Smith and Roy Gunnett leading the proceedings with aplomb and good humour. As ever, pithy asides were proffered by John Crahan, who recollected he had in the past competed gamely in the shot-put against the late, oft controversial Geoff Capes, twice a Commonwealth gold medallist.

I didn’t keep notes on the meeting but here are a few of the highlights.

Awards and Club representatives

Cliff Royle Silver Salver, which is awarded for the best long-distance performance by a Lancashire Walking – Roy Gunnett

A. J. Taylor Award, which goes to the best performance by a Lancashire Walking Club member. It can be objectively or subjectively ‘the best’ – Andrea Lennon

Chris Harvey was nominated to the honorary position of Club President and Ian Hilditch was appointed the club captain

News of members

The nonagenarian John Payn is alert and well, inhabiting evidently a rather small room in a Care Home, yearning to be on the road again. At some point we must pay homage to his remarkable achievements as a Masters Athlete.

Worryingly, Julian Hopkins, an outstanding member of the successful Club Team of yesteryear and a former National Coach suffered a stroke a fortnight before our meeting. He was not found for three days. Having visited him it was with some relief that I reported that he was able to converse in a typically. enthusiastic voice. It is too soon to know the extent of his recovery and the possibilities of independence. More to follow

Annual Subscriptions

There was a significant discussion about the relation between our Club subscription and the amount demanded by UK Athletics, namely £19. In addition there was an issue of 2ⁿᵈ claim members paying over the odds.. More on this in the future post. Meanwhile it was agreed that our Club subscription be increased to £25 per annum.

Course Concerns

Given there were some issues on the day about traffic on the Sinister course, a wider discussion ensued about the suitability of our present portfolio of venues. It was agreed we should give further thought to this question, bearing in mind the rich traditions connected to such venues as Simister, Sutton and Chorley. More to follow.

HANDICAP

1. Steve Wilde 29:01
2. Tony Bell/Ken Connor 29:34
3. Roy Gunnett 30:29
4. Greg Smith 30:33
5. Joe Hardy 31:44
6. Ian Hilditch 32:04
7. John Crahan 32:38
8. Phil McCullagh 33:36
9. Andrea Lennon 35:05
10. Alex Rowe 35:17

AGE-GRADED

1. Roy Gunnett 83.3%
2. Joe Hardy 79.07%
3. Ian Hilditch 78.48%
4. Andrea Lennon 78.35%
5. Tony Bell 75.50%
6. Ken Connor 74.30%
7. Greg Smith 72.42%
8. Steve Wilde 71.09%
9. John Crahan 69.35%
10. Phil McCullagh 64.85%
11. Alex Rowe 57.89%

Thanks to Martin Payne for the excellent photos.