Howard’s way to go

Date published: 25 July 2014


SIXTY Royton Road Runners assembled on the start line for the Ian Terry Memorial 5K trail race at Cowm — an event in the Club Championship series.

Conditions were muggy but mercifully dry for the duration of the race, despite the threat of downpours.

This seemed to suit some better than others. For example, the remarkably quick time achieved by first Royton finisher Stuart Carroll, who claimed V40 honours and was third overall in 17 minutes 23 seconds.

There were also some impressive improvements on times posted over the same course at the Ian Casey 5K two months earlier.

Simon Howard (22:48) takes pride of place for knocking more than a minute off his previous time.

Great credit also goes to Sheila Phillips (third FV65 in 33:05), Fay Royle (second FV55 in 25:18), Mary Freer (second FV35 in 29:50), Neil Farrell (third V50 in 20:32), June Allingan (first FV70 in 29:28), Katherine Brierley (27:37) and Bernie Cassidy (first V55 in 20:18), each of whom improved their times by 30 seconds or more.

Meanwhile, Dave McBride raced into the top five (second V40) thanks to 17:54, which was 22 seconds quicker than his effort in May.

Chris Lowe (sixth overall, 18:10) made it a clean sweep of the top three V40 places and Philip Marsden produced a fine 18:20 for eighth place overall in his first run in club colours.

He was one of seven Royton members among the first 10 finishers, which also included Owen Flage, Shane Reading and Gary Fielding in 18:13, 18:40 and 18:45 respectively).

The Royton women once again picked up most of the age-category prizes.

Kirsty White was first FV40 (second woman overall, 20:06), Debbie Shaw first FV45 (21:26), Diane Allingan first FV55 (24:54) and Teresa Hollins first FV60 (25:07).
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