Horwich RMI Harriers – content for Bolton News 20th July 2017

David Barnes

Chris Farrell, only a week after the European Mountain Championships, had a superb race at the prestigious Snowdon International Mountain Race, coming 2nd behind Davide Magnini of Italy but leading the England team to victory in the team competition for the 2nd year in succession, with team colleagues Tom Adams and Chris Holdsworth in 3rd and 4th places. Chris’s plan was to tuck in behind Magnini on the climb and then catch him on the descent; it didn’t quite work but it was still a great result.

Horwich had several other fine performances in the race including James Kevan in 19th place leading the Ireland team home and the steadily improving Phil Marsden in 15th place mixing it with fell greats such as ex-Horwich Rob Hope and three-times winner Ian Holmes who overtook Phil on the summit and then within 15 seconds was out of eyeshot on the descent. Alastair Murray and Mark Walsh had strong runs too and mention must be made of Mark Birbeck completing the course and continuing to progress after serious injury on Ben Nevis a couple of years ago.

The Harriers fell running strength was also evident with Neil Holding taking the MV55 prize in 21st place overall at a mist shrouded Ingleborough on Saturday and only a day later in very warm sunshine, Simon Pymm and David Milliken’s performances at the Kentmere Horseshoe race, a classic Lakes fell race. Andy Ford was a bit defeated in this race by doing his usual night before stint supporting a Bob Graham Round runner but had posted a good result at Black Rocks earlier in the week. Meanwhile Gareth Booth was first at the hilly Pendle Festival 10k road race, a welcome return to winning ways for Gareth. And the evergreen Tony Hesketh was 21st and won the MV65 prize at the Wellybobs 10k trail race.

Two of Horwich’s athletes have been nominated for the Bolton Sports Awards in September, Lindsey Brindle for Sports Achiever of the Year, also after a serious injury in 2016; and Gemma Stokes a regular junior coach at the Arena track is nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award. Both are very well merited nominations not least for the inspiration they provide for Horwich junior athletes such as the youngest group led by Gemma which recently enjoyed the medal meeting of the Wigan Primary League at Robin Park with several performances gaining medals. And at Litherland in the YDL there were many personal bests and many first places for Horwich juniors. Four athletes achieved dual 1sts and PBs, Brandon Kerr at U15 High Jump, Lucas Brennand at U13 High Jump, Ella Pendlebury in the U15 1500m and Niall Maloney in the U15 100m.

In Parkrun this week there was a 1-2-3 at Haigh Woodland where Lukas Siska scorched around the route with Sam Wardle not far behind and Lewis Wilkes finding a change from Bolton is as good as a rest in 3rd place. At Heaton, Maria Lowe was 2nd female.

Snowdon International Mountain Race – 2nd Chris Farrell 01:07:48; 15th Phil Marsden 01:13:28; 19th James Kevan 01:15:14; 45th Alastair Murray 01:20:20; 87th Mark Walsh 01:26:08; 534th Mark Birbeck 02:16:10; Black Rocks fell race (Matlock) – 12th Andy Ford 41:26; Cracoe fell race – 80th Jason Middleton 42:10; u-12 race 46th Theo Middleton 12:39; Kentmere Horseshoe fell race – 21st Simon Pymm 01:45:27; 28th David Milliken 01:48:37; 122nd Andy Ford 02:07:57; 332nd Tony Varley 03:05:41; Ingleborough Mountain Race – 21st Neil Holding 01:00:32; 109th David Barnes 01:25:55; Pendle Festival 10k road race (Barley) – 1st Gareth Booth 37:08; Wellybob’s 10k trail race (Darwen) – 21st Tony Hesketh 47:17