Twenty Lostockers headed to Bury for the September instalment of the Parkrun Championship, taking on the undulating and notoriously uneven course at Clarence Park. The route consists of two laps around the main bandstand followed by two laps around a field, with the uneven terrain making it a particularly tough challenge.
Antony Sutton and Andy Kerks had an incredibly close race, both recording 21:53, finishing eighth and ninth overall respectively.
Greg Kilshaw was next home in 24:08, followed by Luke Baker, who produced an excellent 24:28 to win his age category. Andy Laycock followed in 25:17, with Jay Smith recording 26:15 and Chris Baker 26:22.
Rachel Hancock was the first Lostock female home in 26:49, also winning her age category.
There was then a steady stream of green across the finish line, with Brian Halton recording 26:59, Lee Burns 27:52 and Mary White 27:32. White was first in her age category and achieved the highest age-grade position.
Katie Edern (30:03), Rachel Stevens (30:04), Bev Atherton-McKenna (30:04) and Terri Aldred (30:05) enjoyed a great club run, crossing the finish line together. Jo McManus was also accompanied by her daughter Orla in her pram. The difficult terrain made the run particularly challenging, but completed the course in 30:20.
Ian Burns followed in 30:56, Markus Stevens in 32:18, Gill Baker in 33:40 and Karen Taylor in 34:56.
With three more Parkruns still to come, the championship table remains incredibly close, so there is everything to play for.
