Race report by road captain Gareth:
Yesterday saw 14 Lostockers (I’m including honorary youngster Luke Baker, who ran because his dad Chris entered twice by accident lol) take part in the beautiful Last Drop Village 5K race.
This is North Bolton Runners event & the last on this years Central Lancs Grand Prix circuit.
And an absolute belter of a race this was but then again I’m always well disposed to write something nice when I can park at registration and get a free brew afterwards.
In all seriousness though it’s a great little race, sold out ages ago with a maximum of 200 runners, starting in Last Drop Village near the pub. Good mix of terrain: mud, field, trail & tarmac with the usual gates and stiles to slow you down and a juicy 450ft of elevation to keep you honest.
No messing about at the start, straight uphill (think Tanners Brew) for about 150 metres before you literally come to a standstill with congestion at the first gate, I did wonder what was the point of running up it as you lost any advantage gained! Through the gate & along a narrow single file only trail for a bit, down through a field, up a bit, down a bit, through a kissing gate, lovely long downhill then through Turton Park and around the tower and come back on yourself meaning the lovely downhill becomes a horrid uphill 🤣🤮 & basically circumnavigate Turton golf course coming to the finish the opposite way round and along a really muddy section before finishing in a field meaning you didn’t even get to go downhill on the uphill bit you’d done at the start lol.
But it’s a beauty of a route with great views of Winter Hill, west penine moors, Darwen Tower and Manchester city centre which really stood out once you’d got to the top of the last climb.
Back to the Last Drop inn after the race where we were provided with pastries, tea & coffee which was a lovely treat 😊.
Some really strong performances from team green, big shout outs to Paul Edwards (11th place!!) Rachel Stevens, Rachel Susan Hancock, Jenna Wood, Tony Maxwell, Sheila Garewal & Gillian Caldwell for backing up after cross country the day before!
For the record, well done everyone 💚🖤:
Paul Edwards: 21:58 11/186
Chris Baker: 26:39 43/186
Gareth Pratt: 26:59 45/186
Luke Baker: 28:05 58/186
Rach Hancock: 28:07 59/186
Johanna McManus: 28:16 60/186
Tony Maxwell: 28:24 65/186
Mary White: 29:43 77/186
Rach Stevens: 31:12 94/186
Jenna Wood: 32:04 103/186
Stephen Hancock: 33:12 111/186
Lynda Hardman: 34:46 118/186
Sheila Garewal: 35:09 122/186
Gill Caldwell 36:25 136/186
