Race report by Race Director Mark Shuttleworth:
Leo Pollard Memorial Fell Race
This was the 4th running of the race which is named after Lostock AC’s late President Leo Pollard who was also a prominent member of Achille Ratti Climbing Club and a very accomplished Fell runner.
And it was good to see Leos family out in force including sons John, Gary, daughters Elaine and Diane and grandkids who ran the race Rob Green Jr, Rob Garstang and Yves Pollard (and girlfriend Amy).
This years race was the 1st time it had been run in Conjunction with the Horwich Festival of Racing.
The race itself was a tussle between Achille Ratti runners Rob Green Jr (Leos Grandson), Mark Smith (Christine Smiths son) and Holcombe runner Matt Driver with the lead changing several times around the course, at the finish Mark just out-sprinted Rob to win the race, well done Mark!
I was there at the finish line to listen to all 3 recount the race as it had unfolded, all 3 were as happy as could be having obviously enjoyed the competition for the top 3 places. The 1st lady home was Karen Moorfield (Wigan Pheonix), Karen has also run the 3 previous Leo Pollard Memorial Fell races in 2019, 2022 & 2023, well done Karen. 2nd was Rachel Hancock (Lostock AC) and 3rd Vicki Hamer (Burnden Road Runners).
The race route is a tough course climbing from the Rivington Barn to the Pigeon Tower, then the Pike before dropping down to Georges Lane then up to 2 Lads and the Trig Point via the Mast road. Runners were then routed back the way they came to the Mast then across the moor to the Pike for the 2nd time, then the Pigeon Tower and then finish at the Barn.
There were plenty of runners who had found the mud on the Mast to Pike section and all seemed happier for it!
A big thankyou to Bolton Mountain Rescue for providing Safety Cover for the race and there will be a cheque for £250 presented to BMR shortly.
Thankyou also to Woodland Trust & United Utilities for allowing the race to be routed over their land.
Also thankyou to the Salmon Family at Rivington Barn for allowing the use of the grounds/car park on race night.
