The Lostock 6 returned for its 42nd year on Sunday 23rd February. The race was another sell out and from 8.30am runners started to gather on the car park on the corner of Lockstock Lane. Sadly, the weather was against us this year and it was a cold a rainy day but this did not deter the 416 participants.
The race was started with an inspiring speech from the Mayor of Bolton, Andy Morgan, who was joined by Mayoress Helen Morgan. This was followed by a warm-up from Lostocks very own ‘Mel the Motivator,’ who despite technical difficulties was able to make runners forget about the wet weather and get ready to race!
The race is a favourite of run clubs as is a fast race on road around Lostock and Westhoughton. The toughest part of the run is the climb along Regents Road but participants are rewarded with a fast run along Chorley New Road to the finish on Hall Lane.
The first male runner was Daniel Bird of Swinton Running Club who finished in an epic time of 33:06. In second place was Ryan Snee of Horwich RMI Harriers in 33:25 and third runner was Chris Benjamin of Leigh Harriers in 34:01
The first female was Dee Allen of Leigh Harriers in a fantastic 36:46, she was followed by Carolyn Capsey of Swinton Running Club in 39:05 and Heather Tomlinson of Bolton United Harriers in 39:14.
The winners of the first male team were Leigh Harriers and the champions of the first female team was Bolton United Harriers. The prize for the largest group online entry went to Burnden Road Runners and the winner for most senior finisher category V75 was George Williams, who completed the race in an outstanding 53:57, well done George!
13 Lostock AC members joined the other participants and the first to cross the finish line was Paul E in an impressive 39:31, Gaz in 44:16 and then the first Lostock female to cross the line was Jo in an awesome 46:29. There was then a plethora of Lostockers finishing including Dave P (46:46), Brian H (47:20), Chris (47:47), Mel (48:41), Dave G (49:52), Rachel H (50:11), Rachel S (54:56), Matt (55:35), Lynda (58:27) and Ste (1:04:21).
Lostock AC would like to thank our prize sponsor HiSpec for their support in providing the bespoke technical running caps with a print of the course outline. They were definitely a hit with the runners on a rainy Sunday morning.
Thank yous also go to Mayor of Bolton, Andy Morgan and Mayoress Helen Morgan for supporting the event and remaining at the finish line to greet runners despite the wet weather. Chorley Angels who provided first aid safety cover for the race, the team at Mad Bull Events for chip timing and results service, Scan and Heritage frames for the use of their numerous car parks, Tobutt Sports for assisting with category prizes and finally we would like to thank The Pendle Grill for providing hot sandwiches and drinks.
We would also like to thank Scott and Kate Rotheram who have organised that Lostock 6 for the last 8 years. This was Scott’s final year as Race Director, and he has done an amazing job. The Lostock 6 could not have taken place without them.
Lastly thankyou to all the runners whose enthusiasm and commitment make this race so special, your kind post-race messages make it all worthwhile for all of us who volunteer to help ensure you cross the finish line.
See you all on the start line next year, the last Sunday in February for another “6miles of smiles!”
