Race report by Gareth:
An absolutely tremendous turnout of twelve Lostockers took on the final race in this year’s road/trail champs, the beautiful, at times stunning and always challenging Rivington Trail Half Marathon.
An annual fundraiser for Chorley Ladies Football Club, this is an always friendly and well organised event with smiling & encouraging marshals all the way round. Starting and finishing on the footy pitch at Rivvi and Blackrod High School we were underway at 10am on a perfect Autumn morning for racing, 13 degrees, no wind, no rain & slightly overcast.
The first mile is always the toughest, straight up Roynton Road and on to the cobbles for a non stop climb of about a mile, then drop down under 7 arch bridge and onto lower house car park, then taking in Top Barn, down Sheephouse Lane and then up to Yarrow Res, a bit of road and then a tough slog up Lead Mines Clough, more lovely down hill then onto White Coppice and back along the goit through a bit of mud and puddles. Then a lovely long section alongside Anglezarke with many ups and downs before dropping down to Dean Brook and up more steps through another field and eventually picking up Roynton Lane & a fast steep downhill on Roynton Road before finishing off in traditional style with the dreaded lap of the football pitch! Different route this year due to the road closure made for a challenging 13 mile course with over 1400ft of climbing.
This race was a triumph for Lostockers with knee problems, superstar of the day was Daniel to be first back for team green with a great performance despite having knee issues keeping him out of action for a while. Fellow knee sufferer Andy put in a storming performance against the odds and after devoting more time to the Chill Factor than running 🤣. Brian, Hazel (more knee problems after a fall on Wednesday) and myself ran together for almost all the race before Brian kicked on towards the end and Hazel put in a great sprint finish to pick off a few competitors!
Another absolutely mega performance from Paul just 6 days after Chester Marathon to be only a few minutes behind us & on his least favourite surface & after a fall mid race was so impressive. It was great to see Sean & Sam who ran together and finished just behind Paul. Biggest smiles of the day went to Rachel (another lostocker to take a tumble), Louise, Terri & George who ran the whole race together, finished hand in hand and clearly had a great time!
Well done everyone, what a great morning out 💚🖤
