Race report by Fell Captain Josie
STAN BRADSHAW PENDLE ROUND
Advertised as 10.4mi/1936ft
A great team of 6 Lostock Fellrunners headed over to Pendle Hill this morning for the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round in blissful ignorance of the weather forecast!
Starting at Barley Village Hall, the race begins with a mile of road to the fell before a lungbusting climb to the summit of Pendle Hill.
In his usual form, Rob Sharkey led the way leaving the rest of the team trailing in his wake for the duration!
In a turnaround from last week’s race, young Tom Grundy found his form by showing superb strength on the first snowy climb, forging ahead of Josie Greenhalgh who could only watch him disappear into the mist.
From the summit Trig, the race headed over the spine of Pendle in a mix of snow and bogs down to Churn Reservoir. Visibility during this section was down to 40ft with flurries of snow and hail falling intermittently.
After enduring the final big climb and a legsapping run across the bogs of Driver and Sadler’s height, the race finished with a treacherous descent to Lower Ogden Reservoir and fast run down the road back to Barley.
Crossing the line in 1:29:29 and 1st Lostocker was Rob Sharkey followed closely behind by Tom Grundy in 1:32:02.
1st Lostock lady home was Josie Greenhalgh in 1:35:39, also picking up 1st LV50 prize.
Finishing 20minutes faster than last year, Mark Shuttleworth returned to form with a time of 1:42:35 followed by a gutsy performance from first timer Rachel Hancock on her first race of the weekend in 1:57:10 and 7th LV50.
Mark Checkley exceeded his own expectations completing the Lostock team in 2:15:23!
Fantastic performances all round and best £5 ever spent on a race! Thanks all for taking part & well done! 😎👏👏
