Race report by Josie:
Tour of Pendle 2025
Five Lostockers ventured to Barley Village Hall at the foot of Pendle Hill on Saturday to put themselves through one of the toughest AL races on the South West Pennines. With almost 17miles and over 4800 foot of ascent, this late season race is often ran in some formidable weather conditions and over some unforgiving terrain.
This 2025 Edition was edging on some of the worst conditions with bitter 35+mph winds and extremely boggy underfoot. After a long climb to the summit of Pendle Hill, the race becomes really runnable across the plateau. Too fast here and you pay the price later. For many, the race begins once they’ve stepped off the edge of the earth and descended the notorious ‘geronimo’! The steepest, slippiest hill on the race. From here on, it’s a climbing race with 3 huge hills remaining, each one getting longer and steeper.
After battling the wind from every direction, all 5 Team Lostock showed true grit and determination finishing the race in respectable times.
First past the finish line was young Tom Grundy (3:38) followed closely behind and as 2nd LV50, Josie Greenhalgh (3:39). Fell Captain Mark Shuttleworth resisted being blown away arriving at the finish in 4:11 before our final runners Mike Ernill (4:22) and Kerry Jackson (4.46). Times are from Strava as Results have not yet been published.
Shutters comments:
Well done Josie & Kerry who both completed the course with knee niggles. It was a tough old day, the wind was in our faces on the last 3 climbs and it was very boggy making this years race tougher than in most previous years. We certainly earned our 2025 ToP t-shirt to add to the collection. During the 2nd half of the race I did seriously consider my sanity and announcing that i would not be doing this again however, after eating half the kitchen Saturday night and yesterday, a couple of glasses of wine and a good nights sleep i think i might consider doing it in 2026 😆.
