Red Rose Cross Country Race 2, Chorley, 11 Nov
Report by Lucy Hobbs
Saturday saw the second of the four Red Rose XC races held at Astley Park in Chorley over a very muddy, wet undulating course. The women’s vets team stormed to first place in the team competition led ably by Rebecca Patrick finishing the 4.8km course in 9th overall in 20.43 with Pauline May (11th) in 21.19 and then Kerry Edwards (21st) in 21.54. Other finishers were Kate Mansell (26th) in 22.12, Mel Blackhurst (37th) in 22.33 and Kim Ashworth (86th) in her 1st ever XC in 26.22. The men had to complete a longer 9.8km course and in a competitive field were led home by Andrew Worster in 17th place (40.16), whilst Graeme Brown was the first vet home in 25th (41.04), followed by Nick Barber in 26th (41.07), Andrew Wrench (42.04 and 1st V50) and Matt Flanagan in 72nd (45.29). The vet men now sit in silver position overall in the series. Other finishers were Richard Butterwick (80th – 45.50), Robin Tuddenham (83th 46.06), Paul Brannigan (149th – 50.37), James Riley (160th – 51.11) and Stuart Wolstenholme (161st – 51.13)