Chorley Harrier veterans hit form

11:08am Monday 2nd June 2008

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Chorley Harriers’ veteran athletes have been in fine form lately, particularly in local duathlon events.

Vet50 Steve Thomas and Vet45 Peter Downs finished high up the order in 10th and 11th respectively at the Rosemere Duathlon at Catforth, albeit having gone some four miles off course in the cycling section at which point the pair were in the top six.

It was also down to poor directions on the course that sent Harriers newcomer Victoria Davison to a similar fate, detouring some 6 miles before pulling back to 22nd place.

At the Rivington Duathlon, Downs and Thomas stayed on course this time and performed strongly again to take 14th and 16th places.

Blind Harrier and Vet55 Mike Ogle cycled on a tandem and ran with Malc Christie to finish just over ten minutes behind his club mates to take a superb 39th spot.

Meanwhile stalwart Harrier Martin Harrington took on the Brathay Windermere Marathon.

As part of his preparations for taking on the distance at the Zermatt event in Switzerland, the Vet50 runner was delighted to complete the 26 miles of rolling inclines in 4 hours 28 minutes.

Vet40 Paul Jackson was also in fine form with a course best time in the first race of the Harrock Hill series near Parbold. Jackson took 18th spot in 37.42 and was joined by 15 club mates at the popular event.

John Sutton was first Chorley runner home with sixth place in 34.29, while Russ Barron was 14th and Malc Christie 19th. Steve O’Connor took 27th spot in 39.21 and in-form Steve Thomas was 43rd and 7th Vet50 in 42.01.

Anna Crabtree was ninth lady overall and led home the ladies from the club a few minutes ahead of Lisa Johnston, 13th in 46.57. Jenny Wyles was 14th in 47.53 with Jan Atkins taking the first Vet60 lady prize in 49.56. Marie Dewhurst was close behind with Janet Chaplin a minute on, just getting the better of Alison Fowler who was first U18 lady inn 51.37. Vet50 Roger Johnson eased back into racing action having recovered from a pulled muscle.