Windy city proves mighty pretty for Mia Derbyshire9 October 2023 (by D.Cartwright) |
A trip to the USA proved successful for Mia Derbyshire when she ran a new personal best in the marathon.
The Radcliffe Athletic Club member was among the 27,000 people who took part in the world-famous Chicago Marathon.
She clocked 3:24:49 and said: “I struggled massively during the last few miles and I wasn’t sure if I would even finish. I’ve been really struggling with my hamstring for the past two weeks so I’m absolutely made up with my time.
“It was a great course with an unbelievable crowd - an amazing experience. I feel very lucky to have taken part.”
Mia warmed up for her 26.2 miles by running 23:41 the day before at Cornerstones Lakes parkrun in Chicago, finishing fourth woman.
Closer to home, members were out in force for the last fixture of the Central Lancashire Grand Prix which is contested by local clubs. With final series places still to be decided, they posted great times at the warm but muddy Gin Pit Five Mile Trail Race in Astley.
Craig Norman was 17th overall in 33:59, ahead of Mark Garner (37:09) and Mark Williams (39:30). Sheila Jones was first VW65 in 42:52 and other results were: David Bartlett (44:17), Karen Doherty (44:46), Ethan Malone (45:18), Alison Howarth (46:00), Kathryn Davies (46:25), Elaine Bailey (50:55), Sheila McNulty (57:35), Lucy Tetler (58:20), Natalie Hitchen (59:26), Bev Quinton (1:08:23) and Mike Scott (1:08:29).
Stephen Crowe and Ken Smith ran a race with a difference when they took part in The Drop.
Participants were blindfolded before being driven and dropped off at various locations 10 miles as the crow flies from Deansgate, Manchester. They then had to get back using only a map and no GPS.
Running together, Stephen and Ken were lucky with their drop-off point of Affetside in Bury. Their route back though Harwood, Breightmet, Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich was approximately 14 miles and took them 2:54:00.
Rob Shiels was a superb 38th in 1:33:55 at the Rochdale Half Marathon which started in the town centre and took runners along the canal to Hollingworth Lake and back. Meanwhile Adam Wills clocked 1:42:45 to come 31st at the West Coast Half Marathon from Preston to Lytham St Annes.
Two runners were at the popular 26.2km Chester Metric Marathon. In very hot conditions, Emma Wolstencroft finished her favourite race in 2:54:49 while Helen Kay ran 3:09:14.
Ian Swan was among more than 50 runners who were forced to drop out of the Langdale Horseshoe Fell Race due to atrocious weather. Of the tough Lakeland classic, he said: “The weather was an absolute shocker with gale force winds, lots of rain and very low clag. Visibility dropped to zero and it was impossible to navigate in those conditions.”
Natalie Hitchen notched up her 100th parkrun, clocking 36:14 at Bolton. She was joined by lots of her teammates and Sheila Jones was fourth woman, and first VW65, in 26:52. Other results: Alison Howarth (first VW50 28:53), Kathryn Davies (31:28), Mark Williams (31:32), Helen Kay (36:17), Tracy Wroe (36:18), Caroline Malone (36:18), Bev Quinton (41:52), Michael Scott (42:20), Iain Harris (44:26), Andy Wheeler (55:34 walking).
Martin Archer ran his first sub-25-minute 5k with a time of 22:46 at Keswick parkrun, while junior Robbie Parkinson was the club’s first finisher in 22:17 at Heaton Park. He was followed by Mark Taylor (23:15), Rob Shiels (23:49), Helen Sandiford (31:32) and Sara Parry (43:29).
Results from elsewhere: Bramhall Park – Katherine Biddle (27:45); Clarence – Charlotte Holden (29:02), Elaine Bailey (first VW65 34:47) and Peter Warr (50:21).
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