Comprising of 12 very diverse races featuring demanding road circuits, some testing fell and trail course the
PENDLE & BURNLEY GRAND PRIX requires a great commitment throughout the summer particularly as 10 races count towards the final awards totals.
Now celebrating it's 25th anniversary, this year's Grand Prix continued last night with the 4th event on the list, the Burnley Lions
COLNE 10K. Grand Prix entrants topped up by others, entering on the night, made up a field of 165 facing the fairly testing, undulating course on a very cool, grey overcast May evening. Perhaps good for running but far from ideal for
The 10K is another
COMPLETE RUNNER sponsored event and having set up the start and finish bamners, I installed myself at the half mile point to take some pics. Minutes past 7 the leading runner came into view and flashed past with no other runners in sight! Leeds City's
ALAN BUCKLEY had made his intentions clear from the gun. "Catch me if you can.....I'm waiting for no one!! " His 100% commitment was rewarded with a new course record of 31.44; 13 seconds inside the 1993 mark of Craig Metcalf.
The leading lady was not so conspicuous. International Tara Kryzywicki had won the first 3 races but was missing this one and unlike previous years the race failed to attract a leading lady not involved with the series itself.
With a 10K P.B. of 29.30 and a 30th place in the National Cross Champs, 36 year old Alan was simply in a class of his own last night and passing me on lap 2 had stretched his lead to 3 minutes; more by the end.
A bit of a wait before first lady
JAYNE BUTTERWORTH of Skipton appeared: picking up the F45 award as a bonus. Her time being 43.51
The
COMPLETE RUNNER , Nelson branch, was represented by manager
JOHN HENRY and his able assistant
SCOTT BAIRSTOW. Scott was having an "away day" from his usual haunts on the fells of the north, enjoying and performing creditably in his debut 10K; inside his race target but aware of more speedwork to improve in future events.
Last duty of the night , and a chance to thaw out, presenting the prizes ............
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