Penistone ladies relay team make history

HISTORY was made at the weekend as a team from Penistone Footpath Runners took part in the English National Road Relay Championships at Sutton Park, the premier club road running event in the country.

The competition involved running six stages around the iconic Midlands course, each athlete completing either 3.1 miles or 5.3 miles.

The six ladies racing with the best club runners in the country were Julia Cobham, Lesley Parker, Rachael Mayston, Becky Timms, Jill Carlton and Jill Scrivens who completed their 23 miles in a time of 2-55-26. This was enough to see them finish in 44th place overall.

During the week Penistone runners took part in this year’s first running of the Trunce and the Spencer’s Dash races. 56 Penistone runners took part in the Trunce and 50 in the Spencer’s Dash.

Penistone were particularly successful at the Spencer’s Dash claiming five of the first six places.

First back was Scott Hinchliffe in 19-57 followed by Gareth Cooke, 20-27, and in third Andrew Hepenstall finishing in 21-29.

Hugh Mackie placed second at the junior Trunce race in a personal best time of 14-28 and Imogen Wolff was the second junior girl back in 16-04.

In the senior races Lee Storey was the first Penistone runner back finishing twelfth overall in a time of 27-29.

He was followed by Daren Nockels (18th, 28- 03) and Damian Kilpin (21st, 28-20). First lady back in 98th place for Penistone was the fast improving Sam Shaw in 33-28. She was followed by Becky Timms (104th, 34-07) and Julie Darigala (121st 34-54).

Sarah Walch competed in the 50 kilometre Kielder Ultra finishing in a time of 5-38-53 and was tenth lady. Andy Walch competed in the 32 kilometre version of the race and finished in 3-36-44 giving him 23rd place.

Up on the fells over Hayfield eleven Penistone runners competed in the Chicken run. First Penistone runner back was Richard Mackie. Elsewhere on the fells Ian Charlesworth took part in the second English Championship fell race at Howgill. Ian completed the 14.5 mile course which includes 6,800 feet of ascent in 4-25-26 which placed him 274th overall.

Seven Penistone runners made the short trip over the Pennines to compete in the Manchester Marathon.

Gareth Cooke broke his own club record finishing in an amazing time of 2-26-48 which gave him an overall finish of 7th place. Next in for Penistone was Gary Briscoe in a personal best time of 2-50-38. Jemma Williams completed her first marathon in a time of 3-37-10. Others who competed were Stephen Owen 4-02-23, Jude Matthews 4-15-48, Michael Walsh 4-28-18 and Luke McGuinness in 4-41-14.

Sam Shaw and Keith Gordon were both rewarded with club records after they made the trip to Hornsea to take part in the slightly unusual Hornsea 1/3 Marathon. Sam claimed the Ladies club record, beating the previous mark by 5 minutes in a time of 1-03-15. Keith broke the over-70 man’s record in a time of 1-11-27.

To top it all Sam tool third place in the ladies race and Keith second in the male over-70 category.