Hundreds compete in this year’s Blacksticks Blue 10K

Sunday saw the quiet lanes of Whitechapel and Beacon Fell busy with more than 200 runners competing in this year’s Blacksticks Blue 10K Road Race.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th May 2015, 07:57 BST
SPEED KINGS: Robert Affleck, middle, of Preston Harriers, won the race in a impressive 34.24 minutes, with Daniel Miller, left, second and Anthony Valentine, right, of Bolton Harriers, third PICTURES: Anthony FarranSPEED KINGS: Robert Affleck, middle, of Preston Harriers, won the race in a impressive 34.24 minutes, with Daniel Miller, left, second and Anthony Valentine, right, of Bolton Harriers, third PICTURES: Anthony Farran
SPEED KINGS: Robert Affleck, middle, of Preston Harriers, won the race in a impressive 34.24 minutes, with Daniel Miller, left, second and Anthony Valentine, right, of Bolton Harriers, third PICTURES: Anthony Farran

Perfect running weather bought running clubs from all over Lancashire – even the Wirral and Prestwich – for another successful event.

The course offers beautiful scenery combined with a tough 10K course, which has the long slow climb of Carwags up to Beacon Fell’s Visitor Centre.

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Whitechapel PTFA along with members of the local community have the organisation down to a fine art now the race is in its sixth year, with continued support from sponsors, Butler’s Farmhouse Cheeses and the Running Centre in Lancaster. 
A new addition this year was “Summit Physiotherapy” who offered advice and massages before and after the race.

SPEED KINGS: Robert Affleck, middle, of Preston Harriers, won the race in a impressive 34.24 minutes, with Daniel Miller, left, second and Anthony Valentine, right, of Bolton Harriers, third PICTURES: Anthony FarranSPEED KINGS: Robert Affleck, middle, of Preston Harriers, won the race in a impressive 34.24 minutes, with Daniel Miller, left, second and Anthony Valentine, right, of Bolton Harriers, third PICTURES: Anthony Farran
SPEED KINGS: Robert Affleck, middle, of Preston Harriers, won the race in a impressive 34.24 minutes, with Daniel Miller, left, second and Anthony Valentine, right, of Bolton Harriers, third PICTURES: Anthony Farran

Robert Affleck from Preston Harriers won the race in a impressive 34.24 minutes, with Daniel Miller second and Anthony Valentine from Bolton Harriers in third place.

The first lady, Maria Snell, from Lancaster & Morecambe AC, crossed the finishing line in 42.40 minutes, with Kirsty Normanton of Burden RR second and Nicola Iddon third.

Blacksticks Blue cheese and wine hampers were given to the first three men and women, with fourth and fifth places winning a Runner’s Centre voucher, running socks, and cash.

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The fastest runner from each veterans’ category won a bottle of wine, including the eldest runner in the V80+ category, Mike Walsh aged 83.

The children did not miss out, with an impressive 50 youngsters entering the 1K Cross Country Fun Run. Each child won a medal and creamy Lancashire cheese, supplied by Butler’s Farmhouse Cheeses.

“Such a fantastic sight to see the faces of sheer determination as the children crossed the line.

“Congratulations to our first four boys – Jack Banks, aged 10, Daniel Coar, 9, Toby Coar, 7, and Edan Haine-Simey, 8, and to our first four girls – Holly Beswick, 7, Holly Simey, 12, Kate Hayhurst, 12, and Eadie Beswick, 8.

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“A special mention to the Peall family, with mum Jennie running with baby James aged seven months on her chest, alongside her daughter Madeline, 2, and son Henry, 7, an impressive family effort!” said a race spokesman, adding: “Whitechapel PTFA wish to thank everyone who worked so hard with the organisation and running of another successful event, to all our sponsors and especially to all the runners who continue to support us.

“All money raised goes towards the PTFA and Whitechapel and Inglewhite Multi-Use Games Area.”