Jean Brown Sets New Record
The run of the day had to be from from Jean Brown who worked her way through the field from 20th position at CP3 to 9th position overall. In doing so, she finished first lady and set a new course record.
In the men's race, Neil Northrop of Dark Peak set a scorching pace right from the outset, at the front of the field and the following pack struggled to keep up. Shaun Chew was one of those chasing Neil, but the fast pace eventually took its toll and as he faded, it allowed Neil's team mate, Joe Blackett to move into second place, thus ensuring a Dark Peak 1st & 2nd positions. Mike Wallis of Clayton improved both in his position and time from last year, but he could not quite keep up with Joe Blackett and had to settle for 3rd place.
Despite having secured a one-two, Dark Peak missed out on the team prize by one point and it once again went to Clayton.
Of the Barlickers, Shaun Chew was probably disappointed with his race, although he finished in a very creditable 4th place. Andy Berry had a cracking race to finish in 13th place with Stuart Bryan not far behind him in 16th place.
Rob Weir, having made a navigational error, definitely did not enjoy his race and was disappointed with his performance, in fact, a smile only returned to his face when he was sinking a pint in the Assherton Arms.
Special mention must be made of Rachel Lowther, who has only been running for a year and she made it round the course with some encouragement from her sister, Kirsty Hall. This is a tough course and the fact that she completed it says a lot about the determination of Rachel.
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