The conditions today were ideal for this race. Cool for the time of year, with a touch of rain in the air. At the top of the climb out of Nelson on to Southfield Lane, Chris Holdsworth of Clayton had already built up a good lead and he looked to be running well. Jonathan Cleaver was next with Tom Corrigan in third place. Tom looked very focused and was running well. Well up in the field at this point was David Mirfield and just behind him was Ben Whitehead. and Andy Berry.
Jacqueline Collins led our ladies at the top of the climb, just ahead of Lucy Brown and Hayley Whitehead. By the reservoirs, Tom had moved up into second place and Jonathan Cleaver who was just behind him looked like he was struggling.
On the final ascent up Southfield Lane, Chris Holdsworth was way out in front and behind him was Tom Corrigan who had now opened up a gap in front of the chasing Jon Cleaver. Lucy Brown appeared as our first lady as Jacqueline Collins was feeling the strain of this demanding race.
Special mention should go to Lisa Gee. She is a new comer to running and has never run over this distance before. Not only that, but she probably never realised what a demanding race that this is. Prior to the race, she was worried about being able to complete it. She had never any need to worry. All the way round the course, she looked to be running well and was cheerfully smiling and she was still running up the final ascent before finishing in the top half of the field. That was some performance from this novice runner.
The Barlickers finished as follows:
Men
2 Tom Corrigan 1:21:31 (1st M40)
6 David Mirfield 1:27:30
18 Ben Whitehead 1:35:28
20 Nathan Smedley 1:35:39
21 Andy Berry 1:35:46
40 Robert Cranham 1:42:43
47 David Pease 1:46:54
60 Andrew Smith 1:51:50 (3rd M60)
66 Shane Muller 1:53:21 (3rd M50)
99 Raymond Banks 2:10:58 (2nd M70)
Women
5 Lucy Brown 1:53:53 (3rd F40)
7 Hayley Whitehead (2nd F35)
8 Jacqueline Collins 2:03:03
19 Nicola Muller 2:16:24
20 Katie Towers 2:16:24
24 Lisa Gee 2:22:49