The Lostock 6 returned for its 42nd year last Sunday and was another sell out.
From 8.30am runners started to gather on the car park on the corner of Lockstock Lane a cold, rainy day did not deter the 416 participants.
The race was started with an inspiring speech from the Mayor of Bolton, Andy Morgan, who was joined by Mayoress Helen Morgan. This was followed by a warm-up from Lostock’s very own ‘Mel the Motivator,’ who despite technical difficulties was able to make runners forget about the wet weather and get ready to race.
The race is a favourite of run clubs as it is a fast race on roads around Lostock and Westhoughton. The toughest part of the run is the climb along Regents Road, but participants are rewarded with a fast run along Chorley New Road to the finish on Hall Lane.
The first male runner was Daniel Bird, of Swinton Running Club, who finished in an epic time of 33mins 6secs. In second place was Ryan Snee, of Horwich RMI Harriers, in 33:25, and third runner was Chris Benjamin, of Leigh Harriers, in 34:01
The first female was Leigh Harrier Dee Allen in a fantastic 36:46, and she was followed by Carolyn Capsey, of Swinton Running Club, in 39:05 and Heather Tomlinson, Bolton United Harriers, in 39:14.
The winners of the first male team were Leigh Harriers and the champions of the first female team was Bolton United Harriers. The prize for the largest group online entry went to Burnden Road Runners and the winner for most senior finisher category V75 was George Williams, who completed the race in an outstanding 53:57.
Lostock AC had 13 members join in and the first to cross the finish line was Paul Edwards in an impressive 39:31. Edwards was followed by Gaz Foulkes, in 44:16, and then the first Lostock female to cross the line was Jo McManus in an awesome 46:29.
There was then a plethora of Lostockers finishing including Dave Parry (46:46), Brian Halton (47:20), Chris Baker (47:47), Melonie Crompton (48:41), David Gregson (49:52), Rachel Hancock (50:11), Rachel Stevens (54:56), Matt Withers (55:35), Lynda Hardman (58:27) and Ste Hancock (1:04:21).
Lostock AC thanked their prize sponsor, HiSpec, for their support in providing the bespoke technical running caps with a print of the course outline. They were definitely a hit with the runners on a rainy Sunday morning.
Thank-yous also went to the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton for supporting the event and remaining at the finish line to greet runners despite the wet weather, and Chorley Angels, who provided first aid safety cover for the race, the team at Mad Bull Events, for chip timing and results service, Scan and Heritage frames, for the use of their numerous car parks, Tobutt Sports, for assisting with category prizes and The Pendle Grill, for providing hot sandwiches and drinks.
There was also gratitude for Scott and Kate Rotheram, who have organised the Lostock 6 for the last eight years. This was Scott’s final year as race director, and he has done an amazing job. The Lostock 6 could not have taken place without them.
The biggest club thank you went to all the runners whose enthusiasm and commitment make this race so special, their kind post-race messages make it all worthwhile for the members who volunteer to help ensure they all cross the finish line.
Parkrun results: Bolton - Rachel Hancock 30:22; Haigh Woodland - Andy Laycock 24:01 (second in age category), Gareth Pratt 24:52, Nikki Hamerton 26:13 (10th female and first in age category), Rachel Stevens 28:09 (second in age category), Katie Edern 30:47, Gill Caldwell 31:46 (first in age category); Pennington Flash - Hazel Hatfield 24:26 (first female), Mark Checkley 33:15; Swellendam - Tony Maxwell 30:27 (10th male and first in age category), Sheila Garewal 34:16 (fifth female and first in age category).
