Lostock AC

Trail Run Wed 1st August

adrian — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:43:48 +0000

On what could be the last full off road trail run of the summer I decided to take the group on a favourite route of mine, so after welcoming newcomer Nicola Walsh to our Club ( she was attracted to us via the recent article about us in the Bolton News ) we set off up Church St. turning left up Gingham Brew and following the steep climb up to Georges Lane, going left then right up the old track which leads up to join the track up between the quarries and on to Burnt Edge, here bearing left then first right along the bridle path and on to reach Coal Pit lane hanging a right here for a short distance to reach the the footpath/steps and footbridge through the dell, following the path down the field to gain access to Walker Fold Woods, (here the light began to fail) turning left along track to return to main route beneath Burnt Edge and back the way we started down between the Quarries to cross Georgies lane and via steep track (now pretty dark) down to Walsuches to return through Arcon village and Church St to base. Another good seession done (approx. 6.5mile) and our newcomer was still smiling and committing herself to come with us again – how good is that!

John

Fell group – Wed 1 Sept 2010

adrian — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:21:21 +0000

Five of us left the leisure centre and headed up through Wilderswood and along the track towards Two Lads, we headed through the quarries and up to Burnt Edge where we met up with the other group of Lostock runners. From here we ran through Walker Fold woods and back to Two Lads and down just in time before it went dark.

Best pack my headtorch next week.

Adrian

Chairmans handicap fell race Wed 25 Aug 2010

adrian — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:27:14 +0000

*NAME*	*H/cap Time*	*Actual Time*
Ray Duffy	50	44.56
Adrian Hope	48	47.32
Mark Checkley	49	48.11
Clive Worthington	48	49.03
Geoff Sale	53	49.07
Colin Holdcroft	57	58.20
Mike Ernill	54	66.56 **
Brian Halton	54	66.56 **
Susan Caldwell	74	70.04
Chris Smith	74	70.04
Gill Caldwell	74	70.04

** Went wrong way around the route.

We all met up at the top Barn to collect nos. and start this years Fell handicap race, it was a superb evening and after all the usual good banter I got the race off and then spent the next hour spraying myself with midge repellent, after a short period I spotted a runner coming into the finish area, thinking that someone had run a very fast race I was fumbling around to get watch and clipboard together when I realised it was Carol Boardman, she had being around the course on her own to gain confidence in her ability to cover this distance, whilst she was out she spotted two members going the wrong way, of course I could have guessed at one of them being Mike who seems to have an aversion to going the right way. Then the contenders started to run in, their times noted and photo taken, after which it was down to the Club for supper and the presentation, the winner was Ray Duffy who had a very good run. Everyone managed “seconds” due to amount of pasties and lack of members, quite few people were away on hols or sight seeing around the Pyrenees (or is that cycling?)

Thanks to all who took part and Mark for keeping me company.

John.

Hendersons End plus others film

adrian — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:22:23 +0000

Hendersons End plus other fell races

This video is a compilation of footage taken over a period of one year or so. Within its content we see footage from Ben Nevis, Belmont Winter Hill, Hendersons End, Winter Hill, Rivington Pike, Kentmere Horseshoe, Borrowdale, Langdale Horseshoe, Rydal Round and a recci of Grisedale Horseshoe. Filmed by Mark Birbeck.

Anyone who’s never ran on the fells and this doesn’t inspire you, then nothing will.

Hendersons End – cheque presentation

adrian — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:24:56 +0000

Lostock AC inaugurated the Henderson’s End Fell Race in 2007 specifically to raise money for BMRT and Bolton Scout Groups; it takes place annually on the first Thursday night in June over the Winter Hill moors. There is increasing support for the event, which is becoming a favourite challenge for fell racers and attracts some top names in the sport. The race is kindly sponsored by Walsh Sports http://www.walshsports.co.uk

The race is marshalled by the Bolton Scout Groups; the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team attend to provide safety cover.

As a result of this support Lostock AC donated cheques of £120 to both groups, which helps them continue their wonderful work.

The photo (reproduced by kind permission of BMRT) shows John Smith ( Chair-Lostock AC ) presenting cheques to Ken Oaks ( Chair-BMRT ) and Arran English (Scouts) before a recent training session.

The next major club event is the “Lostock 6” a six mile road race in its twenty-ninth year held on Sun. 27^th Feb. 2011, and always attracts 300 plus runners.

Lostock 6 27th February 2011

adrian — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:41:47 +0000

Just a quick note to say that the entry form for the 2011 Lostock 6 will be released soon.

The date will be the 27th February 2011 at 11am

Thanks

Lostock camping weekend 2010

adrian — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:44:34 +0000

The closer to the lakes I got the heavier the rain poured. As I headed into Keswick (with my wipers now on max) there was an endless sky of cloud, torrential rain and lightening! “This could be a wash out” I thought. I pressed on through Keswick and over to Lorton. The campsite is located to the rear of the Weatsheaf pub which is superbly situated between some beautiful scenery. A toilet, shower block plus a few chickens is all that’s to hand but this fits nicely into the no nonsense Cumbrian way. I found a spot, braved the rain and threw up my tent.

Soon the Boltonian’s arrived and we all took refuge under the Lostock gazebo. While Adrian & Mark C hit the tops for there fix of the Cumbrian fells, Mark & Darren slapped up an impressive beef pie, mash, veggies & beer gravy (all that scout training clearly paid off)…hell this was extremely civilised (I thought we’d be roughing it)!

Soon the rain stopped and a beautiful evening sky was upon us. After a few beers & some grub at the Wheatsheaf everyone turned in for the night, put on there Heat Holders (plug)! And climbed inside there sleeping bags (apart from the posh gits in the luxury motor homes, who probably bathed, watched DVD’s and naturally floated off into a deep sleep on there comfy beds)! Meanwhile the rest of us lay there listening to a chorus of snoring and flatulence!

The next day the coach picked us up at 10 and took us over to Braithwaite. We started the walk in beaming sunshine & great views over Keswick. With Geoff & Adrian leading, the rest of the Lostock clan plodded on behind up to Grisdale Pike. We soon reached the summit and had our first sandwich stop. Most took a minute to wrap up and take some shelter from the wind (a few unfortunates sat in somebody’s ashes…including me).

After a few sarnies & some banter we took in the views and set off along to Hope Gill head and then down to Coledale Hause where we stopped for our second lot of sarnies. Jason’s dog Jack demonstrated his anal breathing technique while diving for rocks and John entertained all with his unsuccessful toilet locating skills (That poor lady quietly eating her lunch)!

After refuelling we dropped down Gasgate Gill and admired the “V” shaped river valley (see I was listening Geoff). Once off the mountain the beaming sun soon gave us all a thirst as we arrived at the Kirkstile Inn. We all chilled in the beer garden and downed the superb home brewed ales. After a few hours the lucky ones got a lift back to the site. The not so lucky ones set off on the 2 mile walk back to camp (watering most of the hedgerows along the way).

Once back at the site our onsite chiefs lit the barbeque and got the cook on! (Mark what was all the water flicking about)??? We all gathered under the gazebo and enjoyed burger after burger after sausage after burger after……….. burger. Hell we even had fish chicken & super hot curry too. Once at bursting point the cakes came out and more beers to wash everything down with.

When the lights went out most headed down to the pub for a night cap before retiring for a well deserved sleep. I’d like to carry on but I did a disappearing trick around 7:15 (I believe there were more sausages & burgers to get through for breakfast though)?

Awards go to: the highest peak climbed by a sausage dog (which is now a slug), My incorrect sleeping position, Johns toilet locating on Coledale Hause, Marks luxury meal for 4 on Friday & a seriously cracking weekend camping!!!

Big thanks to John and everyone that had a hand at organising, cooking, navigating etc etc…it truly paid off!

Cheers
Craig.

(Oh…don’t forget to let me know your thoughts on the Heat Holders)!

Chairmans Fell Race – Wed 25th August

Mark Shuttleworth — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:08:57 +0000

Wednesday 25th August is the Chairmans Fell race. This a handicapped race on a similar route to the Hendersons End fell race route, J Smith sorts the handicapping times out (no science here just a bit of bribery required). Meet at 6:45pm at the Top Barn ready for the First runners to be set-off at 7pm. With John Smiths unique handicapping system everyone has a chance to win - that is unless you’ve won it before in which case forget any chance of coming remotely close to winning.

Note: there will be no training run from the leisure centre on Wednesday 25th August.

Golf Ball Fell Race – Wednesday 18th August

Mark Shuttleworth — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:55:55 +0000

Mark C, Pete Noble and myself ran the Golf Ball fell race from the Glory Pub in Crawshawbooth on the A682 Burnley Road (from Rawtenstall to Burnley), this is the 4th race in a 4 race midweek series organised by Rossendale harriers the other races being Waughs Well, Whittle Pike & Pilgrims Cross (last weeks race). The race is advertised as 5.5 miles with a mere 800 ft of ascent, sounds easy.
From the start there is an uphill section for 1/2 mile then you come to a stile and with 182 runners – a long queue, approx. 40 people in the Q before me with Mark C approx. 10 behind me, Pete somewhere behind Mark C, this Q effectively holds everyone up behind and gave me probably 30 seconds lead over Mark & Pete once we had negotiated the stile. There is then a short but steep ascent to the top of the moor which from the OS map looks like Great Hameldon Hill?. Once the main climb was out of the way the route is a mixture of good undulating trails and boggy bits, all runnable. It is fair to say Mark C and myself weren’t feeling 100% both with sniffly colds which meant we couldn’t push it as hard we would normally do, in my case i found runners were passing me and i had no go in me to stay with them. We reached the ‘Golf Ball’ which according to the OS map is a Radar Weather station on Hameldon Hill and then a long steep tarmac descent that shook every bone in my body then a sharp right thru the fields which were 6 inches of gloopy mud / cow poo, smashing, and to top that there was no washing in the local fisheries water.

1st back for Lostock was Mark S 96th / 182 runners in 51:37
2nd Mark C 106th in 52:47
3rd Pete Noble 112th in 53:31.
Also running last night was Albert 25th in 42:58.
A good turn out in the pub for a smelly cow poo / sweaty fell runner prize giving for this race and the race series.

Adios Mark S

Trail Run 18th August 2011

adrian — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:26:03 +0000

With Clive now back from his annual Welsh sabatical we began with our weekly warm up, which as usual provided entertainment for the passersby. After a short debate Clive lead us off on a predictable climb by various routes via the Tigers Clough and the Gardens/Pigeon Tower to eventually summit the Pike, from here it was down to and along Georges lane to the track to Arcon Village following the road to Gingham Brew, here Carolyn peeled off to her home on Foxholes (we nearly went with her for a brew), on reaching Church Street Geoff and the Farmers( Brian and Dave) decided to up the pace and shot off back to base with the rest of us grimly trying to keep up. Another good run with some good “crack” on route.

John