Bolton And The Big Society

2 MAY2011

Across the north of England and throughout the year, gallant bands of club volunteers give up their own time to stage many of the best events on the running calendar. Case in point is the Bolton 10K organised by Bolton United Harriers. The recent renewal of the event on April 17, the same day as the Virgin London marathon, was a big success with over 700 entries. Organiser Steve Houghton takes up the story ...

One of the largest 10K races in the North West had a new course for 2011. Designed to maintain the traditional challenge of the previous route, it was something of an unknown quantity. It was to take in the highways of Bury Road and Radcliffe Road after passing the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre and include the scenic, car-free tracks of Leverhulme Park before a planned Grandstand finish.

Clear blue skies and a warm sun were appreciated by the large number of spectators, less so by the runners, but the field was in good spirits as at the stroke of 9.30am, the massed ranks were led from Leverhulme Park athletics track by the Mountain Biking Team of LeisureLakesBikes.com in Bury.

There was a fast start and by the 2k mark, a breakaway group of five was spearheaded by Bolton United Harriers' Tom Carson. The undulating park section in the middle of the race saw Tim Ellis (Edgworth C & RC) come to the fore. Flush with victory in the Wardle Skyline fell race on the previous Saturday and the Haworth Bunny Run on the Tuesday, the 25-year-old extended his lead over the flat last quarter.

With a cheering crowd in the stadium, he powered to the finish line in an impressive 32: 41 winning for a third success in 8 days. Lancaster's Steve Worthington (33.16) finished second, while Salford Harrier Nathan Kilcourse edged out team-mate David Lockett for the final podium position.

Eventually finishing 5th overall, Tom Carson (34.20) led a trio of Bolton UH runners Mark Swannell (6th - 35.08) and Shay Walker (7th - 35.14). Perhaps the performance of the day was Jonathan Kay's 35:43, placing the 15-year-old 9th overall. This enabled Bolton's men's team to record a narrow victory over Salford Harriers & AC.

In the women's race, Trentham RC's Sharleen Hollinshead (37.52) obliterated the opposition by almost two minutes. A sprint finish for second added to the day's drama, with Liz Burrows edging out Wirral AC's Lisa Grantham. Swinton RC claimed the women's team prize.

In the absence of the 2010 winner, former Bolton United Harriers President Nick Howarth wore the prestigious number 1. Having almost single-handedly organised all the previous races, he was running BUH's main home race for the first time in 15 years and finished in 40:56secs. His service was recognised at the prize ceremony as organiser Steve Houghton presented a commemorative award. Other Bolton notables were Craig MacKenzie (43:23 - M50), Ken Fowler (41:10 - M55), Frazer Doyle (41.45 - MJ) and Caroline Scholes (43.31 - F35), who all finished second in their respective age groups.

At 73 years young (!), the oldest runner in the field was Horwich RMI's Ed Corley; he went round in 53:18 and finished in a commendable top-half 286th position. Burnden Road Runners fielded 8 members, with Anne Ferguson (45.12) and Alan Worthington (43.22 - M50) winning their respective v50 categories.

Numbering only 14, Bill Miller (56.22), Kaan Rassad (41.14), Shaun Lomax (50.42), Julie Lomax (51.30) and Nathan Lee (44.24) completed the home team. Some Bolton Harriers had followed the Trotters to Wembley, some had 'trotted' elsewhere (London Marathon), but acknowledgement must be given to the 30 that volunteered to marshal the course and ensure the safety of participants. Earlier in the day, a team one-two was recorded in the Fun Run over one mile for Bolton United Harriers. Hannah MacKenzie and Luke Entwistle led home a chasing pack of more than 60 juniors.

As 562 completed the route, the topic of conversation was the hill at the 5k stage. Tired legs were offered a helping massage by the staff and students at University Of Bolton's Sports & Spinal Injuries Clinic. Senior Lecturer Fin Geoghegan, who herself finished in 52.29, was happy at the raising of £150 in donations to Cancer Research in the process.

Image of Jonathan Kay courtesy of Mark Power at Sports Event Photography - check out some great race images at the Sports Events Photography website.