Northern Athletics 10k Road Running Championship 2016

Northern Athletics 10k Championship held at the Ribble Valley 10k on Tuesday, 27th December 2016

After last year’s cancellation due to widespread flooding, the conditions this year were ideal for fast running. The 1100 pre-entries were enhanced by a further 200 on the day, in what is one of the best 10k races in the country over an undulating and traffic-free course.

Away promptly at 10:00, the leading men were down to a group of 5 as they hit the 1st mile marker in 5 minutes. The group included Marc Scott, Chris Farrell, Peter Huck and Blackburn’s Ben Fish. The leading men went through the 5k marker in a time of 15:02, with Marc Scott and Richard Allen pushing the pace at the front. By 4.5 miles, Scott had a 10 metre lead over a group of 4, which he increased to over 200 metres as he climbed up the hill on his way to the finish. 2nd place was awarded by the referee to Chris Farrell on the lunge at the line, from Richard Allen in 3rd place, with both recording the same time. 4th place overall and some 8 seconds behind 3rd place, was Peter Huck.

In the team event, Richmond and Zetland Harriers were 1st team, 2nd host club Blackburn Harriers, with the popular Leeds City in 3rd place.

Individual Results:
1: Marc Scott, Richmond and Zetland, in 29.33
2: Chris Farrell, Horwich RMI, in 29.59
3: Peter Huck, Barrow and Furness, in 30.07

Teams:
1: Richmond and Zetland, 2: Blackburn, 3: Leeds City

In the women’s race, Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde’s Emily Japp was a clear winner, ahead of Leeds City’s Georgia Malir in 2nd. In 3rd place the GB international 800m athlete, Alison Leonard, produced an outstanding endurance run, adding to the host club’s medal haul.

Individual Results:
1: Emily Japp, Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde, in 34.35
2: Georgia Malir, Leeds City, in 35.20
3: Alison Leonard, Blackburn Harriers, in 36.08

Teams:
1: Blackburn Harriers, 2: Bolton United Harriers, 3: Accrington Road Runners.

Results website

Report Ken Smith
Photos Eileen Ingham