Ribble Valley 10K Sunday 30th December 2018
Race entry limit was reached in early December, clearly showing the popularity of this fast, traffic free event. In addition, an outstanding elite entry was sure to put the two existing course records under threat.
In the men’s race, Marc Scott and Jonny Mellor were in the front group from the start. Marc Scott aiming for a third win in the race knew he had tough opposition, headed by Jonny Mellor.
By the half way point, the leading group was down to 9 with the 2 main protagonists at the front.
Marc Scott then proceeded to find yet another gear and steadily pull away from Jonny Mellor, who was also pulling away from the chasing pack. Marc continued to extend his lead to finish in a new course record time of 28.58, just 1 second off his PB, demolishing Jonny Mellor’s existing record of 29.11. Jonny Mellor finished some 21 seconds behind him in 29.19, in his first race since the New York Marathon in November, when he clocked 2.16.09.
3rd place saw an outstanding run from Preston’s Patrick Dever in 29.24, his first sub 30 10K and a new PB by 38 seconds.
17 year old Rory Leonard (Morpeth Harriers) finished 12th in a very creditable time of 30.39.
The first 9 athletes were all sub 30 mins, with a further 7 sub 31 and a total of 37 athletes below 32 minutes.
Individual Results:
1. Marc Scott, Richmond and Zetland, 28.58 NCR
2. Jonny Mellor, Liverpool Harriers, 29.19
3. Patrick Dever, Preston Harriers, 29.24
Teams:
1. Liverpool Harriers
2. Richmond and Zetland
3. Preston Harriers
In the women’s race, host club Blackburn Harriers’ Jessica Judd was never challenged in her position as NA winner, as she finished in a time of 32.42. In second place behind Jessica was Leigh Harriers’ Abigail Howarth, one of Joe Galvin’s group of talented women athletes, in a time of 35.22. In 3rd place and 9 seconds behind Abigail, was Leeds City’s Rachel Friend.
Individual gold medallist, Jessica Judd, also headed up the winning Blackburn Harriers women’s team, with Helm Hill Runners taking silver and an outstanding performance from 3 Radcliffe AC members who took the bronze medal.
Individual Results:
1. Jessica Judd, Blackburn Harriers, 32.42
2. Abigail Howarth, Leigh Harriers, 35.22
3. Rachel Friend, Leeds City, 35.31
Teams:
1. Blackburn Harriers
2. Helm Hill Runners
3. Radcliffe AC
Report Ken Smith.
Photos Steve Bateson
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- 3rd man Patrick Dever of Preston with NA President Stan Taylor
