80-year-old takes part in Carlisle's first 10k run
Last updated at 10:07, Monday, 31 August 2009
AN 80-YEAR-OLD veteran was among the runners in Carlisle’s first 10k race yesterday.
John Nettleton, founder member of the city’s Border Harriers athletics club, joined more than 400 competitors at the event.
Runners of varying abilities, from elite athletes to part-time joggers, took part.
The route started and finished at the Sheepmount athletics stadium, taking in Bitts Park and Rickerby Park along the way.
Winner in the men’s race was Peter Newton, of Newcastle, second was Russell Maddams, of Great Clifton, Workington.
The first woman home was Claire McKeown, of Penrith.
Mike James, who previously organised the Great Cumbrian Run on behalf of Carlisle Leisure Limited, organised the event.
Mr James, who was involved with the city’s popular half-marathon for nine years, was approached by the Border Harriers and asked to put on a new 10k race.
Among the competitors were Joanne Skowromek and Vicky Telford, of Harraby, Carlisle.
Joanne stepped in at the last minute to replace a friend who had damaged her ankle.
She said: “It’s my first ever race, but I’ve been training and I’m confident I’ll finish okay.”
Vicky said: “I’m running in preparation for the Cumbrian Run, where I will be raising money for my nephew George Anderson, who was born with brain damage.”
Another runner raising money for a loved one was Nicola Gaskell, 30, of Long Marton, near Appleby.She said: “I’m running this for my father, Brian Gaskell.“He was diagnosed with angina and died in April aged 62.“The care he received at the Manchester Royal Victoria Hospital was absolutely fantastic, which has inspired me to take up running again.”
The race also incorporates the Stephen Unwin Memorial Trophy run: a long-standing Cumbrian road race in memory of the Border Harriers runner who collapsed and died during the 1984 Cumbrian Run. This was previously held at Dalston.
n The Great Cumbrian Run half-marathon continues to be organised by Carlisle Leisure Ltd and the 2009 event will take place on Sunday, October 25. Details and entry forms are available at The Sands Centre.
First published at 09:28, Monday, 31 August 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Good on you John. Well done. You put the rest of us to shame.
Have your say
Well done me, I finished in just over an hour and put some of these youngsters to shame.
Posted by Brian on 1 September 2009 at 15:16