Blackburn
Harriers & Athletic Club sponsored by Forbes Solicitors, present the
RIBBLE
VALLEY 10K ROAD RACE Sunday 30th December 2012. 10.30am from Roefield Leisure
Centre, Edisford Bridge, Clitheroe. Incorporating the 2012 Northern
Athletics 10K Road Championships.
2011: Jonny Mellor heads Alistair Brownlee with 600m to
go
2011: Katrina Wootton
2011: Early stages leading group with Mellor and Brownlee
to the left
2011
Race Report by Race Director Tony Wood
In near perfect running conditions, more than ever the 2011 Ribble Valley
10k proved to be one of the most successful races in the UK and produced
8 runners under 30 minutes including 3 under Tom Lancashire's 2009 course
record.
Jonny Mellor was not to be beaten this year as he placed himself at the
front of the field after 3K with a group of about 9 runners around him
including 2011 World Triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee, Ricky Stevenson,
Derek Hawkins, Matt Clowes over from the USA and Simon Deakin. At the
halfway point Mellor pushed on in his front running style taking Brownlee
and Stevenson with him and by 8k Mellor and Brownlee, who were neck and
neck, created a gap. As they dropped across the river 600m from the finish
Mellor made his move and in the final straight he made it decisive winning
by 5 seconds in 29mins 10secs - a new course record. Brownlee in training
for London 2012 look in great shape in 29.15 (a PB) with Stevenson just
behind in 29.17.
Katrina Wootton of Bedford & County ran a fast 33.58 to take the women's
race.
The Northern Championships were incorporated in the race with Altrincham
winning the men's title and Blackburn the womens.
2010
The 2010 RV10K was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
2009
Race
Despite the conditions the course was clear and the race was quick. 40
men went under 32 mins and 8 under 30 mins with Tom Lancashire Bolton
United Harriers top of the tree with a course record29mins 21 secs. He
went to the front from the start determined to press the pace. By3k six
athletes were in contention with Lancashire including Jonny Mellor Andi
Jones Ben Fish and Luke Cragg. By the halfway mark Lancashire and Mellor
were pulling clear and it took Lancashire until the 9k post to get away
which he did just before the final incline before the run in. Mellor was
caught by local Blackburn man Ben Fish 100m before the finish to take
second. Matt barnes finished well with him Cragg Norman Jones and Pepper
all ducking under 30mins.
Helen Clitheroe took the women's race with 32mins 53ecs a minute clear
of Katie Ingram with Vicky Wilkinson in third.
Given that three North West races were cancelled due to snow the organisers
and Northern athletics who incorporated their championships in the race
were very pleased to get the race on and finished successfully.
2008
Race Report
Ben Lindsay (Aldershot) proved his sprint finish in Brussels
was not a one off when he beat Ben Fish (Blackburn) to the line to win
the prestigious Ribble Valley 10K in clear and crisp conditions. Both
runners went under 30 minutes for the first time with 29.55 and 29.57.
A pack of 10 went through 1 mile in 4.30 but by 5K Lindsay, Fish, Mellor,
Buckley and Cragg were away. Fish went for the win at 9km but in the final
300m Lindsay caught Fish for them to battle out to the finish. Helen Clitheroe
(Preston) retained her title with a fast 32.32s well clear of Ruth Senior
and Katie Ingram. The field just short of 1000 was a quality one with
10 runners under 31 minutes.
Blackburn Harriers won the mens team prize with Fish Cornthwaite
and Nuttall. Matt Nuttall also won the vet 40 prize together with a 2nd
place in the womens team for Leonard, Wood and Atkinson. Karl Billington
won the junior prize.
2007 Race Report
With
over 1000 entries for this popular and fast 10k race spectators saw Antony
Ford national UK 5k track medalist beat off the challenge of fell international
Andi Jones winning in 29.51. Perfect conditions in the shadow of Pendle
Hill saw Ford pull clear of Jones after a sub 4.30 first mile. Rob Berry
held off Blackburn Harriers Ben Fish for 3rd with Fish and Tom Cornthwaite
5th leading the host Blackburn club to the team title. European u23 medallist
Ben Lindsay came off the country to record 31.21 in 6th. Fellow GB international
Helen Clitheroe picked up the winners cash prize with a seasons best of
32.42 just missing the course record bonus. She outpaced Aldershot's Vicki
Gill who ran 33.28 and Clare Entwistle of Wigan 34.12s.
