Richard and Lisa are the stars of the show

WHAT A TERRIFIC EFFORT . . . Road Runners' Angela Rogowskyj (front) gave it everything in Rochdale

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A STRONG contingent from Royton Road Runners headed up the A627(M) for the Rochdale 10K.

The route runs around both Springfield Park and Queens Park, and up the steep Roch Valley Way.

It is a difficult, up and down course, and as one of the participants noted: "The descending gradients are not as long as the ascending bits."

Despite a tough field and muggy weather, Royton Road Runners still managed to bag a bunch of the prizes, and lots of unwelcome insect bites to boot.

The stars of the show was the husband and wife team of Richard and Lisa Cummins.

Richard (39 minutes, 32 seconds), won the male V50 category and bragging rights in the Cummins household as his wife, Lisa (54:43), came 2nd in the women's' V45 group.

STERLING

Also, putting in another sterling effort way was the ladies team, who as well as finishing second overall in the team event (Jen Bloor, Janet Jobey, Val Kilburn) claimed a string of well-deserved individual results.

Jen Bloor (39:56) matched her team performance with 2nd overall in the women's race. Janet Jobey (43:57) claimed first place in the FV40 category and Val Kilburn (47:19) finished in the top position in the V45 group.

An impressive performance by Susan Heaney (52:52) saw her come first in the FV55 section, closely followed by the fast-improving Gail Shaw (54:57) in second.

In the men's section, Rob James (33:44), earned an admirable 3rd place in the overall standings.

Other notable performances were made by Bernie Goodwin, 2nd V45 (40.30), and George Meynell, who made a steady return from a troublesome injury 2nd V70 (55.01).

DETERMINED

A special mention must be made for the determined effort of Angel Rogowskyj who finished in 278th position out of 280 in a time of 1:18:28.

It takes tenacity to finish such a tough race over tarmac and speed bumps in hot and humid conditions.

She certainly earned her club colours by putting in such a gritty display.

Other RRR finishers -

Sharon Dracup (1:07:02), Jenny O'Callaghan (1:04:13), Judith Bradley (1:04:05), Neil Bradley (1:02:31), Tracey Hall (1:01:21), Stephen Jones (59:16), Jill Hickson (56:30), Jillian Heywood (55:51), George Meynell (2nd V70, 55:01), Gail Shaw (2nd FV50, 54:57), Lisa Cummins (2nd FV45, 54:43), Clare Darraugh (54:25), Chris Nicholson (53:07), Sue Heaney (2nd V55, 52:52), Teresa Hollins (2nd FV60, 52:30), Gary Marshall (52:04), Simon Lake (51:55), Lee Higginbottom (51:49), Selina McLean (51:42), Phil Austin (51:25), Helen Radcliffe (50:45), Robert Nixon (50:10), Kevin Heenan (49:40), Paul Cooke (49:33), Ray Williams (49:25), Matt Kershaw (48:02), Rachael Shuttleworth (47:58), Val Kilburn (1st FV45, 47:19), Stewart Jones (47:10), Ronnie Quinn (46:57), Jason Keast (46:23), Mark Rigby (46:19), Steve Shaw (3rd V60, 45:52), Mark Heaney (45:33), Adrian Marshall (45:25), Bernie Cassidy (44:56), David Crewe (44:12), Robert Kellett (44:03), Matthew Kilburn (44:01), Janey Jobey (1st FV40, 43:57), Eamonn Nolan (43:53), Rob Marsden (43:48), Andy Schofield (43:41), Paul Anderson (43:35), John Williamson (43:11), Richard Fiddling (43:05), Dave Freer (42:57), Neil Brock (42:44), Paul Wolstenhulme (42:22), Carl O'Callaghan (41:28), Elliot Stone (3rd V45, 41:24), Michael Pickering (41:17), David Emanuel (3rd V50, 40:49), Paul Bannister (40:43), Bernie Goodwin (2nd V45, 40:30), David McBride (40:23), Michael Wildbore (40:19), Jen Bloor (2nd lady, 39:56), Owen Flage (39:44), Richard Cummins (1st V50, 39:32), Paul Ashton (39:31), Shaun Armstrong (39:02), Michael Fleming (3rd V35, 38:46), Rob Battye (38:22), Shane Reading (37:40), Jarrod Gritt (37:10) & Rob James (3rd overall, 33:44).

Royton Road Runners is a friendly local club with runners of all standards, from beginners through to serious competitors. New members are welcome.

Visit the website at www.roytonroadrunners.co.uk for more information.