Uphill task no walk in the park!

FIRST runners home: winner Gareth Raven (centre) with second Phil Marsden (left) and Danny McManus, third

RUNNERS pounded Oldham’s pavements on a blustery Sunday mornnig in the Milltown to Moors 7km race.

Sale Running Club’s Gareth Raven, who took part in the London Marathon last month, blew away the field in just under 23 minutes, followed by Royton Roadrunners’ pair Phil Marsden and Danny McMalanus.

The Milltown 7km is the first of the Milltown Race series and takes runners on a course including country paths, quiet lanes and busy roads.

Afterwards Gareth, from Stalybridge, said: “I felt really good out there. I’ve only done a couple of runs since London so my legs were still a bit tired. It was mainly tough on the lungs. I’m happy with my time and I’ll probably be back to do the 10km in June.”

Second-placed Phil said: “I’ve only been running a year. I just found that it was something I got really into. I felt good out there. I loved it as usual. It can be a tough race — especially as Danny and myself both ran on Thursday.

The 10k race is on June 21, and the 13.1 mile half-marathon in October. Info: www.milltownraces. co.uk.