Walsh and Wilkinson Win in the Wind!

Published 12 Oct 2009 in Race Reports

Gales gusting over 80 mph during the day failed to dampen the spirits of the biggest ever field assembled for the fifth running of the 15km PUMA Coniston Trail Race & Challenge on Saturday 3rd October in the Lake District. Whilst the organising VO2 Max Events team worked behind the scenes to safeguard the event despite the inclement weather with Coniston Mountain Rescue, over 1200 entrants from all over the UK assembled in the tiny village of Coniston to take to the trails threading around the mountains, woodlands and lake shore. James Walsh, Leeds City AC, winner of last month’s Keswick Lakeland Trails event, dominating once again, to produce a fine time of 55.18 for a tough mountain trail course that includes over 1500ft of ascent and descent. Runner-up was club mate Simon Deakin in 57.36, along with fellow Leeds City AC runners Mike Burnett, 3rd in 59.28; Gavin Chatterton 4th in 59.52 and James Smith 5th in 60.31 – James running in a fetching pink tutu as this was the start of his stag weekend. Vic Wilkinson, Bingley Harriers, also made it a winning double after her Keswick victory, finishing 9th overall in 62.59. Runner up was in-form Susan Partridge, Leeds City AC in 64.15 and 11th overall, whilst Olivia Walwyn, Altrincham & District AC, made the podium in 3rd in 64.50 and 12th overall. The Lakeland Trails in Coniston was sponsored by lifestyle brand PUMA, Australian lighting systems brand AyUp ! and sock brand Bridgedale. Entries for the 2010 Puma Lakeland Trails series are now available, with early bird entry discounts, and the confirmed dates and venues are : 24th April 2010 : Hawkshead; 5th June 2010 : Staveley; 5th September 2010 : Keswick and 2nd October 2010 : Coniston

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