Record turnout for Nortley Race (From Bury Times)

Record turnout for Nortley Race

6:10pm Thursday 1st March 2012 in Athletics By Craig Nelson

THE region’s runners turned out in force for the Terry Nortley 10 Mile Race on Sunday, with a record 261 local athletes taking part.

The annual race was renamed this year in honour of Radcliffe Athletic Club’s former president, who died in November.

Nortley was a coach for 50 years and many of his former athletes ran the race as a tribute to him.

These included Colette Harkin (V50) of Bolton United Harriers, who came back to racing for the event and finished a creditable 140th, 14th woman and third in her age group in 1hr 22mins 6secs.

Mark Emmett, chairman of Radcliffe AC, said: “It was a record entry for any Radcliffe race and proved to be a fitting tribute to our former president.”

Joseph Vis, of Southport Waterloo, led the field home in a superb time of 57:24. Dominic Mahon, of Warrington AC, was a close second in 57:38, and Rob Grantham, of Ellsmere Port RC, was second in 58:20.

Heather Jackson, of Bolton Tri Club, was the first woman home in 1.07:41. Katherine Fitzpatrick, of Trafford AC, was second in 1.08:39 and Alison Sedman (V45) of Belle Vue Racers, who won the race last year, was third in 1.11:51, and was first in her age group.

Simon Bruton, formerly of Radcliffe AC but now running for Salford Harriers, finished a great sixth place in 1.04:00, and Rob Jackson from Horwich was ninth in 1.01:13.

Four Radcliffe runners took part, Dave Bartlett finished well up the field in 63rd in 1.11:47, followed by Mark Ainsworth, Martin Gray and Darren Theakstone.