Veteran Pacers are dominant force in Grand Prix

2:40pm Tuesday 11th November 2008

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Pudsey Pacers’ women, long-time leaders in the Yorkshire Veterans’ Grand Prix, confirmed their superiority with victory in the final race to ensure the title went to them for the first time.

Ann Francis, having led from the front all season, was ably supported by Karen Pickles, Diane Wood and Pam Goldthorpe.

The final fixture of the season’s ten, excellently hosted by Spenborough AC, attracted a bumper turnout of 200 runners, with a record 60 entrants from Pacers, helping to confirm the club as winners of the ‘all-to-count’ category for both men and women in which every single runner’s contribution is recognised.

Pudsey were pushed by Horsforth and Knavesmire all season.

But Samantha Raven (third overall F35 category) and five of the top ten in the F40 category (Ann Francis, Diane Wood, Alyson Glover, Karen Thrippleton and Debra Day), kept Pacers on top.

Pacers were a creditable third in the final men’s standings in a close top-four behind Pudsey & Bramley and Horsforth, but ahead of Holmfirth.

A dominant performance by P&B on Sunday created some distance from their pursuers.

Richard Pattinson (first, M40 category) in 34min 19sec, Paul Stevenson (second, M45) in 34min 25sec, Jon Holah (fifth, M45) in 35min 35sec, and Stephen Bottomley (sixth, M40) in 36min were the four counters. Brian Stevenson (eighth, M45) in 36min 37sec was able back-up.

Other top end-of-season placings included – F35: Marisol Carrera Vivar (Bingley, fourth), Hazel Pike (Spenborough, fifth). F45: Alison Eagle (Ilkley, first), Jackie Carter (Spenborough, second). F50: Helen Love (St Bede’s, third). F55: Joy Good (Pudsey Pacers, second). M35: David Cooper and Paul Ebrey (Pudsey Pacers, first and third), Martyn Finn (P&B, fourth). M40: Richard Pattinson and Brian Stevenson (P&B, second and third), Paul Gaile (Pudsey Pacers, fourth). M45: Paul Stevenson (P&B, first), Duncan Asquith (Skyrac, second). M50: Steve Woods (P&B, first). M55: Jim Wheldon (Pudsey Pacers, first), Gerry Bell (Bingley, third), Frank Masley (St Bede’s, fifth).