Athletes notch up a run of successes
Last updated 19:49, Thursday, 09 October 2008
FOUR Maryport-based fell runners are celebrating a spectacular spell of success.
Jackie Winn, Hannah Bewthwaite, Laura Park and Ricky Lightfoot, who all represent Ellenborough Athletic Club and train at Netherhall School Community Sports Centre, have plenty to smile about.
Winn, 57, from Maryport, won a gold medal in the English Fell Running Championships for the second consecutive year.
He triumphed in the men’s veterans over-55 category by winning each of the five races he entered.
He edged out his closest rival in his last race by just three seconds to preserve his perfect record.
Twelve-year-old Bethwaite, also from Maryport, achieved success on two consecutive weekends.
She triumphed in the Year 8 and Year 9 category at the inaugural English Schools Fell Running Championships in Sedbergh.
Her winning time of 24.58 was almost a minute faster than any of the other 46 competitors in her age group.
She also bagged an English Championships gold medal in the under-14 age group by winning four races during the season.
Meanwhile, Dearham sensation Park, 16, is no stranger to success.
The 2012 Olympic hopeful claimed an international title with victory in the under-20 women’s race in the World Mountain Running Championships in Switzerland last month.
She earned a second gold medal representing England in the team competition.
The other member of the quartet is 23-year-old Lightfoot, from Maryport.
He represented England in a 10km mountain race in Slovenia last weekend, finishing 13th overall.
And next year the firefighter hopes to take part in the Skyrunner World Series, which features events in Andorra, Malaysia and Italy.
Sports centre manager Brian Taylor said: “For four people from a small town and a really small club to achieve so much is fantastic.”
He added: “Laura and Ricky have had a lot of recognition in the last couple of years and that really helps the young kids.
“I am not saying they wouldn’t have made it without this facility but it has definitely been a help.”
