LSARRC Press Report 29th May 2012

After competing in two marathons at the end of April on Saturday Mark Willett ran his longest ever race, the inaugural Dukeries Ultra 40 in Sherwood Forest. This was his second ultra-distance event and one that he merely considered to be a warm-up to a fifty-miler in July. Given the recent weather however it was a “warm-up” in more ways than one.

Starting at 9am and keeping well-hydrated Mark found the first thirteen miles or so quite easy. Then the temperature soared with a predictable effect. Despite this Mark still chose the forty-mile option over thirty when given the choice at mile 21. Regular checkpoints serving drinks and high-energy foods helped and, after 31 miles, Mark got second wind and finished the forty in less than seven hours.

His precise time was 6:56:24 to claim14th position from the 73 brave souls who managed to do the full distance. This is a huge triumph of physical and mental stamina, especially in such conditions and augurs well for Mark’s forthcoming fifty-miler.

Amongst others from Lytham St Annes Road Runners suffering in weekend’s heat were Willie Richmond, Mel Koth and Bec Willetts. On Sunday Willie changed his target to “just to finish” in the Sheffield half-marathon. Over 5700 completed the race and many others didn’t so Willie’s position of 458th in 1:36:30 was excellent. He was also the 45th MV45.

Meanwhile in Manchester Mel Koth was also putting in a stirling performance in the Sale 5. Incorporating a couple of laps of Wythenshaw Park this is a fast course and, as such, attracts a high-quality field. The heat claimed a number of casualties but Mel persevered to claim the first FV35 place and 59th overall. Remarkable in such conditions was that her time of 34:10 was just three seconds shy of her personal best at this distance.

Bec Willetts completed in the second Howgill Harriers 10k in Kirby Stephen. Bec did well to get 22nd place in 54:19 on a hilly course without shade.

The conditions were slightly more bearable in the Blackpool Beach 10k where Joe Greenwood came fourth in 37:21. Sylvia Gittens was the 22nd lady from 51, despite the only one being over the age of 60.

Also in Blackpool was the Blue Light 5 Mile. This is held on the promenade at Bispham in aid of the Gynn Square memorial fund. Barbara Holmes was the first FV50 in 41:54 while her 13 year-old son Tom was 46th overall in 46:31. Barbara commented that the weather reminded her of when she ran in Dubai except that Bispham was hotter!

Finally last week Emily Hargreaves was the second woman in the “Self Transcendence 5k” in Battersea Park, London.