LSARRC News 25th February 2013

Rob Goodall well on his way to smashing the 2 hour target to bits.
The smile says it all...

The Lytham runners have been out in force showcasing their aptitude and enthusiasm at a range of running events across the north of England this week. From a total field of 1140 finishers, 15 members took to Blackpool Prom on Sunday for the 24^th Great North West Half Marathon. The day stayed dry although there was a noticeably chilly and tough headwind north, into which runners headed at the start of the race opposite the Hilton hotel. The course returned southwards as far as North Pier, and followed another lap concluding the 13.2 miler at the start point. Joe Greenwood produced a brilliant performance, doing himself and the club proud with his 1.19.51 time, first home for Lytham and 28^th  to finish overall. Pete Cruse, Simon Denye, Mark Willett and Graham Webster all finished within 1.30, with prizes scooped by Cruse for first M50, and Webster for first M60. Carla Rademan was first Lytham lady to finish, in a very creditable 1.49.58. Fiona Geldard was close behind, running a fantastic time of 1.54.52 in her first half marathon with the club. The champagne corks were popping for Rob Goodall, who, two and a half years after completing his first half marathon in 2.35.44, smashed the 2 hour barrier on his 12^th attempt at this distance in a magnificent 1.57.09 – a PB of 4m 15s.

Joe Greenwood at Great North West Half Marathon

The Darwen moors were the site for a dark and icy 5 mile night-time fell race on Friday evening. Debbie Cooper, Catherine French, Rob Goodall and Greg Oulton  - by the light of head torch – braved the infamous ‘Mr Sparkles Dark Un’ hosted by the Darwen Dashers, all finishing around the 1.06 mark. Competitors were treated to a burst of disco and lights at the highest point and rewarded with a warming chip-butty at the finish.

1st Lytham lady at the XC Nationals at Sunderland.

Snowy Saturday saw the National Cross-Country Championships take place at Herrington Park, Sunderland. The terrain of this venue was challenging enough at the last championship held there in 2007 and this time, as the snow was churned to sludge, competitors were challenged to race through thick, grey mud.  The Club turned out full teams in both the men's and women's competition - the only Fylde club to achieve this standard. Senior members ran championship length courses of 8k for the women and 12k for the men.

Individuals contributing to the two teams were Mel Koth, 191st in 40:42, Katharine Hoyland, 203rd in 41:01, Fiona Geldard, 355th in 48:37 and Janice Cobley, 394th in 52:58 for the women and Thomas Howarth, 481st in 55:08, Graham Webster, 639th in 58:46, Terry Hellings, 669th in 59:34, Colin Laidlaw, 912th in 1:06:44, Colin Nelson, 918th in 1:06:57 and Willie Richmond, 924th in 1:07:25 making up the men's team. Especially good performances came from Koth, Hoyland and Geldard and Howarth, Webster and Hellings. Outside the teams but contributing to this spirited event were Pam Binns, 401st in 53:48 who increasingly is running the off-road well, Dawn Lock, 424th in 1:03:35 and Greg Oulton who completed two laps in 53:48.

Lytham's Nigel Thompson raced in the popular Pocklington Snake Lane 10, in his home county of Yorkshire, to clock 1:00:23 for 46th place. In the Buttermere 34k Peter Cruse finished 28^th in 2:56:38.

  

Great North West Half Marathon Full Results:- Men: Joe Greenwood, 28^th, 1.19.51, Pete Cruse, 38^th, 1.21.54, Simon Denye, 68^th, 1.24.28, Mark Willett, 116th, 1.28.37, Graham Webster, 148^th, 1.29.57, Roy Upton, 236^th, 1.35.34, Richard Lloyd, 287^th, 1.38.06, Steve Quarmby, 441st, 1.43.58, Stuart Henderson, 494^th, 1.46.11, Alex Wiggins, 722nd, 1.55.15, Rob Goodall, 758th, 1.57.09. Women:- Carla Rademan, 587^th, 1.49.58, Fiona Geldard, 672^nd, 1.54.42, Catherine French, 683rd, 1.55.03, Angelalynn Smith, 840^th 2.03.07. 

LSARRC News 19th Feb 2013

Four Lytham Runners competed in the Central Lancashire 5k on Sunday morning in exceptionally bright and clear conditions, which ushered in a fresh season of spring running after the recent snow and ice afflicted events. A competitive field of local club runners competed in the testing race including an ascent up the locally known "spookey hill". The race was up around 50 entries on last year with a racing field of 300 runners. In a bright but cool morning race around Leverhulme Park in Bolton, Simon Denye finished first for the club in 46^th position clocking a time of 19.03. Not far behind him and first Lytham lady home was Mel Koth, 121^st finisher in 21.31. Also competing for Lytham were Fiona Geldard in 224^th place, 25.52, and Janice Cobley, 235^th in 26.27. The race victor was former England International Paul Freary (Belgrave Harriers) - now a V40 – showing the young ones how it’s done with his finish time of 16.25. Rachel Jones (Horwich RMI Harriers), F40, repeated the feat in the Ladies race, finishing in 18.26. 

Lytham’s Thomas Howarth was 46^th finisher in 82:38 at the Village Bakery Wrexham Half Marathon on Sunday. The course was a flat out and back road race run in sunny conditions.

Lytham's Tom Haworth

Opting for track, trail and fell instead of roads, club members Rob Goodall, Bec Willetts, Catherine French and Greg Oulton took to the moorland terrain of Darwen on Saturday morning to recce the route which will be the course of up-coming night time fell race ‘Mr Sparkles Dark ‘Un’. The five mile course includes some rocky ascent through woods up to Darwen Moor – where there was still evidence of snow and mud galore. A steep, technical and exciting decent delivered the runners home and back to the starting point at the Royal Arms Hotel. Janice Cobley, Debbie Cooper, Catherine French, Rob Goodall and Greg Oulton prepare to compete in the race hosted by Darwen Dashers on Friday. Head torches are mandatory! 

LSARRC News 12th February 2013

A tightly fought race between the two leading Lytham men
at Mid Lancs League XC at Lancaster University.

Lancaster University was the site of the fifth round of the Mid Lancs League Cross Country 2013 on Saturday. Organizing club Lancaster and Morecambe AC put on an excellent show for the 540 runners and the weather, while damp and dull, afforded runners a race in still conditions.  Seven men, eight women and one Under 13 Girl made up a strong Lytham contingent.  The men finished 13th overall which put them at the top of Division 4 and certain of a medal.  Heartening news for the ladies is that their result at Lancaster means they retain their place in Division 1 for the third consecutive year.

Andy Draper, reversing the form of the Northerns, just beat Thomas Howarth, both finishing in possibly their highest Mid Lancs League positions, 41st and 42nd.  The next four completing the Senior Men's team were Kevin Ashworth, in 78th place, Graham Webster, 82nd, Terry Hellings, 84th, and Colin Nelson, 142nd.   Mark Selby finished 150th.  Webster took second WV60 and has easily secured individual gold in his age group.

Katharine Hoyland: running to secure a position for the Ladies
XC team in division 1.

Mel Koth was the first of the Lytham women home in a high 26th place ahead of second counter Katharine Hoyland in 31st.  Completing the Senior Women's team was Laura Ashworth in 58th to give them an overall 9th place and 4th in Division 1.  Koth, Ashworth and Fiona Geldard, 83rd completed the WV35 team.  Making up the WV55 team was Sylvia Gittins, 87th, Janice Cobley, 90th, and Pam Binns, 98th.  Dawn Lock finished 109th.

Lytham Junior Ella Moulding, U13G, took 6th place in a race of 35 showing that she has a real aptitude for cross-country running.  

On Sunday there was a splash of green on the start line for the Blackburn Winter Warmer 2.5K junior race with nine of our young club’s junior members competing. The venue was Witton Park and the race got off to fast start with 1.5 laps of the track before moving on to the paths around the park and then returning to the track for a 200m sprint to the finish. The cold rain could not put a damper on the enthusiasm of these young athletes five of whom were lining up for their first race in a Lytham vest.

Following on from his Schools Cross Country last week Ross Hart continued his come back with a superb run to finish 1st M12 and 7th overall in 9:16. Next back was Simon Holt who showed his experience to finish 1st M8 and 17th in 10:35. James Nicholas was running in his first race since joining the club although you would not have thought so from the way he ran. He finished 1st M10 and 20th in 10:58. Matthew Killick, who was also racing for the first time produced a brilliant run to finish 3rd M10 and 23rd in 11:05. Harry Booth who has been more used to cross-country ran brilliantly to finish 2nd M9 and 29th in 12:02. Luke Myers, another novice, ran a very well judged race to finish 3rd M9 and 34th in 12:23. The club’s youngest competitor was seven-year old Olivia Aberra who was just brilliant and her 1st F7 and 36th in 12:34 was rewarded with a prize. Sisters Louisa and Natasha Hart were never far apart throughout the race and they were both a credit to the club with Louisa just having the final say to finish 3rd F11 and 40th in 12:56 and Natasha was 4th F8 and 42nd in 13:00.

Can you feel your feet yet?! Debbie Cooper after
conquering the Winter Hill Fell Race, Rivington.

LSARRC member and fell enthusiast Debbie Cooper tackled the Norman Matthews Winter Hill Fell Race, Rivington, on Sunday, a considerable challenge including 2700 ft of climb over 11 miles. Snow came down with the starting gun and on the tops was inches deep within an hour. Runners traversed uncompromising terrain; slippery descents, knee deep mud and foot-numbing stints through icy water. Intrepid Cooper finished in 2.44.54, 7^th/9 FV35, 20^th/27 ladies, 164^th/189 overall.  

3 Lytham runners were out competing in the Winter Warmer 10k in Blackburn, Lancs on Sunday. Snow came down whilst the race was run on a course which was considerable ascent for the first half and balanced with descent in the second. Graham Webster was home first for the club, finishing 48^th in a field of 399 with a time of 41.39, 1^st V60. Laura Ashworth was first Lytham lady home and 4/14 in the F35 category, finishing in 48.56, 179^th overall and Fiona Geldard made up the three finishing 304^th overall in 56.44. Lytham were represented by Bec Willetts and Pam Hardman at the Southport Mad Dog 10k, also on Sunday. Pam finished in 51.34, full results still to be published.

LSARRC News 4th February 2013

Ella Moulding running a fantastic race at the
 Lancashire Schools Cross Country Championships.

The Lytham Road Runners Club Juniors were out competing with determination on Saturday - representing Fylde Schools, four young members were in competition in the Lancashire Schools Cross Country championships. The venue was Blackburn’s Witton Park and in sharp contrast to the snow on the previous Saturday competitors were treated to bright sunshine and reasonably firm ground underfoot.  In the 3.7K Junior boys race Ross Hart was competing in his first competitive race for almost a year and he ran extremely well to finish 58^th in 16:30. In the 5K Inter Boys race George Rowley ran well to finish 16^th in 18:59 as too did Alex Stanier who was not far behind in 27^th in 19:52. Ella Moulding ran in the 2K year 7 girls race and was soon one of three girls that broke away from the rest of the field and they produced one of the most exciting finishes of the day with Ella taking third place in 18:10 just 2 seconds behind the winner.

Club Member Syliva Gittens - in green! - alongside friends
at the Alexandra 5k.

While not the biggest, best-known or most popular, the Alexandra 5K proved itself to be one of the friendliest races and Lytham St. Annes RRC's two representatives had a thoroughly enjoyable time before relaxing at the Trafford Centre for a very satisfying day out. Alexandra Park is currently undergoing renovation which will eventually lead to better paths for future races but meant re-routing the February event. An extra lap made up the distance and, unusually for a road race, runners were directed across the grass to avoid the fenced off areas.  Fresh from the Northern Cross-Country Championships, the off-road changes suited the Lytham runners perfectly. Sylvia Gittins going fast straight from the start line, was the first Lytham member back in 25:39 behind two runners putting in good 23 minute performances to take the third place medal.  Dawn Lock finished 11th in 33:15.

LSARRC members Rob Goodall, Rebecca Willetts and Pam Hardman were midlands-bound on Sunday to compete in the Alsager 5 miler. The lengthy journey made it a close call to make it for the starting gun, but they made it off the blocks and all finished the flat, fast course in good times. Bec Willetts in 41.57, Pam Hardman in 42.07 and Rob Goodall in 44.29.

LSARRC News 28th January 2013

XC Team Survivors at Knowsley! From L - R Dawn Lock,
Terry Hellings, Graham Webster, Katharine Hoyland,
Pam Binns, Fiona Geldard, Andy Draper, Colin Nelson,
Greg Oulton, Sylvia Gittens.

The Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships at Knowsley Safari Park on Saturday was the Lytham St Anne’s RRC first snow-bound championship in twelve years of competing. Coming close to cancellation with fresh snowfall and resulting travel chaos, organisers concluded that the competition should go ahead and hundreds of athletes received the benefit of a great event at a new venue. Backed by the gracious Knowsley Hall and the grounds appearing splendid in the morning sunshine, later the weight of the more than 1600 competitors reduced these pristine landscapes to grey slush.

First out were the juniors, and straight from the off the runners were faced with a long climb before beginning a fast decent to the lower ground where conditions underfoot became increasingly mushy. Competitors then turned to come back up the course with an energy sapping climb before a fast decent to the finish line. Ella Moulding lined up with 143 other athletes from the North of England in the U13 girls 3K race and she was off to a great start from the gun. Running a very strong race and conserving enough energy in her legs to pass two runners in the home straight, she finished a very creditable 29^th, in 13:50.

The snow proved a tough challenge especially on the championship-length courses: three laps and 12k for the Senior Men, and two laps and 8k for the Senior Women, which tested runners to the limit. First home for Lytham men was Thomas Howarth, running exceptionally well in spite of conditions, and proving further that he is hitting a vein of form generally in his racing. In a very high-quality field, Howarth finished in 54:42, well above the halfway point. He was followed in by Andy Draper, 270th in 55:10, Graham Webster, 353rd in 58:10, Terry Hellings, 392nd in 59:55 and Captain Colin Nelson, 517th in 1:07:44. Hellings, veteran of many championships described it as the most tiring he could remember. Just one short of a team, Lytham's men put in some creditable performances.

Leading Lytham Lady Mel Koth, in the snowy scene at Knowsley.

In the Senior Women's race Lytham did well to field a full team which finished 22nd out of 27 teams. The Club's foremost runner, Mel Koth ran strongly to make a top 100 finish. Koth was 99th in 40:50. Behind her was fast-improving Katharine Hoyland, 117th in 42:56, who is beginning to find a real talent for cross-country. Fiona Geldard finished 191st in 52:27 for third team place and the team was completed by Pam Binns, 205th in 57:58, who is another with an aptitude for the sport. Not making the team but adding to the spirit with their enthusiasm for this course and cross-country in general, were Sylvia Gittins, 206th in 58:00 and Dawn Lock, 217th in 1:07:18.

Beacon Fell proved to be the location of choice this weekend for club members eager to get out for some trail training and to take in the amazing winter’s panorama from this local vantage point. On Saturday, by car, Debbie Cooper and Pam Hardman only just succeeded making it to the Fell through heavy snowfall, to find the only other vehicles to make it were 4 wheel drives. Once there they had a fantastic run and on some paths found themselves the first across fresh new snow, calf deep in some places and a chilly challenge. Getting back home proved an even bigger test, which involved digging the car out of the car park and a 4 man push to get going. Colin Laidlaw and Catherine French also blitzed the paths and trails of a windswept Beacon Fell on Sunday. On their 7 mile route, there was ice, snow, slush and sunshine aplenty, although it’s fair to say that some significant thawing had occurred since Saturday.