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.