LSARRC News 24th February 2015

Neil Tate at the Great North West Half Marathon

After a lull in local races in recent weeks, there was plenty of action to be be found this last weekend although the big event of the weekend was the  English National Cross Country Championships which was held at Parliament Hill, London on Saturday.  Only Terry Hellings made the trip south returning to the venue of his schoolboy cross country exploits where he toed the line with over 2000 other senior men.  The two lap 12k course was very muddy for large parts, undulating with several stiff climbs but if you had time to look some spectacular views of London.  He completed the course in 62min 29sec for 1591th place.

On Friday evening, Debbie Cooper and Greg Oulton entered Mr Sparkle's Dark 'un night time fell race braving wind, snow, mist and hail to run just over five miles over the Tockholes fell in the dark. Debbie finished 56th in 51:46 while Greg finished 64th in 57:45.

Greg was back in action again on Saturday afternoon along with Richard Storey and Julia Rolfe taking part in the Standish Hall trail race.  This was a 10k 2 lap course which was on mainly farm tracks and woodland trails was very muddy and cold.  Richard finished in 135th in 54:43.  Greg and Julia had a sprint finish with Greg just pipping Julia to the line in 166th place.  Both were give the same time of 58:38.  Julia was also 4th female vet 50.  There were 239 finishers.  Good fun was enjoyed by all.

Also on Saturday, junior Ella Moulding ran the Preston Parkrun.  The 14 year old finished in 20th place and 2nd female clocking a PB for the course of 19:52.

Simon Denye followed by Joe Greenwood

Derek Heron

Ian Tate

Sunday's highlight was the Great North West Half Marathon starting from the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool and taking in a 2 lap course between the North Pier and Little Bispham.  Conditions were pretty horrendous with a strong cold wind, driving rain and a high tide.  Despite the weather, Lytham St Annes was well represented with some excellent results.

First home for the club was Simon Denye with a cracking run finishing in 12th position, 1st vet 40 and also first local runner in 1:20:22, a very pleasing result in this preparation for the Manchester Marathon.  Joe Greenwood was not far behind in 20th place in 1:21:41.  Neil Tate, another club member training for the London Marathon, also made light of the conditions to finish in 57 place and 1:26:32.  Chris Blackburn was next in 290th in 1:43:51, Ian Tate was 429th in 1:50:31, Fiona Geldard was 457th in 1:50:41, Derek Heron was 541st in 1:52:26, Stuart Henderson was 659th in 1:58:37 and Ruth Wheatley was 683rd in 1:58:18.  1251 completed the race although there were many who failed to finish due to the wild conditions.

The 33rd Lostock 6 road race at Bolton was also held on Sunday with 201 runners braving the elements.  The race was won by Jonathan Kay from Bolton United Harriers.  Tom Howarth finished in 14th place and 37:08, Alex Wiggins was 95th in 45:58 and Colin Laidlaw was 55th in 42:04.

A couple of runners travelled further afield.

Sylvia Gittins ran the Brighton Half Marathon in a time of 2:01:34.

Bob Clough ran the 4th Funchal Half Marathon in Madeira on Sunday. He finished in 2:08:04 and was 269th male on a hilly course in the warm conditions.