LSARRC News 6th June 2017

Clemmie Tierney, Jess Ramsden and Jayden Richardson at Park View Junior parkrun

The first race of the week, on the first day of the week, was the Fishwick 5 mile run held on Bank Holiday Monday 29th May. On a breezy and rainy morning, 2 of Lytham’s Men competed in this local event described as a 5 Mile scenic run taking in parts of Guild Wheel, Woodland trail with some nice inclines. Chris McCarthy was first back for the club in 4th place overall and a time of 30:52, followed by Neil Tate in 8th place and a time of 33:15.

On Wednesday 31st, in much more favourable conditions albeit a little humid, was the first of 3 Midsummer Mile events held at UCLAN Sports track; a new event in the calendar run on an accurately measured 1 mile lap of the cycle track. 4 Lytham runners (3 juniors, 1 senior) ran the route in a field of 25 recording 3 Personal Bests for Andy Draper finishing 2nd in 5:02, George Denye finishing 14th in 5:38 and Jessica Ramsden in 7:26, and a Seasons Best for Sydney Ramsden in 7:01.

Thursday evening saw the first of a 3 race series of the Badger 10k run in Cuerden Park. It is a tough 10k around the park with a few nasty climbs, steps, stiles and fields. On a warm, sticky night, Mel Koth and Julia Rolfe took on the challenge, with Mel finishing in 46:07 for 37th place out of 183 and second V40, with Julia finishing in 55:31 and 6th V50.

Saturday 3rd June saw Lytham Runners scattered across a number of local parkruns due to Lytham Hall being out of use this week and yet another warm, sunny and humid morning. At
Preston parkrun we were represented by Tom Howarth on his first run at Preston, who ran the course in 19:14 for 7th place, with Catherine Carrdus on his heels finishing 1 second later in 19:15 for 1st female and 8th place overall out of 343 runners. Robert Parker completed the Lytham line up in 26:30 for 132nd place.

Lytham’s neighbouring parkrun at Blackpool saw 7 LSARRC runners in attendance. First home for the club around the 2 lap course run at Stanley Park was Andy Draper on his first outing at Blackpool, finishing in 3rd place in 17:50. Following Andy was Neil Tate, for 4th place in 18:22. First female overall and for the club was Michelle Hook in a 5k PB time of 20:17, followed by James Buckley in 23:04, Eric Wrigley in 24:15, and Gill Draper and Jennifer Aldworth finishing the run together in 25:47.

Joe Greenwood at Cuerden Valley parkrun

Cuerden Valley parkrun saw Joe Greenwood and Kirsten Burnett tackle the renowned undulating course along with 177 other runners. Joe finished first overall in a great time of 18:56, with Kirsten finishing 92nd in 29:55.

Holly Anderson at Park View Junior parkrun

Eric Wrigley at Park View Junior parkrun

Sunday 4th June saw a number of runner tackling a variety of distances. Firstly, the Park View Junior parkrun saw 8 Lytham juniors take on the run with George Denye finishing first overall in a time of 7:17, close to his course record. Next was Morgan Pritchard setting a new PB in 7:27, followed by Eric Wrigley in 8:28. Clemmie Tierney (9:12), Jessica Ramsden (9:15), Holly Anderson (10:04), Sophie Tate (11:13) and Sebastian Koth-Wragg (12:40) completed the junior line up.


Sunday also saw Greg Oulton tackle the Lakeland Trials Coniston Marathon. The race started in the blazing heat at 7am heading into the town then turning towards Tarn Hows, heading  clockwise round Coniston Water through Grizedale Forest, over High Nibthwaite, round the bottom of the lake and up the west side back to the camp site. With over 3000ft of climb, this is not a race for the feint-hearted. Greg completed the course, after being in hospital the previous week, in 6:10:35. Brilliant running and effort Greg. On the same day, albeit a fraction of the distance but undoubtedly still challenging, John Wild completed the Lakeland Trials Coniston 10k in 1:12:06, and Liz Boon in 1:17:20.

Greg Oulton at Lakeland Trials Coniston Marathon