LSARRC News 2nd February 2022

LSARRC at St Annes 10 miler

A strong team showing reaped rewards for Lytham St Annes Road Runners as the seniors stayed home for the town’s annual 10 miler.  Both the club’s senior men and ladies took the team prizes in Sunday’s St Annes 10 mile race, with runners braving the elements from St Annes beach huts to the end of Lytham Green and back again.  The victorious mens’ team was made up of Ross McKelvie, who ran a strong race to finish 8th in 58:01, Joe Greenwood who ran 1:00:53 for 14th and Tom Howarth, 1:04:34 and 31st overall.

Jill Draper and Barbara Holmes

There was individual success for Gill Draper, who set herself a new 10 mile personal best of 1:05:39 on her way to second place for the ladies.  And she guided the womens’ team to a comfortable victory, joined in the celebrations by 4th placed Jennifer Hill - who also ran a new personal best of 1:10:10 - and Claire Markham who finished in 1:21:53.  There was an age category win for the club too, with Barbara Holmes claiming the FV60 trophy, finishing in 1:17:15.

In total 20 of the club’s runners donned their green vests for the race, including Sue Henry who took on the job of tail-walker.

Neil Tate finished in 1:11:04, just ahead of team-mate Darren Ames, 1:11:45, and Chris Cottam who ran a 1:12:53 personal best over the distance.  Next home was Mick Widdop in 1:23:53, Peter Reid in 1:25:51, Sue Hawitt in 1:27:24 and Paul McAllister in 1:28:06.  Roy Stevens was just behind in 1:29:36, followed by Kev Murray 1:30:37, Kirsten Burnett 1:32:47, Sylvia Gittins 1:40:11 and Julie Wiseman, 1:42:07.

Ross McKelvie at the St Annes 10 miler

24 hours before taking on the 10-miler, Ross McKelvie ran well to finish 1st at Lytham Hall parkrun in 17:12, followed by Andy Unsworth (20:49) and a new personal best from junior Jayden Richardson, who ran superbly to finish 9th in 20:52.  Neil Tate (21:57) and Mark Selby (22:05) made it inside the top 20.  Other club members running were: Chris Bowker (22:41), Chris Cottam (25:13), Terry Hellings (25:19), Jennifer Hill (25:36), Barry Broughton (26:19), junior Archie Belfield (27:09), Pamela Binns (30:40), Ruth Bye (31:44), Michelle Sheridan (35:00) and Sue Henry (58:48 – tailwalker).

Five of Lytham's juniors took part in the junior parkrun at Park View on Sunday, with Joe Alker crossing the line first in 8:11.  Georgina Andrews was next home for Lytham – 1st girl and 4th overall in 8:38 – with Reuben May just behind in 8:43 for his second consecutive personal best.  Also representing the club were Evie Alker, 9th overall and 2nd girl in 9:43 and Joshua McAfee, 12th in 10:13.