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. 

LSARRC News 23/01/2013

Sprinting towards a PB Thomas Howarth.

Icy roads and continued snowfall has slowed down running activity this week; notably the Helsby 4 villages half marathon on Sunday hit the skids, with runners choosing to protect their limbs from slips and falls ready for future races! The elements proved to be no match for the Inskip half marathon however, and on Sunday seven Lytham runners bravely took to the roads of just north of Preston, the race starting from HMS Inskip. Conditions remained wintry, with the temperature around zero and the presence of a stiff north easterly wind, however the roads were clear of snow and ice making the race safe to go ahead. The race still attracted a field of 316 (finishers), amongst them the 7 LSARRC competitors. Thomas Howarth is plotting a steady chart of improvement and success and confirmed this with his 1.21.42 finish, 18^th overall, which brought him home first for the club and netted him another PB in the process. MV50 Peter Cruse was in a few seconds later, 19^th finishing in 1:21:49. For the men, closely following were Joe Greenwood, 31^st in 1.24.25, Simon Denye, 52^nd in 1.29.07, Mark Willett, 63^rd in 1.30.30. The 2 ladies, Janice Cobley and Pam Binns, competing within the FV60 category, finished together in the very creditable time of 2.12.22 earning them both Silvers in ladies race standards. Blackpool based Stuart Robinson (Salford Harriers) won the race in 68.25, and Maria Kennedy (Penny Lane) was first lady finisher in 89.10. Runners were only slightly hampered by some snow on the road between miles 8 and 9, but the race went ahead successfully thanks to good organisation, facilities and marshalling, and finishers were rewarded with a goody bag and a warming after race nosh-up.

LSARRC News 14/01/2013

The post-race survivors of the mens XC tean at Hyndburn! L-R:
Mark Selby, Thomas Howarth, Colin Laidlaw, Kev Ashworth,
Terry Hellings, Andy Draper, Graham Webster, Nigel Simpkin.

The Lytham Runners XC Team rose to a sticky, muddy challenge at the 4^th part of the Mid Lancs Cross Country Competition 2012 – ’13, this month staged at Wilson playing fields at Hyndburn. Weather conditions were favourable on the day, Saturday being crisp, bright and still. However a large extent of the course, which comprised playing fields and surrounding wooded areas, was reduced to viscous black mud underfoot, making the criss-cross course an ardent challenge for all competing. The Club once again produced a great turn-out, with 22 members running in signature green, including four Juniors, who were first out to race.

Lytham U11 Girl XC debutante,
Olivia Aberra.

Seven year old Olivia Aberra made her cross country debut in the U11 girls race and performed magnificently to finish 25^th in 11:45. Simon Holt and Harry Booth ran in the U11 boys race and both ran well over the challenging course with Simon finishing 24^th in 9:57 and Harry 41^stin 10:51. Ella Moulding, again produced a strong performance to finish 6^th in the U13 girls race in 11:02. In the senior ladies race, following a 6k course made up of a shorter and longer lap, the first 3 women back pulled out strong performances to score for the ‘A’ team: Mel Koth finished 28^th in 31.11, Katharine Hoyland – a relative newcomer to XC, made an impressive finish in 32.22 (37^th) and next home was Laura Ashworth, 72^nd in 37.02. In close succession came Fiona Geldard, 87^th, 39.46, Catherine French, 99^th, 43.57, Pamela Binns, 102^nd, 46.37, Sylvia Gittens, 104^th, 47.28 and Dawn Lock, 107^th, 50.53. It is looking good for the women to maintain their strong position in the league 1^st division, whilst for the men 1^st place in Division 4 makes for a healthy looking table. The senior men were faced with an even more gruelling 10k course comprising 3 unforgiving laps. Andy Draper was home first finishing in 45.57, 67^th overall, followed by Tom Haworth, 81^st, 46.56 and then Graham Webster 94^th in 47.50. Finishing the hard course in good times thereafter were Terry Hellings, 105^th, 48.46, Kev Ashworth, 133^rd, 51.56, Colin Laidlaw, 147^th, 53.10, Mark Selby 193^rd, 58.52 and Nigel Simpkin, 201^st, 1.00.59. The tricky and unpredictable course unfortunately forced Steve Quarmby and Stan Greenhalgh to pull out due to injury, however some great performances were testimony to all that mud being well worth it, and the team have another few weeks to recover until the next stage of the competition at Lancaster University on 9^th February.

At the Garstang 10k on Sunday, 5 Lytham runners ran the popular course - of whom an impressive 4 were out the day before competing in XC! The New Year’s race had 462 finishers, from which Club members Thomas Howarth came in 18^th in 37.31, followed by Peter Cruse in 20^th place, 37.35, Graham Webster, 30^th, 39.22, Fiona Geldard, 335^th, 54.58 and Dawn Lock, 461^st, 1.12.59.

Winning smiles from the ladies XC team, from L-R Mel Koth,
Janice Cobley, Pam Binns, Sylvia Gittens, Dawn Lock, Laura Ashworth.

2013 is going to be a year to remember for the Lytham Runners if the outstanding individual and team performances already produced are anything to go by. The squad returned laden with medals from the Lancashire Cross-Country Championships on Saturday. On a few previous notable occasions, the Club has snapped up one, two or even three medals but never before in its fifteen-year history has it come home with nine county medals. But that is precisely what the sixteen members did when they won three golds, two silvers and four bronzes. Add in the junior selection for Lancashire and it became truly a red letter day for the Club.

Just five days into the new year, the Championships were graced with beautiful weather and ideal running conditions; lucky as Witton Park remains one of the toughest challenges faced by cross-country runners in the northwest. All age categories apart from the under elevens had to face at least one climb up the notorious saucer and for the seniors it was three for the women and four for the men.

Heading for the Inter-Counties
Championships: U13G
Ella Moulding.

Foremost in the medal toll were the seven members of the women's team who took away eight medals between them. Another was added by one of the six-strong men's team and Lytham's only U13 girl won selection to run for the county.

Highest placed Lytham woman was Melanie Koth whose 27th place and 34.10 gave her an individual silver in the WV35 category and with Laura Ashworth and Janice Cobley, bronze in the veteran's team competition. Janice won individual gold in the WV60 category as did Sylvia Gittins in the WV65 category. With team mates Pamela Binns in silver position and Dawn Lock in bronze, it was a clean sweep for Lytham in the WV65 category. Capping the whole experience was having Lytham's reigning champion Susan Samme presenting the medals.

An hour later in the men's race Graham Webster was the first MV60 out of six across the line in an impressive 44.39 to take the individual gold medal and to bring the Club's tally to an all-time record nine medals. First for Lytham was Thomas Howarth who is really getting to grips with cross-country running, finishing 62nd in 42.48 in a high class field led in by local Blackburn star Ben Fish in a searing 33.46 for the 9.9k course. The men's team finished a creditable 10th in the open and 7th in the vets.

Just outside the medals but with the Club's highest placing of the day and automatic selection to the Lancashire team for the junior Inter-Counties Championships in Birmingham was U13G Ella Moulding with a stunning 13.26 in 4th place, 26 seconds behind the leader. Two others represented the LSARRC junior section; Simon Holt in the U11B's and Alexander Stanier in the U17M's

Mel Koth at XC Championships, the first part of her weekend of success. 

At the Central Lancashire New Years Half Marathon Mel Koth’s success story continued, where she won the prize for 3^rd female in race in a speedy 1.33.18 (49^th place overall); also first lady back for the club. Conditions were still, mild and dry for the mostly flat and rural course which started and finished in the small village of Catforth. The race attracted a field of 300+ entrants, amongst them 8 Lytham members. Joe Greenwood was first home for the Club and 16^th overall in a fast 1.22.33. Next was Koth, and then Catherine French, running her 1^st half marathon in 1.52.20 (161^st place) and well within her 2 hour target. Following were Graham Young, 190^th in 1.56.40 and hitting a PB, Pippa Hughes, 214^th in 1.59.30, Janice Cobley 231^st in 2.03.59 (a gold standard run), Rob Goodall, 275^th in 2.08.43 and Pam Binns, 275^th in 2.13.51 and also a PB.

LANCASHIRE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS + FULL RESULTS: U11Bs 1.8k - Simon Holt, 32nd in 9.49; U13Gs 3.1k - Emma Moulding, 4th in 13.26; U17M 5.4k - Alexander Stanier, 24th in 23.20; SW 6.9k - Melanie Koth, 27th in 34.10, Laura Ashworth, 38th in 38,21, Janice Cobley, 45th in44.03, Fiona Geldard, 46th in 44.40, Sylvia Gittins, 47th in 45.25, Pamela Binns, 48th in 48.36, Dawn Lock, 52nd in 55.55; SM 9.9k - Thomas Howarth, 62nd in 42.48, Graham Webster, 78th in 44.39, Terry Hellings, 94th in 46.04, Kevin Ashworth, 99th in 46.46, Colin Laidlaw, 116th in 50.27, Colin Nelson, 122nd in 52.17.

As 2012 draws to a close and many enjoy a well earned rest, there has been no shortage of athletic activity from the Lytham runners who have been involved in a range of both Club and locally organised events.

The Ribble Valley 10k took place on the final Sunday of 2012, with 1078 runners finishing the scenic, undulating course in blustery and at times wet conditions. Northern Athletics again used this highly popular course to host their championship event. 14 Lytham runners were amongst the competitors, producing some notable performances which included Graham Webster claiming 2^nd V60 with his 39.44 time, and Sylvia Gittins winning the first female 60-64 in the race, finishing in 52.50. Peter Cruse was first home for the club in 38.08 and Mel Koth was first female finishing in 43.03. PB's were run in abundance, by Catherine French (also achieving her first bronze standard time) Andy Sneddon and Kev Ashworth. The spirited atmosphere of the race continued in the awards ceremony afterwards, where local Olympian Holly Bleasedale presented.

Who's who in the Fun Christmas Relay, fancy dress! L - R Steve Quarmby, Catherine French, Bec Willetts, Rob Goodall, Andy Sneddon, Roger McCandless, Debbie Cooper, Graham Young, Laura Ashworh, Terry Hellings, (bottom row) HAnnah McCandless, Pam Hardman, Dawn Lock, Bill Lock. 

                                                      

Last Sunday 14 members got festive proceedings off the starting blocks at the club Christmas Fun Relay. The 5k route took in a section of the promenade, starting and finishing at Lytham Windmill in what was a bright but very blustery Sunday morning. In addition to running their relay team leg, those involved sported a range of creative fancy dress outfits for a light-hearted competition, with Laura Ashworth getting the winning vote for best costume, dressed as a Christmas tree! Also on Sunday 180 runners took part in the Rudolph 5 mile trail race out near Heron’s Reach, Blackpool, including 5 Lytham members. A partly waterlogged course challenged competitors, but the race was run in good spirit with another cheery display of festive costumes.  First back for Lytham was Graham Webster in 17th place taking the first vet 60. In 24th place was Peter Cruse, 4th vet 50, in 34.14. Next for Lytham was Joe Shaw in 72nd place 40.41. In 106 and 107th place were Vicky Cummings and Fiona Geldard finishing in 44.27 and 44.41 respectively. Finishers enjoyed warming mince pies and drinks back at race HQ.

                       

                             Blackpool Rudolph 5, L-R Vicki Cummings, Graham Webster,Fiona Geldard, Joe Shaw.

21 club members ran the final Monthly Handicap of the year on Thursday, completing the 3.45m course on a mild evening. Congratulations go to Jeremy McCandless on winning and recording a PB on only his third run and to long-time regulars Tom Haworth and Steve Quarmby who also ran PB’s.  Debbie Cooper ran a much improved course finishing in 2nd place and Fiona Geldard, Kev Ashwoth and Graham Webster also had their best runs of the winter.  Alex Wiggins moves up to 1st on the overall table but there are others chasing hard, some of them with races in hand; a pre-cursor to an exciting finish in March 2013. The club welcomed two more members of the McCandless family, Hannah and Paula, to their first run of the Handicap. It’s always a pleasure to see new faces and it is hoped they will be back in the new year. A small but jovial post-race party at the Ship and Royal concluded the evening, which included a seasonal quiz and some impromptu carolling from the LSARRC choir!

Full Ribble Valley 10k Results. Women: Mel Koth, 391^st, 43.03, Laura Ashworth, 585^th, 47.12, Catherine French, 710^th, 49.09, Sylvia Gittins, 835^th, 52.50, Janice Cobley, 932^nd, 56.23, Pamela Binns, 1000^th, 59.54. Men: Peter Cruse, 181^st, 38.04, Thomas Haworth, 189^th, 38.16, Graham Webster, 244^th, 39.44, Kevin Ashworth, 341^st, 41.44, Steve Quarmby, 482^nd, 44.23, Roy Stevens, 667^th, 48.37, Brian Porter, 839^th, 53.05, Andy Sneddon, 973^rd, 58.14.