LSARRC News 1st December 2015

Louisa Ruman

The main event for Lytham St Annes RRC this weekend was the third fixture of the Mid Lancs. cross country league.  This fixture is held in Sefton Park, Liverpool in conjunction with the British Athletics Cross Challenge and attracts the best athletes in the country as it is used as selection race for the European Cross Country Championships.

Morgan Pritchard

Lytham were out in force but the stars of the show were undoubtedly the under 11 boys’ team.  The future of Lytham St Annes RRC is is looking good as the team of Louis Eunson (4th in 7.42), George Denye (12th in 8.14) and Morgan Pritchard (32nd in 8.47) took fourth place in the under 11 boy’s team competition.   Sydney Ramsden (49th I in 9.32) and Charlotte Thomson (58th in 10.15) represented the club in the under 11 girls race.  Also flying the flag for Lytham juniors were Rebecca Tate in the under 13 girls (56th in 15.20) and Simon Holt in the under 13 boys (44th 13.07)

Charlotte Thomson

Eight Lytham members toed the line in the senior women’s race with Mel Koth leading the team home taking 39th place in 37.37 closely followed by Felicity Wolohan (43rd in 37.51).  Julia Rolfe was next home (80th in 42.19) finishing strongly overtaking team captain Als Everest (84th in 42.34) in the last half mile.  Completing the Lytham contingent were Louisa Ruman (101st in 45.05), Sylvia Gittins (142nd and 3rd FV65 in 49.25), Pam Hardman (148th in 20.20) and Dawn Lock (171st in 66.22).

Tom Howarth who ran in both the
Wesham 10k and the Liverpool Cross Country

Final race of the day was the senior men’s race and Lytham were led home by Joe Greenwood (66th in 37.19) followed by Neil Tate (117th in 40.03).  Thomas Howarth not wanting to miss one of his favourite races (Wesham 10k) and not wanting to let the cross country down decided to do both so having completed the Wesham 10k (45th in 39.30) in the morning then dashed to Sefton Park to complete the 10k cross country course in 41.54 for 146th place.  Completing the senior men’s team  and taking 4th place in division 3 were Terry Hellings (192nd and 3rd MV60 in 44.57), Richard Storey in one of his rare cross country appearances (260th in 51.10) and Steve Ashton (274th in 54.04).
Tom 45th 39.30

Also representing Lytham in the Wesham 10k was Mark Selby (73rd in a pb of 41.51).

The inaugural Lytham Parkrun took place at Lytham Hall on Saturday and LSARRC were well represented.  This is 3 lap 5k course with a fast finish in the drive way.  Representing Lytham were Dave Dunn (23rd in 22.50), Debbie Cooper (49th and 6th female in 25.47), Chloe Norman (52nd and 7th female in 25.57), Gemma Czarnota (56th and 8th female in 26.19), Sue Hawitt (73rd and 11th femalein 27.37), Bob Clough (84th in 28.57), Stu Wharrier (100th in 30.40), Jeremy McCandless (101st in 30.46) and (Paula McCandless 145th and 42nd female in 35.54).  The Lytham Parkrun takes place every Saturday at 09:00 and is free to enter.  All you have to do is pre-register at Parkrun.org.uk and turn up with a barcode that will be emailed to you. 

Club champion Joanna Goorney ventured East of the Pennines to compete in the Barnsley 10k.  Joanna ran well on the one lap hilly course that started in Royston Park and finished at Royston civic centre to finish 3rd female and 1st fv45 in 41.23 on a very windy day.

LSARRC News 24th November 2015

Start of Lytham Hall parkrun trial run

There was a real lull in action this week, although there is plenty coming up in the next few weekends with the 3rd Mid Lancs League Cross Country meet from Sefton Park, Liverpool next Saturday being at the top of the list.  This is great fixture for local athletes where they have the opportunity to run with Britain's best cross county athletes since it is combined with the British Athletics Cross Challenge Series 2015-2016.

Mel Koth

The nearest race for Lytham St Annes runners this last weekend was in Chorley on Sunday morning with the Chorley Fire 10k.  Starting from the Lancashire Fire & Rescue Training Centre in Chorley, the two lap course on quiet roads took in the local villages of Euxton and Astley Village and had a sneaky sharp hill which had to be run up twice.  The race was very well organised and there was hotpot at the finish as well.  Anthony Valentine of Bolton United Harriers was first home in 33:10 whilst first lady was Vicky Bryant of Wigan Pheonix.  Mel Koth and Steve Ashton were Lytham St Annes' sole representatives.  Mel finished in 75th place, 7th female and 1st vet 40 in a time of  43:02 whilst Steve was 226th in 52:05.  There were 409 finishers.

On Saturday morning, a trial run was held for the forthcoming much awaited Lytham Hall parkrun which has its first proper run next Saturday (28th).  The 5k course starts by Lytham Hall and takes in 3 laps of the grounds before finishing in front of the hall.  40 runners turned up for the practice along with a considerable number of volunteers with Neil Tate from LSARRC getting round the quickest in 19:14 with Felicity Wolohan being the first lady round in about 22 minutes.  Already, 236 people have registered for Lytham Hall Parkrun .  Further details and how to register for this free event can be found at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/lythamhall.

Jeremy, Paula and Ella the dog: Lytham Hall parkrun trial

Felicity Wolohan at Lytham Hall parkrun trial

LSARRC News 17th November 2015

The main local event of the weekend was the 34th Preston 10 mile road race from Hutton Grammer School, Preston on Sunday morning.  Despite the wet and windy conditions, this popular race still had over 400 finishers over the flat 2 lap course.  As well as hosting the race, the home club also provided both the 1st male and 1st female finishers.  Dave Rigby was first home in 55:53 whilst international Helen Clitheroe was first female home in 58:18 and was 7th overall finishing just seconds outside the female course record.

Lytham St Annes Road Runners had 5 athletes out.  First home for the club was Neil Tate in 29th place and an excellent 1:03:05.  Tom Howarth was next in 74th place and 1:06:46.  Nigel Simpkin was 259th in 1:24:07, Steve Ashton was 289th in 1:27:38 and Julia Rolfe was 295th in 1:28:15.

Felicity Wolohan's trip south included a Saturday morning run at the  Hackney Marshes parkrun.  The course consists of a ‘out and back’ route around Hackney Marshes and has spectacular views of the Olympic site and a lovely stretch following the River Lea navigation channel.  Felicity's venture paid dividends with her 2nd pb in a week.   She completed the 5k course in 21:06 knocking 20 seconds of her pb finishing 2nd female and 24th overall from 119 finishers.

LSARRC News 10th November 2015

LSARRC Juniors and KGJS

 On Saturday morning, Felicity Wolohan was back in Princes Park, Liverpool for the Princes Park parkrun.  In wet and windy conditions, Felicity continued her recent good form to run yet another pb for of 21:28 for the 5k course.  In the process, she finished 1st female and 21st place overall from 161 finishers.

The start of the Windmill 10k

The big attraction for Lytham St Annes runners was on Sunday morning.  The Windmill 10k was held in very windy conditions starting and finishing by Lytham Windmill and taking in Fairhaven Lake.  This very popular fast flat race was sold out before the day and had 772 finishers  The race was won by Conrad McKee of Blackburn Harriers in 36:04 whilst  Zoe Gmerek of Sale Harriers was 1st lady in 41:27.  First home for Lytham St Annes was Neil Tate who was very pleased to make the top 10 in 38:30.  Just behind in 11th place was Tom Howarth in 38:49.  Steve Ashton was thrilled to finish in 144th and 4th vet 50 in 50:15.  He has only recently joined the club but is already reaping the benefits.  After a recent injury, getting back into form was Claire England finishing in 164th in 51:18 whilst Rachael Wignall was 292nd in 55:53.  Graham Young was 420th in 59:44.

Claire England

Neil Tate

Rachael Wignall

Steve Ashton

Tom Hawarth

On Monday night, Lytham St Annes Road Runners Juniors hosted Kirkham Grammer Junior School at Lytham YMCA at the annual Indoor Athletics Competition.  Everyone selected was very excited in what was to turn out to be a very enjoyable evening of athletics.  The evening competition comprised of the following events: Speed Bounce, Long Jump, Triple Jump. Vertical Jump. Javelin, 1,2,3,4 Lap races and relays. After 1 and half hours of exciting competition the results were as follows:  U 11 Boys Kirkham 90 Lytham 56 U 11 Girls Kirkham 63  Lytham 76.  So honours were shared in what was a very enjoyable evening of athletics.

LSARRC Juniors and KGJS

LSARRC News 3rd November 2015

Last Thursday saw the first race in the club's monthly Winter Handicap Series, a 3.45 mile course from Lytham to Ansdell and back.  Alex Wiggins was first home whilst Debbie Cooper continued her recent excellent form to finish second.  There were also PBs for the course for Alan Elstone, Alex Everest and Neil Tate who moves up to second on the overall table.

Two others to record PBs were Barbara Holmes and Ruth Wheatley, both making welcome returns to the handicap after twelve months absence and running off estimated starts.  Olivia Allen bravely took on the handicap on her very first appearance at the club.

Next month's race will be interesting as October's is a time setting race for the winter and, with Joe, Tom and Neil running such similar times, all three will start together in November.

There was a splendid Hallowe'en buffet after the race with many special contributions appropriate to the occasion.  A popular favourite was Sue Hawitt's sick pumpkin with edible vomit and Bec Willetts' delicious warm pumpkin pie.  Prizes were also awarded for the annual Pumpkin carving competition -  Bill Lock's was placed 1st with Jo Goorney's 2nd and Dawn Lock's 3rd.

Thanks to all who took part, especially Greg Oulton and Sue Hawitt who, unable to run themselves, assisted at the start and finish, and Dawn Lock who organised the pumpkin competition.

Full results: 1 Alex Wiggins 27.42; 2 Debbie Cooper 28.10; 3 Richard Storey 24.01; 4 Alan Elstone 24.07 27 PB; 5 Neil Tate 20.42 26 PB; 6 Alex Everest 28.10 25 PB; 7 Tom Howarth 20.31; 8 Steve Ashton 31.28; 9 Rachael Wignall 31.17; 10 Joe Greenwood 20.33; 11 Jeremy McCandless 30.42; 12 Claire England 27.42; 13 Dawn Lock  46.51 18; Est. Barbara Holmes  26.11 PB; Est. Ruth Wheatley 27.45 PB; Est. Olivia Allen 31.33;

Felicity Wolohan

It was a very quiet week on the local racing front with the closest events being in Lancaster and Wigan but not enough to entice anyone from Lytham St Annes.  Although the local parkruns didn't attract any LSA club runner, Felcity Wolohan was in Liverpool for the Princes Park parkrun.  In fact, Felicity ran her 4th pb in 5 weeks with an excellent performance in a time of 21:29 for the 5k course and, in the process, finishing 32nd overall from 242 finishers and 3rd woman.

On Saturday afternoon, Joanna Goorney competed in the senior women's race in the 2nd meet of the West Yorkshire cross country series from North Huddersfield Trust School, Huddersfield.  The 3.3 mile course took in 3 hilly laps and was won by fell running international Katie Walshaw of Holmfirth Harriers who was in a league of her own. In balmy conditions for the end of October, Joanna finished in 15th place out of 99 in a time of 24:28.

Joanna Goorney at Huddersfield Cross Country

LSARRC News 27th October 2015

LSA Ladies at Townley Park

Saturday saw the second Mid Lancs cross country meet of the season from Townley Park, Burnley, resplendent in Autumn colours and with the beautiful Townley Hall as a backdrop.  Unfortunately for the juniors, the forecast rain came but luckily it had ceased by early afternoon for the senior races.  With the dry conditions of the last couple of months, the course was fairly firm with very little mud around.

Louis Eunson

Rebecca Tate

There were five juniors in action from the club.  In the Under 11 girls, Sydney Ramsden was 48th in 9:00.  There were 66 runners in the under 11 boys with Louis Eunson having an excellent run to finish 4th in 7:00 whilst George Denye was not far behind in 19th place and a time of 7:46.  Rebecca Tate was 43rd in 14:12 whilst Simon Holt was 38th in 13:14 in the under 13 boys out of a field of 66.

Dawn Lock

Lytham St Annes had 7 ladies out in the Senior Womens race which was a distance of just under 4 miles.  The race was won by Emily Japp in 22:44, over half a minute clear of 2nd place.  First home for LSARRC was Joanna Goorney in 10th place and 1st vet 45 in a time of 25:07.  Julia Rolfe was 108th in 31:30 closely followed by Alex Everest in 111th place and 31:36.  Pam Hardman was next in 128th place and 33:45 whilst Ruth Wheatley made an excellent cross country debut in 138th and 34:14.  Sylvia Gittins was 161st in 35:48and Dawn Lock was 189th in 47:55.  There were 190 runners.  In the team results, the ladies finished 21st in the open category, 15th in the over 35s, 9th in the over 45s and 4th in the over 55s.

Steve Ashton

The senior men's race was over a course of about 6 miles and attracted 304 runners.  The race was won by Phil Waite of Barrow and Furness Striders AC in a time of 31:37, just 3 seconds ahead of Luke Minns of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde.  Tom Howarth was 1st home for the club in 75th place and 37:59.  Neil Tate was next in 94th place and a time of 38:52, Terry Hellings was 166th in 42:17, Nigel Simpkin was 272nd in 49:41 and Steve Ashton, in only his 2nd cross country event, was 293rd in 52:56.  With LSARRC were a little down on numbers with only 5 men (needing 6 for an open team), they only managed a full team in the over 50 category where they were 20th.

On Saturday morning, Mel Koth ran the Cuerden Valley parkrun.  She finished in 22nd place in 23:19, a new PB for the course.

Neil Tate - PB at Fairclough 5

Sunday morning saw the annual Fairclough 5 mile from Stanah Country Park, Thornton. Excellently organised by Thornton Cleveleys Running Club, the local, friendly race is dedicated to the life of Bob Fairclough, a founder member of the club.  Taking in a 2 lap course, the race was won by Liam Craine of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde in 27:11 and had 109 finishers.  Neil Tate was first home for Lytham St Annes in a PB of 30:08 for 11th place.  Richard Storey was 32nd in 35:05, Pam Hardman was 75th in 43:37, Sylvia Gittins was 83rd in 33:25 and Dawn Lock was 108th in 1:02:28.

Fiona Geldard

Fiona Geldard travelled overseas to Belek on the Antalya coast in Turkey for her first ever half Ironman Triathlon and did herself proud.  She completed the 1.9km swim in 52:50, the 90.2km bike ride in 4:00:12 and the 21.1km run in 2:21:12 giving a brilliant overall time of 7:29:30.  Fiona is hoping to complete the full Ironman in Florida in November 2016 in memory of her mum who she lost earlier this year and from this performance, is on track.

Thursday night was the club's annual “Run the Lights” with a large contingent from the club heading down to South Shore for an evening run through the Blackpool Illuminations.  The hungry runners then headed to the Starr Gate chippy for Fish and Chips.

Illuminations run

Fish and Chips

LSARRC News 20th October 2015

On Saturday morning it was the last race in the Pilling 10k series.  Run on quite country lanes and in good weather, the race was won by Chris Steele of Border Harriers in 32:31.  3 member of the Lytham St Annes took part.  Pam Hardman was first finisher for the club in 56th place and 50:51, Julia Rolfe was 64th in 52:05 and Sylvia Gittins was 68th in 54:09.

Joanna Goorney and Dave Dunn headed over to Avenham Park, Preston for the weekly Preston parkrun on Saturday morning.  Joanna finished in 16th place in a time of 19:40 whilst Dave, in his first ever parkrun was 51st in 22:14

Start of Green Drive 5

Claire England, Pam Hardman and Pam Binns
man the water station

Sunday saw the 16th Green Drive Five and the 3rd Green Drive Junior 1 mile take place in Lytham attracting of runners of all levels including many from local running clubs and further afield.  Weather conditions were perfect, cool and slightly overcast with no wind.  With race headquarters at Lytham C of E Primary School, the start for both races was just across the road at the end of Green Drive, resplendent in its Autumn colours.  The 5 mile course then headed over Saltcotes Bridge and on towards Warton coming back along country lanes.

Dave Rigby - lead  bike

Both races was excellently organised by race director Mark Selby who only took up the reins at the start of the year and was hosted by Lytham St Annes Road Runners Club whose members, friends and relatives provided race support and marshals.  The club still also managed to field 12 runners as well in the senior race.

There were just over 300 finishers in the main race all rewarded with a souvenir T-shirt.  The winner was Karl Billington from Blackburn Harriers in a time of 25:18 very closely followed by David Rigby of Preston Harriers just 2 seconds later, both runners over a minute clear of 3rd place Rob Affleck of Preston Harriers in 26:21.  First lady was Emily Japp of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde AC in a time of 29:12 and 19th place overall.  The race also incorporated the Lancashire 5 mile Championships with Karl and Emily both crowned Lancashire Champions.  In the team results, Preston Harriers took the men's title with 4 out of 6 top place runners while Blackpool Wyre and Fylde won the ladies prize.

Junior 1 mile 1st and 2nd - Michael Hayes followed by Zane Seddon

First home for LSARRC was Joe Greenwood in 24th place and 29:26 whilst Joanna Goorney was first female home for the club in 31:14 and 6th female.  There were a number of excellent PBs including Felicity Wolohan who knocked over 2 minutes off with 34:31 and Sue Hawitt with 40:04.

3 members of the Tate family

The Tate family (with 3 members in the club) were out in force from 60 year old grandad Steve, sons Neil and Alex and four grandkids Luke, Rebecca, Sophie and Archie, completing three generations of Tates.

LSARRC results: 24th Joe Greenwood 29:26; 36 Neil Tate 30:45; 47 Joanna Goorney 31:14; 58 Thomas Howarth 31:47; 70 Mark Willett 32:44; 93 Felicity Wolohan 34:31; 94 Alan Elstone 34:37; 123 Colin Laidlaw 36:50; 151 Derek Heron 37:50; 156 Roy Stevens 38:07; 173 Gemma Czarnota 39:32; 183 Susan Hawitt 40:04; 200 Steve Ashton 41:37; 215 Rachael Wignall 42:51; 219 Ruth Wheatley 43:18; 222 Jeremy McCandless 43:36;

The Junior race was an accurately measured traffic free 1 mile out and back course along Green Drive itself.  It was won by 15 year old Lytham St Annes Road Runners Club member Michael Hayes in his first ever road race in an excellent time of 5:12.  He was closely followed by fellow club member 11 year old Zane Seddon in 5:16.  Both lads smashed the previous course record by over 20 seconds.  First female was 13 year old Danielle Whipp from Blackpool Wyre and Fylde in a time of 5:43 and 3rd overall.  There were a record number of 76 finishers.

The junior start

LSARRC juniors results: 1 Michael Hayes 05:12; 2 Zane Seddon 5:16; 13 Simon Holt 6:11; 15 Harry Fellows 6:12; 17 Louis Eunson 6:16; 19 Chloe Norman 6:19; 20 George Denye 6:20; 21 Morgan Pritchard 6:21; 24 Charlie Ormerod 6:27; 28 Max Talbot 6:34; 33 Francis Morrison 6:53; 41 Rebecca Tate 7:13; 47 Charlotte Thomson 7:33; 50 Sydney Ramsden 7:44; 59 Aaron Rushton 8:17; 63 Jessica Ramsden 8:35; 71 Sophie Tate 9:30; 72 James Emsley 9:43; 74 Ethan Currie 10:18;

Felicity Wolohan

Rachael Wignall

Sue Hawitt

Ethan Currie

Harry Fellows

Simon Tate

The Tates manning the T-shirt station