LSARRC News 27th December 2016

Mel Koth

Kirsten Burnett

Most athletes take Christmas day off – but only in preparation for races soon to come. On the following day there is the popular Worden Park Boxing Day 10k, and the day after that the even more popular Ribble Valley 10K.

This year over 300 runners ran off their turkey dinners at the picturesque Worden Park race in Leyland. Amongst them were Mel Koth and Kirsten Burnett from Lytham St Annes Road Runners. Mel’s time was 43:49 to finish as the third FV40 lady and 66th overall, while steadily improving Kirsten came 201st with a time of 53:10.

The next day over 1000 competitors lined up in Clitheroe for the Ribble Valley 10K. Although it is a tough climb to the finish it is run on traffic free roads and is generally regarded as a fast course. Athletes travel from far and wide for this race so there is usually a high standard. This year was no exception with the winner recording a time of 29:33 and over 230 competitors recording times of under 40 minutes.

Chris McCarthy

Lytham’s Chris McCarthy achieved an excellent time of 33:54, easily a personal best. Such was the standard of the race however he finished down in 61st position. Andy Draper, Paul Veevers, Neil Tate and Thomas Howarth all achived times well under the 40 minute mark to finish in the top 200. Barbara Holmes was the second FV 55 and Colin Laidlaw was the 12th V60.

Barbara Holmes

Lytham Results from Ribble Valley: Chris McCarthy 61st, 33:54; Andy Draper 114th, 36:19; Paul Veevers 154th, 37:33; Neil Tate, 160th 37:37; Thomas Howarth 172nd, 37:54; Barbara Holmes 414th, 45:16 and Colin Laidlaw 480th, 47:01.

Paul Veevers

LSARRC News 20th December 2016

LSARRC Xmas Relay

On Thursday was the club's December monthly handicap brought the year to an end in fine style with a hard fought close race which saw eleven runners recording their fastest time of the winter, seven of them PBs. First place went to Sarah Bradshaw for a second successive time while newcomer Jackie Murray finished second ahead of very experienced handicap competitor Debbie Cooper.

Jeremy McCandless on 208 retains his lead on the annual points table but his nearest challengers, Greg Oulton 199, Claire England 178 and Colin Laidlaw 170, all have races in hand.

Full Results:
1, Sarah Bradshaw 34.46 PB; 2, Jackie Murray 31.25 PB; 3, Debbie Cooper 27.02; 4, Steve Tate 30.40 PB; 5, Alex Tate 21.26; 6, Claire England, 27.43; 7, Sarah Bagshaw 36.04 PB; 8, Laura Byrne 31.38 PB; 9, Rob Parker, 27.45 PB; 10, Greg Oulton 29.01; 11, Tom Howarth 21.08; 12, Karen Lanigan 34.27; 13, Colin Laidlaw 25.41; 14, Jeremy McCandless 30.31; 15, Alan Elstone 24.04; 16, Kirsten Burnett 30.12; 17, Dawn Lock 48.08; 18, Pam Binns 37.21; N/C, Peter Reid 28.19; N/C, Michelle Sheridan 36.14; N/C, Kathy Gaunt 26.56 PB.

This Saturday many Lytham runners competed in different parkruns throughout the country. Felicity Wolohon ran her 50th parkrun at Princes Park Liverpool and was first female with a time of 20:58. Well done Felicity.

Greg Oulton also completed the Cuerden Valley parkrun. As the weather was far from perfect on Saturday Greg set off late to the start after having to de-ice his car and drive through foggy conditions, meaning he arrived after the race had begun. Not letting this stop him Greg still ran the race catching up with the back runners within a mile, managing to complete his parkrun in 29 minutes flat.  After this Greg traveled to Avenham Park in Preston to race in the Cheeky Santa Dash 5k in aid of cancer charities, Ben Bowel Movements, Mummy Star and Rosemere Cancer Foundation. Running on tired legs and on a hilly route Greg finished the run in 28:01, an excellent racing weekend Greg! He also passes on thank to race commentator Brian Porter, who I’m sure provided motivation towards the end of the run!

Also on Saturday was Lytham’s 51st parkrun, and saw 197 runners competing, 23 of which were Lytham runners. The first Lytham runner to finish the race this week was a junior George Denye with an impressive time of 19:55. Joanna Goorney was the second Lytham runner back with 20:00, Neil Bayntun- Roberts was third with 20:37 and Mark Selby was fourth with 20:32. Morgan Pritchard was next back with 22:12, Neil Tate in 22:14, Max Talbot in 22:58, Gerry Browne in 23:17, Sydney Ramsden in 24:36 and Jessica Ramsden in 27:22.  Louisa Denye finished in 27:24, Laura Byrne in 27:25, Pat Bullen in 27:28, Bob Clough at 28:15 and Gillian Oliver in 28:59.  Ruth Bye was the next runner back in 29:46, Jeremy McCandless in 30:04, Sarah Bradshaw in 30:09, Michelle Sheridan in 31:00 and Sarah Bagshaw in 31:49.

LSARRC Xmas Relay

On Sunday was LSARRC’s annual fancy dress Christmas relay and junior 2k races on Lytham Green. 12 senior runners arrived to do this race and were put into 4 mixed ability teams, Turkeys, crackers, sprouts and puddings. The relay race was won by the turkeys team with a combined time of 67m 19s, crackers were next with 73m 36s.  Sprouts were third with 77m and 20s and puddings finished in 83m 41s.
The Junior 2K prizes went to the winner Luke Tate, first girl Darcey Tate and the youngest competitor, 4 years-old Sebastian Veevers.

LSARRC News 13th December 2016

Paul Veevers at the Longridge 7

Mel Koth

Sunday morning saw the 33rd Longridge Christmas Pudding 7 mile road race taking place. The course sets off from Longridge Community Centre and climbs steadily for 4.5 miles until reaching the top of  a misty Jeffrey Hill. A rapid decent then sees the runners heading back into Longridge. The challenging but scenic route proved popular with this year’s 331 starters. The race was won by Chris Arthur of Blackburn Harriers in a very quick 37:53, a full 2 minutes ahead of the next finisher. First lady was Catherine Howard of Knowsley Harriers in 44:56. First back for Lytham St Annes RRC was Paul Veevers, one of the clubs newer members, in 45:25 for an impressive 15th place. Paul was followed home by Mel Koth 70th and second FV40 in 52:38, Richard Storey 110th 56:50, Pam Hardman 192nd 1:04:32, Peter Reid 211nd 1:05:53 and Sylvia Gittens 269th and the second vet 70 in 1:11:09.  For all finishers there were seasonal awards of Christmas puddings and a medal of a pudding.


Last week the club’s Monday night juniors group, led by coach Debbie Cooper,held their annual indoor athletics competition against Kirkham Grammar junior school. For many of Lytham’s athletes this was their first ever competition. Lytham were represented by children aged from 6 to 13 years, whereas KGJS brought their under 11 A team. They all did speed bounce where the Lytham A team triumphed. Lytham’s Ruby Hodgkinson and Amara Thorpe were the first girls’ standing high jump while Charlie Wiltshire was the first boy. Lytham were first again in the girls’ two lap and four lap races. All of the children took part in at least 3 events during the hour. While Kirkham Grammer won overall everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event, giving the children an excellent and friendly introduction to competitive sport.

LSARRC juniors and Kirkham GS juniors

Laura Byrne - Lytham Hall parkrun

In the weekly Lytham Parkrun Lytham St Annes RRC’s Jo Goorney was the first lady home. finishing the 5K run in 20:16. Out of the club’s other ten entrants Sarah Bagshaw notably achieved another pb of 30:51 to move a step closer to that elusive 30 minute barrier.

Finally vet 50 Julia Rolfe raced the challenging Stockport 10 mile race in 01:27:40 to finish a creditable 642nd from nearly 1000 competitors, and fifteenth in her category.

LSARRC News 6th December 2016

Morgan Pritchard - Lytham Hall junior parkrunner of the year

The Guys 10 returned on Sunday following last year's cancellation due to course flooding and it proved a popular race. Conditions could not have been more perfect for distance running, the sun shone and any morning chill soon disappeared once the race started. Five Lytham St Annes Road Runners Club members made the journey to Guys Hamlet for the 10 mile road race which takes place on rural roads between Bilsborrow and Inskip. The course itself is flat and fast. Unfortunately, one the Lytham entrants, Andy Draper, took a tumble at 8 miles which ended his race. The race was won by Rob Affleck of Preston Harriers in 54:11, first lady was Elizabeth Greenwood of Blackburn Harriers. First home for LSARRC was Tom Howarth in 1:02:31 for 24th position, with Richard Storey next back in 105th place in a new PB time of 1:14:43. The real star for Lytham though was Sylvia Gittins, the first FV65 in an excellent 1:35:45 with fellow FV65 Pam Binns not too far behind, finishing in 1:42:38 in her first run of this course. The reward of a Lancashire cheese at the finish made everyone’s efforts even more worthwhile!

Christmas comes early in Cumbria with the Hoad Hill Harriers Xmas Pudding 10k on Sunday.  Joanna Goorney was Lytham’s only representative in the cold and sunny conditions. Like the Guys 10, the weather was almost perfect for the very pleasant undulating out and back course in the rural setting of Ulverston in the South Lakes.  It was a very friendly and well-organised race with 238 finishers in the 10k.  FV45  Joanna finished 30th overall and 2nd lady in a time of 39:50.

Chris McCarthy - Lytham Hall parkrun

The Lytham parkrun on Saturday mornings is becoming more and more popular with club members and non-members alike. Last Saturday steadily improving Chris McCarthy became the first Lytham runner to record a time of under 17 minutes for the 5K event. Chris also just won the event, with Lytham’s Jo Goorney the first woman finisher.  23 club members took part, with 91 Lytham club runners who have partook at some point since the event started a year ago.

Eric Wrigley amd Terry Hellings

Sue Hawitt acting as 28 minute pacer at Lytham Hall parkrun and Bob Clough

LSARRC News 29th November 2016

Lytham ladies at the Wesham 10k

This Saturday 26th November saw a number of Lytham Road Runners taking part in 2 events with fantastic turnouts for each.  First was the annual Wesham 10k race organised by Wesham Road Runners which saw 10 of our club members on the start line. It was a chilly morning, but beautifully still with no wind and bright sunshine.  The route was fairly undulating, along some lovely country lanes.  There was quite a bit of frost still on the ground which made it a little slippery underfoot, catching out a couple of competitors.  It was a very well organised event, with good signage and lovely marshals.

First home for the club was Thomas Howarth in 24th out of 462 overall in 37:08 followed by Justin Allitt in 36th position in 38:17, Neil Baynton-Roberts came 78th in 42:17, Roy Stevens in 48:10 to take 168th place. Our first lady home was Kirsten Burnett in 219th place (35th female) in 51:26, followed by Ruth Wheatley, making a great comeback to running following a long layoff running due to injury, in 53:01 and 246th position. Laura Byrne completed the course in 58:06 for 326th, followed by Sarah Bradshaw in 1:03:118 for 384th, Ruth Bye in 1:03:32 for 388th and Sarah Bagshaw in 1:05:59 for 404th. Well done to all!

Saturday also saw the Mid Lancs Cross Country League held at Sefton Park. The day started with thick fog reducing visibility to approx 20 yards at times when the first race commenced. Being the British Athletics Cross Challenge, these races had athletes from the whole country competing, indeed the Senior Men's race reportedly had the highest number of competitors ever.

The Under 11 Girls and Under 11 Boys started their race together. Lytham's Sophie Bohannon, running in only her second XC and her 4th ever race for the club, came home 2nd in 7:25, just a few seconds behind the winner's 7:20. Next home for Lytham were Amara Thorpe in 9:20, Hebe Tierney in 9:32 and Jessica Ramsden in 9:36. In the boys' race George Denye came a very close 3rd, in 7:21 followed by Eric Wrigley in 9:12. The next race was the Under 13 Girls. Lytham's sole entrant in this age group was Sydney Ramsden, who finished in 13:54. The under 13 Boys also saw just one Lytham runner, Louis Eunson, who finished in 12:05. The final Junior race for Lytham was the Under 15 Girls, with Laura Bremner (14:16) and Lucy Bohannon (15:35) representing the club.

Olivia and Rachael in their first cross country race for the club

Next came the Senior Ladies' Race, by which time the fog was thinning out, just. Lytham had eight runners in this race of just over 5 miles (8.1km). First home for Lytham was Joanna Goorney, in 33:24. 9th overall, but 2nd FV45. The following Lytham runners were Barbara Holmes in 38:25 (2nd FV55), Louisa Denye (40:39), Julia Rolfe (42:28), Sylvia Gittins (49:40, 3rd FV65), Olivia Johnson Allen and Rachael Wignall crossed the line together in their first ever XC in 52:46. Last home for Lytham was Dawn Lock in 1:05:39. The team effort saw the ladies A team achieve 12th overall team out of 32, and the B team achieve 30th, whilst also achieving 5th place in the ladies over-35 category out of 13 teams, and 3rd in the over-45 category out of 10 teams.

Joe Greenwood

The final race of the day saw the Senior Men's 6.1 mile (9.8km) race. By this time the fog was lifting, though it came and went in waves before the race finished. Being the last race of the day the frozen ground had started to thaw and turn to mud in patches under the pounding feet of all the previous runners, making for a tough race.
First home for Lytham was Joe Greenwood in 35:36, closely followed by Chris McCarthy in 35:54, who had been ahead of Joe for a while, though Joe's youth won the day in the end. Next home were Neil Tate (41:12), Graham Webster (42:47 3rd V60), Terry Hellings (43:49, 4th V60) and last but not least Greg Oulton crossing the finish line in 56:32 to complete Lytham's men's Mid Lancs team.

Some fantastic achievements in tricky conditions and great representation of the club by all the juniors and seniors that attended and participated!

Sunday saw the club represented at a further 2 events. The juniors were well represented at the Lancashire sports hall league at Stanley Park in Blackpool, with six members competing in a variety of disciplines including sprinting, throwing and jumping. The club was represented by Ted Thompson, Sophie Tate, Amara Thorpe, Caitlin Holderness, Mathew Rawlinson and Samantha Rawlinson.

4 of our seniors attended the Best 5k (Run for Rory) at Moor Park Preston. After the icy conditions of Saturday’s races, the weather was perfect for running around this beautiful park. Still, dry and sunny. Representing the club was Claire England who finished the race in 24:08 (33rd) which saw her achieve 1st vet 50, well done Claire!  Second finishing for the club, and not far at all behind Claire, was Sue Hawitt in 24:19 (37th). Jim Whitworth finished in 27:07 (56th) and Dawn Lock in 38:13 (100th).

LSARRC News 22nd November 2016

It was a busy and successful weekend for Lytham St Annes Road Running Club with athletes ranging from age 10 to 70 competing over distance from 5k to half marathon.   Sunday 20th November saw two Lytham members, Mel Koth and Richard Storey heading down the M6 to Knutsford to participate in the inaugural 'Run Tatton' event.  This comprised of two races, a 10K and a Half Marathon, the 10K starting 30 mins before the 'Half', with both races attracting around 1300 runners.   Both Lytham athletes took on the half marathon challenge.  After a delayed start due to traffic problems around the area the race got going. The course featured a two lap tour of the scenic Tatton Park which looked wonderful after the early morning drizzle had cleared and the sun started to shine.  Things got a little congested in places with a number of 'switchback' sections meaning that a lot of runners were trying to share the same path. This being the first running of this event, there were one or two other issues that I'm sure the organisers will look at improving for next time but they can't be blamed for Richard forgetting to take his running shoes and having to run around in his walking shoes.  Despite taking a heavy fall during her second lap, Mel finished in 133rd place taking 2nd FV40 in a very respectable time of 1:36:19. Richard eventually completed in a time of 1:45:53 for 315th position.

Sylvia Gittins and Parm Hardman - Conwy Half Marathon

Meanwhile four Lytham members headed to the North Wales coast for the Conwy Half Marathon, a challenging course that starts on the quayside outside the 700 year old Conwy castle, passes Llandudno Pier then a tough climb up the Great Orme for some spectacular views before returning to Conwy to finish back outside the castle.  First home for Lytham was Felicity Wolohan in a time of 1:37:33 for 276th place overall and 28th female.  Also representing Lytham were Ruth Wheatley (54th female FV45 in a time of 2:03:13), Pam Hardman (16th FV55 in 2:06:12) and Sylvia Gittins who ran an excellent race to finish first in her FV70 age category with a time of 2:12:16.

Joe Greenwood

Closer to home four member took part in the 35th Preston 10 mile race.  Joe Green wood was first home for Lytham in 22nd place with a personal best time of 59:43.  Michelle Hook who seems to improve with every race also ran a personal best time of 1:13:37 for 156th place.  Thomas Howarth (38th in 1:02:22) and Louisa Denye (306th in 1:28:17) also represented Lytham.

Tom Howarth

With no Lytham parkrun this week Lytham members found alternatives at Avenham Park, Preston and Cuerden Valley.  Ten year old George Denye ran the Preston parkrun for the first time on a three lap undulating course with a steep winding uphill section early in each loop.  He was 11th overall and finished the 5k in 19:35 to smash the previous record for his age category by 70 seconds. George now holds both the junior and senior parkrun records at Preston for his age group along with the fastest time for an u15 at Lytham and the age record for the Barnsley Junior parkrun.   Joanna Goorney ran well to finish as first female in 13th place overall with Neil Tate recovering from injury finishing in 88th place with a time of 25:29.

George Denye

At the Cuerden valley parkrun Kirsten Burnett finished in a personal best time of 28:44 for 54th place.  Tackling Cuerden Valley parkrun for the first time were Greg Oulton (57th in 295), Rebecca Willetts (64th in 29:59 and new member Robert Parker (67th in 30:26).

LSARRC News 15th November 2016

Morgan Pritchard and Neil Tate at the Lytham Hall parkrun

This Saturday was Lytham Halls 48th parkrun and has even with the awful weather had 147 runners competing. The first Lytham runner back was Joanna Goorney with a time of 20:04, Mark Selby was next with 20:43, and Melanie Koth finished with a new PB in 21:09! Next to finish was Terry Hellings in 21:16, Morgan Pritchard in 23:03, Neil Tate in 23:09 and Danny Fishwick in 24:12.  Rebecca Willetts earned a new PB finishing the race in 27:15, Jeremy McCandless finished in 27:23, Graham Young in 28:35, Gillian Oliver in 30:26 and Ruth Bye in 31:23.

Debbie Cooper competed in the Warrington way 40-mile trail race this Saturday. Despite the wet weather and, it being a far flater route than Debbe is used too. Debbie managed to finish in 7 hours and 9 minutes, her fastest 40 mile race so far, coming in as 5th lady and 43rd racer overall. This race was part of a free championship called Runfurther, there are 12 races in the championship and you need to run 4 to qualify. This year Debbie competed in Haworth hobble, Fellsman, High Peak 40 and the Warrington Way, and was awarded 2nd lady overall in the championship! This is an amazing achievement as all of these races are ultra races, so longer than 26 miles! Well done Debbie, this is well deserved.

Alan Elstone, Colin Laidlaw, Sue Hawitt, Claire England,
Kathy Gaunt and Barbara Holmes - windmill 10K

Sarah Bradshaw & Sarah Bagshaw

On Sunday 13th was the Lytham Windmill 10k race. 945 races competed on this surprisingly dry and calm day, 18 of which were Lytham St Annes Road Runners. Before the race Brian Porter read out a poignant poem and The Last Post was played followed by a 2 minute silence in remembrance of all our service men and women.  The race winner was Christopher McCarthy who finished the race in an incredible 34:54, achieving him a very well earned PB. Kathy Gaunt was 1st female Vet 50 completing the race in 47:41. Paul Veevers was 4th back in 38:45, Neil Tate in 39:24, Alan Elstone in 44:18, Barbara Holmes in 46:52, and Colin Laidlaw in 47:43. Roy Stevens was next back in 48:45, Gerard Browne in 48:59, Claire England in 49:34 and Susan Hawitt in 49:44, earning her a club gold standard and a PB! Next to complete the race was Kirsten Burnett in 52:47, Ruth Wheatley in 53:23, Olivia Johnson Allen in 57:25 and Bob Clough in 58:19. Graham Young was the next Lytham runner to finish the race in 1:01:16, Sarah Bradshaw in 1:01:27 and Sarah Bagshaw in 1:04:14.

Bob Clough

Also this Sunday was the Catforth Canter 5k race. This was a fast flat 1-loop race with 5 runners from Lytham in attendance. Joe Greenwood finished third in 16:57 and Andy Draper finished 4th in 17:03, Michelle Hook was 2nd lady finishing in 20:21. Joe, Andy and Michelle all achieved PB’s on this race! Next to finish was Julia Rolfe who came 1st female vet 50 in 25:13 and James Whitworth was the 1st male vet 65 in 27:40. An absolutely amazing set of results!

Well done to everyone who raced over the weekend and an even bigger congratulations to all those who earned PB’s!