LSARRC Press Report 16th August 2011

The Isle of Man half and full marathon races were held on Sunday with two entrants in the half from Lytham St Annes Road Runners. The course is along quiet country lanes and the day was warm but windy. Despite the three-hour ferry crossing from the mainland nearly 300 people entered both races.


Pam Hardman didn’t achieve a personal best but she did win a prize by finishing as second in FV50-54 category with a time of 1:58:07. Peter Cruse ran a superb race to grab the first place in the men’s 40-49 category in 1:22:56, and sixth place overall.


Meanwhile in Austria Lytham junior Alexander Stanier, whilst enjoying a family holiday, could not resist the prospect of running in a local race. There were a series of races staged in the resort of Leoganger and Alexander competed in the 1800m under 15’s race which, due to a marshalling error, actually became a 2100m race. The 14 year old KEQMS student led the race for most of its course but was just pipped in the final 200m to finish 2nd.


The fifth and penultimate race in this summer season’s inter-club races was held mid-week in Astley Park, Chorley. 151 local club runners took part with 21 from the Lytham club. First back for an under-strength team was Matt Nutt in eighteenth with Andy Draper one place and eight seconds behind. Sue Samme was the second woman and the first FV40. Mel Koth, beating her previous best on this course by a minute, was the seventh woman.


The fifth of the summer’s Mid-Lancs track and field meetings took place in Preston. Rob Goodall was twelfth in the shot putt and seventh in the discus with throws of 6.24 and 17.72 metres respectively. Gavin Brandie made a welcome return to the area to finish forth in the senior mens’ 400m. Graham Webster was third in the 800m and forth in the 1500m.


For the ladies Mel Koth finished second in both the 400m and 800m races. As the only entrant on the day junior Kirsty Fraser naturally won the under 17 women’s 800m with a time of 2:31.7.


Mel Koth is one of the club’s most prolific racers and she was in action for the third time in the week on Sunday in the Chernobyl 10k. This race is one of a series held in aid of the victims of the 1986 tragedy. On a changed and much more challenging course from previous years Mel achieved an excellent time of 42:39 to finish as the third woman and second FV35.


In the same race Lytham veterans Rae Willoughby and Chris Holland finished in 168th and 169th with just three seconds separating them.