Club Championship contender Andy Draper excelled in one of the country’s favourite half-marathons on Sunday, finishing 23rd from a large and high-class field. And despite poor weather conditions his time of 01:17:49 was just four seconds outside of his personal best.
The race was the Essar Four Villages in Cheshire. Established in 1982 the race boasts a reputation for smooth organisation and the entry of 2000 always sells out quickly.
Starting from the village of Helsby the course follows a route around the scenic Cheshire Plain, with some hills to climb between miles eight and eleven. The fast course attracts a good quality field of county and international athletes. The wind and driving rain this year however ensured the course record of 1:04:06 was safe.
Lytham St Annes Road Runners had three of the club’s best athletes participating and all achieved good results. Less than three minutes behind Andy and in 45th position was vet 45 Peter Cruse. Peter also achieved fifth place in his age category.
Mel Koth was persuaded to enter the race at the last minute after a friend was forced to drop out. This was a decision she did not regret as she was the fourth FV35 in 01:34:29.
The inaugural Inskip Derby Arms Half Marathon was also held on Sunday with a good entry for a first time race of over 250. The course is mildly undulating along the lanes of the Wyre and Fylde countryside. This should make for a fast run but the weather had other ideas; windy conditions made the going tough.
The first back for Lytham, Simon Denye, had a good race finishing 58th. Vet 45 Steve Quarmby was the next of the five club members back in 109th.
The best achievement came further down the results. Although in 215th overall and taking a fraction over two hours to finish Sylvia Gittens was the first vet 65 lady and the fourth vet 65.
Lytham results from Inskip: Simon Denye 58th, 01:33:15; Steve Quarmby 109th, 01:42:51; Richard Storey 140th, 01:47:02; Trevor Willoughby 149th, 01:48:51 and Sylvia Gittens 215th, 02:00:26.
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