LSARRC Press Report 27th December 2011

The biggest race of the Christmas week was the Ribble Valley 10k on Tuesday with nearly 900 competitors. It is always well organised and run on traffic free roads so, despite the tough climb to the finish, it is generally regarded as a quick course. Another attractive feature of the event is that it incorporates the Northern Athletics 10k Road Championships.

Last year the race was cancelled at the last minute due to the adverse weather. This time the conditions were completely different and a new course record of 29:10 was set by the winner. That is well under five minute miling.

The field was of a very high quality with over one hundred completing the course in under 35 minutes. To put this in perspective the first man back for Lytham St Annes Road Runners was Peter Cruse in 140th. His time would have earned a top twenty position in many races.

The first woman back for Lytham was Mel Koth who got a very creditable fourth place in the F35-39 age category, third in the Northern Championships. Bec Willets and Pam Hardman were the other two who made up the Lytham Ladies team which did well to achieve eighteenth in the all females team competition and eleventh in the veteran females.

Lytham Results: Peter Cruse 140th, 37:03; Mel Koth 337th, 42:39; Roy Stevens 509th, 47:53; Bec Willets 696th, 53:11; Pam Hardman 722, 54:17 and Denise Flitcroft 857th, 62:52.

As ever at this time of the year there are seasonal races and Christmas Eve saw Rudolph’s Red Nose around the outside of Blackpool Zoo. A Christmas tradition, this flat 5-miler is accurately measured and competitive but with some fun attached. Many took the opportunity to dress up in seasonal costumes ensuring that this was largely a race between santas and elves.

First back for Lytham St Annes Road Runners was 18 year old Sam Banner showing that he has not lost form while away at university. Sam was the first under 20 back finishing fifth overall in 30:19 in this multi-terrain event.
Next for Lytham, and in the full santa claus outfit, was Peter Cruse. Despite the clothing vet 45 Peter was twelveth from the 200 competitors in 31:32.

Also in seasonal garb but, as an elf, more streamlined was the first vet 35 lady Mel Koth in 34:53. Just two seconds in front of Mel was Joe Shaw in 34th. Finally after a long lay-off Paul McAllister made a very welcome return to racing finishing 94th.

Everyone at Lytham St Annes Road Runners trusts that all the readers had a good Christmas and we wish you a speedy New Year!