LSARRC Press Report 3rd January 2012

The Central Lancs half-marathon on Monday was the first local race of the new year. Taking place on a flattish course through the lanes of rural Fylde a good total of over 400 entrants set off from Catforth Village Hall along at first more sheltered lanes before turning south into the strong winds on Church Road. The competitors endured a hailstorm for two miles, trudged through mud and waded, in parts, a flooded course.

Lytham St. Annes Road Runners Club were represented by six of its more hardy members including Laura Ashworth running her first half-marathon, taking the place of her injured husband with only four days notice.

First to finish was Peter Cruse, one of the club's strongest MV45s and winning that category. Next in was Simon Denye before Mel Koth, the second FV35. A little further down the field Laura Ashworth ran well finishing just behind Debbie Cooper. Paul McAllister and Rob Goodall also defied the unpleasant weather of the bank holiday to get in additional points for the club championship.

Four other members of the club also took part by providing runners with a water station at the five mile point.
Lytham Results: Peter Cruse: 10th, 1:20:23; Simon Denye: 73rd, 1:32:05; Mel Koth 78th, 8th lady, 1:32:31;Debbie Cooper 214th, 1:52:05; Laura Ashworth 215th, 1:52:29; Paul McAllister 256th, 1:57:54 and Rob Goodall 338th, 2:19:18.

On Thursday the club staged its monthly handicap “Christmas special”; special as a social and a quiz were held afterwards. On a wet and windy evening the social helped keep the attendance high. And despite the conditions there were some notable performances.

Sam Banner, home for Christmas from university, popped along and broke the junior mens’ winter course record. His time of 20:22 was the equal fastest of the night with Joe Greenwood and it means he holds the junior men’s records for both the summer and winter courses.

The nights winner however was Paul McAllister in his first handicap race since April. Paul was thirteen seconds in front of another welcome returnee, Tom Howarth.

At the three-quarter stage in the series the top three are seperated by just three points but as the final winner is determined by the best nine of the twelve races there are still several others who could snatch the title.