Press Report 13th March 2012

The long-establish Haigh Hall Relay race took place on Saturday and Lytham St Annes Road Runners fielded three teams. The race takes place each March on one of the toughest relay courses in the area.  The 3.75 mile route descends, at time steeply, for half the distance before returning uphill to the starting point.

First back for Lytham was the men's team comprising Terry Hellings in a time of 26:11, Steve Quarmby (27:15), Kevin Ashworth (25:55) and Graham Webster bringing the team home in the team's fastest leg, an excellent 24:04, for a total time of 1:43:25 for fourth place.

Lytham ladies' team finished third in their category and 12th overall in 2:04:45. Relays Captain Laura Ashworth led out the team, also achieving the fastest leg in 29:15. Handing over to new recruit Felicity Wolohon who managed a very creditable 30:13 in her first ever relay and was followed by Pam Hardman (33:29) and Julia Rolfe (31:48).

Completing the Lytham contingent were the mixed team of Roy Stevens (28:20), Jim Whitlock (34:13), Dawn Lock (44:24) and Colin Nelson, returning to his best form after injury to finish in an extremely good 26:37.

The Blackpool Marathon and half-marathon took place on Sunday in near perfect running conditions. In his rehearsal for the London Marathon Mark Willett was the first back for Lytham with a time of 03:34:50 finishing 113^th from a field of over 400. Rob Goodall chalked up yet another personal best of 05:02:54 in 404^th.

There were over 600 in the half-marathon and Joe Greenwood excelled, finishing 20^th and knocking over four minutes off his time two weeks ago. Roy Upton was third in the MV45 category while Roy Stevens was the second vet 60. Richard Storey also achieved a pb.

Half marathon results for Lytham: Joe Greenwood 20^th, 01:25;27; Roy Upton 49^th, 01:32:09; Roy Stevens 104^th, 01:39:27 and Richard Storey 130^th, 01:41:42.

On the same day five young Lytham Athletes competed in the Blackpool Winter Warmer Track & Field meeting at Stanley Park. The annual event provides an excellent opportunity for the U9 and U11 age groups to experience an athletics meeting.

In the U9 boys category Simon Holt and Thomas Reid both competed in three events. In the 80m Simon finished second in 13.5 and Thomas sixth in 15.1 seconds. In the 600m Simon again finished second in 2:09.05 while Thomas was again sixth in 2:39.06. In the long jump Simon was third with a jump of 2.55m and Thomas seventh with 2:03m.

In the U11 boys group Ben Reid and Joe Mason represented the club in the three events. In the 80m Ben was second in 12.00 and Joe equal fifth in 12.80. In the 600m Ben was third in 2:00.8 and Joe tenth in 2:12.8. In the long jump Ben jumped 3.14m to finish fifth and Joe 2.5m for 16^th.

Rebecca Walker was the only girl from the club to compete and she finished 17^th in the 80m in 14.00 and jumped 2.61m in the long jump to finish 12^th.

Also on Sunday in Stanley Park was the Spring 5k. Both Peter Cruse, who was first MV45 in 17:53, and Dawn Lock, first WV65 in 32:48, took age category prizes. Willie Richmond was delighted with his 20:14 time to finish 22^nd.