LSARRC Press report 10th April

Graham Webster

Happy birthday to Graham Webster. Graham is one of Lytham St Annes Road Runners’ longer serving members and he turned sixty last week. And he celebrated it in typical fashion by winning the vet 60 category of his first race at this age by nearly two minutes.







The race was the first of the annual inter-club series held at Stanley Park on Wednesday. Local athletes look forward to the start of this series as it usually marks the start of Spring and warmer weather. This year however the event was held in conditions that can only be described as perishing due to a bitterly cold wind.

The weather did encourage some good performances from several of Lytham’s 24 strong contingent. First back was junior man Sam Banner in nineteenth, with veteran Peter Cruse not far behind.


Louise Rudd had an excellent race to finish as the second lady, and there were good runs from fellow newer members Elini Bell and Felicity Wolohan. Laura Ashworth achieved a personal best to help the ladies team to forth place.

Mel Koth

After the race there was the presentation of last year’s trophies in the cricket club. Mel Koth won the ladies vet 35 category and she was also one of the successful women’s team who won the fell competition.


On Friday a high quality field of over 500 competitors took park in the Salford 10k. The cool conditions helped Andy Draper to a personal best of 35:53 to finish 72nd while vet 50 Tony Croft was 147th in his first road race for three years. Mel Koth also excelled, coming fifth in the ladies vet 35 category.

Sam Banner

The Pendle Fell Race on Saturday was where Sam Banner won the silver medal in the Lancashire Championships M23 category. The dry conditions made for a fast race apart from up the very steep hills. Unfamiliarity with the course meant that Oxford University student Sam missed out on the gold by a single second but he is determined to be back for that next year.


Friday was certainly Good Friday for husband and wife Kevin and Laura Ashworth at the Calder Vale 10 mile race. Laura had a fantastic run to finish five minutes quicker than in her previous run on this course and was the sixteenth woman in 79:43. Kevin finished in 72:18 to earn 58th place.