Press Report 3rd Ju;y 2012

The Fairclough 5, a five-mile race named after the late Bob Fairclough, took place at Stanah Country Park in Thornton-Cleveleys on Saturday.

Continuing his good run of form Graham Webster once again shone to win the vet60 category, this time by a full six minutes. Webster, finishing eighth overall, led the contingent of eight members of Lytham St Annes Road Runners.

Graham Webster 8^th and 1^st vet 60, 31:30; Bec Willetts 42^nd, 39:35; Linda Baxter 45^th, 40:49; Dawn Bloor 48^th, 42:14; Pam Hardman 49^th, 42:25; Fiona Geldard 55^th, 44:11; Janice Cobley 59^th, 45:24 and Pam Biunns 64^th, 51:40.

On the same day in Preston Mel Koth took part in her second Parkrun event. Mel achieved a new personal best for herself at the 5k distance with a time of 20:56, equalling the ladies’ course to boot. As well as being the first woman Koth was ninth overall.

The following day Koth was again in action and again winning prizes. This time it was at the Burn Valley half marathon with Tony Croft. In a very tough race featuring long climbs and steep downhills Koth excelled with a time of 01:35:26 to finish first in her FV35 age category and the second lady overall.

Tony Croft was only three minutes behind, finishing 45^th overall and fourth in his MV50 category.

In the inaugural Jeffrey Hill 10k run from Longridge on Sunday Pam Hardman finished 19^th in 56:11. On a hilly and breezy course Pam also achieved the first FV50 position.

On Thursday a record turnout of thirty-three competitors made for a good evening’s competition in the Lytham club’s monthly handicap. Brian Porter won with a season’s best time for him with Simon Denye and second-placed Dave Jacks recording personal bests for the course.

Joe Greenwood was once again fastest overall with Nigel Thompson showing some of his old form not far behind.  Linda Baxter, rapidly returning to her previous level after an enforced break, was the first woman in fourth place.

Although only a quarter of this season has passed a trio of Greenwood, Baxter and Steve Quarmby have already opened up a lead over the rest on the points table.

In the Lake District new member Andy Sneddon battled through wet and windy conditions in the Lakeland Trails half-marathon. Held in Coniston on Sunday it is one of the Lakeland Trails series and would be tough in normal conditions for the time of year. Andy achieved a time of 02:50:11.

Meanwhile vet65 Jim Whitworth came 90^th from 264 finishers in the Keep on Ticking 5k race in Morecambe.