LSARRC News 8th October 2012

Saturday witnessed over 600 runners from thirty clubs compete in the first fixture of the Mid Lancs League's cross-country season in Towneley Park, Burnley. Superb weather made it a memorable day, and made up for the boggy terrain underfoot.

Some of Lytham's Senior Men

Lytham's Senior Men fielded their strongest team for a long while with ten runners and one of their highest finishes in a high class race. Amongst the team which came 8th were Andy Draper making one of his best cross-country runs to finish 29th in 37:37, Thomas Howarth, 58th in 40:28, Nigel Thompson, 69th in 41:08, Graham Webster, 74th in 41:22, Willie Richmond, 91st in 42:19 and Terry Hellings, 103rd in 42:51. The men took 2nd in Division 4, an excellent start to the season that, if maintained, could see them promoted to back into Division 3 from which they were relegated at the end of 2011-2012. 

Lytham Ladies

The Senior Women's success came in the form of achieving teams in all four age categories. Louise Charnock led the Senior Women's team in, 83rd in 35:35 with Janice Cobley, 89th in 37:05 and Sylvia Gittings 100th in 39:12, completing the team which gained a useful three points in the Senior Women's First Division. The latter two together with Pamela Binns, 107th in 40:51, scored in the V35s, V45s and, a rarity for any club, the V55s where they finished second to an increasingly strong Red Rose Runners.

Ella Moulding

Lytham Juniors also made an appearance, all of them running Mid Lancs. cross-country for the first time. The most outstanding performance came from U13G Ella Moulding who came 7th in a field of 39th finishing in 11:56. There were also creditable runs from eight-year olds Simon Holt and Harry Booth competing in the second race of the day, the U11B's. On a flat two lap course Simon finished 36th in 8:56.

OTHER RESULTS: Senior Men: Colin Laidlaw, 154th in 46:35, Colin Nelson, 159th in 46:52, Nigel Simpkin, 171st in 48:28. Senior Women: Dawn Lock, 111th in45:47.

An impressive 17 Lytham St Annes Road Runners assembled in the grounds of Lytham Hall on Sunday for the annual autumn 5k race. The prospect of a fast, flat course and the proximity of the event influenced the turnout and all runners were duly rewarded with an event taking place under sunshine and clear blue skies.

The effects of recent heavy rain were evident - a slight dip in the course in which an enormous puddle of some 30 metres in length and a couple of inches deep had formed meant competitors had to make a watery crossing! Even the attendant Fire Brigade and their pumping equipment were unable to make any real difference. Lytham runners put in some great performances; Tom Howarth was first home (10^th, 18m 20s), Graham Webster the first V60 (14^th, 19m 02s) and Janice Cobley first VF60 (87^th, 26m 45s). Willie Rushton recorded his best 5k time in 8 years (17^th, 19m 31s).

Other results for Lytham Hall 5k: Roy Upton 23^rd: 20m 11s, Steve Quarmby 25th: 20m 19s, Tom Holmes 42^nd: 22m 27s, Barbara Holmes 47^th 22m 49s, Greg Oulton 57^th:23m 37s, Clara Hickford-Martinez 79^th: 26m 01s, Elisabeth Walton 82^nd:26m 11s, Stuart Wharrier 86^th: 26m 28s, Karen Lanigan 95^th: 27m 16s, Mark Willett and Rob Goodall 94^th and 96^th respectively, as pacers, Nidal Bittar 125^th: 31m 17s.

Andy Sneddon again blazed the trail for LSARRC at the Coniston 15k (part of the Lakeland Trails Autumn Series – 2/3). The course comprised a tough series of ups and downs, including an initial stiff 5k climb. Conditions underfoot were wet, with calf deep mud a fairly regular feature. Andy finished a commendable 333/411 in 1hr 59m 36s. P. Senior of Horsforth Harriers claimed race victory finishing in 1hr 10m 45s. The final race of the series is Helvellyn on November 3rd.

The Lytham club's annual Green Drive Five race is on Sunday 21st October at 11.00 am.  Entrants to the 5 mile flat, rural course must be 15yrs and above. Full details and online entries are available at www.runlythamstannes.co.uk or you can enter at Lytham CE Primary School, Park View Road, from 9.30am on race day.