LSARRC News 15th October 2012

The Lytham St Annes Road Runners seem only fuelled with race enthusiasm as summer gives way to autumn, with the green vests of the club seen sported at a range of events over the weekend. Locally, the Autumn Breaker 10K at Stanley Park on Sunday attracted 171 runners with representatives from all Fylde clubs. On a beautiful day, competitors circled twice round the track before setting off on a two lap course. Lytham runners took two top ten placings and a couple of veteran age category prizes. Joe Greenwood was the first of Lytham's runners back in 37.04 and 6th place, followed three places later by Peter Cruse in 37.42. Sylvia Gittings finished 122nd in 54.29. Brian Porter, running for LSARRC for the first time and just returning to running following surgery, was pleased to get round after a long layoff in 132nd place and 57.26.

Sylvia Gittins, Peter Cruse and Joe Greenwood

Club members were busy racing further afield, with representatives Pam Hardman, Bec Willetts and Tom Haworth amongst the 88 entrants who ran in the Lea town 10k. A gently undulating course was covered in perfect weather conditions. Tom came in 11^th in 38:28, Bec Willetts 60^th in 50:46 and Pam was 61^st in 50:51, claiming victory in the VF50 category.

Graham Webster and Terry Hellings competed in the British Masters Athletic Federation 10k in Ashford, Kent, within a field of 915 runners. Graham was 71^st overall, 3^rd V60 in a time of 38.28, and Terry 148^th in 41.55.

Nigel Thompson ran the Wistow 10k over in North Yorkshire, his first 10k in nearly 12 months. The course was scenic but relatively flat and saw him achieve a time of 36:21, finishing 10th overall in a field of around 300.

The Club's annual run through the Illuminations provided a variation to the regular Thursday training routine. This year's was no exception when twenty-five enjoyed a pleasant run on a mild autumn evening. The lights were seen at their best out in the open air and a fish and chip supper was the deserved reward for a promenade workout.

Other club news: On Sunday 7^th October Laura and Kev Ashworth ran the Tissington Trail half marathon near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. It was a glorious, still, autumnal morning and coupled with the fact that it was slightly downhill all the way both achieved PB’s. Out of 239 Kev finished 19th in 1hr 32 and Laura 62nd in 1hr 42. The race was a fundraiser for The Children's Trust which provides care, education and rehabilitation to kids with multiple disabilities, complex health needs and acquired brain injuries.

The enthusiasm of Andy Sneddon, it seems, is irrepressible! Not racing this Sunday – but preparing for his next with a training run in Southern Snowdonia (23k), in advance of the Ennerdale 25k trail race on Sunday 21^st October.

LSARRC’s annual Green Drive Five race takes place this week, on Sunday 21st October at 11.00am. The 5 mile flat, rural course is open to all entrants aged 15+. 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. PLEASE come along and run or support; it promises to be a great day, with exclusive souvenir t-shirts awarded to all those who enter.