LSARRC News 20th March 2013

The Haigh Hall Relay Squad: L-R:
Sylvia Gittens, Roy Stevens, Richard Storey, Willie Richmond,
Graham Webster, Jim Whitworth, Greg Oulton, Katharine Hoyland. 

 The Haigh Hall Relays on Saturday proved to be a tough test the Lytham competitors. Held under damp conditions and a scattering of hail, runners raced tough legs of 3.75 miles descending from the highest to the lowest level of the Park with a challenging upward return. However Haigh Hall's woodland setting is inspiring in all weathers and, once again, it was a satisfying day out for Lytham members. Competing in the Vet Men's Team were Roy Stevens, 30:40, Richard Storey, 32:29 and Willie Richmond, 27:34 with the fastest time coming from third-leg runner Graham Webster whose 25:15 was the fifth best time by a vet and an excellent performance for a Vet 60.  The team finished fourth vets' team and 13th overall. Really shinning in Lytham's squad was Katharine Hoyland.  Leading out the Mixed Team, Hoyland was not only good on the tough hill but came up with the second best Lytham time, a very creditable 27:30, on this her first attempt at this tough course.  Teammates Jim Whitworth, Sylvia Gittins and Greg Oulton finished in 38:16, 36:41 and 33:46 respectively for an accumulated 2:16:13 for 16th place. LSARRC was delighted and not a little surprised to take a prize of pear cider and wine for their team performances.

First Lytham gent in the St Annes 10 miler, Nigel Thompson.

Sunday morning saw 13 Lytham road runners racing in the Ultrafit St Annes 10 Mile road race. The race got underway from St Annes fire station and the clubs entrants produced a great set of finishing results. Nigel Thompson was first man home for the club, 18^th finisher in 1.00.22, and Fiona Geldard was first over the finish line for the Lytham ladies, 187th overall in 1.27.49. 255 entrants finished the race in total, the Lytham results as follows:

Men: Nigel Thompson, 18^th, 1.00.22, Joe Greenwood, 19^th, 1.00.31, 26^th, Pete Cruse, 1.01.29, Thomas Haworth, 31^st, 1.02.40, Graham Webster, 46^th, 1.06.16, Roy Upton, 78^th, 1.11.03, Mark Selby, 87^th, 1.12.19, Oliver Hirsh, 95^th, 1.14.00, Trevor Willoughby, 156^th, 1,22,53, Graham Young, 182^nd, 126.42, Gregory Oulton, 192^nd, 1.28.53. Women: Fiona Geldard, 187^th, 127.49, Slyvia Gittens, 213^th, 1.33.37.

Elsewhere on Sunday, more creditable performances were being notched up by club members at the Trimpell 20. Race HQ was the Lancaster and Morcambe AC building, and the course followed a flat, fast course. Andy Draper, Simon Denye, Rob Goodall and Mark Willett all raced in cold but near perfect running conditions. The course headed towards Morecambe and around Trimpell triangle, then headed back towards the historic city of Lancaster, with Lancaster Castle, Lancaster Priory and the Ashton Memorial in view. Once across the Millennium Bridge the route met the Quayside before stretching out along the cycle path away from the city, towards Caton. Scenic views awaited competitors in the Lune Valley, before the course turned at Bullbeck and looped back towards Lancaster. It concluded by heading back to the Salt Ayre sports centre, finishing on the track. Andy Draper, in his first road race of the year, came in a great 6^th with a PB of 2.02.50. Simon Denye, 30^th overall, finished in 2.14.10 – also a PB claimant, and Mark Willett was delighted with his time of 2.25.36, 70^th place and a considerable PB. Rob continued his rich vein of form and yet again blitzed his previous PB by over a quarter of an hour, with an excellent time of 3.13.32 (in 314^th).Inarguably a grand day for the Lytham Runners and excellent preparation all round for approaching spring marathons.

Proud Pam: 1st F50 in Cyprus Half Marathon.

Pamela Hardman entered the Cyprus Half Marathon 10^th March and won 1^st place F50 category. The warm weather made it a tough challenge but the great atmosphere made up for it.