LSARRC News 13th March 2013

The Lytham Road Runners have been out training and competing with their usual determination in multi-weather, multi-terrain conditions this week. Club activity has included road and fell racing as well as a residential training weekend. On Sunday Blackpool AC hosted 87 runners at the Stanley Park Spring 5k on a cold and blustery but sunny morning. Amongst Lytham representatives were Peter Cruse, first home for the Club in 16^th  place overall, clocking 18m 51s. Following closely was Graham Webster, winning the V60 category in a respectable 17th place, 19:12. Willie Richmond came in 27^th in a pleasing 20:31, and Lytham lady Fiona Geldard finished 50^th in 24:49: much improved and a seasons best.

Debbie Cooper competed in the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round Fell Race on Saturday. The challenging course exceeded 10 miles and included 1936 feet of climb. The fog at top required a compass for navigation, however the weather cleared revealing beautiful views by the end. Cooper achieved a mighty PB by nearly 45 minutes, finishing the race in just under 1hr 50m. The event proved to have all the vital components of a good fell race: lots of tough climbs, deep bogs but stretches of scenic, runnable course also.

The Intrepid Malham Crew:
L-R Kev Ashworth, Laura Ashworth, Greg Oulton, Steve Quarmby,
Janice Cobley, Terry Hellings, Roy Upton, Catherine French, Pam Binns. 

Malham in Yorkshire was the site of activity for the first residential Club training weekend of 2013. The toughest conditions ever at such an event were endured by thirteen brave (or foolhardy) members of the club. During scheduled runs, attendees tackled a blizzard, sub-zero temperatures and a biting icy wind. Prior to the weekend organisers had issued warnings about severe conditions in the hills compared to the lower shelter of the village. How right this proved to be. Saturday’s long run led runners up and out of the village into the face of a strong blizzard. It proved to be a challenge worth pursuing however as the surroundings were indescribable in their beauty. On the Sunday long run, a 9.5 miler, 9 intrepid Club participants climbed even higher than the previous day, up and around the scenic and atmospheric Malham Tarn. Snow fall was light but still covered the ground and conditions were bitter. A strong Easterly wind made the temperature feel at least five degrees below the actual zero degrees. Some t-shirt weather over the weekend was observed however - inside the Lister Arms next to the YH where the log burners were scorching. The Buck Inn also proved to be a good site for rehydration, supplying a great standard of real ale for the thirsty sprinters.

Willie Richmond completed the Ballycotton 10 race near Cork last week. In chilly conditions he finished in a chip time of 1:09:11 just 12 seconds outside of gold standard time. Of 2591 runners he finished in 431st place and was 13th MV 50. Mark Willett ran race number 28 of his ‘40 half marathons before 40’ challenge. He completed the cold and hilly Newton's Fraction Half in Grantham in 1hr 33. Tom Haworth competed in the Trafford 10k on Sunday finishing in 38:01.