LSARRC News 1st April 2013

First three finishers in the March handicap, from L - R
Pam Binns, Bob Clough and Dawn Lock.

For keen Lytham runners Easter weekend's cool crisp sunshine provided ideal running conditions, in a range of events and races, in contrast to the extreme winter weather of last weekend which forced several north-western running events to be cancelled.

The Easter period was preceded by the end-of-month Club Handicap on Thursday with nineteen taking part.  The three fastest men finished just two seconds apart in a hard fought battle particularly between Thomas Howarth in eighth place and Joe Greenwood ninth, timed in at 42:10 and 42:11 and both setting PBs. The third fastest time was recorded by Sam Banner finishing a second ahead of Howarth.  The trio's times were Banner 20:39, Howarth 20:10 and Greenwood 19:26. Topping the competition for the first three finishing places were winner Bob Clough, followed closely by Pam Binns and Dawn Lock. Rob Goodall in 4^th place ran a PB to finish clear of runner-up Alex Wiggins in the annual competition for the Roy Stevens Plate.  These two have been heading the points table for some months and their awards are well-deserved.

Charming Caldervale Village in the heart of Bowland Forest on Good Friday was the site of

A power start, with a smile, for club visitor Emily Hargreaves

the Caldervale 10 mile race. Emily Hargreaves, a visiting member from her usual residence in Austria, took advantage of the ideal weather to complete the 10 tough hilly miles in an excellent 69:33 to finish second woman and fourth overall in a field 187.  Also challenging herself at the hills was Vet 65 Sylvia Gittins who was second in her age category and 160th overall.  She finished in 1:37:24.  Dawn Lock did the 4 mile fun run, part of the same event, in 43:29, 42nd out of 57.

Still Smiling! Emily in a sprint finish, first Lytham  lady home, 2nd lady finisher
and 4th place overall.

On Saturday Salford Harriers hosted the popular Salford 10k, starting from Salford sports village. 539 entrants ran and finished a fast, flat two lap course in bright conditions. Visiting club member Steve Hargreaves led the Lytham men home finishing 34^th in 34.03. Andy Draper followed closely, just missing out on a PB but still finishing a creditable 43^rd in 35.04. Peter Cruse came in next, 74^th in 36.35, and then Simon Denye in 82^nd place, breaking 37 minutes in 36.56 and achieving his 3^rd silver standard qualifying time. Graham Webster, coming in at 39.18 for 140^th place won the 2^nd V60 and Fiona Geldard made a commendable finish for the ladies, completing the race in 56.15, 492^nd finisher.

Four club members competed in the ‘Run the Bridge’ 5 mile race at Halton on Sunday. Janice Cobley netted a tremendous finish, easily clearing her gold standard target of 45 minutes in 44.11. Graham Webster took the prize for first V60 with his 31.32 finish, and Fiona Geldard and Greg Oulton finished in similar times around the 42 minute mark.

Dawn Lock raced the 9 mile ‘Muddy Bottoms’ which covers scenic countryside to the east of the M61, starting and finishing at Bamber Bridge leisure centre. She finished in 2hrs 19min.

Rob Goodall, Debbie Cooper, Pam Hardman and Bec Willetts spent Easter running sections of the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William. Hardman and Cooper managed 80 miles from a total of 96 – with daylight and logistical issues only preventing them from completing the whole 96. Runners and supporters enjoyed the perfect crisp, clear conditions needed to enjoy the spectacular scenery.