LSARRC News 28th May 2013

Ella Moulding and Jasmine Jolly sprint to the wire at
Stanley Park Track and Field.

Stanley Park was host to the 21st Lancashire Track and Field Championships over the weekend where athletes competed in sunny but breezy conditions. On Saturday, Lytham St. Annes RRC had three junior members entered in a total of five events. Making the first appearance for the Club was Ella Moulding in the 1500m with a second appearance in the 800m scheduled on Sunday alongside U15G Camryn Spector.

Ella won her County medal in undisputable style, proudly taking home the Silver which involved a fierce and epic battle for first place. The Under 13 Girls' 1500m got underway with Moulding going out at a fast pace, taking the lead straight away and battling round most of the first three laps stride for stride with two others in an enthralling race.  Ella held onto the lead until inches from the line when, with a late strong challenge, Jasmine Jolly of Preston Harriers just beat her to the line.  Jasmine was given 5:09.9 to Ella's 5:10.0, a mere tenth of a second behind and a PB. On day 2 Layla Foley competed in the U17G 800m and ran to smash her personal best, finishing  6^th in her heat in 2:34.2. Camryn Spector produced a fine run in the U15G 800m finishing 6^th in her heat and hitting a personal best of 2:35.1.

The Northern Veterans Track and Field Championships took place at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.  Lytham St Annes RRC had two representatives in Graham Webster and Terry Hellings.  Their first race of the day was the 1500 and both ran well in a field of twelve, Graham finishing 4th overall and 2nd vet 60 in a time of 5:15.1 with Terry taking the vet 55 gold finishing 4th overall in 5:34.9. Next, both toed the line for the start of the 3000m along with 14 other athletes, Graham finishing 2nd overall in a time of 11:16.5 with Terry 2 places back in 12:03.6 both taking age category gold medals.  The 800m was the final race of the day, with Graham finishing 2nd in his heat and 2nd vet 60 in 2:38.1 and Terry 5th in 2:52.7 and first vet 55 for his third gold medal of the day. 

Colin Laidlaw running the Fishwick 5 Trail

The fourth annual Fishwick 5 Trail Race took place in Preston on Wednesday, held in aid of the local children's community club. The green and attractive route plunges steeply down the deep scarp that surrounds Preston into the rural lanes and park pathways of Fishwick Bottoms and the Guild Wheel and repeats a partial loop before the concluding climb into Fishwick. Lytham had two competitors, Colin Laidlaw, who finished 16th in 37:22 and Dawn Lock, 30th in 56:14.  Laidlaw was third MV55 and Lock was first WV65 taking the age category prize. 

LSARRC members get social in Caldervale. Not to be mistaken for Greg Oulton and his backing band...
From L-R Catherine French, Roy Stevens, Pam Hardman, Greg Oulton, Richard Storey,
Bec Willetts and Sylivia Gittens (Laura Ashworth behind the camera!)

Elsewhere on Sunday Lytham runners were active at a number of events. At the running of the BUPA 10k in a warm Manchester, three Lytham RRC members competed. Simon Denye finished 155^th in 37.22, Mark Willett was 645^th in 41.39 and Mel Koth finished 2119^th in 46.03, of a field of around 40,000 runners. Yorkshireman Trevor Willoughby completed the ‘killer’ Buxton Half Marathon in 1:59:55. In perfect conditions he enjoyed a brilliant run in the picturesque countryside of the Peak District. Seven LSARRC members convened in the pretty village of Calder Vale for an informal 10 mile run, part social, part training for the Welsh Castles relay event coming up next month. Laura Ashworth, Bec Willetts, Pam Hardman, Catherine French, Greg Oulton, Roy Stevens, Richard Storey and Sylvia Gittens completed an undulating 10 mile circular route, concluding with refreshments back at the village tearooms. 

LSARRC News 21st May 2013

Graham Webster scoring top points for Lytham in the
Track & Field at Preston.

Lytham St. Annes RRC competed at the second round of the Mid Lancs League's track and field season at Preston on Saturday. In below par weather conditions the three-man team of Thomas Howarth, Graham Webster and Terry Hellings gained the maximum 7 points for their performance in the longest track distances of the day, the 3000 metres.  Other individual performances added another 8 points to consolidate Lytham's standing in Division. Taking the opportunity to do earlier races before the 3000m, club members Howarth, Webster and junior girl Camryn Spector competed in the 800m.  The Senior Men's 800m race was won by the talented Jamaine Coleman of Preston Harriers in a stunning sub-two minute finish of 1:55.6.  Lytham's athletes Howarth and Webster ran 2:28.3 and 2:35.5 for 13th and 16th place respectively.  Under 15 girl Camryn Spector, the club's only junior representative, appeared on the Mid Lancs track for the first time and ran a creditable 2:46.1 for 16th place ahead of eight others.  Her efforts earned the Club 2 points and set a personal best for her.  Howarth and Webster were again in action in the mid-meeting 1500m where they finished in adjacent places 10th and 11th in 5:06.9 and 5:18.3, against a winning time of 4: 17.4, gaining between them a useful 5 points.

In the 3000m Howarth was Lytham's fastest competitor with 10:55.8 and 10th place ahead of Webster, 12th in 11:24.5 and Hellings, 14th in 11:55.0. At the race front was Preston Harriers' Christopher Durney posting a challenging 9:28.4.  

                                 

Fortunately for the 7 Lytham members who took part in the first of the Club’s summer runs on Sunday, the sun was out shining brightly. Runners met up in the centre of the pretty and unspoilt village of Calder Vale for the social run. Climbing at first steeply out of the village, the group followed a scenic and undulating seven-mile route that highlighted the best of this beautiful area and encompassed farm tracks, Grizedale Reservoir, Holme Wood, Harris End Fell road and Okenclough before returning via St. John's Church and the magnificent bluebell wood.  The homemade cakes made a welcome climax to the Lytham runners' day out.

On Sunday Colin Laidlaw took part in the Pilling UK Diabetes 10k Road Race and Fun Run. Approximately 25 runners lined up on the start line for the 10k over a flat two and half lap course. This was a self-timed event and Laidlaw finished 4th, stopping his watch in 45 minutes 11 seconds. The winner was Maria Snell, Lancaster and Morecambe Athletic Club, with a time of 43 minutes 43 seconds.

Richard Storey, Rebecca Willetts, Laura Ashworth and Pam Hardman ran the Howgill Harriers 10k road race at Kirby Stephen on Sunday. Members arrived at a small friendly race and followed a tough course on country lanes, rewarded with tea & cakes to finish. Catherine French has been pursuing more off-road racing experiences, the first of the week at the Shining Tor 4 mile fell race in the dark peak region of Derbyshire. The tough race started from the stunning Errswood Reservoir on an idyllic Wednesday evening and involved 1000ft of ascent. On Sunday French completed the formidable Scafell Pike Trail Marathon; the long distance event challenging runners to 1,800m of ascent set against the breathtaking vistas of the Lake District. Greg Oulton, whilst holidaying in the US, packed his trainers and scheduled in the Brooklyn half marathon. He finished comfortably in the top half of a field of 21,378 competitors.

LSARRC News 14th May 2013

Inter-club race competitors went off-road for the second of the fell series at Caton Moor last Monday. The course comprised an 11 km traverse of rough pasture and 335m of ascent. Beautiful sunshine, improved course flagging and runnable slopes ensured that all completed the course in good times. The weather and the presence of the inter-club runners swelled 2012's modest 132 to a field of well over 200.

Lytham's team was led in by Terry Hellings in a good finish, 74th in 58:03, against a winning time by Carl Bell of 42:17. Colin Laidlaw arrived in 108th place and 1:01:24.  Third counter in the open team was Steve Quarmby making his first fell appearance for the season in 112th and 1:01:40.  Running particularly well on her favourite surface, Debbie Cooper romped home in 137th place and 1:05:37.  Greg Oulton, 193rd in 1:18:19 and Dawn Lock, 211th in 1:36:41, completed the team.  The trio of over 50s Hellings, Laidlaw and Quarmby made for a strong team in that age group and with Oulton formed the Veteran's Team.  Highest placed in the Inter-Club Series was Terry Hellings in 14th place and Debbie Cooper in an excellent 3rd in the woman's competition.

Simon Denye, rising performer in the Club and1st man across the finish line for Lytham at the Blackpool 10k

Runners were challenged by strong winds and scattered showers for the Blackpool 10K organized in favour of Trinity Hospice on Sunday. While still technically a fun run, chip timing and a different course indicate a more serious approach for this race. Poor conditions did not hamper local running star Stuart Robinson from an impressive fight against the elements to win in 31:39 with the first woman, Lisa Ainsley, finishing also in a good time of 39:53, nearly a minute ahead of her nearest rival. Cold, wind and driving rain was not enough to deter fifteen members of the Lytham Club from competing.  Once again fast-improving Simon Denye was the first Lytham runner home in 15th and 37:03. Thomas Howarth finished second for the Club in 38:01 and high 26th place out of the 3,000 runners.  Graham Webster was third Lytham competitor and third in the over 55 age category. Finishing well in the women's competition was Pam Hardman who finished 10th in the over 46 age group in 49:17 and Sylvia Gittins, third over 55 in 52:17. 

FULL RESULTS BLACKPOOL 10K: Simon Denye, 15th overall & 5th 36+ 37:03; Thomas Howarth, 26th 38:01; Graham Webster, 43rd overall & 3rd 55+ 39:24; David Jacks 43:39; Colin Laidlaw, 12th 55+ 43:46; George Rowley, 282 overall & 2nd U15 46:07; Pam Hardman, 502nd overall & 10th 46+ 49:17; Pippa Hughes, 628th  49:59; Alexander Wiggins, 559th 47:35; Fiona Geldard, 742th  51:15;Elizabeth Walton, 869th 53:13; Bob Clough,  944th 51:47; Graham Young, 953th 52:59; S. Gittins, 1003th overall & 3rd 55+ 52:17; Pamela Binns, 1525th 59:04.

Dawn Lock took on the Haigh Hall 4 Miles on Wednesday, the scene of the highly enjoyable March Relays. Lock ran well in the field of 53 to finish in 44:44, scooping the first WV60 prize. 

Club Members Bec Willetts, Richard Storey, Janice Cobley and Greg Oulton ran the hilly Blacksticks Blue 10k, the course including a climb up Beacon Fell. Runners enjoyed chilly but clear weather conditions and were rewarded with butties and cakes at the finish.

LSARRC News 7th May 2013

Lytham St Anne’s Road Runners were the genial hosts for their home fixture in the annual Inter-Clubs competition.  On the beautiful Thursday evening 201 competitors from six north-west clubs took part in the 5 mile race on St. Anne’s sea front. The competition’s strongest club, Preston Harriers, maintained their place at the fore of the competition and made a clean sweep by heading all the categories, open, women and veterans.  In a dominant performance by the Preston men, race winner David Rigby (25:51) was closely followed by 3 more of the team at a rush to the finish line.The Lytham team in 4th place overall were led by Joe Greenwood whose time of 28:21 placed him 11th in the high-class field.  Other good performance by Lytham’s men included Simon Denye, 20th; Peter Cruse, 26th and 2nd vet 50 with Graham Webster 38th leading the vet 60s.The women’s race winner in 31:34 was Joanna Goorney of Wesham Road Runners with Lytham’s team led by Katharine Hoyland, 10th in 34:00, Mel Koth 11th and captain Laura Ashworth 21st, finishing 4th of the six clubs. On a satisfactory night for the home club which fielded thirty runners, Lytham’s veterans team finished 5th and the vet 50s 4th, while the Club’s highest team place was 3rd by the vet 60s team.

Last outing at the 2013 Inter-Club Grand Prix at Lytham for Rob Goodall.

2^nd fixture Inter-Club Grand Prix, Lytham St. Anne’s results: Men: 11 J. Greenwood 28:21; 20 S. Denye 29:39; 26 P. Cruse M50 30:10; 30 N. Thompson M45 30:37; 32 T. Howarth 30:47; 38 G. Webster M60 31:22; 42 M. Willett 31:34; 57 K. Ashworth M40 32:20; 60 O. Hirsh M45 32:30; 72 T. Hellings M55 33:33; 78 S. Quarmby M50 34:02; 79 M. Selby 34:10; 86 D. Jacks M40 34:50; 91 W. Richmond M50 35:15; 117 R. Stevens M60 37:30; 127 A. Wiggins 38:51; 131 R. Storey M40 39:20; 135 C. Alexander 39:39; 145 G. Oulton M45 40:54; 153 R. Goodall 41:53; 156 R. Clough M60 42:28.

Women: 10 K. Hoyland 34:00; 11 M. Koth W35 34:50; 21 L. Ashworth W35 36:49; 30 J. Rolfe W50 40:00; 31 F. Wolohan 40:29; 33 G. Murphy 40:56; 36 C. French W35 42:39; 43 J. Pendered W45 46:52; 53 P. Hardman W50 63:19. 

The 10k race which took place in Stanley Park on Sunday was held in tribute to the celebrated local athletics coach and personality Alan Seddon. This race also marked the very last in the UK for Rob Goodall before his move to Australia. He bid his racing farewell in characteristic style, notching up one last PB. Seven club members turned out to run and finished well up amongst the 146 finishers.  Following the pattern of the Inter-Club the first two Lytham finishers were Joe Greenwood and Simon Denye.  Greenwood ran a superb 10K finishing in an excellent 36:34 in 6th place.  Denye ran 37:31 for 11th place, making it his 3^rd race of the week including the Welcome Tavern 5k (8^th, 18.11) and the Interclub. The race was won by a notable ex-pupil of Seddon's, Martyn Cryer in 33:06. OTHER RESULTS: 24^th Mark Willett, 39:59, 60th  Neil Bayton-Roberts, V50, 44:51; 93rd Alexander Wiggins, 49:03;  99th Greg Oulton, MV45, 50:34; 104th Robert Goodall, 51:20.

At the Keswick Half Marathon on Sunday, Catherine French represented Lytham around the hilly and breathtaking course situated in the North Lakes. French finished 386^th of 463 in 2.12.50. 

LSARRC News 29th April 2013

The Lytham Running club has been a hive of activity this week, a week which has heralded the opening of Summer Club Handicap season, celebrated member’s achievements at the Presentation night and seen members compete in a host of events including marathons, trail races and track events.

The Award Winners League at the LSARRC Presentation Night 2013
From L-R: Graham Webster, Liz Wharrier, Julia Rolfe, Roy Stevens, Janice Cobley, Tony Croft, Alex Wiggins, Andy Draper, Bill White, Kev Ashworth, Laura Ashworth, Rob Goodall, Bec Willett, Sylvia Gittens, Tom Haworth, Pam Hardman, Pam Binns, Dawn Lock, Fiona Geldard.  

On Friday the Lytham Club runners athletic achievements of the past year were recognized and a range of certificates, medals and trophies awarded. Eldest and long-standing member of the Club Bill White was there to present the prizes. Foremost in the awards were the Club Champions, Andy Draper and Mel Koth who each receive the lauded Championship Cups. Both Champions automatically won their age categories; Draper, the Senior Men's, Koth, the V35's and Thompson was also the leading V45. The Founder's Cup, the next most highly ranking award as it represents the athletes' ability to score best on the WAVA tables, a worldwide standard of excellence and the fitting winner was Graham Webster. The veteran athlete has set club records and finished first V60 in many competitions and local races. Webster also took the Mike Crowe Trophy for taking part in most races in the year and, naturally, won his age category shield.  Remarkably Webster also became only the third winner of a diamond standard.

Another prolific winner was Robert Goodall who made a clean sweep of the handicap trophies taking the Winter, Summer and Monthly Handicap Trophies together with the Bill White Most Improved Rose Bowl.  Laura Ashworth took the women's Marjorie White Most Improved award. Dawn Lock received the Windmill Plate for services to the Club, an award voted by the membership.

This year saw the largest number of claims for Colour Standards ever showing a healthy interest in personal achievement amongst members of the Club. Gaining certificates were Oliver Hirsh (bronze), Julia Rolfe (gold) and Pam Hardman (gold).  Achieving medals were Kevin Ashworth (V40 bronze), Simon Denye (SM silver), Laura Ashworth (V35 silver), Dawn Bloor  and Fiona Geldard (V45 silver), Julia Rolfe (V50 silver) and Pamela Binns (V65 silver), Andy Draper (SM gold), and Roy Stevens (V60 gold).  Attending her first Awards Ceremony and justly proud of her progress, newer member Janice Cobley attained bronze, silver and gold medals in the V60 category.

Thursday Club night saw the return to the summer Handicap course and proceedings got off to a fine start on a delightful sunny evening.  There was an exciting finish with Oliver Hirsh and Joe Greenwood storming to the finish. Joe, along with three more, Mark Willett, Mark Selby and Dave Jacks, all had excellent runs and recorded PBs.

At the Manchester Marathon on Sunday six Lytham runners took on the 26.2 mile challenge, all finishing in good times and setting PB’s. Tom Howarth was first Lytham male across the finish line, breaking the three hour barrier with his 2.58.32 finish. Pippa Hughes achieved her goal of a sub 4hr 30 finish, and Rob Goodall, alongside Mark Willett pacing, struck a pleasing PB by 22 minutes finishing in 4.38.23. Pam Binns had a tremendous run finishing in 4.41.56 - almost an hour faster than her previous marathon attempt in Edinburgh last year and a performance which positioned her first in the VF65 age category. Janice Cobley finished in a brilliant 4.45.02.

On Saturday Catherine French traversed the stunning, scenic and challenging Hawkshead 17k trail race route, finishing in 1.57.57. The course followed beautiful Lakeland trails, affording amazing mountainous views, skirting Lake Windermere and encompassing a steep rocky mile long stretch of ascent, affectionately known as the ‘coffin trail’!  

Lytham’s competitors in the Fleetwood 10 miler on Sunday were up against a brisk wind, but not enough to deter Oliver Hirsh and Greg Oulton from setting PB’s. Hirsh knocked nearly three minutes of his previous time, finishing in 71.06, 24^th finisher overall and 5^th V45. Oulton achieved his sub 90 min target finishing in 86.06, and representing the Lytham women, Sylvia Gittens finished in 95.44, 126^th in race.

Ella Moulding competed in her first track race of the season at the Mid Lancs League meeting at Blackpool. She ran in the U13girls 800m and despite having never raced this distance before she finished  2^nd in 2:37.06.

LSARRC News 22nd April 2013

Lytham Club members Andy Draper, Wille Richmond, Emily Hargreaves and Steve Hargreaves were in the sunny capital on Sunday competing in the celebrated London Marathon. They were amongst a massive 36,000 other athletes, fun-runners and fund-raisers all ready to race at 10am. Andy Draper finished in a great time of 2.41.27, just outside of his target of 2.40, but still knocking a significant chunk of three minutes off his previous personal best, ran at the Preston Guild marathon last year. Willie Richmond crossed the finish line in 3.44.11. The London Marathon runners fell silent on the start line on Sunday in memory of those who died in the Boston bomb attacks. There was a 30-second silence just before the start of the men's elite race and mass start at 10am. Many there wore black ribbons in a show of solidarity to those affected by the terror strikes at the finish of the Boston Marathon last Monday. The men's race was won by Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede in a time of 2:06:04 whilst Kenya's Priscah Jeptoo won the women's race in 2:20:15.

Five Lytham Road Runners turned out for the ‘Garstang Gallop’ 10k road race on Sunday, hosted by Garstang Running Club. A sunny start to the weekend, including the early hours of Sunday, had looked promising for the race however the clouds rolled in bringing rain and a cool breeze with them. The field of 138 competitors on the starting line at 11am were undeterred however, among them 5 sporting the green Lytham vest.  The course was rural, hilly and scenic, including the toughest stretches of climb in the first section of the race. Club high achiever Peter Cruse finished first for LSARRC, finishing in 9^th place overall in 39.40 and collecting the prize for 1^st MV50. Colin Laidlaw was next in, 42^nd overall in 46.38, followed by Steve Quarmby, 53^rd in 47.37 and Trevor Willoughby crossing the finish line in 79^th position, clocking 52.48. Catherine French was Lytham’s only female runner, finishing in 104^th place overall in 57.00. The race was won by John Lloyd, MV35, of Todmorden Harriers who finished the race in 36.07, and the female winner was Rebecca Sheffield (unattached), clocking in at 39.58.