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.