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.