LSARRC News 30th July 2013

Monday saw one of the hottest Inter-Club Grand Prix fixtures to date, that of the fourth round of the 2013 series held at BNFL, Salwick. There was a good turnout of 195 competitors, twenty two of them Lytham members. The strong presence and performances from Preston Harriers and Wesham Road Runners saw them scoop the first and second places between them and Red Rose Runners did well to take third in the Open. High temperatures, even late into the evening made for tough conditions but that didn't stop the current top competitors scoring well again.  Winner of two of the three previous races, Preston Harriers' Rob Affleck, triumphed again. Affleck finished the 4.5 mile course in 23:36 convincingly.

Lytham's best was once again Joe Greenwood with his highest position yet, ninth, in 26:10. Thomas Howarth finished in 19th and 27:39.  Mark Willett was third counter in 30th place and 28:55, one place in front of Peter Cruse, MV50, 31st in 28:58.  Also making the Open team were Mark Selby, 68th in 31:20, Terry Hellings, 75th in 31:40, Richard Storey, 97th in 33:32 and two women.  Laura Ashworth was LSARRC's first women, 104th in 33:49, and Katharine Hoyland, the next in, 105th in 33:53.  Vet60 Roy Stevens, 107th in 33:59, completed the Open Team.

Cruse, Hellings, Storey, Ashworth and Stevens together with Brian Porter, 133rd in 37:08, scored for the Vets; Cruse, Hellings, Stevens and Julia Rolfe, 136th in 37:40, made up the Vet50s and Stevens with Sylvia Gittins, 154th in 40:21and Pam Binns,164th in 41:44, the Vet60.The Women's team consisted of Ashworth, Hoyland and Rolfe with Debbie Cooper, 146th in 38:35 and Bec Willetts, 148th in 39:14.

OTHER RESULTS: Alex Wiggins, SM, 129th, 36:56; Greg Oulton, MV45, 147th, 38:58; Bill Lock, MV70, 165th, 41:57; Tony Holt, MV60, 176th, 46:05; Andy Sneddon, MV45, 178th, 46:35; Dawn Lock, WV65, 185th, 50:40

Smiles and enthusiasm in the July heat! July Handicap
competitiors from (top) L-R Bill Lock, Bec Willett,
Roy Stevens, Debbie Cooper, Karen Lanegan, Greg Oulton, Bob Clough,
Sue Godfrey, Tom Haworth, Mark Willetts, Oliver Hirsh, Andy Sneddon,
L-R (bottom) Laura Ashwoerth, Brian Porter, Kev Ashworth, Dawn Lock, Richard Storey. 

In the July monthly handicap on Thursday Sue Godfrey improved on her handicap to win in style half a minute in front of her nearest rival. Godfrey follows Oliver Hirsh's April - May feat by gaining two successive wins – rare in the handicap competition and thus showing real progress and promise since joining Lytham St. Annes RRC.  Godfrey managed 45:58 in June and followed it up with 44:22 in July for the 4.35 mile course.  Also beating the hot evening conditions on the 4.35 mile course were Richard Storey, second in 31:45 for a season's best and Bob Clough with a personal best in 6th with 37:19. Oliver Hirsh still maintains an overall series lead at the top of the table with 106 points thanks to his two wins but consistent performances from Mark Willett throughout the season has brought him to within three points at 103.  Thomas Howarth, who was fastest on the night with 26:26, lies in 7th place overall.

The Fireman’s Relay on Friday evening made the third hot race in a row, although the relief of a slight breeze and shaded sections of the course made for more tolerable conditions. Lytham maintained its long record of attendance at this event resulting in the formation of four teams, their strong presence second only to Blackburn Harriers' massive sixteen teams. First back for Lytham, Jo Greenwood used his sprint talent to put in a strong challenge to the Blackburn leaders finishing just 24 seconds behind winner Liam Atkinson's 14:17. Thomas Howarth also put in a good performance to reach 12th less than two minutes back. 

On Wednesday Colin Laidlaw braved the heat in the south and competed in the Civil Service Athletic Association 10k at Battersea Park, London. The 4 lap course was run by 285 competitors in temperatures hitting the high twenties. Laidlaw finished 121st in 46:44. After the Fireman’s relay on Friday, he was racing again on Sunday at the inaugural Kirkham Kricket Klub Klassic 10k. He finished the partially off-road course 13/48 in 48:36. 

LSARRC News 23rd July 2013

Lytham competitors get ready to run for their supper at the
Caldervale village race. Pictured from L-R
Dawn Lock, Thomas Haworth, Graham Webster, Colin Laidlaw,
Julia Rolfe, Jim Whitworth, Bec Willett, Pamela Hardman,
Richard Story. 

The Calder Vale Supper Run on Thursday was an evening of running which had it all: held in perfect conditions, a scenic course with a challenge of three major climbs and hardly a level stretch anywhere followed by pie and peas for hungry finishers. 

It was a surprisingly high quality field for this modest 3.8 mile run. Three-quarters of the eighty-one contestants were club runners and several clubs, including Lytham, had turned out in large numbers.  At the front end one minute separated the first three with Blackpool Wyre & Fylde's Malcolm Eadie, to win in 20:50 ahead of Preston Harriers' Jason Parker, 21:30, and Paul Muller of Horwich, 21:51.

The race climbs from the village centre in its deep valley to the main road, heads north on a rolling course before turning east to climb to a view point from which tail-enders can look across to watch the leaders on the next climb.  It then descends to Oakenclough Mill to climb for a third and final time and lose the height in the last 0.8 miles back to the village centre. Fifteen members of the Club took on the big climbs in this short but testing event: hot and sweaty after another blistering day. 

Thomas Howarth was first of the Lytham contingent home in 6th place and 23:45.  Graham Webster came in two places later in 24:51 and first Vet60.  Colin Laidlaw was next, 22nd in 27:42 with Richard Storey fourth in 27th place and 29:09.  Brian Porter was 40th in 31:24.

A strong team from Lancaster & Morecambe took all the women's prizes: Helen Booth, 7th in 24:10, Maria Snell, 11th in 25:26 and Hannah Fleet, 15th in 26:24. Lytham's women were led in by Pamela Hardman, in good form with 31:27 in 31st position.  Rebecca Willetts was 46th in 32:09 one place ahead of Julia Rolfe in 32:32:19.

FULL RESULTS:  6th Thomas Howarth, SM, 23:45; 8th Graham Webster, MV60, 24:51; 22nd Colin Laidlaw, MV55, 27:42; 27th Richard Storey, MV40, 29:09;  40th Brian Porter, MV40, 31:24; 41st Pamela Hardman, 31:27; 46th Rebecca Willetts, WV40, 32:09; 47th Julia Rolfe, WV50, 32:19; 49th Greg Oulton, MV45, 32:29; 56th Jim Whitworth, MV65, 35:24; 60th Bill Lock, MV70, 35:42; 63rd Fiona Geldard, WV45, 37:15; 64th Janice Cobley, WV60, 37:36; 65th Pam Binns, WV65, 37:36; 76th 
Dawn Lock, WV65, 41:47.

It was a productive trip for the five Lytham men to Ormskirk Athletics Stadium on Sunday for the Mid Lancs League Track and Field. Thomas Howarth, Graham Webster, Terry Hellings, Greg Oulton and Jeremy McCandless brought back 40 points, many of them from the Clubs two throwers McCandless and Oulton. With today's points Lytham St. Annes RRC has moved up to 8th place in Senior Men's Div.2 with a total of 144. 

On a day when there was a break from the intense heat, Lytham members headed to Ormskirk to compete at the University's stadium for the first time at this newly introduced venue. Lytham scored points in the relays, 3000m, hammer throw, shot, discus and javelin. Biggest individual scorer was McCandless who scored 5 points for his hammer throw of 13.84. 

Pamela Hardman had a busy weekend running, starting with the Elswick 10miler on Saturday. She completed the race in 1.32.40 in pleasant rural surroundings. She had enough energy left on Sunday to run the Blackpool Summer 10k in a field of 389 competitors. She finished in 52.06, 176^th finisher. Brian Porter was also running in this event, crossing the line in 51.15, 162^nd place overall.

LSARRC News 15th July 2013

Sprinting in the sunshine, on his way to Lytham victory.
First man home Thomas Haworth. 

The Windmill Half Marathon on Sunday attracted a sizeable crowd of runners in the middle of the glorious July heat wave. Well in excess of 400 competitors congregated at the Fairhaven Lake cafe, Lytham ready for the 10am gun. Amongst those pounding the 13.1 mile course were 13 Lytham members clad in the signature green vest, ready to run the flat, scenic coastal course. The event was first run the 1980's and after a 25 year break was introduced back onto the race calendar last year by Fylde Coast Running. Lytham produced a crop of pleasing results despite the intensely warm conditions. Thomas Haworth was first man home in 1.24.24, in 20^th place, followed by Joe Greenwood in 1.24.44, 22^nd finisher. Peter Cruse was third for the club with a 1.25.25 finish in 24^th place.  Fourth in was Kev Ashworth, in 1.33.11, 59^th overall, and scoring a personal best. Mark Willett was fifth finisher for Lytham in 1.34.21 (63^rd), netting his 31^st half marathon in his challenge to run a full 40 before his 40^th Birthday, and raising money for Cancer Research along the way. Katharine Hoyland was first Lytham woman home in an impressive 1.42.26 (120^th overall). Felicity Wolohan shaved over 5 minutes off from her time in last year’s race, finishing in a cool 1.48.00. The unstoppable Pam Binns ran a gold standard performance time (her 4^th) for her age category in 02.08.58, she was 85^th female finisher and won 1^st lady V60.

Full Results (From 419 entrants)

Thomas Haworth, 20^th, 1.24.24, Joe Greenwood, 22^nd, 1.24.44, Peter Cruse, 24^th, 1.25.25, Kevin Ashworth, 59^th, 1.33.11, Mark Willett, 63^rd , 1.34.21, Oliver Hirsh, 106^th , 1.41.28, Katharine Hoyland, 120^th , 1.42, 26, Roy Stevens, 148^th , 1.46.00, Laura Ashworth, 149^th , 1.46.16, Felicity Wolohan, 167^th, 1.48.00, Liz Hedgecock, 233^rd, 1.55.41, Alexander Wiggins, 278^th, 2.00.48, Pam Binns, 325^th, 2.08.58.

On a warm Wednesday night Lytham runners Peter Cruse and Mark Selby raced the Endmoor 10k nr Kendal, Cumbria. The road race, set in the scenic hills of Endmoor, was the fourth and final in the series of Wednesday night runs organised by Kendal AAC. From a field of 70, Cruse was first home for the club, 15^th finisher overall in 41.05. Selby finished in 49.31, 41^st overall.  

LSARRC News 8th July 2013

The Lytham Club did not disappoint both entrants and keen onlookers with its staging of the annual St Anne’s Carnival 5k and Fun Run on Sunday. Nineteen of the one hundred and fifty seven finishers in the seventh running of the race were from home club Lytham St. Annes RRC and between them they took away four prizes.

An energetic start to the Carnival 5k

The race starts near the end of the inner walk and races along the pavement to Fairhaven Lake before returning to follow the sea wall and finish close to St. Anne's Pier leading competitors through the best of St. Anne's tourist attractions.  The flat accurately-measured course, coupled with Sunday's windless conditions was ripe for record-breaking and, although not with the absolute fastest finishing time, Salford Harriers' Eric Crowther undercut last year's winning time and set a record for the revised course of 16:25.

Peter Cruse, on his way to winning the 1st V50 prize at
the Carnival 5k.

LSARRC's star competitor Emily Hargreaves managed a creditable under 20 minute finish for second place and 32nd overall.  On holiday from her Austrian home, she had been in the lead at the Fairhaven end of the course only to lose out on the return by just four seconds.
Finishing first for Lytham was Peter Cruse whose 19th place and 18:49 won him the Men's Veteran over 50 prize.  Five places back a trio of Lytham members was led in by Oliver Hirsh who celebrated the anniversary of his return to running by cutting 1 minute 41 seconds and twelve places from his 2012 performance.  Thomas Howarth was third club member back in 25th and 19:34, one place ahead of Graham Webster in 19:36.  Webster, a regular age category winner, took the V60 prize.  The fourth club winner was Pam Binns who finished first FV65 in 28:11 – a PB and a 3^rd Gold Standard run for Binns who is mining a rich vein of form in her running. One 5k in a weekend satisfies most runners but Mark Willett took advantage of back-to-back races to manage 19:18 and 19:56 on successive days at the Catforth and Carnival 5ks. Also competing was club member Andy Sneddon, who is making a return after 6 frustrating months of injury. Sneddon ran the course in a
29.33, bettering last year’s time by 43 seconds. 

The juniors get started on the Fun Run

Lytham runners made up an even larger proportion of the Fun Run.  Representing a huge 15% of the finishers, the seventeen finishers were all within the top half and made for an impressive achievement for the Junior section of the Club.  Eight-year old Simon Holt finished the approximate one mile course in 5:56, quite an achievement for his age and promising real running talent.  James Nicholas took 6:15, Archie Haase 6:21 and Archie Dowds, 6:31 - all good times.  Hollie Winstanley was the Club's first girl in 6:57 with Chloe Norman 7:00 and Rebecca Tate the next two to finish.

At Bamber Bridge on Thursday Thomas Haworth raced in the Cuerden Valley Badger 10k trail race, crossing the finishing line for the club in a very credible 13^th position from a field of 183 competitors. He finished in 41.05.

LSARRC News 1st July 2013

Attendance was up from the Lytham runners at the June Club Handicap on Thursday, despite the dismal weather conditions for summer. On the night there were some very good performances with more than half the runners posting personal bests or season bests. It was also a month for newcomers to shine, with three out of the first five being recent lady recruits and producing creditable finishing times. Oliver Hirsh is firmly situated at the head of the overall table and, with three Handicaps down, has amassed an excellent 85 points against his nearest rival Mark Willett with 77. 
OTHER RESULTS: 6th Laura Ashworth, 42:25; 7th Thomas Howarth, 26:26; 8th Karen Lanigan, 42:25; Mark Willett, 27:22; 11th Mark Selby, 29:33; 12th Dawn Lock, 51:36; 13th Joe Greenwood, 24:57; 14th Graham Webster, 27:31; 15th Debbie Cooper, 35:11; 16th Kevin Ashworth, 30:05; 17th Greg Oulton, 35:25; 18th Colin Laidlaw, 31:44; 19th Richard Storey, 32:40; 20th Andy Sneddon, 41:13; Phil Elliot, 37:02.

The Lytham Harrock Hill racers, from L-R
Pam Binns, Dawn Lock, Steve Quarmby, Bec Willetts, Pam Hardman,Andy Sneddon and Jo Prenderer.

In contrast, Wednesday proved to be a glorious evening for the Harrock Hill Fell Race – Inter-club Fell Series (3). 129 runners competed on a scenic course. Of the five Lytham members racing,  they managed the very creditable achievement of fielding full teams in the  Open, Women's, Vets and Vet 50's categories.  Competitors were soon spread out by the complicated and twisting course which included a steady three-quarter mile climb from the start line with winner Jon Green of Preston Harriers finishing in 33:04. First Lytham runner to cross the finishing line was Terry Hellings in 96th place and 42:28.  Going very well in the early and climbing stages of the race, Hellings lost some places hampered on the descents by a recurring injury.  First of Lytham's women home was Debbie Cooper 153rd and 48:49, 11th in the Inter-Club.  Pamela Hardman, who knows the course well as a frequent Harrock Hill competitor, was 189th in 51:56 and Greg Oulton, MV45, was 193rd in 52:58.  Dawn Lock, disadvantaged by a mile off-course  detour, was last in 84:58.

A beaming Pam B at Harrock Hill. 

Nine of the seventy-plus runners  at the Fairclough 5 were from Lytham St. Annes RRC and between them came away with two veteran category prizes and an age group record. Sunday saw the fourth staging of Thornton Cleveley RC's race, held on a figure of eight course along the pleasant lanes of Thornton and finishing in Stannah Country Park. First back for Lytham was Peter Cruse, missing out on the V50 prize through a particularly strong field in his age group including race winner for the past two years, Paul Muller of Horwich RMI. Cruse finished 7th in 30:38 against a winning time of 29:02.  Next back was Graham Webster who did take his age group prize.  Webster won the V60 prize in 14th place with a time of 32:37. Stealing the show, however, was LSARRC's Pam Binns. In the V65 age category, Binns is improving so rapidly that she beat three other W65s convincingly and set a new age group course record of 44:44, four minutes ahead of her nearest rival.  The time also marks her first attainment of diamond standard.
Other results posted were Steve Quarmby, 28th in 36:31; Pamela Hardman in an excellent performance, 47th in 40:58, third WV50; Rebecca Willetts, 55th in 42:25; Jo Pendered, 63rd in 45:17 and Dawn Lock, 71st in 55:33.  Andy Sneddon retired due to injury.

LSARRC News 24th June 2013

Two hundred and thirty-two runners turned out for the annual running of the Sotos 10K on Sunday, a profile and fund raiser to sponsor research into the cause and treatment for the medical disorder after which the race is named. Proud organizer, Wesham RR's Simon Eaton, announced on the start line that a total of £2,100 had been raised by this year's race. For a race that is historically run in sweltering temperatures, this year cold and buffeting weather came as a surprise to all, particularly at the three mile point when runners turned into the wind and in addition were drenched by spray whipped up by the strong winds. Considering the conditions, the six Lytham runners did well to maintain their times.  First back of the Club was Peter Cruse, 23rd 39:33, who won the prize for first MV50.  Following him in was MV60 winner Graham Webster, 32nd in 41:30.  In 68th place Steve Quarmby finished 3rd MV50 in an age group field of 20, in 46:39. Other senior members were Brian Porter, MV45, 153rd in 54:57, Silvia Gittins, WV65, 178th in 56:44 and Pam Binns, 195th in 60:05.

6 Lytham Juniors at Sotos 10k

Six hardy young Lytham athletes were a put to the test at the same event when they lined up for the 2k fun run. With those strong winds and a route that was to take the 58 runners on to Fleetwood promenade it was always going to be more tough than fun but the eager competitors showed great resilience to the conditions and they all got off to a fast start with a trailing wind for the first 800m. Lytham’s Simon Holt showed his experience with great pace judgement throughout the race finishing very strongly in 3^rd place and 1^st M8 in 7:21. Not far behind him was novice Archie Dowds whose hard work at training paid dividends with a great run to finish in 7^th and 2^nd M8 in 7:35. Nine year old Rebecca Tate showed great character in such adverse conditions and ran superbly to finish 10^th and 2^nd F9 in 8:06. Harry Fellows, who only started training with the club, a fortnight ago, ran a very strong race to finish 12^th and 2^nd M11 in 8:08. Olivia Aberra who has only recently celebrated her eighth birthday, showed great strength when she turned into the wind for the second half of the race and finished very strongly in 19^th and 1^st F8 in 8:58. Keira Bowman, running her first ever competitive race, was understandably a little nervous before the start but, as soon as they were off the pre-race nerves disappeared with wind and she had a great race to finish 32^nd and 4^th F9 in 10:40.

Hill enthusiast Julia Rolfe raced in the Horwich Jubilee 5 mile roads race last Wednesday on a warm and humid evening. The scenic, undulating route followed the reservoir at Rivington and the surrounding roads. Rolfe was 3^rd Lady V50 finisher. 

LSARRC News 17th June 2013

Lytham front runner Joe Greenwood at Avenham Park
Interclub Grand Prix. 

On Wednesday Preston Harriers hosted the 3^rd Summer Inter Club Grand Prix race, unveiling a new course which was entirely run within Aveham Park, omitting any road sections. 194 local competitors ran the interesting route in cool damp conditions. Preston Harriers swept to first in all categories but Lytham St. Annes RRC did well to hold on to their usually fourth position in several categories. The Club reached a best of third in the V60's, fourth in the Women's, Vet’s and Vet 50's and fifth in the Open. Lytham's front runner was Joe Greenwood in 16th place and 24:06 against a winning time by Preston's David Rigby of 21:09.  Peter Cruse, V50, finished second for Lytham in 24:42 and Andy Draper was third in 24:55.  Noticeably moving up was Oliver Hirsh, 26:57, who was sixth counter. Mel Koth led the Women home in  82nd and 11th woman and her 28:17 put her into 9th place in the Open team.    

A quartet of Lytham members  took part in the third round of the Mid Lancs. Track & Field League at Salt Ayer athletics stadium, Lancaster on Saturday. Seasoned competitors Terry Hellings and Graham Webster stuck to familiar track events while new-comers Jeremy McCandless and Greg Oulton braved throwing events, competing in the Shot Putt, Discus and Javelin for the first time since school days.  Showing something of their earlier aptitudes, McCandless scored 5 in the Javelin with 12m94 while Oulton took 3 points for 5m75 in the Shott Putt. McCandless gained the Club's highest points total of the day of 13.

Sunday heralded the 49^th staging of the Freckleton Half marathon, which boasts the title of the oldest UK half marathon. An impressive 17 Lytham members assembled with youthful zest at the start line, making up the total field of 635 finishing athletes. Lytham produced a crop of good results from the fast, flat course, with Andy Draper crossing the line first for the men in 19^th position in 1.22.08, and Joe Greenwood and Simon Denye battling it out for 2^nd and 3^rd Lytham finishers, in 1.22.44 and 1.22.45 respectively. Pam Hardman was first lady home, finishing in 2.00.43.

Andy Draper at Freckleton Half Marathon.

    
Club runners from around the Fylde will have the opportunity to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the St. Anne's Carnival 5K on Sunday 7th July now being staged for the seventh year.  The presence of the newly crowned Carnival Queen and her Retinue lends a unique feel to this race 
which also offers the flat, fast accurately measured course likely to result in good times for serious runners.