LSARRC News 3rd September 2013

LSARRC is sad to report the death of Rod Fisher on Saturday 24th August 2013 at the age of 80. He was a co-founder of the Club and very influential in shaping its early development. In April 1998 Rod helped his friend Bryan Grundy to found a running club in Lytham; his original home town. Rod was always most supportive of newer runners. Rod’s enthusiasm was central to the club expanding its activities from just local routes to cross-country, fell running and track and field athletics.  In 2008 a Junior Section was added and the Club now comprises some 80 adult and 40 junior members.  It's come a long way from the small gathering of friends interested in keeping fit that Rod and Bryan started and both take credit for the well-established and dynamic organization it has become today.

The August handicap comp. A post-race photo opportunity...
Ready for the chips and buffet you lot?!

Nineteen entrants were eager for the challenge at the LSARR Club August Summer handicap on Thursday. Participants ran in mild conditions on a still, light evening. Congratulations are due to Colin Laidlaw on winning and to runner-up Tom Howarth who ran a PB. Oliver Hirsh has held the lead since the first race in April but there are other chasers for title, most notably Tom Howarth and Joe Greenwood. Completing the 4.35 mile course were: Colin Laidlaw, Tom Howarth, Oliver Hirsh, Pam Binns, Mark Willett, Debbie Cooper, Richard Storey, Joe Greenwood, Julia Rolfe, Graham Webster, Bec Willetts, Alex Wiggins, Dawn Lock, Brian Porter, Fiona Geldard, Greg Oulton, Catherine French, Liz Boon and Sylvia Gittens.

LSARRC members were out racing the promenade at the weekend at two separate events: the Hilton 10k Saturday and Hilton half marathon on Sunday. For the 10k, Peter Cruse was first to finish for the club in 26^th position, 38.36. He was followed by Oliver Hirsh, 43^rd in 41.07, and just seconds afterwards, Roy Upton, 44^th in 41.14. First Lytham lady Felicity Woolohan put in a great performance, finishing with a PB in 46.45 and 9^th female finisher in 110^th position overall. She is now within a whiskers breadth of achieving a bronze standard time. Next lady was Sylvia Gittens, 207^th in 55.30, and Mark Willett finished the race in 56.34 who ran alongside Ness Horne who is a relative newcomer to the racing. Mark Willett ran the Hilton Half Marathon in dry but very blustery conditions on Sunday. He finished in 1.28.08 and is well on his way to completing his goal of 40 half marathons, this marking the 33^rd , in aid of cancer research.

Mark Willett going strong on the prom
as part of his half marathon challenge. No 33/40: Check!

Graham Webster and Tom Howarth competed at the Lancaster 5k race series on Saturday, in race 3 of 4. The race followed a flat, windy course. Tom Howarth finished 7^th male, and Graham Webster crossed the line 19.01, 19^th finisher and first V60.

Mel Koth competed in the Delamere Trail 10k on Sunday. The scenic course took in some great scenery and tough climb, especially the final ascent up to the "old pale pike". Koth finished 1st lady and 15th overall in 48:20. 

Group shot at the Stannah social run on Sunday.

In a more informal setting, ten members assembled for no 6 of the club Sunday Summer Social runs at Stannah, Thornton. Bill and Dawn Lock, Liz Boon, Bec Willett, Greg Oulton, Terry Hellings, Pam Binns, Janice Cobley, Fiona Geldard and Catherine French all enjoyed the 5 mile rural course which included lanes, fields and long grass, skirted a golf course and followed round part of the wyre estuary with interesting sights of boats in various states of sea-worthiness and intriguing huts and builds. The day was mild and still. Activities concluded with obligatory barms, cakes and hot brews in the visitor cafe. 

Principle event of the day's activities:
Cake.

Pam Binns, Janice Cobley and Fiona Geldard almost (but not quite)
blending in with surroundings.

 This is an early announcement of the 14^th running of the ever-popular Green Drive Five Race at 11am on Sunday 20^th October 2013. This is a 5 mile, fast, flat, largely rural course which starts from Green Drive. The first 300 finishers receive an event technical t-shirt and there will be prizes for all age categories. The race fee is £10 for runners affiliated to a club, or £12 for un-attached runners. Entries can be completed online at ukresults.net, on race day from 9.30am at Lytham CE Primary School. For further enquiries please contact the Race Director, Liz Boon on 07967554740.