LSARRC Press Report 10th September 2013

Joe Greenwood - leading Lytham man, mid stride at
the September Inter Club Grand Prix at Worden Park.
Also pictured, Graham Webster and Peter Cruse.

The Inter Club Grand Prix summer series drew to a close as the final race of the season was run at Worden Park in Leyland on Wednesday. A bright, late summers evening gave competitors from the six Lancashire clubs advantageous running conditions, albeit very warm for all those sprinting over the finish line. Leafy cover from the Park’s trees and the wooded areas provided some reprieve from the humidity. 19 Lytham members made up the total field of 183. Joe Greenwood was first to finish for the club in 19^th place, in 23.22, followed by Tom Haworth in 22^nd, 23.59. Peter Cruse counted next in 28^th, 24.25 and 1^st V50. Graham Webster finished in 49^th, 25.42 and first V60. Upton, Hirsh, Hellings, Koth , Richmond and Laidlaw were counters for the team. Mel Koth was first lady for the club, finishing 14^th female and 92nd overall in 28.08. In the overall results, Lytham came a slightly disappointing 6th in the Open and the Vets, however coming second in the Vet50's, 3rd in the Vet60's and 4th in the Ladies were all very welcome results. The race was won by Jamaine Coleman of Preston in a time of 20.41 with Preston also taking the winning open team.

The Lytham Squad at Worden Park, from L - R:
Oliver Hirsh, Richard Storey, Graham Webster, Tom Haworth, Willie Richmond,
Debbie Cooper, Bec Willetts, Pam Binns, Roy Upton, Catherine French, Joe Greenwood,
Felicity Woolohan, Katharine Hoyland, Dawn Lock.  

The weather thankfully held off and sunshine prevailed the for the Autumn 5K, the first of Blackpool Wyre & Fylde AC's two September open track meetings. The four members of Lytham St. Annes RRC who ran all took awards away with them; three veteran category prizes and one Civil Service medal went to Lytham members.  Peter Cruse, finishing 5th in 18:33, was the first Vet 50 to finish.  Pam Binns and Dawn Lock took the FV50 and FV55 prizes and Colin Laidlaw took the bronze medal in Civil Service 5K Championship with 21:16 and 20th.  It was pleasant to see two newcomers to Lytham also competing.  Neil Tate finished one place back from Colin in 21:32 and Jennifer Aldworth ran 22:31 for 32nd place.

Archie Dowds making an impressive impact in his first competition. 

Ten junior members of the Lytham club competed in the first of a series of two track and field meetings hosted by their neighbouring club Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC. The hard work of the junior athletes was rewarded with eight medals and twelve personal best performances. The youngest was eight year old Archie Dowds who was clearly undaunted by his first track and field competition. He took silver in the 600m in 2:04.8, silver in the 80m in 12.8 and silver again in the long jump (3.03). In the U11 boys competition the three Lytham boys Simon Holt, James Nicholas and Farron O’Higgins recorded personal bests in all their events. In the 600m Simon Holt finished 2^nd in 1:54.9, James Nicholas was 3^rd in 2:00.2 and Farron O’Higgins 7^th in 2:08.4. In the 80m Nicholas finished 2^nd in 12.3, Holt =3^rd in 12.6 and O’Higgins 9^th in 13.6. In the Long Jump Holt was 3rd (3.64m) and O’Higgins 11^th (3.01m). Three U11 girls represented the club and in the 600m race they all ran PB’s. Hollie Winstanley finished 12^th in 2:14.1, Rebecca Tate was 24^th in 2:29.9 and Georgia Norman was 27^th in 2:37.5. In the 80m Norman was 21^st in 14.1 and Winstanley 28^th in 15.00. In the Long Jump Winstanley jumped 2.84m (22^nd) and Tate 2.53m (27^th). Chloe Norman and Ella Moulding were the two U13girls competing. Chloe ran a superb 800m race to finish 4^th in 2:56.1 and finished 13^th in the 100m in 16.1 and 17^th in the Long Jump (2.94m). Ella Moulding returned to the track for the 1500m and was a comfortable winner in 5:30.5. Layla Foley competed in her first 300m race and ran a very strong race to finish 1^st in her heat and 5^th overall in 46.2.

In a more informal capacity, Pam Binns and Catherine French set out for the Lakes on Thursday and enjoyed two days of land and water activities set amongst the stunning location of Lake Buttermere and Crummock Water.The Lytham ladies enjoyed lakeside running and Catherine braved Lake Buttermere, wetsuit clad, for an invigorating swim in the clear, still waters.