LSARRC News 24th November 2015

Start of Lytham Hall parkrun trial run

There was a real lull in action this week, although there is plenty coming up in the next few weekends with the 3rd Mid Lancs League Cross Country meet from Sefton Park, Liverpool next Saturday being at the top of the list.  This is great fixture for local athletes where they have the opportunity to run with Britain's best cross county athletes since it is combined with the British Athletics Cross Challenge Series 2015-2016.

Mel Koth

The nearest race for Lytham St Annes runners this last weekend was in Chorley on Sunday morning with the Chorley Fire 10k.  Starting from the Lancashire Fire & Rescue Training Centre in Chorley, the two lap course on quiet roads took in the local villages of Euxton and Astley Village and had a sneaky sharp hill which had to be run up twice.  The race was very well organised and there was hotpot at the finish as well.  Anthony Valentine of Bolton United Harriers was first home in 33:10 whilst first lady was Vicky Bryant of Wigan Pheonix.  Mel Koth and Steve Ashton were Lytham St Annes' sole representatives.  Mel finished in 75th place, 7th female and 1st vet 40 in a time of  43:02 whilst Steve was 226th in 52:05.  There were 409 finishers.

On Saturday morning, a trial run was held for the forthcoming much awaited Lytham Hall parkrun which has its first proper run next Saturday (28th).  The 5k course starts by Lytham Hall and takes in 3 laps of the grounds before finishing in front of the hall.  40 runners turned up for the practice along with a considerable number of volunteers with Neil Tate from LSARRC getting round the quickest in 19:14 with Felicity Wolohan being the first lady round in about 22 minutes.  Already, 236 people have registered for Lytham Hall Parkrun .  Further details and how to register for this free event can be found at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/lythamhall.

Jeremy, Paula and Ella the dog: Lytham Hall parkrun trial

Felicity Wolohan at Lytham Hall parkrun trial

LSARRC News 17th November 2015

The main local event of the weekend was the 34th Preston 10 mile road race from Hutton Grammer School, Preston on Sunday morning.  Despite the wet and windy conditions, this popular race still had over 400 finishers over the flat 2 lap course.  As well as hosting the race, the home club also provided both the 1st male and 1st female finishers.  Dave Rigby was first home in 55:53 whilst international Helen Clitheroe was first female home in 58:18 and was 7th overall finishing just seconds outside the female course record.

Lytham St Annes Road Runners had 5 athletes out.  First home for the club was Neil Tate in 29th place and an excellent 1:03:05.  Tom Howarth was next in 74th place and 1:06:46.  Nigel Simpkin was 259th in 1:24:07, Steve Ashton was 289th in 1:27:38 and Julia Rolfe was 295th in 1:28:15.

Felicity Wolohan's trip south included a Saturday morning run at the  Hackney Marshes parkrun.  The course consists of a ‘out and back’ route around Hackney Marshes and has spectacular views of the Olympic site and a lovely stretch following the River Lea navigation channel.  Felicity's venture paid dividends with her 2nd pb in a week.   She completed the 5k course in 21:06 knocking 20 seconds of her pb finishing 2nd female and 24th overall from 119 finishers.

LSARRC News 10th November 2015

LSARRC Juniors and KGJS

 On Saturday morning, Felicity Wolohan was back in Princes Park, Liverpool for the Princes Park parkrun.  In wet and windy conditions, Felicity continued her recent good form to run yet another pb for of 21:28 for the 5k course.  In the process, she finished 1st female and 21st place overall from 161 finishers.

The start of the Windmill 10k

The big attraction for Lytham St Annes runners was on Sunday morning.  The Windmill 10k was held in very windy conditions starting and finishing by Lytham Windmill and taking in Fairhaven Lake.  This very popular fast flat race was sold out before the day and had 772 finishers  The race was won by Conrad McKee of Blackburn Harriers in 36:04 whilst  Zoe Gmerek of Sale Harriers was 1st lady in 41:27.  First home for Lytham St Annes was Neil Tate who was very pleased to make the top 10 in 38:30.  Just behind in 11th place was Tom Howarth in 38:49.  Steve Ashton was thrilled to finish in 144th and 4th vet 50 in 50:15.  He has only recently joined the club but is already reaping the benefits.  After a recent injury, getting back into form was Claire England finishing in 164th in 51:18 whilst Rachael Wignall was 292nd in 55:53.  Graham Young was 420th in 59:44.

Claire England

Neil Tate

Rachael Wignall

Steve Ashton

Tom Hawarth

On Monday night, Lytham St Annes Road Runners Juniors hosted Kirkham Grammer Junior School at Lytham YMCA at the annual Indoor Athletics Competition.  Everyone selected was very excited in what was to turn out to be a very enjoyable evening of athletics.  The evening competition comprised of the following events: Speed Bounce, Long Jump, Triple Jump. Vertical Jump. Javelin, 1,2,3,4 Lap races and relays. After 1 and half hours of exciting competition the results were as follows:  U 11 Boys Kirkham 90 Lytham 56 U 11 Girls Kirkham 63  Lytham 76.  So honours were shared in what was a very enjoyable evening of athletics.

LSARRC Juniors and KGJS

LSARRC News 3rd November 2015

Last Thursday saw the first race in the club's monthly Winter Handicap Series, a 3.45 mile course from Lytham to Ansdell and back.  Alex Wiggins was first home whilst Debbie Cooper continued her recent excellent form to finish second.  There were also PBs for the course for Alan Elstone, Alex Everest and Neil Tate who moves up to second on the overall table.

Two others to record PBs were Barbara Holmes and Ruth Wheatley, both making welcome returns to the handicap after twelve months absence and running off estimated starts.  Olivia Allen bravely took on the handicap on her very first appearance at the club.

Next month's race will be interesting as October's is a time setting race for the winter and, with Joe, Tom and Neil running such similar times, all three will start together in November.

There was a splendid Hallowe'en buffet after the race with many special contributions appropriate to the occasion.  A popular favourite was Sue Hawitt's sick pumpkin with edible vomit and Bec Willetts' delicious warm pumpkin pie.  Prizes were also awarded for the annual Pumpkin carving competition -  Bill Lock's was placed 1st with Jo Goorney's 2nd and Dawn Lock's 3rd.

Thanks to all who took part, especially Greg Oulton and Sue Hawitt who, unable to run themselves, assisted at the start and finish, and Dawn Lock who organised the pumpkin competition.

Full results: 1 Alex Wiggins 27.42; 2 Debbie Cooper 28.10; 3 Richard Storey 24.01; 4 Alan Elstone 24.07 27 PB; 5 Neil Tate 20.42 26 PB; 6 Alex Everest 28.10 25 PB; 7 Tom Howarth 20.31; 8 Steve Ashton 31.28; 9 Rachael Wignall 31.17; 10 Joe Greenwood 20.33; 11 Jeremy McCandless 30.42; 12 Claire England 27.42; 13 Dawn Lock  46.51 18; Est. Barbara Holmes  26.11 PB; Est. Ruth Wheatley 27.45 PB; Est. Olivia Allen 31.33;

Felicity Wolohan

It was a very quiet week on the local racing front with the closest events being in Lancaster and Wigan but not enough to entice anyone from Lytham St Annes.  Although the local parkruns didn't attract any LSA club runner, Felcity Wolohan was in Liverpool for the Princes Park parkrun.  In fact, Felicity ran her 4th pb in 5 weeks with an excellent performance in a time of 21:29 for the 5k course and, in the process, finishing 32nd overall from 242 finishers and 3rd woman.

On Saturday afternoon, Joanna Goorney competed in the senior women's race in the 2nd meet of the West Yorkshire cross country series from North Huddersfield Trust School, Huddersfield.  The 3.3 mile course took in 3 hilly laps and was won by fell running international Katie Walshaw of Holmfirth Harriers who was in a league of her own. In balmy conditions for the end of October, Joanna finished in 15th place out of 99 in a time of 24:28.

Joanna Goorney at Huddersfield Cross Country