LSARRC News 15th December 2015

Lytham Hall parkrun start

After the wind and rain of the previous weekend, the 2nd Lytham Hall parkrun was able to finally go ahead last Saturday morning.  Although no wind, there was still certainly lots of rain and a very muddy section of the course from the previous weeks downpours. First home was Adam Weightman in 19:08 whilst Caroline Betmead was 1st lady in 20:21 both from Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC.  There were 6 runners taking part from Lytham St Annes.  Neil Tate was 3rd in 19:21, Mel Koth was 9th and 2nd lady in 23:01, Barbara Holmes was 15th in 24:45, Debbie Cooper was 20th in 25:23, Graham Young was 36th in 30:08 and Georgia Norman, the only junior from the club, was 40th in 31:16. There were 52 finishers.

Rebecca Tate and Terry Hellings - marshalls at the Lytham Hall parkrun

Georgia Norman

On the other side of the globe, Roy Stevens was also taking part in a parkrun.  Roy ran in the Mt Clarence park run at Flinders Parade, Albany, Western Australia.  He finished in 16 place in 36:48 out of 38 runners. 

Xmas Fun Relays

Sunday morning saw a motley collection of Santas, elves and reindeer taking part in the club's annual fancy dress Christmas Fun Relays held on Lytham Green.

Start of the Xmas Fun Relays

Dave Whyman and Bill Lock - timekeepers

The seniors' course was a shade over 5K and the winners in 1h 13m27s were the Puddings team led by Neil Tate in 19:25, the fastest time of the morning, and ably supported by Bob Clough and Steve Ashton.  Close on their heels were the Crackers, Rachel Scott, Claire England and Terry Hellings in 1h 18m 02s.  Finishing a close 3rd in 1h 19m 53s were the Turkeys comprising Sylvia Gittins, Sue Hawitt and Peter Cooke.  Dawn Lock and Greg Oulton gamely made up the field in the incomplete Leftovers team.

A group of hardy juniors braved the cold to race over a 2K course.  The leading junior team were the Snowmen, a family team of Luke, Rebecca and Sophie Tate, with the Snowflakes team of Samantha, Amy and Matthew not far behind.

Seniors 3 x c5k
1. Puddings (1h 13m 27s) Steve Ashton 26:36; Bob Clough 27:26; Neil Tate 19:25.
2. Crackers (1h 18m 02s)
Rachel Scott 30:15; Claire England 25:23; Terry Hellings 22:44.
3. Turkeys (1h 19m 53s)
Sylvia Gittins 27:26; Sue Hawitt 26:39; Peter Cooke 25:48.
4. Leftovers (incomplete)
Dawn Lock 38:07; Greg Oulton 31:19.

Juniors 3 x 2K
1. Snowmen (32m 02s) 
Luke 9:42; Rebecca 9:07; Sophie 13:14.
2. Snowflakes (36m 54s)
Samantha 14:03: Amy 11:50; Matthew 11:01.

Richard Storey was the club's sole representative at the Longridge 7.  Although chilly, conditions were dry and runners soon warmed up on the climb up towards Jeffrey Hill.  Finishers  were rewarded with a medal and a Christmas pudding.  The race was won by Rob Affleck of Preston Harriers in a very impressive 39:09 whilst 1st lady was Amy Freemand of Darwen Dashers in 48:32.  Richard finished 101st in 55:44 out of 252 finishers, 5 minutes quicker than his previous outing on the course back in 2013.

Joanna Goorney (courtesy of woodenheads.org.uk)

Over in the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire, Joanna Goorney took part in the Mytholmroyd Fell Race.  Superbly organised by Halifax Harriers, the 6.2 mile race gained 1350 feet, 850 feet being in the first mile with a steep climb from the start up to the top of Wicken Hill.  Conditions were perfect, cool with no rain or wind whilst the ground was fairly muddy, particularly on the final descent and in parts, frozen. The race was won by Neal Crampton of Pudsey and Bramley in an impressive time of 50.35.   Joanna finished 33rd and 2nd lady in a time 65:01.