LSARRC News 22nd November 2016

It was a busy and successful weekend for Lytham St Annes Road Running Club with athletes ranging from age 10 to 70 competing over distance from 5k to half marathon.   Sunday 20th November saw two Lytham members, Mel Koth and Richard Storey heading down the M6 to Knutsford to participate in the inaugural 'Run Tatton' event.  This comprised of two races, a 10K and a Half Marathon, the 10K starting 30 mins before the 'Half', with both races attracting around 1300 runners.   Both Lytham athletes took on the half marathon challenge.  After a delayed start due to traffic problems around the area the race got going. The course featured a two lap tour of the scenic Tatton Park which looked wonderful after the early morning drizzle had cleared and the sun started to shine.  Things got a little congested in places with a number of 'switchback' sections meaning that a lot of runners were trying to share the same path. This being the first running of this event, there were one or two other issues that I'm sure the organisers will look at improving for next time but they can't be blamed for Richard forgetting to take his running shoes and having to run around in his walking shoes.  Despite taking a heavy fall during her second lap, Mel finished in 133rd place taking 2nd FV40 in a very respectable time of 1:36:19. Richard eventually completed in a time of 1:45:53 for 315th position.

Sylvia Gittins and Parm Hardman - Conwy Half Marathon

Meanwhile four Lytham members headed to the North Wales coast for the Conwy Half Marathon, a challenging course that starts on the quayside outside the 700 year old Conwy castle, passes Llandudno Pier then a tough climb up the Great Orme for some spectacular views before returning to Conwy to finish back outside the castle.  First home for Lytham was Felicity Wolohan in a time of 1:37:33 for 276th place overall and 28th female.  Also representing Lytham were Ruth Wheatley (54th female FV45 in a time of 2:03:13), Pam Hardman (16th FV55 in 2:06:12) and Sylvia Gittins who ran an excellent race to finish first in her FV70 age category with a time of 2:12:16.

Joe Greenwood

Closer to home four member took part in the 35th Preston 10 mile race.  Joe Green wood was first home for Lytham in 22nd place with a personal best time of 59:43.  Michelle Hook who seems to improve with every race also ran a personal best time of 1:13:37 for 156th place.  Thomas Howarth (38th in 1:02:22) and Louisa Denye (306th in 1:28:17) also represented Lytham.

Tom Howarth

With no Lytham parkrun this week Lytham members found alternatives at Avenham Park, Preston and Cuerden Valley.  Ten year old George Denye ran the Preston parkrun for the first time on a three lap undulating course with a steep winding uphill section early in each loop.  He was 11th overall and finished the 5k in 19:35 to smash the previous record for his age category by 70 seconds. George now holds both the junior and senior parkrun records at Preston for his age group along with the fastest time for an u15 at Lytham and the age record for the Barnsley Junior parkrun.   Joanna Goorney ran well to finish as first female in 13th place overall with Neil Tate recovering from injury finishing in 88th place with a time of 25:29.

George Denye

At the Cuerden valley parkrun Kirsten Burnett finished in a personal best time of 28:44 for 54th place.  Tackling Cuerden Valley parkrun for the first time were Greg Oulton (57th in 295), Rebecca Willetts (64th in 29:59 and new member Robert Parker (67th in 30:26).