LSARRC News 13th December 2016

Paul Veevers at the Longridge 7

Mel Koth

Sunday morning saw the 33rd Longridge Christmas Pudding 7 mile road race taking place. The course sets off from Longridge Community Centre and climbs steadily for 4.5 miles until reaching the top of  a misty Jeffrey Hill. A rapid decent then sees the runners heading back into Longridge. The challenging but scenic route proved popular with this year’s 331 starters. The race was won by Chris Arthur of Blackburn Harriers in a very quick 37:53, a full 2 minutes ahead of the next finisher. First lady was Catherine Howard of Knowsley Harriers in 44:56. First back for Lytham St Annes RRC was Paul Veevers, one of the clubs newer members, in 45:25 for an impressive 15th place. Paul was followed home by Mel Koth 70th and second FV40 in 52:38, Richard Storey 110th 56:50, Pam Hardman 192nd 1:04:32, Peter Reid 211nd 1:05:53 and Sylvia Gittens 269th and the second vet 70 in 1:11:09.  For all finishers there were seasonal awards of Christmas puddings and a medal of a pudding.


Last week the club’s Monday night juniors group, led by coach Debbie Cooper,held their annual indoor athletics competition against Kirkham Grammar junior school. For many of Lytham’s athletes this was their first ever competition. Lytham were represented by children aged from 6 to 13 years, whereas KGJS brought their under 11 A team. They all did speed bounce where the Lytham A team triumphed. Lytham’s Ruby Hodgkinson and Amara Thorpe were the first girls’ standing high jump while Charlie Wiltshire was the first boy. Lytham were first again in the girls’ two lap and four lap races. All of the children took part in at least 3 events during the hour. While Kirkham Grammer won overall everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event, giving the children an excellent and friendly introduction to competitive sport.

LSARRC juniors and Kirkham GS juniors

Laura Byrne - Lytham Hall parkrun

In the weekly Lytham Parkrun Lytham St Annes RRC’s Jo Goorney was the first lady home. finishing the 5K run in 20:16. Out of the club’s other ten entrants Sarah Bagshaw notably achieved another pb of 30:51 to move a step closer to that elusive 30 minute barrier.

Finally vet 50 Julia Rolfe raced the challenging Stockport 10 mile race in 01:27:40 to finish a creditable 642nd from nearly 1000 competitors, and fifteenth in her category.