LSARRC News 25th April 2017

Andy Draper

Last weekend was marathon weekend with both the London and Blackpool marathons on the same day.

Conditions on Sunday in London were near perfect with cool, dry weather and a light breeze. Runners had the pleasure of live music around the course with a fantastic crowd giving enthusiastic support throughout.

Andy Draper wasn't in personal best (PB) shape following some injuries earlier in the year so was running with the aim of hitting 2:50. However after a great run to go through the halfway point in 1:24:32 he felt strong enough to push harder through the second half. He achieved a “negative split”, that is running the second half faster than the first. Out of a record 40,000 plus finishers Andy came 682nd.

Chris McCarthy

Unless you are one of the faster elite, London is a very crowded race and it can be difficult for runners to achieve their desired pace. Despite this Chris McCarthy knocked nearly four minutes off his pb, and Mel Koth shaved nearly 20 minutes from her time last year. Mel reported that members from all of the Fylde’s running clubs supported each other throughout the race in keeping with the spirit of the event.

Lytham results from London: Andy Draper 2:47:51, 682nd; Chris McCarthy 2:54:07, 1168th; Mel Koth 3:20:45, 4676th and 84th FV40-44; Graham Webster 3:25:51, 5456th and 15th vet 65-69; Fiona Geldard 4:36:18, 22170th.

Meanwhile in Blackpool, Lytham St Annes Road Runners Mike Toft, and brothers Neil and Alex Tate all managed top 25 finishes. On a fast course and in good conditions, Mike broke the three-hour barrier to finish sixth in 2:55:16. Neil suffered from starting too quick but still happy to finish 16th in 3:02:10 while younger brother Neil also did well to finish 25th from nearly 500 finishers. Running her first marathon, Natalie Toft finished 442nd in 5:16:59.

As well as the marathon, the Blackpool 10K and half-marathons took place. Achieving a personal best in the half was Sue Hawitt with a time of 1:53:52. Sue was also the fourth lady vet over 50.

Sue Hawitt

In the 10K Kathy Gaunt was also the fourth FV50 and Kirsten Burnett the second FV40. Lytham’s other entrant, Rob Parker, was 76th overall.

Joanna Goorney (courtesy of woodentops.co.uk)

Prolific fell racer Joanna Goorney ran the Anniversary Waltz Fell Race on Saturday.  The race takes in the classic Newlands horseshoe in the North Lakes starting from the village hall in Stair.  It was just over 11 and half miles with 3600 feet of ascent.  Weather was perfect, sunshine and a light breeze giving excellent visibility of the surrounding fells.  Joanna finished in 172nd place, and 1st WV40 in a time of 2:19:13.

Greg Oulton isn’t usually one to complain but he found the Wray Scarecrow 10K in North Lancashire tough going on Saturday. The race, which is part of the Scarecrow Festival and Fair, is undulating and Greg struggled to get back to the village inside the hour on a warm day, finishing 132nd.

In the Parkrun races Michelle Hook was the first lady at the Preston meeting on Saturday. On the same day in Lytham nine year old Jessica Ramsden smashed her pb despite having to stop at one point to wait for her accompanying adult - new PB 25:30.

George Denye ran the junior Parkrun in Lytham on Sunday for the fourth time and clocked up win number four comfortably in 7:23 despite a fall at the last corner that cost him several seconds. Jessica Ramsden took her age category record in a new PB of 8:58 only just behind older sister Sydney.