Amid heightened security and in an emotional atmosphere a minute’s silence was observed by over 40,000 people before Tony Walsh’s poem “Do It for Manchester” was read. Lytham’s Mel Koth was still suffering from blistered feet after a recent triathlon but she was going to run no matter what to show respect for the city and its people. Joining her from the club in the various races making up the event were Neil Baynton-Roberts and Jacqui Murray as well as several juniors.
In warm, dry weather Mel had an enjoyable run in the 10K event to finish as the fifth FV40 in 44:01. Also in the 10K was Neil who was 512th overall in 42:31 while Jacqui tackled the half-marathon, coming a respectable 121st in the FV40-44 category with a time of 02:09:42.
Taking part in the mini-Manchester 1500M run from the club were Mel’s 5 year-old son, Sebastien, and Alisha Wrigley. In the 2.5K junior run George Denye and Eric Wrigley were fifth and twelfth respectively. Sydney Ramsden was 19th in the U15 girls and sister Jessica 22nd in the U12s.
Lytham’s only world champion is Barbara Holmes, who holds the title in the FV55-59 category for the triathlon. On Saturday she was at it again, winning the British Triathlon Championship in the same age group at Sprint distance. At the event in Strathclyde, Barbara had to do a 750m open water swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run. So now she is a British champion as well as a world one.
 |
| Tom Haworth, Alan Elstone, Alex Tate, Neil Tate, Sue Hawitt, Ruth Bye and Mike Toft at the Blackpool Prom 10 miler |
In an extremely busy bank holiday weekend of running seven Lytham club members took part in the Blackpool Promenade 10 Miler, all wearing yellow ribbons in memory of those who suffered in Manchester. Lytham provided three in the top ten including Mike Toft in second place. In a tight finish Mike just beat the third placed by under two seconds.
Neil Tate, also enjoying a good run of form, was sixth and Tom Haworth eighth. Other men from the club were Alex Tate (12th), and Alan Elstone (46th).
In the heat and the wind FV50 competitor Sue Hawitt ran her slowest ten mile race to date so was pleasantly surprised to win her age category in 01:35:34. Ruth Bye was the 13th FV35.
 |
| Alicia Middlehurst |
The second Mid Lancs. Track and Field meeting of 2017 took place at Witton Park, Blackburn on Saturday and Lytham St Annes RRC had just two athletes competing. First to toe the line for the club and making her debut was U15 girl Alicia Middlehurst. In a competitive 800m race Alicia ran well in to finish 4th overall and 2nd in division 2 in a time of 2m 32.4s. Alicia also ran the 200m finishing 4th in her heat and 4th in division 2 in a time of 31.4s.
 |
| George Denye |
George Denye was the other junior making a promising track debut, opting for the 1500m. At just 11 years old George was one of the youngest athletes competing in the under 13s and his inexperience on the track showed when he set of a little too quickly but recovered very well to finish 3rd in 5m 4.2s taking 1st place in division 2. George also did well in the 200m when he finished 4th in his heat and 1st in division 2 in 31.5s.
The weather conditions for Saturday's Catforth Canter 5k proved a challenge for runners on what is usually a quick course. Andy Draper was first home for Lytham in 6th place (17:38) while his wife Gill continued her run of PBs in 33rd place and 4th lady (22:01). Dawn Bloor completed her first race of an injury-ridden year in 44th place and 7th lady (24:30).
Michelle Hook ran the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 10k on Saturday as a 'tourist' rather than racing. The course climbs through Holyrood Park around the side of Arthur’s Seat allowing Michelle to admire the views of the city below. Despite the relaxed approach and the heat, she still managed a time of 46.45, good enough for the position of 16th woman.
Kirsten Burnett ran her third marathon in a couple of months on Sunday, the Liverpool Rock and Roll marathon. A time of 4:32:36 didn’t provide a personal best but Kirsten was happy with a time of 45 minutes faster than the last time she competed here. Ruth Wheatley tackled the half-marathon in 01:58:26 to come 2,572nd.
The club’s monthly handicap is run on the last Thursday of each month. But when it was run last week competitors found an additional handicap to deal with; the heat! On the hottest day of the year to date 21 club members struggled in the conditions to complete the 4.3 mile course. Pam Binns was first back on the night but Paula McCandless leads the table so far this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment