LSARRC News 24th April 2018

7 Lytham members finish the London Marathon in difficult conditions.  Joe Greenwood ran an impressive half marathon in Blackpool and junior Jessica Ramsden was the second girl to finish the 2K at the Blackpool Festival of running.

Andy Draper

LSARRC had 7 Lytham runners attend the hottest London marathon to date.  LSARRC members/supporters were stationed at mile 9 until all Lytham runners had passed and a lot of competitors were suffering in the heat even then. Unfortunately, club members then travelled to miles 14 and 22 to support their fellow club runners but they had to withdraw due to heat and they couldn’t get near enough to support anyone.  The BBC said the temperature had been recorded as 24.1 but Nigel Simpkin (Chairman of LSARRC) reported that it was much hotter in the afternoon at the roadside, and said it was incredible that so many runners finished. 

Club runner Melanie Koth of LSARRC commented that the crowd were incredible, providing lots of extra water, sweets and encouragement, and there were plenty of medical practitioners present throughout the course.  Koth said that this was the toughest London Marathon she had run, out of the twelve she has completed, with high temperatures making it very challenging.  Even so Koth was pleasantly pleased with her time, with difficult conditions and missing 3 weeks of her training.

Mike Toft

Andrew Draper of Lytham said that the hot, sunny conditions meant the PB attempt got shelved around 10 miles and he just ran the rest sensibly according to conditions and managed to finish in a time of 2:52:18. Draper felt the crowds were fantastic as always and enjoyed meeting up with other local runners after.

Ian Tate described how he managed the first half of the marathon quite well, but the wheels really fell off around 15 miles which he didn't expect as he had been running much further in training. Tate finished in 4.04.45 which he was initially a bit disappointed with but given the conditions he was happy to finish without any serious injury.  Despite the hot conditions Tate said he enjoyed the occasion very much and has set himself a time to beat in the future.

Amy Fletcher

Special mention must go to Amy Fletcher of LSARRC who ran the London Marathon in memory of her beloved Mother who died of sarcoma, a type of cancer, last year. Following her Mother’s death Amy decided to enter the London Marathon, only in memory of her even though she had only every run 3 miles a few times a week.  Amy had lots of set backs with injuries, and during the 26 miles suffered from lots of blisters however she crossed the line after 8 hours and achieved her goal.

Full Results: Andy Draper 2:52:18, 532 overall,525th male, Mike Toft 3:01:01, 1190 overall, 1149th male, Melanie Koth 3:32:45, 4727th overall, 587th lady, 109th v40, Ian Tate 4:04:45 , 10490 overall, 8001 male, 1583 v40, Roy Stevens, 4:50:15, 20665 overall, 14445 male, 118th v60, Rachael Wignall, 5:26:16, 28689 overall,9837 lady and Amy Fletcher, 8:42:23, 40144 overall, 16461 lady.

Also, on Sunday 22nd April 2018 Joe Greenwood completed the Blackpool Half Marathon.  He finished in 1:20:40 for 6th place.

Jess Ramsden

On the previous day, Saturday 21st April at the Blackpool festival of running junior Jessica Ramsden impressed and finished the 2k course in 8:57, a new personal best breaking the 9-minute mark.  Jessica, only 10 years of age finished 7th overall, and was the 2nd girl.

As usual lots of club members attended various parkruns locally and further afield, over the weekend.
There were several Lytham club members at the Lytham Hall parkrun on Saturday and Joe Greenwood and Alex Tate gained the first two to finish.  Michelle Hook was the second female overall to finish and Pamela Binns gained a new personal best time.

Parkrun Results:  Joe Greenwood 18:13 (1st), Alex Tate 18:34 (2nd), Neil Bayntun-Roberts 20:53 (12th), Darran Ames 21:01 (13th),Graham Webster 21:50 (19th), Michelle Hook 21:51 (20th), Richard Storey 22:14 (23rd), Mark Hughes 22:23 (25th), G Browne 22:29 (26th), Morgan Pritchard 23:04 (33rd), Chris Bowker 23:41 (38th), Kathy Gaunt 24:13 (47th), Stephen Tate 26:45 (83rd), Susan Hawitt 28:09 (103rd),  Neil Tate 28:15 (105th), Pamela Binns 29:47 (128th), Karen Lanigan 30:24 (135th), Bob Clough 31:01 (143rd), Michelle Sheridan 31:21 (148th), Graham Young 31:24 (149th),  and Ruth Bye 34:42 (165th).

Catherine Carrdus and John Bertenshawe attended the Hyndburn parkrun.  Carrdus was the first female to finish, and 6th overall in a time of 20:57.  John Bertenshawe was 17th overall in a time of 23:58.

Further a field Jennifer Hill attended the Wanstead parkrun coming 30th overall and second female in 22:03.

Greg Oulton became an accidental parkrun tourist by going up to Ambleside to marshal a race 24 hour earlier, stayed and did Fell Foot parkrun instead. Almost entirely on grass (85%?) with just 130 feet to climb in glorious sunshine on the banks of the River Leven in Staveley-in-Cartmel, Oulton took it easy and finished in 27:14.

Haigh Woodland parkrun was attended by James Buckley he ran the course in 26:18 for 81st position overall.

At the junior parkrun on Sunday 3 Lytham juniors braved the rain.  Frankie Ball was first home in 7:42, followed by Jayden Richardson in 8:05 and Blair Selbie in 10:17.

LSARRC News 17th April 2018

It was another busy week for Lytham members with Graham Webster impressing at the Northern Masters and junior Rebecca Fisher gaining 2 more medals.

On Wednesday 11th April 2018 Graham Webster attended the Spenborough ac track and field Northern Masters at Cleckheaton near Leeds where he ran 3 races. The 400metres in 80.1seconds coming 5th and 2nd vet65.  800metres Webster was 5th again and 2nd vet 65 in 2mins.51.6seconds.
Lastly, he ran 1500metres in 5mins'46.5 seconds coming 5th 1st vet 65. Webster achieved well given he was just getting over a cold virus and the conditions were very cold.

Rebecca Fisher

Rebecca Fisher achieved two more silver medals o Sunday 15th April at Trafford open meeting.  Fisher came 2nd with 13.52s for hurdles and her discus debut at 14.12 m was enough to steal a silver medal.

Greg Oulton and Chris Bowker attended the Lakeland Trails Hawkshead 17k on Saturday. Only 16k (10 miles) but with over 1600 feet of ascent, rocks, mud and steep climbs and descents, including the appropriately named Coffin Trail, the 800-year-old, mile and a bit long cobbled ascent over the mountain. Bowker came 153rd in 1:52:20 and Oulton came 155th in 1:54:06.

On Sunday 15th April it was the ever popular, 1st event of the Fylde Tri Series.  Flat, fast sprint triathlon on quiet country lanes in and around the Ribby Hall Leisure Village.  Ideal for first timers or those wanting an early season PB. Athletes complete a 400m swim, 10.5 miles bike ride followed by a 5K run.  Adrian Sargent of Lytham achieved a total time of 1:12:42, 7:11 swim, 40:25 bike and 25:04 run.

Penny and Lee Morrison

Penny Morrison ran the Three Bridges 10k on Sunday 15th April.  Starting at the clubhouse next to Salt Ayre Sports Centre, the scenic route is almost entirely traffic free, and crosses three bridges spanning the historic River Lune. The course is mainly flat and fast and is ideal for park runners wishing to try a longer distance.  Penny Morrison time; 1:12:15. Lee Morrison also ran it in a time of 51:30, his first 10k race since his hip operation last year! The sun came out just before the start and was very warm, which made for a very enjoyable race.  James Buckley also ran the 3 Bridges achieving a time of 50:43 (with buggy). He was awarded a bottle of wine for being first buggy (ever) to do the run.

Club member Pamela Hardman booked herself on a 5 day trail running holiday in the Dordogne 10th -15th April -after running 100km through the trail paths of all the little villages around the Dordogne area she finished off with attending one of the local trail races of the year, it was either the 10k (ended up at 11km) or 20k. Hardman took on the 10k and came in 61mins and won her age category with a small prize and a large trophy to come home with, a lovely end to the holidays.

As usual there were lots of club members who completed local parkruns and were tourists at other parkruns around the country.  At the Lytham parkrun Chris McCarthy first home for the club, and second overall. Followed by Neil Tate and Alex Tate coming 3rd and 5th, respectively.  Catherine Carrdus was first female home for the club, and second female overall. Darran Ames achieved a new personal best time.

Full Results:  Chris McCarthy 17:27 (2nd), Neil Tate 18:45 (3rd), Alex Tate 18:54 (5th), Catherine Carrdus 19:19 (8th), Ross McKelvie 20:34 (11th), Jennifer Hill 21:15 (16th), Darran Ames 20:47 (13th) John Bertenshawe 21:26 (18th), Morgan Pritchard 22:07 (25th), Graham Webster 22:08 (26th), Mark Hughes 22:17 (27th), G Browne 22:40 (30th), James Buckley 22:51 (32nd), Kev Murray 23:01 33rd, Gill Draper 23:17 (37th), Jason Sheridan 26:35 (80th), Stephen Tate 27:27 (89th), Gillian Oliver 29:24 (122nd), Karen Lanigan 30:20 (132nd), Robert Parker 31:31 (157th), Graham Young 32:01 (163rd), Sarah Bagshaw 32:11 (168th)Bob Clough 35:23 (185th) and Julie Wiseman 39:01 (208th).

The Blackpool parkrun was attended by Paul Veevers who came 4th overall in a time of 18:53 and Heid Haigh who ran 23:43 for 34th and 5th female.  At the Basingstoke parkrun Neil Bayntun-Roberts ran the course in 20:31 for 24thand at the Warrington parkrun Ian Tate came 15th in 21:29. Kirsten Burnett was a tourist park runner at Newby Bridge she ran 29:25 for 27th female spot.

There were several junior members at the Park View junior park run on Sunday, and there were some fine performances.  The first 3 spots went to Lytham runners, Morgan Pritchard, Frankie Ball and Jayden Richardson.  Clemmie Tierney broke 9 minutes for a new personal best of 8:55.

Full Results: Morgan Pritchard 7:32, Frankie Ball 7:53, Jayden Richardson 8:02, Finlay Hughes 8:27, Clemmie Tierney 8:55, Blair Selbie 10:07, Ella Wiseman 10:47, and Hebe Tierney 11:39.

LSARRC News 10th April 2018

Gold for junior Frankie Ball in the 800metres track and field event, at Blackburn and 3 Lytham members dazzle at the Manchester Marathon.

Frankie Ball

On Saturday 7th April 2018 t was the first Mid-Lancashire Track and field meeting of the season, held at Witton Park, Blackburn.  Lytham juniors celebrated their 10th birthday with their best turn out for some time, seven athletes competed in over fourteen events with five of those making their debut for Lytham.

In the under 13 boy Frankie Ball ran in the in the 800m, his well-timed race led him to finishing first.  This was not only his debut on the track for Lytham but his first ever track race. Despite his inexperience Frankie ran an excellent race taking the lead after the initial mad dash from 700m to go and was never in danger of being caught finishing first in 2m 38.4s for 7 points. Frankie also ran an excellent 200m finishing 3rd in the fastest heat in a very credible time of 29.2s for a further 5 points. Under 13 girl Amara Thorpe was the first to fly the flag for Lytham finishing 3rd in her heat of the 100m in 15.9s, picking up three points for the club. Thorpe went on to compete in the 200m finishing in 33.8s for a further three points and in the long jump she jumped 2.88m, a personal best.

All-rounder Sophie Bohannon, in her second season on the track for Lytham ran in a very competitive under 13 girls 800m race and finished strongly to take 2nd place in a personal best time of 2m 34.7s, earning 5 points for Lytham.

Under 15 girl Brogane Murphy, in her first season with Lytham ran well in the 1500m for 4th place in division 2 with a time of 5m 47.8s earning 3 points. Murphy also competed in the long jump with a best jump of 3.24m picking up a further 2 points.

Also making his debut for Lytham on the track was under 13 boy Morgan Pritchard. Morgan chose the 1500m for his first ever track race finishing with an excellent sprint finish in a time of 5m 33.4s for second place in division 2 and 5 points. Morgan also ran the 200m finishing 3rd in his heat and 4th in division 2 for 3 points in a time of 33.1s.

Laura Bremner in her second season on the track for Lytham ran in the 1500m finishing 2nd in division 2 in a time of 5m 57.1s for 5 points.

Under 13 girl Rebecca Fisher continues to impress for Lytham finishing 2nd in her heat of the 70m hurdles in a personal best time of 13.7s earning 3 points for Lytham. Fisher picked up a further 7 points in the high jump clearing 1.2m for first place in division 2.

Gill Draper

On Sunday 3 Lytham members travelled to Manchester for the Asics Greater Manchester Marathon.  It is the flattest course in the UK, perfect for a persona best, and the route was held on entirely closed roads.  Great entertainment was put n for all spectators making it an enjoyable event.  The race started and finished near Old Trafford cricket ground and went through the towns of Sale, Altrincham and Urmston. Conditions were perfect for the 10,000 runners, a cool, dry and cloudy day with little wind and there was a great atmosphere with crowds lining the course providing vocal support. Joe Greenwood completed his 2nd marathon in 3:14, close to a 1 hour PB from his previous in 2012 in 1,036th place. Gill Draper completed her 1st marathon in 3:19, finishing in 1,296th place, 63rd female and raised in excess of £1,500 for her chosen charity, Target Ovarian Cancer. Heidi Haigh finished in 2,996th place, 362nd female in 3:44.

On Saturday Greg Oulton went to Barley for the Pendle Hill fell race. A short, sharp shock of a race - 4.25 miles with 1400 feet of ascent, including one ascent where it wouldn't be possible to reach the summit without holding on with both hands. After the recent downpours it was very wet on the fells and fields with Oulton sinking in over his ankles for long stretches, and several of the paths were almost washed away making it very hard going. A torrential downpour just before the race meant it was even soggier than anticipated, but it was warm and dry, albeit not sunny, for the entire race. With a slightly different route compared to previous years it isn't possible to compare results with previous years, but Oulton’s time of 1:02:30 was faster than last year.

On Sunday Kirsten Burnett ran the Milan Marathon in 4:39:47.  Burnett commented that it was a great, well-supported marathon but the humidity made it difficult for runners.  However, the Arman souvenir race top made worth the hard work.  Ian Balshaw ran a Half Marathon in Berlin over the weekend and Andy Unsworth managed a time of 1:23:50 for a Half Marathon in Mallorca, Pollensa giving him a podium position.

In the Fleetwood 10K held on Sunday 9th April 2018 4 Lytham ladies competed. They had to change the course as there is still some promenade work going on. It was a very flat out and back course. Weather was perfect. Jennifer Hill had a very good run, Melanie Koth also ran well, and Sarah Bagshaw and Penny Morrison looked strong too on the way to the finish.

Full Results: Jennifer Hill 3rd Lady 42:48 20th overall, Melanie Koth 5th Lady, 1st V40, 45:15 35th overall, Sarah Bagshaw 1:07:15 247th overall and Penny Morrison 1:08:42 255 overall.

Also, on Sunday Greg Oulton decided to punish his legs even further by heading to Rivington for the 10-mile trail race.  Actually 10.25 miles, with just over 1000 feet of climb, but lots of mud to sap the energy from the legs. With a varied mixture of surface from road, trail, wooden boards, grass fields and fell there was something for everyone. Even with tired legs after Saturday Oulton was rather pleased with his 1:50:15 finishing time.

As usual, several Lytham members completed parkruns locally and further afield.  At the Lytham Hall parkrun 21 Lytham members completed the 5K course.  First for the club and second overall was Alex Tate.  Second, third, and fourth female spots went to Lytham runners, Catherine Carrdus, Joanna Goorney, and Heidi Haigh.  Darran and Ames an d Heidi Haigh also achieved personal best times.

Full Results:  Alex Tate 18:41 (1st), Catherine Carrdus 19:51 (7th), Joanna Goorney 20:29 (9th), Darran Ames 20:51 (11th), John Bertenshawe 21:34 (18th), Terry Hellings 21:52 (21st), Neil Tate 22:18 (27th), Heidi Haigh 23:01 (35th), Mark Hughes 24:50 (59th), Susan Hawitt (26:09 (73rd), Stephen Tate 26:37 (80th), Julie Wiseman 28:16 (105th), Gillian Oliver 29:00 (114th), Jennifer Hill 29:14 (117th), Pamela Binns 30:09 (127th), Ruth Bye 30:44 (137th), Karen Lanigan 30:59 (142nd), Kathy Gaunt 31:52 (151st), Michelle Sheridan 31:52 (152nd), Robert Parker 33:25 (165th), and Sara Bagshaw 34:02 (170th).

Neil Bayntun-Roberts finished 9th at the Basildon parkrun, finishing in 21:03.  Gerry Browne completed the Knocknacarra parkrun in Ireland.  He completed the course in 23:55 for 17th position overall.  Kirsten Burnett of Lytham was a parkrun tourist in Milan, Italy.  She completed the parkrun in 28:33 and came 54th overall and was the 7th female to finish.

At the junior parkrun in Lytham, held on Sunday 8 members finished the course.  Jayden Richardson was first home for the cub in 8:45 for 5th followed by Lewis Bentley in 8:57 for 7th.  Clemmie Tierney was the first female to finish, she ran he course in 9:02 for 8th overall.  Other runners included:  Billy Breakell in 9:05 for 9th,  Archie Tate in 9:10 for 11th Reef Breakell was 13th in a new personal best time of 9:55, Blair Selbie ran 10:00 for 15th, Charlotte Thomson was 16th in 10:08 and Sophie Tate finished volunteered and was the tail runner and finished in 17:34.

LSARRC are running a new couch 2 5K running course which will take place at Lytham YMCA, starting on 23rd April 6.30p.m., al welcome.  Anyone interested will need to register on the Run Together page.

LSARRC News 3rd April 2018

Silver for junior athlete Rebecca Fisher in the high jump at Stretford and a 15-minute personal best for Ross McKelvie at the Easter London half marathon

Rebecca Fisher

It was a busy Easter weekend for LSARRC members on Saturday 31st March, junior LSARRC athlete Rebecca Fisher impressed at the Trafford AC Open Medal Meeting in Stretford.  Fisher’s dedication to training has certainly paid off and In the U13G 70M Hurdles Fisher came 2nd in her heat and 5th overall, gaining a new PB of 13.91. In the high jump Fisher impressively cleared 125cm which secured her a silver medal.

On Friday 30th March, Ross McKelvie made the trip to London for the Victoria Park Easter Half Marathon, racing the distance for the first time in two years. Looking for a specific time, McKelvie took advantage of the flat looped course and perfect racing conditions to smash his personal best by over 15 minutes, finishing 14th place in 1.18.28. A Good Friday indeed.

On the same day 9 LSARRC representatives completed the Caldervale 10.  Scheduled each year on Good Friday, this is a popular 10-mile road race that starts and finishes at Caldervale village. The undulating race route winds around some of the rural lanes of the surrounding area and includes one or two challenging climbs. Conditions this year were perfect for distance running.

First home for Lytham was Neil Tate in 01:06:42 for 15th place, followed soon after by his younger brother Alex Tate in 01:07:39 for 20th position. Big brother Ian Tate made up the LSARRC top 3 finishing in 01:15:56 for 53rd place. The first Lytham lady home was Kirsten Burnett in 01:30:31 for 130th position and Sylvia Gittins was first female in the age category V70 F.

LSARRC at Caldervale 10

The full list of LSARRC finishers: Neil Tate 15th 01:06:42; Alex Tate 20th 01:07:39;Ian Tate 53rd 1:15:56;  Richard Storey 129th 1:30:28; Kirsten Burnett 130th 1:30:31;Greg Oulton 150th 1:33:41; Sylvia Gittins 201st 1:45:27; Penny Morrison 225th 2:03:48 and Sarah Bagshaw 226th 2:03:52.

Club results for the Winter handicap have now concluded.  The Monthly Handicap is a long-standing regular feature of the Club's programme. Run on the last Thursday of every month, though this changes occasionally in December, the handicap has a chasing start with the slowest competitor off first, with following runners having timed handicapped starts based on their best recent time.

There are two courses, a winter town route of 3.45 miles and a summer rural course of 4.35 miles and an annual points competition for those who wish to take part in the handicaps year-round.  Handicap Results: Congratulations to Susan Samme winning the race, in her first run on the course for at least seven years.  Congratulations and commiserations to Christopher McCarthy on setting a PB of 19:09, but unfortunately he was 3 seconds short of moving up into all-time second place - Joe Greenwood's 19:07 from March 17 still has the edge. PBs also for Darran Ames, Gillian Oliver, and Thomas Howarth. Tom's was only a month old, having beaten his previous PB from March 2013 in February.  And now the top three positions for the year...1st Alex Tate – 316,
2nd Thomas Howarth – 300, and 3rd Graham Webster – 294.

Parkruns
At the Lytham Hall parkrun on Saturday 31st March 21 LSARRC members completed the course.  Thomas Howarth ran well o secure the 2nd spot at the parkrun and he club secured 1t, 2nd and 4th female places with Catherine Carrdus, Joanna Goorney and Jennifer Hill, respectively.

Full Results:  Thomas Howarth 18:26 (2nd); Andrew Draper 18:38 (6th); Catherine Carrdus 19:55 (13th overall, 1st female); Joanna Goorney 20:15 (18th overall, 2nd female), Jennifer Hill 21:00 (24th overall, 4th female);  Neil Tate 22:06 (43rd);  Webster 21:27 (32nd overall, 1st VM65-69); Terry Hellings 21:30 (33rd); John Graeme Bertenshawe 21:33 (34th); Morgan Pritchard 21:38 (37th); Eric Wrigley 25:29 (79th); Jason Sheridan 26:00 (88th); Kirsten Burnett 26:15 (90th); Stephen Tate 27:51 (123rd); Gillian Oliver 28:59 (138th);Ruth Bye 30:25 (164th); Kathy Gaunt 31:57 (184th); and Nicola Wiseman (volunteer/tail walker).

Darran Ames of Lytham did some parkrun tourism, Ames ran the Cheltenham parkrun in a sociable 23:19 (beating his second ever parkrun there of 27:09, this being his 79th) placed 71 from a field of 377, and helping his sister acquire a new PB in the process.  G Browne did the Armagh parkrun in 24:18 and Paul Veevers completed the Blackpool parkrun in 19:06 for 7th place.

At the junior park run in Lytham on Sunday, Morgan Pritchard was first home in 7:39. Clemmie Tierney ran the course in 9:38 for 1st female spot and Sophie Tate ran the course in 16:55.

Earlier in the week on 25th March 2018 Nicola Wiseman and Julie Wiseman of Lytham completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon.