LSARRC News 22nd December 2021

Alistair Leivers

 A first-class century marked the final parkrun of the year at Lytham Hall.  Lytham St Annes Road Runners’ Alistair Leivers sprinted round his 100th parkrun to finish nearly a full two minutes clear of the field in 16:30 - equalling his personal best.

And there was a healthy turn-out of team mates for the final parkrun of 2021, with the event’s volunteers taking a well deserved rest on Christmas Day.  Just nine seconds separated the next five club runners.  Neil Tate was the second Road Runner to finish, 14th place in 21:31, followed just three seconds behind by Gill Draper (21:34), who was 2nd lady at Saturday’s event.  Darran Ames (21:35) and Mark Selby (21:39) were hot on their heels, as was Jennifer Hill who was 3rd lady in 21:40.  Graham Webster followed in 22:11, Louise Cox in 22:24, Chris Bowker in 22:58 , Dan Gregson in 23:07,  Stephen Wise in 25:48, Terry Hellings in 27:14, Barry Broughton in 28:33 and Pamela Binns in 29:25.  Coming home just under half an hour was Bob Clough in 29:56, followed by Sylvia Gittins in 32:14, Ruth Bye in 35:13, Sue Henry 35:48 and Michelle Sheridan in 35:56.

Darren Ames and Jennifer Hill at Lytham Hall parkrun

Onto Sunday and it was also the final run this year for the club’s junior parkrunners at Lytham’s Park View.

There were six juniors in action and they performed well, filling four of the first five places.  First home for Lytham and finishing 1st overall was Archie Belfield in 8:23 with club mate Joe Alker just behind in 2nd place with a time of 8:27.  Georgina Andrews finished as 1st girl and 4th overall in 8:42, while Reuben May ran his third consecutive personal best time to finish 5th in 9:00.  Evie Alker was 2nd girl in 10:24 and fourteenth overall.  Also representing Lytham was Joshua McAfee, who finished 18th in 11:24.

LSARRC News 15th December 2021

Longridge Xmas Pudding Run 

It was a festive-themed dash through the hills for Lytham St Annes Road Runners this weekend, as members took on Longridge's Christmas Pudding Run.  Five members of the green team took on the race, with the tough, undulating course taking them on a seven-mile route over the Longridge fells – with a Christmas pudding for every finisher.  Dan Gregson was the first Road Runner home in Sunday's race, finishing in 54:05.   Claire Markham was next in 1:05:39, followed by Lia Murphy in 1:12:49, Sue Henry in 1:17:07 and Michelle Sheridan in 1:29:23.  

And there was also Sunday racing to be had over in east Lancashire, with the Blackburn 10k.  Mick Widdop was the club's only representative in the 6.2 mile race, finishing in 51:36.

For Julie Wiseman, there was a race with a difference on Saturday night as she donned her head-torch and trail shoes for the Grizedale night run.  Wiseman completed the 5.7 mile course through the forest in 1:09:03.

Gill Draper at Lytham Hall parkrun

At Lytham Hall parkrun Gill Draper led the way for LSARRC, finishing 4th overall and 1st lady in 20:39, with husband Andy just behind in 21:05.  Mark Selby was 10th in 21:47, followed by Mark Hughes (22:28), Chris Cottam(22:46), junior Freddie Markham (25:54) and Neil Tate (25:54).  Claire Markham finished in 27:28, with Bob Clough (29:23) just ahead of Pam Binns (30:52).  Julie Wiseman finished in 46:45 and Sue Henry in 47:06.

On their travels, the McAfee family took part in Newborough Forest parkrun on Anglesey.  Junior member Joshua completed the course in 29:34 alongside dad Lewis.

Just two of the club's juniors took part in Sunday's Park View junior parkrun and both achieved their highest-ever finishing positions.  Kiefer Richardson  was 6th in 10:11 and Evie Alker was just behind – 7th overall and 2nd girl – in 10:19.

LSARRC News 8th December 2021

 It was a case of from coast to country this weekend, as two Lytham  St Annes Road Runners took on the Myerscough 10 miler.  Pam Binns and Syliva Gittins flew the flag for the green team at the event, organised by Garstang Road Runners Club.  And it was a successful Sunday for the duo, with Pam finishing the course in 1:39:04 for first FV75, and Sylvia coming in just behind for second place in the category in 1:39:27.

Lytham Hall parkrun Couch to 5k graduation

24 hours earlier, LSARRC members braved the deluge of rain and mud at Lytham Hall parkrun to celebrate the club's first Couch to 5k graduation since pre-covid.  A group of new runners have been supported by club members each Monday night to complete the nine-week beginners programme, and on Saturday five of them ran their first Lytham Hall parkrun to mark finishing the course.  Dave Booth led the way finishing 110th in 32:24, followed by Maria Hall (32:34), Wendy Jennings (41:46), Susie Harwood (42:25) and Emma Robinson (42:42).  The club's next Couch to 5k programme is starting on Monday, January 17 at 6:30pm, and full details are available on the "Lytham St Annes Road Runners" Facebook page.  The sessions are led by trained coaches and are free, run in small groups to ensure everyone is supported to achieve their goals.

Freddie Markham at Lytham Hall parkrun

With a quiet weekend for racing there was a good turnout of club runners at Lytham's parkrun, with some leading the way out front and others supporting the couch to 5k graduates.  Alex Tate took first place in 19:29 while Gill Draper was third overall and first lady in 20:52, and Chris Cottam (eighth – 22:23) and Darran Ames (ninth - 22:28) also made the top 10.  Dan Gregson was just behind in 22:50, Jennifer Hill third lady in 22:54, followed by Graham Webster in 23:09.  Junior Joe Alker managed to use the mud to his advantage to set a new personal best of 23:45 running alongside Neil Tate (23:45).  Claire Markham finished in 26:11 with junior Freddie Markham just behind in 26:34 and Barry Broughton in 29:15 and Greg Oulton in 32:25.  Supporting the Couch to 5k runners were Sue Hawitt (32:37), Terry Hellings (41:47). Sarah Cook (42:25) and Kirsten Burnett (42:43), while Sue Henry (47:11) and Julie Wiseman (47:12) were tailwalkers.

At Sunday's park View junior parkrun, Oliver McBurney was first to cross the line in 8:01 with Jessica McNiven first girl and seventh overall in 9:35.  New member Reuben May put in his second consecutive personal best performance to finish fourth in 9:16.  Also representing Lytham were Joshua and James McAfee, 12th and 13th in 11:02 and 11:44 respectively, and Lewis Ames (14th – 11:45).