LSARRC News 1st July 2013

Attendance was up from the Lytham runners at the June Club Handicap on Thursday, despite the dismal weather conditions for summer. On the night there were some very good performances with more than half the runners posting personal bests or season bests. It was also a month for newcomers to shine, with three out of the first five being recent lady recruits and producing creditable finishing times. Oliver Hirsh is firmly situated at the head of the overall table and, with three Handicaps down, has amassed an excellent 85 points against his nearest rival Mark Willett with 77. 
OTHER RESULTS: 6th Laura Ashworth, 42:25; 7th Thomas Howarth, 26:26; 8th Karen Lanigan, 42:25; Mark Willett, 27:22; 11th Mark Selby, 29:33; 12th Dawn Lock, 51:36; 13th Joe Greenwood, 24:57; 14th Graham Webster, 27:31; 15th Debbie Cooper, 35:11; 16th Kevin Ashworth, 30:05; 17th Greg Oulton, 35:25; 18th Colin Laidlaw, 31:44; 19th Richard Storey, 32:40; 20th Andy Sneddon, 41:13; Phil Elliot, 37:02.

The Lytham Harrock Hill racers, from L-R
Pam Binns, Dawn Lock, Steve Quarmby, Bec Willetts, Pam Hardman,Andy Sneddon and Jo Prenderer.

In contrast, Wednesday proved to be a glorious evening for the Harrock Hill Fell Race – Inter-club Fell Series (3). 129 runners competed on a scenic course. Of the five Lytham members racing,  they managed the very creditable achievement of fielding full teams in the  Open, Women's, Vets and Vet 50's categories.  Competitors were soon spread out by the complicated and twisting course which included a steady three-quarter mile climb from the start line with winner Jon Green of Preston Harriers finishing in 33:04. First Lytham runner to cross the finishing line was Terry Hellings in 96th place and 42:28.  Going very well in the early and climbing stages of the race, Hellings lost some places hampered on the descents by a recurring injury.  First of Lytham's women home was Debbie Cooper 153rd and 48:49, 11th in the Inter-Club.  Pamela Hardman, who knows the course well as a frequent Harrock Hill competitor, was 189th in 51:56 and Greg Oulton, MV45, was 193rd in 52:58.  Dawn Lock, disadvantaged by a mile off-course  detour, was last in 84:58.

A beaming Pam B at Harrock Hill. 

Nine of the seventy-plus runners  at the Fairclough 5 were from Lytham St. Annes RRC and between them came away with two veteran category prizes and an age group record. Sunday saw the fourth staging of Thornton Cleveley RC's race, held on a figure of eight course along the pleasant lanes of Thornton and finishing in Stannah Country Park. First back for Lytham was Peter Cruse, missing out on the V50 prize through a particularly strong field in his age group including race winner for the past two years, Paul Muller of Horwich RMI. Cruse finished 7th in 30:38 against a winning time of 29:02.  Next back was Graham Webster who did take his age group prize.  Webster won the V60 prize in 14th place with a time of 32:37. Stealing the show, however, was LSARRC's Pam Binns. In the V65 age category, Binns is improving so rapidly that she beat three other W65s convincingly and set a new age group course record of 44:44, four minutes ahead of her nearest rival.  The time also marks her first attainment of diamond standard.
Other results posted were Steve Quarmby, 28th in 36:31; Pamela Hardman in an excellent performance, 47th in 40:58, third WV50; Rebecca Willetts, 55th in 42:25; Jo Pendered, 63rd in 45:17 and Dawn Lock, 71st in 55:33.  Andy Sneddon retired due to injury.

LSARRC News 24th June 2013

Two hundred and thirty-two runners turned out for the annual running of the Sotos 10K on Sunday, a profile and fund raiser to sponsor research into the cause and treatment for the medical disorder after which the race is named. Proud organizer, Wesham RR's Simon Eaton, announced on the start line that a total of £2,100 had been raised by this year's race. For a race that is historically run in sweltering temperatures, this year cold and buffeting weather came as a surprise to all, particularly at the three mile point when runners turned into the wind and in addition were drenched by spray whipped up by the strong winds. Considering the conditions, the six Lytham runners did well to maintain their times.  First back of the Club was Peter Cruse, 23rd 39:33, who won the prize for first MV50.  Following him in was MV60 winner Graham Webster, 32nd in 41:30.  In 68th place Steve Quarmby finished 3rd MV50 in an age group field of 20, in 46:39. Other senior members were Brian Porter, MV45, 153rd in 54:57, Silvia Gittins, WV65, 178th in 56:44 and Pam Binns, 195th in 60:05.

6 Lytham Juniors at Sotos 10k

Six hardy young Lytham athletes were a put to the test at the same event when they lined up for the 2k fun run. With those strong winds and a route that was to take the 58 runners on to Fleetwood promenade it was always going to be more tough than fun but the eager competitors showed great resilience to the conditions and they all got off to a fast start with a trailing wind for the first 800m. Lytham’s Simon Holt showed his experience with great pace judgement throughout the race finishing very strongly in 3^rd place and 1^st M8 in 7:21. Not far behind him was novice Archie Dowds whose hard work at training paid dividends with a great run to finish in 7^th and 2^nd M8 in 7:35. Nine year old Rebecca Tate showed great character in such adverse conditions and ran superbly to finish 10^th and 2^nd F9 in 8:06. Harry Fellows, who only started training with the club, a fortnight ago, ran a very strong race to finish 12^th and 2^nd M11 in 8:08. Olivia Aberra who has only recently celebrated her eighth birthday, showed great strength when she turned into the wind for the second half of the race and finished very strongly in 19^th and 1^st F8 in 8:58. Keira Bowman, running her first ever competitive race, was understandably a little nervous before the start but, as soon as they were off the pre-race nerves disappeared with wind and she had a great race to finish 32^nd and 4^th F9 in 10:40.

Hill enthusiast Julia Rolfe raced in the Horwich Jubilee 5 mile roads race last Wednesday on a warm and humid evening. The scenic, undulating route followed the reservoir at Rivington and the surrounding roads. Rolfe was 3^rd Lady V50 finisher. 

LSARRC News 17th June 2013

Lytham front runner Joe Greenwood at Avenham Park
Interclub Grand Prix. 

On Wednesday Preston Harriers hosted the 3^rd Summer Inter Club Grand Prix race, unveiling a new course which was entirely run within Aveham Park, omitting any road sections. 194 local competitors ran the interesting route in cool damp conditions. Preston Harriers swept to first in all categories but Lytham St. Annes RRC did well to hold on to their usually fourth position in several categories. The Club reached a best of third in the V60's, fourth in the Women's, Vet’s and Vet 50's and fifth in the Open. Lytham's front runner was Joe Greenwood in 16th place and 24:06 against a winning time by Preston's David Rigby of 21:09.  Peter Cruse, V50, finished second for Lytham in 24:42 and Andy Draper was third in 24:55.  Noticeably moving up was Oliver Hirsh, 26:57, who was sixth counter. Mel Koth led the Women home in  82nd and 11th woman and her 28:17 put her into 9th place in the Open team.    

A quartet of Lytham members  took part in the third round of the Mid Lancs. Track & Field League at Salt Ayer athletics stadium, Lancaster on Saturday. Seasoned competitors Terry Hellings and Graham Webster stuck to familiar track events while new-comers Jeremy McCandless and Greg Oulton braved throwing events, competing in the Shot Putt, Discus and Javelin for the first time since school days.  Showing something of their earlier aptitudes, McCandless scored 5 in the Javelin with 12m94 while Oulton took 3 points for 5m75 in the Shott Putt. McCandless gained the Club's highest points total of the day of 13.

Sunday heralded the 49^th staging of the Freckleton Half marathon, which boasts the title of the oldest UK half marathon. An impressive 17 Lytham members assembled with youthful zest at the start line, making up the total field of 635 finishing athletes. Lytham produced a crop of good results from the fast, flat course, with Andy Draper crossing the line first for the men in 19^th position in 1.22.08, and Joe Greenwood and Simon Denye battling it out for 2^nd and 3^rd Lytham finishers, in 1.22.44 and 1.22.45 respectively. Pam Hardman was first lady home, finishing in 2.00.43.

Andy Draper at Freckleton Half Marathon.

    
Club runners from around the Fylde will have the opportunity to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the St. Anne's Carnival 5K on Sunday 7th July now being staged for the seventh year.  The presence of the newly crowned Carnival Queen and her Retinue lends a unique feel to this race 
which also offers the flat, fast accurately measured course likely to result in good times for serious runners. 

LSARRC News 11th June 2013

121 entrants toed the starting line for the second in the series of the Astley Park Trail races organized by the newly-formed Chorley and Triathlon Club, an amalgamation of the former Chorley AC and Chorley Harriers. Dawn Lock was amongst the competitors, representing Lytham.  An interesting and picturesque course winds through this beautiful and well appointed park, its attractiveness improved by last year’s renovation. Starting at the most westerly end, the route climbs steeply almost immediately making for a challenging start from the off. Competitors face the same slope twice more before reaching the finish situated in front of the historic Jacobean Astley Hall.  Add perfect weather and, unsurprisingly, a good number were attracted. Leading in an impressive manner was frequent winner Anthony Valentine of Bolton United Harriers who powered home a minute ahead of second placed runner Gareth Booth of Horwich in 23:49.  The women were also led home by a quality contestant, the well-known Dionne Allen of Leigh Harriers who finished in 27:48. Dawn Lock completed the 4.4 miles in 51:00, second WV65. 

Dawn Lock representing Lytham at the Astley Park Trail Race

A collective of Lytham St Annes Road Runners raced in the Badger’s walk 10k trail race on Thursday evening. The race got underway on a very warm evening, and followed a pleasingly scenic route through Cuerden valley park. From the good selection of Lytham club members who turned out, some excellent performances were produced.  Jo Greenwood claimed 3^rd man to finish in 38.26, Tom Howarth was 19^th man in 42.51, Mel Koth was 3^rd lady to finish in 45.38, Colin Laidlaw was 63^rd finisher and 3^rd MV55 in 49.35, and Julia Rolfe finished 21^st lady, 4^th FV50 in 55.14.

LSARRC News 4th June 2013

The LSA Road Runners monthly handicap competition continues and Thursday saw the second of the summer series underway. A determined Oliver Hirsh is making his mark with successive wins and PBs, a feat unprecedented in the handicaps.  Inevitably these two wins give Oliver the overall lead on the points table but another fine run and PB by Joe Greenwood, following his second place last month, keeps him well in touch and only four points behind.  Others to be congratulated on their PBs are Greg Oulton, Alex Wiggins and Pam Binns while Bec Willetts ran a season’s best to finish third. Katharine Hoyland making her handicap debut had an excellent run and Paula McCandless did well to finish sixth on her first run on the summer course.  It was also pleasing to have Karen Lanigan running again after some months’ absence and to welcome back Ben Proctor. An ample chip supper and buffet awaited hungry competitors back at Club HQ.

Full Handicap Results: (Time taken to race 4.35m distance + points scored)

1^st Oliver Hirst, 27.59, 30 + 2 PB points, 2^nd Greg Oulton, 34.10, 29 + 2 PB, 3^rd Bec Wiletts, 35.00 28 + 2 PB, 4^th Joe Greenwood, 24.24, 27 + 2 PB, 5^th Mark Willett, 27.58, 26, 6^th Paula McCandless, 45.34, 25, 7^th Mark Selby, 30.53, 24, 8^th Tom Howarth, 27.19, 23, 9^th Alex Wiggins, 35.02 22 + 2 PB, 10^th Pam Binns, 42.13, 21 + 2 PB, 11^th Karen Lanegan, 42.49, 20, 12^th Dawn Lock, 55.47, 19, 13^th, Laura Ashworth, 40.10, 18, Ben Proctor (est) 30.16, Katharine Hoyland, 30.52. 

Lytham club members Peter Cruse and Steve Quarmby travelled to Cumbria for some mid-week racing at the Levens 10k on Wednesday. The road race whose course follows the Lyth Valley and goes through Brigsteer attracted a field of 76 runners. Cruse crossed the finish in 13^th position in a time of 40m 01s, Quarmby following in 35^th position, clocking 46m 45s.

Greg Oulton at the start line
of the 'Run the Lanes'
10 miler.

Lytham members were out competing at several events over the weekend. Julia Rolfe, Lytham’s singular representative in this race, ran the Catforth 5k race along with 67 other competitors last Saturday evening. Rolfe finished in exactly 25 minutes, 2^nd female V50, in 50^th place. The pleasant rural course followed traffic free lanes, with runners sighting the occasional scarecrow; Catforth has its own scarecrow display of superheroes!  76 competitors toed the line for the ‘Run the Lanes’ 10 miler, amongst them 3 Lytham runners. Peter Cruse, Trevor Willoughby and Greg Oulton raced, setting off from Lea town north of Preston. Cruse was home first for LSARRC, 2^nd M50 in 13^th place in 1.03.08. Willoughby was next to finish in 54^th position, in a time of 1.22.44 and Greg Oulton crossed the finish line clocking 1.33.06, 61^st finisher overall. Bec Willetts and Laura Ashworth took on the Longridge 7 road race, with Laura proudly scooping the 2^nd lady prize and taking £15 home with her.

LSARRC News 28th May 2013

Ella Moulding and Jasmine Jolly sprint to the wire at
Stanley Park Track and Field.

Stanley Park was host to the 21st Lancashire Track and Field Championships over the weekend where athletes competed in sunny but breezy conditions. On Saturday, Lytham St. Annes RRC had three junior members entered in a total of five events. Making the first appearance for the Club was Ella Moulding in the 1500m with a second appearance in the 800m scheduled on Sunday alongside U15G Camryn Spector.

Ella won her County medal in undisputable style, proudly taking home the Silver which involved a fierce and epic battle for first place. The Under 13 Girls' 1500m got underway with Moulding going out at a fast pace, taking the lead straight away and battling round most of the first three laps stride for stride with two others in an enthralling race.  Ella held onto the lead until inches from the line when, with a late strong challenge, Jasmine Jolly of Preston Harriers just beat her to the line.  Jasmine was given 5:09.9 to Ella's 5:10.0, a mere tenth of a second behind and a PB. On day 2 Layla Foley competed in the U17G 800m and ran to smash her personal best, finishing  6^th in her heat in 2:34.2. Camryn Spector produced a fine run in the U15G 800m finishing 6^th in her heat and hitting a personal best of 2:35.1.

The Northern Veterans Track and Field Championships took place at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.  Lytham St Annes RRC had two representatives in Graham Webster and Terry Hellings.  Their first race of the day was the 1500 and both ran well in a field of twelve, Graham finishing 4th overall and 2nd vet 60 in a time of 5:15.1 with Terry taking the vet 55 gold finishing 4th overall in 5:34.9. Next, both toed the line for the start of the 3000m along with 14 other athletes, Graham finishing 2nd overall in a time of 11:16.5 with Terry 2 places back in 12:03.6 both taking age category gold medals.  The 800m was the final race of the day, with Graham finishing 2nd in his heat and 2nd vet 60 in 2:38.1 and Terry 5th in 2:52.7 and first vet 55 for his third gold medal of the day. 

Colin Laidlaw running the Fishwick 5 Trail

The fourth annual Fishwick 5 Trail Race took place in Preston on Wednesday, held in aid of the local children's community club. The green and attractive route plunges steeply down the deep scarp that surrounds Preston into the rural lanes and park pathways of Fishwick Bottoms and the Guild Wheel and repeats a partial loop before the concluding climb into Fishwick. Lytham had two competitors, Colin Laidlaw, who finished 16th in 37:22 and Dawn Lock, 30th in 56:14.  Laidlaw was third MV55 and Lock was first WV65 taking the age category prize. 

LSARRC members get social in Caldervale. Not to be mistaken for Greg Oulton and his backing band...
From L-R Catherine French, Roy Stevens, Pam Hardman, Greg Oulton, Richard Storey,
Bec Willetts and Sylivia Gittens (Laura Ashworth behind the camera!)

Elsewhere on Sunday Lytham runners were active at a number of events. At the running of the BUPA 10k in a warm Manchester, three Lytham RRC members competed. Simon Denye finished 155^th in 37.22, Mark Willett was 645^th in 41.39 and Mel Koth finished 2119^th in 46.03, of a field of around 40,000 runners. Yorkshireman Trevor Willoughby completed the ‘killer’ Buxton Half Marathon in 1:59:55. In perfect conditions he enjoyed a brilliant run in the picturesque countryside of the Peak District. Seven LSARRC members convened in the pretty village of Calder Vale for an informal 10 mile run, part social, part training for the Welsh Castles relay event coming up next month. Laura Ashworth, Bec Willetts, Pam Hardman, Catherine French, Greg Oulton, Roy Stevens, Richard Storey and Sylvia Gittens completed an undulating 10 mile circular route, concluding with refreshments back at the village tearooms. 

LSARRC News 21st May 2013

Graham Webster scoring top points for Lytham in the
Track & Field at Preston.

Lytham St. Annes RRC competed at the second round of the Mid Lancs League's track and field season at Preston on Saturday. In below par weather conditions the three-man team of Thomas Howarth, Graham Webster and Terry Hellings gained the maximum 7 points for their performance in the longest track distances of the day, the 3000 metres.  Other individual performances added another 8 points to consolidate Lytham's standing in Division. Taking the opportunity to do earlier races before the 3000m, club members Howarth, Webster and junior girl Camryn Spector competed in the 800m.  The Senior Men's 800m race was won by the talented Jamaine Coleman of Preston Harriers in a stunning sub-two minute finish of 1:55.6.  Lytham's athletes Howarth and Webster ran 2:28.3 and 2:35.5 for 13th and 16th place respectively.  Under 15 girl Camryn Spector, the club's only junior representative, appeared on the Mid Lancs track for the first time and ran a creditable 2:46.1 for 16th place ahead of eight others.  Her efforts earned the Club 2 points and set a personal best for her.  Howarth and Webster were again in action in the mid-meeting 1500m where they finished in adjacent places 10th and 11th in 5:06.9 and 5:18.3, against a winning time of 4: 17.4, gaining between them a useful 5 points.

In the 3000m Howarth was Lytham's fastest competitor with 10:55.8 and 10th place ahead of Webster, 12th in 11:24.5 and Hellings, 14th in 11:55.0. At the race front was Preston Harriers' Christopher Durney posting a challenging 9:28.4.  

                                 

Fortunately for the 7 Lytham members who took part in the first of the Club’s summer runs on Sunday, the sun was out shining brightly. Runners met up in the centre of the pretty and unspoilt village of Calder Vale for the social run. Climbing at first steeply out of the village, the group followed a scenic and undulating seven-mile route that highlighted the best of this beautiful area and encompassed farm tracks, Grizedale Reservoir, Holme Wood, Harris End Fell road and Okenclough before returning via St. John's Church and the magnificent bluebell wood.  The homemade cakes made a welcome climax to the Lytham runners' day out.

On Sunday Colin Laidlaw took part in the Pilling UK Diabetes 10k Road Race and Fun Run. Approximately 25 runners lined up on the start line for the 10k over a flat two and half lap course. This was a self-timed event and Laidlaw finished 4th, stopping his watch in 45 minutes 11 seconds. The winner was Maria Snell, Lancaster and Morecambe Athletic Club, with a time of 43 minutes 43 seconds.

Richard Storey, Rebecca Willetts, Laura Ashworth and Pam Hardman ran the Howgill Harriers 10k road race at Kirby Stephen on Sunday. Members arrived at a small friendly race and followed a tough course on country lanes, rewarded with tea & cakes to finish. Catherine French has been pursuing more off-road racing experiences, the first of the week at the Shining Tor 4 mile fell race in the dark peak region of Derbyshire. The tough race started from the stunning Errswood Reservoir on an idyllic Wednesday evening and involved 1000ft of ascent. On Sunday French completed the formidable Scafell Pike Trail Marathon; the long distance event challenging runners to 1,800m of ascent set against the breathtaking vistas of the Lake District. Greg Oulton, whilst holidaying in the US, packed his trainers and scheduled in the Brooklyn half marathon. He finished comfortably in the top half of a field of 21,378 competitors.