LSARRC News 15th December 2015

Lytham Hall parkrun start

After the wind and rain of the previous weekend, the 2nd Lytham Hall parkrun was able to finally go ahead last Saturday morning.  Although no wind, there was still certainly lots of rain and a very muddy section of the course from the previous weeks downpours. First home was Adam Weightman in 19:08 whilst Caroline Betmead was 1st lady in 20:21 both from Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC.  There were 6 runners taking part from Lytham St Annes.  Neil Tate was 3rd in 19:21, Mel Koth was 9th and 2nd lady in 23:01, Barbara Holmes was 15th in 24:45, Debbie Cooper was 20th in 25:23, Graham Young was 36th in 30:08 and Georgia Norman, the only junior from the club, was 40th in 31:16. There were 52 finishers.

Rebecca Tate and Terry Hellings - marshalls at the Lytham Hall parkrun

Georgia Norman

On the other side of the globe, Roy Stevens was also taking part in a parkrun.  Roy ran in the Mt Clarence park run at Flinders Parade, Albany, Western Australia.  He finished in 16 place in 36:48 out of 38 runners. 

Xmas Fun Relays

Sunday morning saw a motley collection of Santas, elves and reindeer taking part in the club's annual fancy dress Christmas Fun Relays held on Lytham Green.

Start of the Xmas Fun Relays

Dave Whyman and Bill Lock - timekeepers

The seniors' course was a shade over 5K and the winners in 1h 13m27s were the Puddings team led by Neil Tate in 19:25, the fastest time of the morning, and ably supported by Bob Clough and Steve Ashton.  Close on their heels were the Crackers, Rachel Scott, Claire England and Terry Hellings in 1h 18m 02s.  Finishing a close 3rd in 1h 19m 53s were the Turkeys comprising Sylvia Gittins, Sue Hawitt and Peter Cooke.  Dawn Lock and Greg Oulton gamely made up the field in the incomplete Leftovers team.

A group of hardy juniors braved the cold to race over a 2K course.  The leading junior team were the Snowmen, a family team of Luke, Rebecca and Sophie Tate, with the Snowflakes team of Samantha, Amy and Matthew not far behind.

Seniors 3 x c5k
1. Puddings (1h 13m 27s) Steve Ashton 26:36; Bob Clough 27:26; Neil Tate 19:25.
2. Crackers (1h 18m 02s)
Rachel Scott 30:15; Claire England 25:23; Terry Hellings 22:44.
3. Turkeys (1h 19m 53s)
Sylvia Gittins 27:26; Sue Hawitt 26:39; Peter Cooke 25:48.
4. Leftovers (incomplete)
Dawn Lock 38:07; Greg Oulton 31:19.

Juniors 3 x 2K
1. Snowmen (32m 02s) 
Luke 9:42; Rebecca 9:07; Sophie 13:14.
2. Snowflakes (36m 54s)
Samantha 14:03: Amy 11:50; Matthew 11:01.

Richard Storey was the club's sole representative at the Longridge 7.  Although chilly, conditions were dry and runners soon warmed up on the climb up towards Jeffrey Hill.  Finishers  were rewarded with a medal and a Christmas pudding.  The race was won by Rob Affleck of Preston Harriers in a very impressive 39:09 whilst 1st lady was Amy Freemand of Darwen Dashers in 48:32.  Richard finished 101st in 55:44 out of 252 finishers, 5 minutes quicker than his previous outing on the course back in 2013.

Joanna Goorney (courtesy of woodenheads.org.uk)

Over in the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire, Joanna Goorney took part in the Mytholmroyd Fell Race.  Superbly organised by Halifax Harriers, the 6.2 mile race gained 1350 feet, 850 feet being in the first mile with a steep climb from the start up to the top of Wicken Hill.  Conditions were perfect, cool with no rain or wind whilst the ground was fairly muddy, particularly on the final descent and in parts, frozen. The race was won by Neal Crampton of Pudsey and Bramley in an impressive time of 50.35.   Joanna finished 33rd and 2nd lady in a time 65:01. 

LSARRC News 8th December 2015

After an action packed previous weekend, Storm Desmond played havoc with events in the North West over this last weekend.  The first local run to be cancelled was the Lytham Hall parkrun on Saturday morning in only its second week due to concerns of trees being blown over in the grounds in the strong wind.  The next victim, was the highly popular Guys 10 organised by Garstang Running Club on Sunday morning.  That had to be cancelled due to the severe flooding in the area.  And finally in Lancaster, the Lancaster 3-1-5 Half Marathon was postponed due to flooding.  Club runners who had planned to take part in the Hoad Hill 10k in Ulverston had the problem of getting there due to flooded roads on the route there.  The actual race course was fine and went ahead with a very limited field.

Felicity Wolohan at Liverpool Cross Country last week

Felicity Wolohan made a late but good decision to run the Princes Park parkrun in Liverpool on Saturday morning.  Her efforts were rewarded with an excellent time of 21.31 finishing 1st female and 23rd overall from 125 finishers.

Also doing a parkrun was Julia Rolfe who ran in the South Manchester parkrun which is in held in Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield.  There were 200 finishers and Julia finished 83rd and 11th female in 25:47.

Joanna Goorney at Guiseley (Courtesy of woodentops.org.uk)

On Sunday afternoon, Joanna Goorney took part in the Senior Ladies race in final meet of four in the West Yorkshire Cross Country Series.  The event was held at Nunroyd Park, Guiseley, near Leeds.  Luckily Storm Desmond had calmed down leaving a sunning afternoon and a fine, testing muddy course.   Joanna  finished 20th and 2nd vet 45 covering the 3.2mile course in 24:30.

Missed from previous results, Sylvia Gittins ran the Conwy Half Marathon 2 weeks ago on the 22nd November.  The race was won by Matthew Bond of Sale Harriers in a time of 1:07:00 and there were 2458 finishers.  Sylvia finished in 1815th and 1st vet 65 in a time of 2:15:07.

LSARRC News 1st December 2015

Louisa Ruman

The main event for Lytham St Annes RRC this weekend was the third fixture of the Mid Lancs. cross country league.  This fixture is held in Sefton Park, Liverpool in conjunction with the British Athletics Cross Challenge and attracts the best athletes in the country as it is used as selection race for the European Cross Country Championships.

Morgan Pritchard

Lytham were out in force but the stars of the show were undoubtedly the under 11 boys’ team.  The future of Lytham St Annes RRC is is looking good as the team of Louis Eunson (4th in 7.42), George Denye (12th in 8.14) and Morgan Pritchard (32nd in 8.47) took fourth place in the under 11 boy’s team competition.   Sydney Ramsden (49th I in 9.32) and Charlotte Thomson (58th in 10.15) represented the club in the under 11 girls race.  Also flying the flag for Lytham juniors were Rebecca Tate in the under 13 girls (56th in 15.20) and Simon Holt in the under 13 boys (44th 13.07)

Charlotte Thomson

Eight Lytham members toed the line in the senior women’s race with Mel Koth leading the team home taking 39th place in 37.37 closely followed by Felicity Wolohan (43rd in 37.51).  Julia Rolfe was next home (80th in 42.19) finishing strongly overtaking team captain Als Everest (84th in 42.34) in the last half mile.  Completing the Lytham contingent were Louisa Ruman (101st in 45.05), Sylvia Gittins (142nd and 3rd FV65 in 49.25), Pam Hardman (148th in 20.20) and Dawn Lock (171st in 66.22).

Tom Howarth who ran in both the
Wesham 10k and the Liverpool Cross Country

Final race of the day was the senior men’s race and Lytham were led home by Joe Greenwood (66th in 37.19) followed by Neil Tate (117th in 40.03).  Thomas Howarth not wanting to miss one of his favourite races (Wesham 10k) and not wanting to let the cross country down decided to do both so having completed the Wesham 10k (45th in 39.30) in the morning then dashed to Sefton Park to complete the 10k cross country course in 41.54 for 146th place.  Completing the senior men’s team  and taking 4th place in division 3 were Terry Hellings (192nd and 3rd MV60 in 44.57), Richard Storey in one of his rare cross country appearances (260th in 51.10) and Steve Ashton (274th in 54.04).
Tom 45th 39.30

Also representing Lytham in the Wesham 10k was Mark Selby (73rd in a pb of 41.51).

The inaugural Lytham Parkrun took place at Lytham Hall on Saturday and LSARRC were well represented.  This is 3 lap 5k course with a fast finish in the drive way.  Representing Lytham were Dave Dunn (23rd in 22.50), Debbie Cooper (49th and 6th female in 25.47), Chloe Norman (52nd and 7th female in 25.57), Gemma Czarnota (56th and 8th female in 26.19), Sue Hawitt (73rd and 11th femalein 27.37), Bob Clough (84th in 28.57), Stu Wharrier (100th in 30.40), Jeremy McCandless (101st in 30.46) and (Paula McCandless 145th and 42nd female in 35.54).  The Lytham Parkrun takes place every Saturday at 09:00 and is free to enter.  All you have to do is pre-register at Parkrun.org.uk and turn up with a barcode that will be emailed to you. 

Club champion Joanna Goorney ventured East of the Pennines to compete in the Barnsley 10k.  Joanna ran well on the one lap hilly course that started in Royston Park and finished at Royston civic centre to finish 3rd female and 1st fv45 in 41.23 on a very windy day.

LSARRC News 24th November 2015

Start of Lytham Hall parkrun trial run

There was a real lull in action this week, although there is plenty coming up in the next few weekends with the 3rd Mid Lancs League Cross Country meet from Sefton Park, Liverpool next Saturday being at the top of the list.  This is great fixture for local athletes where they have the opportunity to run with Britain's best cross county athletes since it is combined with the British Athletics Cross Challenge Series 2015-2016.

Mel Koth

The nearest race for Lytham St Annes runners this last weekend was in Chorley on Sunday morning with the Chorley Fire 10k.  Starting from the Lancashire Fire & Rescue Training Centre in Chorley, the two lap course on quiet roads took in the local villages of Euxton and Astley Village and had a sneaky sharp hill which had to be run up twice.  The race was very well organised and there was hotpot at the finish as well.  Anthony Valentine of Bolton United Harriers was first home in 33:10 whilst first lady was Vicky Bryant of Wigan Pheonix.  Mel Koth and Steve Ashton were Lytham St Annes' sole representatives.  Mel finished in 75th place, 7th female and 1st vet 40 in a time of  43:02 whilst Steve was 226th in 52:05.  There were 409 finishers.

On Saturday morning, a trial run was held for the forthcoming much awaited Lytham Hall parkrun which has its first proper run next Saturday (28th).  The 5k course starts by Lytham Hall and takes in 3 laps of the grounds before finishing in front of the hall.  40 runners turned up for the practice along with a considerable number of volunteers with Neil Tate from LSARRC getting round the quickest in 19:14 with Felicity Wolohan being the first lady round in about 22 minutes.  Already, 236 people have registered for Lytham Hall Parkrun .  Further details and how to register for this free event can be found at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/lythamhall.

Jeremy, Paula and Ella the dog: Lytham Hall parkrun trial

Felicity Wolohan at Lytham Hall parkrun trial

LSARRC News 17th November 2015

The main local event of the weekend was the 34th Preston 10 mile road race from Hutton Grammer School, Preston on Sunday morning.  Despite the wet and windy conditions, this popular race still had over 400 finishers over the flat 2 lap course.  As well as hosting the race, the home club also provided both the 1st male and 1st female finishers.  Dave Rigby was first home in 55:53 whilst international Helen Clitheroe was first female home in 58:18 and was 7th overall finishing just seconds outside the female course record.

Lytham St Annes Road Runners had 5 athletes out.  First home for the club was Neil Tate in 29th place and an excellent 1:03:05.  Tom Howarth was next in 74th place and 1:06:46.  Nigel Simpkin was 259th in 1:24:07, Steve Ashton was 289th in 1:27:38 and Julia Rolfe was 295th in 1:28:15.

Felicity Wolohan's trip south included a Saturday morning run at the  Hackney Marshes parkrun.  The course consists of a ‘out and back’ route around Hackney Marshes and has spectacular views of the Olympic site and a lovely stretch following the River Lea navigation channel.  Felicity's venture paid dividends with her 2nd pb in a week.   She completed the 5k course in 21:06 knocking 20 seconds of her pb finishing 2nd female and 24th overall from 119 finishers.

LSARRC News 10th November 2015

LSARRC Juniors and KGJS

 On Saturday morning, Felicity Wolohan was back in Princes Park, Liverpool for the Princes Park parkrun.  In wet and windy conditions, Felicity continued her recent good form to run yet another pb for of 21:28 for the 5k course.  In the process, she finished 1st female and 21st place overall from 161 finishers.

The start of the Windmill 10k

The big attraction for Lytham St Annes runners was on Sunday morning.  The Windmill 10k was held in very windy conditions starting and finishing by Lytham Windmill and taking in Fairhaven Lake.  This very popular fast flat race was sold out before the day and had 772 finishers  The race was won by Conrad McKee of Blackburn Harriers in 36:04 whilst  Zoe Gmerek of Sale Harriers was 1st lady in 41:27.  First home for Lytham St Annes was Neil Tate who was very pleased to make the top 10 in 38:30.  Just behind in 11th place was Tom Howarth in 38:49.  Steve Ashton was thrilled to finish in 144th and 4th vet 50 in 50:15.  He has only recently joined the club but is already reaping the benefits.  After a recent injury, getting back into form was Claire England finishing in 164th in 51:18 whilst Rachael Wignall was 292nd in 55:53.  Graham Young was 420th in 59:44.

Claire England

Neil Tate

Rachael Wignall

Steve Ashton

Tom Hawarth

On Monday night, Lytham St Annes Road Runners Juniors hosted Kirkham Grammer Junior School at Lytham YMCA at the annual Indoor Athletics Competition.  Everyone selected was very excited in what was to turn out to be a very enjoyable evening of athletics.  The evening competition comprised of the following events: Speed Bounce, Long Jump, Triple Jump. Vertical Jump. Javelin, 1,2,3,4 Lap races and relays. After 1 and half hours of exciting competition the results were as follows:  U 11 Boys Kirkham 90 Lytham 56 U 11 Girls Kirkham 63  Lytham 76.  So honours were shared in what was a very enjoyable evening of athletics.

LSARRC Juniors and KGJS

LSARRC News 3rd November 2015

Last Thursday saw the first race in the club's monthly Winter Handicap Series, a 3.45 mile course from Lytham to Ansdell and back.  Alex Wiggins was first home whilst Debbie Cooper continued her recent excellent form to finish second.  There were also PBs for the course for Alan Elstone, Alex Everest and Neil Tate who moves up to second on the overall table.

Two others to record PBs were Barbara Holmes and Ruth Wheatley, both making welcome returns to the handicap after twelve months absence and running off estimated starts.  Olivia Allen bravely took on the handicap on her very first appearance at the club.

Next month's race will be interesting as October's is a time setting race for the winter and, with Joe, Tom and Neil running such similar times, all three will start together in November.

There was a splendid Hallowe'en buffet after the race with many special contributions appropriate to the occasion.  A popular favourite was Sue Hawitt's sick pumpkin with edible vomit and Bec Willetts' delicious warm pumpkin pie.  Prizes were also awarded for the annual Pumpkin carving competition -  Bill Lock's was placed 1st with Jo Goorney's 2nd and Dawn Lock's 3rd.

Thanks to all who took part, especially Greg Oulton and Sue Hawitt who, unable to run themselves, assisted at the start and finish, and Dawn Lock who organised the pumpkin competition.

Full results: 1 Alex Wiggins 27.42; 2 Debbie Cooper 28.10; 3 Richard Storey 24.01; 4 Alan Elstone 24.07 27 PB; 5 Neil Tate 20.42 26 PB; 6 Alex Everest 28.10 25 PB; 7 Tom Howarth 20.31; 8 Steve Ashton 31.28; 9 Rachael Wignall 31.17; 10 Joe Greenwood 20.33; 11 Jeremy McCandless 30.42; 12 Claire England 27.42; 13 Dawn Lock  46.51 18; Est. Barbara Holmes  26.11 PB; Est. Ruth Wheatley 27.45 PB; Est. Olivia Allen 31.33;

Felicity Wolohan

It was a very quiet week on the local racing front with the closest events being in Lancaster and Wigan but not enough to entice anyone from Lytham St Annes.  Although the local parkruns didn't attract any LSA club runner, Felcity Wolohan was in Liverpool for the Princes Park parkrun.  In fact, Felicity ran her 4th pb in 5 weeks with an excellent performance in a time of 21:29 for the 5k course and, in the process, finishing 32nd overall from 242 finishers and 3rd woman.

On Saturday afternoon, Joanna Goorney competed in the senior women's race in the 2nd meet of the West Yorkshire cross country series from North Huddersfield Trust School, Huddersfield.  The 3.3 mile course took in 3 hilly laps and was won by fell running international Katie Walshaw of Holmfirth Harriers who was in a league of her own. In balmy conditions for the end of October, Joanna finished in 15th place out of 99 in a time of 24:28.

Joanna Goorney at Huddersfield Cross Country