LSARRC Press Report 21st October 2013

Sunday heralded the successful staging of the Green Drive Five, now in its fifteenth year, Lytham St Annes RRC popular five mile race. The field of 323 finishers raced under unpredictable skies and most did not escape a sprinkling from the scattered showers. A sunny start to the day looked promising but as the morning wore on heavy clouds set in and the rain came down shortly into the race. Fortunately temperatures were mild and winds calm. The race was pleasingly well attended, up on last year’s numbers and a promising sign that the race remains a popular Fylde event. A welcome addition to this year’s race activities was the one mile junior competition which added a family flavour to the event. 

A selection of Lytham GD5'ers, from L-R
Mel Koth, Tom Howarth, Oliver Hirsh, Joe Greenwood.

Oliver Hirsh well on his way to a gold standard performance. 

The event was healthily populated by Lytham RRC members, helping to organise and staff the event as well as compete. Eighteen members in total ran, with Joe Greenwood crossing the finish line first for the Club in 16^th place clocking a time of 29.17. Thomas Howarth (29^th, 30.35) and Andy Draper (30^th, 30.44) were close together for 2^nd and 3^rd Lytham finishers. Oliver Hirsh, 4^th finisher for the club in 31.15, put in an exceptionally good performance, achieving a gold standard run and knocking nearly 4 minutes off last year’s time in this race. The Lytham ladies had reasons to be cheerful; they turned out 7 strong for the competition with Joanna Goorney coming home first in 44^th position, 31.32. Goorney, together with Mel Koth and Felicity Woolohan made up the ladies team who came second in the team competition. Julia Rolfe was second VF50 lady in the race.

The race was won by Sean Connelly of Stockport Harriers in 25.12, followed a few seconds behind by Alasdair Russell of Kendal AAC in 25.23. Robert Affleck running for Preston Harriers came in third, 1^st MV40, over a minute later in 26.36; this placing secured him the gold medal in the Lancashire Championships. The silver medal was won by Ben Everson of Trafford AC, who finished in 26.49. The fastest woman in the race was Diane McVey of Wilmslow RC (also 1^st FV35) finishing in 29.20 and second lady was Louise Blizzard of Belgrave Harriers with a 30.12 finish. Third was Caroline Betmead of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde AC with a 31.10 finish, also earning her the Lancashire Championships gold medal.  Helen Leigh of Blackburn Harriers was silver medallist with her 31.48 finish. In the Team race Lancaster University competed well to obtain the winning position for the men, and for the ladies Wilmslow RC won this title.

In the junior race the club accounted for a third of the 77 runners, whose ages ranged from 8 to 13. Training partners Ross Hart and Ella Moulding soon established a comfortable lead from the rest of the field with 13yr old Hart comfortably winning the race in 5:34 and 12yr old Moulding a comfortable  2^nd in 5:50. Lytham juniors were also winners of six other age categories. Louis Eunson 1^st M8 6:17, Farron O’Higgins 1^st M10 6:24, Chloe Norman 1^st F13 6:35, James Nicholas 1^st M11 6:37, Harry Fellows 1^st M12 7:14, Abbey Broadbridge 1^st F11 7:47.

Green Drive Five 2013 Press report for Gazette

Competitors in the fifteenth running of the Green Drive Five, Lytham St Annes RRC’s popular five miler, raced under unpredictable skies and most did not escape a sprinkling from the scattered showers. A sunny early start to the day looked promising, but heavy clouds set in later in the morning and the rain came down shortly into the race. Fortunately temperatures were mild, and winds were low. The race was pleasingly well attended with 323 finishers in total, up on last year’s numbers and a promising sign that the race remains a popular Fylde event. A popular addition to this year’s race activities was the junior one mile race which added a family flavour to the event.

Sean Connelly leading the pack at the start of the GD5 2013,
a lead which he retained to win the race. 

The race was won by Sean Connelly of Stockport Harriers in 25.12, followed a few seconds behind by Alasdair Russell of Kendal AAC in 25.23. Robert Affleck running for Preston Harriers came in third, 1^st MV40, over a minute later in 26.36; this placing secured him the gold medal in the Lancashire Championships. The silver medal was won by Ben Everson of Trafford AC, who finished in 26.49. The fastest women in the race were Diane McVey of Wilmslow RC (also 1^st FV35) finishing in 29.20, second lady was Louise Blizzard of Belgrave Harriers with a 30.12 finish and third was Caroline Betmead of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde AC with a 31.10 finish. Betmead’s performance also earned her the Lancashire Championships gold medal.  Helen Leigh of Blackburn Harriers was silver medallist with her 31.48 finish.

In the Team race Lancaster University competed well to obtain the winning position for the men, and for the ladies Wilmslow RC winning this title. Lytham ladies did exceptionally well to achieve second position in the ladies team race, with runs from Joanna Goorney, Melanie Koth and Felicity Woolohan all contributing to this placing. Lytham excelled in the junior race with Ross Hart and Ella Moulding winning their respective races. In the boys race, Zane Seddon (unattached) took second place and Louis Eunson of Lytham finished third. For the girls, Hannah Cookson of Blackburn took second place, and Chloe Norman of Lytham claimed third position.

Notable local performances came from Liam Crane of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre AC who achieved 11^th position, finishing in 28.27. Barry Norman was first male finisher for Wesham completing the race in 29.12, 15^th place. Lytham St Anne’s Joe Greenwood was in close pursuit, finishing in 16^th place in 29.17 and first man home for the hosting Club. 

LSARRC News 15th October 2013

Lytham ladies Julia Rolfe (L) and Pam Binns (R) celebrate
their Race Standards successes at the Autumn Breaker
10k. Gold for Rolfe and Diamond for Binns.

Six Lytham RRC athletes made up the field at the Autumn Breaker 10k which took place at Stanley Park on Sunday, attracting a total of 254 competitors. Racers went off from Stanley Park running track following the footpaths on a scenic two lap course of the grounds. Chris Singleton of Trawden AC won the race in 35.09, and first woman was Sohpie Hunt of Wirral AC, clocking a 38.08 finish.  Simon Denye was first Lytham man home in 38.41, 10^th place. In this race Denye paced club colleague Mark Willett round, supporting him to achieve his goal of a sub 39 minute 10k – finishing in 38.51 and 12th position overall. Julia Rolfe, first Lytham lady home, crossed the line in style with an accomplished gold standard time of 49.33 in the VF50 category. Also posting her second and esteemed diamond standard time, to add to her series of excellent results this year, was Pam Binns in the VF60 category finishing  in 54.49, 162^nd. Brian Porter finished 126^th in 51.03, and Greg Oulton, 163^rd in 54.53. 

Also on Sunday, further afield in Exeter, Graham Webster ran the Great West Run half marathon. The tough new course challenged competitors in wet and cool conditions. Webster was 1^st V60 finishing in 1.30.45, in a very creditable 95^th position from a field of more than 3000.

The 14^th running of the ever-popular Green Drive Five Race at will take place at 11am on Sunday 20^th October 2013. This race is run in conjunction with the Lancashire AA Five Mile Championships. Starting from Green Drive, the five mile flat, largely rural course offers a chance for all-ability runners to rub shoulders with top club runners. The first three hundred finishers will take home a specially-commissioned technical running shirt, and there will be prizes for all age categories. The race fee is £10 for runners affiliated to a club, or £12 for unattached runners. Entries can be completed online at ukresults.net, on race day from 9.30am at Lytham CE Primary School.

LSARRC News 8th October 2013

Koth (Leading), with Richmond and Quarmby in pursuit,
 the Hall as the backdrop in the Lytham Hall 5k

The local Lytham Hall Autumn 5K on Sunday proved a draw to many Lytham runners who, at thirteen strong, made up the largest group. Lytham St Annes RRC placings included fourth overall, the fifth woman and two age category winners. Picturesque Lytham Hall and its grounds provided an excellent venue for the race, now in its fifth year. The course follows single lap of the Forest Drive estate.

Joe Greenwood achieved a great race position race by finishing fourth, just outside the prizes, in an impressive 17:32.  Graham Webster, second home for LSARRC, took the MV60 prize in 15th place and 19:09.  A trio of Lytham runners, Roy Upton, 19^th in 19:53, Willie Richmond, 20th in 19:59 (making a club V50 gold standard) and Steve Quarmby, 21st in 20:45, were the next in for the Club.  Upton was third in the MV45 while Richmond and Quarmby were second and third MV50s respectively.  Melanie Koth finished three places further back, fifth woman in 21:13, 2^nd FV40 and club gold standard.  The second age category winner was Pamela Hardman who, newly graduated to the WV55, took that prize.  Dawn Bloor, WV45 and Fiona Geldard, WV50, were both second in their age groups.

Joe Greenwood pushes his lead for Lytham

 

Lytham Hall Autumn 10k FULL RESULTS: 

4th Joe Greenwood, 17:32; 15th Graham Webster, MV60, 19:09; 19th Roy Upton, MV45,19:53; 20^th Willie Richmond, MV50, 19:59; 21st Steve Quarmby, MV50, 20:45; 24th Melanie Koth, WV40, 21:13; 45th Dawn Bloor, WV45, 24:30; 46th Fiona Geldard, WV50,  24:37; 53rd Rebecca Willetts, WV40, 24:53; 58^th  Pamela Hardman, WV55, 25:22; Liz Boon, WV40, 25:32; 62nd Greg Oulton, MV45, 25:36; 69th James Whitworth, MV65, 26:18.

Lytham members assembled at Lytham Hall. From L-R
Steve Quarmby, Mel Koth, Willie Richmond, Graham Webster,
Roy Upton, Greg Oulton, Liz Boon, Joe Greenwood, Bec Willets, Pam Hardman and Dawn Bloor.

Felicity Wolohan going
strong in her 1st marathon

The MBNA Chester Marathon took place in the mild and pleasant conditions that Sunday afforded, with three Lytham competitors amongst the field. Run on a fast course, starting and finishing at Chester Racecourse, the 26.2 mile course took in the historic City of Chester and stunning Cheshire and North Wales villages and countryside. The route crossed the Old Dee Bridge out of the city and crossed the border into Wales, passing through Holt village and crossing the ancient Roman bridge at Farndon to return to England, to Chester and the much anticipated finish.

Tom Haworth was the first Lytham contender ^th overall. Marathon debutantes Katharine Hoyland and Felicity Wolohan achieved superb times, crossing the line at 3.47.31 and 3.56.50 respectively. Hoyland was 964^th finisher overall and 138^th woman, and Wolohan 1249^th overall and 200^th woman.home in 3.12.02, 209th.

Katharine Hoyland and Felicity Wolohan, proud finishers
At Chester Marathon 2013.

Dawn Lock represented Lytham on Sunday at the Burnley Fire Station 10K now into its 27th year and breaking new ground by modifying its long-established seven mile course to  a 10k length. Clayton le Moors Harrier Jonathan McKenna led a field of 234 home in an impressive 35:08. Lock finished in 1:14:35.

Mark Willett was in the capital city for The Royal Parks Half marathon on Sunday and appreciated the scenic course and the unusual wooden design medal. He finished in 1.26.39 and now having completed thirty-five half marathons, is well on his way to his final goal of 40.

The annual Lytham organised Green Drive Five race is fast approaching, to be held on Sunday 20^th October 2013. The accurately measured fast five mile course, which takes runners into the rural lanes of Warton is in addition to the inaugural Junior Mile for under-sixteens which will be run in conjunction with the seniors' race. The first 300 runners in the five miler will receive a technical t-shirt and there are generous prizes on offer.  The Junior Mile starts at 10am, the Green Drive Five at 11am.  Would-be competitors can sign in at Lytham Church of England Primary School, Park View Road, FY8 4HA from 9:30am.

LSARRC News 1st October 2013

17 LSARRC members took to the lanes of Lytham on Thursday for the final summer handicap race of 2013. This marks the half-way point of the annual competition, and next month the race will be run along the winter course. Brian Porter had an excellent run on the 4.35 mile course, achieving a Seasons Best to win. Competitors Mark Willett and Roy Upton were hard on his heels with Willett recording a PB.  Tom Howarth also ran a PB but within the standard of the competition, this was just enough for 6^th place. At this stage in the competition, Oliver Hirsh has forfeited his lead for the first time to Mark Willett. In third place Tom Howarth is also well-placed, having a race in hand over the leaders.

 

A Lakeland hill is taken on by the Coniston training
weekend party.

A gloriously sunny Coniston, Cumbria was the venue for the latest Lytham St Annes RRC biannual training weekend.  22 members travelled to the Holly How YHA at Coniston on Friday for 2 days of hard training. The weekend’s training included a short run on Friday evening and Saturday started with an early morning pre-breakfast run, followed by a hill repetition session mid-morning. Activities continued into the afternoon with a scenic 6.5 mile trail run up a stiff climb through the woods for a lap of Tarn Hows before descending back through the woods to Coniston. Sunday started again with the pre-breakfast run and mid-morning 9 mile run along footpaths to Torver and back along the Coniston lake side path.  Sunday lunch time was a final get together at YHA hostel for lunch before heading back to the real world. In between runs members found time to visit the many attractions of Coniston including The Ruskin museum, trips across the lake on the steam gondola, and some brave souls even got their feet wet in the lake. The weekend was thoroughly enjoyed by all and already Terry Hellings and Nigel Simpkin have begun planning the next training weekend, due to take place in March of 2014.

Simon Denye’s lengthy trip up to Scotland for the 2013 Baxters Loch Ness marathon on Sunday proved to be a journey worth making. His performance clearly wasn’t affected by the early start, as he ran a PB, finishing in under 2.58.48 and within the top 10 MV40. The scenic, hilly course included punishing ascents at the 5 and 19 mile points, the last continuing for some 2 miles. Louisa Ruman completed the River Ness 10k in a creditable time of 52.30 and a PB. Also on Sunday, the sun was shining for the Preston 10k, where Mark Willett was pleased with his 40.24 run. Willett managed to schedule in the 10k between his run of half marathon challenges. Also competing in this race was Lytham lady Rebecca Willetts.

LSARRC News 17th September 2013

Graham Webster  on anchor leg.

 A squad of fourteen LSARRC members, undeterred by the abrupt onset of Autumnal weather, attended the 14th North West Counties Road Relays combined championship (incorporating the Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside Championships) at Salt Ayre Sports Centre in Lancaster on Sunday. In stark contrast to the bright summery weather on Saturday, the skies were dark, the rain poured down and the wind blew. However the Lytham turnout was strong enough to produce two ladies teams of three, and two men’s teams of four.

A pleasant 4.4k course took runners from the home straight of the track through the sports centre car park and out along the wide Wyre-side cycle paths to return after one loop for the Juniors and two loops for the Seniors back into the stadium and finish aside the start.

Front runners Barbara Holmes of the women's A Team and Pam Binns of the B Team had a bit of trouble making the start line but once running overtook a couple of  their leg competitors to hand over to Pippa Hughes, who had a good run recording 21:06 and Janice Cobley respectively.  Last leg runners Fiona Geldard and Catherine French brought the teams home in good style.  Dawn Lock ran 28:02 for one leg of the C Team. The Senior Men had one leg more on a similar length course going off at 2:30pm.  Running the first leg of the faster team was Peter Cruse, handing over to Terry Hellings, Colin Laidlaw and with Graham Webster on anchor leg. The Men's B Team consisted of Mark Selby who returned in 17:53 to hand over to Richard Storey, followed by Greg Oulton and, by a late decision, Bill Lock who had been officiating earlier in the day and who completed his leg in 25:10. 

Relays Full results: Senior Women Team A, 10^th in Lancashire Championships, 1:02:31, 25^th overall. 1.Barbara Holmes (12th) 20:13, 2.Pippa Hughes (12th) 21:18, 3.Fiona Geldard (10th) 21:00. Senior Women Team B, 13^th in Lancashire Championships,1:14:15,  29th overall.1.Pamela Binns (16th) 24:11, 2.Janice Cobley (14th) 23:06, 3.Catherine French (13th) 26:58.Team C, Dawn Lock -- 28:02.                  

4 of The Senior Men's team at the Relays, from L-R:
Bill Lock, Greg Oulton, Terry Hellings, Graham Webster 

Senior Men Team A, 16th in Lancashire Championships, 1:09:25  46th overall. 1. Peter Cruse (13th) 15:53, 2. Terry Hellings (17th) 18:18, 3. Colin Laidlaw (17th) 18:21,  4.Graham Webster (16th) 16:53. Senior Men Team B 20^th in Lancashire Championships, 1:24:05, 52nd overall. 1. Mark Selby (20th) 17:52, 2.Richard Storey (19th) 18:47, 3.Greg Oulton(18th) 22:08, 4. Bill Lock (20th) 25:18.

Mark Willett and Simon Denye headed North East for the 33^rd Great North Run on Sunday. They were amongst almost 56,000 entrants, of 100,000 applicants, who took to the streets of Tyneside for the event. These numbers represent a vast increase in numbers from its beginnings in 1981 when just 12,000 people ran. For Lytham, Simon Denye finished with a big PB on what was a tough wet and windy day in a time of 1:21:26, which sets him up well for his marathon challenge in two weeks. Willett, whose half marathon challenge continues unabated was happy with his1.26.17 finish in the race, just 29 seconds outside of his PB. He crossed the line in joint 500th place out a field of nearly 56,000! Ethiopian star Bekele was first to cross the line in a time of 60:08, with UK Farah just one second behind.

Across the channel in Ballymena, NI, Willie Richmond raced in the Slemish Challenge 17.2m on Saturday. Richmond, using the race as a training opportunity, completed the hilly course in 2:20:35.

LSARRC Press Report 10th September 2013

Joe Greenwood - leading Lytham man, mid stride at
the September Inter Club Grand Prix at Worden Park.
Also pictured, Graham Webster and Peter Cruse.

The Inter Club Grand Prix summer series drew to a close as the final race of the season was run at Worden Park in Leyland on Wednesday. A bright, late summers evening gave competitors from the six Lancashire clubs advantageous running conditions, albeit very warm for all those sprinting over the finish line. Leafy cover from the Park’s trees and the wooded areas provided some reprieve from the humidity. 19 Lytham members made up the total field of 183. Joe Greenwood was first to finish for the club in 19^th place, in 23.22, followed by Tom Haworth in 22^nd, 23.59. Peter Cruse counted next in 28^th, 24.25 and 1^st V50. Graham Webster finished in 49^th, 25.42 and first V60. Upton, Hirsh, Hellings, Koth , Richmond and Laidlaw were counters for the team. Mel Koth was first lady for the club, finishing 14^th female and 92nd overall in 28.08. In the overall results, Lytham came a slightly disappointing 6th in the Open and the Vets, however coming second in the Vet50's, 3rd in the Vet60's and 4th in the Ladies were all very welcome results. The race was won by Jamaine Coleman of Preston in a time of 20.41 with Preston also taking the winning open team.

The Lytham Squad at Worden Park, from L - R:
Oliver Hirsh, Richard Storey, Graham Webster, Tom Haworth, Willie Richmond,
Debbie Cooper, Bec Willetts, Pam Binns, Roy Upton, Catherine French, Joe Greenwood,
Felicity Woolohan, Katharine Hoyland, Dawn Lock.  

The weather thankfully held off and sunshine prevailed the for the Autumn 5K, the first of Blackpool Wyre & Fylde AC's two September open track meetings. The four members of Lytham St. Annes RRC who ran all took awards away with them; three veteran category prizes and one Civil Service medal went to Lytham members.  Peter Cruse, finishing 5th in 18:33, was the first Vet 50 to finish.  Pam Binns and Dawn Lock took the FV50 and FV55 prizes and Colin Laidlaw took the bronze medal in Civil Service 5K Championship with 21:16 and 20th.  It was pleasant to see two newcomers to Lytham also competing.  Neil Tate finished one place back from Colin in 21:32 and Jennifer Aldworth ran 22:31 for 32nd place.

Archie Dowds making an impressive impact in his first competition. 

Ten junior members of the Lytham club competed in the first of a series of two track and field meetings hosted by their neighbouring club Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC. The hard work of the junior athletes was rewarded with eight medals and twelve personal best performances. The youngest was eight year old Archie Dowds who was clearly undaunted by his first track and field competition. He took silver in the 600m in 2:04.8, silver in the 80m in 12.8 and silver again in the long jump (3.03). In the U11 boys competition the three Lytham boys Simon Holt, James Nicholas and Farron O’Higgins recorded personal bests in all their events. In the 600m Simon Holt finished 2^nd in 1:54.9, James Nicholas was 3^rd in 2:00.2 and Farron O’Higgins 7^th in 2:08.4. In the 80m Nicholas finished 2^nd in 12.3, Holt =3^rd in 12.6 and O’Higgins 9^th in 13.6. In the Long Jump Holt was 3rd (3.64m) and O’Higgins 11^th (3.01m). Three U11 girls represented the club and in the 600m race they all ran PB’s. Hollie Winstanley finished 12^th in 2:14.1, Rebecca Tate was 24^th in 2:29.9 and Georgia Norman was 27^th in 2:37.5. In the 80m Norman was 21^st in 14.1 and Winstanley 28^th in 15.00. In the Long Jump Winstanley jumped 2.84m (22^nd) and Tate 2.53m (27^th). Chloe Norman and Ella Moulding were the two U13girls competing. Chloe ran a superb 800m race to finish 4^th in 2:56.1 and finished 13^th in the 100m in 16.1 and 17^th in the Long Jump (2.94m). Ella Moulding returned to the track for the 1500m and was a comfortable winner in 5:30.5. Layla Foley competed in her first 300m race and ran a very strong race to finish 1^st in her heat and 5^th overall in 46.2.

In a more informal capacity, Pam Binns and Catherine French set out for the Lakes on Thursday and enjoyed two days of land and water activities set amongst the stunning location of Lake Buttermere and Crummock Water.The Lytham ladies enjoyed lakeside running and Catherine braved Lake Buttermere, wetsuit clad, for an invigorating swim in the clear, still waters.