News reports - July 2011

23 July 2011: Fine performances at 4th Mid Lancs

A number of readers may well remember the last time the Mid lancs T&F League visited Witton Park in Blackburn. It was in June 2009 and was the only Mid Lancs meeting in living memory that had to be abandoned when torrential rain fell towards the end of the meeting, flooding the track and drenching everyone! Today, conditions couldn't have been better. A glorious summer's day; not too hot for running, but with a breeze springing up in the afternoon that the 200m runners could probably have done without.

Although it was the start of the school holidays, the meeting was well attended and included 17 Southport Waterloo athletes, many keen to improve times and distances but generally there to enjoy their sport.

As a team, the girls finished 2nd behind Lancaster & Morecambe but with points of 149 to our 68, it wasn't a close finish! Despite that, the girls look set to be promoted back to Div'n 1 next year as divisional runners-up. The boys were 2nd as well, behind Pendle and just 3 points ahead of Lancaster and Morecambe. Their promotional prospects are not so good but a strong finish to the season could make it interesting!

The best graded performance of the day by a Southport Waterloo athlete was Andrew Kershaw's grade 2 800m run in 2:08.3 but three other middle distance runners particularly impressed; Emma Alderson in the 800m, Ellie Roberts in 1500m and Michael Panes in the 3000m.

We had fewer Under 13s out than at Hyndburn; just two girls and a boy. In the Under 13 Girls, Emma Alderson was superb in the 800m. Tucked in nicely in 2nd place she eased past the leader with 110m to go, to win - apparently effortlessly - in a new personal best and grade 3 time of 2:31.9. There were 15 girls in this race so this was a very good performance! Emma also long jumped 3m 39 and ran 32.0 for 200m.

Lily Edwards was also competing and ran 15.1 for 100m, equalling her previous best time set at the Wigan Open Meeting earlier this year. Lily also ran in the 200m, clocking 33.0 secs, and long jumped a very respectable 3m 84.

Our only Under 13 Boy was Jimmy Alderson who also had a varied afternoon with a middle distance race, a sprint and a long jump. He ran 2:51.9 for 800m, before going on run 15.9 for 100m and long jumping 3m 38.

Three of our Under 15 Girls were at Blackburn where Ellie Roberts focused on running a good 1500m. Although it was a combined Under 15 / Under 17 race, it was two Under 15s who dominated with Ellie putting pressure on the leading Preston Harrier, moving past her just before the bell and pushing on to win decisively. With 5 minutes such an important performance milestone, it was frustrating that Ellie ran 5:00.9! But that's a new personal best, improving on her 5 minutes 16 from last year, and is the fastest 1500m time by a Southport Waterloo Under 15 girl since Steph James in 2005!

Elsewhere, Lucy Hunter ran a season's best 100m in 16.0 secs and an 800m in 3:08. In her preferred javelin event, she unfortunately started with two 'no throws' so would have been grateful to get one in for 11m 49, understandably well off her best this season of 19 metres.

Ellie Alderson also ran, doing the sprint double with 15.8 for 100m and 31.3 for 200m.

Our four Under 15 Boys at Blackburn were Adam Cullen, Andrew Kershaw, Michael Panes and Luke Tyson. Adam concentrated on a run in the 400m, his first I think since turning Under 15, and made a good start with 60.6 secs. Andrew was again outstanding in the 800m, but was 2nd today behind a Preston Harrier in 2:08.3. He was saving something for the 400m, however, where he was again 2nd in his race in a new PB time of 57.9, improving on the 58.4 set at the Blackpool Mid Lancs.

Michael was keen (?) to have a go at a track 3000m race and, after incorporating a 100m race into his warm-up (run in a PB 14.2 secs) he ran a good, steady-paced 3K in a fairly big field today. His time of 10:14.8 was impressive.

Our final Under 15 Boy was Luke Tyson who joined Andrew in the 800m and was rewarded with a good new PB of 2:14.7 which compares with 2:22 from last year, showing very encouraging improvement.

We had no Under 17 Women at Blackburn but with four Under 17 Men, we were able to field a 4 x 400m relay team - for the first time ever I believe in a Mid Lancs match - and, with Niall Cullen storming past the Lancaster runner with 100m to go, they won the race in 3:57.4.

There were quite a few PBs amongst our Under 17 Men. In the very first event, Graham Boreham added nearly a metre to his hammer PB (17.15) Graham also ran a 13.3 100m and a 62 secs 400m. In fact, the 400m event proved popular with Niall and Patrick Cullen also running. Having run good times in YAL 4 x 400m relays, it was time for Niall to see what time he could achieve without having run middle distances races beforehand. His 53.3 secs today was the fastest Under 17 time of the two races but he can undoubtedly run faster. In the 4 x 400 relay, Niall ran the fastest leg in 52.0 secs - but of course with a running start. But back to the main 400m event where Patrick Cullen won the 'B' race in 55.4 secs; a new PB for him, shaving 2 tenths off his previous best. Patrick was also rewarded with a PB in the long jump where his 5m 09 compares with a best of 4m 49 last year.

In the 1500m race, Liam Ellis ran a great race to knock a full 10 secs off his previous best at Warrington earlier this year. In a combined Under 17 and Senior race, Liam had his own race within a race with a senior runner, getting him around in an excellent 4:35.6, to finish 4th of 12 in the combined race and 2nd Under 17.

After winning their 4 x 400m race, there was a final challenge between Liam and Niall in the javelin competition. Niall had the best PB and after the first throw he was over a metre ahead. Liam improved on his second throw with 26m 10 to Niall's 22m 97. In the third round, Liam improved again to a new PB of 28m 75. Could Niall throw further? He may have done but a red flag recorded a 'no throw' so honours on the day went to Liam!

We don't see many Southport Waterloo senior athletes at Mid Lancs matches so it was good to see Senior Woman Tracey Peters come along to run both the 800m and the 1500m. In the 800m, she stopped the clock in 2:32.8. That compares with a best last year of 2:35 and is, I believe a personal best. In the 1500m, she ran 5:14.6. Earlier this month she ran a PB 5:07.98 at Stretford so running 5:14 after a fast 800m was a good result.

Amongst the Senior Men, Mid Lancs regular Jon Hunter was joined by Tom Peacock snr at Blackburn. Tom ran an 800m in 2:13.5. He has run three sub 2:14 800s at Stretford this year, with a PB of 2:13.28 in June, so we are seeing some very consistent running from him at the moment!

Jon Hunter was in the shot, discus and Javelin. His best in the shot was 8m 59, a putt that placed him 3rd of the 10 senior throwers! In the discus his best was 20m 8, certainly a season's best and possibly a PB and just got in one javelin throw of 25m 02.

Thanks to Mark Kershaw for officiating today and to Steve Boreham who took up the team manager reigns in Chris Henders absence. Thanks, too, to Jon Hunter and Steve Boreham for forwarding a selection of photos, three of which are reproduced here.

Results for club athletes. Full results

The final League meeting is at Preston on Saturday 13th August and the Medal Meeting is on 27th August at Wigan. Medal Meeting entry forms are on the Mid Lancs web site and can be handed to Ron Scott.

20 July 2011: Record breakers and canine capers at Rick's Rubbish 5K (by Trace Peters)

Well, the rain clouds managed to stay at bay to provide practically perfect conditions for the 6th Grand Prix race and 2nd Rubbish 5k of the series with a record breaking number of SWAC members turning up for the event (perhaps a fixture worth considering for GP competitions of the future?)  This astonishing number of GP competitors was to be one of many records broken that day making it one for the SWAC history books indeed!

Unlike last month's race, my punctuality had improved somewhat as I arrived with time to spare rather than a mad dash to the starting line (I live so close yet that only makes it easier to be late!) After a hard session in torrential rain at Greenbank just two days previously my legs felt rather leaden and totally not up for the challenge of sub-20.  My arch nemesis, Paul Talbot agreed as we started to line-up feeling rather pessimistic towards the final outcome!

Rubbish brain-child, Rick Bowker counted us down…3-2-1 and off we went.  Ben Johnson zoomed off into oblivion – never to be seen again! Paul Talbot also shot off like a speeding bullet and through past experience I thought this would eventually be his downfall. So the plan was to stay behind him and slowly watch him disintegrate before my very eyes so I could shoot pass him at the opportune moment and claim my way to victory (boy was I mistaken!)  Coming up toward the bridge on the first lap I noticed I was still running alongside Fell King Brian Davies, a pro at sub-20’s on this course, therefore if I could just stay with him then my goal would definitely be within my grasp.  A game of cat and mouse ensued with me doing my impression of a drunken crab whenever I took the lead (sorry Brian).  Eventually Brian managed to squeeze past me along with a conservative Dr. Tobin complaining about my pointy elbows as they sped off.  It was at this point that gravity really started to take hold however I tried not to let it beat me and instead thought hard, fighting through the pain!

Further up the field, Ben Johnson was still just a tiny spec far out into the distance – nobody was going to catch him today.  Steve Lewis had no one to play with but was still holding onto 2nd place with Neil Adshead not too far behind.  This was pretty much the order of the day with Ben Johnson winning the race and totally smashing the course record in a lightning speed time of 16:45!  Steve proved he’s better running in the dark by pretty much equalling his Torchlight 5k time in 18.34 and Neil took the bronze in 18.48. The Johnson’s proved that quick times ‘run’ in the family with Ben’s dad Rob completing the course in 18.59.

Meanwhile I was struggling through the second lap this time doing my drunken crab impression in front of a patient Neil Silcock.  However just after crossing the bridge for the final time the path widened and Neil saw his chance and took it!  I ploughed on through the trail path hoping to gain some momentum but my legs were having none of it. With a sharp turn left and down towards the home straight I realised that this time Paul Cain was hot on my heels and if I wasn’t careful would be overtaking me any second also. So I gritted my teeth and went for it with the notion that sub-20 was still on the cards.  But towards the last 100 metres my Garmin ticked past 20 minutes and I knew the dream was over – NNNOOOOO!!!! 20:07 which at least was 55 seconds improvement on June’s race.  Meanwhile my nemesis Paul Talbot was living the dream with a mega PB of 19:46. 

Next lady in was newcomer Jen Boothby with a fabulous finish of 21:10.  This was very close to my time last month therefore I could have some strong competition on my hands for 1st lady very soon! Coming up in 3rd place was race regular Rachel Thomas completing the course in a rather impressive 23.11 and a whooping 57 seconds faster than the previous race!  Two other record breakers of the night included little Mathew Tobin who smashed the junior course record in 20.59 and running legend Steve James who at over 70 finished the race in an amazing 22:03 – utterly remarkable!

Just towards the end of the event there was one final surprise in store when a canine competitor decided to race Jon Singleton to the finish.  It was a very exciting battle with Jon just edging it over the racing dog (my money was on the dog too!).  And as we all stood about in friendly chatter and reliving our tales of the race, the dog decided to jump up at me several times to show its appreciation of my support!

As ever a big thanks to helpers Dave, Brian, Rob, Ben and Norm for their valued assistance and co-operation.  Full race results can be found at http://runwitharthurlydiard.blogspot.com/2011/07/rubbish-5k-results.html with updated GP table below.

Round 3 is on Wednesday 17th August 2011, be there or miss out!!!

SWAC Grand Prix table

16 July 2011: When a marathon just isn't far enough!  A report on the Clydestride 40 mile Ultra Marathon (by Mark Ashby)

Finishing my 17th consecutive London Marathon in April, I started to consider my next challenge.  Whilst I will always enjoy the London it doesn't hold the same challenge for me as it used to.  I got a taste for long distance trail running last year when I ran the Kielder Marathon.  A good race but it is still a marathon and times will never compare with road times, this inevitably leads to disappointment.  Bring on the Clydestride 40.  Round 6 of the Scottish Ultra Marathon Series, the route runs from Glasgow's West End - Partick Railway Station folowing the River Clyde and finishes 40 miles later at the UNESCO world heritage site at New Lanark.  For experienced ultra runners this is an easy one because it is relatively flat and short!   The race includes urban running taking in some of Glasgow's major landmarks and along some good fast paths to start off with.  The trick here is to make sure you run slowly enough there is a long way to go.  Further along a short detour due to path closure takes us past Celtic Park in the east end of the City and the emerging National indoor Arena and Velodrome for the 2014 Commonwealth games.  Then it is back onto the path that follows the River Clyde for most of the route.  After the first check point at about 10 miles the landscape and paths change - it becomes more challenging and our faster early pace drops a little now.  A tough section through some overgrown and undulating paths is a reminder that this may be no bad thing.  The second checkpoint at Strathclyde Park comes soon enough, I pick up my drop bag and replenish supplies of gels and energy bars and we are away again and past the 20 mile point.  The route then becomes much tougher, all off road, including some open fields and steeper climbs.  My Garmin tells me when we reach 26 and from here on I am in unknown territory.  I started off with clubmate and experienced ultra runner Gerry Craig but he is pulling away from me now. With his advice to make sure I finish my debut ultra regardless of the time ringing in my ears, I let him go and settle into a comfortable pace.

The third checkpoint is at 29 miles and a last chance to stock up on what you will need for the last 11.  Despite someone telling me I look very relaxed, I don't feel it the distance is starting to tell and my pace is dropping.  A feature of the last section of the course is some steep twisty climbs and some incredibly steep wooden stairs - walking is advised here and it gives you a chance to take in a gels and some fluids.  I struggled terribly for the next 4 or 5 miles but eventually picked up the pace again a little on a nice flat section.   I reach 36 miles after a steep climb and see the old mill buildings at New Lanark in the distance.  My spirits rise and after a longish downhill section the paths turn into roads and I am within sight of the finish line - but hang on, there is still a cruel 2 mile loop to go!  I am still on for my target time but it will be difficult especially with a bit more climbing to go.  Eventually some steps take me down (no easier than going up after 40 miles) towards the finish and it is over at long last - I finish my first ultra in 5.52.

My target was somewhere between 5.30 and 6 hours and so I was pleased but it was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  Nothing can prepare you for the last 10 miles, you just have to keep your legs moving and think about the next few miles instead of how far you have run or how far you still have to go.  Despite testing out my nutrition on some long training runs, I had to change my plans on the go.  The gels started to make me feel sick and energy bars are difficult to eat on the move too - I ended up having to run for long sections without taking anything but relying on saltstick capsules and water to prevent any cramping.  I feel this cost me some time and slowed me down a little but for me this was  a learning experience - even though it is one I won't care to repeat for a while!

Ultra running is very different from city marathons.  Most obviously, you have to run a lot further and for a lot longer but it is much more relaxed and friendly than running a marathon - everyone seems more laid back and not as obsessed with pacing and times.  Even after just a few miles the field becomes very strung out and you run for long sections alone having to take care not to miss any course markings. However, when you do run along with a fellow competitor for a few miles they will chat about their running experiences and pass on some valuable advice.  Finally it is OK to walk!  most experienced ultra runners walk the hills - better to take some extra time here than lose even more later on.

I will have to wait for the official results but I think I finished in the top 15 or so.  I beat last year's V50 winning time by a very small margin but I am not certain where I came in my age group - it would be nice to win it but I am not counting on that.  So what next?  100 miles seems a nice round number!  Maybe one fine day but definitely not for a long while. For me it is back to the middle distances - the Liverpool Marathon in October. 

10 July 2011: Relay win at Foremark Hall triathlon (by Andy Hudson)

Three swac members took a slight de tour into the world of triathlon on Sunday returning home with the relay 1st prize with good competitive individual performances. Starting with Neil Rothwell's 400m swim, Paul Talbot 12mile bike and Andy Hudson 5km run.

It was good to see Mr Rothwell back in racing mode and all enjoyed a great day at a well organised event highly recommend for both spectators and competitors.

3 July 2011: Relegation looms for Senior T&F team

With just 5 League points from the first two fixtures in Division 2 West of the Northern T&F League, a really good result was needed from Round 3 at Stretford to avoid the yo-yoing drop back to Div'n 3 West next season. It didn't happen; and, with just one fixture remaining, the scene is set for the two clubs promoted last year - Southport Waterloo and Altrincham - to drop back down again.

At Stretford, West Cheshire were the clear winners for the 3rd time this season. They scored 416 points, ahead of LPS with 375, Trafford with 370, St Helens 336, Southport Waterloo 240 and Altrincham 204. That leaves us 5th of 6 overall in the league. To stand any chance of staying up we would need to bring St Helens Sutton down into the mix but with them standing 3 League points and almost 200 match points ahead of us it looks an impossible mountain to climb.

The match result apart, the afternoon's athletics were excellent if a little difficult for the distance runners, running in very warm and sunny conditions. That didn't stop David Hamilton having an excellent run in the 5000m; or James Tartt excelling in middle distance.

In the Women's match, we had just five athletes, including the team manager! Inevitably, a number of events had no Southport Waterloo competitor.

Stephanie May led the way starting with a 2 metre pole vault. On her final vault she landed awkwardly on her arm and had to withdraw but a sprain wasn't going to stop her and she went on to compete in six events, including a season's best 63.23 for a 2nd place in the 400m.

Under 17 Sophie Lewis made her debut in the senior team and certainly didn't disappoint! Unfazed by the senior runners she went off at a good pace in both the 800m and the 1500m and was rewarded with a PB in both; 2:31.74 for 800m and 5:17.4 for the longer distance. Sophie looks set to become a regular member of this team.

Under 20 Louise Leek also supported her team with runs in the 800m and 1500m but, surprisingly, it was an unusual appearance in the 100m that gave her a PB - 14.62.

In the field, Ann Dignan featured in 5 events, including a long jump for points. More at home in the throws, her 6m 93 shot putt was a season's best. And team manager Barbara May was out there doing all she could to maximise the ladies points total, competing in discus and shot.

The Men's team was better positioned with 12 athletes competing to ensure all events bar pole vault and high jump were covered. But there were a number of names missing and, in particular, we were short of specialist sprinters. We had one event win, James Tartt, in one of the most exciting races of the afternoon. In Round 2 at Warrington, James and LPS' Toby Loveridge battled it out and today he was up against St Helens' David Forrester. This is just the sort of challenge that brings out the best in James and the tussle with David Forrester pulled James around in 1:55.33, just 4 tenths of a second in front of David. A great race and a season's best. Joe Vis ran 2:04.59 as our 'B' runner so very good points here.

The other notable performance was David Hamilton's 5000m race. Not many would envy these distance runners on such a warm day but David sat in a group of four that eased away from the rest of the field. The back marker was eventually dropped off and, in the last 2 laps, the leader took off to win the race. But the fast pacing set up by this group - and David's ability to stay with them - produced a new 5km PB of 16:16.3. Very impressive! Matt Goddard was our 2nd 5km runner, in 19:35, after running 57.32 for the 1-lap race.

Craig Wilson covered the sprints with season's best times of 13.11 and 26.66. Nathan Ouko ran his first 100m since 2005, I think, and Chris Burgess, perhaps happier over 100m, was called up for the 200m today and clocked 24.89.

Stephen Marshall featured in the hurdles running 20.73 for 110 and a season's best 68.89 for the 400m. Steve Wilkinson also did the hurdles, a season's best 22.86 for 110 and 75.82 for 400m. Steve had a good day in 6 events, including season's best performances in hammer (18m 77), and shot (9m 43). Nathan Ouko's 4m 85 long jump was another season's best and, in the triple jump, Joe Vis was just a centimeter off his PB with a best jump of 10m 08. Specialist thrower Jon Hunter also competed in all the throws and his 16m 52 hammer throw and 28m 72 javelin throw were season's bests.

Back on the track, Steve Wilkinson worked his way through the field in the steeplechase gradually reeling in the runners in front and finished 2nd in a season's best 10:42.60. Patrick Vis was our other 'chaser, clocking 11:27.02, some way off his 10:29 from 2 years ago.

Both Vis brothers ran the 1500m, Joe finishing in 4:32 and Patrick in 4:48.

Our men competed in both relays, finishing 6th in the 4 x 100m in 50.17, and 4th in the 4 x 400m, James Tartt running a 54.4 split but Joe Vis almost as fast on the anchor leg with 55.2.

Thanks to all who competed for their club today and in particular to team manager Barbara May who works tirelessly to build this team and to maximise our points score. Its thanks to her efforts that we have been able to enjoy the higher level of competition in this division this season.

Thanks, too, to our team of officials: Norman Marshall, Ann Dignan, Steve James, Craig Wilson and Louise Leek.

The next and final match in this league is again at Stretford, on Sunday 14th August.

Results for club athletes. Full results

1/2 July 2011: Andrew Kershaw breaks club record at English Schools

Eight of the club's juniors travelled to the Gateshead International stadium for two days of elite competition in the English Schools Track & Field Championships. We had no medallists this year but it was great to see so many of our young stars make the rigorous selection to represent Merseyside ; and two of them achieved PBs at the championships!

In the Junior Boys 800m Tom Lodge put his recent injury worries to one side and ran a very creditable 2:12.38. Andrew Kershaw ran in the heat of the 1500m, finishing 10th in 4:20.26; an English Schools' entry standard time. More than that, it was a new PB and a new club record, significantly replacing Michael Rimmer's mark set in 1999. Andrew now holds the club Under 15 Boys' record for both 800m and 1500m.

In the Inter Girls 300m Sally Wareing finished 4th, just outside the qualifying for the final, in another English Schools' entry standard time of 41.27. In the Inter Boys 1500m, Niall Cullen was competing and finished another 10th in 4:10.70.

In the Senior Girls Beth McBride and Eleanor Newton ran in the 100m and 100m hurdles respectively. Beth ran n13.20 and Eleanor 15.83; both very respectable times.

In the Senior Boys' long jump Jordan Kelly seems to like schools' competitions. He jumped a PB 6m 91 at the Merseyside Schools' champs and finished 6th at English Schools with a new PB jump of 6m 94. That's just 1 cm off Andrew Taylor's club record which has stood since 1975!

Finally, congratulations to our senior girls Beth McBride and Eleanor Newton who both ran in the final of the 4 x100 relay on the Saturday (which was on Sky Sports 3). The relay team just missed out on the medals, finishing 4th with 49.52 and 3rd was 49.02. Tthanks to Graham Pilkington for preparing the girls for the relays.