Levon Bates

Like 99.9% of young boys, Levon’s first love is football. (He’s going to be a better player than his dad ever was; but that’s not hard!) (A dozen Wesham runners bore witness to this tonight at tonight’s football warm up before the Chorley Interclub. I think a few runners enjoyed this more than the race! Even Alex joined in, but I think he’d better stick to the running!) At age 6, he had a go at a race at Bispham with Norbreck Gala and did ok. Last year he had a go at the Blackpool School’s Cross Country at Stanley Park, but it didn’t seem very well organised and I didn’t see any teachers there from his school. They seemed to pitch children of different ages together and I think he became a bit demoralised when some of the older/bigger children started overtaking him and he finished off towards the end of, (the very large), field. He didn’t do another cross country, but it was hard to organise round my access, my races and trips to the Lakes.

I once entered him in a Fun Run at Endmoor, (aged 3?), but I think the starter’s gun frightened him and he threw himself on the floor, started crying and refused to budge an inch!

This year Levon and Richard Davies’ children entered the Freckleton 2 mile Fun Run whilst Richard and I did the half marathon. He’s smiling on the picture. Unfortunately, there were no results available and I’m not too sure how he did. All I could get out of him was, “I did alright!”

Three weeks later, he did the St. Annes Carnival 1½ mile Fun Run. He set off really well; not far behind the race winner, Molly Betmead, but tired and finished 20^th in 11mins 45 secs, (and kindly accredited by Alex in the Gazette as 1^st M9!!). Quite a few friends phoned to say they saw Levon’s name.

Levon plays golf, swims twice a week, plays cricket on a Friday, (weather permitting), and has just signed for South Shore Youth F.C……he has also boxed and done taekwondo. I haven’t pushed him into anything and am happy just to sit back and let things take their course, though, with my family swimming background, my mother doesn’t like him missing his swimming lessons!

Written by proud dad: Martin Bates

Submitted: 8^th August 2007

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor