TRACK & FIELD SECTION

Track & Field Report

Part 1

Saturday 30^th April – Blackpool

The start of the season got underway at the Stanley Park Athletics track. On what was a nice sunny day, was slightly hampered by the wind which was going to have a big affect on times. Unfortunately, as usual, Wesham always seems to struggle to get people out for the first meeting as it tends to clash with other things.

Alex Rowe was the only representative for Wesham and as usual the mile muncher that he is, chose to run the three distances. First up was the 800m at 1:00pm, he was up against it as he was towards the back of the field after 200m but after completing his first lap, managed to pull quite a bit of ground and gain a few places to finish 4^th with 2:25.0.

A couple of hours later Alex ran the 1500m which was a bigger field than usual. The first four runners were clear from the rest of the pack. Alex was 9^th going into the last lap trying to close in on a Horwich runner but the race wasn't long enough to get to him. Alex finished 9^th with 4:52.3 but was a bad run for him, unlike the 800m.

In the 3000m, all age groups get put together for the 7.5 lap race and Alex started towards the front with two other runners from Barrow and Blackburn. The Barrow runner pushed clear whilst Alex was in a tussle throughout with the Blackburn runner for the duration of the race. On the final lap they both kicked on to try and get ahead but it had taken a final 100m sprint to the line, which Alex just managed to cross over by 0.3 of a second! Alex was 2^nd with 10:14.0.

Saturday 28^th May – Lancaster

A trip to Lancaster for a track meeting was a first for quite a while so to run on a different track if you’re new to the track is always welcome. It is quite open to the elements if it’s a bad day. On the day of the meeting it was a dull afternoon with very blustery conditions. A car went up with Alex Rowe and Martin Bates the runners, assisted by Captain Karl Lee who went to support them for the day, not running because of a race the following day.

As it was only two running from the club, they both ran the usual three races which is no mean feat, especially when you have to keep hanging around for 1 or 2 hours between each event. It was great to see Martin back on the track for the Mid-Lancs meetings; his last appearance was 3 years ago. He certainly hasn't lost his grit and determination.

The 800m was first off with a field of 13 runners which is more than the average so it was on to being a lot of competing for places. The first four got away leaving the rest behind to battle it out. Alex and Martin taken it steady for the first lap then picked up the pace for the final lap. Alex was in a scrap with a lad from Burnley AC and crossed the line together with the same time but the results had him two seconds behind. Martin however, was in a tussle in and around local running club Lytham but ran in to the finish with nobody around him. Alex finished 8^th, 2:31.0 and Martin was 11^th with 2:47.5

Next up was the 1500m it was strung out after the 2^nd lap and wasn’t much in regards of competing for positions. Alex came in for 5^th in 4:53.1 and Martin ran a creditable 5:25.8 for 8^th.

Again Alex and Martin were on the track to complete the treble for the day. Alex and Martin began well and lap by lap they began to pick up the pace and push further up the field. Alex was challenging towards the top end in the first couple of laps before losing ground and found himself running solo for the remainder of the race. Martin was finding himself in a scrap with Graham Webster of Lytham only to lose out to a stronger kick in the final 200m but still a very gutsy run to be happy with. Alex finished 5^th in 10:14.7 and Martin 9^th in 11:16.3.

Saturday 25^th June – Hyndburn

Today’s race meant we are already half way through the league season, which to me seems to have gone pretty quick. The day was very warm but most of the afternoon was affected with rain and some wind but this wasn’t too much of a problem as the track is protected by trees which felt calm and helped with people’s times. This time we was without the main man Alex who had other commitments which meant Karl Lee and Joanna Goorney stepped in to run. It was Karl's first time on the track in 18 months so great to have him back. Both Karl and Joanna doing three events so it was going to be a busy day.

In the 800m, again first event off, Karl began steady hoping to get round the first lap in 70 seconds which he did but was Running with Lee Jones of Burnley AC who was trying to stay with him as Karl was trying to keep building the pace until the final 200m when Karl let go and left him behind to finish very strongly for 5^th in 2:22.7. A decent time after so long out and one to build on.

Next in the women's race, Joanna and Mel Koth of Lytham were the only seniors so were joined with the under 17's to make it a better race. Joanna had a great run, picking her way through the field to find herself neck and neck in the last 100m only to just miss out fractionally for 2^nd. Joanna did win the senior race in a time of 2:39.9.

Next the 1500m was approaching and Karl was feeling good about it after how he felt in the previous event. Aiming for a 4:50 before the race was a good target to have. Having started the race taking it steady for the first lap and a half, the pace went up all the time and having running with a Lancaster runner from the start, he went away which meant Karl was alone but feeling strong and reached the last lap knowing the 4:50 was still on only if he was to put everything into it and get the pacing right and sprinted in to a 4:49.3 for 5^th place.

Joanna also ran the 1500m and once again there was a lack of senior ladies out today. She was the only senior so once again went in with the under 17's. Joanna started towards the back of the field and at half way she rapidly began to pick people off and work her way to the front end of the field. She went into 2^nd place and was closing the leader on the final straight, levelling with her in the last 20m but just couldn’t close in on her. Joanna was 1^st senior, 2^nd in the race with 5:18.2.

As soon as Joanna finished the 1500m, she had to run over to the long jump, recording two ‘no jumps’ and a qualifying jump of 3:52 putting her into 3^rd position.

Finally, finishing the day with the 3000m. Karl was hoping to continue his previous form into this one but wasn’t sure how he would be feeling. When the race started Karl found himself at the front for the first lap but kept it controlled. He was then overtaken by a Kendal and Blackburn runner but was too far adrift of them. He was then running with another Kendal runner for the remainder of the race widening the gap of those behind. On the final lap the Kendal runner gained ground slightly and in the final straight, Karl was closing him down a little but left the kick a little too late and had to settle for 4^th place with 10:09.4, though very happy with the time.

Written by: Karl Lee T&F Captain

Submitted: 28^th June 2011

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor