It has been a week of festive cheer and on the athletics front there were more Santas elves and reindeer to see than Lapland itself. The Rudolph Red Nose Race in Blackpool taking a 5-mile course round the De Vere and the Trim Trail loop out towards the Marton Mere had a record turnout of colourful runners unrecognisable from the normal showing of club vests. 178 runners of all variety of costumes took to the track on a breezy and dank day on Sunday although thankfully the wind abated and the rain held off; with temperatures in the double figures to ensure that the well-dressed remained well warm. Preston Harrier Jason Parker in his usual lighter club kit stole a march on the rest of the field and steamed round the course to an emphatic win with no challengers, despite a clutch of other athletic types before the festively attired troupe made their mark. This was a thoroughly fun event and just the ticket with a few days still to go before the end of the advent calendar and a welcome break from the Christmas shopping. The full results will not be available until next week but Wesham members and Thornton Cleveleys running club were both out in force with a good number of Blackpool runners also in evidence.
As the year draws to a conclusion Wesham celebrate a successful year after a year of variety and change. Having established a second training night on Wednesdays over the summer in 2013 this mid-week training slot really took off and with two coaches for the main session a beginners group was also started and grew in popularity. Looking through the year month by month; in January – ladies won silver in Lancashire Cross Country; Rob Danson new PB in Garstang 10k and placed 2nd; numbers down in cross country (mens); ladies 2nd W35; big turnout in the Inskip Half Marathon with ladies win and men 2nd. February – weather still largely warm with on-off days of wind and rain; 5 teams ran in the Witton Trail Relays, Women’s Vets were 3rd; struggling numbers at Mid Lancs Cross Country; a small team went to the English cross Country in Nottingham; a large group went to Malta for the Marathon and Half. In March the W35 women secured their 3rd place in the Mid Lancs with John Collier winning the M60 season; Wesham women won the team event in Sweatshop 10 Mile and Lee Barlow won Northern Veterans Championship; Coniston 14 Wesham men top team. In April – Rob Danson ran sub-2:45 in the London Marathon; the Inter Club series kicked off in Blackpool with 236 runners; spring bloomed and suddenly wit was warm evenings and plentiful evening runs. In May the Inter Club Fell Series got going but Wesham only had a spare few runners taking part, only completing a team at one event; but had a good team in all of the Kendal AC Lakeland 10k series; Rob Danson in a winning streak with the Blacksticks Blue at Beacon Fell; three Wesham teams to the British Masters Road Relays; and a triumphal 9 runners in the Lancashire team 5,000m on the track in Blackpool to win a total of 12 individual and team County medals. In June team and individual awards in the Catforth 5k Series; continuing warm and sunny weather as summer bloomed for months; a Veterans team in the Welsh Castles Relay, 206 miles from Caernarfon to Cardiff; first of a very successful Badger 10k Series in Cuerden Valley; women’s team victory in the 50th Freckleton Half Marathon; and another great race at the Sotos 10k in Fleetwood. In July as Karl Lee won the Rhyl Runfest 10k; Witton Park Summer Trail Relays and 4 Wesham teams on a Thursday evening with women winners; Catherine Carrdus new member quickly gained top status and improved with every race. August saw good summer weather continue; Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; Inter Club Fell Series with a team result at Harrock Hill; Round the Park Relays in Blackpool; good racing in the Air Show 10k at Bispham; Wesham club trip to the Race The Train in Wales and a great weekend in Barmouth; September saw the completion of the Inter Club Series in Leyland with Rob Danson’s first win; October and November new personal bests for Rob at 10k and 10 miles. Races continued though to conclusion at the end of November with another very successful Wesham 10k in Lea followed by the club annual presentation and dinner dance where Rob Danson and Carmel Sullivan were crowned champions for 2014. Troy Watson proved himself a rising star with Karl Lee, and Lee and Jason Barlow among the top men. Catherine Carrdus was a new member and quickly rose to become Wesham’s new top woman supported by Helen Lawrenson, Sue Coulthurst and Nicola Unsworth.
There will be much to look forward to in 2015 as January kicks off with cross country championships and a round of quality road races. With a strong new membership Wesham looks forward to this future and wishes all readers a happy and prosperous New Year.