(L to R) David Ibbotson, Alison Weston, Dave Foyston and Mike Williams
From Dave Foyston…
On Sunday four Ilkley Harriers took the annual trip to a very windy Lytham St Annes to take part in the officially measured 10-mile road race.
The race is an out-and-back course starting by the beach huts on the promenade, then heading south towards the Spitfire at Fairhaven Lake. You then head towards the windmill along the seafront before turning just after it on Lytham Green at the 8km markk.
The weather was dry but with a very strong wind.
I started the race with the front runners and got into a good pace hitting the 10k point at about 36 minutes and felt good. From there on the wind picked up and I was running into the strongest headwind I have encountered in a race. I put my head down and did the best I could trying to keep my time to sub 1hr.
As I turned back onto the finishing straight I could see the clock had just turned 59 minutes so there was a sprint in, crossing the line in 59:44 seconds.
Well done to all the other Harriers who took part. This is my favourite race of the year and very well organised – would definitely recommend.
1 Ian Lawton (unattached) 52:13
10 Dave Foyston 59:44 (2nd age cat)
64 Mike Williams 1:16:28 (4th age cat)
97 Alison Weston 1:23:35 (3rd age cat)
174 David Ibbotson 1:37:09 (11th age cat)