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Cross country begins and the women
shine 29 October The cross country season commenced in fine style with the young athletes  and
women travelling to Burnley for the Mid-Lancs League and the senior men
taking the shorter trip to Beacon Park for the Liverpool and District
equivalent. At Townley Park arguably the best individual performance
came from Rosie Johnson in the Under 15 Girls race. In finishing second
she demonstrated a tenacity that will almost certainly carry her through
to county honours later in the season. With Katie Walker(15) and Claire
Hindley(35) running well Liverpool Pembroke Sefton will, nevertheless,
have to find a fourth counter if they are to challenge for team medals.
A similar situation exists
among the club`s U13s with Rosie Walsh(23),
Charlotte Mawdsley(31) and Kate Croft(41) also casting around for
support. Although there is no team race for U11s the club did manage
four finishers, Megan Barnsley(12), Alex Barnsley(15), Flossie Jones(25)
and Daisie Walsh(60). There was, however, an extremely pleasant surprise
in store as the senior women secured third team spot. Led by the
courageous Kirsty Longley in third place and some strong running from
Steph Swift(20) and newcomer Lauren Wilson(30) several prominent clubs
were left adrift. One suspects even more to come
from this trio plus other club colleagues action to get in on the act. The U13 boys are promising contenders for medals as Liam Bibby(3),
Jack Crook(7), Joe Martin(20) and Josh Forrest(25) claimed third place.
They also had Michael Croft(40) and Joe Marshall(49) in reserve.
Similarly the U17s took third team spot with Alistair Nelson(5), Kyle
Nicholls(15) and James Loftus(17). On this occasion James Grundy(18) and
Rob Parkinson(32) were in support. There were only two U15s Jonathan
Bride(25) and Daniel Wright(38).
ResultsOver in Skelmersdale the senior men were missing several prominent members but that did not detract from a fine run by Rob Bland who opened his season`s account in 11th place followed by Coventry-based Clark Roberts(21). There followed some astonishing packing from a quartet of super-vets in the shape of Graham Cairns(25), Sammy Rashid(33), Chris Pedder(39) and Greg Callaghan(41). The points total of 170 sufficed only for fourth spot on the day but LPS are not out of contention yet for a third or a runners-up spot later in the season. Also in action were Paul Targett(46), Robbie Wood(66), Danny Gilbody(93) and John Dobie(114). 
ResultsPhoto Top Steph Swift in action at Burnley Middle Liam Bibby in action at Burnley Under 13 Boys Team Bottom Under 17 LPS men get away Report Charles Gains Photo Karl Morris |
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LPS at National relays 16
October
Liverpool Pembroke Sefton were
strongly represented at the National Road Relays traditionally
held at Birmingham`s Sutton Park. The Under 13 trio managed a
respectable 9th placing. Led off by Liam Bibby in a sharp 14.06
in sixth place, Jack Crook(14.13) took up his usual role of
tearing past several athletes to second spot and raising
expectations. A brave run from Joe Martin(15.34) could not keep
other clubs at bay though but overall coach John McCarten was
satisfied with the result.
At Under 15 Chris Webber(14.48),
Jonathan Bride(14.59) and Daniel Wright(14.52) were 37th but the
U15 Girls provided a delightful surprise in the shape of Rosie
Johnson who was unfazed by the tough opposition and recorded a
first stage time of 14.52 in 15th place. Her colleagues Katie
Walker(17.01) and Georgina Hannaway(16.18) saw the club through
to 28th. There were two teams in the U17 event, Ryan
Blackwell(13.03), Rob Parkinson(14.02) and Kyle Nicholls(13.51)
finishing 41st and James Loftus(13.43), Darren McDonald(16.11)
and David Reece(14.16) running out 54th.
For the first time LPS
simultaneously fielded teams at both Senior Men and
Women, a
sign of
 the club`s
resurgence. The women were led off with a
splendid run from Kirsty Longley in 30th place(15.39) followed
by a strong performance from Steph Swift(17.43) but slipping to
44th. Lisa Gawthorne(18.19) dipped marginally to 46th and a far
from fit Lindsay Doyle(19.11) saw the club home 52nd. For the
Men`s 6 stage successive consistent runs from Ian
Roberts(20.12), Ben Costello(20.15), Sean Kirkbride(20.05) and
Bernie Murphy(19.46) saw the club bobbing around in the 70`s but
a strong performance from Toby Loveridge(18.39) lifted LPS to
62nd. On the anchor leg Rob Bland(20.19) dropped one spot but
overall there was plenty for the club to relish.
ResultsLisa Gawthorne, Steph Swift and Kirsty Longley(the fourth member of the team Lindsay Doyle is missing) Report Charles Gains Photo Karl Morris |
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| Liverpool Marathon 9
October The marathon returned to the streets of Liverpool for the first time since 1992 and a number of club runners competed.The strong winds made conditions difficult and fast times impossible. Bernie Murphy was the first LPS runner to finish in 6th place (2:47.02) and win the V45 category. Making her debut over the marathon distance,18 year old Toria Swift had a tremendous run to finish 29th lady home in a time of 3:39.59 Other club athletes to finish the gruelling course were Chris Pedder (3:36.41), Paul Milburn (4:11.34) and John Bebington (4:13.34)who finished 14th in the V60 category. Report Wally Bridson Double Success at Seaside 8 October The club had a double success at the recent Southport 10K. Kirsty Longley comfortably won the ladies race by over 2 minutes in a season's best time of 38.54. Training partner, Greg Callaghan,although disappointed with his time (37.23) was still good enough to win the V45 category when he finished in 17th place. He was closely followed by Paul Milburn in 20th place (37.53) Report Wally Bridson |
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