Club members travelled to Uttoxeter to take part in the 40th Festival of Running, where there was a choice of the half marathon or 10k distance. Added interest was provided by horses on the course this year, along with the usual hilly challenge!

LRC men finished first in the half marathon team event, with some exceptional performances recorded. Andy Evans (1:22:19) came third overall, with Ryan Simms (1:22:36) just behind, in fourth place. Other team members all finished strongly: Wayne Asbury (1:28:05), Jon Corpe (1:32:28), Will Packham (1:33:42), Owen Davies (1:38:00) and Liam Chawner (1:39:55). Jess Webb was first female home for the club, finishing in 1:53:0, followed by Joy Atkin (2:09:44), Janna Heathershaw (2:18:00) and Carina Allan (2:26:47).

Charlotte Wesley competed in the 10k and was at the finish line to cheer team members home; thank you, Charlotte, your support was much appreciated!

With the Spring marathon season over, let’s give a special mention to all our members who undertook the months of training and dedication to complete the 26.2 mile challenge.

Manchester Marathon

Richard Bravington
James Kay
Matt Allan
Andy Evans
William Perugini
Keith Lowther
Sophie Webster
Steve Howard
Carina Allan
Phil Pinney
Marian Lowther
Libby Hyde-Durrant
Jane Bradbury
Claire Wheat

London Marathon

Dan Turner
Steve Rivers
Wayne Asprey
Duncan Cooper
Ed Coppinger
Helen King
Alexandria Evans

Seville Marathon
Ryan Simms

Boston Marathon, USA
Jimmy Pickering

Boston, Lincs UK
Matt Orford

Newport, Wales
Dan Floyd

Vietnam Trail Marathon
Phil Sutcliffe

There was another excellent turnout at the Run in the Forest 5 mile race, organised by South Derbyshire Road Runners – the first event of the Burton and District Summer League, and the third of the our club Grand Prix competition. This race always attracts a strong field, with most of the entrants coming from local clubs, and this year’s was no exception. 22 runners made the trip to Conkers; for some of them it was their second event of the weekend!

John Doyle was first LRC man to finish, in 4th place overall (28:27); Judy Hammersley was first female, crossing the line in 38:22. Most importantly, everyone finished with a smile on their face! Special mentions go to Sophie Thompson and Daniella Gonzalez, taking part in their first event after completing the beginners’ course a couple of months ago. We hope you’ll be back for the next event!

Full results:

John Doyle: 28:27; Ed Coppinger: 31:59; Will Packham: 32:21; Owen Davies: 32:34; Stephen Howard: 35:49; Nick Parkes: 38:00; Judy Hammersley: 38:22; Phill Hammersley: 38:26; Oi Hin Lai: 38:30; Lorraine Amos: 39:05; Joy Atkin: 42:14; Janna Heathershaw: 45:53; Clare Tanter: 47:17; Marian Lowther: 50:20; Lisa Barton: 50:25; Abbi Storer: 51:19; Sophie Thompson: 51:47; Martin Thompson: 51:50; Libby Hyde-Durrant: 54:01; Marcelle Hollins: 56:23; Daniella Gonzalez: 58:04; Aby Jones: 58:05.

After qualifying for the ERRA National Spring Road Relay Championships for the first time in the club’s history, LRC’s men and women’s teams put in another great performance in Sutton Park.

The men’s 12 stage race was held over identical 5.08k laps this year, each with 68m of elevation. Bristol and West AC took the overall title in 3:02:35 (for 61k). Lichfield’s men came home in a fantastic time of 3:42:41, which was over a minute quicker than in the qualifier, despite some enforced team changes in the run up to the event. Five team members recorded sub 18 minute laps on the day: James Kay, John Doyle, Ryan Simms, Andy Evans and Matt Allan.

The women’s 6 stage race, over the same course, was won by Aldershot and Farnham AC in 1:46:01. Lichfield’s female team completed the distance in 2:14:32, with Lucy Niemz and Hermione Knowles recording the fastest times around the course: 18:43 and 20:29 respectively.

Huge congratulations to both teams; what a great experience to run at national level against the country’s best clubs, and so well deserved!

Men’s team: Ryan Simms, James Kay, Andy Evans, Owen Davies, Steve Rivers, Ben Stanaway, Morgan Bradley, Wayne Asbury, Alun Thomas, Ed Coppinger, Matt Allan, John Doyle.

Women’s team: Lucy Niemz, Hermione Knowles, Jess Webb, Judy Hammersley, Julia Smith, Oi Hin Lai.

Following the final event of the Derby Runner Cross Country League at Foremark Reservoir – held in the most glorious sunshine – Lichfield Running Club’s Men’s and Mixed Teams were crowned competition winners!

26 runners made the journey up the A38 to take part, along with an enthusiastic support crew, who cheered them on to some fine performances. Matt Orford brought the men’s team home, finishing first overall, with top 10 finishes for Andy Evans (5th), John Doyle (6th), Matt Allan (7th) and Dan Floyd (9th). Judy Hammersley, in her first season for the club, was first female LRC finisher, followed by Carly O’Neill, Oi Hin Lai and Joanna Alsop.

The series award presentation was held directly afterwards. Several runners were awarded age group prizes: Andy Evans (1st M45), Matt Allan (2nd M40), Clare Tanter (3rd F55) and Marian Lowther (3rd F60). Huge well done to them for their consistent performances, and to each and every club member who turned out for the team at the six events, sometimes in very challenging running conditions.

And, of course, thanks to team manager Owen Davies, for his brilliant organisation this season; supporters; cake bakers; drivers and other helpers. We couldn’t take part in this fantastic competition without you all!

We’re delighted to congratulate the runners who ‘graduated’ from our beginners’ course recently after successfully completing their 5K run. Well done all of you – you all worked so hard and absolutely smashed your goals! Some of them are now attending the improvers’ group and we hope they’ll join the club officially very soon!

We’ve received several appreciative messages; here’s just one of them: “Just to say thank you to you and your brilliant team for holding such a fantastic course. Transformative. Really special experience over the last few weeks.”We just love introducing people to the joy of running; huge thanks to all those members who organised and supported this course.

Lichfield Running Club have celebrated achievements over the past year at our annual presentation and social event. Members gathered at Darnford Moors Golf Club and enjoyed a wonderful evening of food, conversation and congratulations!

Here are the winners:

Men’s Grand Prix
1st: Matt Orford
2nd: John Doyle
3rd: Andy Evans

Women’s Grand Prix
1st: Jess Webb
2nd: Gillian Jelley
3rd: Carina Allan

Bob Connor Trophy (awarded for best age graded performance in the Grand Prix)
1st: Andy Evans
2nd: Matt Orford
3rd: Dave Sanders

Time Trial Series
1st: Carina Allan
2nd: John Doyle
3rd: Phil Radnor

Cross Country Series
1st: John Doyle
2nd: Esther Hunt
3rd: Matt Allan

In addition to these, two awards are given annually: The Dave Nason Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to the club and the Mike Green Trophy for Outstanding Running Achievement. These are decided by members’ votes and were awarded to Keith Lowther (for his work as membership secretary/beginners’ course leader/kit co-ordinator) and Matt Orford (for his many achievements this year, including a 100 mile ultra) respectively.

This year, all those who competed in at least 6 of the Grand Prix events received a commemorative t-shirt; these are modelled in the photos below! Huge congratulations to all our winners! We look forward to seeing what you all achieve in 2025!

Fantastic news – the club finished off the Burton and District Summer League in style at the Tamworth 5 Miler, with the men’s team sealing victory in this year’s competition!

Always a popular race, the course, starting and finishing a Tamworth AC’s track, is an undulating one, leading runners around the town’s green spaces. There were some excellent results on the day from the many Lichfield runners, with Matt Orford taking first place, Tom George finishing in 5th, Andy Evans in 7th and Ben Stanaway in 9th. Judy Hammersley and Joanna Alsop were the first two ladies home for the club, in 12th and 13th respectively. Fantastic performances too on the day from: Morgan Bradley (13th), Matt Allan (14th), Phil Radnor (30th), Wayne Asprey (40th), Adrian Jelley (42nd), Nick Parkes (63rd), James Thomas (69th), Stephen Howard (72nd), Phil Hammersley (73rd), Phil Pinney (123rd), Joy Atkin (20th F), Julia Smith (21st F), Janna Heathershaw (26th F), Gillian Jelley (30th F), Carina Allan (45th F), Ann Schwarzenbach (55th F), Libby Hyde-Durrant (58th F), Marian Lowther (59th F), Abbi Storer (65th F), Charlotte Wesley (70th F) and Maria Andritsou (71st F).

So many of our members have contributed to this year’s brilliant result in the league – well done to each and every one of you! We can’t wait for next season!

We had a wonderful weekend welcoming hundreds of runners to our very own Lichfield 10k and Family Fun Run! For the third time, local runners, as well as many others who had travelled considerable distances, took on the route round the country lanes, featuring the famous ‘five hills’, and achieved some fine performances. Congratulations to you all!

Results as follows:

Fun Run
1st M: Oskar (RSAC)
1st F: Zara (RSAC)

10K
1st: Joe Rainsford: Heanor Running Club (32.53)
2nd: Jonathan Carter: BRAT (33.51)
3rd: William Bowram: St Albans Striders (33.56)

1st F: Abbey Van Djyk (38.22)
2nd F: Emma Pick: Peel Road Runners (40.20)
3rd F: Emily Merrison: City of Stoke AC (40:31)

Our fantastic pacing team of Richard, Phil, Morgan, Ryan, Jess, Ruth, James and tail runner, Charlotte, provided support along the way, helping many runners set new personal best times. Sincere thanks to you all, and the many other club members who worked so hard to make the day so successful.

Lastly, congratulations to the LRC runners who competed in the race: James Kay: 37.16 (7th), Andy Evans: 37.20 (8th), Ben Stanaway: 38.12 (9th), Matt Allan: 39.04 (15th), Wayne Asprey: 41.57 (35th), Phil Hammersley: 48.16 (123rd), Phil Pinney: 55.19 (293rd), Claire Purkiss: 1.04.06 (497th), Gemma Causer: 1.09.06 (582nd), Aby Jones: 1.14.07 (610th), Rachael Green: 1.29.19 (670th). You did the club proud!

We’ll be back next year – save the date!

You may have spotted the dazzling display of yellow tops at Beacon Parkrun one warm Saturday in August! Ably led by LRC member and run director, Tom, the club had an amazing time supporting the event by providing marshals, timekeepers, barcode scanners, park walkers, tail walkers and, of course, all 11 pacers. We also talked to lots of people about our upcoming 10k and beginners’ course. Thank you for having us, parkrun; see you again soon!