Rhyl 10 Mile - 24th February 2018
By Kathy Ling
I thought it was time to visit the seaside having to get up very early we had a good drive to Rhyl. Collected my number, blue sky and the wind not to bad so was raring to go!
I have done very little running since Christmas so I did not know what to expect. This race is mostly along the sea front and I did have the chance to see the winning runners running back home. I was looked after by Steven who suggested a cup of tea, no thank you! I just needed to keep going and great fun meeting Wrekin Road Runners, many thanks to you all! I finished the race and really enjoyed it! Rather slow time but love the bling! Thanks to Janet & John for coming along!
I thought it was time to visit the seaside having to get up very early we had a good drive to Rhyl. Collected my number, blue sky and the wind not to bad so was raring to go!
I have done very little running since Christmas so I did not know what to expect. This race is mostly along the sea front and I did have the chance to see the winning runners running back home. I was looked after by Steven who suggested a cup of tea, no thank you! I just needed to keep going and great fun meeting Wrekin Road Runners, many thanks to you all! I finished the race and really enjoyed it! Rather slow time but love the bling! Thanks to Janet & John for coming along!
English National Cross Country Championship – 24th February 2018
Parliament Hill
by Steve Gill
One of those races on my bucket list, Iconic in the cross country calender in location more than anything else.
Parking in brent cross shopping centre we took the tube helpfully guided by a fellow experienced runner. He guided us all the way to the registration tent.
There were multiple races on the day and all started from the playing field at the bottom of a hill. We walked about looking at the starts of the races, where the course went and of the magnificent views of London from the top of parliament hill. Landmarks from the chard to the London eye.
The senior men’s race was the last off at 3.00pm and as usual we had the worse conditions underfoot to contend with.
2,328 men turned up to take part against the 3,500 that entered (a lot of drop outs – strange). This was a god send as we headed off up the hill where it narrowed, it narrowed so much we all came to a stop and had to walk. Walk! Only at fell races do you walk. Slow start but plenty of humour amongst the runners as we took it in our stride. Finally off running and into the mud we galloped.
Then came another pinch point as we walked again before finally getting going. The course was one medium lap followed by two big laps adding up to 7.2 miles.
Up hills, down hills, stomping through mud and some trails added up to a challenging course. Starting the last lap I was just thinking thankfully that’s the last time I drag my sorry backside through that mud pit. Eventually finishing with a sprint to the line.
I did pity the one guy walking asked by his mate what you doing? Lost a shoe in the mud and can’t find it amongst all that s—t.
With a finish position/time of 1702 1:01:21 and 726 people behind me I was happy with the days run.
Awesome day for me although it was a cold north wind blowing and not much fun for the spectators so thanks to my wife Susan for being there in support and picture taking.
One of those races on my bucket list, Iconic in the cross country calender in location more than anything else.
Parking in brent cross shopping centre we took the tube helpfully guided by a fellow experienced runner. He guided us all the way to the registration tent.
There were multiple races on the day and all started from the playing field at the bottom of a hill. We walked about looking at the starts of the races, where the course went and of the magnificent views of London from the top of parliament hill. Landmarks from the chard to the London eye.
The senior men’s race was the last off at 3.00pm and as usual we had the worse conditions underfoot to contend with.
2,328 men turned up to take part against the 3,500 that entered (a lot of drop outs – strange). This was a god send as we headed off up the hill where it narrowed, it narrowed so much we all came to a stop and had to walk. Walk! Only at fell races do you walk. Slow start but plenty of humour amongst the runners as we took it in our stride. Finally off running and into the mud we galloped.
Then came another pinch point as we walked again before finally getting going. The course was one medium lap followed by two big laps adding up to 7.2 miles.
Up hills, down hills, stomping through mud and some trails added up to a challenging course. Starting the last lap I was just thinking thankfully that’s the last time I drag my sorry backside through that mud pit. Eventually finishing with a sprint to the line.
I did pity the one guy walking asked by his mate what you doing? Lost a shoe in the mud and can’t find it amongst all that s—t.
With a finish position/time of 1702 1:01:21 and 726 people behind me I was happy with the days run.
Awesome day for me although it was a cold north wind blowing and not much fun for the spectators so thanks to my wife Susan for being there in support and picture taking.
Wrexham Half Photos
Thanks to Martyn Bidgood
February 3rd 2018 – North Wales Cross Country – Oswestry
by Steve Gill
The final race of the season and luckily not too far to go for this one.
Another wet day as we headed to the fixture. We had a car full as Paul drove us the 50 minutes to the Marches School playing fields where the races were to be held.
Our three young lady brave souls were first off with one small loop of the field and then out over the fields. Within the course there is fence to climb/vault over on the way out and on the way back. I hasten to say on the way back the ladies were just grateful to get over it with less of the panache seen on the way out.
This maybe due to what they had endured after the vaulting of said fence. Two large fields, ditches with mud, ditches with water and after a glide down the hill to be dragging themselves back up it. Oh and then stomping through a boggy area or two.
Once that done is was a last gasp of effort to run down towards the finish area and around the field to a sprint finish. Well that’s the theory anyway.
Great effort by all.
Five young men took on the course next (spot the slight white lie 😊 ) – We had one small and two big laps to do.
The women had kindly churned up the course for us and another two laps wouldn’t help the course either. Yep the same fence but due to more men taking part in the events there was a queue. It was like the toilet queue that you normal see for the ladies. Politely waiting but actually glad for a breather before leaping like an Elephant over the fence.
My strategy as always is not to rush off too soon and hope to drag a few back towards me as the race goes on (6 miles is a long way in Cross Country).
That fence on tired legs seemed to get bigger each time you came around but once over it the last time you could feel the freedom to push on towards the finish. Couldn’t keep with the guy in front so no sprint finish required to try and get another place.
All the young men ran well (and the oldies didn’t do too bad either 😊 )
I love the cross country and believe it should be a staple part of your winter training so hopefully a few more will take part next year.
P.S
Sorry but running in the Nationals in a few weeks time so one more report yet to come – bring on the mud. 😊
The final race of the season and luckily not too far to go for this one.
Another wet day as we headed to the fixture. We had a car full as Paul drove us the 50 minutes to the Marches School playing fields where the races were to be held.
Our three young lady brave souls were first off with one small loop of the field and then out over the fields. Within the course there is fence to climb/vault over on the way out and on the way back. I hasten to say on the way back the ladies were just grateful to get over it with less of the panache seen on the way out.
This maybe due to what they had endured after the vaulting of said fence. Two large fields, ditches with mud, ditches with water and after a glide down the hill to be dragging themselves back up it. Oh and then stomping through a boggy area or two.
Once that done is was a last gasp of effort to run down towards the finish area and around the field to a sprint finish. Well that’s the theory anyway.
Great effort by all.
Five young men took on the course next (spot the slight white lie 😊 ) – We had one small and two big laps to do.
The women had kindly churned up the course for us and another two laps wouldn’t help the course either. Yep the same fence but due to more men taking part in the events there was a queue. It was like the toilet queue that you normal see for the ladies. Politely waiting but actually glad for a breather before leaping like an Elephant over the fence.
My strategy as always is not to rush off too soon and hope to drag a few back towards me as the race goes on (6 miles is a long way in Cross Country).
That fence on tired legs seemed to get bigger each time you came around but once over it the last time you could feel the freedom to push on towards the finish. Couldn’t keep with the guy in front so no sprint finish required to try and get another place.
All the young men ran well (and the oldies didn’t do too bad either 😊 )
I love the cross country and believe it should be a staple part of your winter training so hopefully a few more will take part next year.
P.S
Sorry but running in the Nationals in a few weeks time so one more report yet to come – bring on the mud. 😊
Long Mynd Valleys Race – 4th February
By Kris Williams
Following on from my 2 previous fell running outings at the Wrekin Wrecker and Cardington Cracker, which I enjoyed immensely, I decided to enter the next in the series….The Long Mynd Valleys Race.
It was longer and hillier than the previous races, and at 18.5Km and nearly 4500ft of climbing, even on paper it looked to be a toughie. When you add in the fact that it is a self-navigation race, with 3 cut-off times along the course, it was going to hurt!
After the initial race checks had been done to ensure all runners had full kit (waterproofs, hat, gloves, map and compass), the race started in Cardingmill Valley, steeply ascending up a ridge called ‘the pike’ which takes you up around the side of the Golf Course (which I’m far more accustomed with!), before dropping (or falling in my case) down into ‘Jonathon’s Hollow’. I’m not going to name all the climbs and descents that the route entails, because firstly I don’t know them, secondly, I’m not entirely sure where I went, and thirdly I’d be here all day!!
The first couple of miles flew by… I was going well! Miles 3 and 4 were reasonably flat, and as I approached half distance in around 1 hr 15 mins, I remember thinking this isn’t too bad.
I reached Checkpoint 5 (the first of the cut-off points) with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately, the second half was where it got serious…some very steep hills started to take their toll. Uphills made the calves scream and downhill the quads… there really was no let up!
I was now just ticking off the miles. I had now reached Checkpoint 8 (the 2nd cut-off), only to be told that the last climb (‘Yearlet’ as I later found out) was the worst of the lot! They weren’t lying, it was a beast. Steep, long and still a fair amount of snow at the top!
As I neared the top my Garmin beeped to show a 31 minute mile….I honestly couldn’t care less. With a little over a mile left, and all downhill, I was going to finish… although the last downhill back into Cardingmill Valley wasn’t exactly gentle.
3 hours, 6 minutes and 48 seconds after starting, I was there. (Ps. The winner finished in 1 hr 41 mins….wow!)
Overall, I’m extremely proud to finish a race of such toughness. This is a serious race, for serious runners.
Will I be back next year…..in all honesty probably not, but ask me again once I’ve forgotten the pain I was in!