The club handicap race which was planned for Sunday 5th March has now been cancelled due to the road relays the previous day and the Gloucester 20m the same day.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
Belvoir Challenge 2006
Clive Sentance reports.........
Fed up with chasing PBs, high entry fees and clean running shoes? Then read on, and maybe join me next year.......
Whilst clubmates were speeding round Bourton, I was slumped on the sofa recovering from this most stimulating and invigorating 15 miler the day before. This event is not really a race, more of a fund raising challenge that now attracts 1000 runners and walkers each year. Enlisting the help of my father as a chauffeur, we left Overbury at 6am to drive to the Vale of Belvoir, a very pleasant part of England whose only real disadvantage is its exposure to biting high winds that whistle in from the North Sea over the Fens. I decided to enter the full spirit of the event by warming up with a bacon sandwich and a couple of cups of tea before the start. Then we set off for 15 miles almost entirely off road (or "on mud"). There was the option of a 26 mile route, but sanity prevailed and I stuck to the original plan of 15. I have to say it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable events I've ever done. It would have been unsportsmanlike to try too hard, and so I kept a steady pace through the mud, partook of the excellent refreshments at 5 and 10 miles (2 flapjacks, 3 cakes and a cup of tea), and took my time on the hills. My overall time was 2:23, not that I took much notice, as there was soup, pasta, tea and crumble at the finish. I got all this for only £10 entry fee, and we were back by 3 pm for an afternoon of rugby watching.
Bourton 10K, 26/02/2006
Cathy Dudfield reports...
I would like to congratulate everyone who turned up and ran the Bourton 10K race today. It was a bitter cold morning (tho' not stopping Barry turning up in a vest!!!!) It was good to see such a good turn out with 6 of 12 runners having well deserved PB's.
Andy continued his good form after the Weston Tough Ten being first home for the club in a time of 34:16(PB). Jon followed Andy home having another good run in 34:40.
Jason had a pleasing run finishing in 37:32 and Barry (vest and all!!!!) ran a good race setting another PB in 40:19(PB). Steve was the next finisher for the club having a strong race and was happy with a time of 40:52.
Stu D after finishing another hectic nightshift also had a strong run recording a PB of 41:16(PB). Next in was Carol who seems to go from strength to strength having a brilliant race in a time of 43:30(PB).
I came in next after not having a particularly good run in a time of 46:07. I would like to say it was enjoyable but I won't!! My poor husband, I've done nothing but moan about how disappointed I was with my race. Hopefully full fitness will return soon!! Mick however did enjoy his run finishing in a pleasing time of 46:44.
Lisa ran a superb first 10K run in a time of 47:48, easily beating her target time of 50mins. She was very pleased with this and so she should be.
Sandy had a good solid run, especially as she didn't know she was running until 2 hours before. She set a time of 49:04(PB) and was accomponied around by Angie who ran after completing a hard marathon the day before. She used the run as a recovery run and enjoyed the morning finishing just in front of Sandie.
Can I just finish by thanking Bev for turning up and supporting us all, especially after her taking a nasty fall just over a week ago. I'm glad to see she is feeling much better and we will see her back running on Saturday at the road relays.
The unofficial times are as follows:
Andy - 34:16 (PB)
Jon - 34:40
Jason - 37:32
Barry - 40:19(PB)
Steve - 40:52
Stu D - 41:16(PB)
Carol - 43:30(PB)
Cathy - 46:07
Mick - 46:44
Lisa - 47:48(PB)
Angie - 49:02??
Sandie - 49:04(PB)
I would like to congratulate everyone who turned up and ran the Bourton 10K race today. It was a bitter cold morning (tho' not stopping Barry turning up in a vest!!!!) It was good to see such a good turn out with 6 of 12 runners having well deserved PB's.
Andy continued his good form after the Weston Tough Ten being first home for the club in a time of 34:16(PB). Jon followed Andy home having another good run in 34:40.
Jason had a pleasing run finishing in 37:32 and Barry (vest and all!!!!) ran a good race setting another PB in 40:19(PB). Steve was the next finisher for the club having a strong race and was happy with a time of 40:52.
Stu D after finishing another hectic nightshift also had a strong run recording a PB of 41:16(PB). Next in was Carol who seems to go from strength to strength having a brilliant race in a time of 43:30(PB).
I came in next after not having a particularly good run in a time of 46:07. I would like to say it was enjoyable but I won't!! My poor husband, I've done nothing but moan about how disappointed I was with my race. Hopefully full fitness will return soon!! Mick however did enjoy his run finishing in a pleasing time of 46:44.
Lisa ran a superb first 10K run in a time of 47:48, easily beating her target time of 50mins. She was very pleased with this and so she should be.
Sandy had a good solid run, especially as she didn't know she was running until 2 hours before. She set a time of 49:04(PB) and was accomponied around by Angie who ran after completing a hard marathon the day before. She used the run as a recovery run and enjoyed the morning finishing just in front of Sandie.
Can I just finish by thanking Bev for turning up and supporting us all, especially after her taking a nasty fall just over a week ago. I'm glad to see she is feeling much better and we will see her back running on Saturday at the road relays.
The unofficial times are as follows:
Andy - 34:16 (PB)
Jon - 34:40
Jason - 37:32
Barry - 40:19(PB)
Steve - 40:52
Stu D - 41:16(PB)
Carol - 43:30(PB)
Cathy - 46:07
Mick - 46:44
Lisa - 47:48(PB)
Angie - 49:02??
Sandie - 49:04(PB)
Monday, February 20, 2006
Dursley Dozen - 19/02/2006
Phillip Howells reports...
A bit more prozaic than last week, but Angie, Brad Crouch and myself ran the hilly and very wet and muddy Dursley Dozen (it's all in the name)multi-terrain today. Tough course, mostly on tracks, some very steep hills up and down (one so steep they have ropes down the side of the hill so you can pull yourself up, I kid you not!). Angie had her normal brilliant run finishing 95th in 1-37-25, 5th Lady and first Lady Vet over 45. Brad was 162 in 1-45-11 and yours truly 194 in 1-49-04. A good day was had by all - even having to wash off all that mud once back home! Winner was Vito Graffagnino in 1-17-13 and I understand there were over 400 starters.
Next Saturday Angie and I are doing the Coastal marathon in South Devon,with a bit of a difference - it is all off road including some beach apparently. We are recommended to take maps, compasses and head torches since some people finish in the dark even though the start is at 10am! Just our type of event!!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Forest of Dean trail races - 19/02/2006
Jon Mansfield reports.....
Tewkesbury AC’s improving Sandie Harwood just missed out on her first silverware for the club. Sandie tackled the Mallards Pike 10.5km multi-terrain race and finished a fine 4th female in a time of 53.55mins. The run was a demanding two laps through the muddy Forest of Dean course. An emphatic second lap pulled the runner up into fourth place in a ladies field of 30.
Jon Mansfield ran the 15.5km, three lap race and finished 3rd in a time of 59.23. This left Jon in second place in the three race series after winning the first two. In the end, just 63 seconds off the top spot, narrowly missing the £100 bonus prize! However, second place was rewarded with several valuable and useful prizes.
Tewkesbury AC’s improving Sandie Harwood just missed out on her first silverware for the club. Sandie tackled the Mallards Pike 10.5km multi-terrain race and finished a fine 4th female in a time of 53.55mins. The run was a demanding two laps through the muddy Forest of Dean course. An emphatic second lap pulled the runner up into fourth place in a ladies field of 30.
Jon Mansfield ran the 15.5km, three lap race and finished 3rd in a time of 59.23. This left Jon in second place in the three race series after winning the first two. In the end, just 63 seconds off the top spot, narrowly missing the £100 bonus prize! However, second place was rewarded with several valuable and useful prizes.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
County Road Race Series 2006
John Raper of Bourton Road Runners has emailed to say that his website has an up-to-date listing for the County Road Race Series. You can find it here.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Weston Tough Ten, 12/02/2006
Cathy Dudfield reports....
"Hi everyone - Just a quick mention to Andy, Stuart and not forgetting myself. We all competed in the Weston Tough Ten today. I now know why they call it 'Tough Ten',(think I'll give it a miss next year). Saying that, I completed it, which after being laid up for 10 days with this dreaded flu bug wasn't bad going. Stu had a really enjoyable run & apparently had a fantastic sprint finish. But the limelight has to go to Andy who had a brilliant race finishing 10th overall, bearing in mind there was well over 1000 taking part, so I think he was pretty chuffed. Well done to you both!"
Results are now available here.
Stu (position 195) and Cathy (position 404) are down as "Unregistered Competitors", due to their original numbers being lost in the post
"Hi everyone - Just a quick mention to Andy, Stuart and not forgetting myself. We all competed in the Weston Tough Ten today. I now know why they call it 'Tough Ten',(think I'll give it a miss next year). Saying that, I completed it, which after being laid up for 10 days with this dreaded flu bug wasn't bad going. Stu had a really enjoyable run & apparently had a fantastic sprint finish. But the limelight has to go to Andy who had a brilliant race finishing 10th overall, bearing in mind there was well over 1000 taking part, so I think he was pretty chuffed. Well done to you both!"
Results are now available here.
Stu (position 195) and Cathy (position 404) are down as "Unregistered Competitors", due to their original numbers being lost in the post
Draycote 35 miles, 12/02/2006
Phillip Howells reports on his latest ultra adventure....
"Ran the Draycote 35 miles ultra road marathon today, a pretty tough event of 7 and a bit laps around the Draycote Water reservoir near Rugby. Quite exposed (very in parts) and although you would think it is flat, it has a number of rolling short hills that do begin to tell at the end. Weather was relatively mild, but wet (steady light rain) and fairly windy so pretty chilly nevertheless, but contrasting to last year with sub--zero temperatures and a biting strong wind. Have been running pretty strong recently so decided to be reasonably ambitous, so when you see the result and yet I tell you that I was a bit disappointed to fade in the last few miles and lose 3 places (one to Sharon - is it Gayter or Goater? - who is one of our top female international ultra-runners (9 times 24 hour champion I gather) who beat me by a few minutes, so certainly no disgrace), you will no doubt tell me, as you usually do, that I am being hard on myself?
"My overall goal was to beat 5 hours, but also felt I could do a sub 3-30 marathon and a sub 4-15 50K along the way, and if I had a good day, finish in 4-40 or better. Started steady at the necessary 8min mile pace with a small pack including Sharon, but felt really comfortable at 12 miles and as you do, the legs got going a bit so I upped the pace a few seconds a mile. Did go through the marathon in 3-27, only my 4th time under 3-30 so in itself my 4th best ever marathon time, and despite some sharp left knee pains causing me to stop a few times to massage it (fortunately that seemed to cure it and it then went away) between the marathon and 50k points, still went through there at 4-12, a six minute beating of my previous best 50k time when racing that distance. However, now started to fade, but still finished inside my 5 hour target in 4-53-05. I was pretty bushed at the end I can tell you, but a few seconds later was elated to be presented with a quite handsome cup and a bottle of wine for winning the O50 prize! Had been racing with a couple of just-over-60-year olds earlier (being much nearer 60 than 50 myself, unfortunately) so thought the race was between us. I was pleased to beat them pretty convincingly, but had no idea I was also the leading over 50, finishing in 18th spot out of 57 starters. Sorry do not know who won it at the moment - will probably be on the internet tomorrow.
Oh yes, I suppose I should say it is a PB for the event; did 6-07 (although nursing an injury) last year (when Sue and Angie, who did not run this year, won I think it was 2nd and 3rd lady; sure Sue can correct me if I am wrong? - so at least I am keeping up the Tewkesbury prize winning tradition) so a pretty convincing improvement I think you could say?
"Ran the Draycote 35 miles ultra road marathon today, a pretty tough event of 7 and a bit laps around the Draycote Water reservoir near Rugby. Quite exposed (very in parts) and although you would think it is flat, it has a number of rolling short hills that do begin to tell at the end. Weather was relatively mild, but wet (steady light rain) and fairly windy so pretty chilly nevertheless, but contrasting to last year with sub--zero temperatures and a biting strong wind. Have been running pretty strong recently so decided to be reasonably ambitous, so when you see the result and yet I tell you that I was a bit disappointed to fade in the last few miles and lose 3 places (one to Sharon - is it Gayter or Goater? - who is one of our top female international ultra-runners (9 times 24 hour champion I gather) who beat me by a few minutes, so certainly no disgrace), you will no doubt tell me, as you usually do, that I am being hard on myself?
"My overall goal was to beat 5 hours, but also felt I could do a sub 3-30 marathon and a sub 4-15 50K along the way, and if I had a good day, finish in 4-40 or better. Started steady at the necessary 8min mile pace with a small pack including Sharon, but felt really comfortable at 12 miles and as you do, the legs got going a bit so I upped the pace a few seconds a mile. Did go through the marathon in 3-27, only my 4th time under 3-30 so in itself my 4th best ever marathon time, and despite some sharp left knee pains causing me to stop a few times to massage it (fortunately that seemed to cure it and it then went away) between the marathon and 50k points, still went through there at 4-12, a six minute beating of my previous best 50k time when racing that distance. However, now started to fade, but still finished inside my 5 hour target in 4-53-05. I was pretty bushed at the end I can tell you, but a few seconds later was elated to be presented with a quite handsome cup and a bottle of wine for winning the O50 prize! Had been racing with a couple of just-over-60-year olds earlier (being much nearer 60 than 50 myself, unfortunately) so thought the race was between us. I was pleased to beat them pretty convincingly, but had no idea I was also the leading over 50, finishing in 18th spot out of 57 starters. Sorry do not know who won it at the moment - will probably be on the internet tomorrow.
Oh yes, I suppose I should say it is a PB for the event; did 6-07 (although nursing an injury) last year (when Sue and Angie, who did not run this year, won I think it was 2nd and 3rd lady; sure Sue can correct me if I am wrong? - so at least I am keeping up the Tewkesbury prize winning tradition) so a pretty convincing improvement I think you could say?
Saturday, February 11, 2006
King of the Road standings after 2 events
After the first two Club Championship races, the early leaders are in-form Andy and Angie. Steve is in the great form too and looks to challenge Roger for his male Vets title. Good to see Mick Morris returning to the race scene and welcome to Bev Thomas who's making her debut along with Lisa Kane. Next event, Bourton 10km is a sell-out. Hereford 5km date is awaiting confirmation, the rest ARE confirmed and can be found on the club notice board.
31 Hawkins, Andy
29 Mansfield, Jon
25 Draper, Jason
22 Bennett, Roger
20 Sadler, Angie
19 Hall, Simon
18 Wiggall, Steve
16 Rawlings, Jon
15 Dudfield, Stuart
15 Sentance, Clive
13 Knight, Rob
12 Dudfield, Cathy
9 Buchan, Stuart
9 Morris, Mick
6 Howells, Phil
6 Jordan, Rob
6 Thomas, Beverly
4 Kane, Lisa
31 Hawkins, Andy
29 Mansfield, Jon
25 Draper, Jason
22 Bennett, Roger
20 Sadler, Angie
19 Hall, Simon
18 Wiggall, Steve
16 Rawlings, Jon
15 Dudfield, Stuart
15 Sentance, Clive
13 Knight, Rob
12 Dudfield, Cathy
9 Buchan, Stuart
9 Morris, Mick
6 Howells, Phil
6 Jordan, Rob
6 Thomas, Beverly
4 Kane, Lisa
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Malvern Run - 5 February 2006
Phillip Howells reports on what looks set to become a club tradition. Last year a handful of club members accompanied him on a 22 mile around the Malverns. This year he decided to repeat the challenge....
"Eleven runners participated, 6 from Tewkesbury and 5 friends who are mainly fellow 'mad' ultra runners (what we call, well I do anyway?, the COCO fraternity - people who have run long distance for the Comrades of Childen Overseas (COCO) charity formed by Steve Cram). From the club we had Roger, Angie, Brad, Sandie, Martyn and myself (several others had to apologise for illness or work,etc). For 'COCO' (not all directly so, but makes it easier to group together) we had Don, Colin, Dave, Debbie and Edward. It was a mix of talent, huge experience and relative novices, and I counted up the events we had done between us - 11 Comrades marathons (56 mile race in South Africa), 3 London-Brightons, 40 other ultra-marathons and at least 125 marathons! Quite an impressive tally.
"We were also welcoming any less experienced or not quite so fit runners wanting to participate, proposing to get them through to the 8 mile point at British Camp and then taking an easier lane-route back to Ledbury to make a 13 mile-ish (roughly half marathon) run. Sandie and Martyn took up that challenge and did it to their great satisfaction (accompanied by Edward). It was Sandie's longest ever run (previous 8 miles I think) and since she is aiming to run the Tewkesbury half, a great psychological boost. so a particularly well done to her and also to Brad, who did the whole distance although I think it was also his longest ever run. Jon Mansfield will know how Brad felt towards the end!! - but he showed great determination to finish strongly. It all showed the club off to its best; Roger, Angie, Brad, Edward and myself all ran with Sandie and Martyn to the British Camp cafe spot (the other guys were quicker so carried on - a bit too cold to hang around too much) before upping the pace after the 8 miles; club spirit personified I think and why we have such a friendly and rewarding club atmosphere.
"Eleven runners participated, 6 from Tewkesbury and 5 friends who are mainly fellow 'mad' ultra runners (what we call, well I do anyway?, the COCO fraternity - people who have run long distance for the Comrades of Childen Overseas (COCO) charity formed by Steve Cram). From the club we had Roger, Angie, Brad, Sandie, Martyn and myself (several others had to apologise for illness or work,etc). For 'COCO' (not all directly so, but makes it easier to group together) we had Don, Colin, Dave, Debbie and Edward. It was a mix of talent, huge experience and relative novices, and I counted up the events we had done between us - 11 Comrades marathons (56 mile race in South Africa), 3 London-Brightons, 40 other ultra-marathons and at least 125 marathons! Quite an impressive tally.
"We were also welcoming any less experienced or not quite so fit runners wanting to participate, proposing to get them through to the 8 mile point at British Camp and then taking an easier lane-route back to Ledbury to make a 13 mile-ish (roughly half marathon) run. Sandie and Martyn took up that challenge and did it to their great satisfaction (accompanied by Edward). It was Sandie's longest ever run (previous 8 miles I think) and since she is aiming to run the Tewkesbury half, a great psychological boost. so a particularly well done to her and also to Brad, who did the whole distance although I think it was also his longest ever run. Jon Mansfield will know how Brad felt towards the end!! - but he showed great determination to finish strongly. It all showed the club off to its best; Roger, Angie, Brad, Edward and myself all ran with Sandie and Martyn to the British Camp cafe spot (the other guys were quicker so carried on - a bit too cold to hang around too much) before upping the pace after the 8 miles; club spirit personified I think and why we have such a friendly and rewarding club atmosphere.
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