The Week Ahead - 10 Nov
10/11/2008 by Dick.
Mark Harvey, this month’s coach, has devised a new speed session based at Beachley Loop Road, the housing estate on the left on the way to Beachley. It’s based on two lengths of road of about 700 and 900 metres and sounds an interesting and challenging session. Back in Chepstow, Geoff will be looking after the popular Hospital Hill session. Either will be useful for the LCL XC on Sunday.
Thursday will be the Boughspring runs with a choice of distances. Followed of course by the regular 2nd Thursday-in-the-Month treat - the Harriers Curry Night in The Bell Hanger. A tasty curry and a drink of your choice, all for £5.59.
Friday evening is a special occasion for us. It’s the LCL and East Wales Champs prizegiving at the RAFA Club next to Cwmbran Shopping Ctre. Every Chepstow Harrier who took part in last season’s cross-country or this summer’s road league should come along and receive the prizes we’ve won. And Mark and Lorna have won E Wales Champs trophies. There will be nibbles and music and a small charge, £1.50 or a raffle to cover costs. Meet at the Leis Ctre at 7 to share cars.
Then Sunday 11am is the next LCL cross-country at Hartridge School on the Spytty Road, Newport. Come off the M4 at the Coldra, J24 1st exit and after about a mile you’ll find the school on the left. Meet Leis Ctre at 10.
Gwent League Cross Country at Bath, by Matt & Dick
10/11/2008 by Lou.
After the sun of Bridgend the Gwent league reached round 2 in wet and windy Bath. Despite being a World Heritage City the course designer had selected a field close to the University for us to run around and around, not the most interesting of courses. Still, it did provide the opportunity for a bit of celebrity athlete spotting at the Uni. Olympian Craig Pickering was the best I saw. These sprinters must be cleverer than they look, as he was indoors doing some stretching while we were out in the wind and rain.
Polly and Georgie ran well in the novice girls. Next off for Chepstow were the Wright twins, continuing to sport the Harriers colour coordinated socks. Can we get them on the club kit page? Paige unfortunatley injured her ankle, which left Darcy to lead home the harriers junior section. However, this injury didn’t stop both girls joining their mum in cheering on the rest of the harriers in the subsequent races.
Next up were the women who, despite missing injured Mrs Excuses, put in a strong team performance to please Captain Lou. Leading them home was Marianne, followed in quick succession by Lorna, Lou, Helen, Sian, Jane and Natasha. All the ladies had good runs, and seemed to enjoy themselves.
Just as the rain decided to really get going it was time for the men.
And the men’s positions were Calum 67, Mark 88, Stuart P 101, Ivan 104, Paul 117, Matt 157, John 160, Stuart A 215, Kevin 229, James 240, Mike 253, Dick 265, Geoff 276. Syd - first 70A strong line-up of 13 harrier men, which should mean good scores for both an A and B team. Perhaps most notable was the outstanding cheering from Marianne, Sian and Lou - which the announcer liked so much, he joined in and started supporting Chepstow. Kevin was particularly suprised to find himself being cheered on over the mic.
Most important of all was the post race cake challenge. Despite a strong showing at Bridgend Sians Tesco Finest Muffins were pushed into third place. Grizzled veteran Stuart Penny took the silver medal with Welsh cakes. But winner was new boy Stuart with Jaffa Cakes, always a favourite.
And thanks Eric for looking after entries and results tags.
And well done everyone with putting up the tent (and taking it down with me still inside - no change there).
Next up, Blaise Castle (Bristol) on Dec 6th, thanks Matt and Dick.
