Archive for January 2009
Chep ‘Prizewinners’ at Llanthony
31/01/2009 by Dick.
Had the organiser not decided to donate the prize money to the Gaza appeal, at least four Harriers would have come away from The Llanthony Winter Fell Race with a winner’s prize. (£100 was donated this evening via the credit card hotline 0370 60 60 900)
In one of the most exciting finishes you can imagine, Chepstow’s Paul Murrin and Pete Ryder of the CRB club contested the lead for most of the race. Racing down treacherously slippery and rocky tracks from the Offa’s Dyke ridge, Paul headed Pete over the last few hundred metres only to be squeezed out just before the line.
Tom Gibbs was a minute and a half behind in 4th, while ever-improving James Blore was First Junior in a brilliant 9th place.
Liz Francis was 1st 40 and Sue Ashton 1st 50. Commiserations to Gerry and Mark English who finished with minor (we hope) injuries.
And finally the Double Double Challenge. Only James and Sue remain in contention for the distinction of racing Saturday Fell Races and Sunday Leis Ctre Lgs on consecutive days in recent weeks. They’ve just got to race the Chep XC tomorrow (1 Feb).
In Sue’s case it will be the Triple Double as she ran a Winter Fell Race followed by the Islwyn XC back in October!
WFRA 2008 Prizewinners
28/01/2009 by Lou.
I’ve just seen the race calendar of the Welsh Fell Runners Association ( WFRA www.wfra.org.uk ) and was pleased to see some familar faces and Chepstow Harrier vests.
Congratulations to Sue Ashton who was first in her category for the Welsh Championships and North Wales Series;
To Gill Stott who was first in her category for the South Wales Series;
To Matthew Stott, first in the under 23’s, South Wales Series.
Well done to all CH runners who took part in the fell races.
The next race is organised by Dick; Llanthony; this Saturday 31.1.09; 2.00 pm start; 3.3 miles; 1,150ft total climb; all proceeds to Gaza relief; £2.00 on the day.
The Week Ahead - 26 Jan
24/01/2009 by Dick.
Our training on Tuesdays is currently focussed on the February Club Championship race - the Terminator, a 10 mile multi-terrain race on 22 February at Pewsey, the other side of Bath. The race is described as “11 (ish) miles. Mixture of footpaths, tracks, x-country and (a little bit) of road. Some significant hills …” So this Tuesday we offer hills in the form of the Danes Park loop or speed/endurance in the 20 mins-out/20 mins-back tempo run on the Link Rd/Severn Bridge.
On Thursday we have some nice hills in the Boughspring runs, and as an alternative for the fearless, the Itton 8 adventure.
Now a challenge for the weekend. Every Chepstow member is encouraged to take part in the Leisure Centre League cross-country in nearby Piercefield Park on Sunday morning at 11. Entry is free, just turn up in your Club kit and wear your perpetual LCL race number (see Syd if you haven’t got one). Women run about 4 miles, and men just over 5. All team members are asked to help take down the course markings afterwards.
The challenge is to also take part on Saturday in the fifth Winter League short fell race (3.3 miles) at Llanthony in the beautiful Black Mountains (2pm start, £2 enter on the day). A select few completed a similar double three weeks ago when competing in the Kymin race on 10 Jan and the LCL race at the Oasis the next day. Will these indefatigables be able to do the Double Double? Sue Ashton, Syd Wheeler, James Blore, Ivan Teed, Dick Finch - the gauntlet is down! No rewards for those who do just the fell race and fail to run for the Club on Sunday.
Saturday marks the end of Lou’s reign as Coach of the Month. Thanks Lou for everything.
February is Sue’s turn. Have a good one Sue!
The Week Ahead - 19 January
19/01/2009 by Dick.
Lou’s stint as Coach of the Month continues with our second bash at Mark’s Beachley Loop Road session.
Feedback from the first session suggested that four of each of the two courses was a bit too much especially taking into consideration the long jog to and from the Loop Road. So it’ll be alternate circuits of Inner Loop Road and the length of Loop Road for a total of three each. They average about 800 metres each, giving a total speed distance of 4,800 metres. Recovery is a slow jog from the finish of one to the start of the next.
The alternative is a revisit of School Hill which always attracts a good following.
Whichever you do make sure you come into the bar after your shower because ….. IT’S LADIES NIGHT!!!!!!! But you don’t have to be female to join in. Oh no - it’s the Social Committee’s initiative to get more people to come into the bar after training, but especially those women not in the habit of popping in for a drink, a snack and a chat. There will be free home-made cakes, a display of Club kit, a raffle for some kit and some delightful company!
Thursday brings us back to the Shirenewton 9, a longer steady run in response to those who like to get the miles in with a couple of nice hills - remember the Terminator is our Feb Club Champs. The lesser-fit and injury-nursing folk can cut it short by turning off at the top of Ticken Hill.
On Saturday morning come along for a taster of our new Leisure Ctre League Cross-Country course. The race itself takes place on Sunday 1 Feb in Piercefield Park, so this will be the only opportunity to recce the course and get some serious training in. Meet in LC top car park by the field at 9.55.
The Leis Ctre League is open for all members to take part in, from the slowest to the fastest. No registration, no entry fee, just wear your LCL number, which Syd will gladly supply if this is your first one. We need as many members as possible to run and score points for us. As we are hosting this one, Chepstow members are asked to help by collecting some course flags after the race. Just a gentle warm-down really. So that’s Sunday 1 Feb at 11am in Piercefield Park, just next to our Leisure Centre. There’ll be directions to get you there, but be at the Leis Ctre by 10.30 latest.
Junior Harriers shine at County Finals.
19/01/2009 by Lou.
Following the Cavorts of their 13th Birthday party, Darcy & Paige, along with Isabelle ran side by side with
Wales finest young athletes, in the U15 girls County Finals. Also running were qualified guests from Gloucestershire Schools, Chippenham, Westbury Harriers, and even our neighbours from across the water in Northern & Southern Ireland.
So off came the ball gowns & high heels, and on went the selective South East Schools Red, Green & White
County vests and spikes.
Following qualification back in September, conditions were perfect at Blackweir, Cardiff, and the scene was set for Chepstow’s Juniors to pitch themselves among the 160 runners on the 2 lap, 3.6K cross country course.
First home for SE Wales was our very own Isabelle, running a fantastic race to take 14th position overall, with Paige & Darcy coming in 44th & 64th respectively.
Great performances from all three girls.
Well done Isabelle, Paige & Darcy.
John
Well done! Great running by our junior girls. It’s fantastic to have you in the club. You will all be a good asset and great role models in our Junior Section in April.Lou
Riverbank Rollick Sunday 18th Jan
18/01/2009 by Lou.
Thanks to Dave Andrews for directing a great race. The marshals were fantastic and there were lovely free cakes and drinks at the finish.
Shame about the mud.
A good group of hardy harriers ploughed through it, all getting generously coated, with the exception of Sian who mysteriously remained clean and pink. Then all were washed clean, Mark going for the full Baptism, by the cooling stream finish. It was a lovely race to spectate! Well done to all the runners.
Apologies to James who came to the race after a night shift and no sleep, was sick before the race and had to ‘jog’ round – but then he still managed to finish shortly after Mark! Pretty good jogging.
Our fast boys did well, we only managed to see them once, in Oldbury, at that stage Mark was leading with Ivan and Stuart close behind. I was pleased to see Marianne up near the front too.
The edge of the River Severn near Littleton was a quagmire with runners sliding through the mud and icy wind. They looked hardy and heroic to me. There was a good battle between, Niki, Gill and Sian. Niki led for most of the race with Gill close behind, Sian moved closer and closer and by the finish had a good lead. Well done! Next after a few mud falls came Dick and then Rob, who enjoyed it!
Finishing Order – Sorry for any omissions or mistakes
Ivan was 6th overall, Stuart Penny 9th; Mark struggled on with a torn calf muscle to come 11th; next Harrier was James; then Luke……..
Marianne was 3rd female (fantastic – well done); Andy Stott had a good run but couldn’t quite catch her………
then Sian; Niki; Gill, who I imagine was quite pleased to kick the er..beat; Dick ; then newest CH Rob!
Club Champs 09 - January Race
16/01/2009 by Ivan.
The first race of the 2009 club champs was a closely fought race along a blustery wet promenade at weston super mare.
The results from the organisers are currently provional, and there was at least one harrier omitted. If anyone has any queries please tackle your local friendly club championship co-ordinater!!
Club Championship 2009, Provisional January Race Results
Many thanks to weston athletic club (www.westonac.org.uk) for putting up with us for the evening!
Most Improved Runner 2008
15/01/2009 by Andy.
Voting is now open for the final round of competition for Chepstow Harriers’ Most Improved Runner 2008.
Details of the candidates will be distributed to club members to their registered email addresses very soon.
Each club member is entitled to one vote. You may cast your vote via email to me (Andy Ost), via the bulletin board Private Message system, or in person at club nights. If I’m not at the club, I shall ask someone else to collect votes on my behalf.
Voting ends on Tuesday 27th January.
The prize will be awarded at the Awards Evening and Dinner Dance on Saturday 7th February.
RIVERBANK ROLLICK Sunday 18 January 11:00am (from Dave Andrews)
11/01/2009 by Ivan.
Have even more fun this week and enter the Riverbank Rollick, a 8.7 mile multi-terrain race, 90% off-road, starting at Thornbury and going out to Oldbury, along the Severn Riverbank and back through Littleton. I am the Race Director. You can enter on the day. For more details see www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk.
Dave Andrews
The Week Ahead - 12 Jan
11/01/2009 by Dick.
Fun on the Link Road on Tues is promised by Coach Lou, with the excitement of relays. and a 400 metre race to finish. Rumour is there are prizes for winning teams. Those who look for the quiet life and a good solid hill session will go for Hospital Hill and all the benefits that will surely accrue.
The Weston Prom Run 5 miles is Thursday’s treat. Time to reap the results of all the speed training you’ve done (you have been doing the speed sessions haven’t you?). For this first Club Champs race of 2009, meet at Leis Ctre 6pm, have a sing-song on the way to the seaside, have a great race, and hasten back to the Bellhanger for our monthly get-together (food served till 10pm). Recommended you enter in advance to save queueing http://www.westonac.co.uk/entryforms/2008/PromRunsEntry2008.pdf Even if you can’t get to Weston, try and get to the Bellhanger for our monthly curry night.
On Saturday morn we’re doing cross-country training in Piercefield Park. Meet in top car park (next to the field) of Leis Ctre at 10 (originally advertised as 11 - sorry for change) for an hour of steady training.
And finally - The Week Behind. Some good performances on the Bridge last Tues. Calum ducked under 17 mins for the 5k, which I believe is the record. And James brought his Junior record down again. May be more records that I’m not aware of - please let me know.
