Wye Valley Runners New Years Day 10k by Sian
03/01/2009 by Lou.
A touch of Narnia had been brought to Hereford on New Years Day with a light sprinkling of snow covering the fields and lanes. A very chipper (& uncharacteristically early – namely because some of us thought the race started at 10.30 & not 11am!) band of Harriers assembled at the Rowing Club to celebrate the start of 2009 with the Wye Valley Runners annual 10k.
There had been a variety of preparation techniques employed by the team including:·
Ingesting pizza, pasta, doritos, beer, & red wine all washed down with 2 glasses of champagne at midnight. Just the thing to get you 1st Harrier home hey Ivan?·
A cultural tour of our lovely countryside in an unheated camper van in sub zero temperatures in order to increase blood flow when warm and running. A great strategy Stuart - 2nd harrier home & Male Vet 45+ winner.·
Running so fast no other women can catch her Mel Ellis was 1st woman home…but was running incognito for Shaftesbury and Barnet…we know you’re a Harrier at heart Mel! ·
Imbibing a couple of glasses of white wine, some chilled champagne and a couple of miniature mars bars. Very restrained Marianne, & definitely the way to go finishing in a seriously impressive 4th woman overall and 1st woman Harrier.·
Working very hard to ensure everyone has a peaceful Christmas meant Chris flew round the first half of the course but was struck down with a wobbly tummy he continued in true determined Harrier fashion to be next to cross the line. ·
Eating almost as much as Ivan – but drinking considerably less due to a course of festive antibiotics meant I felt a lot better than last year… and being coached over the last 100m by Chris who was forced to physically push me over the line as I had slowed to a stumble meant I finished on my feet and enjoyed my first run of 2009 – thanks Chris!·
Running a marathon, & preparing for the Gloucester 50k – this was obviously a walk in the park for Brenda. 3rd Harrier woman home and Female Vet 55+ winner. ·
Sports massages to try and recover from an ongoing hamstring injury Mark Jeffries ran strongly to be 5th male Harrier to cross the line – we can’t wait to see what he can do when injury free·
Running as much and as far as ever – well you can’t let something like Christmas get in the way of your commitment Syd was the Male Vet 70+ winner…soon to be renamed the Syd Wheeler award due to his continued dominance of this category.·
Wrapping up against the cold to ensure the freezing temperatures didn’t impede his run, Andrew was next to cross the line. ·
Getting in practise for keeping up with his Half Marathon sub 2hour Training Group Bill Bewg was next Harrier home·
Chatting in a relaxed fashion on the start line & looking forward to his first race of 09 Philip came home next.·
Some brilliant performances also meant Chepstow won the Ladies Team Prize. ·
But the day definitely belonged to Leo who ran a PB by a massive 12 minutes and stormed home as 3rd male Harrier – what a great way to start 2009, we look forward to sharing your tips over the next 12 months!!
As ever this event was brilliantly organised – a warm welcome & a cheery New Year greeting on arrival, free tea, coffee and biscuits before and after the race, vocal marshalls despite the fact they must have been ‘ecky ‘pecky freezing, & a momento as you crossed the finish line made for a great start to the New Year. Plus lots of admiration from Wye Valley Runners for our new club kit – thanks John!Next year will of course see us all having the perfect preparation in the form of Nos Galan on New Years Eve – thanks Andy, wouldn’t want another year of seeing the New Year eating, drinking & making merry….much better to be sweating in our club vests!!
Happy New Year everyone!
Sian xxx
Hereford New Year’s Day 10K by BRENDA AVERY
03/01/2009 by Lou.
A good turn out of Harriers attempting to alleviate the Season’s excesses on a cold and frosty scenic rural route. Although only three lady harriers were present, we managed to scoop the team prize, Marrianne Gittoes, Sian Griffith and myself. Sadly, the men’s team were just pipped at the post. Stuart Penny picked up the MV45 award, Syd Wheeler MV70 and myself the LV55. I know Leo Cohen was pleased with his time too. Well done to all. Results here at http://www.wyevalleyrunners.co.uk/nyd09Result.html
