Kymin Hill Race (WFRA winter hill series) 10.01.09, by Ivan
10/01/2009 by Lou.
…along with quite a few other harriers.
A really nice race of around 4miles up the Kymin next to Monmouth.
Starting on a small footpath (tightly packed) near to the May Hill Hotel, the route climbs along a mixture of footpath,s road (~400m?), field in a continuous climb until you are just beneath the Kymin (& only a couple of hundred metres as the crow flies), before quite cruelly descending down along more winding paths & fields almost back to the bottom before beginning a second ascent….
The second time up, is much more gradual following a path that steadily climbs around the hill until you join the Offa’s Dyke, from here you run along the ridge to reach the Kymin (approx 4.5km/2.9miles ish). Then the fun begins….
From here it’s a flat out race (not quite in a straight line) across a few fields - dodging some horses (i was on a collision course with one and had to stop to allow it across in front of me, it didn’t seem to get the idea of deviating to avoid me and my flailing down-hill arms!), along a track, quick descent down a steep path before you come out on the short stretch of road you ran up on the way out, from here you just have to keep going and stay on your feet to the finish.
A whole bunch of Harriers made it along to the event today, some only deciding at about 1pm that they’d go and do it (start was at 2pm!!):
Tom Gibbs was 2nd overall.
Martin Pengilly
Steve Caldwell
Ivan Teed
Mark English
James Blore
Liz Francis
Andy Blackmore
Andy Stott
Neil Grant
Esther Barrett
Sue Ashton (FV50 winner)
Gill Stott
Dick Finch
Gerry Ashton
Syd Wheeler
These i believe are roughly the finishing order, although not sure about all of it, apologies for any errors and any harriers ommitted.
Results should be on the http://www.wfra.me.uk/ when available.
Thanks to the organisers for a great event, and sandwiches in the pub afterwards.
The Week Ahead - 5 Jan
05/01/2009 by Dick.
Early in the month for a change, and a good sharpener for the Weston Prom 5, Lou has scheduled the Severn Bridge 5k for Tuesday. Jog down from LC at 7, or meet down at the Bridge ready to run at 7.30.
Thursday is the Beachley run, and although technically the second Thursday in the month will not be our Curry Night. That pleasure is saved for the following week and will follow our seaside trip to Weston-Super-Mare.
The cross-country season picks up on Sunday with the next Leisure Ctre run at The Oasis in Cwmbran/Croesyceiliog. Meet Leis Ctre at 9.45, or make your own way for 11 start. Directions on Fixtures page (the clubhouse has been renamed Glan yr Afon but everybody calls it the Oasis). All members of whatever standard are welcome to run. It’s great training and a great Club experience. Free to enter - just get a race number from Syd if it’s your first time.
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
Dublin Marathon 2009
02/01/2009 by Andy.
Gill Ellis asked us to distribute the following - it would seem she’s trying to arrange a group to take part in the Dulin Marathon this year. I did it in 2007 and it was a good fast (though not flat) course, well worth a try (and the Guinness ain’t bad either!!).
The website is www.dublinmarathon.ie and the date of the marathon is Monday 26th October 2009 which is half term week for all us teachers, one of the reasons for making it a perfect marathon race!! Flights are now up from Cardiff for £18.99 but including taxes etc it works out at £77.00 return flight. Please see further details on www.aerarann.com I am currently looking for accommodation around Temple Bar in the centre of Dublin. If anyone knows any reasonable accommo please let me and everyone else know.
It would be good to get a group together, to share accommo etc.
Gill
