Archive for February 2009
Oh What a Night (Event)!
27/02/2009 by Dick.
Well what a successful evening that was! Thanks to Gill and Sue for all the hard work and invention they put into the great lamppost hunt of old Chepstow town.
Such a good turn out for something we’d never thought of doing before but will be eager to do again. Most harriers who were available of the evening set out onto the streets map in hand - some in pairs and the faster ones generally as lone wolves.
Spot prize creme eggs were quickly snaffled, and the leading points places were fiercely fought for.
Top big eggs were the dynamic pairing of Berta and Ellen, and fastest lone wolf, James.
An important spin-off, judging by post-race discussion, was a surge in interest in the lamppost numbering systems of the Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire County Councils. Indeed there was general horror at the unimaginative and illogical sequencing on the English side. I have heard that letters bearing the signature ‘Appalled of Chepstow’ may well be winging their way to Gloucester County Hall and the local press.
This appears to be a fascinating subject and may well feature in a number of scientific papers to be submitted for publication in the next Wots On.
The Week Ahead - 23 Feb
23/02/2009 by Dick.
Tuesday’s long speed session is 5 x 1200 metres - 1 down the Link Rd, 3 round Thornwell and 1 back up the Link Rd.
The hills session is 12 x Hospital Hill, excellent for leg strength and endurance.
Thursday’s run is our long awaited Night Event organised by Gill Stott & Sue Ashton. Here’s how they describe it ……
Runners will have just one short hour to race around the streets of Chepstow, peering at lampposts as they go, using a basic Chepstow street map with points marked on it. Points will be awarded, based on a) the number of lampposts visited and b) the number of points picked up at each lamp post. The further away from the Leisure Centre the lamppost is, the more points on offer. Some lampposts will be special ones, and prizes will be awarded to the first person to visit these.
All runners will start together, choosing which lampposts they visit, in which order and how many they think they can find in one hour. You could go round with a partner, or alone, it’s up to you. The only equipment you will need is a pen/pencil to write down one number at each site, oh and a plastic bag to keep the map dry in if it is raining. You wil need a watch if you don’t want to be late – time penalties for those who take longer than one hour. Torches are probably not necessary as the lamppost has a light on it!
Then on Sunday we have a very significant event. As a lead-up to the re-creation of our Junior Section in April, we are holding the St David’s Day Fun Runs in the Dell School just down the hill in Welsh Street. Organised jointly by Lou and Niki this is a charity event for the benefit of the Dell School and of Northpoint School in Nepal.
There are races for all ages from pre-school to under-18’s, not forgetting Mums and Dads and the Runners Challenge for those who fancy themselves as athletes. The 15 events start at 10am and run through to about 1pm BUT you must arrive half an hour before your race to register (£2 for children/£4 adults).
There are commemorative medals for all finishers, and trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd males & females in each race.
All are welcome. There will be refreshments and side shows - a great family day out!
Champs Race - The Terminator
22/02/2009 by Ivan.
Report thanks to Marianne:
A few hardy runners and spectators made the journey to Pewsey for February’s championship race. The 11.5 mile (felt like 20 miles) off-road (definitely true) was a tough course involving 4 very steep ascents (cliff faces), which were only runnable by those who had a handy cable car to attach themselves too! Unfortunately, this meant that we also had to tackle the downhill sections – not so pleasant for the less ‘leggy’ of us. My new off-roaders (I can recommend the Addidas Kanadia – bright pink is optional) were definitely a benefit through the boggy fields but as I discovered, were not so useful in the swamps and in tackling the blackthorn bush that attacked me about 8 miles in.
I think most of the Harriers survived with only minor injuries - a bleeding nose, damaged knee and elbow (don’t ask!), and plenty of weary quad and calf muscles. I’m looking forward to the Hospital hill session on Tuesday!!! I’d struggle to remember the men’s positions but the three lady Harriers who took part all did a good job and seemed to enjoy it. Well done to the Harrier’s women team (Marianne, Niki and Gill S.) who finished in 2nd, only 4 points behind the overall winners.
I definitely think the cheering from our envious supporters (Sian, Sam and Matt) along helped make the efforts a lot easier. Looking forward to seeing Sian and Sam back running for the ladies soon!
I’d recommend the race to any ‘off-roaders’. It was very well marshalled and supported. The mars bar in the goody bag and big choice of homemade cakes afterwards were definitely a welcome bonus. It was great fun and a good day out. Well done everyone.
Club Champs Results can be found on the club champs page http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/champs.htm
Fun Run Meeting this Sat. (21.2) 2pm
18/02/2009 by Lou.
The Race Meeting for the Fun Runs will be on Saturday 21st - This Saturday - 2pm at Chep. Leisure Centre.
If you haven’t offered to help yet please do, you could mail me or turn up on Saturday.
If you are helping could you let me know if you can/ can’t make it please.
It shouldn’t take too long. I’ll bring the registration forms so we can go through the registration procedure, prices and colour coding of numbers!
We can walk down to the Dell and go through what we are going to do at the finish.
With so many races back to back it should be helpful for everyone to have an idea of how it’s going to work. Hope you can make it. Thanks again for offering to help.
We put the banner up today have you seen it? If we get fine weather I’m sure it will be a great event and be successful in promoting our Junior Section, due to start in April.
The Week Ahead - 16 Feb
17/02/2009 by Dick.
It’s S Bridge 5k time trial evening on Tuesday. For a change Syd has measured the distance on the upstream side.
Thursday’s run is the Sedbury 7 - enjoy. Run it with one or two ‘buddies’ of about your pace, and run it at a consistent tempo for maximum training effect.
Those who want to improve their off-road performance but don’t want to tire themselves before tackling the Terminator on Sunday are invited to have a go at Andy Creber’s gentle new teach-in at the Forest of Dean 2.8k circuit. Meet at Leis Ctre 9.30 Sat morn with off-road shoes.
Ideal preparation for the Terminator on Sunday morn - meet LC 8.30 and grab some points in this second race in the 2009 Club Champs.
Brecon Bests
14/02/2009 by Dick.
Some fine performances rewarded many Harriers with personal best at today’s Gwent Lg XC at Brecon.
Paige (16th) and Darcy (29th) got us off to a good start in the U13s, followed by a hard-fought 7th for Isabelle in the U15s.
Not a full Chepstow women’s team for the first time this season, but excellent runs from Sam (9th), Marianne (20th), Sian (49th) and Anthea (56th).
Stuart led our men in 34th with James (38th), Mark (45th), Ivan (57th), Steve (61st), John (79th), Matt (98th), Dick (187th) and Rob (188th). And Syd as always consolidated his leading position in the 70+ division.
Thanks to Team Manager, Eric, and all our enthusiastic supporters who made good use of their voices and our new pompoms.
Adrian Ellis Memorial Cross-country Run (Rescheduled) Wednesday 4th March 2009
10/02/2009 by Ivan.
There may be a number of people from our club going to this, please contact Dick/Syd if you might be interested or want to share transport.
Information provided by the organisers:
The twentieth ‘Adrian Ellis Memorial Cross-country Run’ will now be
held at Police Headquarters, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran on Wednesday 4th
March 2009 commencing at 2pm.
This race will incorporate the meeting of the Midlands Police
cross-country league together with the Welsh Police cross-country
championships. The men’s race will be approximately six miles,
consisting of four laps and the women’s approximately three miles, a
two-lap race.
The Midland and Services race will be four laps for both men and
women.
As in previous years, for the memorial run, females can score in the
team event if they so wish by completing the full distance
(4 laps).
For the Welsh championships females are only required to complete two
laps.
The course is run over parkland and is suitable for spikes. Scoring
for the memorial run will be the first six runners’ home to count.
Car parking arrangements: limited parking will be available within the
car parks of County Hall, which is adjacent to Gwent Police
Headquarters.
NB - Having located a parking place within the County Hall car parks
you will need to attend at County Hall reception to obtain a token for
the barrier to enable you to exit the car park when you wish to leave.
Reception closes at 4pm.
There will be light refreshments and a presentation at the
Croesyceiliog Cricket Club, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran after the race.
The Week Ahead - 9 Feb
08/02/2009 by Dick.
Week 2 of Sue Ashton’s Coach of the Month spell and on Tues she’s scheduled a fast Link Road session of 12×400 metres OR 6 laps of the hilly Danes Park Loop.
Choose your length of run (5, 7 or 9 miles) on Thurs with the Boughspring runs, heading anti-clockwise this time. And of course it’s the 2nd Thursday in the month and that means …… CURRY NIGHT!! Get down to the Bellhanger for food and drink at rock bottom prices.
Big event on Saturday - the 4th Gwent League Cross-Country at Brecon LC. Remember the Gwent is the bigger of the two XCs we do. There are separate races for age groups and sexes with much larger numbers than run our local Leisure Ctre Lg. Under 13 at 12.30, women at 12.50 (6k), men at 2.25(9.6k).
All very welcome. Meet Chep LC 10.45 (note change from original 10.30). No entry fee/race numbers etc. Just bring club kit, food/drink and voice to cheer on your clubmates!
Abingdon Marathon 2009
05/02/2009 by Andy.
Suzie has asked me to point out that entries are now open for the Abingdon Marathon which will be held on Sunday 18th October 2009. If anyone would like to do it, they’re advised to enter now, as she’s sure it’s going to fill up quickly.
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=2&EN=48563
I expect there will shortly be a discussion topic on the bulletin board for anyone interested in this classic (read fast) road marathon.
Cross Country Latest
05/02/2009 by Dick.
Now the runners, helpers and supporters have thawed out from Sunday’s Arctic exposure, we can have a look at the standings with just one race to go.
Congrats to our girls who have consolidated their lead, and well done the boys who have moved up to third.
Individually we have age group leaders with Sian and Sue. Second placers with a chance of glory are Sam, Gill, Kevin and Bill.
Full results on Club Events and Results page.
