31/05/2009 by Dick.

Another great Rack Raid Relay day. Many thanks to organisers, Fairwater Runners.

Readers will remember that Marianne was our first ever stage winner at the Cotswold Way Relay last Summer when she was first woman on Stage 7. She’s now gone one better and won a stage outright on Stage 11 of the Rack Raid. She judged her race beautifully and outpaced the lead runner in the last 200 metres of a thrilling race.

Dave Somersall was our other stage winner on a very warm day, helping us to 3rd place overall.

Our B Team put in a fine performance to take 2nd place in the B competition with Kath giving our A Team member, Luke, a scare as they battled for 2nd place on Leg 12. Luke just reached the centre of Caerleon amphitheatre a metre in front, but many thought that Kath eased off to save Luke’s (and the Selector’s) blushes!

Well done to all the runners for putting everything in on a boiling hot day. Thanks to all the members and families who supported us with water and encouragement, and thanks to Team Captains Mark and Lou.

And congrats to Life President Syd who completed a unique achievement when he ran Leg 7 and became the first ever Rack Raid competitor to run all 13 stages. 

Full Results available on the Fairwater Runners website

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29/05/2009 by Dick.

At last, Mark, Lou and I have finalised the teams. As always there were a couple of last minute changes, and there may still be some last second ones. 

Berna Cantwell and Paul Scott have kindly offered to be reserves. 

Support on the route, with water if poss, will be greatly appreciated. Route maps have been posted on the Bulletin Board by Andy O.

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26/05/2009 by Andy.

From Vanessa

The numbers were well up for the last handicap, with 49 members and one guest running on the night. 

Winner on the night was Jane Rymer, second was Chris Rees and third Dave Andrews. 

The fastest on the night was Ivan who was three seconds outside the course record at 28.33.  Mark also ran an extremely good 28.39 and Tom Gibbs ran 28.59.  Fastest lady was Helen with 36.41.   Well done all!  I reckon that course record may go if there was a fifth handicap, but there is no time!  Next year guys! 

My very grateful thanks to all the helpers who assisted with setting up, the start and the finish.  

Now, for the series.  It was closely contested but the overall winner who improved consistently and managed to fool the handicapper that she was not improving as much as she did, was Tasha Williams, who won with 130 points. 

Close behind her with 129 points was Dave Andrews, and then we have a tie for third place:  Leo, Matt and Ivan all having 122 points.  Well done all!!!! 

The full results on the night are here: Handicap 4 results 2009.

Overall results are here: Handicap 2009 Overall.

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24/05/2009 by Dick.

On Tuesday we have the 2nd Leisure Centre League race at the Oasis Club, now renamed Glan yr Afon, in Cwmbran near the station. We had some new runners in the 1st race recently at Chepstow, and they helped us win enough points to lead the table. All members are welcome, entry is free, just see Syd for your number (bring some pins).

Meet at Chep LC at 6.30 to share cars. I’ll be coming straight back (after a quick shower) if you’re tight for time.

A new exciting event on Thursday. It’s the May Club Champs up at Chepstow Park Wood, and it will be an uphill mile followed by a downhill mile with time in between to get your breath back. Organiser Andy Creber will add your two times together and then award points for the total time.

To save parking congestion - and our carbon footprints - please be at the Leis Ctre at 6.50 to share cars. The uphill race will start at about the 2 mile point on the Handicap route, where you turn right near the Itton exit and start to climb.

And on Sunday we again take part in the Rack Raid Relay. If you put your name down you should have heard from skippers Mark and me (Dick). If  you haven’t or if you want a run, get in touch immediately. We are very tight for numbers.

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22/05/2009 by Ivan.

Chepstow Harriers Charmouth Pilgramage (Poster) 

This much sort after pilgrimage to Charmouth on the Dorset Coast is back once again by popular demand! Beach, BBQ, soft drinks and beer for everyone. A well-stocked coach will leave the Leisure Centre at 9.30am and will return at ~9pm.

The course is a hilly multi-terrain course of about 8 miles, including the ascent to the Golden Cap, the highest point on the South Coast. The Fun Run is approximately 2.5miles and is suitable for children aged 6 and upwards.

Cost is: Adults £15. Children (5-16) £5. These costs do not include the entry fee.

If you would like to attend, please get in touch with Ian Wade or Niki Morgan on club nights or contact them by email on “iantwade at yahoo dot com” or “nikolamorgan at hotmail dot co dot uk” or grab them on a club night - or finally register your interest on the bulletin board via the following link http://chepstowharriers.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=511&p=5362#p5362 .

Entry forms are available on the web. Follow this link:

http://www.charmouth.dorset.sch.uk/scho … 160109.pdf

Entering in advance is recommended, but entries are also available on the day.

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20/05/2009 by Ivan.

Report by Gerry.

Results of the Chepstow Harriers Fell League following this the second race can be found on the website at  http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/events.htm

There weren’t many Harriers at this event but it was well worth the trip. The organisers managed to get a break in the showers for the duration of the race.

The purists could complain that this wasn’t a true fell race, but it was a fair test of character, superbly signed and marshalled in nice countryside. There was a good deal of road running, but no problems with traffic.

The results show Gill just sneaking ahead of Sue in the championship – she had a good run chasing Andy and Andy all the way to the finish. Gill won her category once the officials worked out she wasn’t an M50! Strange that the only mistakes they appeared to have made were Gill & Sue.

I was well pleased with my time. Although slow it was by far my longest run of the year and I seem to have survived it without injury – evening managing a steady 5 mile plod round the track on Tuesday. I’m also pleased that I am ahead of James by 0.03 points! Come on mate – you’ll have to do the next one!

Next race is Beacon Batch, a Tuesday evening race - it’s also a club champs race - Tues 23rd June. Let’s see if we can get a good turnout.

Further report on the blog at

http://blog.chepstowharriers.org.uk/2009/05/17/stottie-stars-at-sarn-helen/

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18/05/2009 by Ivan.

Jane Rymer

Woke up 5.50am and dressed for the occasion. This involved spraying hair red, putting it in pigtails and red ribbons and sun cream !!! Even at this time the sun had popped its head up to say hello. Headed down to breakfast, big bowl of porridge and then egg, bacon and beans. Headed for coach with all the other harriers. Coach driver dropped us off very close to start after a couple of enforced diversions. Then we seemed to all go our own way. I was running with Anne so we stayed together and bumped in to Jan, but didn’t see any of the others until later. Got in the toilet queue, went, and then joined queue again a few minutes later. Watched the elite woman start on the big screen then put bags on lorries and then down to start. It was getting quite warm by this time, so no standing in pen shivering. I had no idea what the time was as my Garmin wasn’t charged!!!! Runners started moving forward, I didn’t hear the start but could see that people were starting to run at the front. It took us about 10 minutes to get over the start line. Anne was watching our pace as she had charged her Garmin… Great crowd support all the way and the first 10 miles seemed to fly by. I saw my mum and sister at about 7 miles and stopped for a hug. At one point I heard this loud Scottish Man shouting. ” Jane,Watch out for the dogs”. It was Craig. He passed us but we kept him in our sights, until some stupid man weaved in front off Anne and tripped her up. We took a few minutes out to assess, Anne had a cut on her knee and it looked quite bruised, we had a drink and Anne said she was fine to carry on. At about mile 12 I started getting shooting pains from my knee up my thigh and down the back of it. It was quite painful and I knew then that I wasn’t going to get the time I wanted. At the next water station, I let Anne run on, I didn’t want her to stop for me,s o I didn’t tell her I was going to walk. The next 13 miles were spent walking and running. I was still enjoying it though as the crowd support was just amazing. I even had a proposal of marriage from another runner. I saw my sister and mum again at mile 19, more hugs, just what I needed. After this I started taking sweets from the crowd as I spent quite a lot of time walking. I put my hand in one bowl though and it was horrible and slimey, turned out to be melon. Left my hand very sticky. It was a very warm day and I did go through the showers a couple of times. They were freezing but very refreshing. As I approached the Mall I saw my mum and sister again. I walked a bit, but was determined to be sprinting over the finish line. So at about 80m out I went for it, passed loads of people but could really feel the pain in my knee. Had chip taken off, collected the medal. Didn’t want to wait in queue for finish photo, so just went and collected bag walked to meeting area and plonked myself on the ground and waited. Massaged knee, but it was very sore. All in all a great day. Fantastic crowd support and great music from various bands all the way. I am a bit disappointed that I had to walk as I had been doing well in training and was on target for 4.30-4.45, but, I am in the ballot for next year and who knows, I might be able to get sub 4.30 then.

 Marathon Man Syd Wheeler

A record number 16 Chepstow Harriers completed London this year. Unfortunately Mike Smith got a late injury and had to cancel with a week to go. As usual the majority travelled up together by coach staying in the same hotel and enjoying our own pre race pasta party on Saturday evening - 22 in total with non running supporters.

Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the whole weekend experience. Everyone who ran will have their own experiences to relate. For my own it was my 22nd London - think I know the course by now! Unfortunately it was my slowest by nearly an hour but I was delighted to note that both Suzie and Anne Masters beat me home showing how much they have both improved over the years. Never thought a few years ago either of them would run faster than me on my favourite distance - well done to both of you.

We held the usual sweepstake trying to guesstimate the total finishing times for 14 Chepstow Harroers. Craig Dun was the winner just 4 minutes out from the total of 57hours 29min 19secs. Finally well done to Stuart Riggs the first Chepstow Harrier to compete in a wheelchair. His time of 2.31.04 is just 5 minutes faster than the official club record on foot!

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18/05/2009 by Dick.

Back on the track on Tuesday for 4X1200 metres. These 3-lappers are perfect for 10k and LCL races and can be tackled in two different ways or pace ranges. If you’ve got your Pace Range guide from the 3k or 5k time trial, you can follow the Cruise Interval pace, or use the Speed Workout pace.

If you haven’t got your Guide yet, for the Cruise pace you run at the speed that you would go at for a 10k race. Your recovery will be one lap steady jog - NOT WALK.

Your Speedwork pace will be the speed you do the Bridge 5k at, which is faster than your Cruise pace and you will have a lap and a half jog recovery - NOT WALK. How do I know that you will have enough puff to not have to stop and walk? Because you’re running at your 10k (5k at Cruise rate) pace, and therefore could have carried on at the same speed for another 8.8k (or 3.8k), couldn’t you? So a steady jog should be no problem. If you do have to stand at the side of the track gasping for breath then you’ve been running too fast. so SLOW DOWN! You run these intervals under full control, thus doing wonders for your aerobic fitness and running efficiency.

And if you haven’t got your personal Pace Range, why not do your 3k time trial on Tues eve? I’ll be there with my watch. Just start the first 1200 and carry on for another 4.5 laps. Easy. 

Meet at the LC 7pm Thursday to share cars to Chep Pk Wd for the last Handicap. Your last chance to win the coveted trophy, and anyone can win it. The handicap eliminates the difference in abilities, so that extra bit of effort and determination can get you across that line in the glory position!

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18/05/2009 by Ivan.

Report by Brenda

Despite the weather forecast, believe it or not, we found a window of lovely weather for all of us. Not so the remainder of the field. It tipped down after about the 1 hour 50 mins finishers time. Marianne was our star again with a third place female overall in a time of 1.29.47. Well done! However, Matt did keep ahead of her and finished in front. Leo Cohen was over the moon with his time. A massive PB in 1.38.10. That is fantastic Leo, really great, well done. Lorna Shaw came in just behind in 1.38.52 and picked up the LV45 prize. Then Royston Toon who went past me very early on at a great lick, and last of all myself, a very moderate 1.47.45, but very pleased to pick up the LV 55 prize. This was a very good event, well organised and a nice undulating course taking in the best of the Herefordshire, Welsh borders countryside.

Additional by Marianne

It was a great race and seems to get better in terms of organisation each year we do it.
Matt was very pleased to get a 3 minute PB (1:26:22) (he was still beaten by a girl but she did run 1:19:something!) I thought I’d add that after the hassle I had last week for being beaten by a 16 year old.

Full results at  http://www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk/latest-news/record-numbers-turn-out-for-half-marathon?page=1

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17/05/2009 by Dick.

Six Harriers made the journey to Lampeter for the 2nd race in Mrs Ashton’s Fell Race series, but the one who came away with the silverware was Mrs Stott.

Gill started at a fast lick on this hilly 16.5 miler on either side of the Teifi valley, and was ahead of hubby Andy in the opening stages. Andy Blackmore was also well up, with Sue not far behind. Much later came Gerry and Dick battling to keep ahead of the back markers.

Our final placings were Andy B, Andy S, Gill (only seconds behind), Sue, Dick, Gerry. After a slight kerfuffle when the organisers tried to give the 45+ trophy to someone else, Gill got up to put matters right and claim her deserved award. Sue then received the 2nd 45+ award.

Thanks to Sarn Helen Club for putting on a well-marked and well-watered course.

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