28/02/2010 by Ivan.

The format for the 2010 series will be very similar to last year. There will be three events (please note, not four), all on Thursday evenings starting at 7.15pm. The dates for your diaries are 22 April, 6 May and 20 May.

The course will be the usual one in Chepstow Park Woods, a hilly circuit of just under 5 miles that will be marked.

The slowest runner starts first, the next slowest second, and so on, until the fastest runner who starts last. The idea is that everyone finishes together at exactly the same time! This never happens so there is always a winner who gets a trophy on the night. There are also trophies for the three runners who do best in the series, with each runner’s best two results counting.

If you have done the handicap before then you know how exciting the races can be, trying to chase the runner in front without being caught by the one behind! If you have never done a handicap then come and have a go! They are great fun – no denying that they are a bit tough, but great fun nonetheless!

I will need helpers so if you are not planning to run and are willing to help then I should be grateful for your assistance.

Any questions let me know. I look forward to seeing all of you on 22 April at Chepstow Park Woods!!

Vanessa

Posted in Handicap, Club News | No Comments »

24/02/2010 by Dick.

All Harriers who turned out for the Club at Piercefield last Sunday are called to arms again for this Sunday’s race at Bryn Bach Country Park, just off the Heads of the Valley road near Tredegar.

Our women’s team needs a good turnout to consolidate the lead, while our men have climbed from bottom at the first race to equal second after three races.

And we have individual category leaders in Berta, Lou and Sue, and top three-ers in Nikki, Vanessa, Marianne, Rob, Laurie & Dick.Meet at our Leis Ctre at 9 to drive up country in force.

It’s a good course round the Park with hot showers and hot food afterwards … and before if your name’s Kevin !

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22/02/2010 by Ivan.

With the February race completed there are 28 men and 18 women with scores. Of these there are 23 who have done both races.

Results can be found on the website http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/champs.htm

The next race is the Forest of Dean ½ Marathon – move quickly as entries close on 28^th February.

The April race is Mynydd Troed – a fell race. Look out for recce runs – check with Sue or Vanessa.

 Photos of the race (courtesy of Paul Lidgett) can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26482713@N03/sets/72157614721047802/show/

Posted in Championship, Races | No Comments »

21/02/2010 by Dick.

A brand new session and an old favourite, both over in Tutshill, are your options on Tuesday.

Ivan has devised, and will be leading, the Severn Avenue speed session. It’s a 480 metre flat road to be run at your 5k race pace. The recovery is a 280 metre jog back to the start. Choose between eight and ten reps.

Chris will be leading Elm Road which is about the same length as Severn View but is of course an up and down route. Choose four or five each way.

With either session, choose your group carefully according to your 5 or 10k race time. Don’t be afraid to drop down a group if you’re struggling, or miss out a rep and come back renewed.

Our monthly visit to the Severn Bridge 5k on Thursday. A good tempo run will set you up nicely for Sunday’s LCL cross-country at Bryn Bach Country Park.

How many of the 36 Chepstow runners who competed at Piercefield Park this Sunday will make the journey to the scenic delights of Bryn Bach? We need as many as poss to keep up our challenge for the LCL titles. Meet at 9 at our LC to share cars.

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21/02/2010 by Lou.

The sun was shining on Piercefield Park this morning and the warmth was a nice contrast to last year. 

Thanks Rich for a great course – lots of good feedback.  Thanks to Syd,  Jane Rymer, Geoff Cram, Andy Ost, Geoff Bayliss, Stuart, Andy Meek-Welsh, Bram, and Anthea, for the finish and fantastically supportive marshalling.  Thanks to our photographer Paul Lidgett and your family’s support.

Thank you to everyone who brought cakes today, we had a fabulous spread – quite a feast.

The Race

I really liked the start – downhill and nice and wide.  Journalistically I like to start on the line, enough to ignore Mark and Steve telling me to get back, anyway they didn’t have to pass me.  But I did get to see Ivan, Matthew, Marianne, Kath and Sam go by.  Then I had a little battle with Nick B. which he soon won.

Our women’s team had 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd thanks to Marianne, Kath and Sam.  Julie Davies of Griffithstown was 4^th.

It was good to see so many women doing the cross country today – congratulations to all – I hope you enjoyed it ( at least now that the race is a few hours ago?).

Thanks Vanessa for doing the club champs times so quickly - see bulletin board for times.

The course allowed you to see the front runners in the first lap, I watched James leading the way.  First was Giffithstown’s relatively new cross country runner Stefan Simms, followed by Daryll Barnby of Fairwater. Our men did well today – a great sprint finish from Paul Murrin bought him in 3^rd, Mark was 5^th, next in were Stevie C., James, Steve H. and Laurie.  We had 21 men running today – great turnout.  Full list of times and positions are on the bulletin board.  Our men’s team are provisionally first. Commiserations to Andy C who was flying on his first lap but succumbed to his flu virus and had to retire.

So the next LCL cross country is next Sunday  at Bryn Bach Park – a scenic route through the country park.  Meet at the leisure centre at 9 am.  Sorry for the late notice – just announced today.  Please come and run if you can make it as many will have other commitments.

Thanks for the great photos Paul http://www.flickr.com/photos/26482713@N … 7802/show/

Posted in Championship, Cross Country, Races, Club News | 2 Comments »

20/02/2010 by Ivan.

Following the clubs international success last weekend, it’s now time for February’s club champs race.  Chepstow’s Leisure Centre League cross country on 21st Feb at 11am in Piercefield Park.
This is a great opportunity for everyone – even those who don’t often venture off road – to enjoy the open fields, to run for the club and to get points in the Club Champs.
No entry fee, just turn up about 30 mins before the start and give your name to Syd, he will issue you with a number if you do not already have one.
Everyone starts at 11 am, the women get to stop after 3 laps whereas the men get to do 4 laps. About 4 and 6 miles respectively.
Afterwards Dick has arranged for the leisure centre bar and the showers to be open . So a get together in the bar afterwards for cake and beverages.

Posted in Championship, Cross Country, Club News | No Comments »

19/02/2010 by Lou.

Report in Welsh Athletics:

”Think of Barcelona and, if images of sunny walks down the Ramblas spring to your mind, think again.

The Welsh team travelling to Catalonia for the Barcelona Half Marathon endured snow and sub-zero temperatures and had to battle the elements on the way to achieve some great results.

The Welsh women saw Katherine Matthews and Emma Parry, who both had babies 12 months ago, come back to form and finish 6th and 8th. Matthews celebrated her first Welsh vest this way.”  Full report http://www.welshathletics.org/news/february-news/welsh-team-brilliant-in-barcelona/

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

16/02/2010 by Dick.

We posted these details a couple of weeks ago. Local club members are invited to join in the race and the buffet afterwards. It’s mainly the Oasis LCL course, but starts/finishes halfway round in the school field by the roundabout opposite County Hall/Police HQ. We’ll need to be leaving Chepstow at about 12.30. Please post a message below if you’re planning to come.

“The 21st ‘Adrian Ellis Memorial Cross-country Run’ will be held at Police Headquarters, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran on Wednesday 17th February 2010 commencing at 2pm.This race will incorporate the meeting of the Midlands Police crosscountry 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.For the Midlands Police League both men and women are required to run the four laps. 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 and the police league, 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. 

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 exit barrier. 

There will be light refreshments and a presentation at the Croesyceiliog Cricket Club, The Highway, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran after the race. “

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15/02/2010 by Lou.

Chepstow Harriers’ LCL XC is on Sunday 21st Feb. in Piercefield Park - 10 mins jog from the leisure centre - starting at 11 am.  Course map and info go to piercefield-xc-course-210210.pdf 

After the race there are showers in the leisure centre, the bar will be open, runners from all clubs are welcome to join us for a drink and  some free homemade cakes.

Posted in Social, Leisure Centre League, Cross Country, Races | 2 Comments »

14/02/2010 by Dick.

Tuesday’s sessions continue the theme of faster-paced work with longer recovery periods.

1. Our monthly visit to Thornwell for four loops with drills and speedplay down the Link Road.

2. Or 4 X 4 minutes on the S Bridge with a long recovery between each. The faster members of each group should turn back during the jog recovery  to regroup with the back-markers.

On Thursday we’re extending the Tour of the Town to include a detour into Tutshill across the old Wye Bridge.   Or there’s the usual 20 mins out/20 mins back along the Link Rd and the S Bridge.   And I daresay the off-roaders will be ready with torches and grippy shoes.

All hands to the pumps (whatever that may mean) on Sunday when the LCL cross-country in Piercefield Park is also the second Club Championships race. Starts at 11 in the middle of the park so allow plenty of time to get there from the LC. Make sure you wear your number – see Syd if you don’t have one.  Rich and Stuart are setting up the course (more help welcome), but all Harriers are needed to take down the tape afterwards.Then we need to get changed and into the bar to host our home-made cake party. Please get baking on Saturday  - there’ll be lots of hungry mouths to feed!piercefield-xc-course-210210.pdf

Posted in Training, Club News | No Comments »