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/

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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.

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21/01/2010 by Ivan.

Report by Vanessa.

The day dawned sunny and relatively balmy compared to the recent snow and ice.  I looked out of a window and thought ‘it’s going to be a good day’.  I went to the Leisure Centre with Esther, Steve and James to find lots of Harriers waiting, and I was really pleased with the turnout.  We set off at 9.45am towards Thornbury which was reached in about 15 minutes.  Once there I saw lots more Harriers, the numbers were swelling.  Fab!!!

There were lovely heaters in the changing rooms so you could keep warm indoors, although the sunshine was warming outside.  The weather conditions definitely helped to keep everyone looking happy beforehand.

The race was good fun.  Muddy.  More mud and then some muddy water and lots of muddy streams.  Kath said she’d never seen so much mud.  Lou commented that in the middle there was a clean stream but by the time I got there that must have been muddy too, because I don’t remember seeing clean water anywhere.  Then the riverbank.  I had been warned about the terrible headwind, but it was still and lovely in the sunshine, you could see for miles.  I even had time for a (brief) chat with Robyn of Team Bath AC, she too was enjoying the run.

Great marshalling all round, they were very friendly and smiley. 

My own race went something like:  try to keep up with Niki and Es - not manage it.  Try and stay with Rob S - manage to stay ahead.  I could see Gerry all the way round not too far ahead, but just couldn’t get close to him.  At the 6 mile point I could see Es just ahead of Gerry, and Niki just ahead of Es.  Becky was there too.

The finish.  Well, the stream at the end was just what I needed to get my muddy shoes slightly cleaner.  I remember watching this race 3 years ago thinking ‘they are mad’, but actually it was good fun throwing yourself in a stream and desperately trying to overtake someone.

At the end lots of relieved faces, a quick change and then the prize-giving.  Kath was first lady, Marianne second.  Mark was 5^th overall (and very chuffed he was too), Lou first LV40, Niki second LV40, Laurie 2^nd MV50. Chepstow Harriers did well with both men and women’s teams taking first prize – which was a lovely cake decorated with a Severn Bridge and a course route - a really original idea.

Afterwards we adjourned to a local pub for a bit of socialising and cake eating before heading off home. We all had a bit of the men’s cake in the pub afterwards.  Not sure what happened to the women’s cake, I think Kath took it away.  Did she eat it all?  I can’t imagine that for one minute.

Thank you to Thornbury Running Club for organising this, and also thank you to the 36 Harriers who ran and supported the first event in the 2010 Club Championship.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Next event: Chepstow cross-country on 21 February.  More details to follow.

Also don’t forget the Forest Of Dean half marathon on 28 March – there are almost 1400 people entered so get your online entry in soon.  30 Harriers signed up so far!

Club champs results can be found on the ‘champs’ page http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/champs.htm

Photos of the event by the commercial photographers can be found at http://www.clickred.co.uk/p765791294

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16/01/2010 by Lou.

It has been decided that the meeting time at the leisure centre for  Sunday’s club championship race, the Riverbank Rollick should be 9.30 a.m. as it takes a while to walk to the start from the car parking.

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12/01/2010 by Ivan.

Note from race director :

It is too late to pre-enter the Rollick now, but you can still enter on the day. We have had 160 pre-entries and the limit is 300. We did a risk assessment of the course on Sunday and it is no riskier than when muddy ! The race is ON. Hopefully the snow forecast for tonight is not too severe.

Dave Andrews. Race Director.

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07/09/2009 by Lou.

The race and it’s selector lived up to expectations for some yesterday.

Of those of us who spent Saturday night in Swanage Niki had remained reasonably sober and  cooked us a fantastic meal to be rightly  rewarded with another fabulous performance yesterday.  Ian and I were a bit lost and bleary but that’s no excuse and now Ian has a better one.

At the race start with plenty of time  to chat of jogging round and enjoying it (yeah right -  like drinking too much we roll our eyes after  but do it again and again ).

Neil Grant and Gerry (sadly no Sue ) arrived with a car each before Vanessa’s little car pulled up packed with Harriers with excuses – only ex ex didn’t have one!  (Well strictly Dick didn’t give an excuse either).  James has been injured longer than he’s been born and Ivan is coming back after a sensible recovery period ( surely a spook?).  So Steve was backed as the winner.

So a que

for the porta loo (

 I preffer the hedge) then to the start line

where Rob Brown just made it on time.

 The sun was shining in a sky blue sky, the smell of salt and excitement in the air as we set off from Corfe Castle for a 13 mile run around the Dorset coast.

AC must have been proud as at the first bridge crossing an uninterrupted stream of Chepstow vests chose to get their feet wet.All was going well I could see quite a few Harriers and all looked happy and focused. 

Then six minutes in Ian put his foot in a rabbit hole, tore his calf and ran no more.  Commiserations Ian you were going well.

From this point Vanessa was flying, she was ahead of Dick and Niki, then Niki moved ahead and I didn’t see her again.  I heard that Steve and James were battling for first place in this first half while Ivan jogged around chatting to Niki.

– Mysteriously in that elite time zone where floating takes the place of effort so chatting is entirely possible –

ahead  of where the likes of AC, me, Dick, Gerry, Vanessa Neil and Rob Brown were stoically toiling in the sun.

Had a friendly word with Dick as I passed then Vanessa and I played a game of I’ll go ahead on the downs and you can go ahead on the ups for a few miles until nausea kicked in for her and I was forced to press on to play it with the brown, gleaming torso of AC.  I managed to slip by.

It was a great race (apart from the styles)  the scenery was beautiful and you were right in it.  It was wonderful when we reached the coast and after the second gruelling stairway to heaven it was mostly downhill with one soft sweeping grassy slope to fly down. 

It was a long way to go but well ‘worth it’ – a good choice Andy.  And seriously I did think it was unjust that you were DQ – it was hot and you did have your nuumber on.  But you can take it and you’re in the results so you get your points.

Well done everyone and thanks for letting me beat you this time Dick

Steve Harris 1:35

James Blore 1:42

Ivan Teed  1:48

Niki Morgan     1:51

Lou Summers  1:54

Dick Finch        1:54

Gerry Ashton  1:57

Andy Creber    2:00

Neil Grant        2:04

Vanessa Lawson   2:13

Rob Brown             2:31

Posted in Championship, Races | 1 Comment »

04/08/2009 by Ivan.

Recieved a copy of the Brecon 10 results so thought i’d pop them on the blog for all those who ran.  They have also been passed to Mr Club Champs for the scores to be work out.

Brecon 10mile (09) full results

Mr Ost, i know you were there, but i can’t find you in the results?  Any ideas!

And here are the Harriers extracted, apologies for anyone missed out (AO at least!), if you were it’s because the club name wasn’t down.  I spotted one runner but may have missed others.

Brecon 10mile (09) Chepstow Harriers only

Some great performances there by all.  Well done.

Anyone want to write a report?

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21/07/2009 by Ivan.

The July championship race yielded a good turn out of 24 harriers. Perhaps they were all enticed by the prospect of a quick time on one of the flattest, fastest courses about. That is if it’s not windy…

The race included the British Masters Athletic Federation 10k championship, which brought some of the quickest vet runners from around the country to our corner of SE Wales. This made for a quick start, and a competitive run with people all around to race against.

The route comprised parts of the Rose Inn course so familiar to us harriers. Which meant we knew all about the wind headed our way. A stiff headwind between 3 and 5 k slowed most of the field down, and it was a case of sticking with the group you were in.

Then after about 20 mins the heavens opened. It rained, a lot. Which was good as I was just starting to get a bit hot at that point.

Leading the harriers home was Mark Harvey. Kath Matthews was first female harrier who grabbed herself a bottle of wine for a top 10 finish.

Well done to all the other harriers who ran, too many to list individually, especially those who ran PB’s. I gather there was a few despite the weather.

And finally a huge thanks to Bill and all his helpers, and the hardy supporters/photographers, especially those who stood out in the rain for long periods of time.

Full results can be found on http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/marsh.htm

Links to uploaded photo’s will also be added in due course, if anyone out there has theirs uploaded to flikr / picasa or other website, please send through the link and we will be happy to add it to the race page.

For now - some pictures can be found here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/jemcowen/sets/72157621560584087/

For the Harriers that ran - club champs points will be added in due course to the ‘champs’ page once processed by AC.

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12/05/2009 by Ivan.

As preparation for this tuesdays Rose Inn a few harriers decided to put in a long run on the weekend……….

Report by Colin

This Club Champ Bonus Race was run by Andy Creber, Dick Finch, Rob Brown, James Blore and Colin Prosser and yes 2 whole bonus points for each runner - who wouldnt run 40 miles for that!

4 intrepid Chepstow Harriers set out from base camp (Chepstow Leisure Centre) driven by Head Coach Dick at 6.30am, taking a circuitous route to Overton Hill at the start of the Wessex Ridgeway. One even more intrepid harrier - Andy Creber (AC) - had headed directly for Streatley Youth Hostel - to get the coach back to the start so that we wouldn’t have to all run 80 miles there and back - thanks Andy!

Around 8.30am AC arrived at Overton Hill and following a photo opportunity we all set off at 8.30am which was more a clocking in card than Ready, Steady, Go!

The gentlemen’s agreement about running as a group slid a bit in the car and disappeared at the off and to be fair you really have to do your own pace on this run.

James sprinted off into the distance, and Dick and Andy stayed about equal to about two or three miles with me following fairly closely to begin with and Rob deciding to walk the first hill - which had been the initial plan just before we set off.

So, not wanting to spoil the story we all held our places to the end - the point of this is we all ran (and all walked) 40 miles!

The race includes competitive walkers who even if stoned or tripped up persist in running and runners, such as us, who despite outrageous support from some, persist in walking and the walkers did take some shaking off.

Including the finish there were 10 check points where you recorded a section time and also had the chance to refuel on all sorts of goodies from cake through fruit to mars bars and all just for seven and a half quid. The marshalls - or feeders - or confidential advisors - were so nice and supportive - when I laughed they laughed and when I wept they laughed - no really they were fantastic and we couldn’t have done it without them.

The scenery was nice and I will shortly upload some pics of mile 32 (Garmin based) although I would argue the ability of the rest of CH competitors to swear which mile this was - got a bit samey after 10!

I think most of us agree post 26.2 was where we had to start to dig in and 29-32 was for me so very hard and after that the last two (which lasted forever) was tarmac and fairly flat but with a road junction 100yds from the finish and I got held up by the lights and bikers and only just managed to scrape 8 hours dead up the steep ramp to the checkpoint finish - dragging half a potting shed I had hooked with my back pack.

At the finish the organisers were so attentive - telling you to sit down and bringing tea, cake, squash or anything else you wanted - Anne Goulding and her team met all our expectations!

All of us were fairly amusing to watch moving round afterwards and the Landlady at the Catherine Wheel PH where Dick and Rob got a free pint of beer (an over 60 prize) initially thought we were a bit tipsy. AC and I had forgotten our wallets and waited in the beer garden, (James having received a better offer and moved on) considered ringing Childline, but eventually our elders blinked back into the sunlight and we headed for home.

This was a two stage journey from the end of the run back to the start and on to Chepstow and the enormity of our achievement hit home when AC delivered us back at Overton Hill start some 45 minutes later for the second leg back to the LC.

So we did it and lived to tell the tale.

Would we do another ultra - I would have to say yes - no one said they wouldn’t!!!!

Some pictures and other snippets about the event can be found on the bulletin board:

http://chepstowharriers.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&p=5319#p5319

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