02/07/2009 by Ivan.

Report by Andy Stott

 Yes they did it again, Chepstow women - Liz Francis (3rd Lady) and Gill Stott (1st SLV) came away with prizes from the Coity Mountain Fell Race on Sunday in sweltering heat less than 24 hrs after running in (and in Liz’s case winning) the Cotswold Way Relay. Andy Stott also put in a good effort finishing well up the field despite tired legs. The winners were Matthew Collins (Cardiff) and Angela Jones (Brecon). Around 50 faithful runners made the annual pilgrimage to the Whistle Inn, with the race now extended to 5 miles and starting in the Country Park as part of the local fete. A very friendly race.

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28/06/2009 by Ivan.

You have seen the write up in Club Champs section of the bulletin board ( http://chepstowharriers.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=528 ) as well as the other blog posting regarding the course record of the event.

Results following the 3rd race can be found at http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/events.htm

So no need to add more about therace itself, apart to say it was a good introduction to fell running – the steep up and down without a mountain in sight! The turnout has increased the numbers in the Fell Series – let’s hope some of these are converts and will come to more fell races. With the scoring system you are fighting against everybody, no matter their age or sex. Note that in July you can do any medium race classified as a fell race. If in doubt contact Sue Ashton and once you have done it then let Sue or Gerry know your time and those of the top 5 runners. The obvious ones are Guto Nyth Bran, Fan y Big, Waun Fach, Charmouth and the Kymin Dash (a mainly tarmac fell race!).”

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08/06/2009 by Ivan.

Two races down but still four to go .

After consultation and advice from keen club members the revised schedule is as below.

June      Beacon Batch 23/06   (short)  Also a club championship

July        Any medium fell race listed on the FRA or WFRA website (this covers Charmouth, the three welsh fell races and a few other in England and Scotland)

August  Holiday

September Black Mountains  26/09 (long)

October    Sugar Loaf  31/09  (short)

Still time for everybody to do 4races.

Sue

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02/06/2009 by Ivan.

Whilst we were all lazing around enjoying the sunshine contemplating a nice little road run in the rack raid and wondering how hot it was going to be one of our club members had other things to be doing………

Tom Gibbs writes…..

On Saturday 30th May I had a crack at the Paddy Buckley Round, for those who don’t know it’s a ultra fell running route around Snowdonia, taking in 47 peaks and involving over 60 miles and 29000 feet of ascent. It’s the North Wales version of the Bob Graham Round.  I had drawn up a schedule to have a go at the record of 18 hrs 10 minutes.

I started off at 4.20am from Capel Curig and it was shorts and short sleeve weather from the start, one of my big concerns was keeping out of the sun and hydrated.  It was a stunning day, not a cloud in the sky, but not the best for fast attempts on long runs !  

By 8am the weather was already hot and I knew that a fast time would be tricky.  By 9:30 I was on my 2nd leg and due to some confusion and puncture ended up having to do most of the leg by myself with no food.

By Llanberis I was 2/3rds of the way round, up on the record and bang on my schedule with (only) the Glyders and Carneddau to go.  Here the weather caught up with me and I struggled in the heat going up the near 3000ft climb onto Elidir Fawr.  Bit by bit the record disappeared from my sights and I refocussed on finishing.

So it was that I descended in the dark off the last top to record 18 hrs 55 minutes, the 3rd fastest Paddy Buckley of all-time, with the knowledge that on a cooler day it would of been a lot closer. 

Now I am just looking forward to being able to walk again !

Tom

Well done Tom - great attempt - next time with easier weather maybe 

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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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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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13/05/2009 by Dick.

The Sarn Helen race at Lampeter is the second race in our series of six. Don’t worry if you missed the first one at Mynydd Troed, you only have to run four to get amongst the prizes.

The Sarn Helen Hill Race classed as a Long race but with only! 3000ft of climb is only a B, so no need to carry kit. It seems to have everything and quoting from the entry form

 “A race that combines the speed of road racing with the rigours of cross country and fell running over a challenging picturesque 16.5 miles. The terrain is a mixture of road, path and fell.“ So road shoes will do.

The organisers seems very friendly and assure us it is well marked with four drink stations.Start  11am at Lampeter Rugby Club. enter on the day ( GR 578487). We reckon an 8 o’c start from the Leis Ctre. 

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14/04/2009 by Ivan.

Organiser (our very own Dick Finch) :

A warm, sunny day and good underfoot. Martin Shaw took seven seconds off Matt Collins’ 2006 record, and Helen Fines beat her own record set in the same year by 12 seconds.

Thanks to marshalls Ed, Tim and Emily of the Stott clan who also supplied three of the runners. Thanks to Lou Summers and John Darby who each marked half of the course and got back in time to run. And thanks to Louise Blackmore and the little Blackmores for doing entries and helping at finish.

Chepstow Harriers Fell Running Series : 
Well done to the Chepstow runners!  This was the first of the series, but with 5 more races and your best 4 to count there is plenty of opportunity to get involved.  If you are interested then please tackle Sue Ashton or any of the names on the results.  Note that we gave Dick the average score of the Chepstow runners for his role as Organiser.

The Chepstow Harriers Fell series results following this the first race can be found at: http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/events.htm

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10/04/2009 by Dick.

It’s the first race in Sue’s Fell Race Series this Sunday 12 April at 12 noon - Mynydd Troed at the Castle Inn, Pengenfford in a beautiful part of the Black Mountains.

It’s about 7 miles with three climbs, two nice long ridge runs and some fast, exhilarating descents. Fine weather is forecast and the views across to Llangors Lake and the Brecon Beacons are marvellous. So bring your family and your Easter visitors, and make it a great day out.

You must carry or wear windproof full body cover, compass, whistle & map (provided at registration). Runners usually carry these in a bumbag or small back sac. If you haven’t got any of these, I’ll bring along a spare set, and can any other Harriers attending please bring along any spare kit - thanks. And you’ll need your running shoes with the best grip.

The route is flagged - so you shouldn’t get lost. And it only costs £2 to enter, so you must be running out of excuses by now!

You need to allow an hour to drive to the pub, and then the start is a 10 minute jog from there. Pengenffordd is on the A 479 between Cwm Du and Talgarth. There’s a good map on the pub’s website www.thecastleinn.co.uk/contacts.htm 

Postcode for satnav is LD3 0EP.  Please park in the car park alongside the pub - on the right coming from Abergavenny/Crickhowell. The space on the opposite site is for regular pub customers, thanks.

See you there no later than 11.30. I’ll be off to the start just after.

Dick 

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28/03/2009 by Dick.

Congrats to Liz Francis, Sue Ashton and James Blore - all South Wales Winter Fell League Series Champions.

Liz and Sue also won today’s race up Pen Carrig Calc. James was notable by his absence. Saving himself for the Cardiac?  A few weeks ago he could race on consecutive days, but age catches up with all of us I guess…

And a good run from Paul Murrin in 3rd place. Hope you’ll be available for the Rack Raid and/or Cotswold Way Relays, Paul.

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