White Horse Relay sunday 5th
03/09/2010 by Vanessa.
Hi all
you may/may not know that this Club relay is taking place on Sunday, starting at 9am and finishing 4/5pm in Wiltshire, around Devizes and Marlborough.
If you are in the area or fancy a trip out to support then the runners will be delighted to see you.
For details have a look at
www.whitehorserelay.org
or ask Dick/Vanessa
White Horse Relay Sun 5 Sept
18/08/2010 by Dick.
It’s time to get serious about our two teams for this new venture. It’s a new relay that takes in all the ancient white horses carved across the Wiltshire chalk hillsides. The ancient trackways are full of history and there’s some beautiful countryside: http://www.whitehorserelay.org/
We need 7 – 10 runners for each team. Each team runs 14 stages in total, so atleast four members of each team run two legs, which range from 1.9 miles to ten.
So far we’ve got Lou, Gill, Vanessa, Berta, Becky C, Sue, Gerry, Mark, Dick, Colin, Andy O, James, Andy S and Laurie down, so a few more needed, especially women.
Only 2 ½ weeks to go so ring Dick (01291 627569) or Lou (01291 625073 – back from hols on Sat 21st) ASAP!
The Week Ahead 16 August 2010
16/08/2010 by Dick.
Tuesday brings the final LCL race of the summer series here at home in Chepstow. Jog up to the hospital crossroads and turn right into Mounton Road where we do our Hospital Hill sessions. Get your race number from Syd if it’s your first ever LCL Race – summer or winter.
On Thursday Berta has arranged an away run at Yorkley in the Forest of Dean. It starts and finishes at the Nag’s Head pub, and is easy to find by heading north up the A48, and turning left at the top of the hill that leads down into Blakeney. You pass through Viney Hill and look for the pub at a left turn. Postcode is GL15 4RX. See the map via this link http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=GL154RX&spn=0.0005,0.12&hl=en
Share cars at Leis Ctre up to 7pm.
Then on Sunday at 10.30 is the next race in the East Wales Champs series – the Campus2Campus race from Allt yr Yn uni campus to Caerleon Campus. Advance entry is recommended, but you can enter on the day. Details including the bus transfer on: http://www3.newport.ac.uk/docstore/r/njones06/Runners%20Information%20′10.pdf
You may have heard my plea for runners and MARSHALS for this event. We’re desperately looking for at least one more marshal (goody bag and transport laid on) to help this important race to be viable. Please contact Dick if you can help.
The Week Ahead 9 Aug 2010
09/08/2010 by Dick.
The final Rose Inn on Tuesday so we’re putting on a speed session on Thursday as well as a run. It’ll be 3 sets of 4X300 metres.
The Thursday run will be round Chepstow Park Wood, but a very different run to the usual Handicap route. Vanessa has devised a run that we’ll be testing out for a possible mountain bike route to be cycled on maybe Wed 25 August. It’ll be a roughly 5 mile up-and-down run, and we’ll make sure no-one gets left behind.
Meet at Leis Centre 6.50 to share cars.
And finally – the next fell race in our Club series, the Sugar Loaf on Saturday, 11am from Abergavenny Leis Ctre. This really is a non-technical 7 miler with just a couple of rocky bits around the summit. Enter on the day, only £3, hot showers, refreshments. Meet Chep LC at 9.
EW champs series, Campus2Campus, 22nd Aug
29/07/2010 by Ivan.
The next Championship race in the East Wales series is coming up on Sunday 22 August. The Campus2Campus 7-miler follows an innovative route between the two colleges of the University of Wales in Newport, via the old Monmouthshire & Brecon canal and the closed-off historic Malthouse Lane.
The University Sports Centre has asked Chepstow Harriers and the Caerleon runners to provide race expertise and support. You can do your bit by entering the race via http://sports-centre.newport.ac/campus2campus
or by marshalling, or by helping at the finish. There will be a nice goody bag for all helpers.
Please contact Dick Finch for details.
The Week Ahead 19 July 2010
19/07/2010 by Dick.
Ooh look, it’s the Leisure Ctre League again on Tuesday! Don’t they come round quick? This one’s just north of Caerleon at Llanhennock. Meet at the LC at 6.30.
Following some marvellous performances at the Rose Inn, our ex-Improvers will be joining the team. They’re a fine bunch the 2010 Class!
A new away run on Thursday based on Redbrook with a drink after. Be at the LC ready to roll by 7.
And finally, on Sunday at Monmouth is the 2nd race in the East Wales Champs – the Kymin Dash (doesn’t matter if you missed the first one at Brecon, as it’s best 3 out of 4). Starts at 1.50 to fit in with the Carnival. You can enter on the day, or pre-enter via
http://www.eastwales-rab.com/index.php?view=details&id=14:kymin-dash-71&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=2
E Wales Teams for Welsh IR Championships
10/07/2010 by Dick.
This is being circulated to all clubs in the region. Alas it clashes with our Club Champs race, the Chippenham Half:
“East Wales Region
Welsh Inter Regional 10k Road Running Champs 2010
HSBC Cardiff 10k Sunday 12 September
East Wales clubs are invited to nominate members to represent E Wales at this year’s IR Champs held within the Cardiff 10k. East Wales qualification is by birth, parentage or nine months’ continuous residence.
We’re looking for six Senior Men and six Senior Women, and four Masters (35+) of each sex. Good Masters are eligible for the Senior teams, but obviously can’t score for the Masters as well. All runners must be current WA members.
Team members will need to enter the race as individuals.
Please circulate this among your members, and forward your nominations to me. We need an indication of current form like recent race times or league positions. If you have a good runner who hasn’t raced recently, give me their name anyway and we’ll think about them finding a race soon.
Dick Finch
dickfinch@talktalk.net
01291 627569”
Spare entry for Frampton 10k
09/07/2010 by Lou.
I have a spare entry for Monday’s Frampton 10k Club Champs race.
Now gone to Berna
Lou
Cotswold Way Relay 2010 - Report by Lou
04/07/2010 by Ivan.
Thanks to Dick and Mark for helping with all the organisation, to Dick for taking people for reccys, doing the whole day and knowing all the routes of the Legs and roads.
Thanks to everyone who supported - on such a hot day it was much appreciated. Vanessa, Gill, Andy + Matt, Est + Steve, Andy Bray - Marianne and Matt and James were there all day, Berta, Gareth Jones and everyone else.
By the time we arrived at Seven Springs Colin, Andy, Julie and James had run Leg 1 – James coming 4th, Andy 23rd and Julie 2nd woman – a great start. On Leg 2 Rob G had been 2nd and 3.42 mins off the 10 yr course record. Star of the women’s team Marianne had come 11th and 1st Female. Paul L. ran well for the A team coming 17th. Dan Holland also ran well for the B team.
Even after the road works and few wrong turns 
Mark and I were still at the end of Leg 3 well before the first runners, and in plenty of time to cheer Nick, Sam, Gerry and Dave off on their start of a hot Leg 4.
Then we had a message from Dick saying Esther was injured 
, out of the race and he was looking for her 
. I felt so bad for Est knowing she would be beating herself up for being out.
But good news at the finish of Leg 3 Ivan was 3rd in 
and looking strong, happy but disappointed not to be second! I think third is pretty fantastic Iv 
. Next Chepstow runner in was a hot looking Gill reporting on the Esther situation almost before she had finished – ever the team player – thanks Gill. We just had time to say ‘well done’ before we needed to be off to find the Air Balloon for the promised road crossing assistance.
Nick came through soon after we arrived looking relaxed and thanking us. Sam was the first woman we saw; she looked determined, hot and glad of the water and sponge. As Dick was still on mission find Est we thought we would stay at the Air Balloon to give water to Gerry and Dave. It was so hot – Gerry said he was feeling it although he was doing well – so was Dave I think he did a pb for the course.
Finding Cranham should have been fairly straightforward but was a little strange – kept seeing signs saying Cranham 3 miles but getting no closer. Finally at the Royal William Nick had just finished in 2nd place - fantastic. We had missed the start of Leg 5 but luckily Marianne had collected Rich’s keys – thank you.
Dick met us here and estimated we would have time to see Sam finish before supporting on Leg 5. Nearly gave up on this ambition when a runner came in shouting to Steve ‘Sam’s lost’ but luckily although she missed out on first place Sam wasn’t too lost and came in seconds later 2nd Woman. Well done Sam .
Rich’s car was nice – liked the CD and loved the air con. Dick led a little convoy of our three cars through windy lanes, people’s gardens, across golf courses, through streams to be very shortly at the car park with the ice cream van on Leg 5.
Iv was here too – even more delirious and confused than me but good to see you though Iv. Rich soon passed looking good, next was Laura looking happy as ever, thanking us and saying she was staying to support after. Laura was closely followed by Niki looking focused and hot – pleased with the water and sponge. Now we had a dilemma - to see the finish or wait for Andy – we found a solution in Mark waiting while Dick and I drove back along the Leg to find a very hot Andy. After lots of water and abuse from Dick we were on our way.
At Ebley Mill Rich had already finished in 11th place and was sitting in the sunshine. Directed by Dick we followed the course to guide runners to the finish to our surprise Niki was finishing we hadn’t seen any other women so thought she must be first!! She was . Well done Niki – more champagne. Not far behind was Laura coming 4th Female after going wrong at the Three Bears Woods – poor Goldilocks – still smiling though and working out how to get to the drinks station on Leg 9 to help Niki and Syd. Thanks Laura.
Now Andy Stott was with us and eager to see Matt finish so we left Dick to see Andy in and set off for Dursely and the end of Leg 6. We couldn’t catch Matt who had finished 3rd – although not too happy as he had gone wrong and could have been second – still a good position though Matt! Dave Austin got a good 15th place for the A team. Helen had gone wrong too – as Tosh was there it was obviously his fault – still 3rd woman though – fantastic – does make you think what we could do if we all knew the routes! Dick was due to see Jan in so we dashed off to support on Leg 7.
When I say ‘dash’ that was after I was nearly reported for joy riding! Berta had kindly passed on Luke’s ‘key’ – credit car type? Was struggling to unlock Luke’s car when some non runner blokes came over
‘is this your car?’
‘no I think it’s the right one but I just can’t get it to open’
‘is it your key’
‘no never used one like this before’
‘it’s for a Laguna’
‘oh’ ( still trying to unlock said car)
‘this is a Volkswagen’
‘so it’s the wrong car?’
‘yes’
‘is there a Laguna here?’
(as one bloke started using his mobile)
‘yes there’s one over there – are you going to steal it – did you just find that key?’
– they were very nice and showed me how to use it! Luckily Luke had left me nearly enough petrol to get to Wotton without freewheeling too far which was quite tricky with the credit card system!
In North Nibley we bumped into Bram – At this point Vanessa was first female – fantastic – sorry I had to question you about you about bringing the boys! Saw Becky too who had not gone wrong even without a recce! Left Bram with water for Brenda and went on to the finish just in time to see Vanessa flying down into Wotton asking ‘which way?’ so that was good timing? Luke had finished 13th and Vanessa 1st Woman and 17th overall – more champagne and more great results! Becky and Brenda both had good runs too – well done.
After handing over the stolen car I needed to get Dick to his start. So sadly we missed seeing Stevie C. Come in 3rd, Heather 2nd Woman (22nd overall), Martin 23rd and John Thomas feeling the heat. But was sending you good vibes – good running + congratulations. Thanks too to Gill, Matt, Vanessa and Est for supporting on Leg 8.
Dropped Dick off in Old Sodbury to finally race Leg 9 that would complete the set. Spotted Andy C. warming up then headed to Cold Ashton for our start. Thanks Vanessa for supporting Leg 9. Another leg of tragedy for Nathan – after battling for 2nd place till a mile from the finish the heat hit him and he collapsed. Poor Nathan – it feels really bad when it’s a team thing – luckily Niki and Andy found him and took him home.
Andy C. Got another great position for the A team – 17th, Lorna was 2nd Female, 21st overall. Dick got the highest position for the B team – 27th – under 3 mins behind Lorna.
In Cold Ashton it wasn’t – it was hot too hot. Even so thought I would warm up and check out the opposition on the little hill up to Leg 9 finish. This was a little daunting – as I slowly jogged up two fast girls bounced by. Lots of Harriers seem to arrive at our start which was nice. Then we were off – until the first climb all went well – after that it felt like running through hot syrup – weird and slow! But support was great and kept us going thanks Dick, Gill, Matt, Vanessa, Est and Steve. When finally all the up was over I felt better and started to enjoy it!
Poor Mark had suffered in the heat and wasn’t doing well at the finish – seemed better after a pint though. Andy Stott was 21st for the A team and Ian 37th for the B.
It was good to have finished and great to have a shower and a pint. There was a good crowd of Harriers at Bath RC sitting in the sunshine. It was a lovely surprise that our women’s team had won! I obviously suppressed my excitement in order to look cool – not – well done team – brilliant. Think the loudest cheering though was for the ‘King of the Cotswolds’ – congratulations Dick.
The Men’s team were 4th, A Mixed were 5th ( just 28 seconds behind 4th ) and B mixed 24th from 34 mixed teams. So pretty good results all round.
It was a great day - looking forward to next year .
