Latest Newsletter: 13th August 2010

League update (thanks to Tony Wenlock)
During July we have held the annual club sprint races and also had results in from Dolgellau 5 and Borth Beach 10k.
Overall positions in each division have remained unchanged from last month although there has been a strengthening of scores in one or two areas.

In Men’s Platignum Mark Smith has now closed the gap on Dave Powell to just 1.3 points following some great runs in the sprints and a record breaking time in the Borth 10k.
In Ladies Gold Cheryl Hughes continues to improve her ties and has a formidable lead.
In Men’s Diamond Gron Evans has improved massively over the last few months and has also established a very strong lead.

In August there are just three races
14th August - Race the Train – Trail run
21st August – Welsh 5k Championship (Bonus point for this one) details and entries online http://www.swanseasummer5k.com/
28th August Ras Beca – Trail Run details at http://ras-beca.com

Cambrian News Aberystwyth 10k website
http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/aberystwyth-10k-road-race/

Borth 10k race report (thanks to Tony Wenlock)
http://www.run247.com/articles/article-556-weekend-review%3A-july-31-%26-august-1.html

Welsh Junior League (Louise Arthur League) (thanks to Kevin Holland)
The penultimate meeting of this summer's Welsh Junior League (Louise Arthur League) took place in a sunny but windy Swansea making it difficult for the athletes to achieve season bests. Once again Clwb Athletau Aberystwyth Athletic Club was represented by a keen group of its juniors, although with half term commitments numbers were reduced, a factor that applied to all of the competing clubs. Results are as follows: Boys - Under 11: 75m: Dion Davies (5th heat 1) 12.4s, Aron Cowdy (6h heat 1) 13.0, Ben Davies (3rd heat 2) 13.1s; 150m: Aron Cowdy (4th) 25.8s; 800m: Dion Davies (2nd) 2m56.6, Ben Davies (4th) 2m58.8; Long Jump: Aron Cowdy (4th) 3.18m, Dion Davies (12th) 2.72m; Javelin: Ben Davies (3rd) 11.83m; Under 13: 200m: Kieron Owen (4th) 35.6s; 800m: Kieron Owen (1st) 2m56.9; Long Jump: Kieron Owen (3rd) 3.36m. Girls: Under 13: 70m Hurdles: Emily Thomas (2nd) 15.0s; 100m: Alys Cowdy (1st) 14.4s; 200m: Alys Cowdy (1st) 29.3s; 800m: Emily Thomas (2nd) 2m43.8s; Long Jump: Alys Cowdy (2nd) 3.54m. For further information about the junior section visit the club's website at www.aberystwyth.org.uk

Bunk house weekend 15 - 17 October (thanks to Adriano)
This year we're off to Caerhafod Lodge, Nr St David's, Pembrokeshire. It's ideally suited for running and walking being about a mile from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Within walking distance are also two pubs! Places are limited and if you have not already signed up please contact Adriano Evola in person or via adriano68@hotmail.co.uk Further info can be found by following the link to the Bunkhouse weekend at the foot of Club's home web page.

Newtown Race – 20th August
Neil Howells Memorial Race Approx 4.5 miles and Fun Run. Friday 20/08/2010. Fun Run start 6.15pm Main Race Start 7.15pm. Montgomery Showground, Lymore View.

New Swansea Summer 10k – 22nd August 2010
http://www.swanseasummer5k.com/

Fell running update from Helen Marshall (hem@aber.ac.uk)

Thursday 15th July 2010: Ras yr Hafod

On a very wet miserable evening a fair few Aberystwyth athletes turned up to the 150th anniversary of the first athletics event ever to be held in Wales at the Hafod. The beauty of the site was completely ruined by the driving rain and the biting midges – but perhaps that worked to our advantaged by making us run quicker?? I’m sorry but I cannot provide any of the junior results as I cannot find them (sorry kids). Although I can report that we did well across all categories, despite some of the juniors being sent the wrong way! The senior results: first home in the senior men category was Jos Jones in 9th, hot on his heels was myself coming in 2nd lady to a Welsh International (14th overall), Jo Thatcher (whose season of fell running is going from strength to strength...roll on the cross country!!) came in 4th lady (1st FV35, 25th overall), Daniel “I’m injured” Burgess came in 28th overall, closely followed by Clive Williams and John Evans (5th MV40 and 4th MV50; 30th and 31st overall respectively), then in came Adrian Evola in 34th position (6th MV50) pursued by Kevin Holland (8th MV50, 37th overall), Cheryl Hughes (6th lady home, 38th overall), Tony Wenlock in 43rd position (9th MV50), and Helen Stretch (15th lady, 2nd LV55, 56th overall). Well done everyone!! Great turn out and an excellent practice run for the Gwent League, which incidentally starts on Sunday 10th October.

Saturday 17th July 2010: Moel Siabod 2300 ft/5.8 miles

Only two lonely Aberystwyth athletes trekked up to North Wales for the fourth in the Open Welsh Fell Running Championships. The conditions were good but that didn’t help Jos or half of the dynamic duo – DP. Jos came home in 20th position and Dave in 38th. Never mind lads....

Saturday 17th July 2010: Pen y Fan 1930 ft/3.5 miles

Only one lonely Aberystwyth athlete (myself) trekked south to Brecon for the first event of the Brecon Fans weekend. It was a fantastic race, the conditions were perfect and the view spectacular from Pen y Fan; it was well organised with free sandwiches after the race. A brilliant day with a fantastic atmosphere. I won the ladies race (not quite sure how as my descent was pretty slow...in fact, it was one of the slowest). A great day out...one to remember for next year.

Sunday 18th July 2010: Fan y Big 2200 ft/10 miles

I was out the next day for the second of the Brecon Fans races, only this time I was joined by the as mad (if not madder) Jo Thatcher and Cheryl Hughes. The weather was a stark contrast to the glorious sunshine I enjoyed the previous day. The viz on the top was approx. 10 meters at best (that’s if you could bear looking up into the driving rain!!) – it was grim grim grim. That said, the race was brilliant (I’m sure the views were spectacular – I’ll have to wait until next year) and well organised. We all enjoyed ourselves. I came home first lady (clinching the overall prize for the Ladies Brecon Fan’s weekend winner), Jo came in 5th and Cheryl came in 10th. Aberystwyth AC won the team ladies prize for the race! All in all we cleared the prize table of wine!! Hiccup... :0)

Saturday 31th July 2010: Waun Fach 2000 ft/7 miles

The week later I was out again (travelling south to Talgarth – my second home it seems) for the 5th race in the south Wales fell running champs with Jos and Jo T in tow. The weather conditions were perfect and the ground was good. A fantastic race with a really really nasty little killer climb (well let’s be honest, a walk really...) right at the end. Jos was first Aber athlete home in 11th position, I followed along in 24th position (1st lady) and Jo (who is getting really good at this kind of thing...) wasn’t far behind in 37th position (4th lady – and who was deprived of a prize...because they got the results wrong – dam, and we were eyeing up the chocolates)....

Current standings in the WFRA South Wales Open Championships (after five events):

Coming in FIRST PLACE in the Senior Men....Jos Jones...!!
In the MV40 Dave Powell is currently in 11th position.
Coming in at the top spot for the Senior Ladies is...me....
Followed by the lean mean running machine of Phoebe Webster in 6th...
Being chased by Cheryl Hughes in 13th....
Jo Thatcher is coming in 7th position in the FV40 category....

Current standings in the WFRA Welsh Open Championships (after four events):

Coming in FIRST PLACE for the Senior Men....Jos Jones...!!
Coming in FIRST PLACE for the MV40....Dave Powell...!!
The lean mean running machine that is Phoebe Webster is still holding the top spot of FIRST (senior) LADY!!
As predicted I’ve moved down two positions to fourth having failed to race in Moel Siabod....

Aberystwyth AC is making its presence well known across Wales for having some great talent over the hills....Well done everyone – keep up the good work!!

Message from John Blair:

17 October 2010 Bovington Tank Museum
10km running / walking around the Bovington tank training areas (normally off limits to the general public)

27 November 2010 Lulworth Castle
15km running / walking / mountain biking and navigation challenges around Lulworth Castle and Lulworth Estate

Both are £35 / person, but if you book early (and add the words ‘Early Bird’ to the promotional discount code box) you can get a 10% discount.
They are open for individuals or for teams of 3 to compete. Prizes for males, females, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Juniors (aged 14-17 years) and teams.
If you would like more info, you take a look at our Adventure Race pages on the website.

Forthcoming off road fixtures...Fell/Trail (for more details see the WFRA website: http://www.wfra.org.uk/)

Saturday 14th August – 11 am Sugar Loaf (7 miles/1725 ft)
Saturday 21st August – 10.30 am Brecon Beacons (19 miles/4500 ft)
Saturday 28th August – 2.30 pm main race start Ras Beca (5 miles/1050 ft)
Monday 30th August – 3 pm Machen Hill Run (http://www.machenwelfare.com/run/run.htm) (6.2 miles/1100 ft)
Sunday 5th September – 11 am Source of the Severn (9.2 miles/1300 ft)
Sunday 12th September – 11 am Stretton Skyline (18 miles/4450 ft)
Sunday 19th September – 12 noon Dyfi 8
Saturday 25th September – 12 noon Black Mountains (in coop. British Championships) (17 miles/5200 ft)
Sunday 10th October – 1 pm Aber AC Twin Peaks
Saturday 30th October – 2 pm Sugar Loaf
Sunday 7th November – Clwydian Hills
Sunday 28th November – Rhayader Rant
Sunday 28th November – Ras y Mast
Sunday 5th December – 11am Cardlington Cracker
Sunday 12th December – 11 am Mortimer Forest Race

Forthcoming off road fixtures...Cross Country:

Gwent League fixtures (must be Aber AC first claim athletes – reported to be the best cross country league in the UK!!), see website: http://www.gwent-league.org.uk/

Sunday 10th October – Fixture 1: Newbridge Fields, Bridgend
Sunday 14th November – Fixture 2: Bath University.
Saturday 4th December – Fixture 3: Blaise Castle, Bristol.
Saturday 12th December – WELSH INTER-REGIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUILTH WELLS.
Sunday 12/13th February 2011 – Fixture 4: Penlan Leisure Centre, Brecon.
Sunday 12/13th March 2011 – Fixture 5: Singleton Park, Swansea.

West Glamorgan Cross Country League (small and informal, great for those wanting to start cross country racing, but be warned a few Welsh international have been known to turn up!), see website for further details: http://www.westglamleague.co.uk/

Sunday 3rd October – Fixture 1: 11 am North Gower
Sunday 7th November – Fixture 2 (in cooperating the West Wales Cross Country Championships): Fairwood Common, Swansea. Times vary.
Sunday 28th November – Fixture 3: 11 am Pontrhydyfen, Richard Burton’s place of origin!
Saturday 12th December – WELSH INTER-REGIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUILTH WELLS.
Sunday 9th January – Fixture 4: 11 am Gnoll Estate, Neath.
Sunday 23rd January – Fixture 5: 11 am Corus, Port Talbot (5 mile flat, unforgiving, road race).

Tenovus 5k (thanks to Ian Evans)
On the 8th of August, 2010, the inaugural Tenovus 5K was held in the town of Lampeter. I didn't know about this race until the previous Friday, when Kevin offered anyone a lift that wanted to partake in the race. I took him up on that offer, as I had nothing else on that day.

The race began with me, Gethin and Kevin in a sea of Sarn Helen white. I decided to start at a quick pace and just try and keep it going. The first part just consisted of a short hill out of the school and into the town, where we were to run 3 laps around the town and then finish off back in the school. I managed to keep a could pace going for the first mile, but slowed down on the second lap, as two Sarn Helen guys who I was ghosting, started to pull away from me. At the end of the second lap, yet another Sarn Helen runner went passed me, which just made me think, "wow, those boys in white can run!" I managed to up the tempo on the final lap and it seemed to go by quickly and thought I was going to make it without anyone else passing me, but I paid for those thoughts, as just as I was starting to come near the school entrance, I heard some feet coming down hard on me and another Sarn Helen runner flew passed me, I tried to compose myself for a sprint of my own, but by then it was too late and he was just to far away to catch. But, nevertheless, I managed to dip under 20 minutes for the first time in about 4 months and clocked my second best 5k time of the year, so I can't complain too much.

Even though there were alot of twists and turns in the race, it seemed a very quick course, which could also have something to do with it being approximately 60 meters short, which seems par for the course in the races around Lampeter. But, if the race becomes an annual fixture, I would highly recommend adding it to your calendar. As I did enjoy and I think I can also speak for Gethin and Kevin, who also were pleased with their effort.

Results (taken from http://www.onlineraceresults.org.uk/ )

Gethin Holland - 3rd - 0:16:50 - km split 0:03:22 (I think he mentioned that this was a pb)
Ian Evans - 13th - 0:19:21 - km split 0:03:52
Kevin Holland - 18th - 0:20:12 - km split 0:04:02

21st July 2010

Borth 10k Sunday 1st August - 7pm start
Enter on the day from 5.30pm opposite It's a Gift and next to the RNLI station in Borth. Also a 1 mile race for under 15's.
More details and an entry form can be found at: www.aberystwythac.org.uk

If you cannot run the Borth 10k and are able to help out...
Please be outside ‘It’s a Gift’ (opposite the RNLI station) for 5pm. Many thanks.

Club wedding bells...
The club would like to wish Bethan best wishes for her wedding on the Saturday 31st July.

The annual Capel Bangor Run & BBQ will be on Friday 13th August – more details to follow (thanks to Anita Worthing)
For people who fancy an autumn marathon – Snowdonia is full up, but in the race listings there’s a new marathon in Tenby which they’ve called The Wales Marathon, on 26th September – same day as the Anglesey marathon (a bit of N vs S rivalry? Cliff Ultra-Thomas – if you’re quick you could do both on the same day!). It’s on closed roads, 1 lap, undulating, and they’ve set the maximum at an ambitious 10,000 which seems a bit strange for an inaugural event (unless it’s a misprint!). It also seems to make a mockery of Llanelli’s Great Welsh Marathon in the spring which had a few hundred for its first occasion but is planning for a couple of thousand in 2011. Hopefully this Marathon Mania means that more people are running!

Good news for runners...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7554293.stm

For anyone who is interested in checking old Welsh race results from 2003 onwards (thanks to Ian Evans)
http://runninginwales.com/results.aspx
This is far from being a comprehensive list, but includes most of the major races in Wales.

Thanks to Dave Thomas for spotting this Welsh Castle Relay movie on Youtube…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQZ4hMA_Kko

Sports and running recovery products
The Original Recovery Company (www.originalrecovery.co.uk) is a new online retailer of sports and running recovery products – braces, creams, Recovery Kits (including Achilles Tendonitis and Plantar Fasciitis Recovery Kits), massage and much more.
We would love to offer your club members a 10% discount across the site – which they can activate at checkout by using discount code “UKClub”, which perhaps you may be able to publicise via your club website or newsletter.

And Finally to any potential brides and grooms…
“I hope this finds you well and having a good week. Apologies for the direct approach but I couldn’t spot a phone number on the website. My name is Rob and I am currently working on the casting for the third series of LIVING’s hit UK TV show Four Weddings and I am looking for couples who are getting married or having a civil ceremony between July - November 2010 to take part. I have attached a flyer for the show (along with an application form) and would be very grateful if you could forward it to those running in your upcoming races to see if there is any interest. We would love to have a keen runner on the show – especially if they are looking to tie the knot during or after a race!
The show is an exciting competition between 4 brides, made with a similar, fun tone to Come Dine with Me. Each bride will attend the others’ weddings as a guest and will judge and score the day as a whole based on four categories, the dress, the food, the venue and the overall experience. The bride with the highest score will win a luxury honeymoon which can be taken up to a year after the wedding date. The second series is currently on LIVING TV Mondays at 9pm and is already achieving fantastic viewing figures and generating a lot of press interest.
I hope this is all the information you require – but if there is anything else that you are unsure of please don’t hesitate to contact me, either by reply or on my direct line of 0207 157 3593.
Thank you for your help and look forward to hearing from you,
Best wishes,
Rob”

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(Previous news can be found here)

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