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Aberystwyth A.C. Weekly Newsletter Archive
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2010
29th June 2010
This Friday’s Social
Run (thanks to Will Troughton)
Friday's run will start from the square in Talybont at 6.30pm. Cars will be at
the leisure centre at 6 for those who want a lift to Talybont. The run is 9
miles, a scenic mixture of on and off road. Broadly the run takes us from Talybont to Bwlch Glas mine and back to Talybont via a partially different
route.
It might be worth mentioning that Talybont is blessed with two establishments
known as public houses. Therefore a change of clothes and money should be
brought for those wishing to pay a visit to either establishment after the run.
Adriano will be putting a map up on our noticeboard in the leisure centre for
those who wish to see the route.
Next Monthly club
meeting
Open to all members. Tuesday 6th July 8.15pm Belle Vue Hotel Aberystwyth.
Marshalls needed for
Borth 10k – 1st August
If you able to help out, please be outside ‘It’s a Gift’ (opposite the RNLI
station) for 5pm. Many thanks.
Don't be shy:
updating Honours page on club web site http://users.aber.ac.uk/keh/honours.htm
(thanks to Kevin Holland)
According to our web site pages we don't appear to have done much in recent
years in terms of prizes and representative honours! Please send me keh@aber.ac.uk
the relevant details and I'll update the pages. It important for the Club's
standing that we publicise our successes.
League Update June
(thanks to Tony Wenlock)
Early report this month as I’m off on my hols.
June is all about speed – bringing back memories of those days at school when
the football and hockey pitches are turned in tracks, and the cricket square
finally gets used for the ritual humiliation that is the teachers v pupils
match, all of which involved a lot of running around in unnecessary heat.
This month we have had times in from the last of the Rhayader 5k series, the
Newtown 5k and the new 200m club sprints – with people setting all new pb’s and
delivering some top notch times.
Ladies Platignum, is still firmly in the hand of Phoebe Webster, who maintains a
strong lead over Louise Barker and Jo Thatcher. Just half a point lies between
these two at the moment and now they are both qualified everyone of the next
races could count. Also qualified now is Anita Worthing.
In Men’s Platignum, Dave Powell is still top of the tree. Mark Smith has now
qualified and has shot into 2nd place following an outstanding run in the first
of the 200m sprints where he finished just 0.2 seconds behind Glen Davidson.
John Evans is now pushed to 3rd place but has improved his overall score with
his time in the 200m.
Ladies Gold is still headed by Cheryl Hughes who has improved her tally slightly
with her 200m time. In second place now is newly qualified Phoebe Pender who
pushes Shan Breese to third spot.
In Men’s Gold there has been a real tussle this month as Dan Burgess and Kevin
Holland qualified. Dan’s pb at Rhayader gave him the top spot, whilst he was
briefly knocked off by Kevin who produced an outstanding 200m time only to
pushed back again when Dan finished his run. But Tony Wenlock has still clings
to the top of division after an improved time in the second 200m. . There are a
lot of very talented runners in this division and we should expect to see them
challenging for the top positions in the second half of the year. Of which ….
Glen Davidson – his 200m at 22.7 is the fastest time in any of the races this
year and with 89.67 points it is the all time highest score for any league race
by anyone. He shows everything you’d expect to see in a sprinter – upright body
position and powerful arm movement, fast leg turnover , feet barely in contact
with the ground but extracting every ounce of forward motion, picking and
sticking to his line – great to watch. But with Mark Smith on his heels running
just as hard and with equal grace he had to be quick. This is the great thing
about the sprints – you get to see a whole race and people running at their flat
out best.
Ladies Diamond is unchanged
In Men’s Diamond Goronwy Evans retains top spot and adds to his overall score
with sub 30 second 200m runs. Peter Garson with three races has moved into 2nd
position and needs just one more to qualify and strengthen his position over
third placed Cameron Pope. Dai James and Dai Roberts remain one race short of
qualifying.
Forthcoming League Races
Felin Fach 6 – 25th June – Friday night run on a flattish course
Sprints – There is a slight change to the sprint event dates.
July 6th - 1 mile time trial – now rescheduled to July 20th. Mile efforts
training instead
July 12th – 400/800m sprints – Penweddig Field
July 19th – 1 Mile time trial on Cycle path behind Pen Dinas
July 20th – 1 Mile time trial on Cycle Path behind Pen Dinas
July 27th - 400/800 Sprints – to be run on Penweddig field
Welsh Castles Relay
(thanks to Kevin Holland)
Results and photos from last weekend's Welsh Castles Relay are available at
www.lescroupierswcr.org Feedback from those who took part is that we should
enter a team next year. Assuming more than twenty sign up, and that our
application is successful, we need to discuss how to allocate the places.
Something for the committee!
Ras yr Hafod –
Thursday 15th July from 4pm (thanks to Helen Marshall)
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first athletics event to be held in
Wales a series of races for all ages and other fun activities will be held on
the evening of Thursday 15th July at the Hafod. The events include:
• Ages 11 and under – 1
mile fun run.
• Age 14 and under – 2 mile fun run.
• Age 18 and under – 3 mile fun run.
• Open race – 6 miles starting at 7pm.
• Open fun run/walk for all ages and abilities – 3 miles starting at 7pm.
Medals will be given to
all participants. Schools must pre-register by Friday 9th July. Refreshments
available. Entry for individuals on the night before 6.30pm, or in advance
(please email me for an electronic entry form hem@aber.ac.uk or you can pick one
up off the notice board in Plascrug Leisure Centre). Meeting point: Hafod Church
Car Park. Entry is free!!
AMMANFORD 10K ROAD
RACE SUNDAY 11th JULY 2010
START: 11.00 a.m.– Entries on Day from 9.30a.m AMMANFORD RECREATION GROUND
Minimum age 15 years on day. Enquiries to Rose Fitzgerald on 01792-543563
Elenydd - Ancient
heartland of the Cambrian Mountains. (thanks to Marjorie Griffiths)
All invited to the launch of my husband's book of photographs & text about
Elenydd (Plynlimon, Cwmystwyth, Elan Valley, Teifi Pools, Nant yr arian,
Claerwen, Claerddu etc)
I have spent much of the last 2 years wandering around in the bogs & on the
hills. Come & see the results!!
Aberystwyth Museum 9th July 7 - 8.30pm
New Fell Race…
CRYCHAN FOREST FELL/TRAIL RACES near Llandovery
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT on SUNDAY 11th JULY 2010
8 miles/1600ft, over 18, start 2 15pm, entry £5
4½ miles/900ft, over 16, start 2pm, entry £4
Junior races if enough interest (from 1pm)
Cefn Farm Entrance (GR SN 813387)
signposted off the A483
AMPLE PARKING AND SOME REFRESHMENTS
PROCEEDS TO MOUNTAIN RESCUE
Contact: John Sweeting 01550 721086 john@wfra.org.uk www.crychanforest.org.uk
www.wfra.org.uk
Return of the
Ellesmere 10k (thanks to Dave Thomas)
August 29th sees the return of the Ellesmere 10km. The new course appears to
take in the Mere and sections of the Llangollen Canal. Entry form attached.
Welsh Junior League
(Louise Arthur League) Neath meeting (thanks to Kevin Holland)
At this summer's second meeting of the Welsh Junior League (Louise Arthur
League) at Neath Clwb Athletau Aberystwyth Athletic Club was represented by a
keen group of its juniors. Following on from their successes in the previous
meeting in Carmarthen many of the athletes achieved improved performances. Boys
- Under 11: 75m: Dion Davies (2nd heat 1) 12.1s, Aron Cowdy (5th heat 2) 12.3s,
; 150m: Aron Cowdy (2nd heat 1) 26.6s, Ben Davies (4th heat 2) 26.8s; 800m: Dion
Davies (4th) 2m57.0s, Ben Davies (5th) 2m57.7s, Aled Jones (6th) 2m58.0s, Aron
Cowdy (8th) 3m00.7s; Long Jump: Dion Davies (3rd) 3.16m, Aled Jones (8th) 2.89m;
Javelin: Ben Davies (3rd) 14.25, Aled Jones (5th) 11.95m, Relay: Dion Davies,
Aron Cowdy, Aled Jones and Ben Davies (3rd) 68.2s. Under 13: 800m: Joe Thomas
(1st) 2m55.1; 1500m: Kieron Owen (1st) 5m49.4s; Long Jump: Kieron Owen (3rd)
3.58m, Joe Thomas (9th) 3.10m. Girls: Under 11: 800m: Emily Thomas (1st)
3m10.1s, Harriet Evola-Quinn (3rd) 3m49.4s; Long Jump: A. Jones (8th) 2.41m,
Harriet Evola-Quinn (10th) 1.97m; Under 13: 70m Hurdles: Emily Thomas (1st)
14.3s; 100m: Alys Cowdy (1st) 14.1s; 200m: Alys Cowdy (1st) 29.0s; 1500m: Emily
Thomas (2nd) 5m38.9s; Long Jump: Alys Cowdy (1st) 4.03m; Emily Thomas (4th)
3.55m; Relay: Emily Thomas, Harriet Evola-Quinn, Emily Thomas, Alys Cowdy (1st)
65.1s; Under 15: 800m: Zoe Walsh (5th) 3m28.6s; 1500m: Fay Walsh (3rd) 7m15.6s;
Javelin: Zoe Walsh (3rd) 9.25m; Shot Put: Fay Walsh (5th) 3.90m; Long Jump: Zoe
Walsh (4th) 3.02m, Fay Walsh (5th) 2.54m. For further information about the
junior section visit the club's website at
www.aberystwythac.org.uk
Fell running update
from Helen Marshall (hem@aber.ac.uk)...
Foel Fras – 3100ft : Saturday 12th June
For the 3rd event in the WFRA open Welsh Championships, the dynamic duo (aka
Phoebe and Dave), Jos and myself made our way to Abergwyngregyn for the start of
Foel Fras. It was a fantastic day, perfect running conditions – but there was
low cloud on at the summit of Drum, Foel Fras and Garnedd Uchaf, fortunately the
course was well marked and the saga of last year (where one third of the
competitors didn’t finish) was avoided. Final positions: Dave Powell - 11th, Jos
Jones - 12th, Phoebe Webster – 32nd (3rd Lady), and Helen Marshall – 42nd (4th
Lady).
Moel Hebog – 2400ft :
Saturday 19th June.
For my birthday I decided to celebrate with pain and suffering by attempting to
“run” Moel Hebog. The dynamic duo also made an appearance, but Phoebe decided to
pull out before the start due to suffering hamstring damage after the Rhayader
5km (plus additional damage incurred as a result of Foel Fras on the Saturday
followed by a Welsh Castles stage on the Sunday – crazy woman!). To be honest,
Mike Blakes’ comments about my ability to descend summed up my performance quite
nicely “Helen I would give your descent 2 out of 10”... Final positions: Jos
Jones - 10th, Dave Powell - 19th, and Helen Marshall – 36th (no I wasn’t last,
but it was pretty close)...The ice cream afterwards made up for the humiliation
suffered...
Beacon Batch – 1000ft :
Tuesday 22nd June.
For the 3rd event in the WFRA South Wales Championships Jos and I headed on down
to Somerset for Weston Athletics Beacon Batch (a category B in the Mendip Hills
– basically it had the same about of ascent and descent as your average speed
bump). Well, what a bunch of horrible, rude, women – there was lots of jostling
for position at the start with several women elbowing me and purposely blocking
my path to try to avoid being overtaken...needless to say I left them all (bar
one) after about 800 meters and never saw any of them again – thank god. I then
had a jostle with really annoying bloke who wouldn’t let me pass after reaching
the summit – he kept speeding up every time I tried to overtake and slowed down
after I had given up and slotted in behind him...very VERY irritating. Needless
to say I managed to get past in the end but he did finally beat me on the
downhill. Overall a great little race – shame about the competitors... Final
positions: Jos Jones - 9th and Helen Marshall – 23rd (2nd Lady and only 29
seconds off the course record...bummer).
Current standings in
the WFRA Welsh Open Championships (after three events):
Coming in almost at the top spot (in second)....Jos Jones...
Followed closely (in third place) by....Dave Powell...
Both of whom are being chased by the lean mean running machine of (in fourth
place)...Phoebe Webster...FIRST LADY!!
Herding up the rear nicely (in ninth position)...Helen Marshall....second lady
(but let’s be honest...probably not for long...)
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!!
Dambuster 10k
(actually 5.42 mi) Sun 6 June (thanks to Adriano Evola)
Another day and another race run ! I have run this multi-terrain race in the
area of Llys y fran reservoir twice before, and, the evening before the race,
Clive Evans and I decided to take part.
We travelled down the Fishguard coastal road, and then onwards to Mynydd Preseli
and then to Llys y fran Reservoir.
It turned out to be quite a warm and comfortable day. All the usual South Wales
Running Clubs were there in good numbers, but, unabashed, when people said 'Oh,
you two have come a long way', we modestly replied 'Yes, we are Aber AC's finest
Veteran runners'!
Once the run got under way, I began to feel the effects of Fri night's Social
Run (12 mi and 5000' climb), but neverthless ploughed on, finishing 14 secs
inside my previous PB, so honour was well satisfied - even if Clive passed me on
this occasion.
The winner was Glyn Price of Sarn Helen in 32:24, while Ann Thomas of TROTS was
First Lady in 36:08, in a field of 99. (Evergreen 81-year-old Alan Watts of Sarn
Helen was 99th in 1:28:00)
Clive Evans was 46th in 42:37 (2nd VM60), while I was 53rd in 42:59
Dartmoor Discovery
Ultra Marathon (32mi 637 yards - 52.1 Km) 5 June 2010 (thanks to Cliff Thomas)
This was the twelfth running of this annual race, and it showed in the slick
organisation. There was a facility to have your energy drinks transported to
specific Drink Stations, and time was called at various distances.
After a week of
blistering heat, 130 or so runners collected in Princetown, in the shadow of
Dartmoor Prison, on an overcast but initially 'hoomid' day, to take part in 'the
last single lap ultra marathon in the UK held on roads'. Many seemed to know
each other, and made "Its going to be a run for survival today, lads" - type
remarks.
The first 6 miles were
mainly undulating downwards, but, knowing that Princetown is at 1391' and that
at 11 mi, the lowest point on the course is 195', it was'nt much comfort. When
we hit the hills, I was surprised to see that almost everyone was walking
briskly. Naturally, in true AAC manner, I steamed past sneering, only to find
these same 'wimpy walkers' running past me on the next flat or downhill section.
Whilst I was thinking about this, I realised that when I got to the top of a
hill, I could see the probable leaders also walking up a distant hill.
Eventually, I began to follow suit.
After passing a DRINKS
sign, you would pass a person with binoculars, shouting out numbers. As you
approached the Stand, you saw one person searching through the special drinks,
while another handed yours to you while addressing you by name ! Similarly, your
time was called by name as you passed each checkpoint. Although it needed
manpower, lots of marshals were needed anyway to prevent runners getting lost in
the network of lanes.
The postal pack had
included a number of advisory sheets ranging from best viewpoints for
supporters, advice on training and hydration, to the location of the 4 major
hills. They also gave the course height at each half mile point : following
careful perusal, there appeared to be only two 2-mile sections which registered
as flat. For the rest, you were either running up or down - it was a very
undulating course.
My plan, such as it
was, was to try for a do-able 4:15 marathon (cf. Snowdonia), with the next 6
miles at 10 min pace, making an acceptable 5:15 finish. In the event, I hit 13.1
mi (GPS) in 1:53, and M in 4:29. It was only after much fretting that I realised
that, with the lowest point being at 11 mi, the second HM could be expected to
be much slower.
I was in pretty good
shape at 26 mi, pleased that I had missed my usual cramp at 20/21 mi, and took
part in a bit of amiable passing/repassing with several other runners over the
last 3 uphill miles. However, at 31.4 mi (GPS), cramp struck. Stamping and bad
language seemed to solve that, and when, as I cantered into the village, I heard
the tannoy announcing"...AAC...come a long way....give...good clap...etc", I
managed to show off with a significant sprint finish, despite the fact that the
soles of my feet were really sore !
No goody bag as such -
Certificate and small gold-ish cast-metal trainer, with race/date plaque. I
bought an undated T shirt (£7). Tables groaning with food beckened, but I could
only stomach a cup of tea.
For data-nerds
(print-outs arrived 4 days later):
130 finishers + 5 DNFs (The 22 ladies all finished)
Roughly 80% of runners were in Vet Cats !
I was 83rd in 5:42:20. Pace 10:37.7 5th VM60
Split times : 10k- 52:09, 20k- 1:47:19, 30k- 3:02:45, M- 4:28:57, 50k- 5:24:32,
Finish 5:42:20.
Winner took 3:50:53 (Pace 7:10 !!!!!) and 1st VM60 took 4:53:46
Footnote (Pun intended,
Kevin..)
People enquiring after
my health in the past few months have heard all about my long-term ankle injury
!
After a total lay-off
of 3 months after Snowdonia, I restarted running with VERY short distances (<1
mi to start !), increasing gradually to the point of discomfort, then icing and
resting. I also started in the Uni Gym twice weekly - lower body weights and
non-impact running machines (not treadmill).
At length, I was doing
2 hard hours gym each visit + a mid week fast 8-miler + either short or long
Long Run on Sun (12 to high teens on alternate weeks) with a max of 24 mi. Other
days were either total rest or gentle cycle.
Moral of this story :
when injured, channel your obsession for running into not running but finding
some other way of exercising your legs etc. Run up to the point of pain, but
stop at first twinge. Don't run further than you calculate you ought, just
because you feel ok. Use ice packs after every run, and each evening. (RICE)
Conclusion : It is
possible to finish a hard 32-miler in the top two-thirds of the field on two
runs a week !!
1000m Peaks 5th June
- A report for those who, like me, are having a quiet patch at work. (thanks to
Phoebe Webster)
Distance: 22 miles Ascent: 8,500 ft
I met Dave without
incident at the appointed time (5.45am) and place (Farms office). We drove along
the empty roads, lost in the quiet contemplation of life’s trifles that such a
morning often evokes. I was roused from my thoughts by Dave instructing me to
phone Louise post-haste for he had miscalculated and we were at Corris earlier
than Lou was expecting but certainly not earlier than was necessary. I couldn’t
find the “L” on my phone and before I knew it I was jettisoned from the car
towards Lou’s place with orders to return with Lou and Steve immediately. I
arrived to find Lou about to enjoy a coffee and bagel. “Quick Lou, mobilise.
We’re behind schedule” Lou poured her coffee into a travel mug and summoned
Steve who was foaming at the mouth not through anticipation of his bagel but
because he was half-way through teeth brushing. We piled into the Subaru and
sped off.
LLanberis shimmered in
the morning sunlight. Steve and Lou were going for a slightly shorter run over
the Glydderau so they went to Pete’s Eats for a cuppa. Me and Dave were doing
the Welsh 1000m peaks – a 22 mile race which goes over all the peaks over a
thousand meters high in Wales and finishes on the summit of Snowdon but starts
on the coast about 30 miles away so we needed ferrying to the start by the
double decker runner’s bus.
We boarded and went
upstairs I was immediately transported back in time. Dave passed me a bent
Lambert and Butler and sparked me up with a six inch flame. My eyelashes
shrivelled to stubble. I had two drags and passed it back but he was busy
gobbing out of the window so I finished it off and stubbed it out caramelising a
patch of the seat in front just next to some scrawl about what “SARZ” will do
for 50p. If “x”s were that common in the English language they wouldn’t be worth
8 points in scrabble.
Having arrived we stood
in the field evaporating into the crystal clear heat magnifier and chewing the
fat with a bunch of familiars. The general consensus was that heat and
dehydration would be the main problem today. Last year we had stood in that
field quaking at the prospect of running into a broiling sky where the wind was
churning clouds at 60mph and freezing the relentless rain to snow and hail. The
race was called off half- way through as more and more people had to be rescued
and Bangor A and E filled up with hypothermic people in tiny shorts. Me and Dave
had finished that year. Dave was 4th.
The race got underway.
We set off up the hill and were soon on a mountain path littered with rocks.
After 15 minutes we came off the path, crossed a stream and began a vertical
ascent requiring the use of hands and desperate zigzagging to lessen the
gradient. I was concentrating only on Dave’s heels as I knew I would not stand
any chance of navigating myself across the moorland of the Carneddau.
As usual I lost him on
the descent and convinced myself that I had missed a vital checkpoint as I
couldn’t see anyone. I asked a walker if he had seen a load of running people
and he said he had and that they had all fiddled with that thing 20 yards away
which was festooned with hazard tape and luminous bunting. I went and dibbed my
dibber at the checkpoint.
After a 4 mile run down
a tarmac track to the A5 I was ready to stop. We’d been going 2 hrs 30 mins and
I was sweating constantly on the climbs it had been dripping of the ends of my
fingers. There was a water station at the A5 Ogwen junction and I stopped and
drank a litre and had 4 jelly babies and a breather to fortify myself for the
climb ahead.
I could see Andrea, 1st
lady and climbed hard for 45mins to catch her. We reached the top of the pass
where the miners track (the descent route) begins. It snaked into the distance-
a never-ending crevassed and gullied staircase of horror, strewn with
bone-breaking giant nut clusters and surprise 1m drop-offs. Andrea possesses the
same powers of descent as Dave and had already disappeared into the heat haze
before I had wiped the salt crystals from my eyebrows. I picked my way gingerly
down the hill on bonking legs, agonised by every step and deeply regretting the
last hour of sustained effort only to discover that I had mysteriously arrived
on some out of bounds SSSI crags where rare things live. I had to come off them
and wade through a lake where I fell victim to its slippery bottom and ended up
fully submerged.
With the help of
several men I had led astray I re-routed, crested a hill and to my relief saw
Pen y Pass youth hostel twinkling in the sunlight 100ft below me. There I drank
a dozen orange squashes and had a heavenly hallucination- an angel clad in
skin-tight polyester proffering manna from heaven- it wasn’t a vision it was a
reality- Steve unwrapping a chocolate energy bar for me. I began the ascent of
Snowdon happily nourished and glad that it was nearly over.
This cheeriness
vapourised as soon as I got onto the Pyg track. At first I found it a challenge
not to be impolite to the path blockage which consisted of a statistically
impossible concentration of conjoined triplets, fused at the elbows and
participating in a spot of eye-fishing-with-clickety-sticks. By the end of the
Pyg track, an hour later, I was so dehydrated and exhausted that the blockage
had turned into actual squealing swine and I was fighting through them like
something out of Kill Bill.
Lou found me reeling
about below the trig point and ran ahead for the last 200m, guiding me through a
sea of ignorance and ice cream. This race was a monster. Dave had a brilliant
run and came 7th out of 70. I was 12th which was ok. After the 5 mile stagger
back to Llanberis we went to Pete’s Eats for a fry up.
7th Dave Powell : 4 hrs
45 minutes
12th Phoebe Webster: 5 hrs 02 minutes
15th June 2010
Welsh
Castle Relay 2010 - well done Aber!!
A very big thank you to
Kevin for all the organisation and hard work to enable Aber AC to enter a team
and take part in the 2010 Relay. Thank you also to everyone that was able to
support, cheer and marshall over the two days. It was a really excellent event
and great to be able to run as a team.
The provisional results
can be found at:
www.welshcastlesrelay.org.uk
I'm trying to collect
together all the pictures that were taken from the weekend to load on the club
photo site. You can either email them to me aiv@aber.ac.uk or I can send you the
password to upload your own photos.
www.flickr.com/photos/aberac
.
A few comments below
from the Aber A.C. runners and spectators to give you a flavour of the weekend
event.
"After supporting Anita
S at Penmaenpool, I joined the long line of cars, minibuses, little green men,
gorillas, reindeers, dragons, Hawaian grass skirts, mad Spaniards and the odd
runner on the way between Cross Foxes and Dinas Mawddwy. Just a brilliant
atmosphere all the way. Really what the Castles is all about. Hope everyone from
Aber enjoyed the experience. Don't know where they were if they didn't!!"
"Thoroughly enjoyed it,
the support on the course, marshalling, atmosphere, blow up animals and hundreds
of hooting cars were amazing. Well worth doing again, the question being should
we be aiming for a mens and a womens team in a couple of years. Food for
thought. "
"Well done Aber. We did
it and it was a totally new experience for many of us. The club hope to be back
next year for another attempt."
"Really enjoyed the
atmosphere and very very glad to see the Aber supporters/drinks station at
Penmaenpool which helped to keep me going on the long, long, hot path to
Dolgelleau! It was just a shame the other runners on my leg were so
fast...that's my excuse anyway!"
"Thanks for organising
it [Kevin], it was an amazing experience. Thanks also for saving my life with
that glass of water – serious shortage of water stations on that hot, hilly leg!
I enjoyed the scenery, the atmosphere, the camaraderie, everything (even the run
itself!). Same again next year? 2 teams?"
“Can I just echo that:
I had a fantastic weekend and thanks for all your hard work and organisation
[Kevin]. I'm looking forward to next year already”
League Update – May
2010. (thanks to Tony Wenlock)
The Leagues have been
updated with results from the first two races in the Rhayader 5 k series, Ras y
Cader and Chester Marathon.
In Ladies Platignum
Phoebe Webster has now qualified and taken over the lead and, with a 35 second
improvement her times at the Rhayader races now has a dominating position.
Phoebe was 2nd in Ras y Gader and at the prize giving her performance was noted
as a “return to form” – so more to come I think. Also qualifying in second
placed Louise Barker who now holds a narrow 2.5 point lead over third placed Jo
Thatcher who qualifies with her time from Ras Y Gader.
As predicted Dave
Powell has now shot to the top of Men’s Platignum following his trips to the
chip shop in Rhayader. In second place is John Evans who continues to run well
in all categories and has already built up the highest number of races so far
this year. Third place sits with Clive Evans.
In Ladies Gold Cheryl
Hughes has now qualified in Rhayader to take over top slot from the only other
qualifier Shan Breese. Phoebe Pender lies in third place following a very strong
run at Ras y Gader.
In Men’s Gold Tony
Wenlock remains the only qualifier and has moved back to top position pushing
Dan Burgess into second place. In third place is Shelley Childs. This division
is now very finely poised with six people just one run away from qualification.
The one to watch however is Jos Jones who has built up a strong tally from 5k
and off road races – a good time in any other category will almost certainly
propel him to top of the division.
Ladies Diamond Marj
Griffiths has opened her lead following her run at Rhayader whilst Menna
Stephens retains second spot.
In Men’s Diamond there
are two qualifiers. In the lead is Goronwy Evans who has achieved two pb’s in
the Rhayader 5k’s. Second placed is Cameron Pope – also with a 5k pb. In third
spot is Pete Garson who adds to his points with an impressive sub 2 hour run at
Ras y Gader.
Now is a good time to
consider optional races to boost your scores. For these it is now possible to
count your times from the regular club time trials run at Tuesday night
training. Results from these trials can be counted provided they are run over a
5k or 5miles and all times are logged on a single, independent clock.
Trail
League Update
Dave Powell retains top
positions in Men’s trail following the results from Ras y Gader . However, as
predicted, Jos Jones is rapidly closing the gap having finished ahead of Dave
and could overhaul him if he can continue his excellent form. Tony Wenlock
clings to third place.
There are no changes in
Ladies Trail where Phoebe Webster continues to dominate. Louise Barker holds
second place whilst third spot is with Cheryl Hughes. However, Helen Marshall is
now building a good set of results and it looks like there could be a tussle
evolving.
People running in trail
races should remember that there is scope for up to three team optional races.
For these at least four people from the club must take place and they should
agree to use the results from the race in the league. The recent run at Sarn
Helen is a good example where seven people took part but their scores are not
being counted – yet. If you want to include these then let me know and I’ll add
them in.
League Sprint Races
Coming up in June &
July are the League sprint races. These are run over 200m, 400m, 800m and 1
Mile.
The 200m events will
take place on 15th and 22nd June – and although these are on a Tuesday the runs
are open to men and women.
The 400m , 800m and
1mile races are in July and are split over Mondays and Tuesdays so that everyone
can participate.
The sprint races proved
to be a big success last year and delivered some very tight and exciting head to
head races so make a note to yourself, - warm up, stretch, focus and …..run like
the wind ……
Spin
Class 7.45-8.30am Tuesday Morning in the University Sports Centre (thanks to
Lily Stieler)
Just a reminder to all
those in need of some extra training. A short but intensive class. Hope to see
some of you there. Non-members welcome.
Request for help on
Saturday
Please see the message below which has been distributed to Ystwyth CC – if
anyone from Aber A.C. can help out then please let Jeff Saycell know
jrs@aber.ac.uk . More details about
the Crits can be found on the Ystwyth CC website:
http://www.ystwythcc.org/seafront.php Many thanks.
Dear all
We still need a few more helpers/marshalls for the crits this saturday, set up
starts at 2.00pm and we have to clear everything after racing finishes, as well
as marshall the road closure and course crossing points. If you want to
volunteer but have not done so as yet please contact jeff saycell
jrs@aber.ac.uk asap as he needs to
plan what jobs are allocated. We are only a small club and putting on a big race
like the crits is a real achievement Jeff and Shelley have put in hours of work
to get it to this point, its now time for the rest of us to support them on the
day and make all the effort worthwhile with a great evening of racing.
Many Thanks
Gail
Request for helpers
with British Horse Society Trec competition
Eifion & I are organising a BHS Trec Competition on the weekend of 19 & 20 June,
and are on the look-out for stewards!
I was just wondering whether you’d be free/interested? (or know of anybody from
your Club that would be willing?)
Saturday’s duties would probably involve manning a ‘checkpoint’, recording
rider’s arrival & departure times; Sunday’s the obstacle course, so it would
involve judging how they perform (but no ‘horsey’ experience is required at all
of them!)
I’d be grateful if you could let me know
amandar@ceredigion.gov.uk .
Next Monthly club
meeting
Open to all members. Tuesday 6th July 8.15pm Belle Vue Hotel Aberystwyth.
Marshalls needed for
Borth 10k – 1st August
If you able to help out, please be outside ‘It’s a Gift’ (opposite the RNLI
station) for 5pm. Many thanks.
Adriano's next
Friday run – Borth, 18th June
Meet 6.15pm at Borth RNLI opposite 'It's a Gift'. Adriano will be at Plasrcug
for 6pm for anyone needing a lift out to Borth. Bring spare clothes and money
for a drink after.
Questars Adventure Race, Brecon, May 29th. (thanks to Kate O'Sullivan)
Delor and I can
no longer claim novice status now, having done 3 of these, and had to enter the
Masters category, which is a 6 hr event (instead of 5) and is full of knarled
and wizened experts........ at least we looked the part, then. The venue was
Brecon again, and the format is; get your bike and kit into transition, then
pile into the hall for map collection and race briefing, and a spot of route
planning before the off, at intervals to spread us out. We couldn't find our way
out of the car park, and ran back and forth a few times past other bemused
competitors, then up and down the wrong side of a tennis court....... finally we
found the maze exit and we were off. It was raining, and cold waiting about at
the start, but all that car park embarassment soon warmed us up. The idea is to
navigate with the map and find as many "controls" as possible, by running,
mountain biking and kayaking, all over Wales, basically. We like (for want of a
better word) to run first, and when we can no longer stand up, we sit (briefly)
in the kayak and then lie across the handlebars for the remainder. We didn't see
many competitors on the run, except for one bloke who kept just behind us for
ever such a long way and made us feel like Madonna and Lady G with our
bodyguard.... until he sprinted into the ether. We went along wooded paths, up
hills, across fields, and along the canal, and got a bit stuck going around the
barracks as we came toward Brecon town again, trying to reach the kayak
transition. We also got a bit stuck in a housing estate; bit of a car park
situation, that. The kayaking stage on the Brecon canal was strenuous because we
were getting competitive now, and also had to manoeuvre around a few long boats,
and just got out within our allotted time, avoiding a cluster of penalty points.
We sort of ran/crawled the mile and a half back to bike transition, with very
stiff legs, as we had been running now for over 2 and a half hours. Our bike
transition involved eating a lot of cake and wiping the map clean, then off up
hills again, for a lot of road biking, and some very dodgy descents along rocky
gullies, not the most pleasant biking ever. We were jostling with another pair
of ladies the whole way here, and gained identical points in an identical bike
time, though by taking different routes.... and got in without any penalties and
with half a minute to spare under our 6 hours. It was, as always, an exciting
chase around a lovely landscape, we felt that we had made good route choices,
and we came a close second to the ladies winning team, the pair we had cycled
alongside. A better finish than we could have hoped for, ranking overall 14th
out of a total of 70 teams. Analysing the time sheets later, we spent 11 minutes
in transition, eating all that cake, whilst most Masters teams spend 3-5
minutes.,... so we know how to win next time!
Latest Fell Running
Results (thanks to Jos Jones)
Saturday 5th June
Welsh 1000m (8000 feet,
22 miles)
7th - "Duracell" Dave
Powell (2nd M40)
12th - Phoebe Webster
(2nd Lady)
Sat 12th June
Foel Fras (3100 feet,
12 miles) - Welsh & North Wales Championship Race
Excellent running
conditions greeted the Aber AC team with both Dave and Phoebe making this the
3rd race out of 4 in 8 days!
11th - Dave "I just
felt like running" Powell
12th - Jos "Bad day! I
dont want to talk about it... leave me alone" Jones
32nd - Phoebe Webster
(3rd Lady)
42nd - Helen Marshall
3rd June 2010
Adriano's next
Friday run – Blaen Plwyf Mast, 4th June
Meet 6.30pm at Plascrug.
Routes are typically 6 to 8 miles long and the runs usually last between one and
two hours.
Next Monthly club
meeting
Open to all members. Tuesday 6th July 8.15pm Belle Vue Hotel Aberystwyth.
Marshalls needed for
Borth 10k – 1st August
If you able to help out, please be outside ‘It’s a Gift’ (opposite the RNLI
station) for 5pm. Many thanks.
Aberystwyth 10k –
date for the diaries...
New date for this popular race is now Sunday 5th December 2010 .
Early Morning Spin
Classes (thanks to Lily Stieler)
Just a quick note to let you know that I am taking a 7.45am Spin class at the
University Sports Centre on Tuesday mornings as of June the 8th. Indoor cycling
will improve your fitness and of course your running too. If you're currently
injured this is an excellent high intensity, low impact alternative to running.
The class finishes at 8.30am in time for you to get to work. It is available to
members and non-members of the Sports Centre and registration starts next week.
If you don't wish to sign up to a 16 week schedule then you can 'pay as you go'
each week provided the class isn't full. If you have any questions please feel
free to email me on stieler_coppins@hotmail.com. I thought this class would be
of particular interest to the Monday night runners who are used to my coaching
style and who might be encouraged by the prospect of a familiar instructor. The
class is fairly short so there is no reason why Tuesday night runners couldn't
attend as well. If you do plan on joining this class then please bring a heart
rate monitor (if you own one) as this will really help you get the most out of
the session. I hope to see some of you there. Cheers, Lily Stieler
Anglesey Festival of
Running Sunday 26th September 2010
Marathon, Half-marathon, 10k, 5k and children’s races.
http://www.angleseymarathon.com/
Fell Running
News............. (thanks to Jos Jones)
In total contrast to last weeks hot weather, this years Cadair Idris Fell Race
was rather wet! Although conditions improved for the start of the race it was
still treacherous underfoot with many athletes falling with a few dropping out.
Leading pack runner and club member Felipe Jones was last seen hobbeling down
the mountain.
217 runners finished the race
19th - Jos Jones
27th - Phoebe Webster (2nd Lady)
32nd - Dave Powell
80th - Pete Garson
85th - Helen Marshall
89th - Louise Parker
129th - Jo Thatcher
137th - Phoebe Pender
139th - John Evans
180th - Cheryl Hughes
181st - Tony Wenlock
Chester Marathon,
Bank Holiday Monday 31st May (thanks to Anita Worthing)
As I hadn't enjoyed the Llanelli marathon very much, it seemed like a good idea
(at the time) to take advantage of all the training and run another local-ish
flat marathon fairly soon afterwards. Chester seemed to fit the bill, with a
flat traffic-free course along a disused railway that has recently (last autumn)
been tarmaced as a bridleway / cycle route:- the Chester Greenway.
Conditions were almost ideal - no wind, a little warm but slightly overcast, and
dry. The start was well organised and 750-odd runners set off from the village
of Guilden Sutton, just east of Chester, to run westwards along the Greenway.
The only other Aber AC runner was Richard Lowe, slightly apprehensive about
running his first marathon, especially as a recent house move meant he had spent
more time on DIY than running. There were no Sarn Helen runners, which makes a
change!
The route along the disused railway was fairly scenic, mostly shaded by trees,
and broken up by running through lovely cool tunnels and over bridges crossing
main roads and a canal. Around 10 miles into the race we crossed back over the
Welsh border - there was a "Welcome to Wales" sign, and 2 elderly people sitting
on a bench shouted out "Croeso!" when they saw my Aber AC vest. Perhaps it was
my imagination, but once back in Wales the air seemed to smell fresher, the
grass was greener.......... no hills though.
The route was an out-and back, and soon after mile 11 the first runner came back
past us - Julian MacDonald, who went on to win in 2.33.05. He won the Snowdonia
marathon last October. I didn't see Richard again at the far end of the course
because there was a loop around the Corus works, but I'd assumed he would be
showered, changed and fed by the time I finished. I was astonished to catch up
with him at around mile 25 - he was reduced to a walk because of a knee injury
which manifested itself after 19 miles, but valiantly carried on to the finish
under his own steam. Not a good marathon debut, but I'm sure there will be many
more!
I finished in a respectable 3.44.25 (PB!!!!); no prizes but an excellent
technical T-shirt, medal and decent goody bag. Worthy of mention in the
prizegiving was the 1st F55 Gina Little, not for her time of 4.04.32 but because
it was her 387th marathon! Race HQ was in the rugby club and they had good
facilities, including very reasonably priced hot food so we tucked into BBQ
chicken and chips (a good recovery mix of carbs and protein!). I would highly
recommend this marathon - this was the inaugural one, but I hope it will be
repeated.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aberac/
Initiative to find
female mountain bikers to represent Wales
Hi,
Firstly, apologies for the un-solicited e-mail. As you can see, I work for Welsh
Cycling as the Performance Development Coach for Mountain Biking.
As part of my role, we are running a new initiative looking for Female MTB
racers who may be able to represent Wales in Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The programme will be named Girls for Glasgow and it appeals to anyone with
ambition and a sporting interest to apply. Please see the attached flyer and
www.welshcycling.co.uk
for full details.
As part of the scheme, we have identified a number of sports that may have
potential for athletes to cross over and this is why we are contacting you and
asking you to forward this to any of your club members who may be interested in
the taking part. It may be that some of your athletes have an injury that
prevents them competing as they would like in their current sport, they are
looking for an extra form of training, or just that they feel they have reached
a plateau in their performance and want to try something else. Whatever the
reason, we would like to hear from them.
Thanks in advance,
Scott
Scott Bugden
Performance Development Coach
Welsh Cycling
Wales National Velodrome.
Newport International Sport Village
Velodrome Way
Newport
South Wales
NP19 4PT
e-mail:
scott.bugden@welshcycling.co.uk
25th May 2010
Plascrug Leisure Centre
It has been brought to the clubs attention that Aberystwyth AC members are
using the changing and shower facilities without paying. Can anyone using
these facilities please pay an agreed price of £1 at the cash desk when
intending to use the shower facilities. Many thanks.
Adriano's next Friday run
- Cwm Rheidol, 28th.May, 6.15pm (thanks to Brian Ashton)
Meet in the Visitor’s Centre, by the dam wall, Cwm Rheidol at 6.15 for a
6.30pm prompt start.
The idea is to run from the Visitor’s Centre, up the path behind the centre,
up the valley through the woods towards roughly opposite Devil’s Bridge and
back along the road to the centre. I don’t think it will be more than about
6 miles.
For those that need transport, Adriano said that he will be down the town
Leisure Centre at 6pm to give people lifts. Others could go down there with
him at 6pm to give a hand if you like.
Promises to be another good one.
Club Kit (thanks to Jo
Thatcher)
If anyone would like a blue long sleeved Ron Hill club running top (in the
same material as the ladies' t-shirts) with the club name on, could you let
me know? Gron would like a large and we have none in stock and as I like to
keep my customers happy (!) I need a sufficient number of orders to order
one...not sure of the price but I'm sure it's very reasonable.
Please email me on
jet@aber.ac.uk
if you do and I can put an order in and keep Gron happy!
Vibram Fivefingers KSO,
size W38, for sale £30 (RRP £98) (thanks to Christiane Kloos)
These are too big for me. I have done a few walks/runs in them, but as they
are quite stretchy I decided to get myself a smaller pair. They should fit
UK size 5.5 to 6. You are welcome to try them out first!
Some further info:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.it/eng/kso.aspx
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-400--12828-0,00.html
They might come with a 2 year warranty – if I can find the receipt…
(Christiane Kloos
cek@aber.ac.uk )
Benefits of Thai Massage
Therapy (thanks to Cheryl Hughes)
My fiancé Ian Shires is a massage therapist, here are more details for those
of you who may be interested in a treatment.
Thai Massage uses gentle, deep stretches along with reflexology and
acupressure techniques to encourage healing of the body and mind. Massage
releases stiffness and soreness of muscles and joints, restoring fatigued
muscles faster than passive rest. Thus regular massage is an integral part
of many people’s workout and training programmes.
Based in North Parade Osteopathic Clinic, Aberystwyth.
Treatment is £35 for 60 minutes.
Further details at
www.ianshiresthaimassage.co.uk or call
07985948609
Annual Charity Fun Bike
Ride (see poster attached for more details)
Sunday,13 June 2010
Along the Ystwyth Trail (Llwybr Ystwyth)
Aberystwyth / Tregaron 42 miles round trip
Leaving The Vale of Rheidol Car Park, Aberystwyth at 8.30am
or
Half distance Tregaron to Aberystwyth 21 miles
Quarter distance Trawscoed to Aberystwyth 9 miles
For those completing the shorter distance the bikes and riders will be
collected between 9 -10am at The Vale of Rheidol Car Park opposite the
Police Station Aberystwyth.
Riders will leave Tregaron at 11am.
Harlech Tri, Sunday 9th
May (thanks to Kate O’Sullivan)
I haven't done much "straight" running lately, and am emboldened by
Shelley's recent account of his duathlon to share with you my novice foray
into multisport. This is my third triathlon, my second time to Harlech.
There was a grave threat last year that the town would lose its pool, and a
heroic local campaign thwarted that, luckily for us last Sunday, 'cos I
think the sea would have been a tad cold. I was in the pool at 8.30 and
despite the beautiful, blue-sky morning it was a blue me that lit about in
swim gear getting my transition set up on the grass outside the pool. The
swim itself was very pleasant (let's say, I take a leisurely pace in the
pool) and I could be spotted running out of the building about 10mins later
to find my bike, shoving wet hands and feet into gloves and shoes etc, and
haring off on the 27k bike leg. This was fun, as the sun was shining, the
traffic was light and the police were not flashing speed guns at me, for
once (my reputation from the pool went before me, clearly). Lots of
marshalls and police all along the route, extremely well organised. I had a
great time on the bike (had I the sense to be miserable, I might have
improved my time, so less grinning and more grind next time), and sort of
hobbled off it at the end into transition, wondering what my legs were doing,
trying to keep cycling.... Now, could I remember where to put my bike, how
to get it onto the rack in one swift, elegant manoeuvre that did not involve
knocking my neighbour's bike off? And this whole business of swopping shoes,
where I am thinking that the two seconds saved on the cycle by clicking into
my pedals were wiped by the whole stagger thing at the dismount plus the
lengthy struggle to change over all the laces, etc... I now have elastic
lock laces on my runners, again not sure I know how to work them, so, bit of
a style thing? At least I looked the part, and a girl can never have too
many shoes. Off on the 6K run, and I was told that a rapid stepping action
was called for here to get the blood into the legs. Well, afterwards, I
didn't see anyone else doing that. The beach run was spectacular for its
views, especially in the glorious weather, and I passed a few others here.
Then up the road to the castle. The last bit was steep and a wee
mini-competition in itself, with trophies for the fastest up. Took me over
5mins, just that bit. The finish was at the castle, and we all sat about
congratulating ourselves on our survival skills, in glorious sunshine! A
real blast. My run split was the best of my three disciplines, with the bike
a close second and the swim a pathetic, distant, third. John Evans was
competing also and was, of course, faster than me. Dyfi dash in Mach 20th
next month, if anyone's inspired!
Welsh Junior League
(Louise Arthur League) (thanks to Kevin Holland)
The club was well represented by its juniors competing in the season’s first
Louise Arthur League meeting. A team of thirteen travelled to Carmarthen to
compete in the sunshine. Their hard work in training through out the winter
paid off with excellent performances by the juniors. Boys - Under 11: 75m:
Aron Cowdy (3rd heat 1) 12.4s, Ben Davies (4th heat 2) 13.5s; 150m: Dion
Davies (3rd heat 1) 26.2s, William Thomas (3rd heat 2) 30.8s; 800m: Dion
Davies (2nd) 2m59.0s, Ben Davies (3rd) 3m06.2s, William Thomas (4th)
3m10.1s; Long Jump: Aron Cowdy (4th) 2.88m, William Thomas (7th) 2.47m;
Javelin: Ben Davies (1st) 16.16m; Under 13: 100m: Kieron Owen (4th) 16.6s,
Joe Thomas (2nd) 17.0s; 200m: Teilo Courtier (3rd) 35.1s, Kieron Owen (4th)
35.7s; 800m: Teilo Courtier (1st) 3m01.2, Joe Thomas (2nd) 3m03.0s; Long
Jump: Kieron Owen (2nd) 3.45m, Joe Thomas (5th) 3.00m; Shot Put: Teilo
Courtier (2nd) 5.35m; Relay: Aberystwyth AC (2nd). Girls: Under 11: 75m:
Emily Thomas (4th) 13.4s, Harriet Evola-Quinn (6th) 14.5s; 150m: Dwynwen
Davies (2nd) 28.2s, Mali Jones (3rd) 31.4s; 800m: Emily Thomas (1st)
3m13.3s, Dwynwen Davies (2nd) 3m21.6s, Mali Jones (3rd) 3m46.2s; Long Jump:
Emily Thomas (3rd) 2.51m, Dwynwen Davies (5th) 2.15m, Mail Jones (6th)
1.66m, Harriet Evola-Quinn (7th) 1.63m; Relay: Aberystwyth AC (2nd); Under
13: 100m: Alys Cowdy (1st) 14.1s; Shot Put: Alys Cowdy (1st) 7.77m; Under
15: 800m: Zoe Walsh (6th) 3m30.6s; 1500m: Catrin Ansell (2nd) 6m23.8s, Zoe
Walsh (2nd) 6m54.1s; Javelin: Zoe Walsh (2nd) 8.6m; Shot Put: Fay Walsh
(2nd) 5.03m; High Jump: Catrin Ansell (=3rd) 1.20m; Long Jump: Zoe Walsh
(2nd) 2.61m, Fay Walsh (3rd) 2.59m; Relay: Aberystwyth AC (2nd).
Following a tense round of relays to finish the meeting, the girl’s team
discovered to their delight that they had held off spirited challenges from
Llanelli, Neath, Brecon, and Pontyclun to win Division 2. The boys team
finished a creditable third against Llanelli, Neath, Brecon. Congratulations
to all the junior athletes and best of luck in the second Louise Arthur
meeting in Neath later this month. Details of the Club’s junior section can
be found at
www.aberystwythac.org.uk .
Race for Life 5K,
Aberystwyth, May 16th (thanks to Jo Thatcher)
The sun always shines on the Race for Life – as our American cousins would
say – go figure…! It was a pretty familiar course to the Aber runners: out
along the prom (thankfully not into the harbour as for some reason I hate
that stretch!) then under Rummers’ bridge, over the footbridge and around
the rugby pitches through Penweddig school to the leisure centre and a
finish on Plascrug Avenue to a mass of spectators who were so supportive and
encouraging a sprint finish was a must! This was a much better course than
last year as we didn’t have to fight our way through the heroic but a little
slower masses at the back when we returned under Rummers’ bridge as we did
last year…I’m sure it helped shave seconds off our times!
Megan Turner was the first Aber runner home in a fantastic second place and
perfect timing – dead on 20 minutes. I followed her home, looking somewhat
less fresh as I crossed the line in 20:13. Bridget James finished in 26:54
to herald her return to running – an impressive time in her first race back
and she’s now officially a mum-on-the-run! If I missed any other Aber
runners in the finishing throng, huge apologies.
It was fantastic to have all the support of the club members who were
marshalling the race – we really did appreciate it but had no spare breath
to say thanks on the way round – so on behalf of the 1700 who ran/walked/jogged…thanks!
As a postscript to this report I have to confess that my only regret was not
thinking to wear something pink as did the 1699 other participants so
standing on the start line in my blue club vest I felt somewhat of a wally…!!
Latest Fell Running
Results (thanks to Jos Jones)
May 15th - Cribyn
5.5m/3100feet ascent. Welsh Champs. South Wales Champs.
Conditions - Clear, Warm, Dry
10th - Jos Jones
16th - Phoebe "Mouldy Cake" Webster (2nd Lady)
20th - Dave Powell
48th - Helen Marshall (3rd Lady)
80th - Cheryl Hughes
May 22nd - Lletty 9m/2900feet
ascent. (North Wales Champs. British Inter Regions Champs)
Conditions - Hot, hot, hot!!!!
5 Aber athletes were selected for West Wales with 4 making the trip. Is was
a very hot day forcing Dave Powell to wear his "Borat" shorts. Below are the
West Wales athletes results from a very high class field of over 200 runners.
29th - Michael Kallenberg (Camarthen Harriers)
53rd - Carwyn Thomas (Sarn Helen)
75th - Jos Jones
91st - Phoebe Webster
122nd - Dave Powell
167th - Louise Barker
Helen Marshall - Selected but did not attend.
The Men's team finished 14th on the day, unfortunately the Ladies did not
have a full team.
THREE PEAKS 24th April
2010 (thanks to Phoebe Webster)
Dave and I convened at Ribblesdale-in-Horton from opposite directions. He
from the south westerly Wirral and me from the northerly Southern Uplands of
Scotland. To avoid a catastrophic lateness event I had driven to a service
station on the M6 the previous night and slept in the back of my van.
The dawn light intruded on my slumber, seeking the many gaps in my curtains
(Ron hills) through which to assail my weary eyeballs. It took a moment for
me to realise the significance of the day but when it came I was overcome
with excitement and leapt from my sleeping bag, thrust wide my back doors
and greeted the world with a loud ”Good morning, World”. Other service
station users looked at me from their eye-corners.
I stopped at a very pretty village called Kirkby Lonsdale in order to source
some sustenance. The only open shop was a bakery displaying an irresistible
array of pastries and pies. I was in a particularly indecisive mood and
after 10 minutes I could sense that the boy serving me was becoming
impatient with my indecision. What does an athlete have for breakfast? I ran
through the nutritional composition of each of the items on display and
concluded athletes probably have a flapjack and a caramel slice. Hindsight
would suggest this was an incorrect conclusion.
There is always a big tail-back through the village on 3ps day as there are
many people attempting to access the same tiny gateway from the same
direction. The potential for a car-tastrophe was enormous but was being
skilfully avoided by a crack team of carpark attendants using universally
understandable semaphore to guide each vehicle into a sensible position.
On landing the first thing I had to do was shopping for shoes as I didn’t
have any to run in. I was doing circles in 1 Walsh PB Spirit and 1 Inov8
Mudclaw when I noticed a finely chiselled athlete looking anxious and
forlorn. It was Dave, I shouted to him (not wanting to stray too far from
the shops in shoes I had not yet paid for fear of being wrongly branded a
criminal for the second week running) the desperate anxiety melted from his
face and was replaced by a relieved smile- his friend and all-important
pacer was here.
We changed and registered and began a pointless warm up. The sun was beating
down on us ferociously, I had the feeling this was going to be a hard race.
The last time I did it I blew a gasket after the first ascent and had wallow
in the river hippo-like for ten minutes to stop my vital organs turning into
haggises.
We arrived at the start and squeezed into the pack of 760 other runners. We
were 10 minutes early so by the time the gun went off I had almost
asphyxiated on the volatile gas cloud produced by 700 sweaty men smothered
in deep heat. The pack tore through the village of Ribblesdale-in-Horton,
whose cheering inhabitants lined the streets. We turned off the tarmac and
onto a dry and stony track that climbed at a runnable but significant
gradient up to the distant summit of Pen-y-Gent. I tucked in behind Dave
where I hoped to stay until 200m from the finish when I would emerge and
thrash him in a glorious sprint finish. When we were about 4/5ths up, the
leader streaked past us on his way down leaving clattering stones and a
cloud of dust in his wake. It had been 36 minutes since the gun and I was
dibbing on the summit. I turned and began the descent. I mustered all my
powers of concentration in order to steer at speed through the gullied track
littered with loose stone. Dave had sneakily teleported halfway down the
mountain.
After the excitement of the descent my mind relaxed, doubt filled my
consciousness, every step became awkward, I had no rhythm, I was frying and
felt utterly sick. I tried to settle down for the six miles of fast running
which lay ahead but couldn’t . Dave had lost his reason and was running at
10k pace. He was following second lady- an English international – who
looked a bit like 6th lady- a welsh international who he thought he was
following. We were going ridiculously fast for the early stages of such a
race.
A water station calmed me down a bit and I relaxed slightly until I reached
the Ribblehead checkpoint 3.5 minutes after Dave. The terrifying hulk of
Whernside loomed ahead after a mile of pathless undulating bog the vertical
ascent began. Raven chicks hissed in our faces as we clambered past their
ramshackle nests. Weaker runners lost their grip on the crag and peeled off
backwards into the abyss.
After hours of climbing I hauled myself over the top and set off shaking,
nauseous and boiling. Lactic poison surging in monstrous waves through my
quadriceps and calves. I hobbled down the crooked cobble-strewn descent. The
bottom came and then some flat. And then a water station, that saved me from
the horror of a DNF.
The final ascent of Ingleborough was a misery. The pain of the descent was
indescribable. The skin on the soles of my feet was bubbling and weeping, my
wobbly legs were collapsing and each step caused a pain experience unique
and more intense than the one before.
18 miles and 5,500ft of ascent lay behind me. I should have been relieved
but the terrible truth was that the six undulating miles which lay ahead
would require a monumental effort because I had stopped functioning normally-
pain was distorting my natural movements and although I wanted to run faster
to end the agony sooner, my limbs would not respond. Physically and mentally
I still had a mountain climb.
4 women passed me in this final stretch and I lost all enthusiasm for
anything. I crossed the finish line, drank 2 lts of water, took a direct
line to my van and crumpled into a heap. Never again.
Dave had finished in 3.48. 66th overall which was excellent given the
quality of the field. I finished 130th in 4.02. The difficulty of this race
is highlighted by the number of DNFers -150 runners dropped out which is
about a fifth of the pack. Although it was a trauma from beginning to end,
the atmosphere was unique, there were supporters along the entire route and
the sense of achievement about an hour afterwards- when the horrendous pain
and exhaustion had subsided enough to allow for other sensations- was quite
substantial. I would highly recommend it to those who like a challenge.
Vital Statistics: Distance- 24 miles. Ascent- 5,500 ft. Pain rating 10/10.
Atmosphere 10/10. Organisation- remarkable, especially the car park.
11th May 2010
Race for Life marshals -
Sunday 16th May
Please can all marshals report to the bandstand on the promenade between
09:00 and 09:20hrs on Sunday 16th May to receive instructions.
Pete still needs more volunteers. If you are not planning to run, or are
male and not allowed to run please pass your name onto Pete to help out.
peterf@ceredigion.gov.uk
Many thanks.
This Friday night (14th
May) social run... (thanks to Adriano Evola)
Clarach social run.
Meet 6.30pm at Plascrug Leisure Centre.
These runs are open to all members and any non members who want to enjoy a
run.
Adriano’s run on
Fri.21st.May is a real interesting affair – even by his standards! (thanks
to Brian Ashton)
It starts at the Aber Leisure Centre 6pm prompt.
It follows the official coastal path down to Llanrhystud – approx. 9mls.
The run will end at Pencarreg Caravan Park where showers are available to us
as well as bar meals afterwards.
Adriano has had a volunteer to take our change of clothing down to the
caravan park and transport home will either be by bus, taxi or whatever
other arrangements you want. We are trying to find out the last bus home
times as this is written.
We need to know in advance your meal orders so that will speed up things on
the night. Adriano has a full menu and will be at the Ladies Monday night
training tonight and next week to take orders. He will also be at the usual
Tues. night sessions as well with these details, or contact him direct on
adriano68@hotmail.co.uk
I hope you can all come to what promises to be a very interesting/enjoyable
run/night.
Don’t worry about your ability – I will be coming along and there’s no one
slower than me, surely!
Hope to see you all soon – Bash.
Aberystwyth A.C. athlete
in the London mini marathon
Emily Thomas competed in the London mini marathon as part of the Welsh under
13's Team were she ran the last three miles of the London marathon course ,
she found it to be a great experience and hopefully back for more next year
.
Finishing time 19.55 pb
Aberystwyth A.C. League
Update (thanks to Tony Wenlock)
Please Note: There is still
some development work to be done to the League tracker sheet following the
introduction of the new Cross Country Section and Bonus Points announce
earlier in April. However, all scores shown do include any bonus points that
you may have earned.
April is the traditional month for spring marathons and everyone who has
taken part in these will see their results in this month’s update. Results
are also included for;
Teifi 10
Corndon Classic Hill Race
Wrexham North Wales 10mile Championship
Newtown 10k
Red Kite challenge (Note: this was over a slightly shorter course this year
so the base times against which scores are calculated have been adjusted )
In addition a number of
runners took part in the Chocoholics 5k in Newtown – their results have
been included under the 5k optional category. These can be changed at any
time during the year.
In Ladies Platignum, despite
having clocked up 20 races between them there are still no qualifiers
amongst the 5 competitors. It is just a matter of time. Phoebe Webster
continues to hold the top spot with outstanding results from the Teifi 10
and Corndon Classic – achieved over consecutive days. In second place is Jo
Thatcher followed in third by Louise Barker.
In Men’s Platignum, both John
Evans and Clive Evans have now qualified. Both have produced some great runs
so far but John seems to be achieving his best times for a couple of years
and this gives him a powerful 5.65 point lead. In third spot is Dave Powell.
Dave has continued a run of outstanding form in the Distance and Off Road
categories, one race in any other category will almost certainly see him
catapulted to the top of the division.
Ladies Gold is led by Shan
Breese who qualified this month with runs in the Teifi 10 and Chocoholics
5k. Second place lies with Cheryl Hughes following her run in the Corndon
Classic. In 3rd place is Phoebe Pender.
Men’s Gold is led by Dan
Burgess following his excellent run in the Red Kite challenge where he
knocked over 3 minutes off his time from last year. Dan has the slimmest of
leads over Tony Wenlock whilst Adriano Evola has moved into third spot with
his times from the Corndon Classic and Club 5k.
Ladies Diamond is unchanged
with Marj Griffiths still ahead of Menna Stephens.
Men’s Diamond is led by
Cameron Pope who has added to his total with his time from the Chocoholics
5k. Goronwy Evans has taken up second spot with times from the Red Kite
Challenge and Club 5k. Dai James is in third place after the Red Kite
Challenge.
In the Trail Leagues, Dave
Powell has now qualified and holds top position. Second place is held by Jos
Jones who , with just two runs so far, looks like he may have the legs to
push for the top position this year. Third place is currently held by Tony
Wenlock – this is a momentary aberration.
In Ladies trail the top three
runners each have 2 races to their names but it is Phoebe Webster who is
looking all powerful at the moment. Louise Barker holds 2nd place and with
her marathon training behind may be able to turn her focus to the trail.
Third place lies with Cheryl Hughes who seems to really be enjoying the off
road events and is achieving some great results.
In May we can look forward to
the Rhayader 5k series. This is a traditionally popular set of events that
give everyone the chance to chase a pb – and follow it up with celebration
pie & chips. We also have the Cader Idris off road race – I’m sure Dave
Powell said this includes swimming, sun bathing and tea & biscuits at the
half way point – anyway - try it and see.
7th May 2010
This Friday night (7th
May) social run... (thanks to Adriano Evola)
Borth to Aberystwyth social run.
Meet 6pm at Plascrug Leisure Centre for lift sharing to Borth. Alternatively
meet 6.30pm at the RNLI station at Borth (opposite Nisa store).
These runs are open to all members and any non members who want to enjoy a
run.
URGENT - Volunteers
for the Race for Life needed on Sunday 16th May
If you know anyone (family members/friends) that would be able to help
please contact Pete.
Please contact Pete Foale if you are able to help:
peterf@ceredigion.gov.uk
This year Aberystwyth event:
Aberystwyth Race for Life 5k – Sunday 16th May 2010
11am start on the Aberystwyth Promenade.
Running Free Magazine
online
The May issue of Running Free Magazine is now available to read on line.
Click on the front page opposite or visit www.runningfreemag.co.uk to view!
Visit www.runningfreemag.co.uk to enter our simple competitions where you
can win a pair of New Balance 760 trainers! and other exciting prizes.
Runners, races, performance, gear and goings on...
Running Free is an independent FREE running magazine available in running
stores and running clubs across the U.K.
Website for
endurance runners?
www.runninginwales.com
London Marathon 2010 (thanks
to Louise Barker)
This Jan 1st for the first time ever I downloaded a training schedule from
Runners World and made a resolution to stick with it as best I could. Four
months later, and with only a few slight deviations from the schedule - when
I couldn’t bear any more flat tarmac roads and headed into the hills - I was
stood on the start line of the London Marathon, telling myself if it all
went wrong it wouldn’t matter, as at least I’d improved my fitness and
managed some proper training for the first time in years.
Standing shivering on Black
Heath wasn’t how I’d imagined it would start, especially after all the hot
weather forecasts. Stood on the start line, I wondered if I was the only
unprepared person, being surrounded by thousands all wearing their designer
bin liners and was also surprised that despite being given pens according to
your finish time, I was stood next to Sponge Bob Square Pants. I crossed the
start 1 min 30 after the gun and despite the crowds was pleasantly surprised
to complete the first mile in just over 8 minutes. What was even better was
that I managed to spot and have a very brief catch up with a friend from an
old running club who was dressed as a fairy, complete with crop top! The
first 5 miles were as everyone had warmed, very busy. I’d recommend anyone
training for London to add short sharp sprints to their training schedule,
as I just had to run fast as hell when a gap appeared and then live with the
pace when squashed in.
For me this didn’t prove a
particularly comfortable run, despite the initial rain, it was very hot and
I was emptying bottles of water over my head after every mile. I made it to
half way in 1.35, and really felt there was no way I could maintain this for
the second half, I was desperately counting down every mile. To keep my mind
off of things I decided to make it my aim to try and catch anybody in fancy
dress. I was very impressed – Tigger had made it to 15 miles and I had a
battle to pass the new world record holder of the fastest lepricorn at 17
miles. The winner however was ‘Fly Man’, dressed head to toe in black lycra
with wings and a mask, whom I only managed to catch and pass at 24 miles. I
crossed the finish line in 3.15.58 and was hugely surprised and happy as I
felt I’d really slowed to crawling pace over the last few miles, but in
reality was only 5 mins slower over the second half of the race.
So, did I enjoy the race? If
I’m honest I’d have to say no, but I’m really glad I did it, and I’d
recommend it just the once for the experience. It’s hard to describe what
it’s like having thousands of people scream at you continuously for over 3
hours. If you’re someone who might not like this, then I’d recommend that
you don’t put your name on your running vest! I was regretting that decision
after mile 1.
The sore legs were however
worth it, especially as £1300 has been raised for the Geoff Thomas
Foundation, so a big thank you to all. Whilst you’ll probably never see me
at the start line of London again, I’ve a feeling they’ll be more marathons
to follow.
Congratulations to the two
other Aber runners, Cath who improved some 5 mins on her previous time and
Emma in her first ever marathon – I think she’ll be back for more.
Louise Barker: 3:15:58
Catherine Tudor Jones:
3:39:37
Emma Whittick: 5:31:12
Ras Hwyl Cwrtnewydd May
3rd (thanks to Jo Thatcher)
This race is West Wales’ best kept secret…I won’t bore you with the details
but suffice to say the 60 minute journey took me and hour and three quarters
as I got horrendously lost on the way there after finding I was agonisingly
close to the right turn off a number of times! I am eternally grateful for
Ian and Adriano for turning up and guiding me along a sensible route home!
Anyway, enough of that…sunny skies, a little wind and a lovely warm day were
the setting for this four mile race. I feel like the report should
bewrittenlikethiswithnogapsbetweenwords…as that’s how it felt running it! It
was a loop run on roads, starting up hill, including hills and finishing on
a very steep hill! We really hardly had time to catch our breath or even
regret giving this a go when we could be sitting at home with our feet up
and a glass of something refreshing as most sensible people do on a sunny
Bank Holiday! It was worth the effort though as it was a very enjoyable race
with a relatively small but quick field. Once again, I managed to find a
race with only 21 ladies and just managed to sneak in in 1st Lady (beating
Dee Jolly by two seconds…I really wish her parents had named her Beatrice
and then she’d be Be Jolly…delightful name, almost as good as someone I know
called Joy Bringer!). I finished in 27:42 and was 19th overall in a field of
64 runners. Ian Evans was next in for Aber in 24th place and 28:36 (a great
run after returning from a month off running due to injury), followed by
Adriano Evola who came in in 33rd, making the first page of teh results
sheet – go Adriano! – and 30:11. Lily Stieler won third place F35 and came
in in 40th place in 31:15, again, not having raced for quite some time so a
great run from her too. The women’s course record is about 23 minutes for
this race and the men’s about 20 so despite the hills fast times abound and
I’d certainly recommend it next year (although not too strongly in case the
female field grows too much…ha ha!).
Newtown 10K May 2nd 2010 (thanks
to Jo Thatcher)
This was the second in Maldwyn Harriers’ Mid Wales Race Series and despite
being held on a Bank Holiday weekend was run under dry, windless(ish)
conditions – perfect! John Evans and I were the two Aber representatives for
this one and we were both rather pleased by the end of it (I’ll keep you in
suspense a little longer though!). I found this a really enjoyable
course: out along the river
and back via most of the same route which might sound boring but actually it
wasn’t as the scenery was changing all the time (oh and being attacked by a
dog half way round – literally, I think it mistook my skinny white legs for
bones, added a bit of interest!). There was apparently some complaint that
there were no KM markers but John and I agreed that this was quite
refreshing as we just ran until we were told to stop without trying to
calculate minutes per KM and how we were going to finish (and I generally
get this wrong anyway and so either think I’m on course for a world record
or panic and suffer deep depression because I think I’m on for a PW!). So
run we did, with John coming in in 42:40 (18th overall and 1st Male V60) and
me coming in in
41:55 (a PB…yey!...14th
overall and 1st Lady…I must add that only 19 ladies ran and I seem to be
developing a knack for entering races with a small female field!).
Fell Running Results
(thanks to Jos Jones)
Llantysilio Fell Race April 24th
(North Wales Champs)
Conditions - Hot, dry.
10th - Jos Jones
44th - Helen Marshall
76th - Linda Jones
Bungay Black Dog – Running
on Instinct (thanks to Tony Wenlock)
The Bungay Blackdog is my second favourite marathon and although it is often
billed as a run for the people who didn’t get into London I would choose it
anytime. It is a really well managed race that takes in two laps of the
Suffolk countryside in the heart of the Norfolk Broads (you decide - I can’t
explain it either). There are water stations at well set intervals and if
you have special drinks the organisers will take them out on route for you
pick up on the way. There is good spectator support around the course and -
with the weather this year - lots of it . This year they’ve even introduced
chip timing. So how did it go?
Disaster, switching on my
Garmin to pick up the satellites the battery was dead – a last minute rush
to the trade stands to get a cheap stop watch only earned me a casual “We’ve
got a really good stock in the shop – you should pop in sometime” - as that
great philosopher and sage Muttley says “Grr razzin frazzin …….” There was
nothing for it I was going to have to run this on instinct. The gun went off
at sometime around 10:30 and 250 of us headed into hills.
This race has a reputation
for its hills. The first at 2 miles takes you up a slope roughly equivalent
to half a Penglais. The route then undulates for 6 miles before one quite
sharp descent and climb back into the village of Beccles, (roughly
equivalent to Great Darkgate Street). Despite this you do really have the
impression that you’re at the top of the course and it’s not until you go
over a little hump back bridge that you realise you’re nearly at river level.
This is East Anglia so that’s sea level. From then on it’s flat back to the
start before doing the whole thing again.
Without a watch I contented
myself with feeling my way around the course – if I was feeling ok s I just
pushed on - if I was felt out of puff I took it a little easier. At the half
way mark the marshal was shouting out a time check – 1:44 – well inside the
2:30 cut off - I felt I was going too quickly and decided to slow down.
Going into the second lap at
around lunchtime and things were getting hot. With not much in the way of
shade and barely a cloud of volcanic ash to provide cover this was great
opportunity to get a tan. The hills felt a bit tougher – but what was giving
me real problems was the severity of the road camber – this was throwing out
my foot landing and adding a limp to my gait . Then that 18 miles that sharp
descent – and an equally sharp pain up the side of leg – it wasn’t cramp, it
was an out and out protest from my IBT - so I stopped. After a bit of self
massage and stretching I started to jog along again and using my tried and
tested survival plan (walk a minute a mile – roughly) I pushed on.
By now I was being passed by
the half marathon runners who had started two hours behind me. The first was
going at a hell of a lick and gave me a cheer on – he finished in 1:14.
Somewhere around 20 - 21 miles I heard someone say he’d been running an hour
– so that was about three for me . I wasn’t doing so badly –I could carry
on.
By now the salt of the sweat
in my eyes was really stinging and was running with only one eye open. This
is not a good idea – you lose perspective and start to feel as though you’re
getting nowhere. Word of advice to all runners - try to avoid salt getting
in your eyes.
At 24 miles I was into a
pretty good rhythm – and I was passing people ( mostly half marathoners).
Good times. At 25 miles I asked a bloke the time – his Garmin wasn’t working
either – and he seemed to be taking it quite badly. Bad Times. I pressed on.
As I came into the finish I
could just make out half of the race clock - a 1 for the minutes, and the
seconds ticking away, 07, 08,09…. A push and I think I’ll be in under 4:02;
I’d be happy with that??
I crossed the line, a
reassuring beep beep from the timing mat.
1st Man – Steve Prosser –
2:44:43
1st Woman – Maggie Fenn –
3:07:57
Tony Wenlock – 90th – (1st
Aberystwyth AC and Wales) - 3:51:12
Not a pb – who cares – I hurt
but I feel great, and I don’t have a tan line where my watch should have
been.
A medal;
“Sit down while we remove the
timing chip”;
“Bet these hills are nothing
to what you see in Aberystwyth”;
Bottle of water;
Banana;
Free massage;
Commerative paper weight ;
This is still my second
favourite marathon. £18:00 – entries accepted on the day.
Love it.
North Wales 10 mile
Road Race Championships(incorporating Wrexham 10 mile open) (thanks to John
Evans)
Conditions- dry and warm with a
slight breeze. A 2 lap flat course around an industrial estate, ideal for
P.B.'s or so everyone thought beforehand.
82 finishers
1st male Brendan Rothery(Eryri) 55m31s
1st female Marilyn Kitchen(Tattenhall) (W40) 62m02s
1st o/60 Griff Owens(Prestatyn) 62m 20s No that isn't a misprint. Tony
aren't you glad he is not in our league, your handicap system would be under
severe pressure.
Despite the above times,the consensus after the race was that it was a tough
course and not one for p.b.'s after all.
The over 75 winner used to cross swords with our club president,Ron
Cullum,back in the 50's and won this race in 1951! His time on Saturday was
1/43/58
Personally,I enjoyed the run and was pleased to finish strongly over the
last mile and gain 2nd in my category in the open race---39th in 73-45,4secs
ahead of the third placed over 60.
N.B. To any sceptics out there I had entered the race before the bonus point
was publicised.
27th April 2010
This Friday night (30th
April) social run... (thanks to Adriano Evola)
An 'open run' is planned - which is generally a shorter route to accommodate
those runners involved in races on the following Saturday or Sunday (Red
Kite challenge - see below).
These runs are open to all members and any non members who want to enjoy a
run out around Aberystwyth. Meet at Plascrug Leisure Centre at 6.30pm sharp.
Normally 6-8miles long. the pace is fairly gentle and so the runs last
between one and two hours. There will be refreshments set out on most of the
routes with water and jelly babies.
**This weekend**
2010 Red Kite challenge (thanks to Steve King)
As you may know Pheobe, Menna and I are on the organising committee for the
Red Kite Challenge and we would like to encourage you all to support the Red
Kite challenge this year. Please see below.
Just a reminder that on the
1st and 2nd is the Red Kite challenge weekend, a chance to run in two great
races right on our door steps. Saturday is the Red Kite challenge, 11miles
of hilly running starting at Nant Yr Arian visitors centre. Again this year
the race plays host to the Welsh and UK Trail running championships. We’ve
got a real mixed bag of pre-entries with good representation from the fell
scene as well as the road. We’re up to 50 pre-entries for the race and 11
for the walk.
Saturday also includes junior
races U17s and U20s, see website for details.
Sunday is Ras Y Diafol, 18
miles of running which includes the Hafod Estate starting at Woodlands
Caravan site. It’s a really lovely place to run and what’s more it’s also on
our doorstep. The event is more low key than Saturday and there is also a
three leg (not legged) relay with each of three legs approximately 6 miles
long, so there is something for everyone. See Louise if you would like to be
in a team.
Details on the website and also facebook......
http://www.redkite-barcudcoch.org.uk/
**This weekend**
Volunteers needed for Angela Davies Road Race this Sunday 2nd May
Please reply to Kim Jones if you are able to help – Ystwyth Cycle Club need
a minimum of 15 marshalls.
kimjones445@hotmail.com
**This weekend**
Sarn Helen race on Bank Holiday Monday (thanks to Phoebe Webster)
Venue - Cwrtnewydd School, Llanybydder, Ceredigion.
Start - Juniors 12.45pm, Seniors 1.30pm.
Race Organiser - Lyn Rees, Tanrhos, Cwrtnewydd, Llanybydder, Ceredigion,
SA40 9YN
Tel: 01570 434244 E-mail:
rees.tanrhos@tiscali.co.uk
Cader Fell Race Entry form
now available (thanks to Pete Foale)
Poster for the Cader fell race is attached to this newsletter.
Saturday 29th May.
Main race/fun run/junior races
Entry form can be printed from the website.
http://www.cader-race.co.uk/
Volunteers for the Race
for Life needed
Please contact Pete Foale if you are able to help peterf@ceredigion.gov.uk
This year Aberystwyth event:
Aberystwyth Race for Life 5k – Sunday 16th May 2010
11am start on the Aberystwyth Promenade.
Fell Running Results (thanks
to Jos Jones)
April 5th - Corndon Classic (Welsh, North Wales & South Wales Championship
Race)
Conditions - Dry, Humid.
16th - Dave Powell
21st - Phoebe Webster (3rd Lady)
22nd - Jos Jones
41st - Helen Marshall
71st - Adriano Evola
79th - Cheryl Hughes
April 17th - Ras Y Moelwyn
17th - Dave Powell
April 18th - Mynydd Troed
Conditions - Dry, Hot.
7th - Jos Jones
9th - Dave Powell
25th - Helen Marshall (3rd Lady)
Great Welsh Marathon,
Sunday 18th April (thanks to Anita Worthing)
The inaugural Great Welsh Marathon in Llanelli was deliberately small rather
than "great" for this first occasion, as they were testing the logistics
before opening it up to a greater number of runners next year onwards. The
route will apparently be improved for next year, as it's a bit uninspiring
to have 7 marshall & bollard turnarounds just to make up the distance.
Having said that, it was a good day out, the location is superb,
participants, marshalls and supporters were friendly and enthusiastic, and
the facilities and organisation were excellent. I felt proud and privileged
to be a guinea pig for this experimental occasion.
I made the mistake of
assuming that I'd run a much faster time on a flatter course than Snowdonia,
but in the end I only beat my PB by 34 seconds! I could blame the heat, the
early start (when you have dogs, a 9 am marathon start means a 4.30 am alarm
call!), the tedious bits of the course, or the fact that running on the flat
means unvarying pace and gradient so you're using the same muscles all the
time; whatever the reason, my legs started cramping up after mile 21 so I
walked and hobbled for a couple of miles, all hopes of a sub-3:40
disappearing and a DNF looking more likely. I wasn't the only one suffering
at that point so there was a bit of camaraderie among those of us who looked
like the Ministry of Silly Walks.
After what seemed like an
eternity, the cramps eased off and I tried some tentative jogging which
eventually became running for the final 3 miles, so I did manage to salvage
that all-important PB, and 3rd F45 to boot, with a time of 3:51:18. At the
finish there was a medal, a certificate and a goody-bag of edible stuff and
drinks, which was most welcome.
The first male (David Kehoe)
finished in 2:42:55, first female (Val Swingler of Shropshire Shufflers) in
an awesome 3:03:17, over 20 minutes ahead of the second female. Sarn Helen's
4 runners got the team prize. There was a man from the 100 Marathon Club who
ran all the way with his Border Collie, but sadly no prize was awarded for
First Dog, and there were 2 handcyclists, one of them the well-known David
Sandles who won in 1:48:47. With the London Marathon due to be even warmer
on Sunday, I'm glad to have done this one instead. Would I do it again?
Probably!
20th April 2010
Junior Training -
Penweddig School fields from Thursday 22nd April (thanks to Karen Williams)
As from Thursday 22nd April, Junior Training will now be back on Penweddig
School fields. Could all parents when dropping and collecting children
please park in School car park and not down by the field. Thank you.
This Friday night (23rd
April) social run... (thanks to Adriano Evola)
Rhydyfelin - Over Pen Dinas - Tanybwlch - Llanfarian Figure of 8 - back on
Nanny Goats Lane.
These runs are open to all members and any non members who want to enjoy a
run out around Aberystwyth. Meet at Plascrug Leisure Centre at 6.30pm sharp.
Normally 6-8miles long. the pace is fairly gentle and so the runs last
between one and two hours. There will be refreshments set out on most of the
routes with water and jelly babies.
Virgin London Marathon
2010 - this Sunday!
Good luck to all the Aberystwyth runners taking part in the Virgin London
Marathon this Sunday 25th April 2010. 8.30am BBC2 & 10am BBC 1 - for us
armchair athletes!
Volunteers for the Race
for Life needed
Please contact Pete Foale if you are able to help
peterf@ceredigion.gov.uk
This year Aberystwyth event:
Aberystwyth Race for Life 5k – Sunday 16th May 2010
11am start on the Aberystwyth Promenade.
Dyfi 8 date announced -
Sunday 19th September (thanks to Helen Stretch)
"Brenda from Bro Dysynni has asked me to let the club know that she is going
to go ahead with organizing a 3rd Dyfi 8 Race. She is hoping to attract more
entrants this year and has chosen a different weekend to avoid clashes with
other races. The date this year is Sunday 19th September so get it in your
diaries. It really is a fantastic event and a lovely course, all off-road,
through the Dyfi Forest. It is very well organized with tea and cakes and
lots of prizes at the end. "
Welsh Castles Relay
Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th June (thanks to Kevin Holland)
Great news - our application to compete in this year’s Welsh Castles Relay
has been successful. So far twelve members have signed up to be in the 20
strong team, they are:
Anita Working Evans
Tony Wenlock
Jo Thatcher
Paul Rose
Cameron Pope
Mark Smith
Gethin Holland
Kevin Holland
Ian Evans
Duncan Quincey
Goronwy Evans
Helen Marshall
Can the above please email me
(k.holland@aber.ac.uk ) to confirm you still
wish to take part. Apologies if I have missed anyone from the list, you’ll
need to email me again.
We need a further eight members to make a team, please email me if you’d
like to take part, you must be a 2010-11 first claim Aberystwyth AC member.
See
www.lescroupierswcr.org/latest-news/ for
details of the race. Dave Powell and Lou Barker have kindly volunteered to
make the numbers up on the Sunday if we’re short, they will be running the
22 mile Man versus Horse race on the Saturday!
Once we have a team of twenty we can meet up for a pint(s) to decide who
runs which leg, some are more “undulating” than others! and organise
logistics etc.
Llanbedr to
Blaenavon fell race 10th April 2010 (thanks to Phoebe Webster)
We needed two cars to get there because I had a friend with me and the start
of the race was 16 miles away from the finish. The obscure location of
Blaenavon and the fact that my road atlas had dissolved in an ephemeral pool
which sometimes appears in the back of my van meant we had to travel in
convoy relying upon Dave Powell’s internal satellite navigator.
I followed Dave round many bends at a speed unsympathetic to the mechanical
and geometrical limitations of my van and after 2 hours spent almost
exclusively on two wheels we arrived in Blaenavon. Bleanavon is an intricate
maze of identical grey/brown pebble-dashed houses with salivating fighting
dogs patrolling the front lawns. The town’s traffic calming measure is an
effective combination of speed humps every 20 yards and randomly positioned
speed holes, some of the humps had holes. We arrived at the rugby club and
alighted in the car park onto a conglomerate of broken glass and dog poo.
For the first time this year I did not consider wearing the Helly Hanson.
There nuclear-intensity sun- rays thronged through the sky.
The vehicle and kit logistics involved in the getting to the start
completely confounded me so I followed instructions like “hand over your
keys” without question. We drove for twenty minutes arriving in LLanbedr
ready to go. The contrast between the start and finish could not have been
greater. Llanbedr is stereotypical charming village with clematis and roses
draped over cottage doorways and a myriad of garden bird species chirruping
their thanks to the benevolent providers of the fatballs and nuts that
dangle from lovingly pruned fruit trees.
We assembled. The briefing was brief and we set off up first ascent on a
very steep, muddy forest path. We emerged onto a wide track which traverses
the hillside while steadily climbing allowing the opportunity to appreciate
the scenery- massive hills covered in coppery bracken and dark heather that
folded into each other until all form was erased by distance and heat haze.
Dave and I crested the summit together and began the descent. He pulled away
instantly, accelerating until his legs were moving so fast that he appeared
as a skirted spectre being sucked down into the valley bottom by an
unearthly force. I was awestruck. I couldn’t take my eyes from the spectacle
before me, which was unfortunate as I did not see the tussock over which I
tripped and slid several metres down a mini cliff over extra prickly gorse
and razor sharp bracken. After 3 minutes of regaining my composure I
continued gingerly down the hill. Dave had been claimed by the lord of the
underworld. Well, he’d vanished anyway.
Sugar Loaf was the second hill. It was a hard climb and at the top a
pernickety official shouted extremely loudly and in a very embarrassing and
accusatory fashion “excuse me can you come back here and go right round, I
know its only a few yards but everyone else has to do it…” when I forgot to
do a circle round the trig point, which was hidden from view by cheering
picnickers. I began the descent feeling like a cheat caught red-handed.
I was not properly concentrating as I jumped over a rock protruding from a
puddle and so didn’t realise that the puddle was a slippery death trap
waiting to strip me of my dignity for a third time that day, my landing foot
scooted out and up and I fell painfully onto the rock and rolled off into
the stinking mud in front of Andrea Rowlands (1st lady). I was in shock.
After three minutes and one second of regaining my composure I continued
extra gingerly down the hill.
A wooded path of about two miles brings you onto the streets of Abergevenny,
a town permanently in the shadow of fearsome Blorenge. Blorenge is a great
unyielding behemoth standing 1840ft high and the race climbs straight up the
side at an incline which requires the use of all four limbs. I spotted Dave
and Andrea about 200m overhead. A last ditch assault on Andrea’s lead was
unthinkable now so I settled down and enjoyed the climb, singing as I as
effortlessly ascended.
Despite feeling fantastic I was quite glad to see the finish. There were hot
showers for me to wash off the blood and stagnant mud. More importantly
there was the most extravagant post-race spread I have ever seen. There were
mini Cornish pasties, chicken nuggets, boiled eggs, fresh baguettes,
sandwiches without crusts, sausages (rolled or unrolled), other gorgeous
stuff and salad and fruit for dietry specialists. For pudding there were
Swiss rolls (chocolate and jam), apple pies and cake. Dave was pacing round
the banquet table drooling in a similar fashion to the bull-terriers of
Blaenavon, we were both trembling with hunger and he finally cracked,
bringing shame on the Aber vest by shredding the protective cling film and
hoovering up mini samosas whilst creating a second Blorenge on his plate. I
also had a nibble or two.
Dave did an ok time of 2.34.55, achieving another p.b., coming eighth
overall AND winning 2nd vet 40 which is alright considering the stiffness of
the competition and the blazing heat. Good effort.
Vital Statistics: 76 runners. Distance 15 miles. Ascent 4,500ft. Danger
Level 7/10.
Aber A.C. positioning:
Dave Powell 2.34.55, 2nd V40, 8th overall
Phoebe Webster 2.40.55, 2nd lady, 12th overall
14th April 2010
Junior Training Sessions
on Vicarage Fields from Thursday 15th April (thanks to Karen Williams)
Junior Training Sessions will now be taking place on the Vicarage Fields
commencing Thursday 15th April 5.30pm to 7.00pm.
Lou’s Running London
Marathon
As most of you know I was one of the lucky winners of the Club place for
this year’s London Marathon. As well as hopefully running a vaguely
respectable time, I’m also raising money for the Geoff Thomas Foundation in
memory of Stuart King (Steve’s dad). Stuart died in October 2009, due to
complications resulting from a bone marrow transplant intended to cure his
cancer. During the period leading up to his transplant, Stuart talked about
raising money for the Geoff Thomas Foundation as a way of repaying all the
efforts that the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals in Oxford, made to
make him better. I want to carry out his wishes and raise money for the
foundation, so they can carry on their work in finding cures and new
treatments for cancer. The foundation is committed to fund the essential
research nurses and scientists at five major leukaemia units across the UK.
This will not only extend treatment options to patients for whom no
effective treatment exists but also create a team of committed doctors and
scientists who can work together to crack this disease.
Therefore, it would therefore be great if you’d like to sponsor me. You can
do this on-line by visiting my just giving page
http://www.justgiving.com/running-lou-barker or
I’ve a sponsor form which I’ll bring to training next week.
As a thank you, I thought I’d organize some weekend social runs over the
summer, to include the Tarren Hendre race route, a route around Corris and a
loop around Machynlleth. As soon as the legs have recovered I’ll let you
know more details.
Teifi 10, Lampeter, Easter
Sunday (thanks to Anita Worthing)
This annual 10-mile race attracts a quality field and is good for PBs,
taking runners through town initially, then along a gently undulating
country lane following the Teifi to Llanfair Clydogau, over the bridge, and
back to Lampeter on the other side of the river. Conditions were excellent
on Sunday, and although the weather teased us a little at the start by
clouding over and throwing down a few drops of rain, it didn’t persist and
it was pleasantly warm on the way round. There was lovely scenery and plenty
of spring flowers to look at, and thanks must go to the considerate farmer
whose cattle were waiting patiently to cross the road – otherwise we would
have been running through cow poo!
140 runners completed the
race, and it’s interesting to note that despite the good conditions, the
front page of results shows slower times than 2009 – this year first place
was 54.07, last year 50.12; 31st place this year 65.29, last year 64.40.
This first page of 31 runners includes several familiar Sarn Helen names who
all ran 1 or 2 minutes slower this year than last. Aberystwyth AC runners,
however, bucked this trend and all those who ran it last year were
significantly quicker this year, so we must be doing something right! Phoebe
Webster and Shelley Childs were both quick enough to get onto that
illustrious first page of results, Phoebe as 2nd lady. You have to turn to
the 3rd page onwards to find the rest of us, but if we keep improving, who
knows…..! Times are as follows:
Phoebe Webster 62.14
Shelley Childs 65.29
Paul Rose 71.27 (73.00 in 2009)
John Evans 72.28 (73.57 in 2009)
Anita Worthing 72.49 (75.51 in 2009)
Tony Wenlock 73.58 (78.09 in 2009)
Shan Breese 104.47
All finishers received a
Cadbury’s Crème Egg (very seasonal!) and a can of water, the awards were
prompt and results sheets were available on the day for 50p, the rugby club
provided a good venue with rolls and beverages available, so overall an
impressively well-organised event.
Chocoholics 5K, April 2nd,
2010, Newtown Report by Joanne Thatcher
This is the first in the Mid Wales Race Series hosted by Maldwyn Harriers.
Driving over, the weather looked less than optimistic as we travelled
through low cloud, snow and rain but the field of 103 runners was rewarded
for sacrificing a bonus lie in with dry skies and no wind to speak of. We
were also rewarded with the unusual sight of trillions of bras, in aid of
Breast Cancer Research, stretched across the Leisure Centre Sports Hall (we
could barely drag Clive away to run the race!!!). The race was run at a
relentless pace over a fast course through one of the town’s estates; hence
the scenery was not very inspiring but this didn’t really matter as we
hardly had time to look up from start to finish on this out and back course!
One thing I’ve learnt from this race is to listen to the Marshall’s
instructions at the start of the race as the climb up to the half way mark
was somewhat of a shock! With every up of course there follows a down and
this was a great chance to draw second wind and see how far ahead of us the
front runners were! The poor Marshall cycling at the head of the runners
allegedly staggered over the line to narrowly beat the overall winner who
was David Webb from Leeds City AC in a very impressive 14:55! Aber runners
were headed home by Jos Jones in 18:42 and 20th place (18th male) followed
by Megan Turner in a time of 20:02 placing her 4th in the LU20, 7th lady and
30th overall (and of course she’s well under 20 still (!) so well done to
Megan). I was next home for Aber in 20:18, coming in 9th lady, 34th overall
and first LV40 (frustratingly beaten by the first L45 who I thought looked
too young to even be in my age category!!), swiftly followed by Emily Thomas
in a fabulous time of 21:04 (5th L[again well under]U20, 10th lady and 39th
overall). Clive Evans won the MV60 race in 22:01 placing 45th overall (33rd
male) and next Aber runner in was Cameron Pope in 22:53 (5th MV50, 52nd
overall and 38th male). Helen Stretch won the LV55 race in 27:20 (congratulations
Helen!) coming in 76th overall and 29th lady), followed closely by Shan
Breese in
27:39 (3rd LV50, 79th overall and 31st lady). The only disappointment was
the distinct lack of chocolate which, being a fully paid up addict, was of
course my main motivation for running a Chocoholics race!! Rhys took a few
photos and they’re posted on flicker if anyone wants a peek (mercifully with
much fewer of me this time!).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aberac/
Neyland Duathlon (thanks
to Shelley Childs)
After a background in cycling and more recently running, I finally put two
and two together and entered a Duathlon which for those who don’t know is a
run-bike-run affair, so no swimming which is good news for me as my record
for continuous lengths at Plascrug without drowning currently stands at 2!
Duathlons are hard to find but I spotted one a few weeks back in a magazine
down in Neyland, Pembrokeshire on April 11th and so the scene was set for
this dual sport event which involved a 5k run, followed by a 22k bike and
finally the real painful bit, a 2.5k run off the bike.
After receiving the welcome pack by post, and deciphering the rules, regs
and transition procedures ( i had to go over these in my head many times
prior to the race as even taking your helmet off to early in the transition
pen could lead to disqualification…), we travelled down on the 9th April and
made the most of the amazingly summer-like climate in Pembrokeshire over the
weekend.
Race day came, an early breakfast booked at the hotel in Tenby and off we
travelled the 20 mins to Neyland via Pembroke Dock. This made a change from
the usual ‘turning up as everyone else is warming up’ tactic i usually
employ in more local running races )
The bike, cycling shoes, helmet, drink, gloves and gel were placed in
transition at the ready and then it was down to the 5k start. After a
briefing, all 111 of us we were off. I got a good start, in blazingly nice
conditions, running through the marina and on to the cycle path in the town,
out and back. It must have been the flattest and straightest 5k I’ve ever
done. A load of runners past me in the first 1k and as my Garmin decided to
drain its battery overnight, I was in manual mode, just trying to keep a
sensible pace, remembering what was ahead. I managed to claw a couple of
athletes back on the approach to the finish of the 5k and was astounded to
see the clock reading 18.50 as I crossed the line, 2 seconds away from a pb!
Unfortunately your official running time also includes your transition time
and whilst most duathletes have this quick change down to a tee, my
impression of an indecisive 18 year old girl on the way out to a party did
relegate me a few places as we rolled out on the bike.
The bike leg involved a climb from Neyland up onto the army road to the west
of the town and eventually onto the main road above the town. We rode a 2
mile stretch of road between two roundabouts four times and returned down
the hill into Neyland for the full 22k. I knew I was on a good one as I
started passing other cyclists on the climb and made my way up to 11th on
the road (easily done by counting the riders coming towards me after the
first roundabout retraced). That’s about as good as it got as the three
riders ahead of me on the run in to Neyland seemed to be having a battle
amongst themselves and they disappeared out of sight.
The next bit gets interesting. Upon approaching the ‘dismount’ area to swap
bike for trainers, most du/triathletes have perfected the art of taking
their shoes off whilst still cycling, i know, sounds dangerous and so I
decided against this, rather just try and take my shoes off after
dismounting but before running down the steep slope to transition with my
bike. My shoes didn’t want to know and so I was forced to slide and tip-tap
down the slope in my shoes and upon entering the paddock, I firstly racked
my bike in the wrong place and two, couldn’t find my shoes. Why did everyone
in the vicinity of me wear red & white Asics??? In the mayhem of the first
transition, my two neighbours were little enthusiastic by the looks of
things and decided to fling my shoes in opposite directions. After some
location help from Olwen, shouting from the spectator area, I found them and
then started the final haul of 2.5k. It felt like swimming again, or at
least drowning..! Your legs do not want to run fast and the imaginary
elastic belt, pinning you to a brick at the start is also not very helpful.
Three guys got past me in the transition confusion and although I regained
main thrust at about 1.25k, i only caught the one to make it 13th in the end.
The race was a very rewarding experience and my spilts of 19th (1st run),
4th (bike) & 25th (second run) show that a more efficient transition and a
few more Tuesday night hell sessions are in store, in order to try and
improve for the next Duathlon.
Running Free Magazine
The April issue of Running Free Magazine is now available to read on line.
Click on the front page opposite or visit www.runningfreemag.co.uk to view!
Visit www.runningfreemag.co.uk to enter our simple competitions where you
can win a pair of Saucony Hurricane 12 running shoes! and other exciting
prizes.
Running Free Magazine will be exhibiting at the London Marathon Expo on 21st
April to 25th April. Come and visit our stand to be in with a chance to win
a running holiday with the Running Inn.
www.therunninginn.co.uk
Runners, races, performance, gear and goings on...
Running Free is an independent FREE running magazine available in running
stores and running clubs across the U.K.
Mountain-Trail-Challenge
2010 - Registration now open
The Mountain-Trail-Challenge is an annual walking event (20 or 30 Miles)
that takes place in the Brecon Beacons.
This year’s event is on Saturday the 18th of September.
Please visit the updated website for full details
www.mountain-trail-challenge.com
More Information: -
This is the third year that the challenge has been running and in both the
previous years the event has been oversubscribed; the event is limited to
500 so register early to avoid disappointment!
There will be a choice of two NEW challenging walks for 2010, the Full 30
Miles or the Shorter 20 Mile route.
If you liked the routes last year you are going to love them this year!
IMPROVEMENTS: There are changes to the routes making them more challenging
than in previous years; there will also be a lot less road and forestry
tracks to follow making the routes even more interesting!
NOTE: Checkpoint One is in a NEW LOCATION and the ascent to the Summit of
Pen-y-fan is by a harder MORE CHALLENGING route! So you will need to get
some training done!
You can enter as an individual, as a pair or walk as a team. Do the Full or
Short Route, it is up to you!
The Mountain-Trail-Challenge has a NEW BASE; the event will be starting from
the new Garwnant Visitor / Forest Centre, Cwm Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 2HT.
Grid Ref. SO 00324 13105. You can see a LOCATION MAP on the Route page on
the website.
As with last year?s event; we will be donating money to the Central Beacons
Mountain Rescue Team (CBMRT) & the National Trust.
If you could forward this information to any interested party we would be
grateful.
The Mountain-Trail-Challenge Team
www.Mountain-Trail-Challenge.com
20 or 30 Miles Challenge
18th of September 2010
"Get Out There and Do it!"
Aberystwyth Race for Life
– 16th May 2010
11am start.
You can enter online
www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871
641 1111
1st April 2010
Junior Training Sessions
on Vicarage Fields from Thursday 15th April (thanks to Karen Williams)
Junior Training Sessions will now be taking place on the Vicarage Fields
commencing Thursday 15th April 5.30pm to 7.00pm.
2010-11 Membership Renewal – Reminder – Forms & Fees are due now (thanks to
Tony Wenlock)
Thankyou to everyone who has sent in their membership renewals so far. We
have 50 to date but this is still less than half the club membership.
We now have only a few days left to make sure we get a club members included
in the first print run of Welsh Athletics registration cards for the coming
year and so I need your completed forms and fees now.
A copy of the club membership forms is attached. If you are an existing
member then you only need to complete is the Club form. New members will
need to complete both
Completed forms can be handed to Tony Wenlock or Louise Barker.
Alternatively you can post your forms to my home – (address is on the form)
League Update - March (thanks
to Tony Wenlock)
March – comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb is the old saying.
This year it’s seems to have been a raw mix of cold but mostly benign
weather – in fact – ideal conditions. A hardy few have taken advantage of
these to lay down some foundations for the spring marathon season whilst
others have ventured abroad to return with early, but tasty results to add
to this year’s crop.
In Ladies Platignum, Louise Barker has developed an early leading position
with pb’s in the Llanelli Half Marathon and Rhayader 20. Very hot on her
heals is Phoebe Webster who also took pb’s in the same events. Meanwhile, Jo
Thatcher has gotten off to a start with the Ras Gwyl Dewi 10k whilst Anita
Worthing has begun her 2010 campaign with great time at Llanelli and by
stripping over 17 minutes from her previous Rhayader 20 time.
In Men’s Platignum, the top spot has changed hands twice this month as Clive
Evans pushed John Evans into second place with a sub 1:40 in the Maltese
half marathon , only to be pushed down by Dave Powell with an outstanding
run at Llanelli. Not to be outdone John has begun his fight back with a
spectacular run in the Rhayader 5 where he has pulled back a full 2 points
in the leadership battle. Below them – and with points in only one category
to date, and only a couple of points separating them – Dan Davies, Richard
Lowe, Gethin Holland – must be looking forward to spring sunshine to let
them really bloom. A special mention goes to Mark Smith who has laid down a
firm base with great times in both the Tregaron Half and the Barcelona
Marathon.
Ladies Gold is headed up by newcomer Cheryl Hughes with a reluctant but none
the less impressive 3rd lady position in the Rhayader 5. Immediately on her
heels is Shan Breese with times from the Llanelli Half and the Rhayader 5.
Both of these are followed by Helen Williams, Helens Stretch, Phoebe Pender
and Emma Whittick.
In Men’s Gold, Tony Wenlock is the first to qualify this year with a pb at
Llanelli and a long haul around Rhayader 20. Behind him are Dan Burgess and
Ian Evans – who both pushed through in the Tregaron half but split their
challenge then across the Ras Gwyl Dewi and Rhayader 5. With only one
category to their names so far, Kevin Holland is showing a return to form
whilst Adriano Evola, Shelley Childs and Paul Rose have also made a early
showing.
In Ladies Diamond only Marj Griffiths and Menna Stephens have made any
showing to date.
In Men’s Diamond, Cameron Pope has added Ras Gwyl Dewi to his basket to hold
top spot from Goronwy Evans competing in his first Rhayader 5.
April is Marathon Month but this comes with plenty of shorter races for
those looking to embrace the spring and for those people who are looking for
that last bit of race preparation before their big days. Look out for;
April 4th - Teifi 10 – a fast 10 miler on a mostly even course
April 5th - Corndon Hill Classic – Welsh Fell Championship race – not
advised for a marathon taper.
April 16th – Gt Welsh Marathon – A new race- and possibly one for pb’s
April 24th – North Wales Championship 10mile road race – this could be a
bonus for some people.
Aril 25th – Virgin London Marathon – Good luck to all
Lake Vyrnwy
Looking further ahead entries are now open for the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon
– 12th September. This is a big autumn event in a great location and with a
fast course. Entries go quickly so don’t be duped by the August entry
closing date. Forms available from
http://www.oswestryolympians.co.uk/seniors/senior_homepage.htm
Additional Races
The eagle eyed will also have spotted that there some new races in the
League list. These are all Championship. They have been added to encourage
club participation at the higher level. Also, following the introduction of
Sprint category last year some 200m sprint options have been added to list.
These have still to be scheduled – but look out or news about the league and
other new developments next month.
Rhayader 5 mile race
report (thanks to Ian Evans)
Last week I found out that the annual Rhayader 20M/5M race was being held on
Saturday (20/3/2020), thinking that the 20-mile race was just a bit too far
for me at the moment, especially as I have recently ran two half marathon's,
I decided to opt for the 5 mile race.I was kindly offered a lift by Goronwy
Evans and we set of from town before midday, which gave us ample time to
register and take a look around. It was good to see so many familiar faces,
not only from Aber AC, but also runners from other clubs that always seem to
show up for these events.
I had never done the 5-mile race in Rhayader before, but was assured that it
would be 3 miles down hill, then a long up hill and finally finishing back
in the town. But from the bus journey to the 15-mile marker of the 20-mile
race, which is where we were going to start from, it was clear that the
course was more undulating than what I was told.
We set of from the 15 mile marker with the conditions being not far of
perfect. I decided to take it easy at the start and gradually build up the
pace, as not being familiar with the course, I didn't want to go off too
quickly, which does seem to be trait of mine. The first 3 miles went quite
well, but every slight hill took more out of me and by the time I reached
the longest uphill stretch, my legs were quite weary, also, although the
conditions were mild, it soon warmed up and people around started shedding
some of there tops.
After reaching the peak, I found my second wind and came back to the centre
of town feeling quite comfortable and able to quicken the pace all the way
to the finishing line.
After showering and going for some chips for a well deserved meal, we stayed
by the finishing line to cheer in the Aber AC runners, who were tackling the
20 mile run.
All in all, the day went very well and as always Rhayader AC made a good job
of organising the event.
Results from a field of 73 runners:
8th Gethin Holland - 0:31:05
16th Ian Evans - 0:33:52
18th John Evans - 0:34:20
22nd Kevin Holland - 0:35:30
25th Cheryl Hughes - 0:37:22
30th Goronwy Evans - 0:38:35
34th Helen Williams - 0:40:19
48th Helen Stretch - 0:45:25
53rd Shan Breese - 0:46:10
Friday 2nd April Newtown
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run - Maldwyn Harriers
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run Friday 2nd April 2010. Fun Run start 11am. Main
Race Start 11.30am. Registration at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Easter Monday 5k in
Carmarthen
12:00am, Monday 5 April 2010 Guildhall Square, Carmarthen
http://www.rasusymaer.org.uk/english/details/index.html
Aberystwyth Race for Life
– 16th May 2010
11am start.
You can enter online
www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871
641 1111
23rd March 2010
Anyone else
travelling to the Pembrokeshire Coastal Marathon this weekend and would like
to car share?
Contact Maggie at:
bcollingborn@doctors.org.uk
Monday the 29th of March,
Club Run: Borth to Aberystwyth (Lily Stieler)
To celebrate the clocks moving forward I'll be taking you all on a run from
Borth to Aberystwyth. Please meet at 5.20pm on the station platform in
Aberystwyth in time for the 5.30pm train. Please bring enough money for a
single journey (roughly £3). Do not worry about the Club fee as I don't wish
to be loaded down with money on the cliff path. Instead, could you please
bring double the fee the following week. You may wish to carry water as this
is quite a tough run. If the weather is horrible we'll still meet at this
location at 5.20pm to discuss alternatives.
Gwent League Final
Standings (thanks to Jos Jones)
Girls Under 13
9th Emily Thomas (4 of 5 races) One to watch for top spot next season.
Senior Ladies
51st Helen Marshall (3 of 5 races) Top 10 would have been on the cards had
Helen done all 5.
Team - 4th Division 3
A good turn out next season would put the Ladies in with a chance of
promotion.
Senior Men
62nd Jos Jones (5 races) Gunning for the top 10 next season.
Team - 6th Division 4
Again a good turn out would also put the men in with a chance of promotion.
GB World Cross Country
Trials (Incorporating UK Inter Regions Cross Country) (thanks to Jos
Jones)
Girls Under 15
146th - Megan Turner
Ladies Under 20
55th - Eli Thorogood
Senior Ladies
178th - Helen Marshall
194th - Jo Thatcher
258th - Phoebe Pender
Senior Men
285th - Jos Jones
(Politely let Mo Farrah past on the 3rd lap, unfortunately Mo was on his
fourth!)
West Glamorgan X Country
League (thanks to Jos Jones)
Race 5 - Final Race - Margam Park, Port Talbot
It was a hot day down south but conditions were heavy underfoot after the
recent heavy rain. Congratulations to Jo Thatcher for winning the V40
category. In the Senior Ladies Helen Marshall had to settle for second this
season behind Welsh International Jade Williams. (Not a bad place to
be.....I couldn't possibly comment) Aberystwyth AC Men (Team Jos + other
randoms) secured promotion into division 2.
Senior Ladies - Race Results
+ (Final Standings)
2nd - Helen Marshall (2nd)
3rd - Jo Thatcher (3rd. 1st V40)
10th - Phoebe Pender (14th. From 4 races)
Team - 3rd in Division 1
Senior Men - Race Results and
Final Standings
16th - Jos Jones (18th)
Team - 2nd Division 3 (Promoted to Division 2)
Rhayader Round the Lakes
(thanks to Anita Worthing)
Saturday 20th March was a busy day for Aber AC, with a choice of the
Rhayader 5 mile & 20 mile races, and Ras yr Aran fell run. I opted for the
20 miler as part of my marathon training, and it was probably the right
choice because conditions were perfect - the morning rain eased off to a
barely perceptible drizzle, it was mild and winds were light. Visibility was
good so the Elan Valley was as magnificent as ever and the views round the
lakes helped to distract from the toughness of the run. It is a tough one -
no fun-runners in fancy dress here - so the standard is very high and
runners come from all over the country to test themselves before the spring
marathons. There was plenty of support around the route and the usual
cheerful marshalls, and many of the runners are happy to chat en route so
it's a very friendly event. My thoughts of using it as "just a training run"
went out of the window as the atmosphere of the race got to me so I went for
it and was pleased with my time, but congratulations must go to Pheobe
Webster who managed to get 2nd Lady against some very stiff opposition. Most
of the 5-mile runners from Aber AC were at the finish to cheer us in, but
they'd already had fish & chips and we couldn't get any sense out of them on
how the 5-mile run went, so I hope someone else writes that up!
20 mile results:
Phoebe Webster 2:20:35
Louise Barker 2:32:36
Anita Worthing 2:44:50
Tony Wenlock 2:53:22
395 finished. First man
1:57:59, first lady 2:18:52.
Friday 2nd April Newtown
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run - Maldwyn Harriers
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run Friday 2nd April 2010. Fun Run start 11am. Main
Race Start 11.30am. Registration at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Easter Monday 5k in
Carmarthen
12:00am, Monday 5 April 2010 Guildhall Square, Carmarthen
http://www.rasusymaer.org.uk/english/details/index.html
Aberystwyth Race for Life
– 16th May 2010
11am start. 331 entries already.
You can enter online
www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871
641 1111
16th March 2010
First Aberystwyth A.C. 2010 League Update
(thanks to Tony Wenlock)
The new league is now in full swing. With four races already behind us there
are scoring athletes in every division.
In Men’s Platignum, John Evans currently holds top spot off the back of a
very strong performance in the Llandudno Twin Piers and Tregaron Half
Marathon. However he is being strongly challenged by Dave Powell who’s pb at
Tarren Hendre this year gives him the highest single points score in the
division. In third place is newcomer Richard Lowe with a very respectable
score from the Nick Beer 10k. Ladies Platignum currently sits with Louise
Barker following her pb in Tarren Hendre. Anita Worthing has second place
with her pb from Tregaron.
Men’s Gold is held by Tony Wenlock a with two category scores including a pb
at Tarren Hendre (but not a great performance). Second place lies with new
dad Dan Burgess followed by Paul Rose and Ian Evans – all scoring from
Tregaron. Ladies Gold sits with Phoebe Pender who, after a brilliant runs in
Tarren Hendre, holds the lead ahead of Cheryl Hughes.
Men’s Gold is in the hands of Cameron Pope with his first Tarren Hendre
whilst Ladies is with Marg Griffiths after Llandudno Twin Piers
March brings a another strong crop of races options in the Medium, Long &
Off Road categories.
7th March – Llanelli Half Marathon – Eight people
are already entered for this race
7th March – Ras Gwyl Dewi – Llandewibrefi – a
popular 10k with a great atmosphere
20th March – Rhayader 20 mile – popular pre
marathon primer
20th March – Rhayader 5 mile – partner run to the
round the lakes run
20th March – Ras yr Aran – 10 miles, 2500ft – part
of the Merionnydd Winter Race series
So you can’t do them all – but the winter will soon be behind us and the
work done in these early season gruellers will pay off as we hit the faster
paced races in the summer.
Aberystwyth club kit (thanks to Jo
Thatcher)
Need some inspiration for your running? Or just need a new look? Aberystwyth
AC kit is the kit to be seen in! You can purchase hoodies, tracksuits,
t-shirts and vests...all very reasonably priced:
Junior hoodies are only £12:50 and adults' £17:00
Adult tracksuits are £35 (£25 for top and £16:00 for bottoms if bought
separately)
Junior t-shirts: £8:50
Junior tracksuit bottoms: £16:00
Club vests: £17:00.
Juniors who purchase a t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms, hoodie and vest receive a
discount of £4.
All prices correct at time of going to press!
Please place orders with Jo Thatcher either via email:
jet@aber.ac.uk or
phone: 01970 628629 (W); 01974 282547 (H); 07704432549 (M).
Llanelli Half Marathon Sunday 7th March (thanks
to Anita Worthing)
I’d heard this was a good race, and as I’ve entered the inaugural Great
Welsh Marathon at the same site on the 18th April, I thought I’d go for a
test run. On the day, conditions were cold (barely above freezing) with a
biting east wind, but the sun was making an effort, loud music was thumping
in the background and everyone seemed in good spirits. In a biggish race
like this (1500 or so runners) there is an art to picking the right toilet
queue, and there were some panicky moments as the announcer was counting
down to the start, but I eventually found Tony Wenlock in the “under 1.45”
starting pen with plenty of time to spare before the off.
The course is billed as “scenic” but it’s man-made scenery rather than
rugged wilderness, with buildings, tarmac paths, ponds, shrubs, sculptures
and amphitheatres! With all this and the crowds of runners for company there
was no time to get bored. The course is just undulating enough to keep the
leg muscles awake and consists of roughly out and back one way with a few
loops then out and back the opposite way – so several places where people
are running in opposite directions.
Most of us set off too fast as the wind was behind us for the first couple
of miles, but once you got into a rhythm the course ran well, though it was
sometimes difficult to overtake on the narrower sections. As the morning
progressed the temperature rose, and woolly hats and running jackets were
being left on posts as runners began to feel over-dressed. By the time I
finished (just behind Tony) it was warm enough to stand and watch other
runners coming in, accompanied by the non-stop commentary of the very
enthusiastic announcer who was trying his best to make everyone feel like a
hero.
Aber AC were well represented and did well, particularly Phoebe who was
first lady. Tony and Emma (and possibly others?) had PBs. Ian didn’t do
himself justice as he was coming down with a cold. I wasn’t expecting any
prizes as the age categories were against me – but Louise told me later I’d
come 3rd in the over-45s! Well worth the trip.
Aber AC chip time results (still provisional on the website, where Tony’s
time is wrong at 1.38.19– he was definitely quicker than me):
Daniel Davies………………..1.21.42
Dave Powell………………….1.23.27
Phoebe Webster…………….1.23.29 (1st F)
Louise Barker………………..1.29.23
Ian Evans…………………….1.33.49
Tony Wenlock……………….1.37.50 (approx)
Anita Worthing………………1.37.58 (3rd F45)
Shan Breese…………………2.19.26
Emma Whittick………………2.18.59
1487 finished, winner Lee Ladd (Carmarthen Harriers) in 1.12.05.
Ras Gwyl Dewi 10K report (thanks to Jo
Thatcher)
Sunny blue skies on a chilly day were a welcome sight for the 23 runners who
lined up (with not a stitch of rubber in sight…and I promise that’s my last
Little Britain reference…) for the Llanddewi Brefi 10K on March 7th. This
was a small but perfectly formed event and whilst the race organiserswere
one of the most hospitable I’ve known they showed no mercy in planning the
course route! Suffice to say it consisted mainly of steep hills which
brought flashbacks to the torture of the Welsh Cross Country Champs course
for me but I’m sure months of therapy will rid me of that! Aber runners made
up nearly half the line up and put in a really good showing: Shelley Childs
was the first Aber runner home (3rd place) in 40:57, hotly pursued by Dan
Burgess in 41:53 (4th place), Jo Thatcher (42:32; PB and first lady/lady vet,
5th place overall although I actually
finished after Gethin!), Gethin Holland (44:47; took a wrong turn close to
the finish and ended up running an extra loop so 7th overall officially),
Kevin Holland (45:00; first male vet and 9th overall), Adriano Evola (45:
46; 11th place), Cameron Pope (46:50; 12th place), Clive Evans (49:29; 14th
place), Menna Stevens (55:30; first lady non vet; 17th place); Helen Stretch
(59:31; 18th place). All finishers were awarded a medal and a very tasty
bowl of cawl (vegetarian option available too!) crammed with at least a
day’s portion of vegetables. Next year’s event is planned not to clash with
other races so I’d recommend the Llanddewi Brefi 10K for a friendly local
race with a challenging course. Rhys took some photos of the event so if any
runners want to download any from Flicker (whatever that is!:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aberac ), feel
free (apologies for
all the ones of me but Rhys is obviously biased in where he points the
camera!).
Gwent Cross Country League (thanks to Jos
Jones)
Race 5 - Blaise Castle, Bristol
This was the last Gwent League race for this season and yet again the Aber
athletes had good weather. Looks like it's going to rain all summer then.
Senior Ladies
19th - Helen Marshall (Will Helen commit to all 5 races next year to
challenge the top?)
60th - Cheryl Hughes (Finished strongly in her first race in the league)
Senior Men
83rd - Jos Jones
Final league placings to follow.
Up and Coming “muddy” fixtures:
Sunday 21st March 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Margam Park, Port Talbot.
Friday 2nd April Newtown Chocoholics 5k
and Fun Run - Maldwyn Harriers
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run Friday 2nd April 2010. Fun Run start 11am. Main
Race Start 11.30am. Registration at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Easter Monday 5k in Carmarthen
12:00am, Monday 5 April 2010 Guildhall Square, Carmarthen
http://www.rasusymaer.org.uk/english/details/index.html
Aberystwyth Race for Life – 16th May 2010
11am start. 331 entries already.
You can enter online
www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871
641 1111.
28th February 2010
Llongyfarchiadau!! (thanks
to Helen Marshall)
Congratulations to Daniel “fat boy” Burgess who is now proud father to
little Mabli, born on Tuesday 23rd February weighing in at 8lb (and
significantly lighter than her father...who weighs in at approx. 18 stone!).
I’m sure you will all join me in sending love and best wishes to Daniel,
Clare, Brychan and little Mabli!!
Next Club League Race –
7th March (thanks to Tony Wenlock)
The Llanelli Half
Marathon on Sunday 7th March is one of our League races this year. This is
described as fast, flat course and everyone who entered last year gave very
good feedback about the race. Postal entries close on March 4th – entry
forms can be obtained from
http://www.halfmarathon.org.uk/documents/essential_entry_form.pdf
or enter online through Runners World.
Can anyone offer a lift to
Llanelli Half Marathon?
Emma Whittick would really like to run the
Llanelli half marathon but doesn’t have transport. Is there anyone that can
offer Emma a lift? If you can help please contact Emma by email/phone:
emma.whittick@googlemail.com
mob: 07988 741122.
The Welsh Castles Relay
2010 - 12th and 13th of June – only 10 more runners required for the
Aberystwyth AC mixed team (thanks to Kevin Holland)
So far ten of the required twenty runners have signed up. If you would like
to take part please let me know ASAP. There will be a cost of approximately
£20 per runner to cover the entry fee and transport, assuming our team
application is successful, the event is very popular with places strictly
limited,. Further details are available at
www.lescroupierswcr.org
Welsh Lady Fun Run photos
Thanks to Pete for
taking some fab photos from the race. They can be viewed at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aberac/sets/
If you have any photos to share email
aiv@aber.ac.uk to add to the club photo
site.
Llanddewi Brefi 10k (Ras
Gwyl Dewi) 7th March 2010
Registration at
10.30am Llanddewi Brefi Community Centre.
Race starts 12 noon.
Route can be seen at:
http://realbuzz.com/mapyourpassion/?item=265955
Also bouncy castle and Children’s fun run.
Cawl and refreshments free for runners.
Message from Kelly Rumble
on behalf of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Team
Dear Aberystwyth AC Lady members
We thought you would like to know that Aberystwyth Cancer Research UK's Race
for Life 2010 is now open for entries and volunteering.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is going to be full of amazing moments
for everyone. Take part or volunteer at Race for Life event in Aberystwyth
on Sunday 16 May and simply walk, jog or run 5k and raise money to help beat
cancer. Race for Life is the UK’s largest women only fundraising event where
all the money raised goes to funding Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.
Last year 1585 women walked, jogged or ran the event which took place for
the 8th time in the town and raised an incredible £89,260. In 2010
organisers are encouraging 1800 women to put their best feet forward and
raise £97,861.
This year we hope over 700,000 women of all ages and fitness levels will
take part in Race for Life and raise over £60 million to help continue the
groundbreaking research of over 4,800 scientists, doctors and nurses across
the UK.
With over 230 Race for Life events taking place around the country from May
to July, there’s bound to be an event near you. Why not enter with your
friends, family and colleagues and share in a great day out this summer? To
avoid disappointment sign up for amazing moments TODAY at
www.raceforlife.org
. Please pass this email on to anyone you think might be
interested.
Volunteers make Race for Life events the success they are and we’re looking
for people to help us in a variety of ways this year. Right now volunteers
are needed to distribute leaflets, posters and this email locally to recruit
women to take part as soon as possible. For more information on volunteering
profiles to see what you could be doing to promote the events and help on
the day read more on the website. All volunteers receive a briefing about
their role on the event day, so don't worry if you haven't done anything
like it before.
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/racevolunteer .
Best wishes,
Kelly Rumble on behalf of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Team
Welsh Cross Country
Championships: Aber Athletes get Two Bronze Medals!! (thanks to Helen
Marshall)
Despite the poor
attendance by the Aberystwyth seniors, the juniors made their mark in
Swansea by bringing back two bronze medals in the under 13 and under 15
girls. The conditions were close to perfect but the course was very similar
to how I imagine hell to be – very hilly with little or no respite for tired
legs. The quote from Jo after crossing the finishing line just about summed
it up “as I was running around I was thinking, they couldn’t have included
any more hills in this course...”. Emily Thomas gave us all a heart stopping
moment as she battled for the finish with Scarlett McPhillips from Cwmbran
in close pursuit – it was a very close but thankfully Emily was awarded the
bronze – please don’t do that again Emily!! Catrin Ansell put in a brave
performance to come in 23rd place. Another fine performance came from Megan
Turner who came in third to clinch the bronze! We shouldn’t forget that all
the girls are not at the top of their age group and therefore we can expect
a lot more from them in the years to come! Stephen Williams, who at 13 is at
the bottom of his age category, also put in a sound performance coming in
20th in the under 15 boys. The senior events didn’t yield any silver wear
(or gold or bronze for that matter...) but we all gave it our dammed hardest
– sorry kids!! First Aber women home was myself in 13th position, followed
by Jo Thatcher in 19th (although if we take out the U23s then we came in 8th
and 14th respectively – sounds much better). The first senior man home was
Glen, aka Alen, Davison (mis-spelling on the programme – although we all
agreed that Alen was a better name than Glen) in a respectable 36th position
with Ian Evans following in 50th position. All in all a successful trip to
South Wales and a good dry run for the UK Inter Counties in Birmingham in
March...
Ras Tarren Hendre (13th
FEB - 6.5m 200ft ascent) (thanks to Louise Barker)
Once again great mountain running weather greeted the 61 runners on the
annual pilgrimage up Tarren Hendre. Aberystwyth AC had 6 runners in the
field, all intent on grabbing those crucial points in the opening race of
the Aber trail league! Phoebe Pender, Cheryl Hughes and Cameron Pope had
impressive fell running debuts for the club and judging from the smiles on
their faces as they crossed the line, they’ll be back for more! It was good
results all round, with Dave Powell, Louise Barker and Tony Wenlock all
running PBs. Ist man home was Iwan Morton of Eryri in 51.55 with Andrea
Rowlands also of Eryri , 1st lady in 1.00.56.
12 Dave Powell 58.45
25 Louise Barker 1.04.06
42 Phoebe Pender 1.13.27
48 Cheryl Hughes 1.18.18
53 Tony Wenlock 1.21.10
54 Cameron Pope 1.22.09
Special mention must be made
of the group of seasoned fell runners - all male- who despite having run the
race numerous times, somehow managed to get totally lost on the descent. One
of them only lived two miles from the start.
Ras Tarren Hendre Pictures
(thanks to Kevin Holland)
A number of club
runners took part in last week's race, pictures can be found at
www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk/rastarrenhendre2010.html
These were kindly
provided by Alastair Tye
www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk and
http://fellrunningpictures.blogspot.com
Up and Coming “muddy”
fixtures:
Saturday 6th March 2010 - Gwent League, Blaise Castle, Bristol.
Sunday 21st March 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Margam Park, Port Talbot.
20th February 2010
Volunteers/Helpers Needed
(thanks to Bridget James)
In order to take part in the Louise Arthur League this year we need to
provide a number of Officials/Helpers per match. We currently only have 2 in
the Club so are pretty desperate for more to become qualified in time for
the first fixture. As an Official you would be required to help out
measuring/timing for an event on the day of competition. For more info
please speak to Bridget Thomas
fabthoma6@aol.com
I am hoping to organise a course in Aberystwyth during the next 6-8 weeks
and the Club would cover all costs so it would be free of charge to all
those attending. All we would ask in return is that you could attend one or
more of the Fixtures on the following dates (travel expenses will also be
covered provided every effort is made to share lifts):
Saturday 24th April - Carmarthen
Saturday 22nd May - Neath
Sunday 6th June - Swansea
Sunday 11th July - Barry
The current dates proposed for the course are:
Saturday 27th March
Saturday 10th April
Sunday 11th April
At the moment I am enquiring about having timekeeping and Track & Field on
the same day as we need both. If this is feasible then it would be a full
day course.
I would be VERY grateful if you could get back to let me know if you would
be willing to help out by attending the course and which dates you are
available for both the league and the course from the lists above?
Also, if you think anybody else would be interested in attending please
forward this email
THANK YOU!
Bridget
Next Club League Race –
7th March (thanks to Tony Wenlock)
The Llanelli Half Marathon on Sunday 7th March is one of our League races
this year. This is described as fast, flat course and everyone who entered
last year gave very good feedback about the race. Postal entries close on
March 4th – entry forms can be obtained from
http://www.halfmarathon.org.uk/documents/essential_entry_form.pdf
or enter online through Runners World.
Red Kite Challenge 1st and
2nd of May 2010
http://www.redkite-barcudcoch.org.uk/ (thanks
to Steve King)
You may know that Pheobe, Menna and I are on the organising committee for
the 7th Red Kite Challenge Trail Running Weekend. This is an e-mail to let
everyone in the club know what is going on and to ask for your support by
signing up for the events. I’ve included a link to the website above.
Saturday 1st of May – Red
Kite Challenge
This is an 11 mile challenging trail race that is best described as very up
and down. You’ll get an opportunity to run on a fully marked course over the
tracks and trails at Nant Yr Arian which is a favourite Aber AC haunt, the
Forestry Commission also close off some of the single-track mountain bike
routes which make up part of the course. The race is also the UK Trail
Running Short Course Championships and the Welsh Masters Championships. The
course is well marshalled with regular water stops and ample provisions of
jelly beans and jelly babies. There is facilities for changing, showering
and the visitors centre will be open as per usual, there is also plenty of
things for kids do on the day as well and for the non runners we’ll also be
putting on the 8 mile walk which will precede the race.
If you have any questions just e-mail me : mangotree@btopenworld.com or ask
one of us when you see us in person, alternatively there are plenty of Aber
AC runners who have run the race in the past.
Sunday 2nd of May – Ras Y
Diafol
We’ve changed the course slightly for this year’s race so after the first ½
mile the race is completely off road. Although the race it isn’t as severe
as the Red Kite, its 18 miles makes it just as challenging. If this is too
long then there is a three stage relay over the same course. What you will
need is three runners, either male or female, any age or ability. The three
stages are approximately 6 miles each, stage 1 starts at the Woodlands
Caravan Site and ends at the arch, Stage 2 is a loop starting and finishing
at the arch and Stage 3 starts at the arch and finishes back at the
Woodlands. Relay runners will be bussed to and from the changeover point.
The relay is a great way of getting out there into the Countryside and
competing over a manageable distance. The changeover at the Arch which is a
great place for supporters to watch the race.
If you really fancy this then
please contact Louise who will be co-ordinating the clubs relay efforts.
Louise.barker@rcahmw.org.uk .
See the Red Kite Face book
page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=320201210811&ref=nf
SO, let’s see lots off Aber
AC vests out there in the hills
WELSH LADY FUN RUN - RAS
DYDD GWYL DEWI
3k in Welsh Costume 3K mewn Gwisg Gymreig
Big Brother Celebrities: Glyn Wise and Nikky Grahame
28.2.2010 @ 10am Bandstand, Prom, Aberystwyth
Fee, On the Day: £5 Adults £3.50 Students & OAP £2 Children
Fee Before the Day: £3 Adults £2 Students & OAP £1 Children
Elw tuag at / Proceeds towards: Urdd Gobaith Cymru Eisteddfod Ceredigion
2010
Please find above and attached details of the Welsh Lady Fun Run organised
by Menter Aberystwyth to both raise money for a local charity and raise
awareness of Welsh culture by having some fun on Sunday 28th February 2010.
I sincerely hope that you and your family will be able to take part, there
will also be a mini market of Welsh Produce and Products on sale. If you
would be so kind as to send this to all your staff and friends I would be
very grateful.
Thank you very much and I trust you will come to support us by filling in
the entry form, there is also the option of collecting sponsorship money.
Gwennan Davies MENTER-ABERYSTWYTH
Friday 2nd April Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run - Maldwyn Harriers
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run Friday 2/4/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race
Start 11.30am. Registration at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Entry form attached.
Up and Coming “muddy”
fixtures:
Saturday 6th March 2010 - Gwent League, Blaise Castle, Bristol.
Sunday 21st March 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Margam Park, Port Talbot.
Aberystwyth Race for Life – 16th May 2010
11am start. 331 entries already.
You can enter online
www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871
641 1111.
Ras Cors Caron 2010
(Thanks to Ian Evans)
A few weeks ago, I decided that it was time that I ran a long race, as last
year, the longest race I ran was the Twin Peaks. The first race that came to
mind was the Cors Caron, in Tregaron, as I ran it two years ago, so I had a
time to aim for.
I managed to get a lift of Mark Smith and we decided to leave Aber about
8:30am, to get there nice and early. We arrived a few hours before the race
began, so it gave us plenty of time to relax and think about what lay ahead
of us.
The day was clear and crisp and perfect for a run, so the excuse for a bad
time because of the conditions was not going to be relevant.
When the race began, I made the mistake of starting from the back, so took a
bit of time to get clear of some runners and get into my stride.
I decided to take it easy for the first few miles, as I knew the first 8
miles consisted of many short sharp hills.
With each hill that passed, the legs became wearier and took longer to
recover, which thankfully could be done on the many downhill parts on the
course. I went passed a few people for the first few miles, but then stayed
consistently behind the same people up to about mile 8. But, I knew after
that point, it was a straight, flat course, on the old train line, which is
where I managed to pass a few people I was behind on the hills.
The old train line was more a battle of the mind; and I made sure just to
keep a comfortable pace and hope that my legs would keep moving and stay
with me. When I hit the 10-mile point and knew I was almost there, with only
about another 3.1 miles or 5k to go.
The last section was back onto the main road, which led back to the town of
Tregaron and I knew that all I needed to do for a personal best, was to keep
going. On about mile 12, I started to flag, but I got some helpful
encouragement from a runner that I had kept pace with for a few miles. This
encouragement spurred me on, even to the detriment of my fellow runner, as I
passed him with about a mile to go, and managed to find a quick finish, even
without anyone around me.
When I looked at my watch and realised that I had knocked off over 7 minutes
of my previous time, I was very pleased with myself.
In conclusion, the conditions were ideal for a run, with only a slight
breeze on parts of the course. The race itself is very well organised, apart
from a few blunders with the prize giving.
Aberystwyth AC results (from approx. 97 finishers):
Mark Smith – 4th (1:21:58)
Daniel Davies – 7th (1:24:07)
Ian Evans – 14th (1:32:23)
Daniel Burgess – 22nd (1:35:49)
Anita Worthing – 34th (1:40:02)
Paul Rose – 36th (1:40:19)
John Gwynn Evans – 44th (1:43:51)
Delor Harvey – 52nd (1:47:38)
Gwent X Country League -
Race 4 – Brecon (thanks to Jos Jones)
A good day was had by all
from Aberystwyth with 4 juniors and 3 seniors competing. The ground was
quite hard after the recent dry spell but a slight chill was coming off the
beacons..... that was Shelly's excuse anyway (see bellow).
Senior Ladies
12th - Helen Marshall -
Helen's best ever finish in the Gwent League.
Senior Men
83rd - Jos Jones - Best ever
finish in the Gwent League (77th overall in the league standings)
110th - Shelly " Nice Tights"
Childs
Gwent League Junior Results
The junior results are now available from the Gwent X Country at Brecon.
Novice Boys
21st - Dion Davies - Only 5
seconds away form a top 20 finish.
Under 13 Girls
6th - Emily Thomas - Now in
6th spot overall and only 6 points off 3rd.
Under 15 Girls
6th - Megan Turner - Back
into the top 10 standings.
Under 15 Boys
17th - Stephen Williams -
Another grafting performance from Williams.
Senior Ladies Overall
Standings
Division 3 - 12th
Senior Men Overall Standings
Division 4 - 6th
The West Glamorgan X
Country League positions have now been updated (thanks to Jos Jones)
Ladies - Division 1 - 3rd
A top 2 placing seems to be
out of reach but only 2 points separate the Ladies from 4th place Swansea
Harriers.
Men - Division 3 - 3rd
The Men are only 3 points
behind The Land Registry and promotion. Unfortunately I have no idea how the
league points are awarded but it would be good to get a Mens team out in the
last race.
Last Fixture - March 21st -
Margam Park, Port Talbot.
11th February 2010
Ras Cors Caron (Tregaron)
Half Marathon – THIS Sunday 14th February
This is a really good course with free Cawl at the end for all runners!
Start time 11am from Tregaron Leisure Centre.
Aberystwyth Race for Life
– 16th May 2010
11am start. 331 entries already.
You can enter online
www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871
641 1111.
Wiggle Lightning 12hr.
Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Ledbury. Sunday 21st March 2010.
We will be kicking off the year with a brand new event to make sure that the
winter cobwebs are blown well and truly away. The Wiggle Lightning 12 is a
twelve hour off road running event open for solo runners & teams to be held
on Sunday 21st March. Set in the heart of the Malvern Hills, the run is
being held in the stunning grounds of Eastnor Castle Deer Park. The course
will be as challenging as it is enjoyable, taking in the breathtaking
scenery as the 10k route weaves its way up and down the hills and through
the dense woodland. Ample course marking, a mid-point drinks station and
plenty of marshals will ensure that competitors can concentrate on enjoying
the challenge and tackling the terrain. The Wiggle Lightning 12 gives
runners a good taster of what’s to come later in the year, getting used to
the format, team tactics & night running.
If you are interested in running as part of the Aber A.C. team or as pairs/individually
drop Shelley an email:
shelley@cambriantyres.co.uk
The Welsh Castles Relay
2010 - 12th and 13th of June
The club has applied to enter a mixed team in relay. We should know in March
whether our application is successful, the event is extremely popular and
places are limited. If you would like to take part please email me
k.holland@aber.ac.uk
. We need twenty to make a team, we can work out who will run
each leg and what to do if we have more than 20 names once we hear if we are
accepted. There will be a cost of approximately £20 per runner to cover the
entry fee and transport. Further details are available at
www.lescroupierswcr.org
WELSH LADY FUN RUN - RAS
DYDD GWYL DEWI
3k in Welsh Costume 3K mewn Gwisg Gymreig
Big Brother Celebrities: Glyn Wise and Nikky Grahame
28.2.2010 @ 10am Bandstand, Prom, Aberystwyth
Fee, On the Day: £5 Adults £3.50 Students & OAP £2 Children
Fee Before the Day: £3 Adults £2 Students & OAP £1 Children
Elw tuag at / Proceeds towards: Urdd Gobaith Cymru Eisteddfod Ceredigion
2010
Please find above and attached details of the Welsh Lady Fun Run organised
by Menter Aberystwyth to both raise money for a local charity and raise
awareness of Welsh culture by having some fun on Sunday 28th February 2010.
I sincerely hope that you and your family will be able to take part, there
will also be a mini market of Welsh Produce and Products on sale. If you
would be so kind as to send this to all your staff and friends I would be
very grateful.
Thank you very much and I trust you will come to support us by filling in
the entry form, there is also the option of collecting sponsorship money.
Gwennan Davies MENTER-ABERYSTWYTH
Message of thanks from
Helen Marshall
I would just like to say a very BIG THANK YOU for all those of you who
nominated me for the ladies prize. I was totally shocked when Pete told me
the good news this morning!! It’s a real honour to think that my name came
top out of all the women in the club, each and every one of you are worthy
of the prize – thanks again!! I’m sorry I wasn’t there on Saturday night to
collect it, I was sound asleep resting for the West Glam. The rest paid off
and I ran a PB around Gnoll Estate coming in third out of fifty one women
(the first woman across the line was a Welsh junior international - so we
ignore her...). Dai, I promise I’ll attend next year’s social!! However I’d
just like to point out that by awarding me the prize will not mean that my
badgering will stop for the cross country OR any other muddy fixture for
that matter...Happy running, and thanks once again...Don’t forget: mud is
best!!...I will be in touch again very soon...
LONG MYND VALLEYS FELL
RACE 7th FEBRUARY 2010 (By Phoebe Webster)
I arrived early at the rendevous and got my stuff out of the car ready for a
smooth transition between vehicles. The morning was full of promise. The
LLangurig hills wore luminescent toupees of thick white cloud, a pale winter
sun cast diamonds into babbling streams and the scream of a wheeling,
copper-backed kite echoed across the immaculate sky.
The timeless magic of the moment was suddenly shattered by the angry revving
of a Subaru negotiating a tight bend. It was Dave and he was late. Typical.
I leapt in and we sped off in a cloud of smoke, the acrid taste of burnt
rubber lodged at the back of my throat. Tina Turner got us all fired up by
belting out “Simply the Best” as we caned it down the A44, touching a ton on
the straights. We approached Llangurig and Dave slowed to the pace of a
mobility scooter to avoid entrapment by the new speed cameras. As we crawled
along the sky turned grey, thickened and descended to ground level. We
proceeded at pedestrian pace through dense freezing fog all the way to
Shropshire.
Fighting against our survival instinct we got changed at -4c , ran to the
start and joined the other 203 (a record turnout) runners in the group
activity of turning blue and having shiver spasms while receiving lengthy
convoluted instructions (inaudible due to the whistling wind), from a very
thorough man.
An hour later we were off. After 100m the army of smurfs hit a bridge and
instantly bottle-necked. We ground to a frustrated halt, all except for 1
runner displaying mental superiority who took the adjacent path, avoiding
the bridge. That lone pioneer was none other than Aber Ac’s Dave Powell.
This severely delayed my progress and meant that my navigational tactic of
following Dave for as long as I could was ruined.
The first climb begins 150m into the race from that point on there is no
relief from quad pain. There are 6 vertical climbs and 6 vertical descents.
The valley/cliff sides are carpeted in grazed bilberry, gorse and bracken
which makes ascent painful and energy-sapping and descent more or less
impossible. The downs are so severe that it is safer to slide on your
backside and suffer laceration on the spiky vegetation and a coccyx
pulverised by protruding lumps of volcanic rock than to attempt an upright
descent where a forward trip would result in a 400ft freefall. All the flat
running is a traverse on thin rocky paths and sheep trods so that provides
little relief. At the end of this race my feet and legs felt totally smashed
and I was completely exhausted. It deserves its reputation as the hardest
race in the fell-running calendar.
Dave did his best time since Wham were at no1 (remixes and Christmas
re-releases excluded) and I did a p.b so we were quite pleased with
ourselves and did some well-deserved mutual congratulating. Good effort.
D. Powell 2.07.06
P. Webster 2.13.32
West Glamorgan X Country
League - Race 4 - Gnoll Estate, Neath (thanks to Jos Jones)
The weather was cold but calm for the Aberystwyth AC runners at Neath. A
good multiterrain route with the ladies running 3 miles and the men 5.
Ladies Results
3rd - Helen Marshall - League Standing - 2nd
Chatterbox Marshall keeps the pressure up on League leader Jade "Legs"
Williams (Amman Valley Harriers)
6th - Jo B H Thatcher - League Standing - 3rd (1st Vet 40 - WOW)
Only one point between Jo and 4th placed Sandra Pinkham of Portalbot
Harriers
17th - Cheryl Hughes
League debut for Cheryl just edging out Phoebe.
18th - Phoebe Pender - League Standing - 16th (3 races)
Night Owl Phoebe now just outside the top 15 in the overall rankings.
Men's Results
25th - Glen Davidson
Glen was the clubs other League debutant of the day doubling the usual
turnout for the men.
35th - Jos Jones - League Standing - 22nd
Jos had worn ear defenders for the journey down so his mind was not polluted
with gossip before the race.
Team standings to be updated as soon as they are available.
Nick Beer 10K,Llandudno
7th January(the day after the night before) (thanks to John Evans)
At 12 noon on a very cold Sunday morning 540 runners started the undulating
climb and descent of the Great Orme. The race was won by East Cheshire
harrier Jason Dunkerley in 33.21,14 seconds ahead of Mathew Roberts (Eryri).The
womens title went to English international Jenny Clague (Liverpool Harriers)
who finished in 38.02,a few seconds outside the course record.
Only 2 Aber A C representatives for the second league race of the season.
New club member Richard Lowe did extremely well to finish 18th(3rd V35)(cash
prize!)in 37.36.Personally I enjoyed the run until the last 1km along the
promenade into a stiff easterly headwind which no doubt accounted for the
slower than normal winning time. My time of 44.54(131st)earned me second
place in my category and a more substantial cash prize!!What might my time
have been if I had not expended so much energy on the dance floor the
previous night?
Earlybird Aquathlon Series
- Race 1 - Aberystwyth 31st January 2010 (thanks to Helen Williams)
Here's a new way to put zip and go into those 5k and 10k runs - try swimming
a few lengths of the local pool first before emerging into the sleet and
snow of a Mid Wales winter - it certainly quickens the pace as one tries in
vain to warm up - it was Wednesday before I thawed out.... Yes, the
Earlybird Aquathlon series has begun once again with the first race taking
place last Sunday in Aberystwyth - a 500m swim followed by a 5k run. Several
Aber AC members took part:-
Jamie Owen Swim: 7:41 Run: 20:54
Stephen Owen Swim: 9:05 Run: 19:58
Daniel Davies Swim: 10:45 Run: 18:40 - A fantastic debut in this event!
Anita Saycell Swim: 8:28 Run: 22:22 (1st Lady) A truly inspiring performance.
John Evans Swim: 11:52 Run: 21:04 (1st Male Vintage Vet) Another great race.
Helen Williams Swim: 12:04 Run: 22:23
However, the real heroes of the day were the marshals, many of whom were
Aber AC members, whose support was greatly appreciated in such grim weather
conditions.
This popular series of races is organised by Cerist Tri Club and a friendly
welcome is guaranteed to all, regardless of age or ability. It is also
possible to participate in the events as part of a relay team - so there is
no excuse! The next race is scheduled to take place on Sunday 21st February
in Tywyn (400m swim, 10k run). See the Cerist Tri Club website
http://ceristtriathlon.org.uk/
for further details.
Maldwyn Harriers Race
Series 2010
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run Friday 2/4/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race
Start 11.30am. Registration at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Newtown 10k and Fun Run Sunday 02/05/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race Start
11.30am. Registration at Newtown Football Club, Latham Park.
Newtown Carnival 5k and Fun Run Friday 11/06/2010. Fun Run start 7pm Main
Race Start 7.30pm. Registration at Back Lane Car Park Newtown. Opposite
Argos Store.
Newtown BBQ 5k and Fun Run. Friday 09/07/2010. Fun Run start 7pm Main Race
Start 7.30pm. Registration at Newtown Football Club, Latham Park.
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.
Up and Coming “muddy”
fixtures:
Saturday 13th February 2010 - Gwent League, Penlan Leisure Centre, Brecon.
Saturday 13th February 2010 – Tarren Hendre Fell Race(
http://www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk/downloads/poster_tarren.pdf
)
Sunday 14th February 2010 – Dursley Dozen, Gloucestershire (
http://www.g4cio.demon.co.uk/ddozen/ddozen.htm
)
Saturday 6th March 2010 - Gwent League, Blaise Castle, Bristol.
Sunday 21st March 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Margam Park, Port Talbot.
2nd February 2010
The pre 'Annual
Celebration Dinner' run will begin once again from Aberystwyth Golf Club at
3.00 pm. (thanks to Clive Williams)
Everyone welcome.
The intention is to give us adequate time to return before the kick off at
Twickenham (5.30 pm). Shower facilities will be available for everyone and
the Golf Club will extend a warm welcome to anyone wishing to enjoy watching
the game there.
Looking forward to seeing you all.
Should there be anyone intending to come to the evening dinner and has
yet to buy a ticket, please inform chairman David James (office 615789)
or myself, Clive Williams (office 611560)
c.e.williams@btinternet.com
We will need to give an
indication of numbers by the middle of this week.
Thanks to all marshalls
for the Aberystwyth Aquathlon
The Cerist Triathlon club and Nikki Humphreys would like to thank everybody
that was able to turn out and help in the sleet!
If you can let Nikki know your t-shirt size one will be sent to you as a
thank you gift.
nikki@ceredigion.gov.uk
West Glamorgan Cross
Country League (thanks to Jos Jones)
League Standings (After 3 fixtures)
Ladies Division 1
Aberystwyth AC - 3rd
Men's Division 3
Aberystwyth AC - 3rd
Ladies Individual
Standings
2nd - Helen Marshall (First in age category)
3rd - Jo Thatcher (First in age category)
22nd - PhoebePender (Only run 2 races)
Men'sIndividual Standings
21st - Jos Jones
185th - Pete Foale (1 race)
206th - Dai Roberts (1 race)
Next Race: Feb 7th
The fourth fixture of the
season takes place at Gnoll Estate, Fairyland, Neath. SA11 3BS
Registration will be from 10.00am - 10.45 in the Visitors Centre - Sorry, no
changing/shower facilities.
Entry Fee - Only £2.00 (Please bring correct change) Minimum age - 16 years
old.
The course is multi-terrain over grassland and forestry paths. It is not
suitable for spikes. The men will run approx 5.5 miles with the ladies
running 3 miles.
The Welsh Castles Relay
2010 - 12th and 13th of June
(Attached is the programme
from last year to give a flavour of the event)
The club has applied to enter a mixed team in relay. We should know in March
whether our application is successful, the event is extremely popular and
places are limited. If you would like to take part please email me k.holland@aber.ac.uk
. We need twenty to make a team, we can work out who will run each leg and
what to do if we have more than 20 names once we hear if we are accepted.
There will be a cost of approximately £20 per runner to cover the entry fee
and transport. Further details are available at www.lescroupierswcr.org
31st January 2010
Annual Club Presentation
Dinner - limited spaces!!
Book the date in your diaries now - any non attendees will have to answer to
David James!
* Saturday 6th Feb 7.30pm
* Aberystwyth Golf Club
* £20 a head - partners, friends and family all welcome.
* Juniors free (0-16 years)
* Students £10 only
* Live Music from Blue Christopher Band
Tickets available from David James' Office 15 Eastgate Street, Aberystwyth
(01970 615789).
Welsh Cross Country
Championships – Saturday 20th February (thanks to Helen Marshall)
As a result of the success at last year’s Welsh Cross Country Championships
(the ladies were awarded the silver medal!) – I’m hungry for more! This year
it is being held in Singleton Park, Swansea – a brilliant course (I don’t
think it has one flat bit), challenging and always muddy! But don’t let me
put you off...dust off those spikes/fell shoes and get training!! The
championship is open for all ages above 11 years – it is split into the
following age groups: U13, U15, U17, U20, U23 and (the oldies) Seniors.
Awards are made to individuals in all categories, teams are also awarded for
1st, 2nd and 3rd (except the U17 and U20 women and U23/Seniors were joint
awards are presented). I cannot remember if this is calculated on time or
position. For a team there must be 6 in senior men, 4 for all other
categories. All applicants MUST be eligible to run for Wales – if you do not
have birth or parentage status in order to claim residency you must have
been resident in Wales for 2 or more years (continuously – this excludes
undergraduates I’m afraid). I need the names of ALL athletes wishing to
participate on or before Monday 8th February. Please please please make
every effort to attend – the south Walians will be out in force as it’s
their home territory – we need to make our mark on the opposition!! The club
will pay the necessary entry fees. If we have enough interest we may be able
to arrange a minibus, parking at Singleton Park is limited. Please email me
hem@aber.ac.uk asap to confirm your attendance. Thanks!!
Helen Marshall
Ras Cors Caron (Tregaron)
Half Marathon 14th February
Entry form is attached to this email.
The Welsh Castles Relay
2010 - 12th and 13th of June
The club has applied to enter a mixed team in relay. We should know in March
whether our application is successful, the event is extremely popular and
places are limited. If you would like to take part please email me k.holland@aber.ac.uk
. We need twenty to make a team, we can work out who will run each leg and
what to do if we have more than 20 names once we hear if we are accepted.
There will be a cost of approximately £20 per runner to cover the entry fee
and transport. Further details are available at
www.lescroupierswcr.org
A Message from Pudsey.
Many many thanks to everyone who turned up to help me run our annual
promenade marathon in aid of Children In Need.
It was a brilliant evening, the weather was good, and Blue Christopher
provided live musical entertainment throughout the night, giving his
services free.
As individuals, we covered approximately 130 miles as the groups logged up
the marathon distance, raising a fantastic £1,070 (worth more like £1300
with Gift Aid).
I am now in training again and look forward to seeing even more of you
running for Children in Need 2010.
Good luck with your training.
Love and many thanks,
Pudsey.
Llandudno Twin Piers 10k -
23 January (thanks to Tony Wenlock)
Starting out on the flat along Llandudno prom the pace was pretty fast and
just at the bottom of the climb over the Great Orme I managed to slip in
front of Clive Evans. This was pretty short lived as he over took me again
on the climb – only about 250 feet, but hills are hills and struggle on them.
At the top you can see the rest of the course stretching out into the
distance. Passing Clive on the way down the hill and hitting the flat on the
Colwyn Bay side the race was now all about staying focused and getting to
the end. I saw Catherine Tudor Jones (I think) at one point and from time to
time there were calls of C’mon Aber to keep up the motivation , so things
seemed to be going well. However, there was something wrong with the picture.
At 5km I was leading the Aberystwyth runners– and I’m pretty sure this is
repellent to some of the basic laws of nature. By 6km Clive Evans, John
Evans and I were within 10m of each other and John was going really strongly.
Passing both of us John pushed off into the distance while I just tried to
keep Clive in my sights. At 8km I was really struggling to hold onto Clive
as the gap began to creep open and the effort on the hill really started to
hit me.
At 9km the end was in sight –
and it looked miles away. Clive was as good as gone and all I could do was
try to keep pace with a couple of Abergele runners who’d been on my heels.
In the end it was lung bursting sprint between us that helped me get over
the line – and it was great to hear them gasp and fade before I did.
Final results
John Evans – 43:19 - 79th position
Clive Evans – 44:11 – 94th position
Tony Wenlock – 44:23 – 99th position
Marg Griffiths – 1:04:27 – 334th position
The quality of the runners
was very high and it says something that despite running a tactically and
physically strong race where he stripped 2:10 from his time of last year,
John did not take honours in the over 60’s. This was won by Griff Owens from
Prestatyn who finished in 37:16!!
For me Llandudno has always
been the butt of an old seaside postcard joke about a game played with
counters and an inappropriate tattoo, usually shown with people’s eyes
popping. This race has confirmed my opinion.
League Update (thanks to
Tony Wenlock)
I have found an error in the handicaps set for the Men’s Platignum division.
These have now been amended. See below:
Daniel Davies 7.3
Clive Evans -5.1
John Evans -7.8
Pete Foale -1.3
Gethin Holland 2.9
Dave Powell -4.4
Mark Smith 0.1
With the results from the
Llandudno Twin Piers, John Evans has taken the lead in Men’s Platignum ahead
of Clive. Tony Wenlock heads up Gold. Marg Griffiths heads up Ladies Diamond.
Run the coast of Britain -
well a little bit then
I am a member of Rhayader running club & also use the Runners World website
& forums quite a bit. There is a relay planned to run the coast of Britain &
they are stuck for a few areas around Aberystwyth. I wondered if any of your
members may be interested. If so could you direct them to runnersworld.co.uk
- click on forums- thread about running the coast of Britain with links to
different legs. I've offered to start in Aber but didn't want to go all the
way around Mach to Aberdyfi (probably spelt that wrong) or to have to swim
the estuary from Borth.....
Many Thanks
Mary
This may work as a link but not showing as a web address for some reason.
www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=4&UTN=151122&V=6&SP=
www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=4&UTN=151393&V=6&SP=
West Glamorgan X Country
League Race 3 - Corus, Port Talbot (thanks to Jos Jones)
Calm conditions greeted the Aber AC athletes in this 5 miles road race. Yes
I know it's a cross country league, this race was incorporated into the
league many years ago.
The trio of Ladies had an excellent race, however Jos was suffering form
earache from the constant jabbering that went on during the journey down.
Senior Ladies
2nd - Helen Marshall - 32:18 PB
Great effort from Helen but a stitch later on in the race stopped her from
breaking 32mins.
3rd - Jo Thatcher - 33:15 PB
An excellent 3rd place from Jo showing no signs of tiredness after all that
talking.
17th - Phoebe Pender - 37:16
A rewarding PB for Phoebe showing that even burning the candle at both ends
doesn't stop her!
Senior Men
42nd - Jos Jones - 31:16
After a great first 3 miles Jos blew up terribly in the last 2. (Still in a
mood)
League Standings to follow as soon as they are available.
Sport's Science study
participants wanted:
My name is Arwen Bell, Im a 3rd year sport and exercise science student
currently doing my dissertation and looking for 18+ male athletes to
participate in my study in the S&E department at Aberystwyth university.
I am looking for both endurance and power athletes, although I am in
shortage in the endurance participants.
Participants are asked to atted 5 short sessions, they will determine their
1 rep max doing a back squat to work out their 85% rep, also they will do a
30 second wingate (sprint) test, all individuals data will be given for
future refrence.
I f you could pass my details around I would be truly grateful My email is
awb7@aber.ac.uk or my mobile 07944239561
Club Competition – Come up
with a name for the club newsletter!
Entries open for February only – prize for winning entry! E-mail aiv@aber.ac.uk
with your entry.
WELSH LADY FUN RUN - RAS
DYDD GWYL DEWI (Entry & sponsorship form attached)
3k in Welsh Costume 3K mewn Gwisg Gymreig
Big Brother Celebrities: Glyn
Wise and Nikky Grahame
28.2.2010 @ 10am Bandstand, Prom, Aberystwyth
Fee, On the Day: £5 Adults
£3.50 Students & OAP £2 Children
Fee Before the Day: £3 Adults £2 Students & OAP £1 Childern
Elw tuag at / Proceeds
towards: Urdd Gobaith Cymru Eisteddfod Ceredigion 2010
Please find above and attached details of the Welsh Lady Fun Run organised
by Menter Aberystwyth to both raise money for a local charity and raise
awareness of Welsh culture by having some fun on Sunday 28th February 2010.
I sincerely hope that you and your family will be able to take part, there
will also be a mini market of Welsh Produce and Products on sale. If you
would be so kind as to send this to all your staff and friends I would be
very grateful.
Thank you very much and I trust you will come to support us by filling in
the entry form, there is also the option of collecting sponsorship money.
Gwennan Davies MENTER-ABERYSTWYTH
Maldwyn Harriers Race
Series 2010
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run Friday 2/4/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race
Start 11.30am. Registration at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Newtown 10k and Fun Run Sunday 02/05/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race Start
11.30am. Registration at Newtown Football Club, Latham Park.
Newtown Carnival 5k and Fun Run Friday 11/06/2010. Fun Run start 7pm Main
Race Start 7.30pm. Registration at Back Lane Car Park Newtown. Opposite
Argos Store.
Newtown BBQ 5k and Fun Run. Friday 09/07/2010. Fun Run start 7pm Main Race
Start 7.30pm. Registration at Newtown Football Club, Latham Park.
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.
Up and Coming “muddy”
fixtures:
Sunday 7th February 2010 -
West Glamorgan League, Gnoll Estate, Neath.
Saturday 13th February 2010 -
Gwent League, Penlan Leisure Centre, Brecon.
Saturday 13th February 2010 –
Tarren Hendre Fell Race( http://www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk/downloads/poster_tarren.pdf
)
Sunday 14th February 2010 –
Dursley Dozen, Gloucestershire (http://www.g4cio.demon.co.uk/ddozen/ddozen.htm)
Saturday 6th March 2010 -
Gwent League, Blaise Castle, Bristol.
Sunday 21st March 2010 - West
Glamorgan League, Margam Park, Port Talbot.
19th January 2010
Annual Club Presentation
Dinner - limited spaces!!
Book the date in your diaries now - any non attendees will have to answer to
David James!
* Saturday 6th Feb 7.30pm
* Aberystwyth Golf Club
* £20 a head - partners, friends and family all welcome.
* Juniors free (0-16 years)
* Students £10 only
* Live Music from Blue Christopher Band
Tickets available from David James at next weeks training sessions (Monday
25th and Tuesday 26th January).
Tickets also available from David James' Office 15 Eastgate Street,
Aberystwyth (01970 615789).
2010 League announced
Tony Wenlock has been working hard on the new league for this year 2010, and
an email with all the details will follow this newsletter.
Volunteers STILL needed
for the Cerist Aberystwyth Aquathlon on the 31st January
If you are able to volunteer to help out with the above event in Aberystwyth
on the 31st January please contact Pete Foale directly. About 7 people are
still needed. Many Thanks.
Pete Foale
peterf@ceredigion.gov.uk
Welsh Cross Country
Championships – Saturday 20th February (thanks to Helen Marshall)
As a result of the success at last year’s Welsh Cross Country Championships
(the ladies were awarded the silver medal!) – I’m hungry for more! This year
it is being held in Singleton Park, Swansea – a brilliant course (I don’t
think it has one flat bit), challenging and always muddy! But don’t let me
put you off...dust off those spikes/fell shoes and get training!! The
championship is open for all ages above 11 years – it is split into the
following age groups: U13, U15, U17, U20, U23 and (the oldies) Seniors.
Awards are made to individuals in all categories, teams are also awarded for
1st, 2nd and 3rd (except the U17 and U20 women and U23/Seniors were joint
awards are presented). I cannot remember if this is calculated on time or
position. For a team there must be 6 in senior men, 4 for all other
categories. All applicants MUST be eligible to run for Wales – if you do not
have birth or parentage status in order to claim residency you must have
been resident in Wales for 2 or more years (continuously – this excludes
undergraduates I’m afraid). I need the names of ALL athletes wishing to
participate on or before Monday 8th February. Please please please make
every effort to attend – the south Walians will be out in force as it’s
their home territory – we need to make our mark on the opposition!! The club
will pay the necessary entry fees. If we have enough interest we may be able
to arrange a minibus, parking at Singleton Park is limited. Please email me
hem@aber.ac.uk asap to confirm your attendance. Thanks!!
Helen Marshall
Welsh Lady Fun Run - 28th
February 2010
10am at the Aberystwyth Bandstand
'Beat the Leek' Race for primary children @ 11am 'Daffodil Dash' race for
secondary pupils and adults @ 12noon
to include: live music, face painting, celebrity, Welsh food and more...
For more details contact
GWENNANDAVIES@MENTER-ABERYSTWYTH.ORG.UK
Cerist Winter Aquathlon
Race, Aberystwyth – 31st January 2010
500m swim/5k run at Plascrug Leisure Centre. More details at:
http://ceristtriathlon.org.uk/
Maldwyn Harriers Race
Series 2010
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run Friday 2/4/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race
Start 11.30am. Registration at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Newtown 10k and Fun Run Sunday 02/05/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race Start
11.30am. Registration at Newtown Football Club, Latham Park.
Newtown Carnival 5k and Fun Run Friday 11/06/2010. Fun Run start 7pm Main
Race Start 7.30pm. Registration at Back Lane Car Park Newtown. Opposite
Argos Store.
Newtown BBQ 5k and Fun Run. Friday 09/07/2010. Fun Run start 7pm Main Race
Start 7.30pm. Registration at Newtown Football Club, Latham Park.
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.
Up and Coming “muddy”
fixtures:
Saturday 23rd January 2010 – Tarren Hendre Fell Race (http://www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk/downloads/poster_tarren.pdf)
Sunday 24th January 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Corus/Pontrhydyfen.
Sunday 7th February 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Gnoll Estate, Neath.
Saturday 13th February 2010 - Gwent League, Penlan Leisure Centre, Brecon.
Saturday 13th February 2010 – Tarren Hendre Fell Race( http://www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk/downloads/poster_tarren.pdf
)
Sunday 14th February 2010 – Dursley Dozen, Gloucestershire (http://www.g4cio.demon.co.uk/ddozen/ddozen.htm)
Saturday 6th March 2010 - Gwent League, Blaise Castle, Bristol.
Sunday 21st March 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Margam Park, Port Talbot.
11th January 2010
Twin Piers 10k – Saturday
23rd January
The Twin Piers 10k is one of our early League races. It is postal entry
only and the closing date is the 16th January 2010.
Entry form:
http://www.colwynbayathletics.org.uk/userfiles/file/Twin%20Pier%20entry%20form.pdf
Volunteers needed for the
Cerist Aberystwyth Aquathlon on the 31st January
If you are able to volunteer to help out with the above event in
Aberystwyth on the 31st January please contact Pete Foale directly. About 10
people are needed. Many Thanks.
Pete Foale
peterf@ceredigion.gov.uk
Cerist Winter Aquathlon
Race, Aberystwyth – 31st January 2010
500m swim/5k run at Plascrug Leisure Centre. More details at:
http://ceristtriathlon.org.uk/
Welsh Cross Country
Championships – Saturday 20th February (thanks to Helen Marshall)
As a result of the success at last year’s Welsh Cross Country
Championships (the ladies were awarded the silver medal!) – I’m hungry for
more! This year it is being held in Singleton Park, Swansea – a brilliant
course (I don’t think it has one flat bit), challenging and always muddy!
But don’t let me put you off...dust off those spikes/fell shoes and get
training!! The championship is open for all ages above 11 years – it is
split into the following age groups: U13, U15, U17, U20, U23 and (the
oldies) Seniors. Awards are made to individuals in all categories, teams are
also awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd (except the U17 and U20 women and
U23/Seniors were joint awards are presented). I cannot remember if this is
calculated on time or position. For a team there must be 6 in senior men, 4
for all other categories. All applicants MUST be eligible to run for Wales –
if you do not have birth or parentage status in order to claim residency you
must have been resident in Wales for 2 or more years (continuously – this
excludes undergraduates I’m afraid). I need the names of ALL athletes
wishing to participate on or before Monday 8th February. Please please
please make every effort to attend – the south Walians will be out in force
as it’s their home territory – we need to make our mark on the opposition!!
The club will pay the necessary entry fees. If we have enough interest we
may be able to arrange a minibus, parking at Singleton Park is limited.
Please email me hem@aber.ac.uk asap to confirm your attendance. Thanks!!
Helen Marshall
Cerist Triathlon Club
Aquathlons – First race in Machynlleth rescheduled
Message from Race Director:
Friends/triathlete’s
Due to the extreme weather conditions I have taken the decision, on health
and safety grounds, to cancel the first race in the aquathlon series. The
rescheduled date will be on Sunday 21st of March.
I apologise for this, but I have to put the safety of not only you as
competitors, but also my team of marshals and the general public as a
priority.
If you have any issues or concerns about this, please contact me via email.
(If this period of bad weather continues I will review the following races
accordingly, otherwise the first race will be Aberystwyth)
Thank you for your cooperation,
Kevin Hamilton
Cerist Tri Club
Race Director.
Welsh Lady Fun Run - 28th
February 2010
10am at the Aberystwyth Bandstand
'Beat the Leek' Race for primary children @ 11am 'Daffodil Dash' race for
secondary pupils and adults @ 12noon
to include: live music, face painting, celebrity, Welsh food and more...
For more details contact
GWENNANDAVIES@MENTER-ABERYSTWYTH.ORG.UK
Somme Poppy Marathon
12th September 2010
http://www.somme-marathon.com/en
Maldwyn Harriers Race
Series 2010
Chocoholics 5k and Fun Run Friday 2/4/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race
Start 11.30am. Registration at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.
Newtown 10k and Fun Run Sunday 02/05/2010 Fun Run start 11am Main Race Start
11.30am. Registration at Newtown Football Club, Latham Park.
Newtown Carnival 5k and Fun Run Friday 11/06/2010. Fun Run start 7pm Main
Race Start 7.30pm. Registration at Back Lane Car Park Newtown. Opposite
Argos Store.
Newtown BBQ 5k and Fun Run. Friday 09/07/2010. Fun Run start 7pm Main Race
Start 7.30pm. Registration at Newtown Football Club, Latham Park.
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.
Up and Coming
“muddy” fixtures:
Saturday 23rd January 2010 – Tarren Hendre Fell Race
(http://www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk/downloads/poster_tarren.pdf)
Sunday 24th January 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Corus/Pontrhydyfen.
Sunday 7th February 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Gnoll Estate, Neath.
Saturday 13th February 2010 - Gwent League, Penlan Leisure Centre, Brecon.
Saturday 13th February 2010 – Tarren Hendre Fell Race(
http://www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk/downloads/poster_tarren.pdf )
Sunday 14th February 2010 – Dursley Dozen, Gloucestershire
(http://www.g4cio.demon.co.uk/ddozen/ddozen.htm)
Saturday 6th March 2010 - Gwent League, Blaise Castle, Bristol.
Sunday 21st March 2010 - West Glamorgan League, Margam Park, Port Talbot.
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If there's anything you would like posted just e-mail me at:
aiv@aber.ac.uk
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