Our runners may have some tired legs after this past week. However, that means they worked extra hard to complete a fantastic week of running here at CARC!
After their week away from Wigmore School playing field, our Juniors were back at it on Monday, before our Seniors took the the roads around Leinthall Starkes on Tuesday in the final Handicap Road Race of the year.
“The final race on the road, before heading for Bircher Common to complete the season’s handicap series, provided the last opportunity to set a PB on the old 5 mile course and 10 runners took advantage of the favourable conditions to wave a fond farewell to Leinthall Starkes with improved performances and some committed running. The temperature was quite cool for June, good for running but not so suitable for the proposed revealing of the latest CARC fashion item – the sky blue mankini. This will now be revealed at the next club event so, if any of the club’s prospective male models are interested in strutting their stuff, please apply to the committee for a trial runout – Ts&Cs naturally apply.
Numbers were slightly down from the previous 2 outings so a repeat of May’s brain-wreck was thankfully avoided and the evening’s proceedings ran smoothly.
First across the finish line, having sped past 10 runners on the way, was Bronwyn Preece, Bron had hobbled home last month so this victory was probably predictable and I will be collecting my winnings from Ladbrokes in the morning. Perhaps not so predictable was her huge margin of victory and she was able to sit on the finish line tree stump and solve the Rubik’s Cube whilst waiting for the opposition to finish. 2nd across the line, after also underperforming last time out, was Stuart Austin who led home his own family fleet of Austins – all performing in sprightly fashion. Completing the top 3, and registering the unusual achievement of appearing on the podium in successive races, was Alison Davies with a determined run which improved her best by almost 3 minutes.
Amongst the mass of PBs, recorded on the night, the biggest was recorded by Oscar Austin. It is a while since he ran in this event, but an improvement of 3 mins 20 secs. was remarkable. Lucy Austin, another who had not competed here for some time, also registered a big PB to climb into the all time top 20 female times at no. 17 – a notable performance in an event that has been in existence since 1989. Student life is obviously good for the health and wellbeing these days – back in my student days, the only running happened when the barman shouted “last orders please”.
Another who should be well-pleased with his excellent run is Gareth Leek, who sliced 28 seconds off his already outstanding PB to record 27.17 and climb to no. 8 on the all time listings.
The half-way point in the 2024 Handicap Series has now been reached and as we approach the date when we commemorate D-Day, it is appropriate that we observed some Dazzling, Dashing and Dynamic Displays this evening. The series, so far, has attracted a record number of runners, witnessed an outstanding course record set by Sam Juson and welcomed a large number of newcomers.
Many thanks to everyone who has helped to make the event such a success with time-keeping, recording, judging, marshalling and photographing – your devotion to duty is much appreciated by all.
From here we head for the hillier off-road course on Bircher Common for the remaining 3 races in the series, the first of which will be held on Tuesday 16th July. Handicap times will be based on a relevant percentage of the last time each runner recorded here at Leinthall Starkes this season. Onwards and Upwards.”
A big thanks to Mike B for his incredible race reports that we get to share with you! We can’t wait to see what is up his sleeve for the Bircher part of the series!
Wednesday evening also proved to be a busy one for Croft runners with members taking part at the final race in the Hereford Couriers 5k Series and Rodney’s Pillar Hill Race.
Over in Hereford, there was great effort being put in from our runners to bring home some decent results, despite some of them running at Leinthall Starkes less than 24 hours beforehand. It would be Sam J, coming home in 4th place, as the first Croftie to cross the line. CARC Race 3 results:
4th: Sam Juson – Wave One – 15:31 – 2nd Senior Male
6th: Eric Apperley (Running under Builth) – Wave One – 15:50
106th: Saffi Reid (Running under Hereford AC) – Wave Two – 20:59 – 1st FU13
107th: Joe Lynch – Wave Two – 20:59
124th: Mark Paviour (Running under Maldwyn) – Wave Two – 21:30
131st: Toby Spicer – Wave Two – 21:47
133rd: Paul Parker – Wave Two – 21:58
135th: Jo Tilby – Wave Two – 22:04
139th: Oliver Marsh – Wave Two – 22:05
169th: Bronwyn Preece – Wave Two – 24:06
177th: Owen Spicer – Wave Two – 25:06
195th: Suzanne Purvin – Wave Two – 26:03 – 2nd FV60
As this was the last race of the 5k Series, it meant there were awards to be given out! Although racing for their first claim clubs, Eric finished the series in 2nd overall, with Saffi picking up first in the FU13 age category. Well done both!
Elsewhere, 3 Crofties took on the Rodney’s Pillar Hill Race. In the Junior race, Taite came away with another first position, moving him to the top of the standings as the series continues.
Flora and Gary also took part in this race with Flora finishing in 38:32 – coming 2nd in her age category. Gary finished in 38:21, winning his age category. Well done!
Come Thursday and normal training had resumed with Sprints on the car park at Croft Castle. Thank you to Tim for taking the session!
Parkrun Saturday was slightly quieter for Crofties, with some instead heading over to Wales to take part in Man v Horse – more on that in a bit!
At Ludlow, first Croftie across the line was Mark P finishing in 14th with a time of 24:28. Naomi was our first female. Eric and Jamie volunteered. Jo M was the sole Croftie who ran over in Hereford finishing in 23:48. In Aberystwyth, Amy P managed a new PB with a time of 25:56. And, a little bit further away from home, down in South Africa, Lou P made her debut at the North Beach Parkrun, finishing in 30:52.
Man v Horse time and there were plenty of Croft runners taking part in both the full race distance and the relay. Sam J, still going strong after his brilliant PB at the Hereford 5k Series, came across the line in 3rd position for the runners category, finishing with a time of 02:54:08. In the 38 years that Croft members have been competing in this race, Sam has achieved the highest place finish by a Croft runner. Grandad Bryan would have been very proud! Francesca was the first Croft lady home, finishing less than two minutes ahead of fellow Croftie – Kelly. Full Croft results (these results included horses):
Individual Runners
8th: Sam Juson – 02:54:06 – 3rd in Age Category
221st: Francesca Gardiner – 04:21:34
236th: Kelly Bowen – 04:23:22
252nd: Scott Jones – 04:26:29
377nd: Stuart Austin – 04:47:35
412nd: Liza Austin – 04:53:07
489th: Flora Gunner – 05:09:33
538th: Howard Verran – 05:20:35
539th: Paul Parker – 05:20:36
631st: Joe Lynch – 05:54:49
634th: Alison Benwell – 05:55:10
636th: Hayley Colebatch – 05:55:52
682nd: Thea Preece – 06:39:04
683rd: Clare Preece – 06:39:05
Team Results
401st: Team Fools and Horses (Tori Dickinson, Emma Jones & Carol Powell) – 04:50:57
517th: Team Croft Originals (Tom Davies, Alison Davies & Gary Gunner) – 05:15:50
629th: Team Croft Sky Blues (Theresa Jones, Anna Bromley & Claire Verran) – 05:53:22
On Sunday, there were two races taking place that have, in the past, been Croft favourites. Unfortunately, due to both of the races taking place on the same weekend of Man v Horse, our club attendance at both was going to be down.
Over in Bromyard, it was, potentially, the final Bromyard Round the Downs race, with some of our Junior runners putting in some fantastic results in the Junior race! The ever improving Saffi stormed through to take the win in the Junior Female Age Category, with Owen M winning the same award in the Male category. In the Senior race, Oliver M was the sole Croft runner, finishing first in his age category.
Magic Roundabout, hosted by our friends at Hay Hotfooters, was the other race taking place on Sunday. Well done to Reachel for being the sole CARC representative. She finished the 10k trail race in a time of 01:20:17.
After her Parkrun over in South Africa on Saturday, on Sunday, Lou took part in the 2024 Comrades Marathon – an ultramarathon of 55-ish miles, ran between the South African cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Lou has previously taken part in this race, and in 2024, found herself beating her time from 2023 by an incredible 20 minutes. What an achievement!
And One We Missed From Last Sunday!
Last Sunday Pat, Ireland and Gary took part in the Brutal Events Midnight Mountain Marathon. Starting at Talybont-on-Usk, out over the Brecon Beacons, taking in Fan y Big, Crybyn, Pen y Fan, back down to Talybont-on-Usk, 43k!! Gary came in just under the 5 hr mark, Pat & Ireland came in together in 6.5 hours. Another tough race completed for this amazing team.
Great job this week, Crofties! Please remember that our upcoming training sessions will be available to view on our Facebook page every Sunday evening. In the meantime, don’t forget, we’re always on the look out for your race reports for the website, so get posting them on Facebook or send them to either Sam H, Huw or myself (Bronwyn).