Blink and you’ll miss it. It’s that time of week once again – your Weekly CARC Update! And, boy, have our runners had a busy week!
Starting with last Sunday. Painkillers and perseverance got Nigel through the tough Brecon to Cardiff Xtreme Ultra. You can read his race report here!
Another Monday means another successful training session for our Junior runners, who this week got a taste of the roads in and around Wigmore School. We’d also LOVE to take this moment to wish Junior runner, Liv, a HUGE congratulations for being selected to represent Shropshire in her age category at this year’s Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships, which will be held in Nottingham on Saturday 9th March! Fantastic news!
However, for our Senior runners there were two wet training sessions on the cards for this week’s sessions. But in the Croft spirit that we all know and love, a bit of rain doesn’t keep the Sky Blue’s away. Tuesday was led by Huw at Shobdon Wood, focusing on long intervals, while Thursday was hills at Croft Wood courtesy of Eric. Good job, team!
There was another invitation on Wednesday for Croft runners to join forces with Hereford Couriers for their weekly track session at Hereford Athletics Track. This week, the Sky Blues got their first taste of “Yasso 800’s.” A tough marathon training exercise, but worth it, nonetheless!
On Friday, there was a win for Croft runner Amy P at the Charles Darwin Half Marathon in Shrewsbury, being the first female to cross the line, despite recording a time 9 minutes off her PB! Good running, Amy.
The recent changes to Parkrun’s rules failed to deter Crofties from running on Saturday! Croft Junior, Ted Tomlinson, took the opportunity while away in Anglesey to go to the Nant Y Pandy Parkrun and finshed in 28.51.
Steve P was third across the line in 21.34 at Severn Valley, while Eric was first at Pontypridd, finishing in 16.32.
Sam Juson was the only Croftie at Hereford this Saturday – third across the line in 18.26. And, on Ludlow Parkrun’s 8th birthday, as well as Sam H and Jo M’s 50th Parkrun, at least 16 Croft runners turned up to enjoy the trails and cake. Yes, cake was afterwards. Toby finished in 2nd in 21.43, with Croft Junior – Oliver, in 4th with a time of 24.26.
A group of hardy Croft fell runners took part in the Titterstone Clee Fell race on Saturday – a tough race of 4.1km and 229m ascent. Pat finished in 13th place in 27.30, Tim 29.34, Ireland 31.32, Flora 34.03, Gary 34.31, Guy 36.30, Tom 26.57, Ali 27.06. Well done to Flora and Gary for winning their age categories. You can read Guy’s report here!
It was a busy Sunday for Crofties this week with some of them taking part in the Long Mynd Valleys Race, and others going on yet another Sunday Social – but this time taking in the stunning views around Offa’s Dyke and the Shropshire Way, before enjoying a spot of lunch in Clun.
The real success, however, came at the Muddy Woody race, ran by our friends at Wye Valley Runners. Sam J was first runner home, finishing a full two minutes ahead of the next athlete to cross the line. Gareth’s third place, as well as a strong finish for Steve P, enabled the men to take away the Men’s Team Trophy for Croft. There was also a prize for Rob W, who won his age category! Well done Croft!
And, that’s it for this week. 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).