If you didn’t already know, it’s been another hot, hot week, especially over the weekend! Of course, this could have easily put a change to many of our members running plans! Regardless, there has still been plenty on running. So, shall we see what our lovely Sky Blues have been up to this week?
After last week’s cancellation, our Juniors were back in action over in Wigmore on Monday evening, where they ran intervals around the running track. For our Seniors, Tuesday was a social run with Kelly, incorporating the part of the route to our new race; the Hillfort Hustle. And, on Thursday, it was over to a shady Croft Wood, with Tim, to learn all about running and pacing during the hot, Summer months!
On Wednesday, after two quieter XC races, our runners came out in force at Bearwood to help us make up some much needed ground in the team standings in this year’s Summer HBXC League. Sam J took the all important win, with Mark finishing in 3rd. Gareth joined them in the top ten. Croft’s first lady was Kelly, with Bella and Kath just behind. We also took home 1st Team! Full CARC results:
Sam Juson – 27:51 – 1st Overall
Mark Lamonby – 29:50 – 3rd Overall
Gareth Leek – 31:46
Grant Womack – 35:47
Simon Norwood – 35:57
Steve Partridge – 36:30
Nigel Taylor – 38:38
Dave George – 38:49
Kelly Bowen – 39:58 – 1st Croft Female
Joe Lynch – 40:00
Bella Evans – 40:41
Kath Hardwick – 41:29
Richard Coltart – 42:41
Christina Pinto-Pearson – 42:52
Jo Tilby – 43:21
Ireland Lawrence – 45:27
Rob Wood – 46:50
Roland Preece – 46:55
Paul Lewis – 48:43
James Pinto-Pearson – 48:45
Sam Harper – 49:24
Oliver Marsh – 49:51
Huw Williams – 52:24
Steph King – 52:26
Guy Whitmarsh – 52:39
Sue Wood – 55:46
Anna Bromley – 55:47
Hayley Millichap – 01:06:57
1st Team Overall – 03:31:38
With only ONE MORE RACE left to go, we’ve jumped back up into 3rd in the team standings. It’s going to take a lot of doing, but the chance to bring the trophy home for another consecutive year is still there!
While the Seniors were out XC racing, Croft Junior; Saffi was bust fell racing! She ran the Stiperstones Fell race where she finished 1st in her age category.
Fast forward to Saturday and it’s a very warm and humid Parkrun day! Over in Ludlow it was Steve bringing it home for CARC in 4th position. Croft Juniors; Seb and Caspar, also had another impressive outing finishing 7th and 11th respectively. Two Crofties took part in Hereford Parkrun; Andy and Jo M. Andy finished in 5th position. There were several Sky Blues who took part in a bit of Parkrun tourism this week. Eric ran at Y Promenâd Parkrun in Brecon, finishing in joint 1st (2nd at RD discretion), with a time of 17:54. Let’s just say his dip into the River Usk afterwards was well deserved. Saffi headed down to Chepstow to run at the Severn Bridge Parkrun. She finished 1st female overall in a time of 20:31. After his XC win earlier in the week, Sam J was getting some well deserved rest in the Lake District. This includes running at Keswick Parkrun. He finished in 2nd, with a time of 15:38.
Also spending some time away was Lou P, over in Italy where she took part in the GTC 30. This race is described as “the route winds along paths in the Courmayeur area for a total of approximately 30km, mainly along Val Ferret, with a positive elevation gain of 2,000 metres.” With a cut off time of 8 hours, Lou finished in 06:18:54. She said: “That was absolutely magnificent!”
Elsewhere, Fell Race Flora was busy racing Tal y Fan Fell Race. This race was 9 miles and had over 2000ft of ascent. She finished in a time of 02:20:04 and came 1st in her age category. “It’s only a short distance race but it takes me longer to finish the race. Looking at my watch record I did walked over an hour , more like I’m doing a walking race instead of a fell race. I blame the heat , it’s very hot especially on top of the mountains and no trees .Some parts of the hills quite steep not runnable for me, that’s my excuse . I suppose it won’t be a fell race if there’s no steep hills. We’re only 26 runners who took part and 24 runners finished the race.”
So many races this weekend in that excruciating heat! And, Sunday was no different! You all deserve a gold medal and a pat on the back!
On Sunday morning, a few Sky Blues turned up in Ludlow to take part in the 5k, 10k and Half Marathon races, and with it, took home a range of sun burns (we really hope not!), medals and podium positions! Over in the 5k, Croft runners; Oliver M, Owen M and Angus, finished 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. Oliver and Angus also picked up 1st in their age categories, while Owen took home 2nd! Next up was the 10k. First Croftie home was Jo T who finished 1st in her age category. Jamie finished 2nd in his. And, finally, came the Half Marathon, where Mia scored a podium finish, crossing the line 3rd female. Bella just missed out, coming home 4th lady and 2nd in age. Full CARC results:
5k:
Oliver Marsh – 25:00 – 3rd Overall and 1st Open U20
Owen Marsh – 26:53 – 4th Overall and 2nd Open U15
Angus Kirby – 27:28 – 5th Overall and 1st Open V60
10k:
Jo Tilby – 54:56 – 1st FV40
Jamie Symonds – 01:00:51 – 2nd Open U17
Half Marathon:
Mia Davies – 01:54:07 – 3rd Female Overall and 1st SF
Bella Evans – 01:59:59 – 4th Female Overall and 2nd SF
Saffi took part in the Welsh Mountain Running Championships on Sunday. She finished 1st female and 3rd overall.
Rounding out Sunday was Eric, who ran at the Mic Morris Torfaen 10k. This is a “fast, downhill, closed-road course starting in Blaenavon and finishing in the picturesque setting of Pontypool Park offering the perfect opportunity to achieve a personal best.” Eric, who was running for first claim club; Builth, finished in 1st position, in a chip time of 31:40 – 10 seconds ahead of second place. A one place improvement on last year’s 2nd!
Our Sky Blues really are super heroes for competing in all that heat! The upcoming training schedule will be live on our Facebook on Monday morning. 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).