It’s that time of week yet again! Time is flying, I know. But, fear not; your weekly dose of CARC shenanigans is here.
After a couple of weeks rest, on Monday evening our Junior runners, along with some new faces, were back enjoying their sessions on Wigmore Playing Field. We’d like to take this moment to welcome the new aspiring runners who joined us for a taster session. We can’t wait to see you again next Monday! As for our Seniors, this week’s training sessions took place on Wigmore Playing Field on Tuesday, where Emma hosted an evening all about sprints, and at Croft Wood on Thursday, focusing on short intervals with Clare.
If you remember last week, we told you all about Tim J and his quest to complete the Tor des Geants in Italy. Unfortunately, just after 200km of the 330km, Tim made the tough call to end his race. Regardless of this, Tim has done an incredible job, running, in what is equivalent in miles, from Leominster to London. Not to mention the ascent he had to battle through also. Well done, Tim!
Also challenging himself on the European mountain trails was Guy who headed down to the Spanish Pyrenees to take part in the World Masters Mountain Running Championship, where he would take part in the Uphill 6k race; including an exhausting 986m climb. Despite it being “bitterly cold” at the top, Guy finished in 01:31:16. He said; “As a M80 I had to run in the Open race, so didn’t count amongst the M75s etc but would have been 3rd M75, just 30 seconds behind 2nd.” Congratulations, Guy! You can read his much awaited race report here!
Ludlow Parkrun, this weekend, saw 12 Crofties take part. Eric would cross the line in 1st position with a time of 20:08. Bronwyn was first CARC female and 2nd female overall. There were no PBs. Volunteers this week included our own Oli C-S.
Down in London, Sam and Sophie ran at the first ever Parkrun – Bushy Park parkrun. Sam said on Facebook: “Where it all started! Me and Sophie did the Bushy Parkrun in London this morning, as well as over 1600 other runners. Tad busier than Ludlow! I managed 2nd overall with a new PB of 15:23. Now off to Swim Serpentine to round off the London Classics.” Well done both!
Elsewhere, Naomi and family headed over to the Wyre Forest Parkrun. Naomi would finish in a time of 25:18, while her son; Henry, would finish only a couple minutes behind in 27:21.
Saturday was also a big day for Croft Junior; Saffi, as she took the championship win in the U13G category at the Hereford Athletics County Championship.
Sunday, and a few Crofties were out and about taking part in various events around the country.
First up was Joe L, running the Glencoe Marathon up in his new Scottish home! Joe described the race as a “tale of two halves,” with over 5,000ft of elevation. According to his Strava, Joe finished in a time of 5 hours and 10 minutes! He later posted to Facebook: “That was a great day out. Tough and got tougher towards the end. Had Scotland’s four seasons in 1 day. 1500m+ elevation and Finished in just over 5hrs. (I am happy even if my face dosnt show it).”
Elsewhere, down in Swansea, Eric was running the Swansea Bay 10k, finishing with a PB and a sub-32 time of 31:56. While, closer to home, despite her Championship win only the day before, Saffi ran in the 3k race at the Worcester City Run event. She placed 4th female as well as having the chance to meet the incredible; Paula Radcliffe! In the 10k race, Jamie S and Sue P took part, finishing in 53:26 and 59:30, respectively. We also had two runners taking part in the Half Marathon. Bella finished in 01:41:30, and Craig in 02:01:54. Well done all!
Several Crofties also took to the trails on Sunday.
Gary was up in North Wales taking part in a fell race. More information will be shared when I receive it. As for our other trail runners, they were taking part in the long-winded, and hilly, Tour des Marches race. This race takes place in the Shropshire Hills and is just over 27 miles long. Whether they ran or walked it, our runners that were taking part all completed it. Well done!
Brilliant running this week, Crofties! Please remember that our upcoming training sessions will be available to view on our Facebook page every 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).