It’s been another busy week in the world of Croft Ambrey Running Club. From social runs to cross country to long distance, we’ve done it all!
Training this week began with our Juniors on Monday before our Seniors took to the trails around Brampton Bryan for a social run on Tuesday. With Huw at the helm, we ran along fire tracks, through the woodland paths and up, what we’ve now renamed, Hornet Hill. Why, you ask? Well, a few of our runners got a taste of angry hornets during a social run up there back in 2023. Luckily, this time, they weren’t buzzing around!
Thursday’s training was at Wigmore School, where Mark returned to coaching after some time away from CARC. It was a pleasure to have Mark sharing his running wisdom with us once again. It was just a shame that, what should have been a nice Summer’s evening, was in fact more like Winter. Regardless, it didn’t deter our runners from working hard on their short intervals, while getting that all important sweat on!
Wednesday night was all about cross-country with the return of the Hereford and Borders Cross Country Summer League. The first race was hosted by MonRoss and took place at Treworgan Farm near Ross-on-Wye, which unfortunately was a little bit too far away for many of our runners. Despite this, we still had a decent turn out with our Sky Blues coming away with achievements aplenty, including a 1-2 finish for Sam J and Mark L. Croft Team 1, made up of Sam J, Mark L, Simon, Kelly, Jo M and Liza, finished 3rd. Full CARC results are as follows:
Junior Race:
Oliver Marsh – 26:37 – 2nd & 2nd MU17
Senior Race:
Sam Juson – 30:03 – 1st
Mark Lamonby – 31:24 – 2nd
Simon Norwood – 36:34 – 1st MV50
Joe Lynch – 37:14
Toby Spicer – 41:55
Kelly Bowen – 44:30 – 3rd FV35
Jo Marriott – 44:41 – 2nd FV55
Ian Price – 47:12 – 1st MV75
Liza Austin – 47:38 – 1st FV60
Rob Wood – 52:03
Huw Williams – 52:21
Steph King – 53:16
Carol Powell – 53:37
Mike Hayward – 54:00
Sue Wood – 54:11 – 3rd FV65
Alison Davies – 01:06:15
Elsewhere, also on Wednesday, a small group of Croft runners were taking part in the Pontesbury Fell Race – a 6km race with an ascent of 354m. Gary P, Tim J and Gary G were our senior runners who were taking part, Saffi ran for the Juniors. Both Gary G and Saffi came away with prizes, winning the MV75 and FU13 age categories, respectively.
Saffi Reid – 1st FU13
Gary Pearson – 39:06
Tim Jones – 42:37
Gary Gunner – 49:53
“A great race in perfect sunny but cool conditions on a new course that started and finished on the original climb/descent with a glorious new mid-section down the south ridge of Earls Hill, around the south end of the ridge on fast flowing forest paths and then back onto the ridge for a steep climb to pass the summit for a second time.” – Tim Jones about the Pontesbury Fell Race
There was more racing on Friday evening with a small group, mainly made up of our Junior runners, taking part in the Runningmonk’s Midsummer 5k over in Bishop’s Castle. Saffi put on yet another fantastic performance, finishing first female overall. Summer was first in the FU17 category, with Ted third MU11. Full Croft times:
Saffi Reid – 25:52 – 1st Female & 1st FU13
Karl Morgan – 27:25
Summer Morgan – 32:13 – 1st FU17
Ted Tomlinson – 34:06 – 3rd MU11
Oliver Tomlinson – 47:11
Saturday was yet another busy day for CARC runners. At Ludlow Parkrun, Liza was the first Croft runner across the line in 27:25. Rob M was our first male. There were no PBs this weekend. Volunteers included Sue F, Clare, Roland and Jamie. Toby ran at Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve parkrun, finishing in the top ten, while recording a new PB of 23:15.
Elsewhere, a majority of Sky Blues were racing out on the trails at the Offa’s Dyke 15 – the race that started it all for Croft Ambrey Running Club. 42 years later, our Sky Blues are still going strong as they run this 15 mile trail race between Hay-on-Wye and Kington.
It was a 1,2,3 finish for CARC with Sam J, Gareth & Eric bringing it home. Jo M, Croft’s first female, was also 1st in her age category, Ian was second MV 75+. There were also wins for CARC Men’s & Women’s teams! Huw has written a race report which can be found here. Full CARC results:
Sam Juson – 01:39:38 – 1st Overall
Gareth Leek – 01:45:12 – 2nd Overall
Eric Apperley – 01:49:38 – 3rd Overall
Joseph Lynch – 02:05:52
Steve Partridge – 02:12:16
Nigel Taylor – 02:20:13
Neil Powell – 02:20:40
Jo Marriott – 02:28:53 – 1st FV55
David George – 02:30:05
Mia Davies – 02:31:14
James Bowers – 02:33:53
David Millichap – 02:39:35
Ian Price – 02:49:31 – 2nd MV75+
Ireland Lawrence – 02:53:04
Tom Davies – 03:00:10 – 3rd MV75+
Lauren Ware – 03:05:56
Huw Williams – 03:06:28
Lisa Gray – 03:07:52
Anna Bromley – 03:07:56
Carol Powell – 03:17:31
Tim Wain-Hobson – 03:21:45
Vanessa Bowers – 03:27:53
Hayley Millichap – 03:33:37
Tom & Alison Davies – Relay – 02:39:23 – 2nd Relay Team
Gary and Flora, on the other hand, chose to race the Coity Fell Race on Saturday. They both finished first in their respective age categories in times of 01:04:41(Flora) and 01:05:30 (Gary).
Sunday was quieter, with yesterday’s trail runners resting their pins! However, for others, it was a day of racing, or socialising with a couple of Sunday Social Runs on the go.
Mark P, fresh from his coaching session on Thursday, was out running the Gregynog Trail Race with Maldwyn Harriers. Mark took his age category win, as well as recording a new age category group course record.
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).