It’s that time of week already, where is the time going?!
This week our runners have been busy once again with plenty of races and training sessions. We’ve even had several Crofties take part in some Parkrun Tourism, but we’ll get onto that in a bit. Get comfy, because it’s going to be a good one.
On Monday evening, our young runners got to enjoy their training session under the stars at Wigmore School, where they once again got to practice their pacing skills. It was slightly colder than they’ve been used to, but we think they’re starting to enjoy their Winter training just that little bit more.
Tuesday and Thursday evening was the turn of our Senior runners. This week they focused on tempo and short intervals in Shobdon and Wigmore, respectively. Thank you to Huw/Sam and Kelly for coaching this weeks training.
Wednesday evening was another of Couriers’ Track Sessions. This week, Liza and Kath tagged along where they took part in a pyramid session!
Onto Parkrun Saturday, and it was a busy one! As always we’ll start with Ludlow. Steve was first Croftie home in 5th place with a time of 21:39. Simon was just behind in 7th position. His time was 22:32. First overall female this week was our own Kath. She finished in 10th, with a time 23:44. This was also Kath’s Ludlow Parkrun debut. Volunteers this week were Casper, Owen, Jamie and Huw. Over at Hereford, it was a win for Sam J, finishing in 17:17. As mentioned in the intro, we had a few Crofties take part in some Parkrun Tourism this weekend. We’ll begin down at the infamous Bushy Parkrun where Angus, running on a sore ankle, took part. He finished in 37:55. Steph K ran at Barnstaple Parkrun, Her second time taking part in this Parkrun, she would come away with a new PB of 25:53. There were also two PBs for Scott and Theresa at Coldham’s Common Parkrun in Cambridge. Scott would finish 3rd in 17:04. Theresa finished in 31:30. Theresa said: “All grass and mud. Slippy in places. Very happy, wanted sub-33 and ran it all in 31:30. Really enjoyed it. Scott paced the last mile with me which helped.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, other Croft runners headed over to Elan Valley to run the Elan Valley 10 Mile Road Race, hosted by Rhayader Running Club. And, for this year, there would be a slight course change with an all new finish, taking runners along the cycle path back to the visitor centre, rather than zig-zagging through Elan Village. Initial weather forecasts put a “dampener” on proceedings, literally, but this didn’t stop 13 Croft runners take to the start. And, their eagerness to complete the 10 miles paid off, with the rain staying away, and the sun making several attempts to peek through the clouds.
But, how did they get on?
It was a storming race for Eric who came home in 1st position, nearly one minute ahead of second place. His finishing time was 57:57. Our first female was Mia. She would come home 1st Senior Female and 6th female overall, with a time of 01:14:44. Full Croft results:
Eric Apperley – 57:57 – 1st Overall
Mia Davies – 01:14:44 – 1st SF
Paul Parker – 01:21:20
Christina Pinto-Pearson – 01:27:24
Howard Verran – 01:35:21
Flora Gunner – 01:36:36
Hayley Colebatch – 01:42:16
Ingrid Mason – 01:47:14
Ali Benwell – 01:48:41
Reachel Kenny – 01:53:23
Michele Parker – 01:57:58
Ali Davies – 02:00:13
Claire Verran – 02:07:05
Stay tuned to our Facebook page where more pictures will be shared soon!
On Saturday, Saffi was selected to represent Herefordshire & Worcestershire Schools at the Dave Sunderland Inter-Counties Cross Country fixture in Dudley. There were 13 athletes from Hereford & Worcester in her Team and they competed against selected top athletes from West Midlands, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Surrey, Merseyside, Cumbria & Leicestershire. Saf wasn’t feeling 100% but did well to finish 27th overall, as one of the top counters for Hereford & Worcester, with her Junior Girls Team picking up bronze!
Sunday was another busy day in the world of Croft Ambrey Running Club, with several races (and non-races) taking place in the locality!
First up was another of the Queenswood Country Park Parkrun’s test events. 61 runners, walkers and joggers took part, a large contingency of them being from our lovely, little club. We won’t spoil any of the route for you, you’ll have to wait until a start date has been announced!
Over in Bishop’s Castle and beyond, 5 Crofties – Nigel, Tony, Paul, Lou P and Emma J, ran at the Runningmonk Midway Trail Race. It was a 4th place overall finish for Nigel, who also placed 1st in his age category. There was also a 1st place finish for Tony in his age category. Full CARC results:
Nigel Taylor – 01:20:26 – 4th Overall – 1st MV55
Tony Howsam – 01:36:56 – 1st MV45
Paul Lewis – 01:43:29
Louise Phillips – 01:58:21
Emma Jones – 02:20:11
Rounding out the week was a small group of runners who took part in the Little Stretton to Stiperstones Time Trial! This race is described as: “A competition on foot for runners & challenge walkers (solo or pairs) The object is to travel on foot, unaided, between Little Stretton and Stiperstones villages in the shortest time possible.” Results were unavailable at the time of writing, but here is a picture of one of our groups competing – Kelly, Kath and Nina!
Well done all! Please remember that if you would like your race and achievements included in the weekly report, please get them to me (Bronwyn) by 6pm at the latest. Any that come in after, I cannot promise they will be included. 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).