What a funny week it’s been. From surprise snow and ice to sunshine follow by wind, rain, and you guessed it, floods. We’ve seen it all, including another training session cancelled on health and safety grounds. But, before we get stuck into this past week, let’s have a look at a couple of events that were missed in last week’s edition of the update!
Croft Junior; Saffi, has had an excellent run (pun intended) of races recently, including the English Schools XC that she took part in on Saturday 16th November over in Dudley. Despite being the youngest in her team, Saf finished 4th junior girl for Hereford and Worcester and 34th overall in her XC race. The following day, Saf was back out running, this time taking part in the Junior Parkrun in Hereford. She would lead the race, while being chased down, before crossing the finish line in 1st. And, to top off a fantastic weekend, she was also confirmed as the U13G Champion in the South Wales Junior Fell Series. Well done, Saf!
Back to the present day and five of our junior runners braved the cold, wet weather during their training session on Monday evening. Come Tuesday and the snow and ice had properly arrived, changing the training plans for our Seniors. Instead of hills at Wapely Woods, it was a social run up to and around Wigmore Rolls. The weather itself was better on Thursday, however black ice cancelled play completely at the very final moment. We apologise to our runners for a very “higgilty piggilty” week! As you know, we very rarely completely cancel sessions and we hope this will be the last one, for now at least!
However, it wasn’t just our Thursday training session that fell victim to the weather. On Saturday morning, our beloved Ludlow Parkrun was cancelled due to the arrival of Storm Bert. And, where most CARC runners decided to stay indoors, or just do their own thing, others did brave the wind and rain for their weekly Parkrun fix! Over at Hereford Parkrun, Sam J and Saffi took part, with Sam taking another win in 17:35, nearly two minutes ahead of the next registered time. Saffi came home 2nd female and 1st in her age category. Elsewhere, down in Devon, Jo T made her debut at the Minehead Parkrun. She finished in 24:28 before describing it as “flat course, out and back along the beach front. Very wet and windy today.”
Saturday was also the day of the Elan Valley 10 Mile Race, a club championship race this time last year. However, due to it selling out fast (and the weather, I presume) only one Croft runner took to the Elan Valley lanes. Well done to Reachel for being the sole Croftie out there. She ran in a time of 02:20:52. She said on Facebook: “Loved the event, soaking wet, great medal.”
With Sunday came more rain alongside the dreaded flash floods that seem to be inundating Herefordshire this year. Unfortunately for many this meant races and events were cancelled in tandem or, if going ahead, runners were unable to reach them in a safe manner. This was the case for many at Croft Ambrey Running Club who were supposed to be taking part in the Stiperstones Time Trial as the next race in the interclub championship. Despite the fell race in the Shropshire Hills still going ahead, there was not one Sky Blue shirt there to brighten up the other runners day. A shame, but unavoidable in conditions such as these.
However, well done to our runners who got out at all over the weekend for their leisurely runs. It’s not been an easy week, but we admire your dedication! Check out some of the pictures below. (Sorry Crofties, I’ve raided your Stravas for these!)
It’s been a difficult week team, but well done, nevertheless! 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).