Week one of March is completed and it’s been a big one with many a Croft runner out achieving brilliant things! With the weather holding up over the course of the week too, we have several bits of Croft action to share with you.
There was good running from our Junior runners this week, as they took part in their weekly training session on Monday evening. As always our Senior training followed on with sessions taking place on Tuesday and Thursday. This week’s focus was Tabata Sprints with Tim and Tempo with Emma.
Parkrun Saturday was an extremely quiet one this week, with plenty a Croft runner racing elsewhere. 9 Sky Blue took to the trails of Ludlow Parkrun, with Jamie bringing it home for the club in 16th. His time was 25:06. Mike B finished just behind him. First CARC female and 3rd female overall was Steph. Her time was 28:34. Neil, Casper, Seb, Sue F and Jamie volunteered.
There were two fell races on Saturday. Flora and Gary headed north to run the Pipe Dream fell race – 4.31 miles and 1214 feet/373m ascent – Flora was 2nd in her age group finishing in 57:41 and Gary won his age group in a time of 1:06:12.
A bit closer to home was the Cardingmill Canter. This race is advertised as 7.8km with 580m of ascent and is described as a race not for the faint hearted. In fact, it is not recommended as a first fell race! Tim J finished in a time of 01:05:12 and 3rd in the M55 age category. Unfortunately for Guy, results show that he retired from the race. Tim said: “Absolutely great to be feeling confident whilst enjoying some good solid downhill racing at The Carding Mill Canter yesterday.”
Another event this past Saturday was one of our favourites here at CARC – Rhayader Round the Lakes 10k and 30k races. This was also the first race in the 2026/2027 Club Championship, with both the 10k and 30k counting towards the standings.
9 of our runners took part in the 10k race, which headed out of Rhayader, to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre and back via the cycle path. Miles was our first runner home in 17th position with a time of 45:43. He was 1st in his age category. There were Top Three age category finishes for Richard, Vanessa and Frank. Full CARC 10k results:
Miles Davis – 45:43 – 1st Open V55
Richard Coltart – 48:08 – 3rd Open V45
Tori Dickinson – 01:01:25
Amy Purvin – 01:02:19
Vanessa Bowers – 01:02:35 – 3rd FV40
Mike Hayward – 01:03:09
Sue Purvin – 01:03:26
Nicola Luscott – 01:04:35
Frank Luscott – 01:09:08 – 2nd Open V65
In the 30k, 22 Croft runners took part, slightly down on sign up numbers due to illnesses and injuries. The route headed out of Rhayader with a long climb up the mountain before heading back towards the town via Elan Valley and the Reservoirs. As for finishing positions, Sam J was not only our first runner back, but he also obliterated the field, taking the overall win and setting a new course record of 01:45:19. He finished over 5 minutes ahead of second place. Janet won her age category and Nina was second FV50. Full CARC 30k results:
Sam Juson – 01:45:19 – 1st Overall and Course Record
Eric Apperley – 01:55:43
Mia Davies – 02:23:10
Simon Norwood – 02:25:20
Steve Partridge – 02:27:35
Henry Eastman – 02:35:32
Joe Lynch – 02:37:21
Nina Walmsley – 02:44:32 – 2nd FV50
Kelly Bowen – 02:44:44
Paul Parker – 02:46:49
Sam Harper – 02:53:58
Jim Bowers – 02:54:46
Howard Verran – 03:01:44
Christina Pinto – 03:11:21
Oli Cameron-Swan – 03:29:34
Janet Hill – 03:33:24 – 1st FV70
Ingrid Mason – 03:35:15
Gemma Davies – 03:45:16
Anna Bromley – 03:49:01
Alison Benwell – 03:49:11
Michele Parker – 04:00:09
Emma Jones – 04:08:17
Despite many a Croft runner being out and about on Saturday, there was plenty more to come on Sunday!
First up is the Bishops Castle 10k Trail Race in and around the near to local town of Bishops Castle. Two Crofties ran this event; Miles and Stuart. Extra kudos goes to Miles who competed in the Round the Lakes 10k race just 24 hours prior. Both Miles and Stuart would finish within seconds of each other in times of 55:36 and 55:43 respectively. Both would also win their age categories. MV55 for Miles and MV60 for Stu.
Down south in Seaton, Devon, Hannah was busy competing in the 20 miler Grizzly. It is described as, as per the website, “The Grizzly is a RUNNING RACE and has more than 3,000’ ascent in its 20 miles. There are two sections of beach (pebbles), totalling well over a mile; two energy-sapping bogs, where runners are often up to their waists in water and mud; and the infamous ‘Stairway to Heaven’, a steep path up the side of Hooken Cliff (beware if you suffer from vertigo). Some of the descents are steep and often very slippery, so please take care. It will take roughly your marathon time, perhaps longer if conditions are grim.” Hannah finished the event in 03:05:32, 1st in the FV40 age category and 8th lady overall.
Saffi was competing at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sportshall League County Championships and won the 4 lap race beating the existing 15yr old Regional Champion.
Rounding out this week is Liza who, along with daughter; Lucy, ran the Paris Half Marathon. Liza told us: “Lucy and I ran the Paris Half Marathon this morning. An incredible event with 46,000 runners. We were kept motivated by live bands and music with a tunnel like a disco, food/water stops that included trays of cakes, and vocal supporters all the way. We both managed PBs. 1.26 for Lucy and 1.53 for me.”
So after a slightly quiet February for racing, it feels like we’re just at the start of a really busy Spring racing period. It’s Silver Trail Races on Saturday and Junior XC racing on Sunday.
Please remember that if you would like your race and achievements included in the weekly report, please get them to Bronwyn by 6pm at the latest. Any that come in after, we cannot promise they will be included. The upcoming training schedule is live on our Facebook on a Monday morning.
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, Tori, Huw or myself (Bronwyn).