Another week comes to an end, and would you believe me if I told you that it’s another marathon weekend?
Before that though, our Junior runners took to Wigmore School playing field for their regular Monday session. This was followed, on Tuesday, by the return of our eagerly anticipated Inter-Club Handicap Series, starting of with the first of three races on the roads around Leinthall Starkes. Our own, Mike Blenkinsop, wrote this report:
“LEINTHALL STARKES 5 – Race 1 – 23rd April 2024
You know that spring has truly arrived when the Croft Ambrey swallows swoop back into Leinthall Starkes for the start of the annual Handicap Series. Even the nutty ultra running element of the club had not emulated the long distance exploits of the returning flying swallows, but many were hoping to register some swift performances in this first event which, as always, takes the shape of a straight race with all the runners setting off together. Time handicaps will be imposed for the remainder of the 6 race series.
Conditions were favourable for fast running, other than having to indulge in the irksome Herefordshire sport of pothole-avoiding, and FAST RUNNING was the feature of the evening as records were broken in both quality and quantity with 56 enthusiastic Croft runners speeding around the lanes of north Herefordshire. The in-form Sam Juson led from the start and set a relentless pace with an equally determined Eric Apperley giving chase every step of the way. Sam has a smooth and fluent style of running, but he knew that he couldn’t relax for a single second as the old AppleJuse battle continued to thrive. Sam’s perseverance prevailed and he was rewarded with a magnificent course record of 25.50 – the first runner to dip under 26 mins. on this historic course. Eric held on gamely to finish in the impressive time of 26. 09. The performances of both runners were all the more remarkable as they had both run the Manchester Marathon, with varied degrees of success, just 9 days previously. Sam’s outstanding triumph was celebrated with the award of the Mick Ligema Memorial Trophy. Grandad Bryan would be looking down with pride and joy viewing this superb display of athletic prowess. The Leinthall Starkes race was first held in 1989 and the record time, set by Keith Hiley in 1991, had stood for over 32 years until Eric broke it in June last year. Now, like London buses, 2 come along in quick succession. At least Eric has the consolation of holding the record for a longer time than Liz Truss’s lettuce survived. To round off the fastest race in the history of the event, Mark Lamonby sliced a huge chunk off his best time to finish 3rd in 26.55. It is rewarding to witness such high quality running being recorded in this long-established CARC competition.
There was also a new name to be engraved on the female version of the Mick Ligema Memorial Trophy as Mia Davies was inspired to speed her way around the course and knock 12 seconds off her previous best to win in 35.47. This adds further fulfilment to her recent career successes – well done Mia. The top 3 female competitors finished in 11th, 12th and 13th positions overall with Jo Tilby and Emma Jones running brilliantly to complete the podium. The next female runner home was Jo Marriott, who was modestly surprised to learn that she had broken the FV55 course record by 17 seconds with an impressive 37.07.
There were 7 PBs set on the night , with the most remarkable being that of Louise Phillips, who carved a huge 3.28 off her previous best. 9 runners made their debuts and have now set themselves a target time to beat next month.
Overall this was a momentous evening’s running in the history of Croft Ambrey Running Club, with a massive turnout and a celebrated course record. I like to think that Bryan was devotedly orchestrating the whole event from above.
The next race in the series will take place at the same venue with the handicaps kicking in, based on this evening’s performances. See you there.“
Thursday, however, was something a little bit more quieter for the club, with a hill training session, held by Clare, at Croft Castle. It was a interesting session with runners battling with hill pyramids, paarlaufs, rain and… cows. Literally.
On Saturday, as part of our inter-club Championship, several of our runners headed over to give Groe Parkrun a go. Three Crofties finished in the top four, with Eric leading the way, followed by Steve in 3rd – also with a PB, and Simon in 4th. Croft Junior, Saffi, finished in an incredible 8th place. Plenty of PBs were also making the rounds with Huw, Steph K and Anna, joining Steve in recording them.
Elsewhere, Sam J was out and about running at the Marine Parade Parkrun in Weston-Super-Mare. His debut on this course saw him finish 1st. Staying a little bit closer to home, we still had some representation at our usual stomping ground at Ludlow Parkrun. Neil T was first home for Croft in 6th. Mike H managed to record yet another PB! Over in Hereford, Joe and Toby ran, with Joe finishing in 8th and Toby also running a new PB.
While most people were running Parkrun, Clare, Heather and Theresa were taking part in the Corvedale Cake Walk between Craven Arms and Bridgenorth in Shropshire. Theresa described it as “a really enjoyable ramble with cake and views.”
And, they weren’t the only Crofties having some fun on the hills, with Howard, Anna and Ali going for a “soggy” adventure over the Black Mixen and The Whimble. Not a race, but a still an amazing effort going out in the miserable late April weather!
Also on Saturday, Flora, Gary and Guy did the Cwmyoy Horseshoe fell race (5.6 miles and about 1200’ ascent). There were only 64 runners (and apparently the leading runners took a wrong turn, leaving victory to a V60 woman). Flora was 35th (63.16), Guy was 37th (65.13) and Gary was 52nd (78.13). You can read Guy’s race report here.
Two Crofties went down to Newport on Sunday to take part in the 10k and Marathon races that made up part of the Newport Marathon Festival 2024. Eric, who ran the 10k, finished in 13th place (out of 2000+ people), with a time of 33:37. Lou P took part in the marathon crossing the line with a time of 04:20:48.
Steve P (and family) headed to Eastnor Castle on Sunday to take part in the Eastnor Mud Bath! Despite the wet, slippery mud, he managed to finish the 7 mile run in just under 01:10:00.
Emma, one of our regular fell runners, was up in the Yorkshire Dales this weekend taking part in the 60th Anniversary of the Fellsman. Emma started at 08:30am on Saturday morning, before reaching the finish line nearly 24 hours and 94 kilometers later at 08:26am on Sunday morning. An incredible achievement!
A little bit closer to home, and probably a lot less hilly than the Fellsman 60, a small Croft group took part in the Clun Half Marathon. First Croftie home was Nigel T in 02:08:06 and 1st in VM55 age category. 2nd in the same age category was Dave M. His time was 02:11:38. Francesca, winning the VF35 age category, had a time of 02:22:42. Steph K was the next Croftie finishing in a time of 02:55:16 and 3rd in VF55 age category. There was another age category win, this time for Tim W-H as he took home the VM70 prize with a time of 03:08:38. Next up were the Purvins with Amy finishing in 03:09:54 and Sue in 03:09:55. Sue also won the VF60 age category. Final Croft runner home was Hayley M finishing in 03:32:48. Incredible stuff!
Continuing his fundraising for Cardiomyopathy, Mark P took part in the Red Kite Challenge Metric Half on Saturday at Devils Bridge in Wales, finishing in 01:23:00.
After arranging a social run for Saturday, Ali B once again took some Croft runners out on Sunday. Thankfully this time the weather held up and our small group of “eager beavers” had a fun-filled morning completing a half-marathon distance over the Welsh hills near Presteigne.
Wow, a busy week for 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).