Saying hello to another Sunday and already waving goodbye to January! There is no denying this month has been a slow burner in terms of races but we’ve still got plenty of Croft shenanigans to share with you all from this week! So sit back, relax and enjoy.
Our Junior runners were working hard again on Monday evening at their training session over in Wigmore. This week they focused on their strides before tackling relays and hills. On Tuesday, it was the turn of our Senior runners. They were also based at Wigmore, with Kelly leading the way with a Sprint session. Huw took over on Thursday, with everyone gathering at Shobdon Church for some Long Intervals along the driveway.
Moving onto Parkrun Saturday and it was another relatively quiet one, with plenty of Croft runners saving their legs for Sunday’s Winter XC finale! At Ludlow, Eric took home another win, leading second place by only 2 seconds, with a time of 20:02. Sam W, Naomi, Henry, Jamie and Craig all finished alongside Eric in the Top 20. Volunteer credits this week went to Casper, Richard, Paul L, Seb, Jamie and Neil.
Saffi was triumphant at a very wet and windy Weston Super-Mare parkrun finishing as the first female and 27th overall out of 320 runners! It was Saffi’s 70th parkrun. Go Saffi!
And congratulations to Mike H who completed his 250th Parkrun. We also had runners taking part in Queenswood Country Park Parkrun. Steve and Joe L finished in 5th and 10th, respectively. Oli C-S and Flora also ran there. Over in Builth Wells at Groe Parkrun, Mike B ran finishing in the Top 20, with a time of 22:54.
Flora took part in the Craig Yr Allt fell race on Saturday, 3.72 mile and 1047 feet ascent. 84 runners took part and Flora finished in a time of 48:08 mins, second in her age category.
There was something a little different for part of our running leaders team saw Huw, Ali, Emma and Sam travel to Church Stretton to take part in the England Athletics course on Trail and Fell running on Saturday. This course offers advice and information about how to safely and expertly lead training sessions and runs in off-road spaces – perfect for Croft. Thanks go to everyone on our coaching and leading team for giving up their spare time to receive training and get qualifications to help our club thrive.
Sunday morning saw the final race in the Herefordshire and Borders Winter League Cross Country series. There were high hopes of a ‘double’ for the men and womens team in the lead up to the race with both teams in first place – but with only a 20 second hold over Builth it was going to be tough for the ladies. The Croft ladies fought a valiant battle but Builth had come out in force and were the triumphant winners by over 6 minutes in the end.
The men’s team fared better and were able to take home the trophy. Valiantly led home by Sam J who had a comfortable first place, Mark, Gareth and Simon crossed the line not too far behind him to bring victory home to Croft.
There was a good number of Croft runners receiving age group medals too:
Age group Gold medals went to Simon N (MV55), Oliver M (MU20), Sam H (FV50), Liza A (FV60), Rob W (MV70).
Silvers went to Jamie S (MU17), Irina (FV35), Steph K(FV 60), Nick P (MV35), Miles D (MV55), Stuart A (MV60).
Bronze medals went to Vanessa B (FV40), Anna B (FV45),
Well done to all the runners who took part in the winter league. There has been some great courses this year and a great turnout from Croft at all the races which only helps add to the team spirit and gives the club a real lift. Now to get training for the summer league!
Last but not least – missing from last week was Saffi’s competition in Sheffield where she came 3rd overall in the 800 metre heats. Sheffield one week, Weston Super-Mare the next. That’s commitment from mum Maxine!
