Brackla Harriers

Achievements/Results

Hello all, We had a great turnout Sunday at Margam Park on one of the soggiest Cross Country courses ever. Everyone did well to finish a very tough event, which included crossing railway lines, jumping a small  ravine several times and wading through some suspect looking puddles of goo. The next Championship Race is The Corus Lake 5 miler on Sunday 22nd January at 11am. This is run on tarmac and firm tracks and normal trainers will be suitable. (one on each foot Charlotte ) Well done everyone.
Stay motivated. Keith

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A first for Brackla Harriers.

As Keith Treharne completed 50 park run’s in Blackweir Cardiff today. 155 miles of 5k running every Saturday morning for a year. Congratulations.

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Newport Parkrun

Another successful club 5k, Newport Park run was a good choice, the sun and the rain had its turn while we had our day, a nifty trail and path challenge that takes your breath away. Well done everyone.  ———————————————————————-

RUNNING NEWS

Bridgend AC are staging a 5k on Friday 8th July at Pencoed College to start at 7pm. Entries at £5 begin at 5.15 and the race will take in the country lanes around Llanillid. There will be one moderate short climb on what should be a fast course. There is an extensive prize list and free raffle at the presentation. More info and details can be found on the Porthcawl website.—————————————————————————————————————

Alex runs 50 miles in aid of the Chloe Bigmore trust
Alex Ford raised £1,100 in sponsorship by running from Brecon to Cardiff for the Chloe Bigmore Trust.

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Kath Evans recently completed the Neolithic Marathon (May 1st )

Here’s what she had to say about it:

I would recommend this marathon for anyone how “likes” a mixed terrain and has the advantage of including a half marathon, 7,11, 15 or 26 mile walk, 25 ml bike and cani-cros 4 or 13 mls courses.

The run starts at Avesbury Stones, Whiltshire, and goes through the villages, country lanes and across fields and rutted tracks of the Vale of Pewsey and Avon Valley , then across Salisbury plain – including tank roads, finishing across the road from Stonehenge . Thankfully it does not have the mountains of Snowdon to conquer, which probably had something to do with me taking 6 minutes off my Snowdon time, coming in in 4hrs.49 min. However it definitely has it challenges and is certainly undulating, has the potential for being very muddy or dry and dusty and the wind does whip across the plain.

You can park your car at Stonehenge and there are buses taking you to the start at Avesbury. Other than the bus getting lost! leaving it a bit of a rush to register at the start, the run was very well organised. The marshals were very supportive and there was a great welcome at the finish, with smiling faces, words of congratulations, free snacks and goodie bag and massage ( think you may have to pay).

If you are interested I can also recommend a good B&B just two miles from the start.

Kath

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Cardiff Park Run It was a wet and windy park run the trees bowing to the runners as they passed. 231 lost souls found their way to the park Saturday morning and with some new results, six Harriers ran. Mathew Wells, Steve Ridout and Ian Stratton got new PB’s, Pat Jones, Keith Treharne and Allan Jones, heading closer to their 50 runs tee shirt. Coffee and snacks in the café after with the Les croupiers and a variety of other club and non club runners. Great start to the day.

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The Rack Raid

What a day! The Brackla Harriers where welcomed back to the Rack Raid with open arms, a lot of the runners remembering the club from years ago old friends met, new friends made and a lot of hand shaking and shoulder slapping ensued. From the start at Grosmont Castle to the end at castell-y-Bwch a sense of excitement and competition was in the air. It was a challenging 103 mile chase. Everyone ran to win and the results showed. Two stage winners Paul Speyer, and Andy Hodgson,  the rest of the team all finishing in respectful positions and the club was placed 5th out of 18 teams. A great effort by all runners and supporters!

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The Sirhowy

Its a 10 mile multy terrain A great run with a comemorative mug for finnishers well worth the effort,  Paul Speyer, John morgan, Ian ogilvy, Pat jones and allan Jones all took several minuites off last years times. Mathew Wells came third and Charlotte Wells, I mentioned her last because She was first lady home. We ended up in the pub again but for coffee and for the results. (and awards) Well done everyone

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Cardiff Park Run

Yet another successful park run, four new PB’s.  Mathew wells, John Morgan, Andrew munday and Steve Ridout. (Brilliant). The rest of us took it easy and Just enjoyed the run, Charlotte Wells, Ian Straton, Keith Treharne, Pat jones and Allan. A great event to get you into the groove for the weekend, coffee and good company after in the Tesco cafe………..Give it a go!……..

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Porthkerry Plod

Porthkerrywent off with a bit more than a plod, the first hill took a lot of us by surprise, the second when it came was conquered by all, the finish was fast and flat the sun was shining and we ended up in the pub. What more could you want on a Sunday morning. We had a great day holding our own against the rest of the field, everyone having a successful run. All where caught on camera except for Charlotte John who went swimming and dived off home early and Ian Ogilvie the call of the sea andwind surfing proved to much. Well done everyone a great day.

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Llanelli Marathon

What a day! success all round for the Harriers: Mathew Wells – 2:48 (6th I think) Paul Speyer – 2:53. Charlotte Wells 3:05 (3rd woman – and over 28 mins off her PB!!!), John Morgan 3:16 (2 mins quicker), James 3:32 (Old parishrunner getting in there to join everyone with a PB) and team 1stprize won by a mile, plus, Paul Bigmore running strong in his 2ndmarathon in 7 days.(Amazing well done Paul). He is working his way up to the 100 marathon club, with style.

Yes! What a day Matt and Paul going sub 3, hours and Charlotte gave a very gutsy performance for it was hot with no cloud cover, what becomes apparent is that she is now clearly a sub 3 woman sometime in the future, currently that was the 5th best marathon time by a welsh woman this year, so far. (in 2010 that time would have made her 11th in the welsh list, 133rd in the UK). John another PB just what we expect, from this Harrier. I’m also delighted for James who went off fast but kept things together to take 7 minutes off his PB.

A BIG day for the Brackla Harriers.

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RHAYADER LAKES  20

To celebrate Matt’s Birthday the Wells launched a raid on the Rhayader Round the Lakes 20 miler and Paul Speyer tagged along for the adventure. Conditions were splendid andthe views awesomely beautiful, Despite a major tactical blunder leading to both Matt and Paul opting for long socks, they still came in below their target of 2:15 on a new course variation generally considered tougher than last year. Mathew came 16th with 2:12:44 and Paul 17th with 2:13:52.

Charlotte however put the boys to shame, smashing her PB by 20 minutes, crossing the finish with 2:21:49 and won the ladies race by 7 minutes. Go Girl! (Awesome). Well done all of you and happy birthday Matt.

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Cardiff park runwent very well saturday(05/03/11), with Simon Carter who ran his first park run in 23.00. Well done Simon. Mathew Wells was 1st Harrier home in 7th  place,  next came Paul Speyer 17.29, John Morgan 18.50, Charlotte Wells 18.53, the latter three all getting a new pb. A great result well done everyone.

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Cardiff Park Run

Well done to Paul Speyerwho Last week (12/02/2011)achieved a new PB of 17.41, also well done to Vicki Hopkins whose first park run last week opened with a time of 24.12.

This week (19/02/2011) Ian Stratton achieved a PB of 24.16. While Pat Jones Vicky Hopkins Andy Mundy, Keith Treharne, andAllan Jones, celebrated three years of Cardiff park run’s, with cake and drinks at the finish line and a social in the Tesco café.

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Lliswerry 8 road race Flattest on the planet

All the usual suspects,18 Members, turned out for the annual trip to Lliswerry to run the famous 8 miler. In near perfect running conditions anda record field of 430 runners we had some notable claims to fame. Charlotte Wells finished brilliantly as first lady overall, Tony Burt was first man over 65, Libby first lady over 50, our girls team which counted both Charlottes and Libby finished second of 15 teams and our men’s team, Matt, Paul Speyer and Andrew Hodgson were 5th from 24 teams, what a day! Matt was first Harrier home followed by Paul Speyer and Andrew Hodgson. Most Members managed to clip a few minutes off last years times despite being a year older, several Ian Stratton, Simon Carter and Simon Philpin were running this course for the first time and acquitted themselves very well. A splendid afternoon followed in The Red Lion. Our next Championship Race is the Atlantic College 10k on 20th March in 7 weeks time

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A very cold Park run was enjoyed by 212runners today in Cardiff  including Keith Treharne who made it to marshal in spite of his gum infection, Allan Jones, Ian Ogilvie and Andrew Mundy who achieved a P.B. of 19.36. For more information on park run’s go to.

http://www.parkrun.org.uk/cardiff/AboutUs.aspx

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What’s been going on

Quite a few Members took part in races over last weekend. Pat, Allan andKeith did the Cardiff Parkrun and heard news that LliswerryRunners intend organising a Newport Parkrun to start on March 26th at Tredegar Park. These free Parkruns are intended to take running back to where it belongs and out of the clutches of the big city commercial operations who are charging up to £50 for half marathons.

Paul Bigmore, John and Anthony as mentioned earlier travelled to the Gloucester Marathon. This consists of a 4 mile flat start andthen 3 undulating laps with a flat mile to finish. John ran a PB in 3.18 knocking 10 minutes of his previous best, Paul running his 21st Marathon in aid of The Chloe BigmoreTrust was disappointed with his time of 4.05 andAnthony who ran 50k finished in 4.45. With training programmes being decimated due to the inclement weather and all the winter ailments all three should be congratulated for taking part. This is the most difficult time of year for running marathons andbeyond.

Paul Speyer and Andrew Hodgson travelled the short distance to Margamto take part in the last of the West Glam Series around the Corus Lake 5 mile circuit. Andrew finished in 28.58, knocking several minutes off last years time, andPaul in 29.12, both getting well under 6 minute miling.
If you have any news of races or unusual training programmes why not put a few lines together and send them to Allan at castlekeep42@hotmail.com

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Gloucester Marathon 2011
A big well done to Paul Bigmore, Anthony Davis andJohn Morgan who ran the Gloucester Marathon last weekend – especially John who beat his PB by a massive 10 mins!

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Gnoll park xc.

We had a good turnout of Members at Gnoll Park on a sunny but cold Sunday morning. What a course! It had all you could ask from a Cross Country event for committed runners and all for only £2. Charlotte Johns was our first lady in tenth position and Paul Speyer our first man and very well done to all for completing a very tough event, it really wasn’t for the faint hearted. Everyone enjoyed the social gathering post race at the Park Coffee Shop where discussions took place about applying for Club membership of the West Glam League next Season. Watch this space!

Some Members, Pat, Allan, Keith and Ian Stratton were racing for the second time that weekend, having done the free Park Run on Saturday morning as well.

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RUNNING NEWS – We have news of two local races during February.

Runnerslife have organised for the first time an off road 6k on Kenfig Dunes on Saturday 5th Feb at 9.30am free parking is available at the Kenfig Nature Reserve site. There is a race limit of 200 and entry is £5 in advance or £7 on the day. There is a link from Porthcawl Runners Web Site. The Fun Run is followed by Ladies and Men’s races for elite runners again over 6k.

The other race is the postponed charity Boxing Day 5 ish miler from the Hi Tide on Sunday 27th Feb at 10am. Entry on day is £5.

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Running News – Reverse 10 (20 February 2011)

There is an interesting new race with an old famous name on the 2011 calendar. The Ponty Reverse 10 is moving away from the old monotonous course on the Industrial Estate and is now going mainly off-road in the Belding area near Treharris. This new 10 miler starts and finishes at The Bedlinog Climbing Centre at 10am on Sunday 20th February, race fee is £10 by mail, a little more online and you can also enter on the day.

http://www.pontypriddroadentsac.org.uk/roadents-reverse-10-race/

There are showers and an extensive prize list, which includes team prizes. Sounds like one to pencil in for the New Year.

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Pembray Multi Terrain

In perfect running conditions a large group of Members travelled by coach, and car, to Pembrey to take part in one of the classic Welsh races. Nevertheless, this is a very demanding course over a constantly changing terrain. The beach section was relatively smooth with little wind and firm sand but the undulating mile after the beach is very tiring. Charlotte Wells was second lady home and even had time to stop and wave to the paparazzi at the finishing line.

Matt, whose training has been curtailed recently because of work commitments, was first Harrier home only a few minutes off the leaders. He was closely followed by Paul Speyer and John.

After a quick shower in Llanelli a fine afternoon was spent in a superb local hostelry, replacing all the carbs and fluid spent earlier in the day. We really know how to refuel post race!

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Sodbury Sloggers

The Sodbury Slog was it’s usual fun in the mud on Sun 14 Nov. Pictured are Phil, Vicki, Mike, Rhian, Phil and James. Rhian won the prize for the highest tide-mark affter she went down in the ‘Sheep Dip’. James won the ‘First One To Lose a Shoe’ Trophy.

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Running News - We have news of two new races in our area.

Torfaen 10k – Sun 5 Dec 2010

The first of these is the Torfaen10k, on Sunday the 5th December which covers the first half of the old Torfaen Half starting in Blaenafon and finishing in Pontypool Park. This is seriously downhill and will be the quickest 10k in South Wales. Only drawback is the 9am start, which will entail finding a lift to Blaenafon. There is a bus available but that will leave Pontypool much earlier. Cost of race is £8; you will need to get entry forms from christine.philpott@torfaen.gov.uk

Bwystfil y Bryn – June 2011

The other race is nearer to home in June 2011, is in fact two races of 6.8 miles or 14 miles, it is called ‘Bwystfil y Bryn’ or ’The Beast of Bryn‘, and is a forestry trail race in the Bryn and Afan Argoed area. This looks like a very tough event but I am sure that our Maesteg group and many other Members will be up for it, further info to follow.

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Malcolm Jones

The biggest achievement for me was actually getting to the starting line. Injured three weeks before the race with a calf injury andwith a long run of only 16 miles I would not have made it if it were not for SUPERPHYSIO Anghared Mason. The race itself was great (at least for the first 20 miles) brilliant organisation andnot too big with 13.000 runners. Wonderful craic at the start , fantastic crowd support and an excellent route especially the 4 miles through Phoenix Park on what was a gorgeous Autumn day, perfect for running or in my case plodding! Moses Kibet won the race (in a new record time of 2.08.58.) he joined me for a few pints of the black stuff in O’Reillysbar after the race. This marathon I highly recommend.

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Park Run Sat 6th November

We had a smaller showing of Harriers on a glorious sunny morning in Bute Park What a great venue this, there are 47 other venues all over the UK and this set up is perfection. Barry, Allan andKeith attended and ex Harrier Judi [Boucher] Rhys who now runs for Le Croups. Barry ran another PB in 20.47 whilst Allan andKeith ran well without breaking any records. This was the largest Cardiff Park Run yet, 258 contestants taking part, the front of the race being dominated by Cardiff AAC andSwansea Harriers members with the four leaders close to 15 minutes.

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28th Marathon Eryri

Once again, several BracklaHarriers managed to find each other at the start amongst the excited 1,800 entrants of the Snowdonia Marathon. They included Patricia Jones, Kathleen Evans, Karen Davis, Vicky Hopkins, Paul Bigmore, James Thomas, Allan Jones, and Andrew Hodgson. After a brief chat the starting horn sounded and we where off! It was a mild sunny Downhill start that quickly changed to uphill andwe where soon running against the wind and rain that developed typically into thunder, lightening and hail stones ( as a local said ‘ this is our summer’ ) It was a Tough challenge, but everyone achieved their goal and crossed the finish line to collect their slate coasters.  A big Well done to everyone.

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Farnham Marathon – 19 Sept 2010

The running community of Farnham in Surrey are still quite perplexed over the outcome of their first ever marathon, and in tea shops all over town the talk has been of “Were they local?” “They came from over the bridge you know!” and “The Bratnet Hawkers I think they were called and one of them was tatooedkept shouting “This is lush, yeah baby!”. Yes it was a very special day with Matt and Charlotte coming in first; John and Anthony running in to claim the overall team prize for the Harriers (see photo of said victorous team with the Lord Mayor of Farnham…..what a nice chap he was as were all the upstanding folk of Farnham). A possible championship race for next year? but will Farnham be ready?

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Simon Carter

Its been my first year with the Harriers and I’ve had PBs in the Merthyr Mawr 5K (21.37), Llanelli 10K (49.20) then another PB in the Aberdare 10K (47.21)

I’m dogged by injuries at the moment, but motivationally and socially it’s been a great year for me.

My photo is from Llanelli 10K – felt absolutely shattered on the day as had just come back from Mexico on the Thursday before the race (Sunday) and was full of jet lag (still managed a PB !!)

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