2nd 5km Results

2nd 5km Results

MYNYDD TROED FELL RACE 29/4/12

Four hard men from Couriers stood on the start line, already soaked and freezing from the gale blowing across the Brecons, but even this hors d’oeuvre gave no real taste of the delights to come. With every straining step up the Troed, which rose mightily before them, the violence of the wind, gusting at their rear, grew more severe, knocking them sideways and forwards and freezing feet and limbs. On the ridge, it was worse if anything, knifing into the runners and taking their breath. For once, even non-descenders were relieved to reach the precipitous fall into the valley below.

Such was the severity of the conditions that the organiser, Dick Finch, had wisely decided to shorten the course, despite it being a counter in the Welsh Open and South Wales series as well as a trial event for the Welsh Regional Champs. A number of highly experienced, tough competitors dropped out, feeling that it was too risky to continue and indeed, notably among the more senior contingent, there were some worrying casualties of the freezing afternoon.

Results are not yet to hand but Neil Lewis and Mike Link had a battle royal of the ace descenders,finishing well up, Neil winning out with his uncanny ability to make the wind work for him at high speed. Kev, uncertain that his bulk would keep him on terra firma, hog-loaded with a ballast of 3 pasties, a pie and a tranche of his auntie’s plum duff. Perhaps Steve H should have followed his example. As it was, he was airborne for much of the time on the mountain, not always going in the right direction. Sporting a fluttering black bin bag, which appeared to bear the legend, “Hereford Council. For Refuse Only” and a strange proboscis-like head covering, he was mistaken for a gigantic bat by one runner: “That ain’t no pipistrelle,” this fellow cried. Someone else assumed that with his mixture of flight and scampering feet, he was back on the old emu jallop. What rubbish! In any case, he was not fast enough to catch Clara, who is even lighter than the old boy and was seen flying at much higher altitude

Shobdon Wood 6 – Photos

 

5km RESULTS – 11/4/12

Hereford Couriers 5KM Series Results

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Clive scoops awards at Shadow Puppet Championships!

COURIERS BEAT THE VALLEY ONCE AND CROFT TWICE!

What a turn-around from the last fixture when we achieved a team worst of 4th place! On a remarkably tough course, the splendid creation of the Pacers, in cold and wet conditions, Couriers ‘A’ team came out top of the pile while the ‘B’ team were third behind Wye Valley but clear of Croft who tend to be something of a warm weather outfit.

We finished with 9 athletes in the top 20, a stunning display and what a sight to see the Welsh hillsides painted scarlet! All credit to our two new boys, Luke James, who finished a fantastic 5th after a belting start and Richie Bamford who showed enormous potential in 19th. He was disappointed with his run but, for one thing, did not have ideal shoes and,for another, is quite unused to the sort of test he faced at Presteigne. The only way for this lad is up! It is certain that these two will in time be stiff competition for Eliot who himself has made something of a breakthrough this season, finishing 3rd in this event after a couple of very heavy weekends lately [see elsewhere on blog for details.]

3rd and 4th for Couriers were our two mid-life men, Max and Rich Hughes who battled hammer and tongs in this ultra-strong O45 category throughout the race, igniting brushwood as they went, to finish respectively in quite amazing 7th and 8th positions. Max wondered how his rival was able to run at such speed when his stride length seemed not much greater than that of a mouse. The answer is not that he has 4 legs.

Leading the ‘B’ team home was the consistent Mike Link in another splendid 10th place. It is astounding that he has had time to train given his duties as Club negotiator and athletes’ agent. Next in were Russell [14th] who has had a highly successful comeback year after a decade and more in the living room and certain other Hereford venues and Neil [17th] who himself is beginning to recapture some of the form of his halcyon years.

Leading the ‘C’ team rump home came the svelte and polished Geoff, sharp as a draughtman’s pencil. Needing to beat his M55 rival, the former champ and top fell-runner, Mick Ligema, for the overall Series honours, he set off at his usual measured pace, wearing his 59 years like a lace bandana, allowing Mick to establish a substantial lead before coolly reeling him in at around 4 miles and going on to register the victory [20th overall] by an obscene 2 and a half minutes. This was probably his best ever performance and when asked by the waiting press to account for it, he replied,

” Well, you could put it down to 3 factors. First, training with the fast young lads on club nights, second, the work I do out at my warm weather low altitude Cairo training base…”

And third?

” The wife took it into her head to de-alcoholise my nightly 3 pints of scrumpy, that might have helped.”

Completing the male Couriers’ output were Compo in 28th and Kev in 42nd, a bit miffed that, for [other people's] safety, he was kept away from the River Knill.

Once again our only female representative was Ali, who once more had a fine race to come 6th, just 4 minutes behind the talented young winner, Clara Evans.

Time now then to look to the summer when we will definitely need our female forces as the sun brings out the Crofties.

SERIES AWARD WINNERS [4 races to count]

Male Team…2nd

M40……….3rd…Mike Link

M45……….3rd…Rich Hughes

M55………..1st..Geoff Kaye

M60………..1st..Steve Herington

W50………..1st..Alison Cooke

Finally, on behalf of all Couriers, thanks to Mike Blenkinsop, Tony Williams and our own Clive Rowberry for putting on yet another great, immaculately organised series. Thanks too for the fine courses provided by our friends and rivals at the other clubs.

MudRunner: IceBreaker – Severe Winter Duathlon

Most of you are aware that I’m a big fan of the MudRunner Adventure Race Series located within the grounds of Eastnor Castle. I had previously competed in the “Classic” and “Oblivion” on a few occasions before but this would be my first “Ice Breaker”.

Ice Breaker – Severe Winter Duathlon, a 10km cross country run over the tracks where Land Rovers are now tested, a 20km mountain bike over the Malvern Hills and a final 3km run.

After a PA failure the race started, and this being MudRunner, the first climb was just around the corner which immediately split the pack. I stayed at the front of the group while one guy went flying off the front. I would not see this guy again untill the finish! As the course weaved through the woods, I was now on my own in 2nd place, while a chasing group had formed about 1min 30s behind me. I tackled the steep banks, mud pits, swamps, fast decents and soon hit the road section back to transition. (The eventual winner had already put 2 mins into me at this stage!)

I pulled my muddy shoes off, put my helmet and glasses on, clipped into my mountain bike shoes and sped off out of transition. At this point I was keen to keep my advantage over the chasing group for as long as possible. I necked an energy gel and dug in on the climbs. Now I like to think of myself as a pretty reasonable mountain biker, I found the first part of the course testing, challenging ascents and technical descents, the second part was horrendous! The mud was unbelievable, I daren’t get off the saddle as the rear end would be fish tailing all over the place meaning I had to stamp down on the pedals, throwing my weight back to try and get some traction. I had now been caught and passed by the chasing pack, I found myself now with a few guys of the same ability and we battled it out over the next few climbs and mud pits. The sound of disc breaks screeching was ear piercing. To put some perspective on how hard the mountain bike course was, I averaged 8.5mph for 12miles!

Back into transition, I was now 9th,  bike racked, shoes, glasses and helmet off, muddy cross country shoes back on! I had a quick transition and exited immediately overtaking someone, baring in mind the last run was just around the castle grounds and was only 3km, I knew I had alot to do. Now 8th I overtook another 3 competitors before the 2km point, I waded through the stream section but could see no one ahead. 

I finished 5th overall in 2hr 28m 36s. 350 took part. I placed 1st in the 20-30 category. I had the 2nd quickest first run, 23rd fastest mountain bike and 6th fastest second run. Overall I was extremely happy with my performance, I had paced the first run right which was crucial, I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold off the guys on the mountain bike for too long and the last run was just a case of giving it everything you possibly could.  

This was by far the hardest event I’ve ever taken part in! But one of the most rewarding too as I have now achieved official ”Mud Master” status.

This took an hour and a half to clean!!!

Eliot#

Dursley Dozen

With nothing much on in Hereford, two manly Couriers braved the icy uplands of Gloucestershire to tackle the 23rd edition of the Dursley multi-terrain 12+ miler. The course was extended this year with a longish road section cut out and replaced by woodland paths. There was still snow and ice on the course and a hard frost where the sun had not penetrated. Other stretches were muddy and woody. With over 1600 ft of climb, the event is billed as “still one of the toughest events around” but this did not prevent 420+ runners lining up at the foot of the opening lung-busting hill. Neil ran within himself, excelling, as usual, on some of the more hazardous descents to finish in a commendable 64th spot in 1.38.54, four minutes clear of Steve H in 91st [and 1st o 60 ] in 1.42.56.
The worst aspect of our pleasant day out was nothing to do with the race or even Neil having forgotten to bring his trousers, but watching Wolves in a Dursley hostelry being hammered 5-1 at home by another midlands outfit. Just pleased Pete Cawardine was nowhere about.

Muddy Woody 6 – Review – 12/2/12

With the cancellation of last weeks cross country at Presteigne it was safe to say that everyone was more geared up for this race than normal and little did we know how the successful the Reds would be as individuals and as a team.

Suprise number 1, came in the form of Matt James, the second in the shape of Tim Clarke. It was just like old times! We were looking good for the team prize already and the way Mike Link is running at the moment would only strengthen our position. 

On the frozen start line, we eyed up the competition, trying to anticipate our positions and comtemplating plans of attack. Matt and I, had already discussed this and knew exactly what to do..

Go! We were off and before the first hill the leading 4 consisted of 3 Reds and 1 Blue, Mike and I even discussed what a great feeling this was! We were soon joined by a fifth member, a guy who competed in the Hurtle. 5 soon became 4 as we began to climb up the fire trails as Mike had dropped off the pace. 

We entered Bear Wood and began the new section of the course, the 4 of us were forced to walk and near the top, JP, who had lead us around the course untill this point made his move, Matt and I dug in and worked together to catch him. The frozen terrain made this quite difficult but soon I had latched back on to him but Matt was starting to tire. Without Matt I don’t think I would have done so.

It was now Red versus Blue with 2 miles to go. We climbed side by side up the fire road before taking a new path just off the hairpin, I took the initiative and stepped ahead on the single track. The gap was only metres but the thought of winning was entering my mind and it wouldn’t budge. I tried to focus on my stride and began to edge away, we descended down the track we had previously climbed up earlier and I knew I had to make the descent count. 

The first time I looked back was when we descended with a mile to go, it must have been 10-15 metres. I still had the winning feeling going through my mind which distracted me from the pain and spurred me on till the last hill. I didn’t want to be caught here, ’just make it to the top and its yours’.

I crossed the line (45mins) 17 seconds ahead of my good friend JP (45.17).  

 Matt (46.01) held onto 3rd,  Tim Clarke (46.42) completed the first team in 5th and also 1st Vet 40 with Mike Link (47.22) behind and battling with Stuart Moore (47.36) for the duration of the course.

Max finished in a great 9th place (48.42) beating off 2 wye valley contenders. Russell James, 13th (49.52). Geoff placed 33rd, 1st Vet 55 in 54.26. Mark Worthing had a great run to place 37th in 55.10.

Richard Wall took 1st Vet over 50 in 55.42, 42nd place a great achievement considering Rich went wrong…again! Kevin Barnes finished in the top 60 in 59th place 58.17. Marathon runner Steve Nibbo, more to come on his marathon training, came 180th in 1hr 8mins 55s.

A great day for Couriers.

Thanks everyone in Red and good friends in Blue and other coloured vests for their support and congratulating me on my first win.

Eliot #

 

 

Muddy Woody 6 – Results – 12/2/12

Page 1: http://www.wyevalleyrunners.co.uk/wp-content/MW6-2012-RESULTS-PAGE1.pdf

Page 2:http://www.wyevalleyrunners.co.uk/wp-content/MW6-2012-PAGE2.pdf

Page 3: http://www.wyevalleyrunners.co.uk/wp-content/MW6-2012-PAGE3.pdf

Page 4: http://www.wyevalleyrunners.co.uk/wp-content/MW6-2012-RESULTS-PAGE4.pdf

Page 5:http://www.wyevalleyrunners.co.uk/wp-content/MW6-2012-RESULTS-PAGE5.pdf

Page 6: http://www.wyevalleyrunners.co.uk/wp-content/MW6-2012-RESULTS-PAGE6.pdf