Contents
Coming Events: December, January & February.
Attendance Scheme/ Club races – 2005 details:
Fell Races: To end December 05.
West Yorkshire Winter League 2005/6 season..
Yorkshire, Regional and National Cross Country Championships:
Chevin Chase 7 mile off road race.
4th Annual Sewage Works Surprise Club Handicap Race: Sunday 18th December at 10am.
Review of a year at Idle AC – 2005.
Keswick to Barrow event: Saturday 6th May 06
Events in bold indicate a ‘club’ event which members are encouraged to run.
|
Date |
Event |
|
Fri 9th Dec 05 |
Christmas Party at Idle Working Men’s club. 8pm. |
|
Sun 18th Dec 05 |
4th Annual Sewage Surprise Club Handicap race, 10am. See below. Fancy dress may influence handicapping. |
|
Mon 26th Dec 05 |
Chevin Chase 7 mile race, 11am. See below. |
|
Tues 27th Dec 05 |
Jolly Holly Jog 10k race (part off road) 11am, Ripon. See Ripon Runners website for details. May fill early. |
|
Tues 27th Dec 05 |
Hot Toddy 5.8 mile road race, 11am. Todmorden. Free hot toddy to all finishers. Hilly course. |
|
Sat 31st Dec 05 |
Auld Lang Syne Fell race.11.30 am. 6miles/900’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth. See Fell list below. |
|
Sun 8th Jan 06 |
3rd WYWL event - Neutral event jointly hosted by LBT & Pudsey Pacers. Bramley Falls Park ALL club required. See below. |
|
Sat 14th Jan 06 |
Yorkshire X Country Champs, Rotherham. See below. |
|
Sun 22nd Jan 06 |
Brass Monkey Half Marathon, York. Race full no late entries. |
|
Sun 29th Jan 06 |
4th WYWL event at Tong Park, Baildon. ALL club required. See below. |
|
Sun 5th Feb 06 |
Dewsbury 10k, 9.30am. Flat out & back course. |
|
Sun 12 Feb 06 |
Liversedge Half marathon. 12 noon, hilly course. |
|
Sun 19th Feb 06 |
Final WYWL event at Stainland. ALL club required. See below. |
Top 25 Club Races for 2005: Handicap/ Attendance Scheme - 10 out of 25 possible races to count. Please don’t forget to sign in the book each time you attend a club session (but only pay once per week) as each attendance at a club training session is worth 1 point and to be eligible for a trophy members must accumulate at least 30 attendance points during the year. Each attendance at a “Club” designated race earns you 5 points (see below). 50% of the required points must be achieved by attendance at training sessions.
November’s Attendance winner will be announced in the next Gossip.
The Club races for 2005, where points can be earned, are as follows:
|
Date |
Race Details |
Comments. |
|
February 13th Sun |
Liversedge Half Marathon, 12.00 noon. |
7 runners for this first race, including Lisa Flesher who was 5th woman. |
|
March 13th – Sun |
Spen 20mile, 10am. |
7 Idle AC runners, 6 pb’s and 2 club records from Simon Bellwood (M40) and Richard Lyons (M45). |
|
March Sun 27th |
Guiseley Gallop 10k, 10.30am. |
13 runners at this local event. |
|
April- Sun 3rd |
Baildon Boundary Way Half, 10.30am. |
Good club turnout of 13 Idle AC runners, including Clare Sweeney in her first half marathon. |
|
April – Tues 5th |
Bunny Run 1, 3 mile ‘Fell’ race, 7.00 pm. |
11 of us were tempted by the free cream egg…. |
|
April- Sun 10th |
Wakefield 10k, 10am. Fast, flat course. |
12 Idle vests at the start line for this fast 10k although no pb’s as most seem to have had time added. |
|
May – Wed –4th |
John Carr 5k, Esholt, 7.30pm. Fast, flat course. |
23 Idle AC vests for the first race, including David Reddish who set a new M40 club record in a time of 18.39 and Trevor Hooley who set a M50 record with 21.45. Whilst in the women Donna broke the female record in a time of 19.03 and Lisa set a new F35 record in 20.35 |
|
May-15th Sun. |
Leeds Half Marathon, 10am. |
10 runners at the Leeds Half including Janet Burnside who got a pb by over 8 minutes! |
|
June- Sat 4th |
Kirkby Malzeard 10k. Part of Black sheep series. |
13 of us lined up for the start of this undulating course. Lisa Flesher was 1st F35 and Chris Stubbs only two days after becoming a vet set a new M40 club record. |
|
June – Thurs 9th |
Bronte 5, 7.30pm. Hilly two lap course. |
6 Idle AC - four club records: Chris Stubbs M40, Richard Lyons M45, Trevor Hooley M50 and Lisa Flesher F35. |
|
June- Thurs 9th |
Apperley Bridge Canter race. 7.30pm. Approx 10k. |
250 runners for event, including a large number of Idle AC. Ian won the race and Idle were the 1st women’s team: Jo, Kay and Lisa H. |
|
June – Sun 19th |
Blackpool Half or Full Marathon, 9am. Weekend away. |
13 in the half including decent times from Pete H and Simon and a great first half marathon from Jane. Club records for Chris Stubbs (M40) and Trevor Hooley (M50) in marathon and 2nd women’s team for Jo, Davina and Lisa H. |
|
July – Sat 2nd |
Burn Valley Half. Part of Black Sheep series. 2pm.
|
Hot conditions on a rough course reflected in a few of our race times although Chris Smith was 2nd M40. |
|
July – Wed 13th |
Stirton Fell race. BS, 7.30pm. 5.5 miles/800’.
|
6 Idle vests turned out on a fine Summer’s evening for this popular fell race. |
|
July – Wed 20th |
Widdop Fell race. BM, 7.15pm. 7m/1200’. |
No Idle AC runners at this event. |
|
July – Sun 24th |
Pudsey 10k, 10.45. |
F50 club record from Ana Lincoln. |
|
Aug – Sat 13th. |
Arncliffe 4 mile Road race at 1.30pm and/or 1.8m fell race, 3pm. |
Adrian, Ana and Wilma all flew the Idle flag in the 4 mile road race. Christopher Trevelyan showed his potential as a future fell runner by competing in the Junior fell race.
|
|
Sept –Sun 11th |
Sutton 7. 12 noon. Fast, mainly flat rural course on roads and tracks. |
Whilst most joined thousands in the Nottingham full or half marathons Dave Lewis and Kay ran this quieter event. Kay was 3rd F45. |
|
Sept – Sun 25th |
Kirkstall Abbey 10k. 10am. |
5 Idle AC vests including Ana Lincoln who set a new F50 club record with a pb time of 53.16 |
|
Oct – Sun 2nd |
Horsforth 10k, 10am. |
13 of us on this new course, including Ana Lincoln who set a new F50 club record in 53.14 |
|
Oct Sun 16th |
Bridlington Half marathon, 12 Noon. |
8 women and 2 men joined this popular seaside event. Ana Lincoln set a new F50 record in 1.53.27. |
|
Oct – Sun 30th |
Holmfirth 15mile. 10.30am. |
Just three of us, Pete Helliwell, Pete Hilliard and Davina for this tough 15 miler. |
|
Nov – Sun 6th |
Guy Fawkes 10mile 10.30am. |
11 Idle AC runners for this popular 10 miler including Ana Lincoln who set a new F50 club record. |
|
Nov 27th Sun |
Rivock Edge Fell Race. 9m. 11.15am. See fell list details. |
Chris Stubbs, Chris Smith and Phil Routh at Rivock Edge fell race. |
|
Nov 27th Sun |
Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am. |
12 of us at this fast pb race, including Ana Lincoln who set a new F50 club record and Amy Wright who got a pb by over 3 mins!. |
Roundhay Park 5 mile race, 20th Nov 05:
364 Ana Lincoln 43.13 pb F50 CR.
403 David Dewhirst 44.29
Rivock Edge Fell race results, 27th Nov 05:
22 Chris Stubbs 58.05
40 Chris Smith 1.02.24
51 Phil Routh 1.05.23
Abbey Dash 10k, 27th Nov 05:
308 Pete Helliwell 40.14
345 Adrian Trevelyan 40.45
423 Richard Lyons 41.47
585 Stephen Edwards 43.25
951 Gary Naylor 46.27
1240 Davina Smith 48.36
1466 Martin Burnside 50.03
1725 David Dewhirst 51.59
1782 Amy Wright 52.23 pb (by over 3 mins!!)
1808 Anna Lincoln 52.39 pb. F50 club record.
2585 Suzanne Bairstow 58.41
2606 Janet Burnside 58.51
2935 Jane Lewis 63.37
Percy Pud 10k, Sheffield, 4th Dec 05:
586 Amy Wright 52.17 pb
There were 1019 runners.
Please note that many races require that competitors carry waterproof clothing, map and compass for the competitor’s safety. Failure to comply with a race organiser's requirements will mean that you will be barred from taking part in the race. Competitors should arrive at races prepared to carry any or all of the following equipment: Windproof whole body cover, other body cover appropriate to the conditions, map and compass suitable for navigating the course, whistle, emergency food (long races). This equipment is mandatory at all Cat A Long and Medium races.
If this is the first time you have considered fell racing select a race distance well under the distance you normally run on the road.
If you retire during a race you MUST notify the officials at the finish.
If you like the idea of fell running and would like to have a go please speak to Chris.
All fell races are given a grade indicating length and difficulty. Difficulty is indicated by:
A, no less than 250 feet climb per mile, not more than 20% on roads, at least 1 mile in length (NASTY);
B, not less than 125 feet climb per mile, not more than 30% on roads (FAIRLY NASTY);
C, not less than 100 feet of climb per mile, not more than 40% on roads and contain genuine fell terrain (NOT VERY NASTY).
Length is indicated by: L, 12 miles or more; M, 6 miles and over but less than 12 miles; S, under 6 miles.
SUN DEC 18th THE STOOP. BS. 11.30 am. 5 miles/800’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth. £3 on day. All finishers receive a Cadbury’s Chocolate Chunk. Free coffee & biscuits. All prizes are “Christmas Related”.
SAT DEC 31st THE 12th BRISCOE’S BREWERY AULD LANG SYNE RACE. BM. 11.30 am. 6miles/900’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth. £3 on day. All finishers receive a bottle of beer. Free coffee & biscuits. All prizes are beers, ales, ciders etc.
We are awaiting the FRA fixture list for 2006. I will then produce a local fixture list for 2006 (with a few inaccuracies to keep Phil guessing!!) – Davina.
West Yorkshire Winter League 2005/6 season
The second
event at Pudsey saw 25 runners from Idle AC running a very muddy two lap course
involving lots of streams!!. It was good to see newcomer Claire McConnell running
her first (hopefully not her last) ever cross country.
Ian Fisher won the race, supported by Steve Bottomley in 3rd place. The women’s team saw Donna Edmondson in 2nd place. Idle currently lie in 5th place in the overall team positions. The overall team results after two races are:
|
Men |
|
|
Vets |
|
|
Pudsey |
2600 |
|
Dewsbury |
948 |
|
LBT |
2592 |
|
LBT |
917 |
|
Dewsbury |
2466 |
|
Pudsey |
904 |
|
Stainland |
2416 |
|
Stainland |
834 |
|
Idle A C |
2412 |
|
Idle A C |
830 |
|
St.Bede's |
2037 |
|
St.Bede's |
826 |
|
Baildon |
1846 |
|
Baildon |
786 |
|
Skipton |
1485 |
|
Skipton |
708 |
|
Women |
|
|
Overall |
|
|
Dewsbury |
591 |
|
LBT |
3154 |
|
LBT |
562 |
|
Pudsey |
3103 |
|
Idle A C |
538 |
|
Dewsbury |
3057 |
|
Stainland |
537 |
|
Stainland |
2953 |
|
Pudsey |
503 |
|
Idle A C |
2950 |
|
Baildon |
495 |
|
St.Bede's |
2465 |
|
St.Bede's |
428 |
|
Baildon |
2341 |
|
Skipton |
277 |
|
Skipton |
1762 |
The remaining fixtures are :
Date Host club Venue
3.Jan 8th Neutral event jointly hosted by LBT & Pudsey Pacers. Bramley Falls Park
4. Jan 29th Baildon Runners Tong Park, Baildon.
5. Feb 19th Stainland Lions Possible new course from Heath Rugby Club.
All are 11am starts. Full details will be circulated to members prior to each event.
Whilst the League does offer individual trophy positions, its primary objective is team competition. The five team scores are added together to decide the following team trophies:
1st Combined Team, 2nd Combined Team, 3rd Combined Team.
1st Male Team.
1st Female team.
1st Vets Team (combination of male/females).
A club team is the first seven men to cross the line (which must include 2 vets), and the first three women (including 1 vet), in each event.
The vets’ team is the 2 male and the one female counting vets added together.
Different runners may score in different races - it’s just first past the post on the day.
The first Combined Team can enter the National Cross Country Final and the 2nd Combined Team can enter the Plate Race at the National Final which will take place at Nottingham on 19th March 06. Further details will be circulated prior to each event.
In past years we had runners in the all of the above races however whilst we still hope to get runners in the Yorkshire and Regional races. The National is in London.
This year the dates of the 3 championship races are as follows:
1. Yorkshire cross country championships: Saturday 14th Jan 05 at Herringthorpe Stadium, Middle Lane, Rotherham. The distance for women is 6,000m at 1.30pm and the men run 12,000m at 2.10pm. The cost is £4 per person. Closing date 16th December 05. Please let Chris know by 10th December if you want to be entered. No late entries.
2. North of England cross country championships: Saturday 28th January 06 at Witton Park, Blackburn (the day before a WYWL event- priority must to given to WYWL). The distance for women is 8k at 12.30pm and the men run 12km at 2.10pm. The cost is £3 per person. Closing date 10th December. Please let Chris know by 1st December if you want to be entered. No late entries.
3. National Cross Country Championships: Saturday 25th February 06 at Parliament Hill, London. Awaiting full details. However entry into this event is conditional on an entry to the North of England AA championships (as above). Senior teams cannot be entered if only individuals have been entered in to the regional championships.
Due to the deadlines we therefore need to know names (to Chris) of anyone wanting to run in any of these events no later than 10th December 05 along with their payment. However whilst we’d encourage running in these events we would encourage members to make their first commitment to the West Yorkshire Winter League.
The Chevin Chase entry forms are now available on Airecentre Pacers website: www.airecentre-pacers.co.uk
This scenic off road race starts at 11am on Boxing day from Aireborough leisure centre, Guiseley. As it’s a really popular race I'd advise sending entries in ASAP.
There are also copies at the club.
As members may be aware December 02 saw the start of a yearly tradition for Idle AC – the annual Sewage Works Surprise club handicap race! The race is open to all members and will be run as a 4 mile Handicap race from the Stansfield Arms Pub at Apperley Bridge, starting at 10am on Sunday 18th December 05. Fancy dress is optional but it all adds to the fun and entertains passing motorists!! There is a special annual trophy for the winner, which was won last year by Stephen Edwards. Richard Lyons finished in second place with Clare Sweeney, dressed as Andy Pandy in 3rd place.
We have again arranged a presentation afternoon, with hot buffet, at the Symposium in Idle at a cost of £5 adults and £2.50 children per plate. Please write your names on the list at the club if you are running and/or attending the presentation.
January- We had 29 runners for 3rd WYWL cross country at
Esholt where we finished as overall league leader on the day and maintained our
overall winning position after the third race. Ian represented Great Britain in the Mumbai Marathon, India and ran a time of 2.28. 15 runners at the
Brass Monkey Half marathon including many pb’s. Dough Briggs set a new Male
club record with 1.18.58, Chris Smith set a new M40 club record with 1.24.05,
Donna broke her previous female record with her pb time of 1.33.22 and Lisa
Flesher set a new F35 record in 1.33.50. Jan ended with the 4th WYWL
event at Pudsey with 27 of us on the start line. Ian won the race, supported by
Steve Bottomley in 2nd place. Others such as Adrian, Phil and Martin
all had great runs and helped us maintain our League winning position prior to
the final race.
February- This month saw the highlight of Idle AC’s year, and probably the highlight of the club’s history to date!! 29 runners for the final WYWL event at Skipton leading Idle AC to finish as overall League and Men’s Champions. We finished 2nd in the women. Members picked up 4 individual trophies: Steve Bottomley (2nd Male), Doug (5th Male), Donna (3rd female) and Lisa Flesher (1st F35 female). 7 runners at the Liversedge Half. 5 ran in the Yorks Vets Cross county champs at Thirsk including Lisa F who was 2nd F35. Dave Lewis set a new M45 club record at Dewsbury 10k with his time of 38.57
March- We celebrated our third year since the formation of Idle AC (formed 22nd March 2002) when we hosted the WYWL Presentation night at the Sporting Lodge. It was a great night, a few sore heads the next day, but well worth it! It was a huge achievement for us to obtain the overall title and the Men’s trophy ahead of bigger more established clubs. The night was a fitting end to the first chapter in our club’s history. 2 club records were set at Spen 20 - Simon M40 and Richard Lyons (M45), plus PB’s from Peter Helliwell, Martin Burnside and Lisa Hall. Lisa Flesher was 1st F35 at Ackworth Half and Doug Briggs set a new 5 mile club record with 29.43 at South Leeds 5 mile race. 13 runners at Guiseley Gallop 10k.
April- Pete H (M40 record), Richard L (M45 record in debut marathon), Jo, and Martin (pb by 44 minutes!) all represented Idle in the London marathon. Ian Fisher ran 2.21and second claimer David Nicholson ran his debut marathon. Lisa Hall ran her debut marathon at Lochaber, Scotland whilst Simon Bellwood ran in the Shakespeare Marathon in Stratford. 13 of us ran the Baildon Boundary Way, including Clare Sweeney in her debut half. We had 12 runners at the Wakefield 10k and runners at all the Bunny Runs. Simon Bellwood, Jo and Alison completed the Airedale Triple Challenge by competing in the Guiseley Gallop, Baildon Boundary Way and Meanwood Valley Trail race.
May- Another busy month with the three John Carr 5k races once again proving popular with 23, 26, and 22 runners at the events. The series saw club records from Donna Edmondson, Lisa Flesher F35, Simon Bellwood M40, and Trevor Hooley who set an M50 record at all three events! In addition we had a string of pb’s. We had a team in the WYWL Canal relay, finishing 5th overall. 10 runners at the Leeds Half. May also saw the start of the Black Sheep Series. Chris Stubbs, Richard Raistrick and Elaine Trevelyan all celebrated their 40th birthday (The club went en masse to Elaine’s party and a great time was had by all – Chris still has the scars to prove it).
June- In the past we
encouraged members to run the Bronte 5 mile race in celebration of our
‘official’ birthday on 10th June 05 (3 years since affiliation of
Idle AC) and although most people went to the Apperley Bridge Canter, 6 members
supported the Haworth event. Four club records were broken in this tough 5
miler: Chris Stubbs, M40, Richard Lyons M45, Trevor Hooley M50 and Lisa Flesher
F35. They too went in to pub (the Sun) to celebrate the club’s success. 14 of
us celebrated by running the Apperley Bridge Canter with Ian winning the race
and the women’s team of Jo, Kay and Lisa Hall winning the women’s team prize.
We celebrated in the Stansfield Arms. What a night for Idle AC!! Chris Smith
set an M40 club record at the Otley 10. June saw also our third weekend away when many of us ran
the Blackpool marathon/Half. Whilst one or two (Pete Helliwell and Jane Lewis!)
had reasonable runs in the half, most who ran the full had a fairly bad time
due to the heat and the badly organised event, however Chris Stubbs set an M40
club record and Trevor Hooley set an M50 record. We were 2nd women’s
team at Blackpool (Jo, Davina and Lisa H) but sadly the organizers later
decided not to give prizes! Clare Sweeney was 2nd F35 at the
Harewood House Chase. The summer months saw many of the club's fell runners,
especially Phil, running a host of fell races. This was despite the sometimes
slightly incorrect/duff info appearing in Idle Gossip and the fact that he
didn’t get any attendance points!!
July- Chris Smith was 2nd M40 at the Burn Valley half which Ian won. A small (but select!) group of us joined Steve on his Magical Mystery Tour away run on Harden moor – it was a stunning run with lots of photo opportunities for Laura. New member Ana Lincoln set an F50 club record at the Thorpe Edge 10k – since then she’s continued to set F50 club records in each race that’s she’s taken part in! There were celebrations as Donna and Chris got married but sadness as Doug left the club to work abroad. July saw the end of the 2005 Black Sheep series. Lisa Flesher finished as 2nd F35, Kay was 3rd in F45 and Simon Bellwood was 2nd in M40 category. However the highlight of July was the hosting of the 1st Idle Trail Race. With 176 entrants, a scenic course, a generous sponsor (crosstrax), great facilities and the whole club behind the event, the 1st Idle Trail race proved to be an amazing success, especially for a club which is only three years old. We received a lot of positive feedback from the event.
Aug- A quieter month. The day of Arncliffe Fell race saw heavy rain which put a lot of members off, however Adrian, Ana and Wilma (hardy souls!) all ran the 4 mile road race and young Christopher Trevelyan showed his future potential to Idle AC by taking part in the fell race. The Burnsall 10 miler saw a new M40 club record as Chris Stubbs ran 1.05. Jo, Kay and Alison were 3rd women’s team and an hour after finishing the 10 mile race, Chris Smith, Jo and Kay all ran the fell race.
September- September saw a 4 strong women’s team in both the half and full marathons at Nottingham. Wilma, Elaine, Ana and Suzanne ran in the half where Ana set an F50 club record. Whilst in the full Jo, Lisa Hall, Davina and Laura finished as 3rd place women’s team and following the disappointment from Blackpool this time received a team prize. Gary ran the full marathon – the day after asking Debbie to marry him (Ah!). We had 7 runners at the Great North Run including newcomer Peter Hilliard who ran 1.34 and Jane Lewis who despite being injured ran and raised a huge amount for charity.
October- We had 13 runners in the Horsforth 10k in which Ana set a new F50 club record and Diana Deas was near to her pb despite running with a bad hangover from celebrating her hubby’s 40th birthday the night before. Kay finished as 2nd F45 in the Scarborough 10 mile trail race. We had 10 runners at the Brid half where Ana set yet another F50 record. Simon Bellwood smashed the M40 record with his time of 3.02.18 at the Abingdon marathon. We had a women’s team at Snowdonia marathon. The Wednesday group went from strength to strength and monthly coached sessions started on the 1st Wednesday in each month (open to all).
November- The start of the 2005/6 WYWL cross country season at Temple Newsam. Ian Fisher won the race, supported by Steve Bottomley in 3rd place. The women’s team saw Donna in 3rd place and Jo in 8th Position. The month ended with 12 runners at the Abbey Dash, including Ana who set a new club record and Amy Wright who took over 3 mins off her pb! On the same day the club had 3 runners at the Rivock Edge fell race. Sue Little qualified as a Level I coach.
December- This month sees the second WYWL fixture at Pudsey, the Christmas party, Sewage Works Surprise club handicap race, Chevin Chase race and Auld Lang Syne fell race. We also get to know who’ll be running in the 2006 London marathon.
Overall 2005 was a really successful year, not least with being League and Men’s champions for the WYWL and the success in hosting the first Idle Trail Race. 2005 has seen our membership continue to increase and training nights regularly seeing 20 members at a time. We again showed that we can provide strong team and individual performances in road, cross country and in fell and trail races alike.
We now look forward to 2006 when we hope to build on our success in the WYWL and when we’ll aim to continue to succeed at all distances and in all disciplines.
This month we welcome 1 new member – Julie Parker. Julie was introduced to the club by Richard Lyons and has been a regular to the Wednesday night runs. Having previously trained and raced by herself Julie is now keen to get involved with club activities.
The Keswick to Barrow Walk is a 40 mile sponsored stroll through some of the country’s finest landscapes. The route starts on the southern side of the Lake District town of Keswick and winds its way through some of the most beautiful scenery to the Victorian town of Barrow in Furness on the coast of the Irish Sea. Some of my work colleagues did it last year & thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it is something that could be done by members of Idle AC as a change from runs like the Blackpool event. It’s a long way I know but you do not have to run it all, after all it’s classed as a “walk”.
It is essentially a “sponsored walk” but there is no minimum amount of sponsorship demanded & there is no entry fee! The idea is that you get a team together of up to 10 people & between you raise some money for a given charity. The size of the team isn’t important nor is the amount of cash raised. There are checkpoints along the way with food & drinks available (at a small cost). Alternatively we can have someone with a “support vehicle” with sandwiches & energy drinks etc if there’s interest & a willing driver amongst us.
As a guide, last year there were 1008 entries with the slowest time being 16hrs 40mins. If you do manage to run it all you will get inside the top 50 with a time of around 6hrs 45mins. The winning male last year did it in a time of 4hrs 42mins & the winning lady’s time was 5hrs 50mins. I believe that Idle AC could attain some very good results & end up with a good team prize to boot.
For further info look at their excellent website at: http://www.keswick2barrow.co.uk/home.asp
As the race is on the Saturday you will need to be there very early or better still stay overnight in or near Keswick. There’s a good camp site called Castlerigg Farm that charges £12 per night. Their details can be found on http://www.castleriggfarm.com/
I’m just trying to establish whether there’s any interest at this point so if anyone is remotely interested in “having a go” then drop an email to:- martin@idleac.co.uk
This is not a commitment to go but I would like a rough idea of numbers at this stage.
If anyone wants any further info & can’t find it on the website, then again drop me an email & I’ll find out for you – Martin.
December is a busy month for us all, with the second cross country fixture on the 4th, the Christmas Do on the 9th, and the Sewage works Surprise club Handicap Race on the 18th. With Christmas and New Year’s Day both being on a Sunday the training nights of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday will not be affected. We will have our usual ‘Christmas Lights’ run on Thursday 22nd Dec (21st for the Wednesday group) when we hope to find a selection of decorated houses which show festive spirit. Afterwards there will be mince pies. Hopefully we should have a good turn out for the Chevin Chase 7 mile race on Boxing Day at 11am. For those wanting a run on New Years Eve you could run the Auld Lang Syne Fell race!! This is a ‘B’ Medium fell race which starts from Penistone Hill Country Park at Haworth at 11.30 am. The race is 6 miles with 900’ of climbing (speak to Chris if you want to know more details about the course) it’s only £3 to enter (on the day only) and all finishers receive a bottle of Briscoe’s Brewery ‘Auld Lang Syne’ beer. All prizes are beers, ales, ciders etc.
Once again we have seen the club grow in strength and in achievements. However we hope that 2006 will be even better! Thanks to all the members we really have achieved a great deal during 2005.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
I was in Aldi in Shipley when I met Steve. I had just realised that for £34.99 I could buy either a ski suit or a metal detector. He looked a little crestfallen.
“I’m not going to be able to run tomorrow, Chris,” he said. He’d been off work with flu. I agreed that he was making the right decision – there is evidence to show that it can be downright dangerous to place strain on the heart whilst suffering from any kind of infection.
In running terms Steve describes himself as being “in it for the long haul.” Like me he fully intends to be running well into his senior years. I don’t think either of us can imagine being inactive pensioners. His chosen approach is not to push himself too hard, but to do enough to participate in, and enjoy his sport. That means being sensible.
“Now then Coach, was it sensible to do two cross country races in one day? asked Adrian at the Tuesday session.
“Do as I say, not as I do!” I responded. Had my calves, knees and gluteus maximi been able to speak, they would certainly have answered in the negative. Unfortunately it’s very much in my nature to accept such a crazy challenge when it presents itself – somehow I feel better mentally when I’m physically trashed. Interestingly three other club members did the same, and they were all women.
As we enter the time when people begin in earnest to train for spring marathons, I tend to reflect on the other kinds of challenges which are offered to distance runners. The 26.2 mile distance might seem the ultimate challenge for many, but using the “long haul” philosophy, it is possible to go further. Then we are into the realms of “Ultra Distance” running, where events are often simply referred to as “Ultras.” Just be more sensible – go more slowly. Ten years ago, never having run more than 30 miles in one go, I set off on the Round Rotherham 50 mile race. I knew I must run really slowly, even to have a chance of surviving. So I selected a very steady looking fellow competitor, and ran the first 20 miles with him. He was very steady indeed. We stopped at checkpoints for tea and cake, and talked of many things. He was completing the event as a qualifier for the National 100km challenge race. I asked about his training schedule. He looked at me as if I was a little simple, and said,
“I do one of these every weekend. I don’t train!”
I upped the pace a little and left him after 20 miles. I finished 24th in a time of 9.09, a mile pace of 10:15. I didn’t know what to do with my body – lying on the floor was not enough.
I’ve been lucky enough to meet both British 100km champions. I bumped into Sharon, who runs for Guisborough, when out for a run in Osmotherley, North Yorkshire. She had just started the Lyke Wake 40 mile handicap challenge. She was last to go, and I ran with her for ten miles of stunning North Yorkshire countryside at a horrifying pace, before I thankfully turned off to complete my circuit. She went on to win, arriving at the hotel at Ravenscar first. She collected her trophy and went home on the bus. I told her during the run that I had met the male 100km champion, whom of course she knew. He lives on Sanday, a remote island off Mainland Orkney. We met him at his farm shop there, where he breeds angora rabbits for their fur, and sells knitwear. I asked him about his training schedule. He said he ran round and round the island in a weighted jacket. I had the feeling that he was gently going crazy.
So what relevance can I possibly think all this has for Idle AC?? The answer lies in Martin’s article about the Keswick to Barrow Race. This is achievable as a run or a walk, or you could even just do a part of it. I believe it would be an excellent project, something that we would talk about long afterwards, and would be an ideal opportunity for a celebratory night out in South Cumbria. The combination of a real sporting challenge and some of the country’s most stunning scenery is one I find hard to resist.
Much of what we do in our sport is about accepting challenges – about proving ourselves, about improving ourselves. We can all blow Christmas money on ski suits or metal detectors, but what about a decent pair of running shoes, and the prospect of an achievement next year which you will remember always?
- Chris
Current Men’s Club Records
|
Distance |
Category |
Name |
Time |
|
5 Km |
Open |
Joe Marjoram |
17.08 |
|
M40 |
Simon Bellwood |
18.30 |
|
|
M45 |
David Lewis |
18:46 |
|
|
M50 |
Trevor Hooley |
21.22 |
|
|
5 Miles |
Open |
Doug Briggs |
29:43 |
|
M40 |
Chris Stubbs |
31.06 |
|
|
M45 |
Richard Lyons |
33.22 |
|
|
M50 |
Trevor Hooley |
38.42 |
|
|
10 Km |
Open |
Douglas Briggs |
36.13 |
|
M40 |
Chris Stubbs |
38.32 |
|
|
M45 |
Dave Lewis |
38:57 |
|
|
10 Miles |
Open |
Joe Marjoram |
1:01:22 |
|
M40 |
Chris Stubbs |
1:05:14 |
|
|
M45 |
Steve Little |
1:08:54 |
|
|
Half Marathon |
Open |
Douglas Briggs |
1:18:58 |
|
M40 |
Chris Smith |
1:24:05 |
|
|
M45 |
Steve Little |
1:28:38 |
|
|
15 Miles |
Open |
Chris Stubbs |
1:37:03 |
|
M40 |
Simon Bellwood |
1:43:58 |
|
|
M45 |
Trevor Hooley |
2:03:18 |
|
|
20 Miles |
Open |
Chris Smith |
2:24:00 |
|
M40 |
Simon Bellwood |
2:17:26 |
|
|
M45 |
Richard Lyons |
2:34:51 |
|
|
Marathon |
Open |
Chris Smith |
3:04:12 |
|
M40 |
Simon Bellwood |
3:02:18 |
|
|
M45 |
Richard Lyons |
3:36:15 |
|
|
M50 |
Trevor Hooley |
4:15:08 |
Current Women’s Club Records
|
Distance |
Category |
Name |
Time |
|
5 Km |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
19:03 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
20.26 |
|
|
F40 |
Laura Brook |
22.04 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
20.59 |
|
|
5 Miles |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
34:57 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
37:17 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
40.03 |
|
|
F50 |
Ana Lincoln |
43.13 |
|
|
10 Km |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
42:33 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
44:09 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
47:11 |
|
|
F50 |
Ana Lincoln |
52:39 |
|
|
10 Miles |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
1:13:00 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
1:16:38 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
1:16:50 |
|
|
F50 |
Ana Lincoln |
1.32.38 |
|
|
Half Marathon |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
1:33:22 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
1:33:50 |
|
|
F40 |
Kay Gambles |
1:51:00 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
1:44:44 |
|
|
F50 |
Ana Lincoln |
1:53:27 |
|
|
15 Miles |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
1:50:54 |
|
F35 |
Amnuay Scott |
2:00:43 |
|
|
20 Miles |
Open |
Joanne Belcher |
3:01:18 |
|
F35 |
Davina Smith |
3:01:01 |
|
|
F40 |
Kay Gambles |
3:02:00 |
|
|
Marathon |
Open |
Joanne Belcher |
3:37.15 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
3:51:50 |
|
|
F40 |
Kay Gambles |
4:10:00 |
|
|
F45 |
Laura Brook |
4:07:42 |