wrc

Styal stile style

OK - these pictures were taken not at Styal but at Gawsworth - but check out the form of our three heros in negotiating an obstacle on the 10k. (Click to see full size). Pics courtesy of Trevor.

Grand Prix Prizes

The only remaining members after receiving the Mens and Ladies trophies at Chester Zoo. (Click on the pic to see full-size).

There will be another presentation, probably at the Club Dinner, for all concerned.

Tony

Manchester XC Heaton Park

The first cross country race of the high quality Manchester league took place round Heaton Park in north Manchester on 30 October. Our team of runners looked forward in anticipation to the event, as last year the Veteran Team were promoted from Division two to the premier league. The Men’s senior team continues to languish in division two, but with the rising stars of the club, division one promotion is possible this year.
The results are
22nd Tom McGaff
37th Jim Pendrill
51st Nick Bishop
56th Mike Halman
77th Ian Smallwood
95th Ray Noble
132nd Gavin Mendham
195th Trevor Faulkner

(200 Runners approx)

October Newsletter

October Newsletter in pdf (755k) and Word (170k) formats.

Chester Zoo by Roy

BIG GAME AT CHESTER ZOO

Some of you may have noticed the intense rivalry between two of the club’s more senior members in the Summer Series Championships. For those of you blissfully unaware of the situation let me enlighten you. Two points separate Ian Ashcroft and Roy Pownall with the latter in the ascendancy with just one race to go. But let’s go back one step.

Sunday morning 17th October and the squad of Ian Ashcroft, Roy Pownall, Rod Coombs,
Andy Watts and the delightful Dr. Kate Sutton assemble at Ian’s house to be chauffeured to the Chester Zoo 10K courtesy of Professor Coombs’ racemobile.

Ian immediately takes pole position in the spacious front passenger seat sending out a clear message to Roy that in the animal kingdom there is only one leader. However, Roy is more than compensated by the warmth of Kate’s body squeezed between him and Andy in the rear. En route the conversation is lively but Ian is pensive or half asleep, it’s never easy to tell. Kate asks Roy how he is feeling to which he replies : “quietly confident” (Oh, the bravado of the boy !) On arrival the squad disembark, stretch, scratch, yawn and wander off in search of T-shirts, toilets and the Running Bear emporium. Having exchanged the customary insults with Tony the squad disperse to the bushes (Ah, the call of the wild) to let nature take its course. During the warm-up to the 1km marker Roy strides out desperately trying to impress Ian with his athletic prowess only to find it takes well over 5 minutes – not a good omen.

The start of the race is somewhat shambolic but Ian and Roy manage to get away quickly and soon settle into a rhythm with Ian a short distance in front. Roy’s game plan is to keep it steady for most of the race and then to pounce towards the finish. Alas, this was not to be as the dreaded hill appeared at 9km and Ian pulled away strongly leaving Roy dreaming of what might have been on a flat course.

However, the very good news was that there were no Wilmslow runners between Ian and Roy which meant that the status quo was maintained in the championship league table.

It was just like two old lions playing out the last big game.

This tale (or should it be tail) was brought to you by Roy (2 points clear of Ian) Pownall

Chester Zoo by Sally

Just for a change, I've managed to race so attached is my comments on
Chester 10K.

It seems like a reasonable idea to do this race. I vaguely remember the start can be a little congested…

Travel to Chester with Kate. Car parking is in a field, so I momentarily wonder if I’ve gone orienteering after all. However, there’s no Wilf’s (food van) and there’s lots of people in shorts and vests so we must be in the right place. Ruts in field look ominous. A few cars are stuck. (This does feel like orienteering…) Car parking marshall helpfully directs us to “keep to the grass”. I wonder exactly what else I can keep to…

Kate and I warm up. Bit nippy and bit windy. Where’s the start? It isn’t very clear to me, or as it turns out, to 900 or so other runners. Find a nice spot by an ivy-covered tree. This turns out to be forward of a chalk line labelled “ST”, marked on the road. Several hundred other runners are also beyond “ST” so we need shuffle backwards… and backwards… and backwards… Mmmm, cosy! Now not quite as close to the start as I’d like to be. Gun goes off. Weave in and out for first bit. Hopefully it’s very good training for something.

Rural course seems hillier than I remember it… and windier… At 9K I now understand why the mountain rescue team has organised the race. Finish straight is on grass. Gang of Wilmslow runners has already finished. Good turnout from our club! Jane gets a PB. Julie gets a PB. I get tired. Not bad.

Sally Gilliver

Great North Run

Training Plan....

In the dark days of November last year when days melted into nights and into days again and when all interim activity was dictated by our newborn baby my husband decided on a target to get my postnatal body off the setee and back into some sort of running routine...He roped in two competitive uncles to boost the pressure group and duly entered us all for the Great North Run for September 2004.... With 10 months of training ahead, a gentle "get fit plan" was the order of the day, gradually building up distance and stamina...

August came round in record time this year did you notice ?

After some sporadic sessions at the club and few Sunday runs en famille with the rest of the pressure group I went on holiday, trainers packed to "really boost those miles" get some "time on my feet"... embark on a "fast track training plan". But the south of France in summer is full of temptations for a girl like me...wine at lunch, sun down chilled beers, GOATS CHEESE !!! The fast track plan came off the rails as soon as we left Carrefour. We returned home after a 7day gastrofest , rounder, browner, happier but definately not fitter...

With 5 weeks to go I turned to Tony in despair, he advised me (delicately ?) that I needed to "shift some weight", "render some of that bloody fat off" to get round (like I hadn't noticed!) and bullied me into coming training. Cowwed I made a more regular appearance on Tuesdays

Running scared at the beginning of September I entered a random relay in Warrington with Kate and Jane to remember what racing was like...(awful, it came flooding back...) and I launched the sponsorship campaign to add a bit of urgency to what had become "survive the course training plan". Why oh why oh why oh why ?

The weekend came round we trucked up to "The Toon" en masse, dad, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, daughter, nieces...The greater part of my family are die hard non runners but hate to miss a jolly..The pre-race peer pressure was on early...abstaining from the family fiesta that had ensued, fish and chips at lunch (we're by the sea!), coffee and cakes in the afternoon (its Saturday ?), italian at night (you need pasta don't you ?), beer, wine, sambucas (wey hey)...Paula Radcliffe has non of this to deal with. The team confidently drank water for as long as possible and ran through the final finer logistics of the race start.

Sunday, the tight knit squad of runners (4) surrounded by a crew of alka seltzer guzzling lushes (9) decide at 9.30 to leave the sofa and BBC coverage to make a move for the metro. We board an eerily empty train... 10.30 we split, assume every man for himself and leg it in the direction of Steve Cram at the start. 10.39, knackered we launch ourselves over the barriers into the sweaty nervous bin bagged hoards that try to separate themselves from the plastic rhinos...1 minute
.... + 1 hour 44, 50, 55 and 56 later after we were hailed home heroes by the rest of the support team over their hangovers and eager to embark on the celebrations....we raised over £2000 for Leukaemia research so fairs fair !

The takeaways:

1) Always complete your own race entries
2) Remember that 10 months is actually only 10 weeks when your life is dictated by any body under one year old
3) Don't take your trainers on holiday, the plastic bag they live in for the fortnight will be rank by the time you leave
4) Don't ask Tony for advice on your running if you are feeling remotely emotional
5) Racing hurts, hold that thought
6) Arrange separate accommodation to your non running race support group
7) Remember that Brendan Foster's early morning commentary can be seen on the highlights
8) Tynemouth is more than 30 minutes away from Town Moor start line
9) You can never escape the plastic rhinos
10) Reaching your target feels good
The team completed in one piece and all members came home in under 2 hours...for the record...1.44, 1.50, 1.55 and 1.55 the girl beat the boys much to their disappointment and my relief....

A thank you in from me for all those people at the running club that sponsored me in the GNR, we made over £2000 for The Leukaemia Research Fund, which is great. If anyone wants to make a late donation they can go to www.justgiving.com/kb
Katy Green

October 2004

*** RUNNER OF THE MONTH ***
OCTOBER 2004

Very much the ladies’ month, but which one? Sally, Kate, Katy and Amanda all had their supporters but we went for Jane Clarke not just for her performances at Macclesfield and Chester Zoo but for her contribution throughout the season.

The competition between her and Kate for the Ladies Prize in the Summer Series looks like going down to the wire at Langley.

Summer Series after Chester Zoo

The 2004 Summer Series is drawing to a close with 1 more race to complete. Chester Zoo 10K saw 25 Wilmslow Vests, the largest attendance by far this year (click picture on left to see full results).

The top 6 places remained unchanged but Tom McGaff and Nick Bishop are both poised to upset these positions if they run Langley 7.

With 5 races completed Ray Noble is now threatening Mick Fairs position although a continuation of Micks end of season performances should hold him off.

Jane Clarke was unable to capitilise on beating Kate Ayres because of the large turn out so 2 points still separate Jane, Kate & Roy Pownall. Similarly Ian Ashcroft was unable to close the gap with Roy.

Gareth Trimble, Trevor Faulkner and Paul Ayres can upset the middle ranking with one more race to complete.

Last year 20 runners completed the Summer Series. Whilst that was only 4 races to qualify we could still surpass that result at Langley 7. Hope to see you there: Saturday 6th November 2:30pm

Graham

Cheshire League X-Country - Updated

Cheshire League Cross Country, Ladies & Men

Tuesday 28th December Frodsham (changed from 2nd January)
Sunday 13th February Woodbank Park
Sunday 13th March Macclesfield

Cheshire Championships
Saturday 15th January Winsford

Grand Prix - official

All,
Attached are the GP results from yesterday's Chester Zoo 10k (along with
tidied up results from the previous race at Macclesfield a couple of weeks
ago).
Please let me know asap if they are any errors - particularly if they are
likely to affect the overall positions.
It was very nice to see a strong turnout from Cheshire clubs (even rivalling
the 2 big half marathons), which fully justified the inclusion of the race
this year's GP.

Congratulations are in order to Wilmslow RC who duly won the women's title.......

Girls win Grand Prix!

A quick count of the results of Chester Zoo (unofficial, as I may have missed a few) shows Vale Royal scoring 168, Wilmslow 162, and Macc 179. Best of six results thus totals 1022 for Wilmslow, 1010 for Vale Royal, and 965 for Macclesfield.

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo 10Km Road Race

Sunday October 17th.

11 Michael Halman M28 34:51
12 Stuart Parrott M41 35:08
18 Jim Pendrill M34 35:43
25 Graham Taylor M41 36:11
27 Nick Bishop M45 36:19
50 Mick Fairs M56 37:40
53 Ray Noble M36 37:43
83 Tony Hulme M57 39:28
102 Richard Parris M37 40:05
110 Andy Watts M54 40:14
115 Sally Gilliver F43 40:25
137 Gavin Mendham M54 41:02
158 James Smith M58 41:53
173 Jane Clarke F36 42:08
196 Kate Ayres F45 42:43
197 Steve Smith M43 42:43
284 Ian Ashcroft M58 45:00
392 Roy Pownall M55 47:03
400 Rod Coombs M54 47:26
431 Amanda Bradbury F30 48:08
465 Kate Sutton F42 48:36
473 Bill Staniard M40 48:46
492 Julie Lucas F41 49:11
611 Gareth Trimble M32 51:15
670 Sally Maddock F21 52:24
1194 finishers

Men’s Team

1 Wilmslow RC Total :- 41
: 970 - M Halman 11: 797 - S Parrott 12: 1437 - J Pendrill 18:

Ladies’ Team

3 Macclesfield Harr Total :- 346
: 796 - C Greasley 78: 591 - A Hartropp 88: 608 - S Caile 180:
4 Vale Royal AC Total :- 417
: 1027 - O Renshaw 30: 1391 - H Whitby 133: 475 - C Robson 254:
5 Wilmslow RC Total :- 484
: 641 - S Gilliver 115: 723 - J Clarke 173: 1321 - K Ayres 196:

www.jandresults.co.uk

Chester Zoo 10k 2004

Thanks to John Bradbury for these pictures of the event, and for taking all Wilmslow runners up to Amanda!

No results yet, and no information on the Grand Prix - watch this space!

Club Christmas Party

It seems that last year's bash at the BELFREY HOTEL was a popular event, and therefore will be repeated due to demand (but also that no-one can be bothered to think of an alternative)....

Thus the formula is much the same:
Venue - Belfrey Hotel, Burlington Suite
Date - Sunday 12th December
Time - 6:30 till pumpkin hour
Food - yummy buffet and veggie options
Price - a bargain £26.00 per head (surely not, I hear you cry)

My almost permanent disability has now put me in the ranks of those runners who never actually frequent the club, so you will have to be hassled by others for the dosh (there is a God after all). I think Kate Sutton and Ken Smart are the lucky duo, so please give them your money immediately.

Charlotte (ex-most improved womens runner ...sob sob)

September 2004

*** RUNNER OF THE MONTH ***
SEPTEMBER 2004

Triumph of the month was the men taking first place in the Cheshire Road Relay. Running the critical first leg was Jim Pendrill.

Jim has had a good summer, and so far, as the club championship moves into the Autumn, he is holding off Graham and Tony for the bronze medal position.

Felt Like...

Felt like

For those of you nerdily interested in exactly how far you run, conjure with the following. The Sunday run that left from the Rugby Club on 26 September at 9.00 am covered 10.04 miles. This is a typical Sunday run with mixed going of track, road, field, stream, water meadow, dung, ditch, aircraft noise, badly driven cars, mad cyclists, dogs, golfers, cows and low level moaning from certain club members. If you don’t know how this particular run covers all these delights, the only way to learn it is to come on the run itself because it is known for short as ‘the fire station with the George variation’ and the actual route is obviously too complicated to explain in words. Life is too short to do so anyway. But we actually only ran 9.77 miles, the other 475 yards were walking, stile climbing, fence straddling and bog wading. How do I know this? The wonders of the Forerunner Garmin watch, of course, as sold by the Bear. The watch can be set to measure when you slow to walking pace. Ian Ashcroft has observed that the watch must have had a difficult time in my case, because, for me, running and walking are so close together. I have sworn revenge. However, personal feuds aside, something must have happened to the measurement system in the UK because I’m sure that the run (pre GPS watch) used to be 12 miles. You will recall the old ‘felt-like’ measurement system, as in “How far was that?” – “Felt like 12 to me…….”

Stephen
stephen.feber@btconnect.com

Cheshire Cross Country

Cheshire League Cross Country
Ladies & Men

Sunday 2nd January Frodsham
Sunday 13th February Woodbank Park
Sunday 13th March Macclesfield

Cheshire Championships
Saturday 15th January Winsford

Kate
sales@ayresviolins.co.uk

Cheshire Grand Prix after Macc

Standings, and individual results in the Cheshire County Road Race Grand Prix have just been published on the Cheshire AA site. We also received a commentary from the organiser.

September Newsletter

September Newsletter in pdf (700k) and Word (150k) format

Macc Half 2004

Macc Half went well, 17 Wilmslow runners, Mike got 1:14 (not sure of position), Graham got 1:19 and placed 10th. See photos. Good day, chilly but dry, very hilly course, hint of sun as we finished. Ladies team did brilliantly, Sally, Jane and Kate finished under 1:35, Katy around 1:40 - so we should retain the Cheshire Grand Prix placing. Full results will be available on the Joe Lee site at some stage. Anyone who was there like to write a few (more) words!

Andy

Manchester Cross Country

Below are the dates for the Mens Manchester Cross Country League for your diaries. Start time for senior men's race is 2:30pm . We require a minimum of 6 finishers for the seniors and 4 for the veterans. Club vests must be worn, as there are no numbers issued. I will chase names nearer the events.

Match One - Saturday 30th October - Heaton Park
Match Two - Saturday 20th November - Macclesfield
Match Three - Saturday 4th December - Boggart Hole Clough (inc. SE Lancs League)
Match Four - Saturday 8th January - Wythenshawe Park

Regards Graham

Police Cross Country 27/Oct

For those of you that might be available on a Wednesday afternoon and fancy
a run. I am organising another Police Cross Country Race at Wilmslow Rugby
Club. You are all welcome to compete as guests. 2pm Weds 27th October

If you did the race last year the course will be slightly longer this year.
I am aiming for about 5 miles for men and 3 miles for women.

Malcolm