Barlaston Ups and Downs

The clue for the nature of the race was in its title and it certainly lived up to its name as the 130 or so athletes found out within seconds of the start from Oulton Cricket Club near Stone. For almost the first mile of [...]]]>

Barlaston Ups and Downs

The clue for the nature of the race was in its title and it certainly lived up to its name as the 130 or so athletes found out within seconds of the start from Oulton Cricket Club near Stone. For almost the first mile of the course the route plunged downhill on the road until it turned into the National Trust owned woodland which, because of the recent wet weather, was a bit muddy and slippery in places.

There followed two laps in the woodland which also incorporated a steep climb and rapid descent before returning to the road. This section reduced many runners to a slow pace as they made the return climb all the way back up the hill to the finish line at the cricket club.

As this was the last of three races in Stone Master Marathoners Spring Treble Series, the usual members of Newport and District Running Club made the journey to take part and it was Tom O’Boyle, who got better with each race in the series, who was first back for Newport in 12^th place in 35m 09s, an excellent time and position in a competitive series.

Andy Coles was next in, managing to keep going up the last hill to be 39^th in 38:39 with Andrew Storey 56^th in 40:38 and Mark Deighton 62^nd in 41:53.

Aimee Mcphee was first lady home for the club, crossing the finish line in 83^rd place to record a time of 46:54. She was closely followed by Tracy Hartridge in a time of 47:07 to be 85^th. Rachel Storey kept going to be 94^th in 49:06 and Gary Bowness, who seemed to find the final uphill push hard work, recorded a time of 55:36 to be 113^th.

Sarah Higginson and Pauline Walsh kept each other company and were 115^th and 116^th respectively, recording the same time of 56:37 to complete the Newport line up.

This was probably the toughest race of the series, but all those running enjoyed themselves and vowed to come back for another go next year.

Milford Murder

The second race of Stone Master Marathoners Spring Treble Series took place on Cannock Chase last Thursday from Milford Common. This fairly tough two lap race incorporated the infamous Oat Hill just after the start and a long uphill drag of almost a mile on each lap [...]]]>          

Milford Murder

The second race of Stone Master Marathoners Spring Treble Series took place on Cannock Chase last Thursday from Milford Common. This fairly tough two lap race incorporated the infamous Oat Hill just after the start and a long uphill drag of almost a mile on each lap which sapped the legs of all the runners.

Two Newport runners John Taylor and Tom O’Boyle had a close fought race, but it was John’s endurance training on the hills that finally paid off when he finished 16^th in the field of around 120 in a time of 39:24 with Tom 17^th just eleven seconds behind him. Maurice Reid was in action again, and did well to be 29^th in 41:29 with Andy Coles 47^th in 44:50.

Mark Deighton took almost a mile to get into his stride, but managed to be 57^th in 46:32 and Helen Hadebe finished strongly to be 82^nd in 53:58. Encouraged by the other Newport runners, Tracy Hartridge also managed a sprint finish to be 87^th in 54:53, closely followed by Aimee Macphee in 90^th in 55:31.

Sarah Higginson crossed the line in 59:23 to be 100th with Gary Bowness 108^th in 63:52 and Pauline Walsh 109^th in 66:10.

As an indication of the team spirit within Newport and District Running Club, it was noticeable that not one of the club’s runners left the finish area until the last runner had completed the race and all the club’s athletes were cheered in at the end of their race.

Lilleshall

It was a tribute to the determination and dedication of around 260 runners that the first of Telford AC’s Sexarathon Series was such a success last week. Conditions for the race were atrocious, with dark skies, cold winds and torrential rain for the athletes, who had to run [...]]]>

Lilleshall

It was a tribute to the determination and dedication of around 260 runners that the first of Telford AC’s Sexarathon Series was such a success last week. Conditions for the race were atrocious, with dark skies, cold winds and torrential rain for the athletes, who had to run 5 miles down the drive from Lilleshall Sports Centre, before turning at the gate and climbing back uphill to the finish.

Over two dozen Newport runners took on the challenge and were probably glad to start the race and generate some warmth having stood round in the rain before the start.

Robin Guy headed the Newport runners and was still running strongly on the uphill return to be 30^th in 30:44. David Brown, who seems to be improving with every race, did well to be 57^th in 32:54 and Maurice Reid, who had been in the Paris Marathon only three days previously, was 61^st in 33:06, closely followed by Phil Hill in 33:37 who was 65^th.

Duncan Strowger had a good run to record 35:18 and take 92^nd and Steve Fowles, who has competed in the series on more occasions than he would care to remember, was 112^th in 36:44. Darren Churm ran well to be 120^th in 37:33 with the fast improving Alan Jenkins showing that his injury issues are behind him, finishing in 37:40 to be 123^rd.

Kevin Nicklin did well to be 128^th in 38:30 with Tony Churm beating many younger runners to be 141^st in 39:40.

Other Newport finishers were:-

Ollie Stokes                 149^th    40:11

Pauline Newton           167^th    41:22

Ed Christie                   185^th    42:31

Tracy Hartridge          186^th    42:37

Anne Strowger            193^rd    43:04

Ceri Christie                197^th    43:17

Aimee Macphee         199^th    43:28

John Metzger              209^th    44:12

Sarah Higginson          215^th    44:56

Suzanne Potts              224^th    46:53

Toni Ireland                 227^th    47:03

Sarah Murase             230^th    47:38

Gary Bowness             232^nd    47:55

John Brown                 246^th    50:17

Norma Jones               255^th    54:06

Brighton Marathon

Other Newport runners went to Brighton on the south coast to participate in their marathon along with 15000 others. This made the start very crowded, but the excellent organisation ensured that everything worked smoothly.

Guss Poyet, the Brighton and Hove Albion manager, started the race from Preston Park and it progressed uphill [...]]]>

Brighton Marathon

Other Newport runners went to Brighton on the south coast to participate in their marathon along with 15000 others. This made the start very crowded, but the excellent organisation ensured that everything worked smoothly.

Guss Poyet, the Brighton and Hove Albion manager, started the race from Preston Park and it progressed uphill for the first mile to the route’s highest point, before sweeping down to the town and out towards the sea front. Once on the front they passed Brighton’s famous landmarks such as the Pavilion, the Pier and the Wheel.

There was then a climb up past the marina village to loop round at Ovendine before winding their way back towards the halfway point at the Grand Hotel and out towards Hove and the seafront. The section between 20-23 miles was billed as “the road to hell” as it wound its way round the docks and Shoreham power station and it seemed to live up to its name.

After leaving the smell of rotting fish behind them, the runners emerged back on the seafront on King’s Esplanade and headed down Maderia Drive to the finish near Brighton Pier to receive a very large medal, an excellent tee shirt and the customary foil blanket.

Olli Stokes had a memorable day and kept going at a good pace all the way round to record a personal best time of 3hr 58m 59s. Ben Roper had a steady run to cross the line in 4:25:16  and John Stokes kept going even though his preparation had been hampered by injury to finish in 5:05:43.

Ollie will remember the day not only for recording a personal best time, but for the slogan on the tee shirt which read: “There will be days when you don’t think you can run a marathon. There will be a lifetime of knowing you have.”

Not everyone who enters the London Marathon gets a place in the event and last weekend Pauline Newton and Maurice Reid of Newport and District Running Club travelled to France to participate in the Paris Marathon as an alternative.

As they set off from the Champs Elysees, the weather seemed perfect, dry, but [...]]]> Paris Marathon

Not everyone who enters the London Marathon gets a place in the event and last weekend Pauline Newton and Maurice Reid of Newport and District Running Club travelled to France to participate in the Paris Marathon as an alternative.

As they set off from the Champs Elysees, the weather seemed perfect, dry, but a bit chilly. Just right for the runners, but a bit cool for the spectators.

Maurice set off with the sub three hour group with a determination backed up by some serious training over the past few months. Pauline optimistically set off with the 3:45 group, hoping that her foot injury and the supporting padding would hold out.

The Newport support team and spectators gave them plenty of vocal support as they passed by and there was also lots of bands and groups of fireman lining the route which kept them going when the going got tough as they ran alongside the Seine with views of the Eiffel Tower.

Pauline was feeling the pace a bit at the 38K marker, but with a drink and some jellybeans she pushed on to a rather chaotic finish and met her husband and Maurice who was already there with his partner.

They both did very well and achieved personal best times, with Maurice crossing the line in 3hrs 01m and Pauline breaking the 4hr barrier in 3hr 57m.

Ennstone 7

Half a dozen Newport runners turned up in the cool spring sunshine to take part in this seven mile road race around Telford Town Park. Sadly with many other events being staged at the same time, only 95 athletes took part which meant that the runners were well spread out.

This fairly [...]]]>

Ennstone 7

Half a dozen Newport runners turned up in the cool spring sunshine to take part in this seven mile road race around Telford Town Park. Sadly with many other events being staged at the same time, only 95 athletes took part which meant that the runners were well spread out.

This fairly flat road race started in the Arena and incorporated two laps of the park, a few inclines, including a short hill in the last mile, and some lengthy stretches on the Silkin Way.

Aimee Macphee was the first Newport runner home, overtaking Jane Chapman and John Metzger at around the halfway mark and keeping her lead to finish in 62^nd place in 62:08. Jane and John were not far behind her however, and managed to keep her in sight with Jane finishing 68^th in 62:36 and John 69^th just four seconds later.

Toni Ireland ran an even paced race to be 79^th in 65:32 with Suzanne Potts 80^th in 66:59. Norma Jones had never raced at this distance before and had enough energy left for a gutsy sprint finish to be 94^th in 79.02.

Hanchurch Hilly 5

The first race of Stone Master Marathoners Spring Treble Series took place last week at Hanchurch Woods near Newcastle. Although only 5 miles long, the race included plenty of uneven tracks and a good uphill climb just after the three mile mark as well as [...]]]>                  

Hanchurch Hilly 5

The first race of Stone Master Marathoners Spring Treble Series took place last week at Hanchurch Woods near Newcastle. Although only 5 miles long, the race included plenty of uneven tracks and a good uphill climb just after the three mile mark as well as another just before the finish. All this made the off road course a good little test for all the runners, including the eleven who made the trip from Newport.

All this did not seem to slow down Tom O’Boyle however, who, despite suffering from a cold, still managed to finish 22^nd in a field of around 150 runners in a time of 34m 19s. Andy Coles pushed on well to be 45^th in 37:22 with Mark Deighton managing 72^nd in 39:39.

Andrew Storey kept going to be 101^st in 44:58 closely followed by Tracy Hartridge in 102^nd just a second behind with Helen Hadebe recording 45:32 at the finish to be 104^th. Aimee Macphee had a good run to be 108^th in 45:58 with Sarah Higginson showing a good turn of speed at the finish to be 131^st in 51:01.

Gary Bowness crossed the line in 52:25 to be 137^th and Pauline Walsh was pleased to improve on her time and position from last year to be 142^nd in 53:58.

Another beautiful Spring morning saw around 600 runners take on the Ironbridge Half Marathon and again a good turnout of 16 runners from the town’s running club represented us with honour as they tackled this fairly tough course.

Starting in the Telford Town Park, the first half of the route followed part [...]]]> Ironbridge Half Marathon

Another beautiful Spring morning saw around 600 runners take on the Ironbridge Half Marathon and again a good turnout of 16 runners from the town’s running club represented us with honour as they tackled this fairly tough course.

Starting in the Telford Town Park, the first half of the route followed part of the Silkin Way and then dropped down into Coalport. Some of the runners found it hard not to be swept along with the fast pace and not have enough in reserve for the harder second half.

The athletes crossed the Ironbridge at the seven and a half mile mark before climbing Jiggers Bank and a real test of stamina. They eventually picked up the Silkin Way again for a long slog on tired legs back to the Town Park and the finish.

Maurice Reid was once again first back for Newport, easily beating the 90 minute barrier in 1:27:20 to take 22^nd place. Dave Brown also had a good run to be 54^th in 1:34:14 and Andrew Coles was moving smoothly to claim 121^st place in 1:39:53.

Duncan Strowger claimed a respectable 128^th position in 1:40:21 with John Taylor not far behind him in 141^st in 1:41:36. Ollie Stokes managed 1:46:56 to be 226^th with Helen Cork 256^th in 1:49:06 and Pauline Newton 276^th in 1:51:13.

Anne Strowger continued to improve and beat the two hour barrier in 1:59:13 to be 384^th with Tracy Hartridge achieving a PB time of 2:00:06 to be 396^th. Helen Hadebe ran steadily to be 424^th in 2:01:34 with Aimee Macphee 435^th in 2:02:59 and Sarah Murase clocking 2:16:13 to be 537^th.

Gary Bowness completed the course in 2:17:45 to be 545^th and Pauline Walsh was 546^th in 2:18:08. Sadly Lisa Millar had to retire after 6 miles with a calf injury.

Sarah and Graham Kenyon flew the flag for Newport and District Running Club in the recent Fleet Half Marathon. This was new ground for Sarah as it was her first ever half marathon, and although she had done her preparation and taken lots of advice from others, the nerves were tingling as [...]]]> Fleet Half Marathon

Sarah and Graham Kenyon flew the flag for Newport and District Running Club in the recent Fleet Half Marathon. This was new ground for Sarah as it was her first ever half marathon, and although she had done her preparation and taken lots of advice from others, the nerves were tingling as she joined the 3000 or more runners on the start line.

Sadly, the other member of ‘Team Willow’, Heather Hogan, was unable to race due to injury. Together they are raising money for the Willow Foundation and still happy to accept donations at http://www.justgiving.com/Heather-Hogan

The Hampshire sunshine was out early and temperatures rose dramatically through the morning. Along the way, there were many runners suffering in the heat and the last two miles in particular were a tough challenge.

Sarah’s run was steady, and as the race wore on, she gained confidence and was able to maintain a good pace, eventually finishing in 2hrs 27mins, which was a great improvement on her training times. Graham had a good start and was able to keep pushing, eventually succeeding in achieving a new personal best time of 1hr 57mins.