Roll out the red carpet. It’s The Awards!

Written by David Jones on 10/11/2022. Posted in News

Monday night at the track was the second of the informative Technique Takeover Sessions.

It’s been very quiet week on the racing front.

The calm before the storm I suspect.

However last Monday night saw a magnificent 80 plus seniors at the track going through their paces and working hard at their winter training. It was joy to behold.

Elsewhere, Georgie Campbell ran a magnificent leg for Birmingham University in the National XC relays at Mansfield. Taking the baton with her team in 10th place she overtook 7 other runners to secure a 3rd place finish for her university.

Many of our junior endurance runners competed at the Warwickshire Schools Athletic Association XC fixture at Stratford School on Saturday, turning in some memorable performances.

This weekend is massive for the club.

On Saturday the latest Couch to 5k group graduate by taking part in a parkrun. Well done to you all, it ain’t easy.

Also on Saturday our seniors Men’s and Ladies XC teams make the lengthy journey to Stoke. Good luck to all of those competing.

On Sunday, closer to home, our junior XC teams are competing at Rugby. Good luck to the many of our junior members who will be representing the club.

As if you didn’t know, Saturday evening at Stratford School is our annual Awards Night, which along with the Club Champs ranks as an absolute highlight of the club calendar. It is an opportunity for all age groups, for all disciplines and for all sections of the club to unite and celebrate the past 12 months in the life of this wonderful club of ours.

A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Take care

Best Wishes

David Jones

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Kaili Woodward demonstrates how it should be done.

Emily Orton, Vicky Sharp and Nick Campbell seem to be enjoying themselves..

Paula Williams who knows a bit about sprinting.

Listen and learn ! Paul Bearman closely watched by Sarah Bland

Huge thanks are due to Max Ross for the photos.

Monday night at the track

Monday night at the track was a wonder to behold, with over 80 seniors taking part in various sessions despite the inclement weather.

There were the C25Kers in their final week before graduating at Saturday’s parkrun, the sprint group, Sarah Bland’s 6.30 group doing the challenging 3-6 x 1k reps interval session and fighting the headwinds on the back straight, there was the 2nd of the Technique Takeover Sessions led by Paul Bearman, supported by expert demonstrator Kaili Woodward and observed by Sandy and Carolyne and finally we mustn’t forget a couple of committed racewalkers. I dare not forget the racewalkers.

I’m told by Paul Bearman that there was so much potential in the 2 groups, both this week and last, that if it can be harnessed our Vets team will smash it next year. Bring it on.

Paul added that all were impressed with the way everyone worked through the drills, running both tall and controlled.

He went on to say. “I think the message Sarah and I wanted to get across is that all our members are simply athletes…. not road runners, XC or track and field etc just athletes under one umbrella SUAAC.

Also we are keen to use our resources effectively and try to help our athletes be the best they can be at what ever level they aspire to.”

Georgie Campbell

Club member Georgie Campbell is seen here representing Birmingham University at last weekend’s National XC relays at Mansfield.
Georgie, running the final leg of 3, a longer leg than the first, picked up the baton with the university in 10th place. Her storming run saw her finish with the 2nd quickest final leg time and in doing so she overtook 7 runners, meaning a 3rd place finish for her university out of 43 teams competing.
Well done Georgie.

Maisie-Joy Spriggs closely followed by Niamh Hillard

Bo Algate, Lucy Thomas, Alice Cottam, Maisie-Joy Spriggs and Niamh Hillard

Abbi Cooper and Martha Peters.

Bo Algate.

Warwickshire Schools Athletic Association XC Open

It was the Warwickshire Schools Athletic Association XC Open last Saturday held at Stratford School. There were plenty of our junior club members competing and a few of the highlights were as follows.

In the Minor Boys, Morgan Nabny was 6th and in the Junior Boys Sam Lambert finished in 3rd place, with Arthur Williamson, Will Hovell, Aran Cooper, Joel Ledgard and Sam Plumb finishing in 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 12th places respectively.

In the Inter Boys, William Mayes finished in 3rd place followed by Zak Lambert, Milo Cullimore, Henry Wheeler and Jaicob Ford in 4th, 6th, 8th and 11th places respectively.

In the Minor Girls, Stella Sant and Portia Nabney finished in 3rd and 4th place, while in the Junior Girls, Marijke Tear-Vereji finished in 6th place.

It was a superb day for our athletes in the Inter Girls with Maisie Joy Spriggs winning the race, closely followed by Niamh Hillard in 3rd place. Lucy Thomas, Abbi Cooper, Bo Algate, Martha Peters, Alice Cottam and Tilly Campbell finished in 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 13th and 14th places.

The top eight in each race are automatically selected for the schools Inter Counties on 19th November at Himley Hall, Dudley, where they will be competing against ten other counties.

Tudor Physiotherapy are offering a free check up and advice session for school children up to the age of 18 who have been complaining about an ache or pain that won’t go away, or who may have suffered a sports injury.

It is also worth mentioning that Tudor offer a concessionary rate to all of our club members.

If you require more details you can refer to their website: www.tudorphysiotherapy.com

or call their reception team on 01789 200935.

Below are Paul Bearman’s abridged notes for Monday’s Technique Takeover Session which you may well find useful.

And Finally

A couple of photos of members at both ends of the age spectrum. Sorry Paul.

Last Sunday was the final Welcombe Hills training session for our junior endurance group before this Sunday’s 2nd XC fixture of the season.

Pictured here are Callum Linforth, Toby Ledgard, Henry Thomas, Ben Harrison, Layla and Ewan Sparrow.

The loneliness of the long distance racewalker.
Paul Hawkins was one of the many at Monday night’s track session. He, along with Gemma Smith was practicing the noble art of racewalking.