In the Bleak Midwinter.

Senior Cross Country
 

Midland Women’s League
 

Reports – Vicky Sharpe, Malcolm Bowyer and Paul Hawkins.

Our 12 strong ladies XC team took on a frozen course at Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton with temperatures reaching highs of -2 during the race!

The frosty conditions made the ground firm to start with but it soon got churned into slippery mud, making for more traditional XC conditions and for tough running on tired legs.

Overall we finished 13th out of 18 teams so will need two strong final races to stay in in Division 1 next season. 

162 ladies competed in Division 1 and first home for Stratford, in 21st place was Charly Marshall (26:55), she was also the 4th junior and coincidentally ran exactly the same time as in the previous fixture.

Competing in only her second race at the full ladies distance was Olivia Robinson (27:39) who was the 9th Junior to finish. Olivia followed this up with a fine third place in a Gloucestershire schools race at Newent the day after to complete the weekend.

Next was Emma Bexson (28:53) who was  20th master’s runner followed by some familiar faces to the cross country circuit this season: Suzie Ross (32:07), Bronwen Mansel (33:17), Sarah Gillard (33:29) and Emma Vickers (33:50). Followed closely by the dynamic, duo racing together, Emma Davis (35:51) and Pip Bell (35:56). We have it on good authority Emma still hasn’t stopped smiling and can’t wait for the rest of the XC season! With Pip through the line, she quickly started the patent pending ‘Stratford Wave’ to cheer fellow Stratford athletes Emily Adams (36:32), Sam Swanepoel (40:40) and Kath Pester (40:53) through the line. Kath surpassed her own expectations, overtaking multiple other runners in the final lap. 

For the full results follow this link:

https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16418&RId=3105&EId=4&dt=0&PageNo=1
 

Birmingham Men’s League
 

Meanwhile it was all hands on the deck as the club hosted the men’s and women’s second division fixtures at  Clopton Park and the Welcombe Hills in freezing foggy conditions where the runners were often completely out of sight. 

The course is a challenging three laps over wet and soggy hills, There were over two hundred men competing and the winner was Ben Holmes of Solihull in a time of 33.51. 

Stratford had 25 runners competing.

Ned Campbell did a marvellous job of leading Stratford home over the three lap course finishing in 17th place with a time of 36.19. Ned was also 3rd junior.  A brilliant performance from Rich Shephard who fought his way back to overtake some of his team mates to finish second for the Stratford team in 36th place in 37.57. Hot on his heels was Robin Hughes in 37th place in 37.58 pipped by Rich in a race for the line. 

Next was up and coming junior Tom Cox 43rd and 7th junior, who was making his senior debut in 38.20. He was followed by Sam Wilks who was 45th in 38.27 who in turn was followed by the the ever reliable Matt Burdus-Cook in 54th in 38.49.These were the first six Stratford runners who made up the A team. 

The next six runners who made up the B team quickly followed led by  first time runner Tom Southall in 65 place in 39.48 followed by Dave Teasdale in 66th in 40.01, then driving his way home was Drew Sambridge in 96th in 41.26. Sam Mercer was 99th in 41.36 and the ever dependable Tim Hutchinson 110th in 42.07 who was followed by Rob Gisbourne in 115th in 42.50, who was the last of the B team runners.

Hue Crosweller 124th in 43.39 and sprinting to the finish line Max Ross in 129th in 44.04. Steve Batsford was 134th 44.28, Nick Campbell was 136th in 44.30, Chris Beck 137th 44.33, Joe Lee 140th in 44.57, Damian Wheeler in 147th in 45.29 all who worked hard.

Never giving up fighting for Stratford we’re the final six runners  – Dave Battersby 158th in 46.28, Chris Spriggs 161st in 46.46, Richard Erasmus 171st in 47.47 also debuting for the team.  Then it was Mike Sheppard 177th in 48.27, Stuart George 191st in 50.30, who was surprised how tough the course was and finally finishing up a great turnout was Paul Baird 204th in 56.53.

Let’s hope now we can build on this great result at our next race on January 13th 2024.

For the full results please follow this link:

https://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/images/stories/bdccl/articlepdfs/XC_League_Archive/2023-24/2023-12-02-M2.pdf

A Christmas Cross-Country Carol

A timeless tale of the Birmingham League Cross Country Race as experienced by Ebenezer Burdus-Cook-Scrooge.
 

The starting hooter was dead to begin with.

There was no doubt whatever about that.

With a lack of “parp”, a dull “pfffft” carried through the crisp foggy air, and a ghostly figure materialized beside me – The Spirit of Cross Country races past. In its ethereal presence the memories of races gone by flooded  my mind. With a surge of energy, I charged forward, reliving the exhilaration of past Welcombe Hills Races and the feeling of invincibility among the front runners.

The spirit guided me along the course, invoking the essence of former glories and the thrill of the start, igniting a spark of nostalgia that fuelled my steps through the first lap.

As I ventured into the second lap, a new apparition emerged – the Spirit of Cross Country races present. This spectral guide unfolded a disheartening scene. I struggled on the ascents, losing ground, places and momentum. The hills and soft mud, once conquered with determination, now proved insurmountable as my pace faltered. The presence revealed a runner grappling with fatigue and a lack of strength, casting a shadow over the race.

Then, in the midst of my struggles on the third lap, the Spirit of Cross Country Future materialized. I fell further and further back. A revelation that hinted at a future where the thrill of the off-road race had waned, replaced by a strangely comforting premonition of discarding my trail shoes.

As I sulked over the finish line, the Specter’s warning hung heavy in the air, urging me to reclaim my passion for running before it was lost.

The Stratford team ran splendidly, not merely upon the terrestrial track, but upon the very fabric of camaraderie and shared aspiration. The very mettle of these runners, each embodied the indomitable spirit of the club.

I awoke the following morning with newfound determination.

The muddy memories of the past, the slippery struggles of the present, and the ominous glimpse of the future fuelled my resolve. I flung open my chamber window, calling out to a fellow runner passing by, “You Sir, yes you! What training session is it today?” To which the runner cheerfully responded, “Why sir, it is 1 kilometre road efforts times three with 1 kilometre jog recoveries!”

With a renewed sense of purpose, I joyously left my house, ready to tackle the training session with the same vigour and enthusiasm that had once defined my love for running. Each stride echoed with the lessons learned, transforming a haunting cross country experience into a triumphant return to the simple joy of running (on the road).

West Midland Young Athlete’s Cross Country League

Warley Woods

Report – Rachel Stevens

Before we launch into the report, there are a couple of quick notices: if you find you are on Santa’s good list and are lucky enough to get new spikes this Christmas, please consider donating your old ones to the Club for other juniors to put to good use. We are a bit low on sizes now. Just bring them along to training and give to one of the coaches/volunteers. Thank you! Alternatively, if you need some spikes, do please ask and we’ll have a rummage to see what we can find for you. Also, I’ve managed to wangle a 10% discount on full priced items at Revital Health Store, 16 High Street Stratford, for Stratford Athletics Club Members (next to ‘Fords Café’ – owned by club members, Jaicob and Eli Ford’s parents). Just say your name at the Revital till and mention the Club

And onto the race…

Well what a weekend it was at Warley Woods! But by gum, was it cold up on them thar hills! I’d love to say we were greeted by an idyllic winter scene at our favourite league venue but it was freezing fog and an unsightly mixture of slush, ice and mud that slapped against reddened cheeks and bare legs during the third race of the season. 

The banked opening 200m dash was an early test on the lungs as the air temperature had dropped considerably overnight and many were trying to adjust to the sharpness of the in-breath before ascending the first incline.

Usually our U17 ladies enjoy the best of conditions underfoot as they are always first out but on this occasion the descents were slippery from the off, with one of our ladies unwittingly surfing her way down one of them in an attempt to stay on both feet.

However, said surfer showed she can maintain her season’s best performances as Niamh Hillard finished in 3rd position for the third consecutive race.

In second slot for Stratford and achieving her highest placing of the season by an impressive five places was MJ Spriggs in overall 9^th. Thereafter was another reliable run by Abbi Cooper in 17^th, and Martha Peters ran a blinder, improving by ten spots on her season’s best of 28^th. A special nod must go to these four ladies for racing on two consecutive days, having represented their school in the English Schools’ Cup in Suffolk the previous day.

Next it was great to see the return of Emma Francioni after a long period of injury and only just back to training, finishing in overall 39^th. Then it was a determined Tilly Campbell who improved by six places to finish in a season’s best of 40^th. Overall the Ladies move up to second place. Well done, Ladies!

In the U11 Boys’ race, it was Robin Gallagher who powered home in fine form once again to take overall 2^nd place for the third meet in a row. Second boy in for Stratford was young Toby Ledgard in overall 48^thwho also returned after injury. Welcome back, Toby!

But one second after was Dexter Sharpe who made the hills look easy as he improved by a whopping thirty-six places to finish in his season’s best of 50^th position. Then making his club debut with zeal and focus was young Reuben Joyce in overall 55^th. Within the blink of an eye, it was Oliver Hollis in 58^th, improving by an impressive thirteen places; and rounding up our youngest boys was Reuben Wheeler, up an amazing twenty places on his previous race. Wonderful efforts all round, boys! Currently, our U11 Boys lie in 7^th place.

Next up, the U17 Men charged across the opening straight with a laser-focussed Zak Lambert settling early into 3rd place and holding onto that position until safely over the line. This was his highest place this season. Will Mayes also worked tirelessly to finish for the second time this season within the top ten. In a very pleasing personal best this season, James Day took overall 24^th, up six positions.  And not to be outdone on progress, Henry Wheeler also improved with a cracking run – up eight places on his previous best, as did James Mayes who knocked off six places to finish in a season’s high of 32^nd. Fantastic progress all round sees the U17 Men in overall third place.

Next were our U11 Girls. Looking superbly strong and, in arguably the performance of her young career to date was Maggie Silvers, finishing in overall 6^th position and leaping up four places in the top ten. Then it was the focussed run of young Amelie Marshall finishing in overall 14^th. Lyla Turner also made huge progress moving up to 16^th position – a fabulous improvement of 14 places on her previous race. Fflur Jones had a cracking debut run finishing in overall 26^th, whilst Saskia Atkins leapt up a fantastic seventeen places to finish in overall 45^th. Elsie Pippitone ran resolutely to finish in 36^th. Joining Fflur in her debut run were Poppy West in 89^th and Quinn Lancaster in 97^th – what an introduction to Cross Country for these young debutantes! Rounding up our youngest girls was Layla Sparrow also demonstrating very pleasing progress by finishing up nine places on her previous race. As it stands, the U11 Girls are in third place.

In the U15 Boys, we saw Sam Lambert emulate elder brother, Zak, to run the whole race in third position, making it back-to-back third place finishes. With three out of three races finishing within the top ten, it was Tom Fisher in next (10^th), with Will Hovell running strongly to finish in 16^th. Joel Ledgard (19^th) and Aran Cooper (21^st), along with Tom Fisher, should also be congratulated for running so well after a day’s serious competing at the English Schools’ Cup in Suffolk the day before. An exhausting weekend for them and their support crews! If there were ever a lesson in determination, you’d only have to look at Josh Harrison’s clenched face as he picked off countless competitors and simply rocketed his way up that hill to finish in overall 34^th. Our U15 Boys remain League leaders!                                           

Our U13 Girls saw Portia Nabney as first girl in for Stratford, finishing in overall 37^th place. Thereafter it was Georgia Sharpe, emulating the progress of her younger brother, to finish up nine places overall and move up the team rankings in second spot for Stratford. Jasmine Mothershaw pushed hard to finish 72^nd, with resolute Rachel Sparrow giving it her all in 91^st despite an unfortunate fall.  Overall, our girls are in 13^th position. 

In the U13 Boys, it was a steady performance by Kipp Stevens in 23^rd and Reece Yarnold ran a well-paced and strong race in 26^th. Then improving on their previous best positions by sixteen and eight places respectively were Alistair Durrance and Eli Ford. Alistair slipped at the start and Eli also fell later and took a nasty knock to the elbow but both raced on regardless. Notably, it was because of this pair of fine young sportsmen that the most wonderfully team-spirited moment of the day occurred: once recovered from that final punishing ascent, their thoughts turned to fellow team-mate Henry Thomas, whom Alistair and Eli cheered on with great comradery and encouragement. Enlivened by his crew, Henry responded fittingly and dug deep to give a most determined charge to the line. He finished in great style and up twenty places on his previous race. Great team-work boys! Overall, our U13 boys are in 5^th position.

Finally, in the U15 Girls’ race, it was a quick start by all, with Marijke Tear-Verweij opening her season in a very impressive 11th spot and Annie Silvers in overall 18^th also after taking an unfortunate fall. Lois Ford ran consistently well in 25^th, with Ava Sheppard showing the most improvement in this age group, up a superb nineteen places to finish in 38^th. Clearly progress is very fashionable amongst our U15 Girls as Amelia Peeke also improved by five places to finish in overall 50^th, Brooke Rossney was up seven places in 54^th, Bayleigh Stubbins finished up eight places in 56^th and Harriet Black jumped up eleven places to 61^st. A splendid display of progress throughout the group with all the girls sprinting up the hill to the finish. Well done, girls! Currently our U15 girls are in 10^th position.

Overall, SAC achieved 4^th position on the day and remain in overall 4^th position in the league, just 15 points ahead of 5th placed Birchfield Harriers.

It was a very tough ole day up in Smethwick with even our most seasoned runners finding it brutal. Congratulations to our newcomers; if you can cope with an icy Warley Woods for your first race, you can cope with anything!

Next league meet is at Pingles Stadium, Nuneaton on the 14^th of January. For those of you not at the County Champs on 16^th December (back at Warley Woods, yay!), have a Happy Christmas. And in the meantime, don’t forget those old spikes! Until next time… 

For the full results please follow this link:

http://wmyaccl.com/documents/Files/20231203Results.pdf

Results for the season to date:

http://wmyaccl.com/documents/Files/2023Series.pdf                                                                     

Valencia Marathon

Report – Susan Hunt
 

Even before the UK weather took a nose-dive, my running mate Linda and I were buzzing with excitement at the prospect of 5 days in Valencia.  Friends had promised us that it was stunning, sunny, cheap, easy to get around and (most importantly) flat.  The perfect venue for my 40th marathon.

We landed on Thursday, got our bearings and began loading our bodies with Spanish food items made of pastry and dough.

Friday was the Expo – an opportunity for shopping and much hilarity: this started on the journey there when a lady failed to notice my athletic demeanour and offered me her seat on the train.

On Saturday at 9am, despite there being no parkruns in Spain, we managed to get our 5k fix at the pre-marathon “Bimbo Breakfast Run”.

And then it was Race Day. 

The Valencia Marathon takes itself seriously. There’s a 5hr 30 cut-off, the slowest wave is “4hrs +” and they check your running credentials before confirming your requested wave.

We lined up in our allocated pens and were marched to the line.  As is tradition, we were ordered to  “Sssssshhhhhhh” and the sound of a heartbeat drummed over the hush, followed by the blaring and majestic Spanish song “Libre” (we later met a man in a bar who claimed his Dad had written it).

As soon as the starting pistol fired, the party began: with drumming bands, DJs, themed cheering stations, trumpets and crowds yelling our names (along with other things in Spanish that we couldn’t understand). The route took us out to the coast and back and then all around the historic city sights.  

The contrast between this run and my long slow solo training slogs (along the Greenway in wind and freezing rain) could not have been greater.

As the miles went by, the noise continued to grow to a deafening crescendo.  I was stunned when my watch buzzed with my 26th mile split and I saw that it was my fastest.  

The spectacular and iconic finish line sits at the end of a 300m blue matted pontoon, flanked by sparkling water on both sides.  I managed a sprint (of sorts) to cross it in 4:09:16.  

I was excited to realise that I’d run my 40th marathon quicker than my 1st (the Shakespeare Marathon 11 years previously) and even managed a rare negative split, completing the 2nd half of the race 18 seconds quicker than the first.

Linda and I agreed that Valencia Marathon had definitely delivered on its promise as we toddled off to discover that, in Spain, McDonalds also sells beer.