100 metres to 75.6k – yes 75.6k

Written by David Jones on 16/05/2024. Posted in News

Emily Field on her way to finishing 1st lady in the Bourton Mile. Emily’s time of 4:51.5 was some 22 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed lady. The race was won by Ben Robinson from Bristol and West AC in a time of 4:20.8. 179 runners completed the course. There are very few road miles run anywhere in this country so this race is a rare chance for runners’ to take on a special challenge and make their mark over the classic distance.

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A selection of some of our team members and officials from the first Vet’s T&F league fixture of the season at Worcester.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before but it’s been another busy and varied week in the life of our club.

This week’s newsletter includes reports on 100 metres, I mile, 10k, half marathon, 14.5k fell race, triathlon and 47 miles (75.6k) ultra races plus a couple of South Coast parkruns.

I told you it was varied

Last weekend saw the Warwickshire County Championships at The Pingles Stadium and we’ll hopefully have report on that next week, although we do have a couple of teaser photos to whet your appetite.

This week’s newsletter starts off with Emily Field’s superb run in finishing first lady in the local Bourton Mile road race with a 22 second margin between her and the second placed lady.

It’s then a report from team manager Hannah Osbourne on the previous week’s exciting Vet’s league fixture at Worcester.

We have a very welcome triathlon report with Paul Faithfull and son Jake taking on one with a difference in Wales. To say it sounded tough would be somewhat of an an understatement. Talking of tough, Simon Penson’s fell race in the Lake District would certainly fall in to that category

Talking about tough part 3 – It was a case of another another week another ultra. This week it was the turn of Ian Stevens, who was also competing in the Lake District in the 47 mile (75.6k) – yes 47 mile – ultra with just the 8,600 feet of elevation. Crazy.

Susan Hunt acted as a pacer in the Birmingham Running Festival Half Marathon, which consisted of 4 laps off the road relay course in Sutton Park. Having struggled to do one lap earlier in the year I’m full of admiration for Susan.

We have a couple of South Coast parkruns to report on and a typical Lesley Kirk type 10k that included sand dunes, beach running, running through a stream, up and along cliff’s and a detour scrabbling over rocks due to a particularly high tide.

Some people!

Good luck to our Midlands League T&F team in this weekend’s opening league fixture at Leamington. It looks a particularly strong team to compete in the heady heights of Division 2 following last season’s promotion.

Take care

David Jones.

Ben Kruze (M73) on his way to a new vet’s league record in the mile with a time of 4:35.8. Ben finished 20 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed runner. Matt Burdus-Cook (M74) is in pursuit.

Clare Goodwin and Alistair Webb both in full flight.

Multi eventer Mark Illingworth had an excellent night, competing in 5 events and contributing 25 points of the men’s overall tally of 117.

Sarah Bland makes light work of the high jump.

Midland Vets T&F league

Match 1 – Worcester – 8th May

Report – Hannah Osborne

Wednesday 8^th May saw the 1^st Vets T&F match of the season held at Worcester. It was a warm, sunny and dry evening and we fielded a full team, including 3 new members.

These matches are great fun, full of support, camaraderie, competition and cake. This one was no different! It was Toby’s birthday on the day which meant the birthday cake was covered.

There was a buzz as members turned up and we had a full team of officials, which are crucial to these events happening and SAC getting points! Thank you!

As is the case with being a runner, jumper, thrower… niggles & injuries happen! It’s team support, pulling together and being willing that makes all the difference to how we do and this match was no different.

Thank you to Mark Illingworth who stepped in on the evening to fill gaps and competed in the 100m, 400m, Discus, Shot & Javelin – what a team player. To Peter Sugden who ‘willingly’ agreed to walk the 2000m for a 4^th place finish and valuable 5 points and then got pushed into the 400m 5 mins after and just before the men’s relay, thank you.

With Paula on the running injury bench, it was good to have her still bring the points in on the throws. Then welcome new athletes to take on some other challenges. We had Coach and Senior Committee member Sarah Bland competing again and was seen doing the 100m, High Jump & Long Jump.

After injury it was brilliant to see Elaine Ledden back competing and willing to take on anything (including the V40 100m).

Another mention to Donna Allen who is a hugely willing and talented athlete to join us and competed in 100m, 400m, Mile & Relay.

The evening ends with the relays which is a great crescendo to the night’s events. If you’ve never seen this, get along to the next match, the buzz is electric.

Stratford finished 2^nd overall for men and women with 117 for the men and 125 for the women. Next Match is hosted by Stratford on Wednesday 12^th June.

A huge thank you to all who competed (excluding officials): David Jones, Mark Illingworth, Dave Wilson, Drew Sambridge, Alistair Webb, Peter Sugden, Paul Hawkins, Ben Kruze, Matt Burdus-Cook, Gary Wells, John Boxall, Kate Sergent, Sarah Bland, Clare Goodwin, Elaine Ledden, Donna Allen, Gemma Smith, Emma Bexson, Jill Wilson, Paula Williams plus of course our volunteer officials without who fixtures such as this could not go ahead.

Paul Faithfull – Every picture tells a story !

A chip off the old block. Paul alongside son Jake.

ROC 2024 Triathlon

Report – Paul Faithfull

The ROC is a triathlon with a difference and this year I tackled it for the 3^rd time, along with the youngest competitor, my son Jake (19).

The race starts with a 1500m swim in Abersoch Bay. Whilst it was only just warm enough to allow that distance of race, I hardly noticed as the sea was pan flat, the water crystal clear, and the sun shining, making for a glorious swim. Mind you a thermal wetsuit didn’t go amiss.

The swim went without incident and I exited with my son right next to me. The race to see if age or training would prevail was on.

Changing to the bike for the 50km ride to Snowdon and the base of the Watkins path, no wind and smooth roads meant conditions were perfect and I cruised into T2 feeling good on target for power and nutrition.

A quick change of footwear (and for sure time to put on some socks) and grabbing my trail bag, started on the “run” (ok it’s a spirited walk) up the 6km Watkins path to the summit of Snowdon (1000m of ascent). Its one of the shorter and hence steeper routes. I got to the top with my heart racing, the last km is little more than a scramble and I then turned round for the slightly more hairy descent. This is where our route and that of an Ultra marathon race coincided, so whilst it was hectic enough with tourists on the trail, it became more about avoiding other runners than worrying about tripping! You also have to wonder when ultra runners tell you ‘your mad’ for the event your doing whether you really are!

Not being a fell runner (and fearing heights and falling!) did me no favours and I rapidly fell down the order during the descent. I soon met Jake on his way up, so knew I was in the lead in our little tussle, but was pondering where fellow club mate Richard Shephard had disappeared to, expecting him (rightly) to be well ahead of me.

The up is hard on the legs, the down even harder and like many I entered Transition with calf and quad burn and still another 50km on the bike back to Abersoch to go. Still I felt ok, and set off on the bike wondering when (or if) my bike legs would come back to me. The answer for me, as for so many was no, and whilst I had managed a healthy power average on the way to Snowdon, no matter what by brain commanded, my legs wouldn’t put out more than 80% of what they had on the way there. After about 8 km I passed the forementioned Richard jogging along the side of the road. He had ‘gone the wrong way’, as it turned out a result of marshalls from the ultra, but still had a smile on his face as he made his way back to transition running a fair bit further than the 12 km the rest of us undertook.

A very hot ride later, chain off once, traffic lights in my favour (none), slightly dodgy car overtakes – one, I arrived back to the beach for the final 1km run on the sand. That 1km feels like an eternity, not a victory lap but when I closed in on the finish I could see I was under 5h 30m, my target, finishing in 5h and 27mins, 25 mins quicker than 2021 and a whole 50mins quicker than the 5 year younger me in 2019. Jake came in just over 6 hours, impressive for nearly no training, somewhat broken with some nasty blisters. We were 2^nd (25^th / 240) and 1^st in our age categories respectively and I was happy that the chap who beat me did it all on the descent of Snowdon (he’s from Kendal, say no more..). Great event and I will definitely be doing it again ! Remarkably Richard who was 6^th overall at the top of Snowdon still came in with a time just behind Jake’s even with the rather large detour! Chapeau!!

Simon Penson

Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race (14.5k, 914m)

11^th May 2024

Back on t’fells!

Report – Simon Penson

Having decided to start training for a potential Bob Graham attempt in 2025, a challenge that involves a 66k, 27,000 ft circuit of the 42 highest peaks in the Lake District in 24 hours, I just happened’ to be in Keswick the weekend of the Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race (long story-prearranged mountain biking trip…). Organised by Ambleside AC, it’s one of the staple events of the Cumbrian fell racing calendar. Having walked the route at Easter, how could I not do it?! All that being said, it’s 19 years since I last did a ‘proper’ fell race and so I was a wee bit nervous on the day.

Race day saw a stunning morning and with an 11am start it was likely to be hot on the run in. In fact with no water on the route, 300ml of water was added to the mandatory kit list.

Given my recent return to running, my objective was to get round without breaking anything and avoiding any navigational blunders. Fortunately, the conditions meant no map and compass work were needed but it’s notable that since my last forays in fell racing, the FRA have introduced a ‘no GPS or electronic navigation aids’ rule. I assume this is intended to maintain the need for mountain craft skills in the spirit of fell running, where there is usually no set route other than the need to visit the mandated checkpoints.

Wonderfully low key and friendly, it was good to start off in a field of 217 runners. I settled quickly into a rhythm using my heart rate to manage the effort on the climb, and was pleased to make the cut-off at Checkpoint 2 very comfortably. I was holding my position and enjoying the climb to the highest point on Fairfield. Realistically, I knew I was not yet fit or skilled/practiced enough to make the most of the homeward descent and focused on avoiding getting stuck on a crag above High Sweden Bridge!

In the end, it was easy to follow others who picked-out the best racing line. I managed to hold my position until the last mile or two, where the heat really got to me and I was passed by a few in better condition!

The last mile on an almost flat track was purgatory so I was delighted to cross the finish line and swap stories with the other mere mortals who had suffered in the heat.

In the end, with a time of 2:23:15 I was just about within my target range of 2-2.30 and my age position placing was not too shabby for a ‘southerner’ (12/18)! For context, the winner came in at 1:26:38, and was bashing out 6min miles on the descent!

I must admit to experiencing a real high after the event – the sun was shining and the fells looked glorious. I was reminded how much I enjoyed running and racing on the hill. So next fell race-Blisco Dash in July!

Ian Stevens. Somehow still managing to smile after 47 miles and 8600ft of elevation. Takes all sorts I guess!

The Lap Ultra Marathon Lake Windermere

Report – Ian Stevens

Emma Davis has a lot to answer for.

She convinces me that Rome marathon is wonderful so I enter (and it was)

“You should do an Ultra-there’s one twice a year round Lake Windermere , 47 miles, 24 hours to complete it and it’s a bit hilly” finds me at 5.30 am on Saturday with 900 hardy souls ready to brave the heat and 8,600 foot elevation…

The route was 95% trail and 5% road with 6 feed stations and brilliant support from the volunteers and locals.

First big climb 3 hours in and we’re in Rothay parkrun in Ambleside (Lisa was running this and the on the other side of a field when I came through), then more hills and more hills, and more hills with fantastic views.

The heat kicked in at 20 miles and the terrain was technical in places.

Later on Lisa was sat outside a pub enjoying dinner in the sun when I passed with 2 parkruns left to go. Local kids had stands outside their house with ice pops for the runners and walkers which was like a mirage at 40 miles.

I crossed the line in 11 hours 16-delighted to be 55th in my first Ultra and with huge elevation and extreme heat that day.

Would I do it again-hell yes, I’ve signed up for September when it’s run the other way round the lake and May 2025.

And if anyone needs a sales person (cars, timeshares, pyramid schemes,other races) Emma comes highly recommended…

Susan Hunt – race pacer supreme.

Birmingham Running Festival Half Marathon

Report – Susan Hunt

On the hottest day of the year so far I found myself with a Half Marathon to complete, featuring 1000ft of climb.

This would normally throw me into a panic (I’m not good in the heat); but I was as cool as a cucumber as I lined up at the start of the race . I had nothing to fear – the event was in lovely shady Sutton Park, with a sensible start time of 9am and, best of all, I wasn’t racing; but pacing (2hrs 30).

It was the second time I’d paced for Runthrough Events and I had learnt (from the Warwick Half) important lessons regarding the backpack on which my flag was mounted. This time, I wore a buff so that it didn’t act like a cheese-grater against the back of my neck and I remembered to take it off before attempting to enter the portaloo.

The Half Marathon was 4 laps of the ‘road relays’ course. There was also a 2 lap 10k (starting 45 minutes after the Half) and a one lap 5K (an hour after the Half). This start time spacing took the pressure off the parking and loo queues (there were around 750 runners in total, with 250 doing the Half).

For me, the least stressful way to pace is to keep to a target average pace; rather than worrying about time goals and mile splits. I set up my watch to display the lap pace (so that I would know if I was running way too slow or too fast on a particular section) as well as the average pace for the whole run. Google revealed that 11:27 minutes per mile was required for 2:30. A fellow pacer warned me that the course was slightly over distance, so I decided on a target of 11:17 minute miles to get me in between 2:28 and 2:29.

I remembered to start my watch on the gun; rather than waiting until I’d crossed the line – and we were off!

I then spent a happy 2 hours, 28 minutes and 38 seconds running up and down hills, encouraging runners and – most importantly – acting all important. The only difficulty I encountered was that my attempts to run in the shade were frequently foiled by my flag catching on overhanging branches; but all was good otherwise.

Sutton Park was looking stunning in the spring sunshine, water-stops were plentiful and I was doing my 2 favourite things – running while talking about running.

The 10k runners joined in on the second lap, and then the 5k runners. This meant that for a couple of laps there were lots of people whizzing past and it was impossible to tell what distance people were doing and whether their pace was reckless or reasonable (and whether they cared about me and my flag – which mainly they didn’t).

Then on the 4th lap, things went very quiet indeed. Unlike the Warwick Half, where I’d run with a happy little posse who I encouraged and cajoled for 13 miles before they sprinted away from me in the run up to the finish, this was different. The heat and hills were taking their toll. My entourage fell behind and I found myself catching and passing struggling runners, in Squid Game fashion. No-one wants to be passed by a pacer.

But never mind, I got the job done. Adorned with an impressive medal and laden with various free food items, I headed to the coffee van feeling considerably better than I normally do after a half marathon.

Once home, I checked the race results and discovered that I had finished 1st FV55 (my excitement was tempered after further investigation revealed that I had been the only runner in that category).

Robin Gisbourne

Woolacombe Downs Parkrun

Report – Karen Gisbourne

So you go to Devon for a relaxing holiday and Forest Gump decides he wants to tackle the 2nd hardest ParkRun in the UK. Woolacombe Downs also known as ‘ The Dune of Doom’ according to Nick Campbell.
That smile says it all, he’s in his happy place and completed it in 22.58 15th out of 284 runners.
Me, I did a hilly 6 mile coastal run from Croyde, so much more enjoyable and then I stood around looking smug and soaking up the rays.

Lesley Kirk – Godrevy 10k – tick

Lands End Parkrun – tick.

The Godrevy 10k, Cornwall

Report – Lesley Kirk

One of my favourite areas of the UK is the South West coastal area of Cornwall. Having visited many times over the past 60 years, I never tire of the beautiful coastline. So, finding myself with some free time, I decided to head off for a few days of running, walking and exploring. Hubby, Steve, was quite happy to have a bit of free time to himself, so it was win-win for us both.

Once at the St. Ives Bay Beach Resort, in Hayle, I settled into my comfy caravan with sea views towards Godrevy Lighthouse. The resort is nestled in the sand dunes, just a stone’s throw from a beautiful three mile stretch of beach. I have stayed at this site many times before, as it is the HQ for the three day Atlantic Coast Challenge, which takes place every October.

On my first full day, having already run in the morning, I was partway through a 7 mile walk, when I came across someone setting up markers along the coast path. When I asked what it was for, he replied it was for the Godrevy 10k that was taking place that very evening.

Well, it was too good an opportunity to miss, and despite entries having closed the day before, I was taken pity on and allowed to enter. So, four hours later, on a balmy Tuesday evening, there I was on the start line, with 130 other runners and all just a couple of miles from where I was staying!

The course is completely off-road and follows the coast path through undulating sand dunes, before eventually descending to the beach and heading back towards the start, through a stream, then up over the headland to do a loop along the top of the cliffs.

It is then a long, gradual descent back to the finish line at The Rockpool Café. The start had to be delayed, unfortunately, due to a particularly high tide (one of the marshal points was still under water at 7.30pm), but a bit of scrabbling over rocks never did anyone any harm, and we all survived, including the marshal.

A high point for me was heading back along the clifftops towards the finish, with the sun slowly setting behind the lighthouse. Magical!

I finished in 80th place out of 130 runners, in a time of 1hr 2min. Not a particularly quick time but my timing for coming across this event was absolutely spot on!

Land’s End parkrun

Another opportunity I didn’t want to miss out on whilst in Cornwall, was taking part in the Land’s End parkrun. It was 20 miles from where I was staying, in the opposite direction to heading home, but I couldn’t resist.

Packing up everything the night before, I checked out of my caravan early and headed off in my running gear.

Not surprisingly, given the location, Land’s End parkrun is quite a small event of less than 80 participants but that just made it more appealing to me. I parked up with 15 mins to spare and begrudgingly paid the £7.50 parking fee. Locals can get free parking if they can verify their address.

The route is an undulating out and back gravel track that meandered across the clifftops. Amazingly, the first person to finish turned out to be a Kenilworth runner, who had arrived to start his holiday just the day before. We obviously both had the same idea but that was our only similarity, as he finished about 9 minutes ahead of me! We spent a good ten minutes in the car park afterwards talking about SAC and Kenilworth Runners. A lovely bit of running camaraderie was a perfect way to end to a great week.

Warwickshire County Championships.

Hopefully we will have a full report on last weekend’s Championships at the Pingles Stadium next week but here are a couple of photos from the memorable event to whet your appetite.

Annie Silvers looking very pleased with herself, as well she might with a full set of medals. Gold, silver and bronze. Super well done Annie.

U17 Ruby Edwards also looking pleased with herself as well she might. She’s seen here displaying her gold medal for her 10.46m long jump. She also won a silver in the triple jump with a 4.8m jump, just 9cms off a Pb. Ruby also had 8 legal jumps across both competitions. Now that’s worth a medal all of it’s own. Sister Martha also had a superb championship competing in the U13 age category she ran 15.01 in the 100m and jumped 3.67 in the long jump.

And Finally
A friend took this photo of the 2300 year old running track at The Acropolis in Rhodes. It doesn’t look like they’ve been putting money away annually for track upkeep does it ?