Climbing a Stairway to Heaven

Written by David Jones on 13/03/2025. Posted in News

Our Fab Four from right to left: Will Hovell, Annabel Stacey, Isabella Marriott and Lila Gallinagh .
17 PBs between them. That is super impressive

Goodness me another varied week with our members’ competing in multiple disciplines over various age groups.

First off we have a report on the England Athletics U15/U17 Indoor Combined Events (CE) in Sheffield, where or 4 juniors competing managed a hugely impressive haul of 17 PBs between them.

There’s a reminder of next Wednesday’s AGM, an event that isn’t always as well attended as it might be despite its importance.

In what seems a never ending XC season, with more to come at the weekend, last Saturday we had 8 juniors and 3 U20W competing with distinction at the UK Counties Athletic Union Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park, Nottingham.

As I write this it is Kate Sergent’s birthday and on Sunday this ageless and indefatigable lady took part in the aptly named Grizzly in Devon which included the aptly named Stairway to Heaven steep incline. Kate tells me that it was er…..grizzly. She did love it though.

Simon Penson and Huw Crossweller were in Carding Mill Valley – Shropshire on Saturday taking part in a challenging fell race, while racewalker Jan McClure put the disappointment of her recent disqualification behind her to claim a silver medal at the Midland Area 5k Racewalk Championships.

Talented U11 Elsie Pipitone ran for the Midlands team in the Independent Schools Association National XC finals at Mallory Park on Sunday and after a very tough XC season finished just outside the medals in 4th place.

It has been stated on many occasions that we, as a club, are desperately short of officials. For those who might be interested in filling one of these vital roles there is a Level 1 Officials Course being held at Alexander Stadium on 14th April.

You might be wondering why the weather has taken a turn for the worse this week. It might well be because the XC still hasn’t finished. This coming Saturday is the English Schools XC Championship in Suffolk. Good luck to those competing. You can maybe get your track spikes out then.

I told you it was varied.

Take care.

David Jones.

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Isabella Marriott

Lila Gallinagh

Annabel Stacey

England Athletics U15/U17 Indoor Combined Events (CE)

Report – Paul Bearman

The English Institute of Sport in Sheffield hosted this meeting and 4 Stratford junior aspiring multi eventers Will Hovell, Annabel Stacey, Lila Gallinagh and Isabella Marriott took part alongside a very impressive new generation of British multi eventers.

With technical training hampered to say the least by the extremely poor weather this year, managing to be able to put together a competitive series of events was always going to be difficult but remarkably between them they produced 17 personal bests out of 22 events that they competed in.

Anyone who has watched Combined Events (CE) competitions, even on TV at major championships, will realise why it is recognised as the most demanding event both physically and mentally and for our athletes this was a baptism of fire with very little experience or none at all of CE at any level let alone a national championship.

U17 Will had some CE experience as an U15 going to the ESAA champs with Warwickshire last year but moving up to a first year as an U17 is an entirely different experience with it being 7 events. The shot is heavier, there is a new height in the hurdles, the introduction of Pole Vault and he was up against older, stronger and more experienced multi eventers.

His 2 day 7 event Heptathlon competition started with a PB in the 60m (8.11) and a “disappointing” Long Jump (5.05m). He then surprised himself by throwing 8.88m in the Shot and another PB.
Will finished day 1 with a PB in the High Jump of 1.53m.

Day 2 started poorly for him when he hit the 2nd hurdle in the 60m Hurdles and that destroyed his rhythm and also the chance of decent points but to his credit he finished the race and so still managed to gain some points and ironically, he still managed a PB of 11.03s.

Will redeemed himself by producing a 30cm PB in his new event the Pole Vault of 2m 70. This might not sound particularly astounding in terms of comparing him to Mondo Duplantis but this was only his 2nd PV competition and we are extremely thankful for the help of Kat Stein at Leamington C&AC for her help and coaching expertise and also lending him a pole.

The final event was the gruelling 1000m and in his heat he flew round the 200m track clocking a personal best time of 3:00.73 and so finished in 24th place and total of 3056 points.

Annabel Stacey is a 2nd year U15 and had one CE competition last year but 6 months later and “out of season” she started her pentathlon competition by a solid performance in the 60m hurdles in 10.5s, a PB.

She followed this with 4.23m in the Long Jump, 1.38 in the High Jump and finished with a PB in the Shot (6.72m) giving her a total of 2425 points and a finishing position of 16th.

Lila Gallinagh and Isabella Marriott were last minute entrants and as first year U15s are very much a pair of CE rookies and so this competition was more about gaining experience of a national CE but they pulled the stops out and produced good performances across their 5 events.

Lila’s highlight was a good PB of 1.38m in the High Jump and she backed this up with strong performances in her Shot (6.99m), 60m Hurdles (10.71s). After 2 below par jumps she was disappointed with her Long Jump but a hasty change to her run up meant she got a best of 4.15m in her final jump giving her more points.

Lila finished exhausted with a run of 2:49.17 in the 800 and was 24th overall with 2225 points.

Equally exhausted at the end of a long tiring day, Isabella posted 5 PBs and her highlight was in the Shot , throwing 7.27m. She followed this with 10.41s in the 60m Hurdles, 3.95m in the Long Jump, 1.20m in the High Jump and a good 800m run in 2:47.22. Her final points total of 2090 in 28th place

Despite being anxious and nervous, what impressed Carolyne Johnston and myself as coaches the most, was the way our inexperienced athletes went about their business so well considering they were out of their comfort zone but were also undaunted by being amongst so many talented and experienced competitors.

Combined events competition is all about swings and roundabouts with some disappointments but also some nice surprises. For Will, Annabel, Lila and Isabella they can all look back with a sense of achievement with far more highs than disappointments and they learned a lot about competing at this level and what they can work on to improve.

We always say finish the day knowing you’ve done your best and enjoyed the experience….they all did just that and all said they’re looking forward to the outdoor season so back on the training treadmill.

AGM

The AGM will take place on Wednesday 19th March at 8pm at the Sports Club, Stratford upon Avon. You can either attend in person or remotely via Teams (please see below).

Attached are the following documents:

Draft Agenda for AGM
Chair’s Annual Report – inc. notification of fee change
2025 Financial Budget – inc. details of fee change
Updated Club Organisational Structure – inc. roles to be fulfilled (see www.stratfordac.co.uk/organisation/ for more information and role specifications) *IMPORTANT – PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN SUPPORT THESE OPEN ROLES by emailing chair@suaac.co.uk*
Proposed Updated Constitution

Further information to follow:

Club accounts (Financial Year Sept 23-Sept 24)
Finalised Agenda (to include any queries arising from members)

PLEASE NOTE: Items 1&2 on Agenda : We will not be presenting this information, only taking questions arising so it is assumed you have read the attached information prior to the meeting.

REMOTE ACCESS

For those wishing to join the meeting remotely please use the link below.

Meeting link: Join the meeting now

If during the meeting you would like to raise a point, please ‘raise your hand’ so that I am aware. Hopefully the couple of images below will be helpful and use the chat as last year proved we cannot hear you unfortunately with the IT available to us. I will monitor email during the meeting so if you have technical issues please email me : secretary@suaac.co.uk

The meeting will be recorded to support taking of minutes post meeting.It is recommended to be at the meeting in person if you have a point to raise, whilst every endeavour is being taken, the effectiveness of the IT cannot be guaranteed.

Attachments

Zak Lambert

Niamh Hillard

UK Counties Athletic Union Inter Counties Cross Country Championships

Wollaton Park, Nottingham

Saturday 8th March 2025

Report – David Jones

In 1925 a meeting held in the Offices of the AAA proposed that the County Associations were the proper body to be entrusted with the promotion of an Inter County Championship and as such the Counties Athletic Union was formed on Thursday 4th February 1926. This meeting also endorsed the staging of the first Inter County Cross Country Championship held at Beaconsfield on Saturday 3rd April 1926.

Thus the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships became a major fixture in the athletics calendar and still plays an important role in endurance running, providing a high standard of competition for U13 to senior athletes.

Last Saturday 8 of our juniors’ and 3 of our U20W competed in this historic event as it approaches its centennial year.

U13G Amelie Marshall completed the 3000m course in 14:02, finishing 181st out of the 308 who completed the race. Marijke Tear-Verweij our sole U15G finished her 4000m race 116th, well above halfway of a field of 304. Her time was 17:20.

In the U20W we had 3 competitors racing over 6000m. Niamh Hillard led the trio home in 63rd place with a time of 25:56. This was an excellent run considering all of Niamh’s recent problems with her knee. Niamh was followed by Abbi Cooper (107th – 28:14) and making her County debut, Tilly Campbell (141st – 34:19).

Our U15 boys who competed were Joel Ledgard (189th – 15:45) and Arthur Williamson (240th – 16:18) over the 4000m distance.

As might be expected after their successful XC season our U17M enjoyed another excellent day with all of them finishing in the top half of the field of 290 runners. Leading the quartet home over 6000m was a delighted Zak Lambert who finished in 45th place with a time of 20:29. Brother Sam Lambert was next in 72nd place with a time of 20:47.

Sam and Archie Lane from Leamington have become good friends despite being rivals when competing against each other in the WMYACCL. Archie finishing in first place over the WMYACCL season with Sam coming 2nd in their U17M age category. They both decided to go for broke from the off. This saw them in the leading group early on but this initial burst of speed took its toll as the race progressed. Despite this it was still a highly credible result from the younger of the two Lambert brothers. Sam was followed by recent member Dougie Garnett (128th – 21:33) who was followed Will Mayes (145th – 21.42). These 4 runners helped Warwickshire secure 18th place overall out of 43 counties who fielded a full team.

The hills’ were alive with Kate Sergent

The things some people do!

Kate’s bathwater after the event

The Grizzly

Report – Kate Sergent

On Sunday March 9th I completed my 4th Grizzly, a tough off- road challenge that takes place in Seaton in East Devon and raises vital funds for local charities.

Words can’t describe just how tough a challenge it is but for me it was worth every step.

The views are simply amazing. The route takes you along a pebble beach for the first mile, it then climbs cliffs and winds through fabulous East Devon countryside up hills, through streams and bogs and mud galore. I was at times up to my thighs but I only fell in once!

The last 4 miles takes you back along stoney Branscombe Beach climbing the Stairway to Heaven, it then winds back through Beer to Seaton.

The atmosphere is incredible and the marshals lovely. Having mislaid my collapsable cup, a girl guide came out to me and I took a sandwich bag for my water, as it is a cup free event!!

I managed to make the finish ten minutes quicker than last year as the weather was perfect, even though the mud was still deep and I was nd in my age group. The other crazy old lady was 3 minutes ahead of me!!

It took me 5.40!!

Right whats next??

London Calling.

Huw and Simon.
The things people do part 2

Huw

Simon

Carding Mill Canter Fell Race

8^th March

Report – Simon Penson

The last race in the Mercia Fell Runners’ Winter Series saw a warm (almost summer) day, in total contrast to last year’s wintery conditions. Huw Crossweller and I headed over to Shropshire for the 2pm start-‘a bit like cross-country timing’ to quote Huw.

Carding Mill Valley was busy with runners and walkers and there was a strong showing from the home club.

I was in two minds about running as my leg has been pretty sore-but enough excuses! We lined-up with the assembled field of around 60 and, after a short briefing, we were off up the first climb.

The route was superb and the combination of dry conditions underfoot and far-reaching views made it a real treat to take part in.

The course was well marked and mostly on the open hill rather than on footpaths. I was particularly gratified to get a ‘well done Stratford-my home club!’ greeting on the first climb up. The rest of was tough as my knee/leg was very sore and so any pace on the ‘flats’ was out and the descents were excruciating. But I managed to finish with a smile and would definitely do it again-hopefully with a better outcome.

Huw writes:

After receiving an invite from Simon to the race I thought it would be a great change from pounding the roads with my marathon training. Plus the plan said 5km at marathon pace so a 5mile fell race sort of fits.

It was my first time at Carding Mill Valley and I can confirm there are definitely some steep sides to this valley. Luckily the sun was out this year (last year it snowed on the race).

After being herded like sheep and counted into a pen we started off with an uphill run to the foot of the first climb. 100 runners blowing up the hill huffing and puffing away. It was then an undulating run across the top looping back towards the bottom of the valley. First significant descent back to the valley floor and 5km done.

This section flew by and in hindsight I was lulled into a false sense of security. Second section up the other side of the valley felt almost all uphill. There were great views across the surrounding area. It was then a steep descent to the main footpath on the valley floor. Final trot into the finish involved skipping over rocks, stones and people out walking.

A fab way to spend a day out. Legs completely trashed. Definitely be back next year.

Jan McLure

Midland Area Championship Racewalk 5k

Report – Jan McLure

Sunday 9^th March was the Midland Area Championship racewalk at Stourport Sports Club. This comprised of a 5k distance for women and a 10k for men, plus a 2k junior race.

Having competed a couple of weeks prior at my first Indoor Championship race at Lee Valley and having been disqualified due to the stricter Championship judging standard, I was decidedly nervous on Sunday. I think it was only the glorious warm and sunny weather that eventually persuaded me to travel to Stourport for the race.

It was a relatively short field for both the women’s and men’s race, so I was one of only 5 ladies entered for the 5k, of which only 2 of us were eligible for the secondary prize of the Midland Championship (eligibility being anyone who hasn’t previously won it).

It was also my first time at this particular track, which consisted of 1km laps on a concrete cycle track. With the warm weather and fewer entrants, it felt a bit more relaxed than my Lee Valley experience. To top it off I was delighted to see a few friendly goats wandering inside a wire enclosure at the centre of the track, which at least I thought would be much more pleasing to look at and would distract me from the multiple judges and their clipboards next to the track!

After being disqualified at the prior race, I decided to take my race a bit slower than I can go on our track and instead focus on technique and not giving the judges any reason to DQ me, plus I was also trialling new trainers, hopefully designed more towards racewalking than running.

I was pleased to finish in 5^th place with a clean score sheet and no observations. My time was 37.12 minutes, some 5 minutes slower than my PB, but at least I’d finished clean.

Interestingly, in the men’s 10k race only 4 racewalkers entered, all from the same club – Birchfield Harriers – which meant aside from the Top 3 places, they also automatically won the Team prize!

Once the first 3 placed ladies were rewarded, it was confirmed that Aleksandra Majewska-Ani (Charnwood AC) and I were awarded the Midlands Championship 1^st & 2^nd placed medals respectively. So effectively a medal for myself by default, which I wouldn’t have got if I had been disqualified; so I’ll take that as another positive step on the learning curve to be a better / cleaner / faster racewalker!

Elsie Pipitone

Elsie ran for the Midlands team in the Independent Schools Association National XC finals at Mallory Park on Sunday.
Having led for much of the race, she ran out of puff in the closing uphill section to finish just outside of the medals in a very hard-earned 4th place

Well done Elsie.

Level 1 Officials Course

For anyone who who prefer Level 1 officials training courses to be ‘face to face’ – there will be one held on Sunday 13th April at Alexander Stadium.
All disciplines are being covered.
There is a competition in the afternoon at which it is hoped attendees will want to stay and put into practice what they have learnt.

Details for booking on the course can be found at https://www.athleticshub.co.uk/course-list/eng?type=1&_ga=2.122740931.994256081.1741296229-422764909.1741296229

Please share with club parents/members etc. All welcome.