Events, Members, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C 06/02/22  

Thursday Club Night Leaders

  • 7 min – Nick Williams
  • 8 min – Kevin Cundy
  • 9 min – Jeremy Clothier
  • 10 min – Steve Dimond
  • 12 min(5k) – Amel Dobson
  • Walking – tba

From next Thursday 10th February, for those who feel comfortable, we will start meeting inside again in the Dance Studio in the Leisure Centre at 18.50 for any brief announcements then outside in the car park for a 19.00 run start. After the run the room will be open and tea & squash will be available again for those who are prepared to be on the tea rota. If you don’t want to go inside the Leisure Centre and are not interested in tea then carry-on meeting in the car park for 19.00 run start.

  • Thursday 10th Feb Tea Rota: Helen Renshaw

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  1. Diary Dates
  • Feb 12th – ‘parkrun of the Month’ at Thornbury
  • Feb 13th –  Glos League XC round 2 – Pittville Park, Cheltenham (no entries on the day)
  • Feb 21st – TRC Committee Meeting
  • Feb 27th – Pete Mainstone Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k
  • March 5th – Glos League XC round 3 – Old Down Country Park.
  • March 6th – Swimarathon (spaces still available – see Arthur Renshaw)
  • March tbc  â€“ TRC AGM
  • March 27th – Mob match v Bitton  4.5 miles (see below)
  • March – Membership Renewal prior to April 1st
  • April 5th – EA Run & Coach #3 – Training for a 5k pb (more info soon)
  • April 7th – Run & Rehydrate #1 – Thornbury Cricket Club (see below)
  • May 20th â€“ TRC Annual Party & Awards Night
  • June tbc – Sunday am Tester for the new ‘Thornbury 10k’ (members only)
  • July 14th – TRCs very own ‘Thornbury 10k’ (time to marshal)
  • July 2nd – Cotswold Way Relay (details to follow soon)
  1. Mob Match – Sunday March 27th

It’s now time for call to arms for the mob match! Everyone who takes part scores points for the team and points mean prizes. So, the more runners we have the more points we score. We narrowly lost to Chepstow last time and 2 more runners would have made a huge difference. Walkers are welcome, as they will score points too. The route is now approx. 4.5 miles along the Bitton to Bath cycle path and will be chip timed. The event is on Sunday 27th March starting at 18:00 (so the cycle path will be quieter). Bitton are making this a family friendly social event with food afterwards and rumours of an ice cream van. As we are using chip timing we need to know who is running to allocate chips. The club is covering the cost of your chip. Please sign up now -> Put me on the team

I will be going on a recce of the route with the Bitton Captain Andy on Sunday 6th Feb at 10:00 if anyone wants to join me.

  1. Beginners Needed

I plan to start the next 9 week beginners course on Wednesday 30th  March at  6:45. If you have any friends, neighbours, relatives or work colleagues you think might like to come along please ask them to e-mail beginners@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk

  1. Run & Rehydrate #1 – April 7th

First Run & Rehydrate of 2022 on April 7th from Thornbury Cricket Club (top of Thornbury hill). A chance to welcome in the new club year! Normal groups Thursday night club run followed by drinks. First drinks are paid for by the club.

  1. Annual Social Event & Awards – May 20th

20th May is the date for the Club’s Annual Party & Awards night at Thornbury Golf Club. We will be giving out a whole host of Club awards that evening. All tickets will be at a subsidised price as we would like everyone and their partners to be there. Please put the date in your diary.

  1. Club VLM Place

All those who entered the London Marathon ballot for 2022 should know their fate in February. If you get rejected don’t give up hope! The club has a VLM place to give to a deserving member. To be considered you need to send a copy of your rejection e-mail/letter to the club secretary secretary@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk within 2 weeks of the date to be considered for the club place. For all the rules and full process please see point 8 ‘Allocation of Club Place in London Marathon’ https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/about/committee-2/constitution/

  1. Mainstone Challenge – 27th February

ONLY ONE events to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge 27th February – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!). Challenge positions along with full results can be found:
https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

  1. Club Nights – Last Updated 04/01/22

Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms   If you have tested positive for COVID please follow Government guidelines regarding isolation and do not attend the Club. Once your isolation period is completed we would kindly ask you to take a lateral flow test which returns a negative result before attending Club.

05/02/22

Events, Members, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C 31/01/22  

Thursday Club Night Leaders

  • 7 min – Jim Godden
  • 8 min – Kevin Wood
  • 9 min – Mike Bennewitz
  • 10 min – Emma Pritchard
  • 12 min(5k) – Jim Wiliams
  • Walking – tba

Note the markings in the upper car park have been refreshed with the Group minutes/mile numbers. Please congregate in your designated areas prior to your Thursday night run. This makes it easier for the Leaders.

******************************************************

  1. Diary Dates
  • Feb 12th – ‘parkrun of the Month’ at Thornbury
  • Feb 13th –  Glos League XC round 2 – Pittville Park, Cheltenham (pre-booked entries only via Entry Central)
  • Feb 27th–Pete Mainstone Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k
  • March 6th – Swimarathon
  • March tbc  â€“ TRC AGM
  • March 27th – Mob match v Bitton
  • March – Membership Renewal prior to April 1st
  • May 20th – TRC Annual Party & Awards Night
  • June tbc (Sunday am) – Tester for the new  ‘Thornbury 10k’ (club members only)
  • July 14th – TRCs very own new ‘Thornbury 10k’ (time to marshal)
  • July 2nd – Cotswold Way Relay (details to follow soon)
  1. Doynton Horrible Hard Half

Paul’s excellent Race Report gave a blow by blow account of the event and I would like to highlight and recognise the enormity of the achievements. TRC had 19 entries and 18 finishers in a field of 418 runners. 11 of the TRC runners finished in the top 10 of their category, 5 of which were in the top 3 – Nick Williams, Sean Leadbeater, Ben Bohane, Rob Watkins & Hannah Hamilton. A superb effort. Bitton will be quaking in their shoes thinking about the mob match on 27th March!

  1. Club VLM Place

All those who entered the London Marathon ballot for 2022 should know their fate in February. If you get rejected don’t give up hope! The club has a VLM place to give to a deserving member. To be considered you need to send a copy of your rejection e-mail/letter to the club secretary secretary@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk within 2 weeks of the date to be considered for the club place. For all the rules and full process please see point 8 ‘Allocation of Club Place in London Marathon’ https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/about/committee-2/constitution/

  1. Return of the Swimarathon  March 6th 17:15-18:15                                

We currently have 6 people signed up  for the Rotary Club Swimathon taking place 6th March 17:15 – 18:15. Preliminary Closing date for Club entries is 30th January please submit your details: https://forms.gle/eFkyoDFL5FWTMt2t5 The event is open to teams of up to 6 people swimming in relay, each able to swim at least 25 metres and who, between them, are able to swim for 55 minutes. This is a sponsored event, for Made a Mark, and we are therefore asking each swimmer to donate £10 each (i.e. £60 per team).

  1. parkrun of Month – 12th February Thornbury

Next parkrun of the month is February 12th at Thornbury is a Valentines Special brought to you by Race Director Ashleigh. Please can you make sure that your parkrun profile includes ‘Thornbury RC’. Without this information Mel [Lloyd] cannot track you for the parkrun awards. Log into www.parkrun.com/signin/ using parkrun ID & password -> Groups -. Add ‘

  1. Annual Social Event & Awards – May 20th

20th May is the date for the Club’s Annual Party & Awards night at Thornbury Golf Club. We will be giving out a whole host of Club awards that evening. All tickets will be at a subsidised price as we would like everyone and their partners to be there. Please put the date in your diary. Thanks

  1. Mainstone Challenge – 27th February

ONLY ONE events to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge 27th February – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!). Challenge positions along with full results can be found:
https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

  1. Club Nights – Last Updated 04/01/22

Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms   If you have tested positive for COVID please follow Government guidelines regarding isolation and do not attend the Club. Once your isolation period is completed we would kindly ask you to take a lateral flow test which returns a negative result before attending Club.

30/01/22

Events, Results, Riverbank Rollick, Thornbury Running Club

The Race Director’s review of the 2022 Riverbank Rollick

After 2021’s ‘virtual Rollick’, Sunday 16th January saw the radiant return of the infamous but highly regarded TRC Riverbank Rollick. For the most sadistic or masochistic amongst us the weather may have been a little too kind on the runners but some good rainfall in the preceding weeks meant that conditions underfoot were still enjoyably challenging. There were a few changes necessitated by covid precautions but even without copious quantities of coffee and cake, the essence of the Rollick was well and truly evident. A fantastic on the day turn out meant we had nearly 300 runners on the start line (and luckily a similar number of finishers) and almost all were applauding our cheerful army of Marshalls and the joy of being back out on the familiar trails. 

Amongst the merry finishers were some impressive TRC racers – all of whom dual hatted and carried out their marshalling or car parking duties before stripping off high vis tabards to emerge as fully fledged athletes just in time for the start.  It was fabulous to see a TRC man in the top 3 with Sean Leadbeater coming in 2nd in a time of 1.07.09. 1st senior lady across the line and 4th overall female was our own Taryn Roberts (1.16.31) , Julia Jolley (1.37.30) was also an impressive 4th in her category and 2nd claim Ali Vaz (1.26.20) was 4th FV40 – many congratulations to all.

As always however, the success of the event lies in the fantastic efforts of the vast army of TRC club members who pulled together once again to ensure the best experience for the participants . Over 90 Marshalls and helpers stood out in the cold to cheer and guide the runners round the course and look after them before and after the trails. Without exception the feedback from the runners was fantastic. I have no idea when our Rollick Marshalls started dressing up but I know it now makes our race one of the most memorable around and Mr Blobby is now as much part of the rollick as the riverbank itself. This year we had even inspired the runners to join in the fun and amongst a variety of outfits we saw our first crocodile and bag of French-fries making it around the course. The cheeriness and humour of the Marshalls was praised by so many on the day and since then in e-mails and postings on more media platforms than I even have access to!

So to all who helped out in any capacity at all a massive thank you – you truly made our first race in over a year a great success, enhancing the reputation of TRC and most importantly leaving 300 runners with big smiles, happy memories and very muddy legs.

Se you next year 🙂

Jo Emerson – Race Director.

Events, January, Members, News, Results, Thornbury Running Club

Doynton ‘Hard’ Half-Marathon race report

Not many people wake up on a Sunday morning in January, see slate-grey skies and frost on the ground, and decide to run a half-marathon through freezing rivers, steep escarpments and rutted farm tracks.

Yet TRC has more than its fair share of committed off-roaders, for whom the Doyton ‘Hard’ half-marathon is an inked-in fixture in the calendar, rather than cruel and unusual punishment to flee from.

Thornbury’s men definitely had the A-team out, and they were rewarded with a quite brilliant team victory, defeating even the mighty Bristol and West on cumulative time.   Nick Williams was the first runner home, in 5th place overall, in a fantastic 1hr 36 mins.  That would be an excellent half-marathon time on the road, so it beggars belief that he could cross that terrain at that pace.

Sean Leadbetter was the next runner home, in sixth place, just two and half minutes behind Nick, in 1hr 38:43.  Bear in mind that this was just seven days after Sean celebrated a magnificent second place in the Riverbank Rollick.   That effort must have told in the final few miles, so to come so close to Nick is a sign of how much Sean is improving as a runner for all terrains.  He must have a fantastic coach – and he does; it’s Nick!

But that is not all.   Just 15 seconds behind Sean, and in 7th place overall, was Ben Bohane.   Ben never seems to have a bad run: from parkruns to marathons he performs with incredible consistency.  His finishing time sealed the team competition.   Ben must have a brilliant coach – and, spoiler alert – it’s also Nick!

However, that is still not all.   Behind our triumphant triumvirate, TRC’s men continued to score highly in the remaining competitions.   Rob Watkins isn’t the sort of guy who turns up for mere parkruns, or those commercial road 10ks where they give you jelly babies en route, and doughnuts at the end.   Rob’s in his element on the slippery scrambles and the sapping silt and sludge, and he reminded us that he remains one of the club’s very best runners, by storming to the finish in 1hr 47mins, 17th overall, and second in his age category.   The male V50 team was completed by Jim Godden (1hr 51) and Paul Thomas (1hr 59) and they too were clear winners in their team category.

Congratulations to the remaining TRC male runners.   It really is a significant achievement to get round that beast of a course, and they did so in some excellent times.   Ian Evans, Chris Foley, Chris Pritchard and Kev Cundy were all within 25 mins of each other, while Hugh McPherson and Arthur Renshaw both managed top-20 finishes in their distinguished age categories.

On balance, TRC’s women have had the better of the men in recent major events, and even though they were behind the men on this occasion, it was only by a fraction.   Our top team of Hannah Hamilton, Jo Plumbley and Melanie Wilson finished second overall in the team competition, losing out to Bitton by less than five minutes.   Had Taryn swapped her camera for her trail shoes I suspect the outcome would have been different!

Hannah was ninth overall, in a time just outside two hours.   It is a fantastic achievement to get in the top 10 in a race of that quality.   Jo and Mel were 20th and 21st respectively (although with much higher placings in age category) and barely 10 mins behind Hannah.  Ros Rowland (2hrs 12), Sarah Newnes in 2 hrs 36, and Sonya Bryson in 2hr 45 were the remaining TRC runners, and they capped off another great overall performance from the team.

Cross country, the Rollick and the Doynton Half have meant fewer TRC runners have turned out for parkruns this month.  However it is worth noting a handful of highlights.

Tom Usherwood has recorded consecutive top-10 finishes at the Thornbury parkrun.   Last Saturday he ran 22:24.  Simon Pinnington has been busy: he won the Wotton parkrun on the 15th January, and was just a second above the 20 min barrier, which is very good for such a muddy, hilly course.   The following week Simon ran at the newest addition to the parkrun roster – the super-fast course on the Weston-super-Mare prom – and finished 9th in 19:05.  Simon is another TRC runner honing in on the ‘national standard’ 80% age-graded score.   On Severn Bridge, Jon Welsh knocked a full 40 seconds off his course PB, and finished in 24:30.

Events, Members, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C 24/01/22  

Thursday Club Night Leaders

  • 7 min – Mark West
  • 8 min – Kevin Wood
  • 9 min – Hugh McPherson
  • 10 min – Emma Pritchard
  • 12 min(5k) – Carol Mosses
  • Walking – tba

******************************************************

  1. Riverbank Rollick

A big THANK YOU to everyone involved in organising and supporting the Riverbank Rollick. For those not on Facebook or Instagram the feedback has been excellent:

  • “Thank you for such a wonderful route and a fantastically organised event. The marshals were amazing and really supportive, makes all the difference”
  • “Many thanks for the excellent organisation and brilliant marshals”
  • “Great event, fab marshals”
  • “Huge thanks to all involved but especially to the amazing marshals”
  • “.. shout out for the volunteers who are just fab. So full of enthusiasm even for people like me at the back”
  • “Great marshals, Mr Blobby, pirates and even a priest in the graveyard!”
  • “The race organisers gave out beautiful buff instead of a medal. I love it.”

Two links that might interest you:

A special mention to TRC’s own Sean Leadbeater who finished 2nd in 1:07:09, which is sub 7min/mile over a very demanding course. Well done Sean.

The Club’s next event is the ‘Thornbury 10k’ on Thursday evening July 14th. We plan to run a tester for Club members only in June, watch this space.  Ros Rowland is the Race Director for this event and she is looking for people to join her team and help organise. If interested please contact Ros rosinacatering@blueyonder.co.uk

  1. TLC Meeting Room & Tea Rota

A reminder from last week. We have decided to keep the meeting room for before and after the run, but suspend tea for the time being. Hopefully as we move from the Governments plan B to plan A more people will feel comfortable to return to the meeting room. Remember the room is available before the run to keep dry / warm, chat and store stuff. All we ask is that you please be in the car park by 7:00pm ready to run. Check out the spacious room if you have not taken a look already.

  1. Return of the Swimarathon  March 6th 17:15-18:15                                

The Rotary Club Swimarathon which the Club has actively supported for many years is back. The event is open to teams of up to 6 people swimming in relay, each able to swim at least 25 metres and who, between them, are able to swim for 55 minutes. Please note this is a sponsored event and we are therefore asking each swimmer to donate £10 (i.e. £60 per team). So far we have 5 people signed up. This year Rotary are supporting the same charity as the club, Made a Mark. If you would like to take part and are available 5:15 – 6:15pm Sunday 6th March, please submit your details: https://forms.gle/eFkyoDFL5FWTMt2t5  by 30th January

  1. Mob Match vs Bitton – 27th March

Mob match vs Bitton on Sunday 27th March is going to be a 10k. The draft route, which I will recce with Bitton Captain soon is https://www.strava.com/routes/2913849754260676728 In a mob match every runners counts towards the final score. More runners = more points! Please put the date in your diary, we will be collecting names soon.

  1. parkrun of Month – 12th February Thornbury

parkrun of the month on February 12th at Thornbury is a Valentines Special organised by Race Director Ashleigh. Please can you make sure that your parkrun profile includes ‘Thornbury RC’. Without this Mel cannot track you for the parkrun awards. Log into www.parkrun.com/signin/ using parkrun ID & password -> Groups -. Add ‘Thornbury RC’. Thanks.

  1. Annual Party & Awards Night – May 20th

The Club’s Annual Party & Awards night will be at Thornbury Golf Club on Friday 20th May. We will be giving out a whole host of Club awards that evening. Partners are invited and more details will follow. Be nice to get to the top of the golf course hill without being out of breath and in a sweaty mess! Please put the date in your diary. Thanks.

  1. Cross Country

The next XC event is 13th Feb at Pittville Park Cheltenham. Glos League Round 2. Entry Central is now taking entries. Please refer to the XC WhatsApp group for updates.

  1. Mainstone Challenge – 27th February

ONLY ONE event to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge 27th February – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!). Challenge positions along with full results can be found:
https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

  1. Club Nights – Last Updated 04/01/22

Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms

If you have tested positive for COVID please follow Government guidelines regarding isolation and do not attend the Club. Once your isolation period is completed we would kindly ask you to take a lateral flow test which returns a negative result before attending Club.

22/01/22

 

Events, Members, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C 17/01/22  

Thursday Club Night Leaders

  • 7 min – Rob Watkins
  • 8 min – Hannah Hamilton
  • 9 min – Chris Pritchard
  • 10 min – Steve Dimond
  • 12 min(5k) – Kathy Willott
  • Walking – tba

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  1. Club Night meeting room & Tea Rota

As you know we asked for your views on the Thursday night TLC meeting room and post run tea to discuss at the committee meeting on 10/1. We had replies from 15 members and opinions were very diverse. Based on this the committee decided that we will continue with the room, as it was felt that having a place to all meet was an important aspect of being a club. Despite the large cost, approx £1,700 per year equivalent to about 68 memberships, we plan to continue. We know that many people still feel uncomfortable going inside and we hope that the situation will improve and we can all meet together again. On the subject of tea, for many it was a nice to have whilst others were happy to do without or just have water. Being on the tea rota was not popular. So, for the time being at least, we propose to stop offering tea and just provide water. We appreciate some people wanted to use the monies for other things and certain people wanted tea. Listening to everyone and balancing the views we believe this is the right option for now. We can review again as things change. Remember the room is available before the run to keep dry / warm, chat and store stuff. All we ask is to please be in the car park by 7:00pm ready to run. Check out the spacious room if you have not taken a look already.

  1. Cross Country

As you will have seen from Paul’s recent ‘Race Report’ there were some outstanding Club member performances in the Cross Country last weekend across all age groups. Particularly worthy of mention is James Harrod’s results across both XC events so far this year.  At 18 he is competing in the Senior Men’s event, finishing in a top 10 position at both races. Last weekend he was the runaway winner of the under 20’s event. Great effort James! For full details of the Club’s cross country championship please take a look at https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/teams/cross-country/results-2021-22/

  1. Return of the Swimarathon                                                       

March 4th – 6th 2022 sees the return of the popular Rotary Club Swimarathon which the Club has actively supported for many years. We are going with our traditional Sunday 5:15 session. The event is open to teams of up to 6 people swimming in relay, each able to swim at least 25 metres and who, between them, are able to swim for 55 minutes http://www.thornburyrotary.org/swimarathon/ Please note this is a sponsored event and we are therefore asking each swimmer to donate £10 (i.e. £60 per team). This year Rotary are supporting the same charity as the club, Made a Mark. If you would like to take part and are available 5:15 – 6:15pm Sunday 6th March, please submit your details: https://forms.gle/eFkyoDFL5FWTMt2t5 by 30th January.

  1. Mob Match vs Bitton – 27th March

Mob match vs Bitton on Sunday 27th March is going to be a 10k. The draft route, which I will recce with Bitton Captain soon is https://www.strava.com/routes/2913849754260676728 In a mob match every runners counts towards the final score. More runners = more points! Please put the date in your diary, we will be collecting names soon. 

  1. Cotswold Way Challenge – June 2022

Ever fancied having a go at an Ultra? In June there are 3 distances along the Cotswold Way – 25k, 50k and 100k.    Full details can be found on www.ultrachallenge.com   Any TRC Members who sign up in January can get a 50% discount on the entry fee using code: NYCHARITY22       

  1. Annual Social Event & Awards – May 20th

The team organising the Annual Awards Event social (Carol, Emma, Jonathan & Karen) has worked at superfast pace and booked the date and venue! The informal event will be a BBQ at Thornbury Golf Club on Friday 20th May. Partners are invited and more details will follow. Be nice to get to the top of the golf course hill without being out of breath and in a sweaty mess! Please put the date in your diary. 

  1. parkrun of Month – 12th February Thornbury

The next parkrun of the month is on February 12th at Thornbury where there will be a Valentines Special organised by Race Director Ashleigh.

  1. Kit Update

We have just taken delivery of club T-shirts and vests. Anyone wanting a new T or vest we now have all the sizes, so please contact Carol via kit@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk There are two hi-viz bibs available at £5 / each if anyone needs one, please contact Carol. Several people have expressed interest in the TRC hooded zipped jackets. Details of these can be found on the website under ‘Branded Club ‘ https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/about/club-kit/ These items are available directly from Linela and not from Carol.

  1. Mainstone Challenge – 27th February

ONLY ONE events to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge 27th February – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!). Challenge positions along with full results can be found:
https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

  1. Club Nights – Last Updated 04/01/22

Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms   If you have tested positive for COVID please follow Government guidelines regarding isolation and do not attend the Club. Once your isolation period is completed we would kindly ask you to take a lateral flow test which returns a negative result before attending Club. Thank you.

16/01/22

 

Riverbank Rollick, Thornbury Running Club

TRC’s Riverbank Rollick tomorrow – final update

Hi all involved in the Rollick tomorrow,

There have been no last minute changes that you need to know about except for a slight course change on Moray Sloan’s section at about 2.5 miles involving Marshal points 11,12,13 & 14 . This change avoids a locked gate and a field full of sheep and now follows the public footpath through a stables yard close to position 11 (Ian Evans).

The latest Organisation schedule is here (V8) Rollick Race Day Org 2022 v8 pdf      Map here (not changed)

We have just over 300 entries tomorrow but with the usual drop outs we expect around 240 to actually run – start at 10.30 with leaders back in just about an hour. We have a ladies team of “Last Runners” so when they have passed by you can clear up and head back.

The weather looks kind tomorrow – it may rain overnight but there is minimal chance of rain after 10am tomorrow. 6 deg, cloudy and a light wind (7mph)

It would be good if everyone would consider doing a Lateral Flow Test for tomorrow. We have asked all the runners to consider doing one as well. We will do what we can to keep everyone safe – face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer and social distancing – and we won’t be having any sort of party (work related or not) afterwards!

As a thank you to all the Marshals and helpers you can pick up one of the specially commissioned ‘Riverbank Rollick’ buffs from the finish area or at Club next Thursday or by contacting Jo Plumbley directly.

Any last minute issues contact Jo Plumbley (07860 623312) or Arthur Renshaw (07810 300025)

Thanks again and have a safe and enjoyable day tomorrow.

15/01/22

Cross Country, Results, Thornbury Running Club

Moguls and Molehills – cross-country race report, 8th January

How we love the fast-draining limestone soil of the Cotswolds!   

The Gloucestershire County Championships took place at the Cotswold Farm Park, and despite a fortnight of almost continuous rain it was remarkable how much actual grass we had to run on, even on lap 3 of the senior men’s race, some three hours after the competitions began.   

The start and finish took place on what the organisers called the ‘bumpy field’ which was full of moguls, hillocks and tree-roots, before a testing long section through fields and wooded paths.

The senior women’s race was combined with the men’s over 65s.  As the women sprinted for the sanctuary of the finish line with the occasional septuagenarian in hot pursuit, I did suggest to the organisers that they played the Benny Hill theme tune over the loud-speaker, but they just told me to stop bothering them and go away.

Taryn Roberts was the first TRC woman to finish, and demonstrated that her recent resurgence in form is continuing by securing an excellent 5th place overall in 33:42.   That should qualify her to run for the Gloucestershire team in the UK inter-counties championships.

Equally impressive, and less than 2 minutes behind Taryn, was Melanie Wilson who recorded a 5th place placing in her age-category competition.   Mel pipped team captain Hannah Hamilton to the line, but Hannah was significantly hampered by a nasty fall during the race that cost her a lot of time.   After the race her swollen knee resembled a 3-dimensional, scale-model of the aforementioned ‘bumpy field’.    Despite the accident Hannah should also have qualified, with Melanie, for the county team.

Some of TRC’s best endurance athletes filled the next few places – all of whom recorded comfortable top-10 age-category results.  It was great to see the talented Natalie Bennett on the cross-country course.  She was home in 36:23.   Jo Plumbley was next for TRC in 37:23.    Clare Watt and Ros Rowland were, not surprisingly given their abilities, first and second respectively in their age-categories.   Carol Mosses also ran a strong race to complete the line-up.

Arthur Renshaw was the clear winner in his age category, and he exudes such an aura of invincibility that none of his contemporaries were willing to line-up against him.   (are you trying to say he was the only runner?   Ed.)

The men’s race was very competitive up at the front, with UK inter-county places on offer.   The men had to circle the bumpy field five times in total, with three long laps around the main part of the course thrown in too.   The underfoot conditions remained good, but the pinch points at the corners were now very slippery indeed.

James Harrod has been injured for much of the past two months, and so was severely lacking in any form of speedwork coming into this race.   He began cautiously but was rewarded with a storming final lap as he worked his way through the field to finish in 9th place overall, and the runaway winner in the U20s competition.    A muddy, hilly 10k in 38:17.

Andy Wilson produced arguably the performance of the day for TRC’s men.   He was 39th overall in 42:03, but that was a big improvement on his last outing.   Andy has undoubted speed and talent, but until recently had been fading towards the end of the longer races.   His steady endurance training over the winter is already paying dividends as he paced his run to perfection this time around.   I am very confident that he will make further progress up the field in the next few races.

The ever-reliable Ben Bohane just lost out to Andy this time, finishing in 41st place in 42:30.    There then followed a sizeable gap to some of the TRC veterans, although they were consoled with some top 10 age-category finishes.   James had time to scoff a few slices of cake before watching his dad, Paul, slip-slide around the final corner like a malfunctioning milk-float:  52nd in 44:21 but 8th in category.   George Evans improved on his last outing, and was 6th in category, and 55th in 45:03.  X-country captain Jim Godden was less than a minute behind, and an excellent 5th in his category.    Will Hamilton was closing in fast on Jim and secured 63rd place overall in 46:17.   Paul Saville was the final member of the team home and should be pleased with a top-10 age category finish as well.

In the overall competition Thornbury’s men were fourth overall, and the ladies, fifth.   Both teams missed their top-scoring senior runner from last time around, (Laura and Sean), and the men’s team in particular has several other luminaries to call upon in the future.   Please put the next race, on the 13th February, at Pitville Park in Cheltenham, in your diaries.

Members, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C 10/01/22  

Thursday Club Night Leaders

  • 7 min – Nick Williams
  • 8 min – Kevin Cundy
  • 9 min – Mike Bennewitz
  • 10 min – Arthur Renshaw
  • 12 min(5k) – Jim Williams
  • Walking – tba

Tea Rota

  • 13/01 – Clare Watt
  • 20/01 – Alison Dyson
  • 27/01 – Elizabeth Dix

As a reminder the room is available before the run to keep dry / warm, chat, store stuff etc. All we ask is please be in the car park by 7:00pm ready to run. Check out the spacious room if you have not taken a look already. Face Masks are required to move around the Leisure Centre.

If you are unable to make the Tea rota date please arrange for somebody to take your place.

*************************************************

  1. Gloucestershire County XC Championships

Well done to all 17 TRC Members who ran in the Gloucestershire  Championships on Saturday.  No doubt a comprehensive report from Paul is to follow.

  1. Riverbank Rollick – Sunday 16th January 2022

Race day next Sunday and we have filled all 93 places with helpers. We now have 300 entries. A full schedule of Marshals & Helpers together with a map of the course has gone out to all Members – if you haven’t seen your own copy please contact Arthur Renshaw chairman@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk  (07810 300025) If you are a Marshal please make sure you have spoken to your Team Leader and have arranged to pick up your Marshall bibs and other kit and you know where you have to go. Letters have gone out to all properties & stables etc around the course. We will be at the Castle School sports Centre from 08.30 on Sunday. Race starts at 10.30 with first Finishers back by about 11.25. Any questions see Jo Plumbly Race Director.

  1. Mob Match vs Bitton – Sunday 27th March

The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed in last weeks ‘Things to Look forward to in 2022’ a mob match vs Bitton on 27th March. This is an away fixture and Bitton are planning the route. Please put this in your diary as we need everyone in the club to join in. As a reminder in a mob match every runner counts toward the final score. Scoring is in descending order, so if for example there are 90 runners, the first person scores 90, second scores 89 down to 90th scoring 1 point. All the points are added up and the team with the most points wins. Simple! As everyone counts there is a big advantage in having more runners out than the opposition. More details to follow and we will be collecting names soon. For now please just put the date in your diary,

  1. Sports Massage

Just a reminder that Jason at Thornbury Sports Massage (other massage providers are available) is still offering % to TRC members. If you take a look at his Google Reviews you will see some familiar club member names with glowing recommendation. Normal price £50/session, reduced to £40 for a block of 3 but happy to offer £40 for one off sessions for TRC members. Contact Jason on 07974 181049

  1. Cotswold Way Challenge – June 2022

Ever fancied having a go at an Ultra? In June there are 3 distances along the Cotswold Way – 25k, 50k and 100k.    Full details can be found on www.ultrachallenge.com   Any TRC Members who sign up in January can get a 50% discount on the entry fee using code: NYCHARITY22

  1. Pete Mainstone Challenge – 27th February

ONLY ONE events to go in the 2021-22 season. Pete Mainstone Challenge 27th February – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!). Challenge positions along with full results can be found:
https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

  1. Club Nights – Last Updated 04/01/22

Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms   If you have tested positive for COVID please follow Government guidelines regarding isolation and do not attend the Club. Once your isolation period is completed we would kindly ask you to take a lateral flow test which returns a negative result before attending Club. Thank you.

09/01/22

 

Members, News, Results, Thornbury Running Club, Uncategorized

December parkrun results – and Pete Mainstone Challenge

Thornbury Running Club members dominated the local parkruns in December, with our tally of first-place finishers surely* a record. It has certainly capped a fantastic year for the club, and our thanks must be extended to the amazing volunteers who kept the parkruns going through the late autumn and early winter.

December 4th was ‘parkrun of the month’ at Severn Bridge. This was during those halcyon days before it became a criminal offence for runners to congregate and run alongside Welsh motorways. Apparently good ventilation helps prevent the spread of Covid 19, and so one would have thought the furious gales whipping down the Wye Valley would make the event “safe,” but apparently not.

Anyway, huge congratulations to Sean Leadbetter for winning the race in 18:25, thereby joining Laura Orna as the only TRC member to be first-finisher at this event which attracts a lot of speedy runners from across the region, due to the downhill finish and PB potential (wind-permitting). Alan Gatling was 7th overall in 21:37, and Nathan Darkin 9th in 21:52, surely* the only time we’ve had three in the top ten at this event.

There was a suggestion on the day that the M48 was closed to traffic, and concerns over a wasted journey meant that Hannah Hamilton decided not to make the trip. There then followed frantic calls to her agent from the other parkrun directors, before she elected to run at Wotton. Needless to say she surfed the mud in spectacular style to win her race in the aesthetically pleasing time of 22:22. At the Mundys, Ben Bohane came first in 19:37, leading, as always, from the first few strides, with Paul Thomas in third in 21:03.

December 11th was the only week of the month where TRC didn’t notch up a first-place at a local race. However Nick Williams won the Brueton parkrun in 17:42 – a fine victory in a field of over 200 runners. Lizzie Williams was just outside the top 10 in her race in 23:49.

Other notable performances came from Moray Sloane, 7th at Thornbury; Taryn Roberts, third at Chipping Sodbury, and homing in, once again, on the 20 min barrier, with 20:31; plus Kevin Arnold, sans 50kg backpack this time, with an excellent 12th place on Severn Bridge. However performance of this week must go to Simon Pinnington (20:46) and Gary Slater (20:50), third and fourth respectively at Wotton. Both men compete in an age-group that would merit a round of applause and a modest raise of the bat in a cricket match, and they showed the youngsters how it’s done by recording strong 70% plus age-graded scores. On a flat, tarmac course they’d both be mightily close to 80% I believe, which Parkrun UK says is ‘national standard’.

Jim Godden missed that mark by 0.03% on December 18th at Chipping Sodbury – that early Christmas glass of prosecco the night before counting against him in the agonising sprint to the finish. Still, 14th place, in 19:53, and as close as makes no difference to 80% age-graded score, is proof that Jim is running as well as he ever has. In the same event Catherine Dack just missed out on a top 10 finish, running 25:30.

Dylan Roberts won the Mallards Pike race in a brilliant 17:28, although with modest assistance up the steep bits from his canine companion. At Thornbury, the incomparable Clare Watt was first finisher in 23:39, also missing an 80% age-graded score by a fraction, but the heavy ground of the Mundys in mid-December, means she is significantly above that benchmark in reality. She was backed up by Richard Jackson (22:59) and Moray Sloan (23:12) who recorded top-ten finishes in the men’s race.

Christmas Day fell on a Saturday this year, and so it was fantastic to see so many parkrun events take place. Once again, we can’t thank the volunteers enough for giving up their precious time on this most special of days. The turnout from TRC members was also impressive, with over a dozen members keen to offset their pigs-in-blankets with a bracing three-miler in the mud.

The Watt family were at Warwick Racecourse, and despite the going being good-to-soft at best, Clare still came close to an 80% score with a 4th place finish in 23:55. John ducked under the 30 min barrier, and was allowed roast potatoes at lunch as a result. Poor Andrew Darton has had a miserable year with injuries, but still finished inside the top 10 at Hentstridge parkrun. Wishing him a full return to racing form in 2022. Finally, Chipping Sodbury always schedule their event on Christmas Day, and four of our most venerable members donned their Santa hats for this one. Nick Langridge doesn’t even take Christmas Day off from being awesome; he ran within a rounding error of an 80% score to finish in 22:03. Kevin Wood ran an excellent 24:30, Chris Foley 26:45, and John Francksen 33:20.

Finally, Dec 19th was the date for the Chippenham ‘Shortest Day’ 10k, and the latest event in the Pete Mainstone Challenge. I ran the ‘Longest Day’ version, which was held one sun-dappled evening in June, a contrast to the cold, wind and mud of last month. The course is a good one, but runners climb gradually for most of the first 9km and then you go sharply downhill for the final 1000m. The net effect is that you can’t go as fast as you’d like on the downhill, and the cumulative effort of the climbing means that this not a PB course, especially in the winter.

That makes Sean Leadbetter’s performance all the more remarkable. Sean was fifth overall in 36:25, beaten only by some of the most seriously committed club runners in the region. Sean was spotted in the pre-race photo sporting an outlandish woollen bobble hat that ought to have to led to his disqualification on sartorial grounds, but that fashion crime aside, he delivered one of the very best results by a TRC member across the whole of 2021. Well done Sean!

Nick Langridge maintained his Vadar-like grip on the top of the overall leaderboard with a typically consistent run of 46:71, second in his age-group. Kevin Wood just missed getting under 50 minutes, but was rewarded with a fourth place age-category result. John Welsh ran 53:19 and Carol Mosses finished in 80 mins.

*writer shorthand for “I can’t be bothered to check”.

For runners of all standards