MALDWYN HARRIERS NEWS AND RESULTS UPDATE – OCTOBER 2014

No Race Series or Club Championship to report on this month, but there is still plenty going on, not least a couple of big city half marathons, some punishing hill/mountain races, our adult foray into cross-country and news of a bit of sponsorship, which is where we’ll start:

La Terrazza Restaurant, Newtown, sponsors leaders’ t-shirts

We are delighted to reveal that Newtown’s premier Italian eatery, La Terrazza, has sponsored our ladies’ group leaders’ t-shirts.

Gino Malvone of La Terrazza Italian Restaurant, Newtown unveils the new leaders’ t-shirts alongside local supermodels Jill Hillman and June Jones and a pair of daps. In the event the girls were relieved that a wide-angle lens was not needed despite what

that chap from the County Times said! (Photo: IF)

Maldwyn Harriers Summer Race Series and other club races 2015

Some important dates for your 2015 diaries:

Chocoholics 5k, Good Friday, 3rd April*Newtown 10k, Sunday, 3rd May*Gregynog Trail Race, Saturday 13th June*

Newtown BBQ 5km, Friday 3rd July*Neil Howells Memorial Race, Friday 14th August*Source of the Severn, Sunday 6th SeptemberCorndon Three Peaks, Sunday 20th December

Races marked with an * denote summer race series events.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Herefordshire Winter League, 19th October 2014

More than 20 of our big boys and girls supported our first incursion into the Herefordshire League and were rewarded with a number of fine performances

Chris Atherton was our first finisher in a splendid 7th place and received able support from Sean Clarke (17th); Martin Copus (22nd) and Glyn Fletcher (26th) to ensure that our men’s A team claimed 5th place from 17 teams (which included Maldwyn B and C teams). Not a bad first effort.

The women were also able to field three teams with Andre Hutchinson the first to dock in 20th place ahead of Georgina Fletcher (30th) and Diane Jones (34th). These three counted as scorers for the A team, which finished in 9th spot.

A good debut then, over a course which lived up to its billing as a bit of a toughie and would have delighted many of our fell running fraternity.

Full results for Fforest Fields can be accessed via a link on our website homepage and also by logging on to our facebook page.

Sunday school outing (before shot) (photo:

Beryl Roberts)

Our X-C Captain, Ifan Jones, writes:

"All in all an excellent start to our Herefordshire League campaign. We had a very good turnout and it was great that people enjoyed themselves. Thanks to everyone for their support.

On a light note, no names and no pack drill, but it might be a good idea if certain individuals went a bit easy on the "pop" the night before a race, while it was also clear that, for one or two, six miles just wasn't enough and they decided to take a longer route! Now that's what I call keen.

The next race is at Croft Castle on 9th November and by now details will have been sent to those who have expressed an interest. Hopefully we'll see you there for more fun in the mud and on the trail. In the meantime if you have any questions please contact me at ifanljon@gmail.com

Meanwhile here is a personal account from Ian:

“It’s funny what a mid-life crisis and the passing of time can do. The last time I attempted Cross-Country was when I was 14 years old when, in school, the PE teacher would send us up to the top of a nearby hill and back down again. It wasn’t a particularly joyous experience and was something my old man (a cross-country and track stalwart) would dismiss scornfully as something called “fell running”. So there’s the root cause of my hill phobia identified then.

Fast forward 40 or so years and I am charged with making discreet enquiries with contacts in the Herefordshire League as to whether they would entertain a bit of cross-border interloping on our part. As it happened they would (huge thanks to them). Ifan Jones duly took on the role of cross-country co-ordinator and, together with Caroline Orrells, did a tremendous job in drumming up support from the membership. So much so in fact that even with a number of apologies due to other commitments more than 20 of us assembled at Maldwyn Leisure Centre at the appointed hour, whereupon the pioneering wagon train of cars and vans wound its way to Fforest Fields near Hundred House for our first Herefordshire League experience.

We parked on a windswept field in the shadow of some pretty steep looking hills. Glyn Fletcher nudged me and said, with rather too much relish I thought, that he reckoned we’d be running up those. One glance at a couple of our road running fraternity who were shaking their heads and puffing out their cheeks and it was clear that they’d already come to the same conclusion. Ah well, we’d been promised “notoriously challenging” and the organisers, it seemed, had been true to their word.

Following the usual preliminaries including desultory warm-up, it was time for the off (it was one of the races in the series where the men and women ran the same course and started together). True to plan I started cautiously and then steadily

worked my way backwards towards the rear of the field. So far so good, but we were soon into the climbs and that is where, at about the mid-point of the race the lack of basic let alone race fitness and absence of mental fortitude kicked in. I did the unforgiveable and started walking. Just a few paces on this occasion but it was enough – once you take one breather you are more inclined to take another and maybe just another...

Still, by the time we crested the hill I was back within eavesdropping range of a couple of Hay Hotfooters and really fancied my chances of joining in the conversation on the long woodland descent. Not a bit of it! They flew off down the trail like a couple of Tolkien’s elves on a diet of cheap pop while I inched and cursed my way over tree roots and into trees, stumbling more times than was good for my rhythm, morale and already strapped-up ankles. By the time the trail had bottomed out I was being caught and in one or two cases passed by runners who weren’t even in sight when we entered the wood. One such adversary was that race-savvy old warrior Steve Orrells who, after we had exchanged brief pleasantries, began gradually pulling away and continued to do so. Then there was just one more mile or so of undulation followed by a gradual downhill stretch; a quick skirt of the pond and, if not quite a sprint finish then at least a dignified one.

There followed the usual handshakes and back slapping and also, from me at least, the shaking of head and mutters of “hated that” and “never again”, but it was clear I was in a minority of one. Everyone had enjoyed themselves and, considering it was our first time, the team had acquitted themselves very well. By the time we’d consumed our tea and cakes (how come people who finish behind you can still beat you to the refreshments?) and carried out an enthusiastic post-mortem on the race the painful memory was already being forgotten and I had began looking ahead to the next race at Croft Castle on 9th November. Barring illness, injury or a massive win on the lottery I should be there and hopefully you will too. Not only is it great exercise but it does wonders for camaraderie and team spirit and, for individual members, there are no race entry fees – so more bang for your membership buck.”

(Ian Fraser (aged 53 and ¼ and last but two in the sack race))

Mud Runner, Eastnor Castle,12th October 2014

It may have been regular cross country for some of us but our resident “Lord and Lady Muck” could not be tempted away from their regular hardcore Mud Runner fix, with Jill Hillman completing the gunge run in 1 hr 35:42 and Paul Hillman in 1 hr 42:34, just four seconds ahead of son Tim. Who says that on a Sunday families need to bond over the dinner table?

FELLS/MULTI

Rab Mountain Marathon, 27/28 September 2014

Apologies for the late reporting of this one, not least to Alex Kendall who finished in overall 9th place (12 hrs 24:39) in this 2-day marathon event and Paul Beeson, 65th

in 11 hrs 20:05. If anyone can explain the handicap system used to score these events then we’d love to hear from them. As matters stand we reckon Newton, Einstein and possibly even Dave Peters might struggle to understand it.

Breiddens, Criggion, 5th October 2014

Tim Davies (Mercia) scored a comfortable victory in a time of 56:11 while Bernie Jones was 51st (79:43)

Aberystwyth Twin Peaks 7, 12th October 2014

The annual Twin Peaks race takes in the bracing promenade and harbour at Aberystwyth but more tellingly the slopes up and down both Pen Dinas Monument and Constitution Hill – a not insignificant ask. Stout hearted Maldwyn Harriers Ed Davies (35th in 54:27) and Bernie Jones (61:15 for 68th) enjoyed the sea air and the views. 136 made it back to the candy floss stand intact.

British Fell Relays, Sedburgh, 19th October 2014

OK so there was no Maldwyn team but much club interest as the Davies family decamped en masse to the Lake District for the annual fell running relays which again attracted a huge number of team entries. Bothers Tim and Andy Davies featured prominently in the Mercia A team which finished a fantastic fifth overall and which could have been higher still had Andy not struggled with an ankle injury. Meanwhile father and daughter Ed Davies and Jacqui Loxam ran as part of a mixed Mercia team which managed to show 60 or so other teams a muddy pair of heels plus a large number who failed to complete the race.

TARMAC

We’d missed that Andre Hutchinson had successfully negotiated the Great North Run in September with a 1 hr 54:09 clocking. Apologies, Andre.

Sparkasse Marathon der 3 Länder, Bregenz, Austria, 5th October 2014

Regular readers will be aware that Claire Abel likes to combine running with her love of travel, on the basis that “running takes you places”. Well this time Claire outdid herself to pick a super race which mostly followed Lake Constance and straddled three countries – Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Not only that but it also marked

what she reckons is her “one and only Marathon” and which she completed in 4 hrs 04:14 having gone through the first half in around 1 hr 54.

Claire takes up the story:

“It was a baking hot day - I think the best weekend they've had all summer. A lovely flat course with lots of support, which, in German, means a lot of people cheering "hop, hop, hop". The course was Germany, Austria, Switzerland and back to Austria and the best sight along the route was the cowbell quartet playing huge great cowbells in their lederhosen. I didn't quite get my target time but I was happy.....except for the post-race treats which included fruit, pretzels and beer. Not bad you say? It was alcohol free Erdinger...I don't recommend it! Back at the hotel in the mountains we celebrated with real beer!”

Somehow we think Claire might be back for more 26.2 mile action and a pop at that 4 hr mark.

Claire Abel on her sightseeing tour of the “Three Countries”

Cardiff Half Marathon, 5th October 2014

Another goodly contingent of club members made the southerly trek to this year’s Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half. Helen Owen although not credited to Maldwyn is most definitely one of ours and we are delighted to report that she finished in a new PB time of 1.47:58. Another un-credited Harrier, Jamie Dumayne, berthed in 1.57:29 on his debut while David Johnson was the first official flag-flyer back to North Road in a chip time of 2.01:12. Sue Carroll (2.09:04) and Reece Moles (2.09:31) weren’t too far behind, while a little further back were:

Jan Shanahan (2.18:03)Sylvia Price (2.37:43)Amy Sharp (2.40:29)Belinda Bryant (2.46:55)

Congratulations to all on their 13.1 miles achievements.

It should also be noted that on the same day as Cardiff, Andrew Davies, ran a season’s best 66:40 to finish 9th (second placed British runner) in the Great Scottish Run half marathon. Glad to see that joining Stockport doesn’t seem to have blunted his edge (we jest of course).

Birmingham Half Marathon, 19th October 2014

Congratulations to Haf Leonard who, following last year’s injury hit race, returned and knocked half an hour off her previous time, finishing in 2 hrs 26:41.

Snowdonia Marathon, Llanberis, 25th October 2014

It’s described as one of the toughest in the UK yet Snowdonia Marathon has twice been voted most popular marathon in the Country and has grown from just a few hundred runners at its inception to a record 2,500 entrants this year.

Five members of Maldwyn Harriers competed in this year's race with Jamie Loxam finishing an excellent 5th place overall in a time of 2 hrs 48:15. He was followed home by clubmates Rob Martin (4 hrs 09:41), Sue Carroll running for Severn Hospice (5 hrs 16:12), Caroline Orrells (6 hrs 30:44) and Mandy Mullet (6 hrs 30:46) in windy and often wet conditions to add to the unrelenting climbs around Snowdon.

We’re not sure to what extent our colleagues were able to enjoy the stunning vistas (the race has also been described as one of the most picturesque in Britain) but as seen on S4C, Mandy had sufficient presence of mind to ask a question of one onlooker who was heard to give a most civil not to mention diplomatic response. Clearly he wasn’t from the club, then.

Sue models her new autumn fashion range (photo: Diane Jones)

As seen on TV – Caroline and Mandy (chap in garden maintains stony silence) (photo: Diane Jones)

Jamie powers to 5th place finish (photo: Diane Jones)

Here’s Caroline’s account to the build-up and of the race itself:

“It sounded a lovely idea all those months ago. Plenty of time to get fit and lose weight, I am sure I say this every year. One of my personal challenges this year was to conquer the Snowdon Marathon having failed to finish one year and had to give up at mile 16. Although I have completed London marathon several times Snowdon is claimed to be one of the hardest marathons to take part in and I really needed a

challenge to get me running again after several months off. No particular time in mind just to get around without the dreaded DNF by my name. Good intensions started well but over the coming months my exercise routine sadly lacked, few long runs and a few good long walks including a 26 mile walk was all I could manage along with the odd few little bike rides thrown in when I didn't have time to go for a long run.

Marathon day loomed on the horizon I was quite relaxed for once knowing that I wouldn't be able to get round in a quick time and I would just do what I could do on the day. Three of us travelled up the day before with lots of laughter (not nervous laughter either) with two men supporting us. On the way to Llanberis we travelled on part of the course which we would be running up, it was quite a steady climb from the start to top of the hill. Although we go up steeper hills on our Sunday runs they aren't as long.

We dropped our luggage off in Caernarfon where we were staying and went back to register. You get a bit nervous seeing all the fit looking runners in their lycra hovering around the various stalls. It seems a bit more real when you are given your number and t shirt and then panic what should I wear on the day. We caught up with friends and off to Pete’s Eats for tea before heading back to Caernarfon where again we met friends who had come up to support us on the day.

An early night was required - trust us to pick a room where even when the window is closed the loud music filters through from the pub opposite along with the screams from women and high heels clattering along the street which could be heard all night long. Don’t people realise how loud the noise travels at night even with a pillow stuck over your head!? Didn't get much sleep that night but up early ready for the next dilemma - what to have for breakfast?

You feel that you should go the full works especially as you are away from home and paying for a breakfast, but I didn't go mad. There were still 3 hours to go until the start of the race. Time flitters by very quickly when you have so much to do before the race starts and we were soon lining up, sizing everyone up and they all looked a lot fitter and faster than me. Off we went along the windy road to the top of the first pass, only problem was the first water stop was empty by the time we got there. Was this a sign of things to come all along the route? Slight panic as we hadn't got our own bottles with us as according to the paperwork there should have been plenty of water stops all along the way. Thankfully subsequent water stops were brilliant. The water was in small jelly like cartons and was quite easy to drink with the second half offering isotonic drinks as well. Gels were also on offer if needed.

All along the route the marshals were really friendly and so was the policeman on his motorbike who kept coming back to check we were all okay (or was it to see how much longer we were going to be). First half of the race went quite quick as there was a long section downhill to the straights to Beddgelert. Along the way there was a

very heavy downpour and by the time I got to Beddgelert I looked like a drowned rat. Surprise, surprise, around the corner and patiently waiting were two very friendly Maldwyn Harriers smiling and waving away. The miles seemed to fly by, though, as we laughed, walked, run and speed walked around the course. The second half certainly has more climbs in it and only the last two miles is downhill but very scenic and one of the entrants kept stopping to take pictures as he went around.

There were stretches on the road where you couldn't see anyone else but you couldn't go wrong and every now and then you would catch a glimpse of colour up ahead. I thought I was steaming ahead nicely until a lady who must have been about 80 passed by. She hardly seemed to move whereas I was striding out yet she soon went out of sight. The moral is don't think all the oldies are unfit they certainly aren't. The "killer mile" was getting nearer. In my head the hill had seemed very steep when we travelled up it in the car a few years ago. A fellow entrant said "the dreaded 2 and a half miles of hell is coming up", but do you know, it wasn't as bad as I remembered all the training around these Welsh hills paid off and we even managed to pass some other runners. Soon we were at the point where we knew it was all downhill to the finish which you really look forward to, but by then your feet are sliding forward and the ground is quite stony you couldn't go too fast without fear of falling over and not reaching the finish which would be dreadful after making it that far. The last downhill section is very welcome and when you hit the final piece of road it’s all the way to the finish and the welcome sight of people you know cheering you on to the finish line. You don't really care what you look like by that point you have made it and are not last.

My aim was to get around the course before dark and not get picked up by the bus on the way. I did say I would not do a marathon in one day again but am already planning to go back after I have got fit and lost weight. There were people behind us and a lot of people who pulled out for various reasons but this is one challenge which, although ticked off my list, is there to go back to and try again.

Anyone thinking of taking part in an event like this, do not worry, yes it involves lots of training but if you haven't been able to do as much training as you like or run as many long miles as you wished to just go and take part, enjoy the beautiful scenery and have fun. The marathon is a long way and you do have to prepare as much as you can but its all about doing it any way you can on the day. Just remember use plenty of Vaseline on the feet, my feet were brilliant after no blisters or legs aching after. (I obviously did not push myself very hard).

I would like to thank Sue and Mandy for all the laughter, goodies and miles that we have travelled since we decided to take up this challenge, Ifan, Diane, Jan and Dave who supported us along the route when I am sure they could be doing something else on a Saturday and Steve and Pete who supported us while we have moaned and groaned since January”.

What you might call tired but happy. Well done all! (Photo: Diane Jones)

JUNIOR ATHLETES AWARDS PRESENTATION EVENING

What a great time was had by all at Newtown FC on Friday, 25th October as our junior athletes were honoured for their achievements over the past year and received their awards from Wales’ Commonwealth Games marathon man Andy Davies.

Here then is the roll of honour:

Lois Tudor – winner of the Junior Girl Award (photo: John Thomas)

Amren Stephenson – winner of the Junior Boy Award (photo: John Thomas)

Meg Davies – winner of the Track and Field award (girl) (photo: John Thomas)

Niall Thomas – winner of the Track and Field Award (photo: John Thomas)

Chloe Evans – winner of the Cross-Country Award (girl) (photo: John Thomas)

Dillon Gill – winner of the Cross-Country award (boy) (photo: John Thomas)

Rosie Unwin – winner of the Commitment to the Club award (photo: John Thomas)

Lauren Williams – winner of the Outstanding Achievement award (photo: John Thomas)

The full house (photo: John Thomas).

Thanks to Andy for presenting the awards, to John for taking the photos and to June Jones and the ladies group for organising the event and ensuring that everyone had plenty to eat. Perhaps our junior athletes and their mums and dads can tell us what they thought of it given that this is the first time we’ve held an event of this kind for the youngsters.

Remember if you have any news, views, results or photos (or corrections) please get in touch with Ian at fraserman1@hotmail.co.uk. We’d also like to hear from anyone who has any runners’ tales or favourite routes they’d like to share.