Weekly Roundup, July 31st – August 6th

Our 1st Honorary Member

Our first Honorary Member was welcomed to the club this week – none other than the legend that is Steve Jones. Here’s the introduction from our Chairman, Damian Williams.

‘His contribution to running is outstanding and his achievements astonishing!

Locally, regionally, nationally and indeed worldwide and all from the humble beginnings of Blaenau Gwent (Ebbw Vale first, Tredegar second lol). He’s won everything from Cross Country to major Marathons. He’s held World records and still holds the British Marathon record, has done for 32 years! He was Welsh Sports Personality of the year in 1985. He was inducted into the Welsh Athletics hall of fame in 2007.

Despite living in Colorado, he has an obvious interest in our Club, not only due to his Sister being a Member. He often takes time out on his visits to Wales to come and support parkrun where again, is inquisitive about our Club.

Considering the above, it is our privilege that he has accepted our invitation to become our very first Honorary Member.’

Steve Jones on becoming an Honorary member:

“I regard this Honorary Club Membership as something to treasure and belongs amongst the major achievements in my running career. I am especially proud to be recognised and welcomed into PBBRC given my local connection to Hilltop, Ebbw Vale and Tredegar”.

GLCL Road Series: Race 5 – Cwmbran

The final race in the GLCL Road Series and an excellent turnout from the club with 64 members running. The race itself was one of the busiest of the series with 548 runners taking part.

World record holder Lee Aherne was in the front pack from the start and was soon in the lead for the rest of the race. Jamie Parry followed in 6th and Sam Lewis Jones was in 8th. Nicola Jukes was our first female to finish.

Honours

• Lee Aherne – 1st Overall and 1st M5054
• Stephen Williams – 3rd M5559
• Nicola Jukes – 2nd F4549
• Neil Lloyd – 1st M6064
• Phillip Miles – 1st M6569
• Rachel Lewis – 1st F4044
• David Smout – 3rd M6569
• Margrett Monk – 2nd F6599
• Jill Matthews – 2nd F6064
• Michael Lewis – 1st M7099

Summer Sizzler 5K

A day after the GLCL race, Lee Aherne’s legs were still working well enough to race in the Summer Sizzler 5K. The race follows the same route as the main Cardiff parkrun so is a fast one. Despite the drizzly conditions, Lee still managed to get 1st in his age category and 9th overall in a time of 16:29. View the full results.

Islwyn Running Club’s Murder Mile

Billed as ‘probably one of the toughest uphill miles in the country’ the Murder Mile is a very tough mile long race up a very, very steep hill. Starting in Wattsville, the route follows a step tarmac road towards a farm where you are rewarded with a beer for your troubles.

It’s tough, very tough but at the same time a good bit of fun. With it only be a mile you know that the pain won’t last long. The video below shows just how steep the climb gets as it nears the finish.

Results

Name	Time
Robert Gale	11:49
Melissa Pearce	13:56

Richard Price and Gareth Williams got a little lost so started the race late meaning official times are incorrect.

Video

parkrun

Our new Honorary Member, Steve Jones, was at PBB to support the runners and word must have got around as there were quite a few parkrun tourists including runners from Portsmouth, Poole and Fleet. There were a number of PBs to report.

• Michael Cope – 18:01
• Richard Sheehy – 19:36
• Keri-Lyn Jones – 21:26
• Tony Lewis – 22:27
• Helen Williams – 23:00
• Darren Swift – 25:41
• Deanne Griffiths – 26:21
• Alex Thomas – 27:23
• Sue Gray: 28:08
• Caroline Matthews – 29:27

Merthyr parkrun

Katharine Collins, Kelly Owen, James Ashley and Dave Kempton ran the Merthyr parkun with Katharine recording a new PB (23:02) and securing 1st Lady and Kelly securing 3rd female.

Swansea parkrun

Danielle Phillips ran Swansea parkrun.

Alpine Race

Mathew Ellis took on an even steeper hill the following day with the Alpine Race in Cwm. He had to climb the same elevation in just 0.3 miles before turning around and running back down. He finished the 1.2 mile race in a fantastic 2nd position.

Sam’s Coastal Path Bimble

Sam Standerwick was on a weekend break in West Wales and whilst there couldn’t resist a run along the coastal path despite some sore legs from last weekend’s extra long trail marathon and GLCL 5 on Tuesday.

Llanthony Show Fell Race

Terry Vaughan and David Smouth took part in the Llanthony Show Fell Race on Saturday afternoon. Running in Mynydd Du vests, the 3.5 fell race was part of the annual Llanthony Show. Both were supported by Julie Cashell and family. View the results here.

Summer BBQ

The Summer BBQ was a big success with £473 being raised for the club. I’m sure there were a few sore heads this morning (I think everyone is looking in Del Wyn’s direction!). Thanks to Rachel Burr-Lewis, Laura Hire and Kathleen Jervis for organising the BBQ and for the Swifts for coming to the rescue and manning the BBQ.

Tuska Sprint Triathlon

Damian Caswell and James Williams had an early start on Sunday morning to participate in the Tuska Sprint Triathlon in Porthcawl Harbour.

Brecon Lions 10 Mile Road Race

There was a good turn out from the Green Army at Brecon for the 25th Anniversary Brecon Lions 10 Mile Road Race. The race starts aon the running track at Brecon Athletics Club before heading out onto the road taking in a loop of Groesffordd and Llanfrynach before finishing back on the running track.

It’s a tough race but very scenic and there were some great performances with Andrew Meadows knocking 19 minutes off last year’s time, Nicola Lewis beating her previous best by 4 minutes and Josh Cashell returning to running with his longest run to date. He performed excellently and even managed to pick up the pace in the last tough mile.

Results

Name	Time
Richard Price #2	01:10:58
Josh Cashell	01:13:50
Robert Gale	01:13:55
Julie Cashell	01:14:07
Andrew Meadows	01:19:45
Gary Bartram	01:28:31
Michael Lewis	01:39:09
Rhys Lewis	01:54:40
Nicola Lewis	01:54:41

Sgt. Keith A Ferguson Memorial 5K

Currently on holiday in New York City, Suzie Tew and Gaynor Lewis took time out to run across the Brooklyn Bridge for the Sgt. Keith A Ferguson Memorial 5K race. What an amazing experience!

Sunday Runs

Mike’s ’10 Mile’ 13 Mile Run

Mike Williams took a few members out a hilly run to Big Pit. Taking a leaf out of Rachel Lewis’ book, his 10-ish miles turned into 13-ish miles! At least they got to run alongside the steam train.

Richard’s Marathon Training

Richard Price used Sunday to get in some marathon training with a scenic 20-mile road and trail run to Trefil and Pontsticill.

 

GLCL Final Standings

The GLCL Road Series is now over for another year and the final standings have been released and we’ve done amazing taking 7 1st placing out of 16!

• Lauren Cooper – 1st Senior Female
• Rachel Burr-Lewis – 1st FV4044
• Nicola Jukes – 1st FV4549
• Jill Matthews – 1st FV6064
• Margrett Monk – 2nd FV65+
• Sam Lewis Jones – 1st Senior Male
• Jamie Parry – 3rd Senior Male
• Lee Aherne – 1st MV5054
• Stephen Williams – Joint 1st MV5559
• Neil Lloyd – 1st MV6064
• David Smout – 2nd MV6569
• Bernie Monk – 3rd MV70+
• Ladies A – 4th Position
• Ladies B – 2nd Position B Division
• Men A – 2nd Position
• Men B – 2nd Position
• Ladies – 4th in Combined League
• Men – 3rd in Combined League

Lee’s Pre-Race Tips

Someone posted a question on the Facebook page asking what people eat leading up to a race. Our superstar Lee answered with his pre-race routine. There’s a lot of beetroot juice involved.

‘Day before a race I eat very little. I get up have Weetabix and a pint of beetroot juice. I’ll go for a run and maybe go over to Ebbw Vale and visit the health suite (nothing daft there mind) Maybe half hour in the sauna and 30 mins in the Jacuzzi.

Going home I stop in Tesco for a good sized pizza and a 4 pack of bounty chocolate bars which I smash into me before I get home. Then at around 7pm I’ll cook that pizza and drink another pint of beetroot juice.

The next morning it’s always the same routine. Bowl of porridge 3 hours before race with a cup of coffee then a bath. After the bath half a glass of beetroot juice and open a packet of jelly babies and I’ll eat around 2 or 3. An hour before the race I’ll drink a can of red bull followed by 2 or 3 more jelly babies half hour before the race. 10 mins before a sip of water and then I’m ready to race.

That works for me but in all honesty its a bit bonkers!’

Here’s the original thread on Facebook.

Stephen Mathers East Wales Selection

Stephen Mathers has been selected to represent East Wales in the 800m for the inter-regional championships. He secured his place with a cracking time of 02:05.

Vests on Tour

A few new Vests on Tour this week with Katharine Collins and her daughter at Camp Bestival last weekend, Lesley O’Connell in Bali and Damian Caswell in Portugal. Don’t forget to take yours with you the next time you go on a trip.

Lauren’s Looe Fun Run

Lauren Cooper was flying the Green Flag in Looe this week. She sorely missed the final GLCL fixture but won first lady in the Looe Fun Run.

Wedding Anniversaries

Mike and Caroline Matthews celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary in style with GLCL Road Race. Mike did treat Caroline to a bag of chips on the way home.

Margrett and Bernie Monk also celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary this week.

Are You Ready for XC?

Sian McGoldrick is ready for the XC season, are you?