Weekly Roundup, October 30th – November 5th

November 5, 2017

Invncbl: Cardiff

This one slipped through the next on last week’s roundup. Hannah Williams participated in the tough Invncbl obstacle course race in Cardiff on Sunday. It was a perfect day for it and Hannah posted some cracking photos from the race.

GLXC: Llandaff Photos

Paul Stillman posted some new photos from the GLXC: Llandaff fixture. The latest album is from the men’s race and features quite a few green vests.

In Malta with the Joneses

Whilst most of us were chilled to the bone here in the UK, Sam and Siân were in warm and sunny Malta this week. They made the most of a local track to do some training. They didn’t have a vest with them but Sam wore his GLCL t-shirt with pride.

Welsh Cross Country Relay Championships

What a huge day for the Green Army at the Welsh Cross Country Relay Championships! With such a huge turnout from club some may say it was more like the Parc Bryn Bach Relays!

Inclusivity

As always a huge number of members from the club turned out and we were well supported by those that couldn’t run, family members and our photographers Adrian and Nigel. And with such a large following means we have a creche for the little ones!

Determination

Despite the distance of each leg being approximately 3 and 4km – less than a parkrun – this didn’t make it any easier. Every club member went out there and gave it all as these finishing photos show.

Honour

In the MW45 category we dominated with a full podium! We were the only club that entered teams in that category but so what? You have to be in it to win it and 9 club members walked away with a Welsh medal; the same applied to the MM55 category. But even though there were no other clubs in those age categories, every member of those teams had no idea and like everyone else on the day, gave it 100%.

We also won a bronze medal in the senior category which could be the first in the club’s history.

Senior Women – 3rd: Lauren Cooper, Danielle Phillips, Rebecca Foley
MW45 – 1st: Nicola Jukes (+ Gold for Fastest Leg), Sharon Newell, Keri-Lyn Jones
MW45 – 2nd: Melissa Pearce, Alison Holton, Louise Kirby
MW45 – 3rd: Suzanne Tew, Sian McGoldrick, Suzanne Court
MM45 – 2nd: Damian Williams, Simon Lewis, Lee Aherne, Richard Price
MM55 – 1st: David Smout, Phillip Miles, Cyril Williams, Stephen Williams (+ Gold for Fastest Leg)

Team Spirit

Whether you’re the first home or one of the last legs in the relay, the club is there to support everyone. The course was pretty big but wherever you were, you weren’t far from Bryn Bach war cry to spur you on!

parkrun

Just one PB to report from parkrun this morning with Nicky Osman finishing in 22:32. There was also a new female course record with Emily Smith of Wells City Runners running in 17:25. She was just ahead of parkrun first-timer Marc Bloomfield.

Tourists

Sam Lewis Jones used the Forest of Dean parkrun as a warmup to the XC Relays by coming first in 18:09. John Evans was in Merthyr and also came first. Derek Rainbird was in Pontypridd and Lydia Cawsey was in Bideford.

Richard Burton 10K

Gary Bartram ran the Richard Burton 10K on Sunday and and hoped for a PB on the course and luckily didn’t jinx things by reducing his PB by almost 3 minutes and running under 45 minutes for the first time! He finished in 44:51. Also running was an almost unrecognisable Fudge.

We also had a number of other runners testing out the new course (apparently with extra hills) including Lee Aherne, Sian McGoldrick, Damian and Ceri Caswell, Michael Lewis, Ian Kent, Julie Cashell, Rhian White and Teresa and Ian Davies. Lauren Cooper was on hand to grab some shots.

The Great Gwent Poppy Run

Alex Thomas, Laura Hire, Darren Kippest and Brian Evans joined around 350 other runners for the annual Great Gwent Poppy Run race on Sunday. The 5 mile race can be a muddy affair with water and other smelly things thrown into the mix. Stephen Carter and Ruth Butterfield were on hand to offer support along the way.

Another brutal course but there’s something enjoyable about crossing rivers, wading through bogs, crawling through mud, climbing trees and being electrocuted. Can’t wait for next years!! – Alex Thomas

Long Sunday Runs

The usual long Sunday Runners were out bright and early with Kim leading one group and Mike Williams leading another.

I went for a run along 15 miles of the Newport Marathon route and bumped into Rachel and Tony Lewis along the way! (Photo not related!)

Vests on Tour

Melissa Pearce made the most of the sunny weather whilst visiting Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire.

Lydia Cawsey was showing off her vest on Saturday morning at the Bideford parkrun. This was her warmup for the Bideford 10 miler the next day in which she secured a PB of 1:44:33.

Future Race

If you looking to try something different, why not experience a night race around the Forest of Dean? A group of members have already signed up for Rogue Runs: Mallard’s Pike race on Thursday 7th December. The 5-6 mile trail race is the first of a series of three and is very well organised, well signposted and there’s cake at the end. The photograph above is from the first event and features a fun water crossing near the end. The race is £9, is chip-timed and you get a cake at the end. Learn more here.

Facebook Messenger Group Chat

There is a Facebook Messenger Group Chat for the race and everyone is welcome to join, however, be aware that there are multiple rumour mills operating one of which may suck you in and make you the rumour! I hope the Club can Cope with having two weddings in such a short space of time. Anyone know of a good venue we can Hire?