Weekly Roundup, January 29th – February 4th
Vest on Tour
It’s been a while since we had some Vests on Tour. Harry Davies is sunning it up in Aguilas, Spain and Nick Rhys Gregory was at the Torvehallerne in Copenhagen, Denmark. Unfortunately Nick hasn’t got a vest yet but planned ahead by borrowing Andrew Meadow’s vest.
Runner’s Moans and Groans
Our Poet-in-Chief Clive Cooksey has penned another masterpiece. This one is about the things we runners are always moaning about.
View PoemInov-8 X-Talon 230 UK Tour
Martin Chammings, Richard Sheehy, Sam Lewis Jones and Sian Jones took part in the Inov-8 X-Talon 230 UK Tour in Llangorse on Wednesday evening. Inov-8 were demonstrating their new shoes along with Silva head torches.
Gunning for Gold
Whilst at the SPATEX 2018 Awards night in Coventry on Tuesday, Sarah Lane Coote got to meet Olympic Gold Medallist Sally Gunnell and recreate a 22-year-old photograph that was taken when she was one of Sally’s ‘Gunning for Gold Girls’.
RED January
A number of members completed RED (Run Every Day) January in aid of Mind, the mental health charity. Laura was doing her usual pre-midnight run right up until the last day and even attempted to run out a number 31 in the streets.
It was a good effort but it’s no horse/dog/camel/AT-AT.
Powered by Beer!
Tredegar Quiz Awards
Organiser-in-Chief Laura Hire entered three teams in the Tredegar Quiz Awards 2017/2018. Sponsored by Tredegar Town Council, the quiz started on January 31st and continues throughout February with the final taking place on February 28th.
Rumour has it that Laura Hire managed to drink more pints than she scored points in total (4 pints versus 3 points!). And then she put on her trainers for a midnight run around the block to complete RED January! All on a school night!
Tesco £100 Mini-Grant
We’ve entered a Twitter competition to win 1 of 10 £100 mini grants. It’s a randomly drawn competition so fingers crossed!
https://twitter.com/parcbrynbachrc/status/959399759470649345
Sam’s T-Shirt Blanket
Sam’s T-Shirt Blanket arrived this week with featuring two well-placed Parc Bryn Bach t-shirts. The blankets start at £79 for a 16 shirt throw up t0 £139 for the 40 shirt XL version. You can order one here.
parkrun
11 runners descended on Parc Bryn Bach for the parkrun this morning with 5 PBs to report. Nick Osman finished in 21:38, Anton Harvey in 22:48, Dai Parry in 24:00 (35 second PB!), Adrian John Markey in 25:22 and Arlene Osman in 35:14. Thanks to all the volunteers that continue to make our parkrun possible.
parkrun Tourists
The Swifts were at the Rogiet parkrun this week, Phil and Jill Matthews were at the home of parkrun (Bushy Park), Lee Griffths was in Newport, Shane Roberts bagged 3rd place in Cwmbran, Seaton Stehens was in Cleethorpes, the Monks and Callum Schofield were in Pontypool, Mr Jolly was in Penallta and Danielle Phillips was in Swansea where she finished 1st female in a time of 20:22.
February Plank Challenge
With RED January over, February appears to be planking month and there are lots participating.
Mikkeller Beer Running Club: 2nd Birthday
It was the first Saturday of the month which meant it was Mikkeller Beer Running Club and this was the 24th edition and 2 year anniversary of the club. It’s not really a club, more a bunch of beer nerds getting together for a 5 or 10k run followed by a free beer (plus more discounted beer!).
Pen y Fan Horseshoe Run
Kevin Hale braved the elements for a trip to Pen y Fan. He took the horseshoe route from Neuadd Reservoir which is a great route and around 9 miles.
UK Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships
Congratulations to Sam Jackson and Tom Webb have both been selected to represent East Wales in the UK inter-counties cross country championships in March.
Northern Lights Race
“What a crazy but brilliant experience!!! The warm up was more like a rave (I’ll post a video up later). Due to it being so dark out here we all had to wear light up gear and carry a light. The route went around the city, through the church (where we were shouted at for running) through government buildings and finished inside an art gallery where we were showered by confetti canons as we crossed the finish line.
It turns out I’m quite fast in Iceland, I was able to stay with the leading lady for the first half of the race until we got to the icy patches, Icelanders are pretty fast on Ice whereas I was sliding everywhere so lost her. I managed to make up some time and came in about 90seconds behind her.
I may have to run out here more often I might have a chance of winning something!”
Reverse 10
9 club members were competed in the Reverse 10 in Penallta on Sunday with Nicola Jukes taking the prize for 3rd lady as well as winning her age category. Sam Jackson also won his age category and it was Alison Stephens’ longest run to date!
Results
| Name | Time |
|---|---|
| John Evans | 01:02:33 |
| Sam Jackson | 01:06:54 |
| Nicola Jukes | 01:08:45 |
| James Thomas | 01:09:08 |
| Lee Phillips | 01:16:14 |
| Robert King | 01:16:26 |
| Kelly Collins | 01:22:31 |
| Hayley Jackson | 01:24:47 |
| Alison Stephens | 01:52:28 |
Mayhill Massacre
Mud, a big ol’ hill or two and some bling and freebies – all the right ingredients a Sam Standerwick race.
GLCL: Usk
Almost 50 club members descended on a ‘slightly less muddy than last year but no less hilly’ Usk course for the 4th GLCL cross country race. Sooper Cooper romped home to take 1st lady and we had Daisy Evans running in a green vest for the first time and Georgina Seed who ran her first ever cross country race (it was also Daisy’s first XC race!). Apologies if I’ve missed any other debutants.
Results
- Lauren Cooper – 1st F1734 (and 1st Female)
- Rachel Lewis – 2nd F4044
- Sharon Newell – 3rd F4549
- Georgina Seed – 1st F5559
- Kath Jervis – 2nd F6064
- Sam Lewis Jones – 3rd M1739
- Stephen Williams – 3rd M5559
- Ian Davies – 2nd M5054
- Phillip Miles – 2nd M6569
- David Smout – 3rd M6569
As with every cross country race there were plenty of great photos taken (thanks Andrew!).
Bobbie Goes for 4
Well done to Bobbie Swift for doing 4 laps of a challenging course. She was either doing an extra lap for equality or an extra lap for enjoyment/punishment!
Always Look Over Your Shoulder
Hills Shouldn’t Be This Fun!
The Plank Challenge Continues
Sunday Long Runs
Adrian John Markey and Taff Palfrey joined Mike Williams for a sunny Sunday long run. Apparently Adrian showed improvement on previous week’s being able to keep the pace with the others.
Elsewhere, Matt Crowle was bimbling around Blaenavon, Lydia was continuing her Limassol marathon training with a 14.5 mile run along the Hafod, I was continuing in my quest to run as many Newport streets as possible (currently at 21%) and Sean Thomasson was exploring Ponsticill and Neuadd reservoirs.
Lisa Cook made the most of the beautiful weather with a short run along the beach near Tenby whilst Gary Bartram was running 13 miles around Llanfrynach near Brecon. Alun Wood was ‘Just Running’.
Laura did the opposite of a long Sunday run and went for a 140 yard jog!
Iron Trail 5 and Cardiac 6
Fancy a mid week trail race in June and July? Phillip Miles’ infamous Iron Trail 5 and Cardiac 6 are taking place on June 28th and July 26th respectively and as in previous years it would be great to get as many club members supporting the race to help sport North Gwent Cardiac Rehabilitation. If you haven’t already seen them, the events have been posted on Facebook.
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