Ludlow Runners and Tenbury Round Table staged the fifth Tenbury 10k on Sunday 6th August at 11am, and over 170 runners turned up to run in very warm and humid conditions. Click here for the full race results.

The 2005 results are available here.

December 2006 News

Juniors

The last race in the Shropshire Cross-Country League was held at Bridgnorth in December. We did not finish any full teams in any of the age groups, but there were some good individual results. Jaala Kenchington was U13 champion overall, but was second in this race. Katherine Lovejoy was 10th of 28 and should achieve a medal place next year in this age group.
Emma Clarke was 4th in the U11 race and Megan Turner was 10th. She received the bronze medal in the League and she and Emma still have another year in this age group.
Idris Jones ran brilliantly to come 2nd in the U11 boys, just 6 seconds behind the winner. He only competed in 2 races, so he did not qualify for a League postion. Oliver Preece was 10th and Joe Hearle took part in his first ever race. Megan Lloyd finished second and took the silver medal for the League.

Seniors

The second race in the Cross-Country League series was held at Holme Lacy on a very muddy course after heavy rain. Mick Ligema was our first runner home, and we were missing Simon Norwood through injury.
The Mortimer Forest race the following week was again a great success with 356 entries. The weather was mainly fine, after a week of wind and rain that left the course very muddy. International runner Will Levitt was the winner by over 3 minutes and Amanda Wright was first lady. After about half the runners had finished, the timer became affected by the rain and would no longer print, so a number of finishers did not get accurate times. Sandy and Sonia did a great job in producing the full results some time after the race had finished. One of our ex-members, Adrian Pickles, was in 9th place running for Settle Harriers. More of our marshals are needed to stay at the end of the race to help with other jobs, especially clearing the area around the finish and the school. Russell needs help in removing all the signs, posts, etc. and transporting them back to Ludlow.
At the Club Championship race, the Telford 10k, Russell, Jane, Craig Wickens, Dave Hurst, Tony Hewson, Caroline Prentice, Dave Thompson, and Ann Cruse took part. There was a full entry of 600 in the race and Russell achieved a time of 39.41mins.
The Cardington Cracker race of 9 miles was held for the 19th time this year. It was won by local Tim Davies in a record time. Colin Lancaster was 26th and 2nd V45 and Penny Priest was 6th lady.
At the Hereford 10k from the Rowing Club on New Year's Day, ex-member Justine Hewson was 2nd lady in a field of 270 entries. David Blenkharn, Ann Cruse and Tony Hewson also ran.
On the same day, 14 members took part in the Morning After Race at Church Stretton, organised by Terry Davies. Our first runner was Simon Norwood, followed by Colin, Mick Ligema and Russell.

November 2006 News

Juniors

Our Juniors, under the coaching of Colin and Anne, have achieved some good results in the cross-country races. All the juniors who regularly run at Ludlow have been selected to run for Shropshire.
The Inter-Counties Schools Championships was recently held at Lilleshall with 8 other large counties competing, i.e. Staffs, Warwicks and Surrey. Chris Lovejoy ran his first race for Shropshire in the under 12's, finishing 33rd of 54. Ryan Lockley and Guy Gregory ran in the under 14 race. Lucy Wilding had won her event in the Shropshire Schools Championships to qualify to run at Lilleshall, where she was 72 of 81 in the Junior Girls event.
In the Intermediate Girls race at Lilleshall, Ceirian Lancaster was 5th, which was the best Shropshire performance. Megan Lloyd was 25th. Zara Burford, who was 4th in the Shropshire Schools Championships, was 41 of 64 in the under 16 race at Lilleshall.
In the Young Athletes League at Much Wenlock Jaala Kenchington won the U/13 girls race by 8 seconds. Megan Lloyd was second in her race, her best performance of the season so far. In the U/13 Boys race Guy Gregory was 8th after suffering a stitch and Hayden Jones was 12th. In a race for the U/11 age group Idris Jones was 2nd and Joe Jones was 5th in his first ever race, in a field of about 30 runners.

Seniors

The second cross-country race of the League was held at High Vinnalls, with a large entry of 110 runners. Penny Priest, running in the League for Ludlow Runners for the first time, won the race easily. Mick Ligema was our first male finisher. The next race is on Sunday, 3rd December at Holme Lacy.
Colin Lancaster, Richard Hornsby, Russell Mapp and Jo Sharp ran in the tough Rhobell Fawr fell race, climbing 1900feet over 6 miles. Colin was 2nd vet.
The Suicide 6m race this year had 750 entries over a very muddy course. Mick Ligema finished 27th, followed by Russell, John Lyden and Jane Mapp.
The annual time trial from Little Stretton to Stiperstones was held on Sunday, 26 November over a 9 mile course. Terry Davies and Russell competed.

October 2006 News

Juniors

The Juniors ran in their first race of the cross-country season at Oswestry. In the under 11 boys race Oliver Preece was 6th in his first race for our Club; Megan Turner was 4th in the under 11 girls race; Guy Gregory was 4th in the under 13 boys race and Jaala Kenchington won the under 13 girls race, with Katherine Lovejoy in 12th place. She had run the previous Wednesday in the Telford & District Schools event, which she won. In the under 15 girls race Megan Lloyd was 4th. Cerian Lancaster has now joined Telford AC full-time and ran in the senior ladies' race in the North Wales Cross-country League, finishing 16th.

Seniors

The North Worcestershire multi-terrain 8 mile race was held on a day of heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Simon Norwood was 10th in a very large field of runners. John Lyden, Don Lovejoy and Tony Hewson also ran in this race, which was part of the Club Championship series.

Darren Ellis and Phil Clarke took part in the 50 mile Long Mynd Hike over the weekend of 7th and 8th October. Darren recorded a p.b. of 10hr.18mins.

There was a good turnout from the Club for the first race of the cross-country season at Croft Castle. Unfortunately, we were missing Mick Ligema in the first team, and Simon Norwood had to pull out after 2 laps with a calf injury. Our first finisher was David George, followed closely by John Lyden.

August / September 2006 News

Juniors

Ceirian Lancaster was chosen to represent the West Midlands region in the first UK Schools Games held in Glasgow 9/10th September. She ran in the 3,000m U/17 age group and was 10th.

At the first event of the Shropshire Young Athletes League Megan Lloyd was 2nd in the U/15 girls race, new member Megan Turner was 3rd in the U/11 girls, Jaala Kenchington was 2nd in the U/13 girls and Catherine Lovejoy 7th. Our only boy entrant was Guy Gregory, who recovered from a stitch early in the race to finish 3rd in the U/13.

Seniors

Simon Norwood and Andrew Spreadborough took part in the Bredon Triathlon near Tewkesbury at the end of July. It entailed a 1200m swim in a lake, 50k bike ride and 10k run. It was their first open water triathlon and Simon finished in 19th position of 101 starters in a time of 2.38.35. Andrew was 64th in 3.01.32.

The Tenbury 10k on 6th August organised by our Club attracted 203 entries on a very warm day. Only 7 Club members ran, Simon Norwood finishing in 18th place in a time of 40.49m (he claimed he was still suffering from the effects of the triathlon the previous week - hence the slow time!).

At the final race of the summer Herefordshire cross-country series, Simon was 9th and the team finished in 6th position after the 4 races. Ann Cruse was first LV55 and Tony Hewson first MV70. The event was won by Hereford Couriers.

The Purslow Show race on August Bank Holiday Monday was well-supported, with 16 members taking part in an entry of 58 runners. Simon Norwood was 3rd man and Sue Williams 2nd lady. Chris Lovejoy was first Junior.

The Ragleth fell race, organised by Russell Mapp as part of the Mercia series, had 97 entries, the most ever, despite an evening of heavy drizzle. The race was won by Shrewsbury runner Michael James in a time of 25.33. Ludlow Club runners were Darren Ellis, Andrew Spreadborough and Jo Sharpe.

The Source of the Severn race in the Hafren Forest was run by Russell, Colin, Mick Ligema, Clive Richardson, Sue Williams and Tony Hewson. This was one of the Club Championship races.

The Lake Vyrnwy half-marathon was run by Craig Wickens in a time of 1h33, Don Lovejoy 1h48 and Sue Williams 1h52.

Penny Preece was 2nd lady in the 18miles Stretton Skyline race on 17th September. Mick Ligema also had a good race.

July 2006 News

Juniors

Colin and Anne took Ceirian and Megan Lloyd to the Schools Championships in Gateshead, where Ceirian ran in the 1,500m. in a time of 4min.56.44, but did not get to the semi-finals. Megan also ran in the 1,500m. in a time of 5min.03.37, close to her p.b.

Guy Gregory won a gold medal at the Shropshire Schools Championships in the 1,000m., beating his rival, Ryan Heath. This event was held for the first time at the new track at Shrewsbury School.

Seniors

On one of the hottest days of the summer so far, Rob Monteith, Sue Williams and Ann Cruse ran in the Hereford 10k from the Rowing Club. This is over a very hilly course and Rob was 31st in a time of 44.33, Sue was 63rd in 51.02 and Ann 79th in 54.59, with 102 finishers.

At the BBQ 5k race from Newtown Football Club on 7th July Sue Williams was 30th in 24.17mins., Ann Cruse 36th in 25.44 and Margaret Braddick 54th in 30.07. There were 58 finishers on a very warm evening. This is a pleasant, flat race out and back along the towpath of the River Severn. There are lots of prizes in all categories!

Russell Mapp helped to organise the Callow Race from Little Stretton on 9th July. This was another hot day and some of the 68 finishers suffered in the heat. A group of 14 from Teignbridge Trotters travelled from Devon for the weekend to enjoy(!) their first fell race and the pleasures of the pubs in the Bishops Castle beer festival. All were full of praise for the course and organisation.

At the second summer cross-country league race at Haywood Farm we were able to field two teams, comprising Simon Norwood, David George, Richard Hornsby and Sonia George, in her first race since the birth of Max. The second team consisted of Graham Wood, Don Lovejoy, Clive Richardson and Ann Cruse, with Tony Hewson as an extra runner. The course was 5.1miles around farmland and meant traversing a deep pool of water twice. There were 81 runners in the race and the A Team finished in 5th place, the B Team in 14th place.

Neil and Ann Collins took part in the Cheltenham Challenge race and finished as 5th team in a time around 5 hours. Neil also took part in the Wyre Forest half-marathon, finishing in a time of 1hr.43mins.

The third cross-country league race at Shobdon on 26 July was better supported. It was on a new course around farmland and a country estate near Shobdon Arches. The ground was very dry and hard after all the hot weather. Simon Norwood, Dave George, John Lyden, Sonia George, David Blenkharn, Don Lovejoy, Graham Wood, Sue Williams, Tony Hewson, Jason Stuchberry and Ann Cruse all took part. The last race in the series is on Wednesday, 16th August at Westhope, not at Leominster Golf Course as originally arranged.

June 2006 News

Juniors

Our juniors are still excelling in many events. At the Midland Premier young athletes meeting at Telford on 4th June, Cerian Lancaster was 3rd in the U17 300m in a time of 43.60secs. and 1st in the 800m in a time of 2.20sec. In the U15 1500m Megan Lloyd ran 5mins.04 and in the U13 800m Jaala Kenchington ran 2m33.03.

At the Mason Trophy meeting at Alexandra Stadium in Birmingham, where 8 Counties were represented, Cerian was 3rd in the 1500m in 4min45.06, beating her PB by 4.5secs. This was 12secs. faster than the Shropshire Schools U17 record, and she is only 14. Megan Lloyd ran 4min 59.06 to come 7th, a PB by 4.9secs. They have both been selected to run in the English Schools Championships at Gateshead on 6/7 July. Shropshire only takes 25 athletes aged 13 to 18 to this event, so it is a great achievement to be selected.

Seniors

A number of members took part in the Crocodile 8, near Hereford on 28th May. Rob Monteith was our first runner home in a time of 1hr.10.08, followed by Ann Collins, Neil Collins, Don Lovejoy, Tony Hewson and Sue Williams (after falling 3 times and getting covered in mud!). Conditions were even muddier than usual on this course, with deep puddles.

Sue Williams and Ann Cruse ran in the Newtown 5k on a very hot evening, coming 40th and 46th in a field of 69 finishers. The course had a big hill which had to be run up twice. Don Lovejoy was our only member at the Newport Carnival 5k the following day. Conditions were too hot for others, although this was one of the Club Championship races.

Mark Warren continues to do well in triathlons. At Ellesmere he finished 23rd in the male 45-49 category in a time of 2hr.16.18, and goes on to seek qualification for the Great Britain team in the next races in Leicestershire and Yorkshire. Mark was 5th in his category at the Swindon Duathlon and also at the National Sprint Championships. Simon Norwood also continues to take part in triathlons, finishing 23rd out of 186 at the Malvern sprint triathlon in a time of 1hr.13.26.

Simon Norwood, David George and Simon Powney were part of a team which ran the 3 Peaks Challenge on the weekend of 23/24 June. They finished 7th team of 51 in a time of 17hours 31mins and winning a gold medal. They finished 50minutes quicker than last year, and only missed out on a platinum medal by 1 minute, in spite of the mini-bus they had hired breaking down on the way to the venue. The Challenge consists of the peaks of Snowdon, Scafell and Ben Nevis.

On the same weekend, Richard Hornsby ran in the 42 miles cross Wales event, finishing 1st man.

There was a disappointing turn out from the Club at the first of the summer Hereford League Cross-country races at Kinnersley on 28th June. The team has to consist of 3 men and 1 woman. Simon Norwood, David George, Rob Monteith and Sue Williams comprised our first team. Don Lovejoy, Tony Hewson and Ann Cruse were the second team. The course was about 5.25 miles around Bulmers orchards.

The same evening the Bache Bash fell run was held near Little Stretton. Colin Lancaster, Russell, Darren Ellis, Phil Clarke, Mark Wadsworth, Topher and Penny Priest all took part.

May 2006 News - Juniors

Our younger Club members have again acquitted themselves well this month. At the first track meeting of the year at Newtown, Jaala Kenchington won the U13 600m. in a time of 1min.48secs., with Katherine Lovejoy in second at 2min.12. Guy Gregory from Lacon Childe School was second in his first ever track race at 600m. in 2min.54. These 3 members also won the long jump events. Megan Lloyd won the U15 800m. in 2mins.37.

Four of our Ludlow-based athletes competed for Telford Athletic Club at Northwood Stadium, Stoke in the first round of the National Young Athletes League. Jaala Kenchington easily won the U13 800m. in a time of 2mins.34. Megan Lloyd won the B-string U15 1500m. in 5min.38. Zara Burford, in her first ever 300m., led from the gun and pulled away easily to win in 12mins.16. Cerian Lancaster won the U17 1500m. in a PB time of 4mins.51.

The Juniors were well represented at the Maldwyn Harriers Open meeting at Newtown on 5th May. Idris Jones won the U9 75m and 1200m races. Jack Stanton Lammer won the U11 100m, with Will Cooper in 2nd place. Will won the U11 1200m and the 150m races. Lucy Wilding won the U13 shot put, was 3rd in the 100m and 4th in the 200m races. In his first track races for over 10 years, Colin Lancaster won the 1500m Senior race in a very good 4min.46.1secs. and the 2000m steeplechase in 7min.17.6secs.

In the Shropshire County Championships at Telford, our Ludlow athletes got 3 Shropshire records, 6 gold medals, 2 silvers and 6 bronzes. Jaala Kenchington in the U13 reached National Standard by winning the 800m and 1500m. Katherine Lovejoy achieved a PB in the 1500m and was 4th in the Long Jump. In the U15 800m and 1500m Megan Lloyd achieved PB's. In the U17 1500m Cerian Lancaster was first in a Shropshire Record time of 4.51.1 and won the 3000m race in another PB time of 10.51. Zara Burford was second in the same race. Guy Gregory was first in the U13 Boys race and Harvey Miller 3rd, both in PB times. Simon Calverley, Ryan Lockley, Adam Clarke and Carl Price all achieved PB's in their events. In the Veteran Men's races, junior coach Colin Lancaster won the 1500m race in 4.40.1, setting a Shropshire Record, and he was 3rd in the 3000m race in 10.27.5.

May 2006 News - Seniors

A good number of Club members went to the Dudley Kingswinford 10k on 3rd May, one of the Club Championship selected races. In a field of over 1,000 runners, Simon Norwood was 59th, in a time of 38.30mins., Mark Warren 39.27, Barry Wilson 39.30, Martin Callaghan 39.58, Derren Craddock 41.09, Dave Thompson 50.06, Jane Mapp 50.35 and Don Lovejoy 50.54. Full results are at www.dk10k.co.uk. The following week Simon took part in the Malvern Triathlon and finished 23rd of 200 in a time of 1hr.13mins.

Our only 2 runners at the Halesowen Hillock 10m race on 7th May were Jane Rowlands and Tony Hewson. Tony was the only runner over 70 in a field of 144 runners and finished in a time of 1hr.51mins. Jane had a really good run on this hilly, multi-terrain course and was first lady in a time of 1hr.14.31, leading from the start and finishing 25th overall. The same day, Rob Monteith, Iain and Caroline Prentice, Dave Thompson, Sue Williams, David George and David Blenkaharn ran in the St. Michael's Hospice Half Marathon in Hereford.

Russell and Jane Mapp and Jo Sharp ran in the gruelling Berwyn fell race which covers about 26 miles in very wet conditions after heavy rain. Russell finished in 6 hours and Jane and Jo in about 8 hours.

Barry Wilson, Mark Warren, Sue Williams and Rob Monteith ran in the 10k race at Newtown on 14th May.
Tony Hewson and Dave Thompson were the only Club runners at the second Hereford 5k evening race on 18th May, both slightly improving on their previous times.

April 2006 News - Juniors

In the first meeting of the year four Ludlow athletes took part in the new Newtown athletics meeting. Jaala Kenchington carried on her good winter form by dominating the Under 13 600m with a fast 1 min 48, Katherine Lovejoy came second in 2 min 12. Guy Gregory of Lacon Childe school was 2nd in his first ever track race in the 600m with 2-54. These three also beat the local athletes in the Long Jump. Jaala winning with 3m 84 cm and Katherine 2nd with 3m 60cm. Guy winning with 3m 60. To end a successful evening Megan Lloyd from Minton won the Under 15 girls 800m in 2 mins 37.

Four South Shropshire athletes competed for Telford Athletic Club, our nearest track and field club, in the first round of the National Young Athletes League at Northwood Stadium, Stoke. The team won promotion last year and were looking forward to tougher competition against the Midland’s top teams. All four Ludlow based athletes won. Jaala Kenchington was 3rd at the bell in the Under 13 800m, but pulled easily away from the field on the second lap to win by 50 m in a time of 2 mins 34. Megan Lloyd won the B string 1500m in the Under 15 with 5 min 38. Both competitors in the Under 17 had moved up an age group from last year. Zara Burford, in her first ever 3000m, led straight from the gun and pulled away on each of the seven and a half laps winning comfortably in 12 mins 16 secs, then Cerian Lancaster showed great maturity in winning the under 17 1500m in a personal best time of 4 mins 51.

April 2006 News - Seniors

The Scenic 6 at Peopleton on 2nd April was the first race of the Club Championship series. Simon was 6th, Russell 13th, followed by Mick Ligema, back after a long injury, Neil and Ann Collins, Clive Richardson, Graham Wood, Jane Mapp and Ann Cruse.

The following week Club members ran in the 25 mile Black Mountains Roundabout race, which has 6,500ft. of ascent. Russell finished 4th in 5h30mins., Jane Rowlands was first lady in just over 6hours, Richard Hornsby finished in 6h08mins. and Dennis Rowlands mainly walked the course.

New member Malcolm Young ran in the Paris Marathon on 16th April, finishing in a time of 3h53mins., 30 minutes inside his pb for a marathon.

Our 3 representatives in the London Marathon were Barry Wilson (2hr.54mins.), Joy Miles (3hr.52mins.) and Wendy Breakwell (4hr.18mins.) Joy and Wendy said they enjoyed the experience - although Wendy said she could hardly walk the next day!

On the same day as London, 13 Club members ran in the Shobdon Wood 6mile race, the second race of the Club Championship. Russell Mapp was 20th, closely followed by Martin Callaghan and Mick Ligema, who got the course record as first M50. Other racers were Mark Warren, John Lyden, Rob Monteith, Neil Collins, Clive Richardson, Graham Wood, Ann Collins (first FV40), Jane Mapp, Tony Hewson (first M70 and course record) and Ann Cruse (first FV55).

On Wednesday 26th Martin Callaghan, Penny Priest, Darren and Sean ran in the Wrekin Streak. On Thursday, Martin ran in his third race in a week at the Hereford 5km race, the first in the series. There were about 150 in the race, also completed by Dave Thompson and Ann Cruse.

March 2006 News

In preparation for the London Marathon, Joy and Wendy took part in the Gloucester 20 race. Joy took 2hr56mins. and Wendy 3hrs.8mins. They recommended the good atmosphere and organisation of the race.

Several members of the Club had planned to run in the Amazing Treat race at Stourport on 12th March, but were foiled by the heavy snow that had fallen overnight and were unable to get there. Tony Hewson managed to reach Stourport and found there was no snow on the race route!

Russell won the 26m Radnor Ramble on 18th March amongst about 150 runners and walkers. Richard Hornsby finished half an hour behind Russell, followed by Phil Clarke about 40mins. later. Jane Mapp and Jo Sharp completed the 16m route in first position, finishing at the same time as Russell. The race started at Builth Wells and finished at Knighton.

On 19th March, Iain Prentice, Caroline Prentice, Neil Collins and Dave Thompson ran in the Forest of Dean half marathon. The event was well organised but the forest tracks were overcrowded for the first couple of miles.

Tony Hewson ran in the Presteigne half marathon on 26th March, finishing in a time of 2hr5mins. On the same day, several Club members ran in the Ironbridge half marathon. The trails were very muddy after heavy rain, and unsuitable for fast times. Barry Wilson finished in 21st place and 1st O50 in a time of 1hr26mins. Sue Williams did not achieve her target of under 2 hours after stopping to give medical help to a runner who had collapsed near the end. Other members taking part were Craig Wickens, Dave Blenkharn, Rob Monteith, Neil Collins and Jo Quinn. There were 650 finishers.

Junior Athletes

Some of our juniors were selected to run in the Inter-Counties Championships at Nottingham on 11th March. Ted Nicholls was 145th and Ryan Lockley 167th in the U13 Boys event. Jaala Kenchington was 86th and 1st girl for Shropshire in the U13 Girls race. Ceirian Lancaster was 117th and 2nd girl for Shropshire in the U15 Girls race. Zara Burford was 269th.

At the English Schools Cross-Country Championships at Mansfield on 25th March, Ceirian was 90th of 321 in the Inter. Girls (U16) race. Zara was 246th. They were the only 2 members who took part.

February 2006 News

The final cross-country race of the League at Presteigne again did not have our best team of runners. Simon Norwood was 8th in the race, backed up in the first team by John Lyden, Richard Hornsby and Simon Powney. The team finished equal fifth in the League with Croft Ambrey. The League was won by Hereford Couriers. Other Club members competing in this last race were Graham Wood, Clive Richardson and Tony Hewson.

Jane Rowlands had another good run to finish first in the race, supported by Joy Miles and Sue Williams. In the absence of Anne Thorpe, the team only finished fourth in this race, but finished 3rd overall in the League.

At the presentation following the race Simon Norwood was 3rd Senior in the League, John Lyden was 2nd MV45 and Tony Hewson 1st MV70. Jane Rowlands was League champion after a gap of 3 years and was also 1st LV40. Jo Sharp was 2nd LV45.

The following week 13 members turned out for the Wyre Forest 8 in exceptionally muddy conditions, considering the dryish winter. In fact, Tony Hewson had to dig his shoe out of the mud on the notorious valley route! Jane Rowlands was first lady in a time of 56.28, Penny Priest was 1st FV35 in 61.17 and Joy Miles 1st FV40 in 67.34. The ladies also won the team prize.

Simon Norwood was 8th in a PB of 53.09, with Martin Callaghan 17th in 55.29 and David Blenkharn 34th (58.14). They just missed out on a team prize. Other Club members competing were John Lyden, David George, Darren Craddock, Neil Collins, Graham Wood, Sue Williams. There were 324 finishers in this popular race, where it is essential to enter at least a month before.

In the Wrexham half-marathon on 19th February, Barry Wilson was first MV50 in a time of 1.20, although he had a long lay-off last summer. He is now training for the London Marathon. The same day Ian Prentice, Caroline Prentice and Dave Thompson ran in the Cors Caron half marathon at Tregaron. The hilly first half and the biting wind made the steaming bowl of cawl at the end most welcome.

The South Shropshire Circular 27 mile event took place on 25th February. Russell Mapp was second, completing the course in 6h10mins., 2 minutes behind the winner, after a long lay-off due to injury. Darren Ellis was 3rd with a group of friends, finishing 17 mins. behind Russell. Other Club members completing the full course were Jane Mapp, Jo Sharp, Phil Clarke. Terry Davies ran the half distance course.

Richard Hornsby was the only senior Club member to run in the National Cross-Country Championships in London. He found the 12km course very challenging and very muddy, following in the footsteps of the hundreds of runners who had already used it. However, he enjoyed being one of about 1,400 runners in his race and even managed to spot a couple of familiar faces from Hereford Couriers and Wye Valley.

Junior Athletes

Anne Thorpe took 3 of the junior girls to the National Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill Fields in London on the weekend of 25/26 February. Ceirian Lancaster ran in the U/15 girls race and was 106th in a field of 293 runners. Jaala Kenchington fell over in the muddy conditions and so lost a lot of places, finishing 160th of 376 runners in the U/13 girls race. Lucy Wilding came 260th in the same race. Well done to our girls for taking part in such an important event.

January 2006 News

Race News

The first day of the new year saw a large number of Club runners in action at races. Terry Davies' "Morning After" race at Church Stretton attracted a record number of runners and walkers. Around 13 adult Club members and 4 juniors took part.

On the same day, other Club members ran in the annual Hereford 10k race from the Rowing Club. Viv Tolley returned from a long lay off due to injury and finished in 41.50mins. Other runners were Fern Cotterill in 42.40, Rob Monteith in 45.42, Tony Hewson in 53.22 and Ann Cruse in 53.45. There was a record number of 220 runners in the race on this undulating course.

Jane and Denis Rowlands ran in a 22 mile trail event called the Rhayader Reservoir Roundabout around the Claerwen and Elan Valley Reservoirs. This involved navigating the hills and moors to 7 checkpoints in wintry conditions of snow, ice and hill mist. Of the 120 starters (mainly men), Jane was 1st overall in a time of 4h15mins., 3 minutes ahead of the next runner and 10 minutes ahead of Denis, who finished 3rd after suffering from bad cramp in the last 2 miles.

The third Hereford League Cross-country race was on a new course at Haywood Farm near Hereford. A depleted men's team could only finish sixth overall. Simon Norwood was 12th in 44.43mins., followed by David Blenkharn, David George,and Andrew Spreadborough making up the first team. Other members taking part were Richard Hornsby, Graham Wood, Rob Monteith, Don Lovejoy, Tony Hewson and Jason Stuchbery.

The ladies team still lies 3rd overall, after Jane Rowlands finished in first place, Ann Thorpe was 7th and Joy Miles 16th, followed by Sue Williams and Jo Sharp.

The final race of the League is this Sunday, 5th February, at Presteigne commencing at 11a.m. The race will be followed by the presentations at the Memorial Hall in Presteigne.

Young Athletes

Our juniors ran in the Shropshire County Cross-country Championships on 7th January at Bridgnorth on a hilly, challenging course. They won 2 of the 4 junior team races. The U-13 boys narrowly beat a strong Oswestry team. Edward Nichols took the bronze medal, backed up by Ryan Lockley (5th), Adam Clarke (10th) and Guy Gregory (12th). Also in the team was Christopher Lovejoy (26th). Only 3 were needed to qualify.

In the U-13 girls race Jaala Kenchington took the gold medal against a quality field. She has also won the schools Inter-Counties race in Stoke and is unbeaten this season. The U-15 girls team are County Champions with Cerian Lancaster (2nd), Megan Lloyd(3rd), and Zara Burford(6th). Carl Price was 3rd in the U-17 boys race. 7 Juniors have been selected for the Inter-Counties race in Nottingham, and we had a haul of 2 team awards, 1 individual champion, 5 medals - not bad for such a small Club!

In the Shropshire Young Athletes League Cerian Lancaster finished the 4 races unbeaten to take the title. Megan Lloyd was 3rd overall and Zara Burford finished 5th in the final race. Although dominating the races, these girls finished only 2nd team as they did not have the necessary 4 runners in every race to qualify.

Jaala Kenchington took the U-13 girls title undefeated and newcomer Lucy Wilding came 3rd in the final race. The U-13 boys finished 3rd overall. In the last race Jack Mellor was 9th and Christopher Lovejoy 11th - their highest ever finishes. Katherine Lovejoy finished 2nd in the final race to gain a silver medal in the League.

People News

Colin Lancaster has just been appointed Shropshire AAA Coaching Secretary for both adults and juniors and also Shropshire Schools Team Manager. Talk about giving a busy person even more to do!