Vale Royal AC Runners

CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS DUE NOW!  Forms here. I have the following names for the Cheshires (9Jan/£3) and Northerns (23Jan/£4).  Please pass on entry fees to Tom or Goffy. 

13 December:  Stevie Stockton was a fabulous 10th in the European XC Championships.  Stevie was fourth counter in the victorious British team - just pipping Steph Twell!  Results.  Well done Stevie!

At the new Tatton Pud Plod 10k event, Ed Crowther turned in a strong performance to win the race (although not wearing his club colours!).   John Carroll recommends the race for next year.   Steve Caldwell ran well considering he ran XC the day before!

Pauline Davies had an excellent run at the Great Langdale 10k in Cumbria.  Pauline was more than two minutes quicker than last year and was 1st LV55.  John also ran and was pleased to finish without injury but accepting that he's not in top form yet!

At the Stockport 10, Colin Rathbone put his previous days efforts behind him as he finished 2nd V65.  John Todd was 8th MV45 and Gemma Barnett 14th lady.

Mike Harrington and Iain Wedge made the long journey south to find a fast half marathon - only to find out the first nine miles of the Bedford Half Marathon were all uphill (I assume the rest was downhill!). 

NORTH STAFFS XC LEAGUE - FINAL MATCH:

12 December:  The final match at the North Staffs League was on the tough course at Westwood High.  The senior men's team was out in force and managed to ensure promotion into Division One with a season best team performance (this was despite some seasonal bugs and other ailments affecting most of the team)!   James Griffiths was the highest finisher in the race with a superb run for 10th place.   Andy Clews started fast but faded to 13th place - however this was still good enough to win the junior league and to finish a brilliant 2nd (tbc) in the senior league.  Photos in the gallery and full results awaited.  In the U17 race Andrew Miles was an excellent 5th (which would have been higher if he hadn't run the 1st hill like a sprint rep!).

6 December:  At the Helena Tipping 10k, the verdict was still out on whether this is a fast or slow course, but there were some strong performances from the club.  Stu Doyle was 4th overall and 1st MV35 and Maggie Fenn was 2nd LV35.

Nicky Archer ran an excellent race in the Las Vegas Marathon, finishing 6th Elite Lady.  After an early morning 6:15am start, Nicky finished in 2 hours 42 minutes.  Nicky had reached the halfway point in 1:19.  No doubt Nicky would have like to have dipped under 2:40 (we await comment!) but this is still an impressive performance and a massive PB!  Well done Nic!  (*Blog just added*).  Dave "Stat-man" Gough has pointed out this is the 10th best performance by a British Athlete this year!

A great night at the W'OSCARS (hangover this morning!).  BIG thanks to Bernie and Goffy for organising it.  The prize winners were:  Tennis Ball Challenge:  BERNIE JONES!  Most Improved Athlete:  HELEN SMITH and JO MOLYNEAUX.  Performance of the Year:  ANDY GIBBS .  Member of the Year: TOM ANNABLE.  Here's a reminder of the nominations. Thanks also to Marcus (and The Terrace) for supplying the cakes, to the Club Committee for agreeing to make a financial donation to support the event and to Tesco for providing the raffle prizes.

29 November: Helen Smith defended her title as she finished 1st lady at the Knowsley Safari Park 10k.  Helen believe the course was about 0.5 mile short.  Still an excellent time though!

A smaller turn out than usual for the Cheddleton 10k.  Maggie Fenn once again showed her potential as she finished 9th lady and 4th LV35.  Colin enjoyed the event - one of his favourites - and ran well to win his age category!  For once Carole missed out on the prizes as she finished 3rd LV55.

Marcus Crompton made his regular trip to do the Wesham 10k in Lancashire.  In good racing conditions, Marcus was very pleased with his time, showing he's on track to get back to full fitness in the New Year!     

David Jury in action at Bangor on the same day he became a father.  Samuel Arthur Jury was born some 7 hours after the race!  More pics from Bangor in the gallery:

21 November:  Fabulous conditions for the 3rd match in the North Wales Cross-Country League at Bangor - gale force winds, lots of mud and driving rain! On a modified course, the performance of the day was Pauline Davies who cruised through the mud to finish 1st LV55.  Tom had a much more confident run than of late and was pleased with 14th place and 1st MV45.   Darren started much quicker than usual and faded slightly as a result but still finished an excellent 34th.  David Jury didn't take to the mud but was still well up the field, as was Tony Archer who ran strongly for his highest finish of the season.  Great fun!

20 November: Acension Island Mountain Race Victory for Olivia - (see her report in the blogs)  

17 November:  Nicky has sent through a video of a night out she'd rather forget.  Video here (be sure to maximise so you can enjoy it in full!) 

15 November:  More XC action, this time for the Manchester XC League at Sherdley Park.  Not a big turn out for this league this year but the usual stalwarts were out to enjoy the mud!   Col and Pauline both 2nd in their age categories.  Pics in the gallery.         

MASTERS INTERNATIONAL:

14 November:  We have all marvelled at his focus and dedication to gaining international selection - and it paid off as Andy Gibbs pulled on his first England vest for the Home International Masters Cross-Country in Birmingham.  This is a prestigious match with the leading masters from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland competing.  In wicked weather, on a cut up course, Andy had a terrific run finishing 23rd overall but more importantly a brilliant 4th in the MV45 category.  Andy was 3rd counter in the victorious England team - earning himself a gold medal in the process.  Brilliant & well done Andy!  Results here.      

13 November:  One performance we missed from the weekend.  Paul Lloyd was in action again, this time at the Llandudno half marathon:

7 November:   The popular Langley 7 race took place on Saturday in cold conditions.  Some fine performances including Iain Wedge with an impressive run, Gemma was 2nd lady and Rob improved on his best for the course.  A few pics in the gallery.       

6 November:  A terrific team performance for the senior men at the latest round of the North Staffs XC League at Park Hall.  Andy Clews and Stu Doyle resumed battle near the head of the field with Andy edging into 3rd and Stu in an excellent 5th.  Backed up by a big team turn-out this was Vale Royal at their best!  In the ladies race Carole put her ankle injury behind her for an excellent finish.  Let's make an effort next Saturday at Stafford Common to build on this great team effort!  See Bryan Dales site for pics (see quick links).

25 October:  A successful day out for the club at the Halloween Hellraiser 9 mile trail race nr. Nantwich.  Without any mud on the course, the Hellraiser was the least hellish of the weekends races but was an enjoyable alternative to the usual Sunday run.   Tom was 3rd overall, Tony 1st MV55 and new lady member Maggie Fenn was 2nd lady.  If you like running over stiles then you'd enjoy this race!  Photos and results on Bryan Dale Race Photos.

SNOWDONIA MARATHON - NO CAKEWALK! 

24 October:   In a repeat of last years epic conditions (gales and lashing rain), an intrepid group took on the tough challenge of the Snowdonia Marathon.  Steve Smith had an outstanding run in his debut marathon finishing in 4:13.  After passing Steve at 9 miles, Paul Clutterbuck suffered cramp and faded to finish in 4:34 describing the race as hell (and vowing to drink more next time!).  Steve Bradshaw completed the race too (not heard Steve's report yet).  This is one tough race and in these conditions the finishers medal is well earnt.  Well done lads!  Respect!  The lads appreciated the excellent support from Glyn and Lisa - "Keep Werkin' Lads!".  A few pics in the gallery.

Meanwhile another elite band took on the less daunting but still significant challenge of the Manchester XC League at Heaton Park.   In the ladies race, Carole and Pauline were in action though Carole failed to finish (and has vowed to restart her training now!) and Colin was the only club member in the men's race.  Pauline was an excellent 2nd LV55.  Pics in the gallery.  

23 October:  Photo's from the national road relays have been added to the Gallery.  Chris Perry and Andy Clews in action:

LONDON MARATHON ENTRIES.  The club has 2 places for the London Marathon and the draw will be made on 3rd December.  Get your name in now if you want to be in the draw.  Please register for the draw here.   It's that time of year again when membership fees are due.  Individual senior membership is now £40. Please make life a little easier for us and download the form now, fill it in, write a cheque and either post it to Dave Stephens or hand to Tom or Goffy.  Form.    

18 October:  One performance that we missed:  Iain Wedge completed the Southport 10k in just under 38 minutes.  Not bad considering his lack of sleep since becoming a dad!  

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