Category: Run Reports

Following the constant email countdown reminders (there was no chance of forgetting) Sunday 18th October arrived and the apprehension of joining 20000 other runners for the great Birmingham run became reality. As usual I was sick with nerves and unable to stomach any food and could only manage a cup of tea!
Having researched the best travel options we drove to Wolverhampton and jumped on a train, 40 minutes later at 0930 hrs we arrived in Birmingham. Upon arrival we were greeted to a loving couple sat on the side of the street consuming strong ale and loudly exchanging insults, having been touched by the lovely welcome we hastily made our way to the start line trying to explain in the best possible way to our 13 year old what a crack rat was (a particularly loving quote she’d overheard the couple say to each other).

The race was well organised and signposted and minutes from the train station, the atmosphere was great with live music and a warm up for all waves. There were several waves and we ran in the orange wave. The start was split into two which merged into one after a mile, this was great as it reduced the bottle neck thAt can occur at the start.
We spotted Richard Fain before the start but obviously that was the last we saw of him as he finished long before us! The weather was overcast and cool but perfect conditions to race in.

The course was relatively flat and closed off to all traffic, the route led us through Bournville where we were greeted with lots of support and past cadburys world ( although we got no chocolate!) and also through the car park of Edgbason cricket ground. We ran through Cannon Hill park where music was broadcast from Free Radio, and again there was lots of support and a great atmosphere. Approximately at mile 8 I spotted the beaming smiles of Emma Dutton and Anne Grittiths, we gave each other some encouragement as we passed by! Bill, Dave and Julia all took part too and Sarah was there cheering them on!
Throughout the race there was plenty of water and isotonic drink stations and Spectators were giving out jelly babies and sweets, there was also a runner shower at mile 10. We caught up with a couple of Stafford Harriers during the race who we ran with after the park. Mile 11’s Killer hill fortunately didn’t turn out to be too much of a killer, certainly when you compare it to the riggers of Staffordshire’s countryside which we’re all used too, and after conquering that the end was in sight!

We finished in Broad street after a pleasant run and was welcomed by an amazing crowd, we received a nice goody bag which included a medal, lucazade, water, flapjack, crisps, T-shirt and cranberries. http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/21/the-great-birmingham-run/ http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/21/the-great-birmingham-run/Richard Fain came in first for the club in a fab 1:34:29, followed by myself 1:47:13, Jamie 1:49:01, Julia 2:15:46, Dave 2:18:29, Bill 2:30:17, Anne 2:30:20 and Emma 2:30:21 🙂

After the race we jumped back on the train and was home by 2pm giving jamie opportunity to sleep before his night shift. I would have liked to hit the shops with Emma, Sarah and Anne but instead I spent the afternoon watching christmas films with the girls and making up for not eating that morning!

Julie McArthur

This was the last club championship race of the season and after missing the South Cheshire 20 I wanted to do this to do 9 out of the 10 races. It was also the penultimate NSRRA race and my 12th ensuring I qualified for the points.

For once I didn’t arrive at the crack of dawn and I managed to arrive about 9:30 AM to collect my number and T shirt and then mingled with the other bats. As always there seems to be hundreds of group D runners present. We all had a quick chat and then assembled for a 1030 start, it was a perfect morning for running and after a quick safety alert from Ken Rushton we set off.

My plan was to try and stay close to Tim for once so I went off quicker than usual and after about 400 yards I was doubting my plan.! However I stuck with it and managed to do two sub 7 minute miles for the first two and felt ok.

I did this race 2 years ago and remembered there was a hill at mile 4 so although Tim was only a couple of hundred yards in front I didn’t try and catch him and tried to save myself for the hill. I went through the halfway stage slightly quicker than my 5k PB so perhaps the people who say I am not trying hard enough have a point !

The hill as I remember was ‘a beast’ not particularly steep but it just dragged on and threatened to undo all my hard work for the first 4 miles but apart from one point where I had to walk behind a Mercedes going slower than the runners I managed to get up in under 8 minutes.

This left a relatively downhill mile with a slight uphill to finish before the run through the school to finish. http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/20/werrington-10k-18th-october-2015/ http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/20/werrington-10k-18th-october-2015/I managed to pass a few D runners but the quality this year is brilliant and I will be happy with 44/45 points today but no guarantees.

I clocked a 10k PB by about 45 seconds (43:47) and was about 3 minutes faster round Werrington than 2 years ago so I was more than happy with my run.

Tim ran a really good race and finished in about 41:23 with Amy Gamble not far behind me in just over 45 minutes and 1st F35. Anne-Marie, Gail, Joyce and Katie Adams also ran with Joyce 1st F65, so a good turnout with PB’s and prizes and the Bats on the up.

All the results are on the website www.stonemm.co.uk

Next up is the Stafford Common Cross Country so let’s get a big turnout and start challenging.

Race Report – Jim Holland

When my alarm went  at 5.30am on Sunday morning, I was wondering whether I really wanted to get up and travel to Chester to run the marathon. After picking Steve up on route to Stone, we met Kim, Marian and Mick at the tennis club to travel to the race together.

By the time we arrived in Chester it was clear that the weather would be perfect for the race. We were greeted by the race organiser who I’d last seen at the Paris expo when Bernie and I called in to see if he had any liquid refreshments. At this point there was no sign of his brother Tim Hulse, who we subsequently discovered was catching up on his beauty sleep at home.

Before the start at 9am I said hello to ex bat Michelle Rushton – Fox who was running her first marathon for 5 years, Jason Blount from Newcastle AC and our friend Stu who we met at the Vilnius race in Lithuania.

The marathon began at 9am prompt with a few hundred metres on the race course before climbing up to the city centre for a loop and then out towards Belgrave and Pulford. I’d moved in front of the 3:15 flag carrier as I headed to the half way point in 1:32. A two mile loop here saw us emerge back on the road where we were joined by the metric marathon runners.

It was a pleasant run to the finish on the race course  with plenty of support all along the route and lovely sunny day. I finished in 3:08 which was my quickest time in 5 years. http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/09/chester-marathon-4th-october-2015/ http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/09/chester-marathon-4th-october-2015/Sparker was next in 3:20 (1st vet 60), Tim 3:24, Mick 3:24 and Kim 3:56. After a shower and beer we set off back to Stone to continue the rehydration in the Royal Exchange.

We’ve had an improved level of participation by club members at races all over Britain (and Poland) and over varying distances.

It was good to see newer members racing, with Jane Capey getting 2nd F55 at the Katherine House 10K, Shugborough.

Richard Shaw has been running really well recently, following up his 2nd M65 at the New Forest Half Marathon with 1st M65 at the Tissington Trail Half Marathon.

Anne-Marie Mountford continues her impressive form with 1st F40 at the Ipstones 5.

At the St Thomas 7, Amy Gamble was 1st F35 and Joyce Edwards was 1st F65.

8 Bats ran the Wroclaw Marathon, in the company of Ben Gamble, as part of Jim Holland’s Stag Weekend. Steve Parker led the Bats home in Poland, in 3.24 which he improved on at the Chester Marathon to record a time of 3.20 and was 1st M60. He was beaten in by Jim’s best time for about 4 years, 3.08.

There was a great turn-out of 12 men and 10 ladies at the Winsford X-Country, a huge improvement on last year.

We all need to encourage a similar turn-out at Stafford Common on 24th October. The Captain will ensure that our portable Bat Cave will have a roof and sides for its next outing, so that cakes, bottles and runners stay dry!

Finally, 20 Bats supported the new Moddershall 5 and were led in by Roger Taylor in 31.30 and Pippa Steele in 37.24, who was second lady overall. http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/08/captains-report-071015/ http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/08/captains-report-071015/Kirsty Stephenson was 3rd lady with Kevin Uzzell 1st M65 and Pam Davies 1st F60.

Vice Captain’s additional note – In addition to seeing Jane Capey achieving 2nd F55 (see above) it was also good to see Tim Clegg complete his first half marathon at Congleton on 4th October. Both have joined this club this year and have made excellent progress and it is great seeing them competing in races.

SAVE THE DATE

What Stone Master Marathoners Christmas Gathering

When Friday 27th November 7.30pm

Where Gilmores at The Wheatsheaf, Oulton http://www.thewheatsheafstone.co.uk/

More to follow…………http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/05/christmas-gathering/http://www.stonemm.co.uk/2015/10/05/christmas-gathering/

For some weeks Captain Bernie has been mentioning (on the odd occasion) Cross Country and after a disappointing turn out from the Men last year he wanted a few more volunteers to run. Now Saturday’s are not ideal for me but I wanted to give it a go as I heard it is great fun and a good laugh.

So after taking the kids swimming and then dropping them off at a conveniently timed party I went down to the club and jumped in a car with Rose Gillick and Kevin Uzzell who have a couple of years of experience behind them.

Taking the scenic route through Nantwich to avoid the M6 we arrived in Winsford and parked up setting off to find Bernie in the club tent, he had kindly gone early to set up, bad ribs and all, so we could concentrate on running.

We were met with the air conditioned version as Bernie had obviously seen the weather forecast and thought we would appreciate the open sides (and roof).

 

Following Bernie’s cajoling we had 22 names down who had offered to run and by 1pm we had 10 women and 12 men fit and raring to go. Several members had dusted out their spikes after several years who seemed thrilled to be back on it and then there was us newbies who didn’t know what to expect, but there was a real buzz about the place and with promise of chocolate and alcohol at the finish we were all very eager to participate.

The set up at Cross Country is that the juniors have several races first and then the U17’s and Senior Women go off about 1.30pm. At Winsford the Women do two laps (approx. 5k) of the sports field which starts on a slight incline and then loops round the field through a couple of woody areas with not many twist and turns, the Men then follow later about 10 past 2 but do 4 laps (approx. 10k) doing the same course.

So at 1.30pm the 10 Female Bats with the bottle of Prosecco awaiting them in about 25 minutes set off and all get a loud cheer as they go past on lap one with Amy Gamble leading the way up the field. Approximately 12-15 minutes later they pass us again on the start of the second lap with Amy still out front closely followed by Philippa Boote and Julia McArthur and then (in no particular order), Alison, Pam, Julie B and Julie E, Anne-Marie, Margaret Shaw and Rose Gillick.

Sometime then between 24-33 minutes they all cross the line after putting their all in (and even some giving some back) having done a great job for the Ladies and setting high standards for the men to follow.

2.10pm and time for the men to set off on their four laps, this being my first cross country I didn’t quite know what to expect. We started off on the sports field on a slight incline and then flattened out as we ran round the perimeter of the field with the occasional zig or even zag, I was surprised how quickly my legs started complaining but then we dropped down through a couple of windy paths and wooded areas which broke up the field and up and down a couple of banks which I quite enjoyed, we then circled back to the beginning and started lap 2.

In the head running laps isn’t always easy but then again you know what to expect and when to push on, the added bonus is that you get cheered (or abused) more than once by your teammates, family and of course the super fans, Lynne and Frank Shepley !! So getting through laps 2 and 3 and trying to pick up runners in front of you is the main aim whilst trying to keep other teams behind you as it is all about points in this game.

By the 4^th lap are just trying to hold on and by this time Jim, Tim and Sparker were away in the distance and Fabian and Super Kev were still going well so although I wasn’t going to score any points I just tried to beat the few club runners in front of me just in case. After crossing the line and a brief lie down, I joined the rest of the team mates to cheer on the remaining lads, Alex, Jamie McArthur, Nick, Mac, Richard and Chris Ellerton all coming home in under an hour.

After making our way back to our air conditioned tent we all tucked into the chocolates and cake that was on offer (no champagne left by this point) and talked about the run.

For my first time at Cross Country it was fantastic fun and with the turn out and great team spirit I have already organised the childcare for Stafford Common and I urge anyone who has any doubts at all to come along because it is great fun and running as part of a team really helps.

Big thanks to Bernie for sorting it all out and the rest of the team for the encouragement – I have put a list of the times below, they are also on the website.

Bring on Stafford Common on the 24^th October and look forward to seeing even more than 22 there.

Paul

Ladies                                                              

24:31 Amy Gamble                                                    
25:13 Philippa Boote                                                
26:00 Julie McArthur                                                
26:12 Alison Brind                                                   
27:13 Pam Davies                                                     
27:10 Anne-Marie Mountford                             
29:30 Julie Ebrey                                                   
31:05 Julie Boulton                                                  
31:26 Rose Gillick                                                  
32:40 Margaret Shaw                                               

Men
44:08 Jim Holland
45:10 Tim Hulse
47:30 Steve Parker
48:16 Fabien Carbonell
48:55 Kevin Uzzell
49:03 Paul Phillips
52:14 Alex Yendole
53:33 Jamie McArthur
54:21 Nick Boulton
55:04 Richard Shaw
57:45 Mac McCoig
58:59 Chris Ellerton

To ALL Stone Master Marathoners, The Cross Country season is fast approaching and this is my call to all of you to help put Stone back on the map in the local North Staffs Cross Country League (NSCCL).  Last year we didn’t field a full team for the men and the ladies team finished 6th (8 clubs fielded full teams) in the second division.  It wasn’t too many years ago that both the men and the ladies were in division 1: the men were relegated in 2008 having not fielded full teams in all events; and the women were relegated in 2009 by a narrow margin of 17 places.  Stone can be competitive again but it will take mass participation to make this happen.  Many members will be new to the format of Cross Country so this email is to outline the competition and the reasons why we need as many of you as possible to take part this year.

• The NSCCL consists of 4 races during the early winter.  This year the races are:
  • Winsford 26th September (flat and all on grassy fields)
  • Stafford Common 24th October (windy, hilly and often muddy)
  • Park Hall 14th November (more trail running than cross country)
  • Uttoxeter Race Course 12th December (new this year but there is a ditch to jump)
• The ladies race is 5k and it starts at 1.30PM and the men’s is 10k and it starts at 2.10PM.
• Each venue is very different as described above.
• Cross Country is brilliant training.  It covers all aspects of running: speed; hills; competition; and teamwork.
• Teamwork is the key to Cross Country.  Every single person in the team has a role to play.  Whilst 4 people count and the total of their positions make the team total, every other person can help by pushing the competition backwards.  In 2009 the ladies were relegated by 17 points. This equates to pretty much 4 positions per race.  A few sprint finishes to push back some Telford Harriers would have been enough to keep us in the first division.
• Another important point is that we have some very competitive veterans in our club.  If we don’t field a full team then the individuals cannot be included in the overall standings.  We all owe it to these people to field a team so that they can receive their hard fought prizes.  It only needs 4 people to make a team.
• We can be competitive.  We have some new members who are planning to race the Cross Country and help to make the club competitive again.
• Finally, it’s really good fun and it will help you get into great shape for the 2016 road racing season.

There is also a Midland Cross Country, the National Cross Country and Cross Country relays but more about them at a later date.

I genuinely hope to see as many of you as possible at Winsford next Saturday and I do understand that there are family, jobs, etc. which will prevent some of you coming along. I’ll be there early to put up the club tent and could do with a hand because of a slight incapacity after Jim’s Stag / Marathon weekend.   The weather looks good but the tent will afford a little privacy for us when changing.

The distance from Stone to Winsford is 33 miles and takes approximately 45 minutes via the M6. It would be great if we car-share, leaving the Club at 11.30 AM.

Cheers,

Bernie

 

Race report: Paul Phillips

With the Potteries Marathon making a return after 10+ years I decided to make it my debut marathon. When I started running about 3 years ago I had no intention of running a marathon as it seemed such a long way and with a young family I would never fit in the training required.

However, after almost 3 years with SMM I signed up and started running more often with Bernie’s Sunday morning ramble’s around the Staffordshire countryside and training began.

Not long after I signed up the support from fellow runners began , well laughing when I mentioned it was my first and lots of tales about the heat, the hills and how difficult it was. Thanks everyone just what I needed to hear !!!

The day arrived, I didn’t think I had done enough training (does anyone) but cometh the hour !

Got the kit ready and then jumped in the car with the family and made my way to the home of football – Britannia Stadium, I don’t normally allow Nicola and the boys to come and watch me race as I get a tad nervous, but friends of ours were also running and they were going to spend a few hours at a local park before supporting us at the finish.

We met  all the Bats and had our group photo, with my boys photobombing the shot and then after a round of good lucks we made our way onto the start area with the other 1000 or so runners.

At 9.30am we started my debut marathon and made our way off the Britannia Stadium car park and down towards Trentham road, a nice flat easy start to find our rhythm – this wasn’t so bad only 25 miles to go !

We made our way up towards Longton Park, chatting with the other runners, recognising faces from the facebook chats over the past few months and fellow NSRRA racers all after points as we thought ‘No-one else from our group is daft enough to run this”, wrong as always lots of Group D runners on show.

As we passed Longton Park some fellow Bats were there cheering us along and Mike Keeling taking photos, at least at mile 3 we could still smile. domain name search engine I had found a nice steady rhythm and plodded along up through Normacot, Bentilee, along past the Crematorium and onto Leek road, covering some of the Potts Arf route  and soaking up the support and making the most of the water stations along the way. It was quite warm and muggy but not the scorching temperatures I had heard all about (I am sure it was probably only hot once but memories get fuzzed with some of these old Bats!!).

As we got to the top of Leek New Road it was about half way and I was well on target to break the 4 hours I would ideally like and feeling good – there had been plenty of hills but nothing I wasn’t expecting but knew the second half was likely to be a lot more challenging, so a few deep breaths and off we went towards Burslem (I think – not a part of the Potteries I am familiar with).

Up through Burslem and then down past Middleport Pottery and under the A500 trying to avoid banging the head on the low bridge – that said I was starting to think I must have banged my head to agree to run a marathon.

Next came Porthill Bank, I had been told it was a killer so I slowed for a minute or two took on some Jelly Babies and made my way up it at a steady pace but again we go up more hills on a Wednesday night for fun. It did go on for a while and we seemed to keep climbing even after the initial bank and it was about this point the sun decided to make more of an appearance and it felt like it warmed up a few more degrees, even more reason to grab water at every opportunity.

My pace had slowed at this point and the legs were beginning to ache but the head was still ok and was still enjoying the challenge as we dropped into Newcastle (was that the first downhill ?), through the town and then a climb up past the Thistleberry, never noticed this as a hill before but at 18/19 miles it appeared hard work. We then got on to part of the Clayton 10k course round Seabridge lane, and at this point I had ran further than ever before and knew I only had a 10k to run (easier said than done).

After Clayton we made our way back towards the A34 and the infamous ‘Avenue’ – mile 23 and a hill that seemed to go for forever followed by Lodge Road which went on even longer and steeper – whose idea was it to put them at the end ? But we had come this far so plod up the hills safe in the knowledge it must be the last one before we go down James Street and back to the Brit.

The legs were aching, the sun was shining and I had given up looking at the watch as it was irrelevant the aim was to finish – so taking in the support, drinking the water and eating the jelly babies on offer we got to the top of James Street and rolled down – it was hard work on the knees but I think a hump back bridge would have been by this point!

It was then a meander around streets until we came back to the A500, up and over the bridge and dropped down to the incinerator and 400 meters to go up the path to the Britannia – another climb, 200 metres to go round the corner and a steep climb to the finish – but you could now see the support lining the finishing straight and it spurred you up the climb for the finish. I heard my family shouting and then Ben my youngest ducked under the tape and grabbed my hand – and made me sprint to the finish (Thanks for that Ben !!!!).

3hr 48 minutes !!!!!

I found the nearest chair, sat down before I fell down and drank lots of water whilst Nicola, Matthew and Ben checked I was okay. After 5 minutes or so I managed to recover and go and find the Bats who had finished already where we passed around a few congratulations.

Unfortunately I had to rush off then as we had to find our friends who were coming back for lunch (7 kids in total – would I rather have been in the Exchange with everyone else….take a guess.)

Someone asked me within 10 minutes of finishing if I enjoyed it and I didn’t say no – I am not sure I got the feeling of immense satisfaction others talk about but the more I look back the more I realise 26.2 miles is a very long way and I can’t really believe I completed it.

It was an experience, thanks to the people of Stoke on Trent for the support, the marshalls and organisers for putting on a great event and lastly thanks to Stone Master Marathoners for the support and encouragement since I have joined the club – it really is a great running club with a great set of people who make running fun!

Race Report: Tony Matthews

Sooty, sausages and strawberry ice pops !

This was my first attempt at running a half marathon so a PB guaranteed and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.  It was great to see quite a few fellow club members beforehand and your advice was invaluable..thank you.

My overwhelming memories are seeing sooty at the top of Anchor Road, I thought I was hallucinating, a guy passed me in Bentilee with a pound of sausages round his neck (???) and then I had to slow …and well…stop on heartbreak hill to enjoy a strawberry ice pop! The nicest ice pop I have probably ever tasted.

People told me how special the atmosphere would be and it really was. So many people out supporting and I have to say the support from fellow runners also was pretty special too.

My time in the end was 2hrs 4mins, that ice pop probably cost me a bronze medal….oh well, there’s always next time. I did raise over £300 for BLESMA ( British Limbless ex Servicemen’s association) so all good in the end.