Because running isn’t a spectator sport.
Apologies for the low quality, and the delay. Sorry, my pipe was full of Doctor Who for most of the afternoon, and uploading was very slow.
Posted by Dave at 05:58 PM | Comments (5)
Yes, this was a cold day, even by Barry 40 standards, maybe even the coldest in the history of the event. Fortunately, it stayed dry, but it was bitter. That said, my immediate reaction is to thank everyone who freely gave their time - without you there would be no race, and I know I speak for every competitor when I say many, many, thanks!
It was also the closest race in the event's history. The great thing about ultras, which we've seen time and time again, is that "it's never over till it's over". The cold has often been termed "the unseen enemy". To witness an athlete like Sharon Gayter, second in the 2003 1000 Mile Challenge, being sidelined after 18 miles with cold-induced asthma makes you realise just how tough it was. And when you start to slow, and cannot run fast enough to maintain sufficient body feet, you're in big trouble.
Spare a thought for Stuart Buchan. Over nine minutes clear at 30 miles, having led the race from Lap 2 and then get caught on Lap 156 of 161 was agonising.
However, credit to Stephen Pope for a fantastically judged race. Winner: 4:27:38, second 4:29:10.
Lizzy Hawker, PhD student at Southampton University in polar oceanography, used all her experience of visiting the Antarctic to good effect. A superb winner in 5:12:46, this young lady is certainly one to watch and looked really good throughout.
But pride of place goes to 71 year old Geoff Oliver. He missed the World Over 70 30 mile record by 1:45, and the 50 Km record by just 42 seconds. Deflated? Not a bit of it. Geoff ran a storming last 10 miles to clock 5:38:19, eclipsing Max Jones' eight year old record of 5:49:50, set in Portland, Oregon by over 11 minutes. Well run, Geoff! You were an inspiration to all present!
And what of the Croups? Andy Cleves went out much harder than usual, and was second at halfway in 2:14:32. But the second half saw Andy have to fight all the way, and despite slipping to 5th, he secured his third Welsh title in four years, clocking 4:48:22. Alan Mann had another solid run, finishing 11th (4th Welsh) in 5:30:10, whilst Gil John placed 18th (6th Welsh) in 6:14:32.
24 starters; 19 finishers (79% success rate). In those conditions, if you got through you were a winner. And a super-tough winner at that!
Posted by Mick at 05:21 PM | Comments (0)
There will be a Triathlon meeting on Thursday 10th March after Mick's announcements. This is open to anyone with an interest in Duathlons or Triathlons. Phil will also be taking kit orders as he has already had a few requests and is hoping to place an order by the end of the week. Also don't forget the Triathlon section membership is now due.
Posted by Phil at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)
Yes this is the annual panic call! I've had the usual last minute calls from athletes saying that their lap counter has let them down! So please, if you can spare any time at all on Sunday, preferably early when most athletes are on the track, I'd really appreciate it. We still have 30 athletes scheduled to run in the most wide open race for years. So please come and support this amazing event. Start time 10.00 AM. It can only get warmer (can't it?) So please bring your warmest togs!
Posted by Mick at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)
12 March 2005, Tredegar House and Country Park, Newport
Senior Men at 12.50, Senior Women at 13.50
The last Gwent of the season is on the horizon. I ’d like to encourage as many runners as possible to help us consolidate and (in one or two categories) hopefully improve our current positions. Every runner counts!
Please advise Sue for the Ladies and myself for the men.
Posted by Simon at 02:59 PM | Comments (0)
Apologies for not having last night’s session on the website. Anyway, upcoming hills are...
8th March, Llandennis Avenue - meet at Cardiff High. 6.15pm for warm-up, 6.30pm for session
15th March , Waterloo Road - meet at Lady Mary Road. 6.15pm for jog over. 6.30pm for session.
22nd March, Lady Mary Road. 6.15pm for warm-up, 6.30pm for session
The sessions will then take a rest for a couple of weeks (our hill work is done!) and return in a different format. Watch this space for further details.
Posted by Simon at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)
Did you lose your invite to the Oscars? All dressed up and nowhere to go? If you have a whistle and flute and fancy yourself as James Bond circa Dr No, or a Liz Hurley type dress swinging from a hanger in the wardrobe then we have a diary date for you.
The Triathlon dinner-no-dance has been booked for Friday 18th March at the excellent Cinnamon Tree Indian restaurant at Pontcanna. Being true athletes, we have picked a nice central location close to several excellent pubs (you have to get your priorities right). So the format of the night is; Gorgeous slap up meal, brief speeches to celebrate our first year in Triathlon, updates on stuff coming up and a long monologue on the benefits of cross training (I said TRAINING). All this will be followed by the highlight of the evening, the first year of the Triathlon awards. Have you competed in a Duathlon or Triathlon? Are you one of our first winners?
This is open to all members of Les Croups and will cost you about a tenner for the meal. So come and share a chinwag, a beer and a bhaji and enjoy a night of tomfoolery with the Tri section. See Clare for menu details or e-mail her on; clare@lescroupiersrunningclub.org.uk
Posted by Simon at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)
Last updated 22 September 2006
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