Les Croupiers track day 2012

24^th June, 2.00pm – 4.30pm  Cardiff  International Stadium,  Leckwith

Timetable:

2.00pm	800m	Women – all ages
2.10pm	800m	Senior men & v35-49
2.20pm	800m	V50+ men
2.30pm	800m	Juniors
2.45pm	3000m	Women – all ages
3.10pm	3000m	Senior men & v35-49
3.25pm	3000m	V50+ men
3.45pm	200m/60m	Juniors
3.50pm	400m	Women – all ages
4.00pm	400m	Senior men & v35-49
4.05pm	400m	V50+ men
4.15pm	4x100m relay	Mixed teams
3.00pm – 4.00pm	Long Jump	All ages

Entry:  £3 per adult and £1.50 juniors

Please bring along picnic if you wish and weather permitting Mr Dukes has kindly agreed to fire up his BBQ which will be ongoing from 3pm until 4.30pm when we have to be finished [Stadium closes at 5pm].

Note: We have track booked from 2pm, but we will be starting promptly as timetable is tight, so please register on the day in good time [from 1.30pm] or in advance on Thursday evenings.

There will once again be prizes for the 3000m races which form part of club short course championships,  as well as some rewards for any juniors taking part.

Castles Relay 'traffic and travel'

The closed Taff Trail section at RhydfelinTo recap, and apologies for going on about this, but just in case you have'nt heard (see the WCR pages for details):

Stage 1: The Urdd (youth) Eisteddfod is located 6 miles to the south of Caernarfon to the west of Penygroes. Last Monday there were severe traffic problems approaching the site, which have since been alleviated to some extent by the Police and Council. However, I would anticipate delays in the area around Caernarfon, especially at the roundabout where the A499 meets the A487 (6 miles into Stage 1). I would strongly recommend that you make arrangements so that your runners on Stages 2 and 3 have plenty of time to get to Penygroes and Criccieth.

Stage 7 – Dolgellau to Dinas Mawddwy. The carriageways on a section of the A470 have been reduced in width during the works and it is not safe for runners to be on the road with the traffic. An alternative route will be used out of Dolgellau and the race will join the A470 at Cross Foxes (2.8 miles). Race support traffic must use the A470 as usual and not the lane (Fron Serth) used by the runners. Please  ensure that your runner on Stage 7 is aware that he/she MUST be prepared to stop at Cross Foxes and wait to cross the A470 until directed by marshals. Any runner ignoring the marshals instructions will receive a penalty of the Stage cut-off time plus 15 minutes.

Stage 10 Llanfair Caereinion to Newtown: The race will start at the junction of Watergate Street/High Street in Llanfair Caereinion (opposite church) on B4389 (far end of the town avoiding congestion on the bridge and main street).

Stage 14 Builth Wells to Drovers Arms:The race will start in front of the gate beside Jewsons yard (just beyond the roundabout).

Stage 19: A section of the Taff Trail has been closed between Glyntaff and Rhydfelin. Runners will, therefore, have to be diverted off the Taff Trail via the Rhydfelin Housing estate for a duration of 0.8 miles: after leaving the Trail head along Dyffryn Crescent, Dyffryn Road, Holly Street and Dynea Road and then re-join the Taff Trail. This diversion is marked with yellow arrows we are also attempting to have additional marshals here BUT Team Captains and runners are requested to familiarise themselves with this diversion and follow the yellow arrows.

STOP-PRESS: Ian McDonald and San Dom are providing another 3 marshals and have agreed to change and extend their marshaling duties to cover the Stage 19 Rhydfelin diversion mentioned above (phew, thanks San Dom!). We are however now short of a marshal (preferably two) to divert runners across the mini roundabout at Glyntaf (by the Uny Glamorgan Glyntaf College campus) onto the Taff Trail by Gyntaf Crematorium. Any takers? This is very urgent, and ideal for anyone wanting to help out or already on the road this weekend. Please see Tim or Richard in the clubhouse tonight if you can help out...

The Big Weekend

Never mind the Silver Jubilee – it’s the Welsh Castles Relay! 

A short note to anyone who’s not been down the club for the past 30 years, but we have a little race going on this weekend. Keep an eye on the Castles microsite for details, especially the two ‘sacred texts’ (the final instructions which include details of some last minute route changes we've had to make, and the Reference Book with which you will no doubt already have been burning the midnight oil at both ends).

And many thanks to all of those remarkable people who have ‘volunteered’ to be part of the WCR Support Team this year, without whom this event would not be possible. Best of luck to the 60 runners from the club and their team captains who will be racing – you’ll be representing the 'world’s greatest club' and up against the finest in the land (and from further afield) so no pressure then (!). Take care on the roads and don't forget to have fun...

The current weather forecast suggests conditions may not be quite ‘Barry-esque’ this weekend so be prepared to whether the weather, whatever the weather.

Goody bag packing as ever at John’s tomorrow (see the thread) – those running or members of the Support Team will be rewarded with a highly prized 30th Anniversary T-shirt and 'limited edition' souvenir poster-map, and more. And don’t forget the traditional loading-up of the white vans Thursday night. 

It’s going to be a great weekend! See you in Cardiff Castle Sunday, if not before..

Tragic news from London

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Clare Johnson’s son Ben passed away yesterday. Ben had been unwell for a number of years and sadly took his own life in London.

Many of you will know Clare as one of the most committed, vibrant and energetic personalities at the club. Ben accompanied Clare at many races lending support and often, a helping hand. A large number of club members knew Ben personally.

The club would like to pass on its sympathy and sincere condolences to Clare, Owen and Nels. Several club members have already been in touch with Clare, who is as well as could be expected given the sad circumstances. It was Clare's wish that club members be informed as soon as possible. 

Please feel free to add messages for Clare below this item.

Updated details: Funeral arrangements from Clare

Ben's funeral will be at 12.00 pm,Wednesday 13 June,  St Marylebone Crematorium, East End Road, London N2 0RZ and afterwards at The Old Dairy,Crouch End/Stroud Green, London N4 4AP.  Cheerful apparel please. Donations to Hafal (formerly National Schizophrenia Fellowship) or Inroads, a service offering support to drug and alcohol users and their families can be sent to the funeral home, Green Endings, 141 Fortess Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 2HR.

A further message from Clare:

I am singing in Faure's Requiem in the Cathedral on Monday. Perhaps friends, not coming to the funeral, might like to come to that (it's free and in aid of the new organ). 

Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society 7.30pm Monday 11th June Llandaff Catheral

Faure Requiem

Parry I was Glad

Handel Zadok the Priest

Bach Toccata in C

WCR Support Team Briefing (24th May)

This message is aimed not at those taking part in but those who have kindly offered their time and expertise to help us manage this year's Castles Relay weekend.  Details of the current list of volunteers can be found here. Not included on the list are the names of reserves (we’re still working on this…).

A copy of the 2012 WCR Reference Book (essential reading, and in a new exciting format) can also be found here. Full details of the race itself can be found on the separate Castles Relay web-site here.

Note also that there will be a briefing session for all of you on Thursday the 24th of May (in the club house at 8:30pm). Please try and make this.  There would be no WCR without you and we appreciate the commitment, dedication and hard work required. By way of reward, everyone helping-out will receive one of our Richard Brewer’s very special ‘brown envelopes’ at the briefing session (or on a subsequent Thursday night if you are unable to make the 24th). This will contain all the details needed to fulfil your role as a WCR Official.

A highly prized limited edition WCR T-shirt and ‘A470 chic’ high-viz jacket will also be winging its way to you in due course…

The WCR Team