A good few drinks were enjoyed at the Old Shades in the afternoon, and none more well earnt than by Dave E Williams who organised another faultless London trip - well done sir! Well done to all who ran, supported, and organised.

Results here

I would also like to thank everyone who took the time to vote.

So I would like to announce the members of the Competition Sub Committee :

Ladies Captain :  Claire Beatty

Ladies Vice Captain :  Kirsty Roberts

Mens' Vice Captains :  Stuart Crees and Nick Dukes

Vets Team Managers :  Al Jones and Rob Sage

Thanks again.

Phil

YOU MUST BE A PAID UP MEMBER TO VOTE AND YOU CAN ONLY VOTE ONCE IN EACH OF THE CATEGORIES THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR!!

THE LAST DAY OF VOTING is 14^th APRIL 2013 

The way the Voting will work is as follows: 

For the Ladies Captain position you have a choice of 2 candidates, you choose your preferred option and e-mail your selection to Karen Phillips at  karenandjohn7@btinternet.com  using the header “Ladies Captain Vote”. In order to vote on this position you must be FEMALE. 

Your candidates are (alphabetically) :

• Claire Beatty
• Amanda Thompson

For the Ladies Vice Captain position there was only 1 candidate, so there will be NO VOTE.

So, the new Ladies Vice Captain is Kirsty Roberts.

For the Men’s Vice Captain position, there are 2 places available and you have a choice of 3 candidates, you choose your 2 preferred options and e-mail your selection to Phil Cook at  philjlcook@googlemail.com  using the header “Men’s Vice Captain Vote”. In order to vote on this position you must be MALE. 

Your candidates are (alphabetically) ~ select 2 :

• Stuart Crees
• Brian Dias
• Nick Dukes

For the Men’s Vets Team Manager position, there are 2 places available and you have a choice of 3 candidates, you choose your 2 preferred options and e-mail your selection to Jeff Aston at  jra.1@virgin.net  using the header “Vets T M Vote”. In order to vote on this position you must be MALE and 35+.

Your candidates are (alphabetically) ~ select 2 :

• Alun Jones
• Alan Mann
• Rob Sage

Tony & Geoff

It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of Tony Dorsett after a long illness.

Tony was a long time member well known to many in the Club as one of 'Crinklies Corner'. Often sat alongside his running nemesis Geoff Wright, the two often battled, at a more sedate pace than the racing snakes of the Club, but they had a determined friendly rivalry that was as keen as any other.

Tony was an extremely personable and affable gentleman, this being evident on Saturday mornings with his long support for Cardiff parkrun. He was extremely proud of his parkrun 100 t-shirt, though he totalled 136 runs in all. His cheery greeting and smile will be missed by the many friends he made there too.

Tony we will all miss you.

Funeral Details:

Friday, March 22nd at 010.00 Rosemount Funeral Home, North Road, Cardiff. (Small car park). No flowers by request, donations please for
Macmillan NursesTaff Ely, and Lung Cancer Research, Velindre Hospital.
011.00 Ty-Rhiw Cemetery, Taffs Well
12.00 Buffet at Les Croupier Clubhouse, Western Avenue, Cardiff.

Castles T-shirts fine.

The positions available are listed below along with a brief description of the role.

If you are interested in any of the positions could you please e-mail me at   pjlcook@btinternet.com  using the subject header “Competitions Committee”? Could you please let me know by Friday 15^th March at the latest?

1.  LADIES CAPTAIN

To work with the Club Captain to ensure that the Club plays a full part in competitive running (in all modes), and to sit on the “Competitions Sub Committee” tasked with the leadership of competition in all categories.

The role will require the holder to be a fairly regular attendee at the Club on a Thursday night (but we aren’t looking for 52 weeks/year) in order to greet new members and communicate with all members.

You will also be available to meet one Thursday a month to sit on the Competitions Sub Committee.

To be in contact with the Lady members of the Club and keep them informed of up coming events (the preferred medium is the Club website forum – but e-mails may also be required).

To co-ordinate members in the run up to events and confirm availability prior to team events (e.g. Relays and Championships).

To perform any registration requirements prior to and/or on the day of the event, especially at the Gwent League Cross Country fixtures.

Be available to co-ordinate the Ladies team for the Castles Relay weekend.

2.  LADIES VICE CAPTAIN

To work with the Club Captain and Ladies Captain to ensure that the Club plays a full part in competitive running (in all modes), and to sit on the “Competitions Sub Committee” tasked with the leadership of competition in all categories.

To deputise for the Ladies Captain when required, and undertaken the required actions.

The role will require the holder to be a fairly regular attendee at the Club on a Thursday night (but we aren’t looking for 52 weeks/year) in order to greet new members and communicate with all members.

You will also be available to meet one Thursday a month to sit on the Competitions Sub Committee.

To assist the Ladies Captain to make contact with the Lady members of the Club and keep them informed of up coming events (the preferred medium is the Club website forum – but e-mails may also be required).

To assist the Ladies Captain to co-ordinate members in the run up to events and confirm availability prior to team events (e.g. Relays and Championships).

To perform any registration requirements prior to and/or on the day of the event, especially at the Gwent League Cross Country fixtures.

Be available to co-ordinate the Ladies team for the Castles Relay weekend.

3.  MEN’S VICE CAPTAIN  (2 positions available)

To work with the Club Captain to ensure that the Club plays a full part in competitive running (in all modes), and to sit on the “Competitions Sub Committee” tasked with the leadership of competition in all categories.

To deputise for the Club Captain when required, and undertaken the required actions.

The role will require the holder to be a fairly regular attendee at the Club on a Thursday night (but we aren’t looking for 52 weeks/year) in order to greet new members and communicate with all members.

You will also be available to meet one Thursday a month to sit on the Competitions Sub Committee.

To assist the Club Captain to make contact with the male members of the Club and keep them informed of up coming events (the preferred medium is the Club website forum – but e-mails may also be required).

To assist the Club Captain to co-ordinate members in the run up to events and confirm availability prior to team events (e.g. Relays and Championships).

To perform any registration requirements prior to and/or on the day of the event, especially at the Gwent League Cross Country fixtures.

Be available to co-ordinate the Men’s team for the Castles Relay weekend.

4.  MEN’S  VETS TEAM MANAGERS  (2 positions available)

Be available to co-ordinate the Vet Men’s team for the Castles Relay weekend, this will be the primary role of this position.

To work with the Club Captain to ensure that the Club plays a full part in competitive running (in all modes), and to sit on the “Competitions Sub Committee” tasked with the leadership of competition in all categories.

To deputise for the Club Captain when required, and undertaken the required actions.

The role will require the holder to be a fairly regular attendee at the Club on a Thursday night (but we aren’t looking for 52 weeks/year) in order to greet new members and communicate with all members.

You will also be available to meet one Thursday a month to sit on the Competitions Sub Committee.

To assist the Club Captain to make contact with the male members of the Club and keep them informed of up coming events (the preferred medium is the Club website forum – but e-mails may also be required). This will mainly be around the Castles Relay (June) and Masters Road Relays (May).

To assist the Club Captain to co-ordinate members in the run up to events and confirm availability prior to team events (e.g. Relays and Championships).

To perform any registration requirements prior to and/or on the day of the event.

This has been Yvonne’s 3^rd stint as Ladies Captain and as a result has put a lot of time, effort and energy into the position. And I’m sure will be a tough act to follow.

I’m sure the Ladies would like to show their thanks to Yvonne as well.

I’d also like to thank Mike Davies who has taken on the responsibility of looking after the Men’s Vets team at the Castles Relay the last few years, but this year has taken a more active role on the Castles organising committee. Mike has also helped out at other Masters events looking after teams. Having led the Vets team to Victory over the last two Castles he has set a high bar to live up to.

To Nick and Stuart, thanks for stepping up to the plate at not only the Castles but at the 12 Stage Road Relays and the Gwent League, you have formed the back bone of many a team since I became Captain and shown enthusiasm and invaluable help with team selections.

So I would like to thank you all for your valued time and effort and I hope to see your continued enthusiasm at future events.

There will shortly be a request for those interested to put their names forward for roles on the Club’s Competitions Sub Committee.

Many thanks

Phil Cook

Club Captain

• Athlete of the Year - Steve Paterson - ranked first or second for all distances in 2012, Steve is a deserved winner of this increasingly hard to win category as the club standard at the top end continues to improve.
• Most improved athlete - Fran Machin - Fran got PB's at virtually all distances in 2012, including taking 20mins off her best marathon time!
• Club person of the year 2012 - Amanda Thompson - deservedly won for her work for the committee, and especially the administration of the Castles Relays, as well as finding time to improve her running and regularly compete for the club.

Following the awards, members enjoyed a dance to live music at the rugby club, with a select few then heading in to town to dance into the early hours. Great to see so many members and guests supporting the event and enjoying the chance to dress up in something other than lycra! Proof we are just as good at partying as we are at taking on the world at running.

Stu, pictured, managed to beat long standing rival Pete Coles with the aid of Nat Lane's pacing - maybe following the devil pays after all! [Spot Nat's number!]. All in all a great day out for the club with great performances and fast times throughout the 618 strong field. Race 2 of the long course champs is the handicap next week, followed of course by the AGM, see you all there. Happy Snow Free Running this week to one and all. 

For those who missed out,  Gwent League 4 at Bath is only two weeks away!