Sunday XC League - Race 5 2011/12: 19th Feb Royston

We hope that you can make it!

There is going to be prize giving after the race for teams and individuals.  We are definitely in the running for 2-3 team prizes and potential awards for Camilla, Sarah, Jen, David, Richard Bruce and perhaps Norman (who sadly can't make it).

Let's try and get some great team photos - we are hoping to get a mention of this in the local rag (with luck) - so bring your best smiley faces

Based on the postcode below will take 50 mins to get there.  Looks like an earlier start to normal - suggest 8:45am for a 9.00am departure from the Amble Inn at the bottom of Station Road.

1) Sarah - flasks for everyone this time please

2) Tarpaulins for kit - just in case of rain

3) Anything else????

Keep an eye on the facebook page for Arrows for futher spot announcements.

Message on here or email me:  simon_speirs@hotmail.com

NOTICE FROM SUNDAY LEAGUE ORGANISERS

This is the final Sunday League race for this season.  The event will be hosted by Royston Runners and will be held on Therfield Heath, Royston.  The Race HQ will be The Heath Sports Centre, Baldock Road, Royston, SG8 5BG.  The Centre has good changing and showering facilities.  It also has a licensed bar that serves food. 

Following the race, we'll have the presentation of the trophies to the leading individuals and clubs. Inevitably, it takes a while to work out 
who's won what, but I hope that as many of you as possible will stay on for the Presentations.

This is a joint race, starting at 10.30am

Both women and men will run about 5.5 miles.  There will be one small lap and two large laps.  The course is mostly across open downland and is very hilly.  It is suitable for spikes, studs or trail shoes.

Please note that all muddy footwear must be removed before entering the sports centre, especially spikes.

The centre management would appreciate it if runners would use the rear entrance, nearest the tennis courts, to access the changing areas. This will enable the reception area to remain clear.

End of season presentation of trophies to the winning clubs and individuals will take place after the race.

Travel: Car – parking is available at the Heath, but is limited due to other sporting activities taking place most weekends; car sharing is recommended.  Train – from King’s Cross to Royston station. The Heath is 15 minutes walk from the station – please check Sunday service before leaving.    

• Baldock Rd, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5BG
• Park at leisure centre.
• Approx 5.5 miles. 2 laps of grassland. Not normally muddy. Some hills both long and short. May be frosty.
• Showers and café at leisure centre. 10.30 start for men and ladies in one race.

Race Report: Sunday XC League 15th Jan

A great turnout.....

The Wrong Shoes.....

An amazing turn out by everyone - must have been the promise of a 6 mile run, the prospect of hard ground because of low rainfall and frost and a potential flat course.  So false expectations all around then..  There was a short killer hill - I defy anyone not to have walked at least a couple of steps and very slippy and slidy where the sun had melted just the surface mud.  At least the race was SHORTER than forecast!  Definitely, however, a case for trail shoes.  Apologies for calling it wrong and a few following my lead!

A great effort by everyone in the sun!  Hannah made her return and there were a new number of faces including Steph, Jim, David Mo, Tim Munchkin and John with BenK potentially doing his testimonial race in an Aro's vest before leaving to Scotland's hills...(well not quite a testimonial nor in an Aro's vest.)  UltraJ also came to support back from Tring RC to keep score and offer calf amd achilles healing advice.  Sorry to anyone if I miss them out.

Full results will be added to this in due course, but it was a strong show by the men and more ladies than expected meant they could have turned in at least 3 teams - A, B and ladies Vets.  Pity low numbers for them for earlier races in the season mean the ladies B won't score this time - all to play for next season.

One point of note:  a small jibe from the organisers that there was a contingent of people not wearing Harpenden Arrows kit.  (They were put right in terms of us renaming the club, etc. meaning a recent lack of investment in new kit).  So, although not compulsory, probably great if we can make a big show of getting the kit sorted for next season (if not before).

Next stop?  Fred's Huge 10m on Jan 22nd and then the 5th and final XC for the series in Royston on Feb 19th.  Get a longer pass on the 19th - I hear awards are made that day for individuals and clubs.

Photos here
Results here

But a summary for us:

Ladies'
Welwyn Results: 3rd Ladies A and 5th Ladies Masters
Overall results: 3rd Ladies A and 7th ladies vets.

Men's 
Welwyn results: Won A Team, 2nd B team and won Masters
Overall results: Men's A 3rd, Men's B 2nd and Winning Masters

Combined teams: 3rd

Sunday XC League - Race 4 2011/12: 15th Jan Digswell / Tewin

This could be the last one for anyone trying for an individual position - but we still need everyone for the team prize as all 5 will count.

Current standings:

3rd combined (Men and women's) team, 3rd overall women's team, 3rd overall men's A team, 2nd overall men's B team and 1st Men's masters.

1) 10:30am at Disgwell / Tewin - this is a farmland course

2) Meet at 9am at Amble Inn for a 9:15am departure.

3) Let's remember to bring

    - dustbin liners or tarpaulin to protect the gear - just in case.  

    - For SarahD - flasks of tea.........

    - good cheer and humour as always

Suday League Cross Country Sunday 15^th January 2012, Start 10:30am

Race #4 of 5 - Tewin (Garden City Runners)

** Please take particular note of PARKING LOCATIONS. **

Race HQ: Tewin Memorial Hall, Lower Green, Tewin, AL6 0JX http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=527155&Y=214695&A=Y&Z=3

 

Facilities: There are limited toilet & changing facilities at the hall but no showers.  Absolutely no muddy shoes/boots in the hall, please.

Refreshments: There will be some refreshments at Tewin Memorial Hall after the race. As well as the normal tea & coffee there will be some bread and soup and cake so you are all welcome to join us in the hall after the race.

Parking:

Parking is a real problem at this venue and is limited to around 100 spaces. Please share cars as much as possible. See map for car park locations:

1)    Tewin Bowls Club (c. 40 spaces) This is just 300m from race start.

2)    Tewin Pavillion (c. 25 spaces). This is half a mile walk from race start, so leave time !

3)    The Rose and Crown pub car park (30 – 40 spaces)

The pub is open from 12 noon and will have the Sunday lunch menu on which may be of use to some of our runners wanting a pint or Sunday lunch. Please find attached the link to the pub web site.

www.roseandcrowntewin.co.uk/

We politely ask anyone using the pub car park to vacate it by 12 unless they are staying on for lunch.

The start/finish:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=526755&y=214690&z=120&sv=526755,214690&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=516&ax=526755&ay=214690&lm=0

The start and finish will be at a junction of paths close to Tewin Bowling club (grid ref 267147).

The race will start by heading SW on a wide track until it meets the concrete path and turns right. There are then nearly two complete laps of the main circuit, but near the end of the second lap, the route will turn left for a short run in to the finish, with a final right turn just into the funnel.

There is not a large grassed field/area at the start so please be considerate when leaving bags and belongings.

(NB The old (2007 and earlier) start and finish area in the bottom field by Tewin Water School  is out of bounds.)

Race start: 10.30am: Men & ladies will run together and the same distance; 2 laps plus a short run in and out along the bridleway

Race distance: Approximately 6 miles. Men & ladies run same distance.

Access to the start and course: 

From Tewin it is approx 0.3M walk along footpaths across open fields.  Take the footpath that starts by the Bowls club, 50m south of Lower Green and the Memorial Hall.

The course: Stone/mud bridleway to start and the main laps are clockwise loops on farmland over footpaths and farm fields using public rights of way across private land.  Therefore competitors are asked not to stray from these and to pay due regard to underfoot conditions at all times. Please keep off the crops!  There are stiles and gates to negotiate on the course so please take care.  Studs or trail shoes are the most suitable footwear for this course. Spikes OK but beware the short, steep downhill section on the concrete path.

Hope to see you all Sunday 15^th January.

Sean Bowen on behalf of Garden City Runners

Attendees

Speirsy
Paul Griffiths

Ian Long

Richard Bruce

Phil Jacobs

Joanne Richards

Simon Kitchener

John Millen (Guest) - injured and doing Admin

Andrew Neal Skyrme

Dan Day

Jamie Nathan

Andrew Hill

James Bentall
Lloyd Watson- injured

Viddy Green
Jim "Renee" Charlton (New member)
David Moritz (New member)
Graham Harper

Lee Scott
Mark Nelso
Richard Johnstone

Jamie Fisher?

Camilla Davidson

Laura Nathan

Joolz Scott

Karen Watkins

Sarah Dumbrill
Sarah England

Louise Crosby
Hannah Turner

Geogie?

Dirt Half Race Report

Dirt Half 2011 Race report

Scrambling around to get any support for this was a little difficult with St Neots and the XC on the same weekend (plus the 1st ARO wedding to provide excuses.)

Both Speirsy and UltraJohn momentarily diverted attention from the XC to this event in Leighton Buzzard.  With UJ romping in in 2nd place in 2010 there was every possibility of a potential team prize for the 1st 5 runners past the finishing flag.

A few swapping of numbers to annoy the race organisers meant that we had the full requirement (with the correct Club name spelling) plus a few spare just in case consisting of:

> Speirsy

> UltraJohn

> Bruce(y) the Moose

> BenK

> GreekMark

> Big Neil

> Kate Speirsy

> Dawn Burr

So a very flat and picturesque canal run on cement / tarmac for 6 miles until hitting a long rise up into woods and then farmland put paid to any thoughts of a pb on this challenging, but enjoyable course.  Last 3 miles along the canal again to finish.

For the team prize, the lowest score was going to the team trophy. It was announced as a close run thing between Leighton Fun Runners, Bedford Harriers and Harpenden ARO Runners - respectively 568, 388 and 65.  Not quite so close then.  UltraJ maintained the course record for the club - saving himself for the XC at Trent Park the next day - as did Speirsy, Mark and Brucey.

> Full results:  http://www.dirtrunning.co.uk/index.php?p=custom6

> Photos:  http://www.dirtrunning.co.uk/index.php?p=gallery&folder=1236751

Sad though to hear that BenK is moving back up to Scotland and with John Millen moving away, this doesn't leave any ultra runners in the club any longer........

Not knowing what's below.....

Dicking around at the finish

Why do the Sunday XC League????

There has been some interest in trying something a little different this winter doing short races, local to Harpenden in Hertfordshire but with a little twist.... there might be mud (there is certainly grass!)
We are looking to get people along to the Sunday Cross Country League from RunHerts: http://www.runherts.com/index.htm
Having looked at a number of the Cross Country leagues that are available, a number of us felt that the Sunday Cross Country League was best for us as it is local, appears relaxed, inexpensive and we would be relatively competitive – but we need at least 13 runners as the top 8 men and 5 women count to Team A, with another 5 men & 3 women counting in Team B.
The fixtures for the coming season are:-

23 October Cheshunt (parkland course)
20 November Trent Park (parkland)
11 December Cassiobury Park, Watford (mainly through woodland)
15 January Digswell/Tewin, nr. Welwyn Garden City (agricultural)
19 February Royston (chalk down land)

There are currently 16 clubs in the League. Most are Hertfordshire based, with a few coming from North London. There is just one race per match with the men and women running together. On average, 90 women and 180 men run and there’s a real mix in both abilities and ages. Past results are in the cross country section of www.runherts.com

ALL the races start at 10.30am. Race distances vary between 5 and 6 miles.

HOW TO ENTER
All entries are taken on the day – but we will be hoping for people to show a commitment to run when they’ve expressed an interest
What happens is that immediately after the race, someone from each of the clubs fills out a Declaration/Results Form giving the names, age groups and finishing positions of the runners from their club (each finisher is given a disc when they cross the finish line showing their place). The discs and declaration forms are returned to the race administrator then they use this information to compile the results.

There’s just a one-off league affiliation fee of £50.00, which covers all the runners and all the races. The club will pay this so there are no individual entry fees – SO IT IS FREE to ARO Runners! ?
So please let Simon Speirs or John Millen know if you are interested in doing any of the races, then nearer to the time, we’ll set up a web-page on either the Facebook group or ARO’s website to keep a track of who is interested and entered.
THE COMPETITION
There are individual and TEAM prizes as follows:
Men The first eight men will count as your “A” team with the following five counting as a “B” team. The first four Masters will count as the Masters team.
Women The first five women will count as your “A” team with the following three counting as a “B” team. The first three Masters will count as the Masters team.
Masters Individual age groups: -

Women 35 / 45 / 55 / 65
Men 40 / 50 / 60 / 70
In the individual competition, the best four results will count.
Trophies will be awarded to the first three male and female open teams and the corresponding Masters teams. Masters will score for their open teams as well in their Masters team.
Individual trophies are awarded as follows:
Senior Men: M40, and M50 - first five places. M60 – first three; M70 - winner.
Senior Women: W35, and W45 - first five places. W55 – first three; W65 – winner.
Runners can only win individual trophies in their own age group. (In other words, Masters Competitors will only be able to win age-group trophies and not additional trophies as Senior Women or Senior Men. The thinking is that this will give more people an opportunity to win a trophy.)

WHY DO IT?
Apart from the point of view that it looks quite a lot of fun.....
- They are small intimate and friendly events
- Not too long races, not too far away
- Everyone could have the chance to contribute (remember that you don’t score if you don’t have a full team)
- Cross country is proven to approve your ability on smoother road surfaces
- It’s free
- It’s fun (did we mention that)
There are also a few in the club who have a passion for trails, scenery and the occasional bit of mud. Harpenden has some great countryside to explore and planned cross-country running should, with luck, give you the confidence to go out discovering if you aren’t doing it already

Trent Park XC Race Report - November 20th

Race report for Trent Park

The word challenging was removed secretly from the race description distributed to all those not tempted by St Neots in order to tempt them into running at this little course near Cockfosters. There had been talk of rebellion from some quarters as it was rumoured to be nearer 6 miles and (god forbid) not all off road as it "wouldn't take a spike!"
Having scrambled around for a full team a hardy few turned up at the Amble which then swelled to a full compliment on arrival at the race - a few notable faces not having been seen since the race at Broxbourne.

Conditions were misty with the course 50% on tarmac and the rest on trails or grass. It was a 2 lap race of 5 miles, so you knew what to expect on the 2nd time around - which included a few ups and downs as usual.

A few tired legs from the Dirt Half the day before, some untrained legs and hangovers meant potentially slow times - but the whole team started flooding in from 25th position onwards.

In all, 23 runners completed which meant we managed to maintain or improve our lofty positions in nearly all team categories! It should be noted that the Men’s A Team (with only 2 Seniors) could have achieved 2nd place with 7 extra places over the team of 7! That is just one extra place each!

	Team	Broxbourne	Trent Park	Current Standing
Men	A Team	4th	4th	4th
	B Team	3rd	4th	3rd
	Masters	1st	1st	1st
Ladies	A Team	5th	4th	4th
	B Team	n/a	n/a	n/a
	Masters	9th	5th	8th

Full race results here: http://runherts.com/xc.htm

Pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniebarnaby/sets/72157628064416847/
Onwards and upwards to Dec 11th at Watford. Please contact Speirsy on simon_speirs@hotmail.com or UltraJ at johnmillen@hotmail.com to get on the entry list and details held here: http://speirsysrunningblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/sunday-xc-league-race-3-watford.html

Remember it is free and everyone is (apparently) enjoying it.

Great team event - everyone counts as we now have points for at least 5 teams plus the club! Any no shows for any team means 1000 places added to those who have turned up - demoting them to the bottom of the list!

Sunday XC League - Race 3 Watford December 11th

Details received from Watfrod Joggers.  Potential entry list at the bottom of the blurb.

Location Watford Joggers - Cassiobury Park
Time:  10:30am

Start and finish near the Langley Way entrance. WD17 3BA

Route as previous years, a loop in the park, then up the Lime Walk, before dropping down into the woods for 2 laps, returning back up the hill and retracing the route back, and the loop in the park.

The only running on the tarmac path will be to cross the river and canal bridges. We will keep out of the way of those seeking a more gentle experience in the park.

Please remind your runners that there are other people using the park and woods. We have permission, but not exclusive rights to run.

Please also advise your runners that we have no club house facilities. There are limited toilets in the park.

Parking is plentiful, with consideration, near to the park. There is a car park on the opposite side of the park, app half a mile from the start/fininsh. Watford Metropolitan Line station is the closest. Watford Junction is further, just a short warm up jog away.

There will be hills, there will be trees, there will be tree roots and low branches, there will be mud.

Attendees - and yes I know I am childish

MEN
Speirsy
UltraJ?
Tall Paul
Andrew Hill
Brucey
Graham Harper
Jamie Fisher
Lee Duscherer (nee Scott)
Lloyd Watson
Phil Jacobs
Mark Nelson
Dazerelli
Jamie Nathan
Andy Skyrme
James Bennett



LADIES
Laura Nathan
Joanne Richards
Annette Godfrey?
Jillian Russell?
Karen Wilkins
Jenny Birch
Georgie
Johjo maman bebe
Sarah Dumbrill
Dawn Burr
Joolz Scott (nee Duscherer)
Camilla Davison
Laura Nathan
Sarah England
Kate Speirsy?