Shrewsbury AC Running Report 10/5/14

The Telford Sexarathon Series has commenced with the staging of the Lilleshall 5 Mile Race. Joe Brocklehurst got his 2014 campaign off to a successful start with 2^nd place in 26/36, with Matt Guilder 25^th in 30/50, Luke Butler 40^th in 32/07, Kevin Francis 42^nd in 32/13 and Peter Savill, winner of last year's Over 60 category, 47^th in 32/40 and 2^nd Veteran over 60.

On the fell running scene, the Winter Fell Series concluded with the Wrekin Fell Race, with Angus Harvey-Smith 8^th in 44/42, Steve Turk 22^nd in 50/04 and 1^st Veteran over 45 and Gill Evans 66^th in 62/04 and 2^nd Lady Veteran over 50. It was a successful series for the three, with Harvey-Smith 4^th Senior Man overall, Turk 1^st Veteran over 45 and Evans 1^st Lady Veteran over 50.

The Summer Fell Series commenced with the Wrekin Streak Race, with Steve Turk 28^th in 22/00 and 3^rd Veteran over 45, Shaun Owen 44^th in 23/29 and 4^th Male Under 18 and Gill Evans 78^th in 27/45 and 1^st Lady Veteran over 50.

In the Sheinton Steeplechase multi terrain race, there were successes for club runners in a number of age categories. Gabe Morris had an outstanding performance, finishing 2^nd in 21/35 in his debut appearance for the club, with club captain Graham Jones 6th in 22/37 and 1^st Veteran over 55 and Steve Turk 8^th in 22/47 and 2^nd Veteran over 45.

Other Finishers: 12^th Haydn Jones 23/23(1^st Veteran over 50), 16 Kevin Francis 23/42(4^th Veteran over 45), 33 Gill Evans 27/25(1^st Lady Veteran over 50), 45 Adam Stockwell 29/33, 65 Gordon Trevor 41/05(1^st Veteran over 60).

Marathon Round-Up

There was Shrewsbury AC action on the streets of London as Father and Son, Peter and Luke Butler represented the club in this year's London Marathon. For Luke Butler this race was his debut at the full marathon distance and after a solid block of marathon specific training over the last few months he was in shape to attempt to break the hallowed 3 hour barrier. Well supported by friends and family, Luke passed over Tower Bridge nearing halfway on the shoulder of the Sub 3 hour pacemaker and passed the half-way mark in 1.29.43. It was not until the latter stages of the race that Luke lost contact with the Sub 3 hour pacemaker and ultimately finished in a time of 3.01.00, which was a superb performance given it was one of the hottest races in recent years. Peter Butler, who enters the Vet 60 category in 2015 was on target for a Sub 4 hour clocking at halfway but slowed marginally during the 2nd half of the race to finish just outside 4 hours in 4.00.20 to round off a highly memorable day for the family.

On the previous weekend, 6th April, marathon-lover, Emma Sheekey competed in her 2nd Paris Marathon. After completing 2 marathons a fortnight apart last year, Emma sensibly opted to target just the one this year and was rewarded with a PB after a great run, crossing the line in 4.09.55. Her time was remarkably 24 minutes quicker than last year's. 

On the same morning, Shrewsbury AC's Haydn Jones competed in the Greater Manchester Marathon. 2014 saw the third running of the race, which starts and finishes at Old Trafford Football Stadium and claims to be flattest marathon race in the country. Haydn who has posted a number of impressive marathon times over a long period, finished in an impressive time of 3.23.45, placing him 822nd out of around 7,000 runners.

X-Country Report 9/2/14

Shrewsbury Athletic Club runners had to overcome exceptionally challenging ground and weather conditions when they competed in the final two fixtures of the North Wales Cross Country League at Lilleshall and Oswestry. In the wet and muddy conditions at Lilleshall, Joe Brocklehurst lead the side home in 6^thplace, with Dom Kirby in 23^rd place , and Tom Roo 29^th. Next to score was Richard Jones, 42^nd, Kevin Francis 47^th, then a return from injury straight into the team scorers for Luke Butler in 52^nd place. The energy sapping conditions took their toll, with the Shrewsbury Club slipping to 4^th team on the day, but still 2^nd overall in the Series. In the Womens' race, Ann Byrne was 52^nd and Sheila Richards 53^rd.

At Oswestry, a further two weeks of rain combined with gale force winds and torrential rain on the day made the going even tougher, with Pete Middleton able to return to lead the squad home in 7^th place, followed by Dom Kirby, capping off his best season to date in 13^th place. Tom Roo and Alan Dean, having bolstered the squad with their appearances in the final two fixtures, finished in 29^th and 34^th places, with Richard Jones and Club Captain Graham Jones completing the team scorers in 35^th and 40^th places. A great team effort all round, meant that the Club maintained their 2^nd place overall in the Mens' and Masters' team series and in addition, Richard Jones was 2nd in the Veteran Over 50 category and Graham Jones 2^nd in the Veteran Over 55 category. In the Womens' race Anne Byrne and sister Sheila Richards completed a consistent season in 50^th and 51^st places, with Anne Byrne finishing 3^rd overall in the Female Veteran Over 55 category.

Results:

Lilleshall: 6 Joe Brocklehurst 35/31, 23 Dom Kirby 38/55, 29 Tom Roo 39/30, 42 Richard Jones 40/48, 47 Kevin Francis 41/13, 52 Luke Butler 41/29, 53 Angus Harvey-Smith 41/38, 57 Alan Dean 42/47, 70 Haydn Jones 44/20, 113 Derek Owen 51/23. Women: 52 Anne Byrne 40/57, 53 Sheila Richards 41/48.

Oswestry: 7 Pete Middleton, 13 Dom Kirby, 29 Tom Roo, 34 Alan Dean, 35 Richard Jones, 40 Graham Jones, 53 Haydn Jones, 103 Derek Owen. Women: 50 Anne Byrne, 51 Sheila Richards.

The County Cross Country Championships took place at Lilleshall in similarly challenging conditions, with Pete Middleton leading the side home in 7^th place, Steve Waters 17^th, Kevin Francis 22^nd and Derek Owen 51^st. Anne Byrne finished 50^th in the Womens' race. In the Under 17 Boys' race, Daniel Hersee finished 7^th and Shaun Owen 17^th, while the muddy conditions were no barrier to the Club's fell star Ben Ashcroft, who stormed to a decisive victory in the Under 20 race.

Results: 7 Pete Middleton 39/52, 17 Steve Waters 44/15, 22 Kevin Francis 44/48, 51 Derek Owen 54/17. Women: 50 Anne Byrne 49/19. Under 17 Boys: 7 Daniel Hersee 23/05, 17 Shaun Owen 25/29. Under 20 Men: 1 Ben Ashcroft 39/15.

Mad Jack's 5

The 2014 Mad Jack's 5 Race will take place on Saturday 8th November at Attingham Park, nr Shrewsbury. Entries are now open. Enter online at www.runbritain.com or download the entry form and Information for Runners at http://shropshirerunnersnetwork.blogspot.co.uk Closing date for pre-entries - Friday 31st October. Entry limit - 550. Entries on the day available if entry limited not reached.

Road Race Round-Up

Telford 10k, 15/12/13

There's a few things you look for when choosing a road race to enter and the Telford 10k ticks most, if not all of those boxes. It's relatively cheap, local to Shrewsbury, the course is fast with good PB potential, the field is strong (one of the strongest in the country) and it's well organised. For these reasons runners flock from all over the country to compete and this year saw a record turnout of just over 800 runners with about 200 in the Elite Race, and approx 600 in the Mass Race. 

The course is a fast and flat, 2 lap route around Telford Town Park, with a frantic, narrow, winding, downhill start and an out and back section along the Silkin Way with a bollard as a turning point. In near perfect conditions for running (only a slight breeze) Steve Waters, Alan Dean and Pete Savill represented Shrewsbury AC, competing in the elite race. First home for the club was Steve Waters (132nd), in a season's best 37.19. Alan Dean finished just inside the top 200 with a solid sub 40 min clocking of 39.43, while Pete Savill just missed out on a sub 40 with 40.13 as he once again dominated his peers in the MV60 category.

Parkrun Round-Up

In recent weeks, Shrewsbury AC athletes have continued to take part in the local Shrewsbury Parkrun. Some using it as speedwork, others focused on lowering their 5k times. On 7th December, Joe Brocklehurst, following a great duel with Welshpool-based Richard Roberts set a new course record, 15.47. This was the first time the course record had been broken since the inaugural race in September and runner-up, Richard's time of 15.54 was the 2nd fastest over the course. In the same race the club's leading junior runner, Ben Ashcroft ran 17.21 for 5th and one-time Telford Parkrun winner, Luke Butler made his comeback from a knee injury with a solid 18.31 for 10th. Luke's performance was particularly impressive given he had spent the previous night intoxicated on some of Shropshire's finest ales. Super-Vet Pete Savill finished in 19.21, 17 seconds slower than his best performance over the course which ranks him 2nd overall in the Age Graded league out of over a 1,000 runners.

The previous week, Dom Kirby made a rare outing on the tarmac and continued his great form over the winter by breaking the 17 minute barrier in 16.56. He was followed home by the improving Steve Waters who enjoyed a breakthrough run clocking 17.56 (his fastest time in well over 3 years). 

Most recently on 14th December, Matt Guilder finally succeeded in his quest for a sub 18 min performance as he romped round in 17.47 for 4th place. This was another great run from Matt following his 10k PB of 37.12, set 2 weeks previously at the Wesham 10k. Haydn Jones enjoyed a return to form in 7th, 18.47 narrowly beating Steve Turk, 18.49. Improving junior athlete, Shaun Owen ran his fastest time to date, 20.09.

SAC Running Report 1/12/13

A large turnout and strong performances by Shrewsbury Athletic Club runners ensured one of Shrewsbury Athletic Club's most successful cross country outings for several seasons, when the third fixture in the North Wales Cross Country League took place at Wrexham. Spearheaded by a rare appearance together of the Club's top trio of Joe Brocklehurst,who stormed to 3^rd place, Ian Haworth 7^th and Pete Middleton 11^th, the team were convincing team winners on the day and as a result, have risen up the table to 2^nd team overall with three fixtures left in the Series. The 4^th team placing went to Dom Kirby in a personal best 14^th place, whose rapid rise through the finishing order now has him challenging for the top echelon of club runners. He was followed by Ashley Gray and Richard Jones in 30^th and 36^th places to complete the team scorers. There were successful debut performances by Angus Harvey-Smith, just missing out on team scorer in 39^th place, Matt Guilder 45^th and Pete Savill 71^st.. The side also finished 2^nd Masters team and had the winners in the Mens' Over 50( Richard Jones), Over 55(Graham Jones) and Over 60(Pete Savill) categories.

In the Womens' Race, Anne Byrne finished 76^th in 31/58, with sister Sheila Richards close behind in 77^th place in 32/09.

Results:

3^rd Joe Brocklehurst 29/41, 7^th Ian Haworth 30/09, 11^th Pete Middleton 31/02, 14^th Dom Kirby 31/16, 30^th Ashley Gray 32/39, 36^th Richard Jones 33/27, 39^th Angus Harvey-Smith 33/34, 44^th Steve Waters 33/51, 45^th Matt Gilder 34/01, 46^th Graham Jones 34/02, 53^rd Kevin Francis 34/39, 62^nd Grant Lloyd 35/31, 71^st Pete Savill 36/05, 118^th Derek Owen 40/56.

Four club runners competed in the Wrekin Wrecker Race, producing another successful debut for Angus Harvey-Smith, this time over the fells, finishing 7^th in 1/06/34(2^nd Veteran Over 35), with Ashley Gray 8^th in 1/08/04(3^rd Veteran Over 40), Steve Turk 21^st in 1/10/33(1^st Veteran Over 45) and Gill Evans 113^thin 1/29/30(1^st Female Veteran Over 50).

Mad Jack's 5 Mile Race Report 10/11/13

The sun once again shone when Shrewsbury Athletic Club staged their sixth Mad Jack's 5 Mile Race, held in conjunction with and with kind permission of the National Trust, at Attingham Park on Saturday, with the turnout of 353 runners showing that the popularity of the event continues to grow.

There was success for the Shrewsbury Club with winners in the Mens and Womens races and additionally in the Mens' over 35, 50 and 60 categories. In the Mens' race, Joe Brocklehurst  was comfortable winner in 30/16, with an impressive display around the picturesque course, made more difficult by the additional mud and flooded areas caused by  recent rain. Next, John McFarlane of Thames Hare and Hounds was second in 30/54 and Shrewsbury AC's Dom Kirby third in 31/14. The Womens' race was won by the Club's Welsh International, Anna Bartlett in 36/17, with Telford Harriers' Jessica Harvey second in 38/01 and Eleanor Hartley, unattached, third in 38/16. The Junior Mens' race won by Arthur Charlesworth of Wenlock Olympians in 32/56 in 35/37.

National Trust General Manager at Attingham Park, Mark Agnew, praised the tenacity of the  runners in taking on the muddy conditions and the many runners competing for the first time and thanked the organisers and helpers. Race organiser Kevin Francis praised the runners and the support of the race sponsors Rybrook BMW, Up and Running and Tesco. The prize of the weekend car, kindly sponsored by Rybrook BMW was won by Martin Wynn.

Category Winners:

Men: Senior Men, Joe Brocklehurst, Shrewsbury AC, 30/16, Over 35, Dom Kirby, Shrewsbury AC, 31/14, Over 40, John McFarlane, Thames Hare and Hounds, 30/54, Over 45: Mark Griffiths, SY Tri, 35/17, Over 50, Duncan Beales, Shrewsbury AC, 33/35, Over 55, Kelvin Amos, Newcastle Tri, 34/37, Over 60, Pete Savill, Shrewsbury AC, 36/04, Over 65, Andy Galbraith, Shropshire Shufflers, 40/52, Over 70, Alan Morris, Shropshire Shufflers, 43/01, Junior Men, Arthur Charlesworth, Wenlock Olympians, 32/56.

Women: Senior Women, Jessica Harvey, Telford Harriers, 38/01, Over 35: Jacqueline Macey, Wrekin Road Runners, 40/52, Over 40, Anna Bartlett, Shrewsbury AC, 36/17, Over 45, Tracey Williams, Denbigh Harriers, 40/14, Over 50, Emma Collins, Denbigh Harriers, 38/33, Over 55, Menai Baugh, Denbigh Harriers, 41/02, Over 60, Sue Johnson, unattached, 52/03, Over 70, Kathy Ling, Wrekin Road Runners, 82/29. 

Shrewsbury Athletic Club are staging an exciting new running event in 2014. Set in the stunning Shropshire countryside, the Eastridge Trail Half Race will take place on Saturday 5^th July 2014 (10.30am start), a multi terrain hill race of 13.1 miles and with 2324 ft of ascent, starting from the historic mining village of Snailbeach, the route is predominantly over Forestry Commission land, mainly forest tracks and paths, taking in the Eastridge Woods and Stiperstones areas of the county. The race limit has been set at 300, with the first 100 runners to enter the race, getting a free T-shirt. Information and entry forms can be accessed on shropshirerunnersnetwork.blogspot.co.uk and online entries are available at www.runbritain.com.

  

SAC Running Report 23/10/13

Shrewsbury Athletic Club commenced their North Wales Cross Country League campaign, competing in the first two fixtures at Bangor and Llandudno. At Bangor, in fine weather and uncustomary firm conditions underfoot, the team produced a solid performance, spearheaded by an outstanding run by Ian Haworth in 3^rd place, followed by Steve Turk in a personal best placing in 36^th place, Club Captain Graham Jones 41^st, Steve Waters 46^th, Kevin Francis 56^th and Haydn Jones 61^st and sixth team scorer in his debut cross country for the Club. Chris Wakeman was 106^th and Derek Owen 119^th. The team placed third in both the Senior Mens' and Masters' team events.

At Llandudno, in the absence of Ian Haworth, away on a school trip in Kenya, Dom Kirby rose to the occasion to lead the side home in 28^th place, followed by club debutant Richard Jones 38^th in his first cross country for the Club, Steve Turk 46^th, Graham Jones 48^th, Steve Waters 54^th ,Haydn Jones 81^st and Derek Owen 131^st.

The Womens' team were represented in both events by sisters Anne Byrne and Sheila Richards, finishing 75^th and 81^st respectively at Bangor and 95^th and 98^th at Llandudno.

On the fell running scene, Dom Kirby won the Brown Clee Burn, a tough multi terrain 10K race in South Shropshire with steep climbs and long descents in a time of 42/15. In the Breiddens Fell Race, the first race of the Shropshire Hills Winter Series, Ashley Gray finished 18^th and 7^th Veteran over 40 in 64/10, Steve Turk was 23^rdand 2nd Veteran over 45 in 64/57 and Gill Evans 110^th and 4^th Female Veteran over 50 in 85/07.

Team Photo Llandudno:

Back: Derek Owen, Graham Jones, Richard Jones, Haydn Jones, Chris Wakeman, Dom Kirby, Steve Waters, Luke Butler

Middle: Sheila Richards, Anne Byrne

Front: Steve Turk