West Midlands Regional Sportshall Finals

Congratulations to the 13 Shrewsbury Under 11 athletes - Hannah Parton, Jordan Hall, Jessica Clarkson, Isabel Lewington, Olivia Gibbs, Charlote Morris, Jack Hall, James Woollam, Alex Wetton, Aidan Wishart, Tom Turner and Eddie Brittleton, who represented Shropshire last Sunday (24th January) at the West Midlands Regional Sportshall finals at Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre.
Competing against teams from Birmingham, The Black Country, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Hereford & Worcester, the Shropshire teams finished a creditable 4th in both Girls and Boys competitions. The Girls finished on 394 points only 10 points behind 3rd placed Staffs while the Boys total of 420 points was only one point behind 3rd placed Birmingham.

Well done all those athletes and Ian and Kathy who have all worked very hard at this winter's Indoor Training sessions.

Road, XC and Fell Running Round up

SAC Running Report 21/12/09


Shrewsbury Athletic Club’s Steve Cale continued his successful winter on the fell and cross country scene with back to back successes on consecutive weekends, starting with 2nd place in the Cardington Cracker Fell Race in Church Stretton in 1/14/20, a remarkable achievement considering that 12 months previously he had finished 23rd in the same race. The following weekend, he stormed to a comfortable victory in the Mortimer Forest Hill Race at Ludlow in 1/10/57, made all the more impressive since he had the previous day lead the club side home in 3rd place in the Shropshire County Cross Country Championships at Lilleshall in 33/01. He is currently in 1st place in the Winter Fell Race Series.

At Lilleshall, Cale was followed home by Pete Middleton, in top form in his first County Championship in 7th place in 33/56, then a close contest between Kevin Francis and Paul Clarke, Francis finishing 15th in 36/40 and Clarke 16th in 36/56. The team placings were completed with Steve Waters 18th in 37/34 and Chris Wakeman 23rd in 39/38.

Emma Sheekey impressed in her first County Championship, finishing 12th in 30/13 in the Ladies’ Race.

At Cardington, Adam Stockwell was 140th in 1/51/25, Steve Oliver 156th in 1/53/52 and Gordon Trevor 207th in 2/08/07.

At Ludlow, Paul Clarke, having also competed in the County Championships the previous day, finished 58th and 4th Vet over 50 in 1/27/22, Anna Bartlett, gradually returning to form after a long term injury, 65th and 3rd Senior Lady in 1/28/49 and Steve Oliver 166th in 1/40/14.
Also taking part, was a training colleague, Mohammed Zahir, on a temporary stay in Shropshire from a small island called Vashafaru in the Maldives, who completed the tough event in 333rd place in 2/10/33, despite his island being only 200 yards wide and 3 feet above sea level at its highest point.

Three Club runners travelled to Wrexham to compete in the Helena Tipping Memorial 10K Race, where Pete Middleton, in similar outstanding road form, finished 6th in 34/35, Steve Waters 41st in 38/04 and Duncan Rose 133rd in 44/13.

Severn River Loop 5km

Severn Loop Report 28/12/09

Shrewsbury Athletic Club’s inaugural Severn Loop 5K Race, as expected, attracted a cross section of committed athletes and unattached runners when it was staged at the Quarry Park in Shrewsbury on Sunday. The event proved to be a popular post-Christmas work out, with 85 pre-entries and 140 runners turning out on the day, from as far afield as Lancashire in the North to Wiltshire and Kent in the South. The fast accurate course and fine weather conditions resulted in some fast times, with Oliver Blake of Oswestry Olympians breaking away to win the 5K Race in 15/29 after a closely contested race with Adam Bitchell of Cardiff Athletic Club in second place in15/42 and Chris Perrin of Cannock and Stafford Athletic Club in third place in 16/27.

The Ladies Race also produced fast times with Emma Philips of Birchfield Harriers first in 18/22, Julia Levington of Trafford Athletic Club second in 18/47 and Emily Hargreaves of Lytham St Annes Road Runners third in 19/27.

The Junior 2K Race attracted an enthusiastic field of young runners, with Lewis Marston, unattached in first place, Harriet Grandfield of Telford Athletic Club second and Dominic Gardner of Telford Athletic Club third.

A Severn Loop 5K Summer Race is planned for June 2010 on a date to be confirmed and next years Severn Loop Winter 5K Race will take place on Monday 27th December 2010.

Follow the link below for full results and photo’s.

www.shropshirerunnersnetwork.blogspot.com

Category Results:
Senior Men: 1 Oliver Blake Oswestry Olympians 15/29, 2 Adam Bitchell Cardiff AC 15/42, 3 Steve France Shrewsbury AC 16/48 Senior Ladies: 1 Emma Philips Birchfield H 18/22, 2 Julia Levington Trafford AC 18/47, 3 Emily Hargreaves Lytham St Annes RR 19/27 Junior Men: 1 Chris Perrin Cannock and Stafford AC 16/27 Junior Ladies: 1 Sophie Whittingham Unattached 25/00 Men over 35: 1 Charles Wartnaby Unattached 17/02 Ladies over 35: 1 Anna Bartlett Shrewsbury AC 19/51 Men over 40: 1 Kevin Francis Shrewsbury AC 18/14 Ladies over 40: 1 Louise Reynolds Ludlow Tri Club 21/49 Men over 45: 1 Ian Grandfield Telford AC 19/08 Ladies over 45: Sue Lloyd Wrekin Road Runners 26/16 Men over 50: 1 Greg Wilson Telford Athletic Club 16/55 Ladies over 50: Elaine Knott Unattached 27/35 Men over 55: 1 Derek Owen Shrewsbury AC 22/30 Ladies over 55: Elizabeth Salisbury Shropshire Shufflers 21/22
Men over 60: Malcolm Dawes Telford Athletic Club 19/27 Ladies over 60: Sue Prior Unattached 29/05 Men over 70: Brian Williams Shrewsbury AC 28/55

Shrewsbury AC Results:
5 Steve France 16/48(3rd Senior Men), 13 Kevin Francis 18/14(1st Vet over 40), 14 Steve Waters 18/16, 20 John Owen 18/56, 21 Chris Wakeman 19/0193rd Vet over 50), 23 Grant Lloyd 19/12, 25 Andrew Beeston 19/14, 31 Tom Rowlands 19/35, 35 Anna Bartlett 19/51(1st Lady over 35), 36 Steve Hatton 19/55(3rd Vet over 45), 46 Adam Stockwell 20/39, 48 Steve Oliver 20/53, 50 Callum Dodd 21/05, 68 Derek Owen 22/30(1st Vet over 55), 94 Emma Sheekey 25/37(5th Lady over 35), 127 Brian Williams 28/55(1st Vet over 70)



Race Winner, Ollie Blake, Oswestry Olympians.





Runners Lined up at the Start Line.

SAC Young Athletes scoop Cross Country medals

The 2009 SYAL Cross Country League concluded on Sunday with SAC featuring in the handout of prizes at Oldbury Wells School, Bridgnorth.

Despite the team being depleted of a number of regulars through illness, there was still plenty to compete for over the toughest course of the season.

Leading into the days racing, Ben Ashcroft and Katharine Smith were both placed in strong contention for individual prizes, while the u11boys and U15boys teams also had medals within their grasp.

U15girls
After a season decimated by injury, Lydia Peet made her first appearance on the XC circuit as our only athlete in this race. A good return to action for Lydia, hopefully she can overcome the injuries which have restricted any training or competition this season.


u15boys
Despite only fielding 2 athletes for the majority of the season at this age group, the excellent pairing of Ashcroft and Dan Lucas secured 3rd place in the team category. Led by another a strong performance from Ashcroft in 3rd place, Dan Lucas ran well again finishing 10th to complete a good season of improvement for him personally.
Ben has established himself as one of the best in the County at the u15 age group despite this being his first year at the extended distance. As well as the 3rd team placing well earned by the boys, Ben also scooped 3rd place in the Individual competition.


u11g
Competitors from SAC dipped to just the 2 for this race, with Eve Lucas joining Katharine Smith in the line up.
Eve has been a regular in the team for 2 seasons now has repeatedly put in good performances this season. Smith on the other hand is relative newcomer, but has managed three 2nd place finishes and a 3rd which earned her a Silver medal in the individual standings. A stunning debut season for Katharine, lets hope this form continues!




Pictured - SYAL XC Silver Medallist, Katharine Smith.

U11b
our u11 boys team have been the strongest in terms of numbers throughout the season. Led by Eddie Brittletons consistent performances with 4 finishes in the top 7, the team is never far behind to pack out the scoring for the team competition. Going into the days racing with a loose grip on 3rd place, it was imperative that the season was finished in the style of the previous races. Again Eddie led from the front and secured 6th place with a sprint finish over his Oswestry rival. Tom Turner and Hamish McCartney were next up in 9th & 10th, with Freddie Turner in 13th as the
three lads hunted as a group using each others strength to pick off the competition. This excellent team ethic was duely rewarded as the points swing on the day improved the final standings to leave SAC u11boys in an outstanding Silver medal position. Well done to all the lads for this effort, a very strong team indeed which hopefully bodes well for the future




U11Boys Team, 2009 Silver Medalists : Hamish McCartney, Freddie Turner, Eddie Brittleton, Tom Turner. (missing is Alex Wetton)



u13g
With Becky Peet ill, Louise Brittleton filled in for her 1st race of the season on the hardest course raced over this season. Louise finished in 20th place.

u13b
A couple of abscentees left SAC with just the one runner in this race with Ross Kirby hoping to finish a strong debut season at u13.
Sadly it ended with Ross having to pull out on the second lap with injury, much to his disappointment.



Pictured are the SAC boys team who achieved a superb 3rd place in the overall boys competition. McCartney, F. Tuner, Ben Ashcroft with his individual u15 bronze medal, Brittleton, T. Turner, Ross Kirby. (missing team members, A. Hickman, Dan Lucas, A Wetton, S. Duff)



Congratulations and thanks to all athletes who competed so strongly this season, the form and determination showed on the Cross Country circuit suggests a decent season ahead. Thanks also to the parents & guardians for continued support of their children and the team throughout.

SAC Running Report 26/11/09

Exceptionally rough weather and ground conditions were not enough to deter Shrewsbury Athletic Club’s cross country squad when they competed in the third fixture of The North Wales Cross Country League at Bangor, Gwynedd. Inspired performances by the team, experienced in difficult conditions, resulted in their highest placing and best points tally so far in the Series, finishing second team on the day behind Eryri Harriers and first in the Masters Team category. Lead home in style by Ian Coupland in 5th place, Pete Middleton, now firmly established as one of the Club’s top performers, followed in 8th place. Close competition followed for the next four team placings, Duncan Beales forging ahead of Club Captain Graham Jones, before being overtaken by Jones, the two finishing 24th and 26th. Next, places were exchanged between Steve Waters and Paul Clarke, with Waters overtaking near the end, the two finishing 49th and 51st.

Emma Sheekey and Sheila Richards were the sole Club competitors in the Womens’ Race, the Club team depleted because of injuries, the two finishing 64th and 81st.

Results:
5 Ian Coupland, 8 Pete Middleton, 24 Graham Jones, 26 Duncan Beales, 49 Steve Waters, 51 Paul Clarke, 78 Chris Wakeman, 133 Duncan Rose, 143 Adam Stockwell, 145 Phil Whittles.

Away from the cross country scene, top fell guy Steve Cale, has continued to take the fell running scene by storm, with outstanding performances in consecutive weekends, with second place in the Corndon Classic Fell Race in Church Stretton in 42/32, followed up by first place by nearly 6 minutes in the Wrekin Wrecker Fell Race in 59/30. At Corndon, Cale was followed by Pete Ball 14th in 51/49, Anna Bartlett 16th and 1st Lady in 52/08, Derek Owen 48th and 10th Vet over 50 in 63/51 and Gordon Trevor 62nd and 2nd Vet over 60 in 72/36. At the Wrekin Wrecker, Duncan Beales, not content with having competed in the arduous conditions of the Bangor cross country the previous day, turned in an admirable 8th place and 3rd in the Vet over 45 category in 72/05.

Club Captain Graham Jones’ impressive display at Bridgnorth, lead to his selection to represent Wales at the British Masters Athletic Federation’s British and Irish International Cross Country at Perry Park, Birmingham. Jones rose to the occasion, achieving 30th place in the Veterans Over 50 Category in 33/20, helping the Welsh team to 4th place in the age category event.

The Club are staging their inaugural Severn Loop 5K Race on Sunday 27th December 2009 in the Quarry Park in Shrewsbury, starting at 10.30am and with a Junior 2K Race starting at 10.00am. With the race likely to become another popular local event for runners of all abilities, a limit of 500 entries has been set, with pre-entries closing on 18th December 2009. Entries will be accepted on the day, subject to availability, for the 5K race, but for the Junior(Under 17) 2K Race, entries will be on the day only. Entry forms can be accessed at http://shropshirerunnersnetwork.blogspot.com/

Inter Counties Schools XC - Staffs Uni

A handful of junior SAC athletes were invited to represent Shropshire Schools at an Inter Counties Cross Country Fixture this past weekend.

Luke Howes and Ross Kirby made their debuts for the team in the Year 7 race, both lads enjoying the experience of the step up in competition. Ross finished 23rd with Luke, who struggled with an ankle injury bravely finishing in 30th, for 3rd & 4th Shropshire runners home for 5th team.

Debutant George Speakman joined the experienced Ben Ashcroft in the Junior Boys race, and both ran mature races with strong finishes to pick off vital team places in the final straight. Ben was home in 14th, with George 8 seconds further back in 18th, for the first 2 Shropshire scorers home. Again Shropshire finished 5th in the team standings.

Full results can be found on the Stoke AC website:

http://www.stokeac.org.uk/results/2009-11-21-intercounties-schools.pdf


Our athletes were a credit to themselves and the club, lets hope this bodes well for the finale of the SYAL Cross Country League and for the masses of juniors coming through at the moment.

Young Athletes XC County Champs Entries

This applies to athletes in School Year 7 and above only.


County Championships are to be held on Saturday 12th December 2009, and Lilleshall National Sports Centre near Newport.

Please can you let Dom Kirby or Doreen know by Monday 23rd November if your child is able to compete at this fixture and will be representing Shrewsbury Athletic Club? (Best to make enquiries as some might be entered through their schools)

The date of 23rd November is critical as the club needs to submit the entry forms in time.


Race timetable as below:

1130am Start
U13 Girls, followed by
U13 Boys,
U15 Girls,
U15 Boys,

1.30pm start
U17 Girls
U17 Boys

Cross Country, SYAL, Much Wenlock

Cross Country, SYAL, Much Wenlock

With the Cross Country season now in full swing, our young athletes made the short journey to Much Wenlock for the penultimate SYAL race this weekend.

Despite a couple of athletes missing through illness, there was also an air of confidence in the squad as a number of our runners were still on a high from some very impressive Schools results in the past week. Katharine Smith maintained her impressive debut season form with a win, while Ross Kirby 2nd, and Luke Howes 6th, earned themselves selection for the Shropshire Schools squad (u13)to compete in an Inter County fixture in a weeks time where they will join up with club mate Ben Ashcroft (u15).


U15 boys
Ashcroft and Dan Lucas were first in action on the new course at William Brookes School. 2 large laps which took in an aggressive hill climb with an equally testing decent split the field wide open. Ashcroft maintained his standing toward the top of this category with a 5th place finish, while Lucas made up ground through the field during the final 2 laps to earn a creditable 9th place and return to form.


U11
As in the previous fixture, we were able to field a full team at this age in both the boys and girls races.
Led by Katharine Smith, a supporting team of 6 more girls donned the club vest for the flat 2 laps. Always at the head of the race, Smith finished a strong 2nd and has cemented her position in the individual placings. With a strong team ethic the girls packed out field with Olivia Gibbs next up in 18th, Isobel Lewington 21st and Hannah Burton 23rd in hot pursuit. Eve Lucas was next up in 28th with a good run throughout, Emily Carter 31st, and Emily Lightwood 39th.

The u11boys team again is tightly knit group of athletes, all very closely matched and consistent throughout the season.
Another strong team run earned valuable points for the team competition where they currently lie third. Led by another good showing from Eddie Brittleton (7th), all five boys finished in the top 14. Only 13 seconds covered the remaining four boys with Freddie Turner 10th, H McCartney 11th, A Wetton 13th and T Turner 14th.


U13g
Fresh from representing her school the previous day in Warrington, Becky Peet turned out as our sole athlete in this race. A competitive run on tired legs was good enough to earn 19th place.

U13b
Our boys have represented themselves impressively in the 3000m event, with all the lads competing strongly against last years U11 boys and also against their rivals a year older.
With Luke Howes missing through illness, Ross Kirby led the charge with a fine run to 8th place, his second consecutive race inside the top 10. The hill climb was clearly to his liking as he made headway, as did Stuart Duff (20th), both boys picking off places in the final lap and both finishing with a strong kick at the home straight.
Andrew Hickman found the hill more of a challenge, though he improved after to secure 23rd.



Final race in the series is on 6th December at Bridgnorth. Please ensure your availablity for this fixture.