SAC Running Report 12/9/11

Shrewsbury Athletic Club runners have competed in the final events of
the summer fell and Sexarathon Series races.

In the Madeley Matchmaker 5K Race, the last event in the Telford
Athletic Club Sexarathon Series, Claire Burgoyne, having steadily moved
up the finishing order as the Series progressed,  finally lead the Club
home in 22nd place in 18/16, once again 1st Senior Lady, capping off an
outstanding season, in which she consistently made significant
improvements to her previous season's placings and times in each of the
six races, retaining her Senior Lady title from last year. Kevin
Francis was next home in 31st place and 4th Veteran over 45 in 18/43,
returning to fitness after having his season interrupted when he broke
his arm in the Snowdon Race in July, but still finishing 2nd Veteran
over 45 for the Series. Grant Lloyd followed in 41st place and 4th
Veteran over 35 in 19/13, finishing 3rd Veteran over 35 for the Series.

In the Ragleth Fell Race,the last event in the Mercia Fell Runners
Summer Fell Series, Steve Turk  completed his best season to date with
19th place and 4th in the Veteran over 40 category in 32/42, achieving
4th overall in the category fro the Series. He was followed by Jack
Humphreys, 62nd in 39/18 and Dan Fleetwood, 87th in 44/44. Category
achievers for the Series also included Jack Francis, 3rd Under 16,
Kevin Francis 4th over 45, Chris Wakeman 1st over 50 in his first
season of fell running and Club Captain Graham Jones 2nd over 55.

There were successes also in the Ellesmere 10K Road Race, Ian Haworth
finishing 5th in 32/50 and Anna Bartlett finishing 63rd and 1st in the
Female Veteran over 40 category in 40/04, in a field of  over 400
runners.

The Club was ably represented at the annual Race The Train Event at
Tywyn, where Derek Owen competed in the Quarry Challenge, finishing
49th out of 279 runners and 3rd in the Veteran over 60 category in
51/52, while Sheila Richards competed in the Dolgoch Challenge,
finishing 64th out of 117 runners and 2nd in the Female Veteran over 55
category in 52/37.

Chris Wakeman travelled to the Gyrn Gallop Race, where he finished a
creditable 14th in 52/09 and 2nd in the Veteran over 50 category.

On the Junior fell running scene, Ross Kirby was first Under 14 runner
home in the Y Garn Fell Race,the last event in the Welsh Fell Runners
Association Junior Snowdonia Series, making him first in the age
category over the five events.

There were also some impressive Junior performances on the track,
George Speakman achieving a personal best of 12.66m in the Mason Trophy
triple jump, a huge improvement of 1.42m on last season and William
McCartney achieving personal bests in Triple Jump, 400m, 800m, 1500m
and 3000m, as well as 3rd place in the Under 16 category in the Batch
Bash Fell Race.  Ben Ashcroft continues to improve, achieving 3rd place
in the Midland Championships 3000m in 9/21.

Six club runners travelled to compete in the popular Lake Vyrnwy Half
Marathon which attracted almost 1400 runners, Leo Murray leading the
side home in 156th place in 1/31/06, with Emma Sheekey the first of the
womens' contingent in 713rd place in 1/55/56, Naomi Cook 782nd in
1/58/57, Mark Sutton 829th in 2/1/14, Cindy Parry 847th in 2/1/33 and
Ashley Sutton 864th in 2/2/43.

Attention now  turns to the forthcoming cross country season, with the
Club hoping for a good turnout for the first event of the North Wales
Cross Country League at Bangor on Saturday October 1st.

SYAL Cross Country

SYAL Cross Country , Newport Adams Grammar School , 18th September

Despite travelling to the winter Cross County season opener with a much depleted squad, the SAC athletes nevertheless produced some fine performances across the whole fixture.

William Davies made a sensational debut for the U11’s never being away from the lead group and running out eventual winner as he kicked away from his rivals. Fergus Stevens continued on from last year in fine form in 5th place & Archie Hale another athlete demonstrating a ferocious kick to steal 3 places in the run for 8th meant all our athletes were well inside the top 10, a great result.

Only Freddie Turner made the start line in club colours for U13 race, as the majority of last seasons team moved up to u15 level. A fast paced race split the field early on, and Freddie managed to tag onto a good sized group to keep involved, ending up with a 16th place finish.

Two of those athletes to move up an age group took to the start line in the U15’s event. With both Ross Kirby and Stuart Turner having come of good track seasons, they both equitted themselves well over 4000m. This was another faced pace race, with Ross and Stuart positioning in the second group and making their moves in the latter stages of lap one. Ross split this group and ran clear to finish 9th, with Stuart competing strongly to earn a good 13th place.

Ryan Cullen was the sole club athlete to run in the U17s over 5000m, again moving up an age group. A strong 5th place was good reward for Ryans effort.

Sasha Gardner’s 9th place in the U15 was another impressive performance for her first outing in club colours. Sasha ran an even paced race throughout to maintain her position earned in a good opening lap.

The final race of the day saw Katharine Smith run to a great 2nd place cheered on by her team-mates who had stayed on to support their team mate. The U13 category was strongly competitive last year, and this season looks no different. Establishing herself in a strong lead group Katharine ensured that she kept tabs on the leader while keeping the chasing athletes at bay.

A show of depth in the squad was demonstrated at this fixture, and with a number of very strong athletes available for the remaining fixtures theres hope that the club can build on the great work achieved by this weeks performances.