Loads of Races
The Toffee Apple Challenge
From June: Sue and I left for Budleigh Salterton and The Toffee Apple Challenge at 7am, chauffeured by Adam (a staunch supporter!), undeterred by the very Exmoor-like weather on the way. Budleigh was dull but warm, lovely conditions for a half marathon. A nice gently undulating ribbon of tarmac through mostly woods, on the old railway line, peppered with the relics of some long-dead bridges. Dr Beeching’s railway axing of 1967 makes for a beautiful, peaceful Sunday run. 4 laps making a half marathon. (by the way, the chauffeur ran 20 miles, 6 laps, furthest he’s ever run). JC made an appearance although a little late for the start, but we’ll forgive him as he’d run a marathon yesterday. It was also great to see Georgina getting another marathon in. Then into Exmouth for fish & chips afterwards. Let’s not forget the important things!
Clarendon Marathon
Today I did my 5th Clarendon Marathon, it starts in Salisbury and finishes in Winchester. There are two options park at Salisbury and get a coach back to drive early to Winchester and they coach you to the start. They start the Race at 08:00 for walkers and the main runners go at 10:00 but you can start at anytime in-between, the only thing is not to get to Winchester before 13:30. As well as the Marathon there is a half and also a four person team relay for the Marathon where you actually catty a baton.
The route is mainly Trail and a great course but there are some very steep hills both up and down, with great views.
For running the Race 5 time I was awarded a Glass Figurine.
Club Night Out
From Graham: Social event:
Friday 13th Manor hotel for drinks after track - 8:00pm. Everyone welcome
Honiton Hippo
From Harriet: Honiton Hippo for me this morning. Saw Kelly and Chris there too! So much mud, water and fun!! Managed to bag myself 3rd female and some hydration for this evening.
Hanger’s Heroes
From Steve: A fine contingent of YTRRC made the long trip to Dorset and Chickerell for race distances ranging from 10k to the marathon. ….ok, so maybe not too far to travel but with a start time of 8am the early rise was a shock to the system for some (well me)!
5 of us did the 10k, Kate, Rach, Mel, Gareth and me. The course was mostly trail and went next to the fleet taking in farm land and some wooded sections. Advertised as hilly but generally not too bad except for one section.
Gareth and I ran together taking in the views and chit chatting until the final 0.25 mile where my competitiveness involuntary consumed me and a sprint finish ensued. I thought I had the youngster but he pipped me on the line with a surge of speed - well done mate. We were pleased to discover that we were 3rd and 4th respectively.
The ladies ran well and with lots of conversation their race was over before they knew it!
From Anita: I somehow persuaded Sharon to sign up for the Hangers Hero's half marathon a few weeks ago. I'm sure I said "it'll be fun, it's a beautiful trail route, it's for charity" all of these are true, I may have mentioned "it's a bit hilly" again quite true, but I might not have said quite how lumpy it was ...
So the morning dawned (after the alarms had gone off!) and Sharon kindly drove us to the starting point and we saw several other club members preparing for their races too, some doing the marathon and other much more sensible ones the 10k. Both of these races set off 15 minutes before ours, which gave us extra time to use the facilities.
Anyway, off we finally went straight up a hill, the scene was set I feared, we followed small pink arrows down lanes, through fields, over lumpy terrain, many many stiles, bridges and though gates, keeping the fleet on our left until reaching Abbotsbury swanary where we were serenaded with shanty songs. Once here we then headed on towards the halfway point at St Catherines Chapel, which if you never been has been built on top of a rather steep hill (I was definitely not someone's favourite running buddy at this point!) obviously the views are to die for, but thankfully not today. So now the return journey, back to the shanty singers and keeping the fleet on the right this time, back over the lumpy terrain, over bridges, through the gates, stiles, woods (gosh this is sounding like a bear hunt!) thankfully Sharon was still talking to me and the thought of hot soup and a cuppa at the finish kept us going. A lovely downhill to finish and it was great to see the clubs 10k runners there too.
Comments such as "wish I'd done this before I signed up for the Mapperton Muddle", "you do know I'm the one with the car to get home don't you" and "why are we doing this?" might have been uttered along the way at some point.
Honestly we did have a lovely time ...
So, who's signing up next year?
QUIZ NIGHT REMINDER
From Gareth: I still have a few tables left for the quiz night. If anyone wants to take part but doesn’t have a team of 6 please let me know and I’ll try and join people together to create a team.
Also I would really appreciate any prizes people can donate for the raffle. All money raised will be going to Calvert Trust.
If you would be able to donate a prize, or have any questions please message myself or Rachael.
BHAM 10km Trail
From Taryn: BHAM 10km trail done. Great event. Good weather and conditions under foot. Wondering how Suzanne Dom and Debbie got on?
Thruxton 10km
From Margarita: Thruxton 10km today, run by the same people who did Winchester Half last week. One I've done before but wanted to do again. Now I'm not sure why, I was running around thinking I'm missing the lines from my track session last night. Overall a good iconic event, running the Thruxton Circuit. 2 and a bit laps of the wide track with a headwind on the back straight. And a lovely medal at the finish.
Thought I'd do double 10km this weekend. So Basingstoke 10km today. It was very hilly at the beginning, but apparently not as hilly as the half marathon. Good conditions today and I'm getting faster. Think my legs need a rest now.
Primary Schools Cross Country
From Adam: Many thanks to the wonderful YTRRC members and friends who spent a rather wet afternoon organising the Primary Schools Cross Country races yesterday. An amazing 455 children from 27 schools completed the races.
The events would not be possible without your support!!
Pub Runs
From Phil:
Thur 05-Oct-23 Royal Oak Stoford BA22 9UD
Thur 12-Oct-23 Duke of York Shepton Beauchamp TA19 0LW Thur 19-Oct-23 Quick Silver Mail Yeovil BA20 2RG
Thur 26-Oct-23 Admiral Hood Mosterton DT8 3ND
Thur 02-Nov-23 Tippling Philosopher Milborne Port DT9 5AQ Thur 09-Nov-23 Bell Inn Ash TA12 6NS
Thur 16-Nov-23 Royal Oak Hardington BA22 9NW
Thur 23-Nov-23 Palmers Fish & Chip Bunford BA20 2FH
Thur 30-Nov-23 Britannia Inn Westbury, Sherborne DT9 3EH
Thur 07-Dec-23 Lamb & Lark Limington BA22 8EG
Thur 14-Dec-23 Rose & Crown Bower Hinton TA12 6JY
Thur 21-Dec-23 Palmers Fish & Chip 19 Market Street Yeovil BA20 1HY
Thur 28-Dec-23 Muddled Man West Chinnock TA18 7PT
Park Runs
From Adam: Large YTRRC group at Frogmary Park Run today
PUB RUN – WEST CHINNOCK – (28TH September 2023)
From Mark: It was dull grey and felt like rain, but there were 8 of us in the not so fast group tonight (Chloe, JC, June, Lindsay, Mel, Sue, myself, and someone new). After leaving the pub we headed southwards up the road, and took the right fork. We passed the houses and turned left to run up Snail Hill. Continuing eastward along East lane, we reached a junction and turned left. We passed Phil in Middle Chinnock. At Poop Hill bridge we regrouped and turned right. Next was a long climb up Smoky Hole lane. At the top we regrouped and turned left. By this time it was starting to get dark. We continued along Pease hill then descended down into Chiselborough. Turning left we ran into the village and headed down towards the church. Passing the pub, we looped round and turned right at the end. By this time it was dark and raining light drizzle. We continued with some descent, reaching West Chinnock and headed back to the pub. Thanks all for enduring the hills and the drizzle. Thanks Phil for organising. The pub and meal afterwards was very welcoming.
Released On 29th Sep 2023