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Race Report – Alex Yendole

The morning of Saturday 29^th November 2014 started on a cloudy grey note but by lunchtime the sun was trying to break through over North Staffordshire for the start of the ‘famous’ Cheddleton 10K race.

With the fun run of one lap being completed prior to the main event, the adult runners set off at 2.00 p.m. to complete the three laps of undulating country lanes around the rural hinterlands of Cheddleton village, just off the A520 Leek to Meir Road.

 An excellent field of runners took part, from the seasoned club participants to those taking the opportunity to enter the festive spirit, with all enjoying the family atmosphere of a late November trot in preparation for the excesses of Christmas.

Stone Master Marathoners were represented by Kevin Uzzell (first in for the club), Nick Boulton, Julie Boulton (first lady in for the club), Anne-Marie Mountford, Joyce Edwards and Alex Yendole. There was brilliant support around the route including a Scottish piper, happy crowds, and our own families and friends along with the new addition of Noah the puppy.

Being my first time at the Cheddleton 10K I would definitely recommend the event for those interested in securing a Christmas pudding for next year together with an excellent village fair atmosphere and tempting winter treats for the school’s stalls.

Dirty Weekend with Mac McCoig

Or – The Six Dales Challenge 8^th November 2014. 25 miles in the Peak District

You know when you do something and it hurts, so you don’t do it again? That’s the way things are supposed to work, isn’t it? So why did we sign up for the Six Dales Challenge for a second year? Pam certainly swore that she’d never do it again, said she hated every minute of it. Well I enjoyed it last year; I didn’t get lost (unlike Pam and Julie who ended up doing 29 miles) and the weather was fine, so long as you finished inside 7 hours. So why are we here again, and with more SMM runners in tow? And the weather awful, just as Carol Kirkwood predicted. The water poured from above and oozed from the mud and cow pats below. It’s because we like punishing ourselves, that’s why.

Julie posted on Facebook afterwards:

“What a lovely day… Hmm… Ran the 6 Dales Challenge. Just over 25 miles in the Peak district. Wet and very muddy with raging torrents in the dales. Streams and footpaths merged and wet mud was the order for the day. A tough challenge but did it in 6hrs 52m. 2 checkpoints to refuel and then wonderful food at the end by the organisers. Still trying to get warm!”

A good synopsis of the event, I thought, which I have to endorse. It gives you an insight into what it was like underfoot and the continuous rain lashing down from 9am onwards.

But I thought it was GREAT! Where’s the challenge if it isn’t challenging?

The Six Dales is superbly organised by the LDWA and there are usually familiar past and present SMM Members present – Dennis Banks, Rose Gillick, Emma Key were there. There was certainly a good sprinkling of current SMM Members there too, including Anne-Marie, Claire, Julie, me & Pam, John & Joyce and Tim, who was running with Roger.

The course starts and finishes at Biggin Village Hall and takes you through Biggin Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Beresford Dale, Lathkill Dale, Bradford Dale and Long Dale. The settings are fantastic, with a mixture of high panoramas and crag-filled valleys filled with the sound of rushing water.

Julie, Claire and Anne-Marie went off quickly at the 8am walker’s start, jogging past the wrinkled anoraks of the seasoned LDWA walkers and drawing many ‘tut-tuts’ as they did so; Runners must start at 9am, you see. Pam and I briefly caught them up at the first checkpoint and off they shot again.  We caught them up again at Moneyash checkpoint and this time left them behind. I can tell you that the thought of flapjack and a hot cup of tea at the checkpoints kept me going. The thought of the girls catching us up kept Pam going (she’s very competitive, you know).

Pam and I finished in 6 hours 40 minutes, sopping wet but in high spirits. We will be back again next year, whatever the weather. Next? The Real Ale Ramble at Llanwyrtyd Wells, two days of walking and beer – what more could I ever need? Get the campervan packed Pam!

Race Report – Fabien Cabonell

This was the very first edition of the ‘Metric’ marathon in Chester which consists of running 26,2… kilometers instead of Miles, equivalent to 16 miles.

I was quite enthusiastic about it because an injury developed around the Normandie marathon in June had compromised my running plans for the second half of the year : I had to take a couple of months ‘off’, when I replaced running by cycling in order to recover but also satisfy my exercising needs. I must say that cycling really helped to keep fit and compensate for the lack of running.

It was a very chilly morning, and an early start to make it to the Chester racecourse on time before the 08:00 deadline when the carpark was closing. Once there, it was only a 2 hours wait!
I had a stroll around the field to suck in the atmosphere. It was a strange feeling seeing all these runners preparing for the full marathon, because I was there just a year ago! The full marathon started which was also strange to see a race start and not being part of it. Just managed a wave and a cheer at a colleague from work then fellow club member Tim Hulse.

Another hour to wait then my turn! The field was ever so quiet… The time came and about 500 runners got to the starting line, which wasn’t bad for a first edition of a race.

I took a slow start to warm up and stayed above 8:30min/mile for the first couple of miles, passing through the city. The next 2-3 miles were quite uneventful, then we got told to swap from right to left hand side of the road, which was divided by cones in the middle. We passed a couple of police motorbikes which were opening the road for the runners from the full marathon, closely followed by the leader : this was a fantastic opportunity as you don’t tend to see any of the leaders while you’re struggling at the back of the pack! 2 to 3 minutes later the 2nd and third runner appeared, followed by more runners and then the 3hour pace runners : it must have been the first time that I was running a race while applauding & cheering at runners from another race!

Mid race is when we joined the marathon route & runners which by then were on mile 20, and we all returned towards Chester. At that point of the race, I was averaging 7:45 to 7:50 min/mile, which matched the marathon runners at that point, so there was little movement between the 2 races. It kept me going and motivated, especially when some marathon runners started to overtake and I had to get myself thinking that I had 10 miles less in my legs! The support which had dwindled away in the middle of the countryside started to reappear and when we reached the town centre there were loads of people cheering us on. We soon reached the racecourse and the buzz of the finishing line, and another opportunity for the commentator on the microphone to struggle, then make fun out of my name, which he also did last year.

I was happy with my results 2:10:54, 85th overall and 17th for the Vet40 : not bad for someone who was hesitating to do the race just less than a month ago!

As a race, it was very good, as usual the organisers have got this licked : easy parking, loads of information, regular & well kitted out drinking stations, and new this year your results by text mid afternoon. Crucially, I felt that both races met spot on at the right time, with participants running at a similar pace.

The 16 miler distance for me at this time was perfect, just what I needed to get me back to competitive running while recovering from injury. However, I think it should call itself a different name and not include the word ‘marathon’ as it sounds like you’re doing a normal marathon. As a conclusion, that race was a bit like some kind of a ‘sweetener’ marathon : half the stress at the leading up to the race and the start, but unfortunately only half the endorphins at the finish…

Marshals view by Pam Eardley

The day of the Flying Fox started out a little grey but at least it was dry, not too cold and conditions seemed good for the runners. I had offered to help out on the day doing whatever I could so finding Brian at the school at Standon he quickly put me to work on the 200 plus goodie bags that needed putting together.

There was a hive of activity John and Joyce Edwards, Anne Griffiths and one or two people I didn’t know being relatively new to the club, but we were soon done with a brilliant line of production.

In good time Anne Griffiths and her daughter Jen and myself set off to the 6 Mile point where we were to man the water station which was at the top of the , in the words of Julie Ebrey the killer bank.

The table with the water butts was all ready and set up for us but we felt we didn’t want to run our of water so we set about knocking on a door with an outside tap. They were delighted to help and said help yourself to whatever you need.

Having to wait for water wasn’t on the cards so we set about filling the 200 cups, to be prepared was the order of the day.

We did lose a leg from the table at one point just managing to avert disaster, I don’t know what Anne did but she wedged into place phew.

We were ready now and waiting to see the first runner plough up the steep hill .

At just after 11 o’clock the first runners were in sight it was lovely to see them, Richard Fain was the first bat to come into sight our red shirts do stand out well. I think we were a welcome sight to the runners everyone was very grateful and thanked us which was not the easiest  of tasks, as I don’t think I would have been able to speak had I ran up that hill.

We were soon made aware of some slight confusion via the runners that the route was a little unclear so Anne  ran down there to marshall.

The runners were coming through thick and fast but Jen and I coped well and everyone that wanted water got it.

A guy from Trentham RC who was out for a Sunday  morning run came over and had a word with us he said he had run his 8 miles and was going to stay with us and watch , but we soon had him marshalling at the top of the road where the road went to the left . Bless him he was there for a good hour before he set off again for his run back to Stone . People are so kind sometimes.

Bill was soon in sight as the back marker so we knew our job was done and we could pack away and head off back to the school to see how everyone had done.

It was a great day lovely atmosphere and all the SMM were all safely back with some good times too.

Runners view by Chris Eardley

Pam and I arrived in plenty of time for our first Flying Fox 10 mile but still found plenty of runners already there. The parking was clearly marked and marshalled with ample places. The short walk up to the school provided time to build the nerves especially seeing Richard Shaw hiding a half buried skeleton which I hope was left over from Halloween and not a previous runner. A waft of cooking bacon pulled everyone in the right direction but the real gastronomic highlight came in the form of the beer from the goody bag. We met a few bats at the school; Clare Irving and Samantha Cowap were raring to go with Clare nervously seeking a pre race banana which she had couriered in, to much relief. Pam then went off to fulfil her marshalling duties.

I sort out some more bats during the jog to the start line and congregated with Richard Fain, Paul Lee, Fabien Carbonell and Paul Phillips hoping some of their pace might rub off on me but I was disappointed if not surprised to see them shoot off into the distance so decided to run at a steady pace saving a bit for the dreaded hill which I had been fore warned about.

The marshals were amazing it’s the first time I have ran a home race, and to get a great cheer and my name shouted from a marshall is very uplifting and certainly made me try harder . The bank was indeed everything I had feared and the welcome sight of my wife at the water station was a relief but he bank still carried on a little further. The rest of the course was ok for me with the downhill sections a chance to pick up the pace but I began to flag at around 8 miles and Richard Shaw sped past me soon after but I gritted my teeth and finished in 83 mins 12 just ahead of Anne-Marie Mountford in 83.33.

It was a fabulous day an event the bats can be proud of.

Race Report by Anne-Marie Mountford

So here we are again gathering for another race, and the usual suspects congregate on what could be described as a glorious October morning.  This race is an important one as both Club Championship and NSRRA points are on offer.  At the start of the race I was sitting top of my NSRRA group with 599 points, one more win would give me maximum 600 – jackpot!  For some reason today I had an internal battle over whether to take a drink with me.  I’ve done the race twice before and know that the drink stations are well accessible but sadly only cups on offer which I end up wearing most of the contents of rather than ingesting.  Bottle belt free won the argument so typically from the start I was thirsty (more of a psychological thing I think).

There was an air of calm over the first few miles, thank goodness it was chip timed as I was quite a way back from the start.  I chatted with Karen Murray, Stafford Harriers, and discussed the race ahead.  She went ahead of me and I just settled in behind, well second place wouldn’t be too bad, would it – NO WAY.  I seem to let people pass me on the flat and I could be better on downhills but uphill I’m stronger and so I caught up on the first climb out of Congleton.  I passed Karen with a “see you later”.

I always remember the first time I did this race and was in my usual negative mode when at around the 4 mile mark Lynne Shepley grabbed my hand and pushed me on until we got to Jodrell Bank which Lynne said signified half way.  Thanks Lynne!  In the distance I could see Bobbie Hickman from Potters Trotters also in my NSRRA Group so made an attempt to catch her.  On cruising past I heard her say “oh God” to which I replied “no need to be like that” jokingly.   The guy she was running with looked puzzled but she did laugh and say “she’s my nemesis”.  That’s one thing that I’ve enjoyed this year is the competition.

The Sting in the Tail wasn’t too painful, and the final drag to the finish was well supported and I knew at this point that I’d won my group again but what a bonus that I’d got a PB.  If only I hadn’t stopped at the last drink station to actually drink the water and not wash my face could I have gone under 1.50 grrrrr!

Some of our other club runners got PB’s (forgive me if I’ve got this wrong as I’m writing this a couple of weeks after the event) Paul Lee and Richard Fain and for Richard Shaw it was his 50^th Half Marathon – well done Richard.

Big thanks to Hazel Fain who not only distributed Flying Fox Entry Forms out whilst the race was in progress but also had my drink and my jumper at the finish, thank you so much.

And so to the last event of the NSRRA Calendar the Flying Fox 10 ….

Race Report – Tim Hulse

The Chester Marathon has been voted the best UK Marathon for two years running now by Runners World. It’s also one of my favourite races, and this year would be my third time running it after missing out last year. I should also declare, to those who don’t already know, that my Brother is one of the two co-organisers!

I know first-hand how much hard work goes into organising the race after helping look after the Start / Finish last year, and I know that their reputation is the result of hard work and meticulous preparation (E.G. my briefing pack was over 20 pages!). There is a fantastic bunch of people with highly experienced and dedicated team leaders, marshals and helpers – I believe appx 600 in total!

With my less intensive training regime I’d done about 3 x 20 milers in training and thought I’d be OK to get round in a sensible manner. It’s much easier when you’re no longer obsessed with the time – it takes the pressure off and makes the running easier.

I arrived the on the morning of the day before to help set up the Start / Finish at the Racecourse, most of the heavy lifting was already done so I had a relatively easy role of putting up appx a mile of MBNA (main sponsor) branding along the racecourse with the help of a few others (including my son Arran age 11). We finished at about 7pm and went to a Steak House restaurant in Chester with the race crew. In the past I’d been obsessed with carb loading before a Marathon mostly on Pasta. There was no pasta on the menu but I wasn’t bothered but remember thinking that this would have caused stress in the past!

I’d stayed over and as such I was able to avoid starting out at a daft hour – unlike Arran who was out with his uncle and cousins before 6am to help out!  After breakfast (again not the usual pre race menu – just what was available) I set out and drove to the racecourse, thankful that I knew the back route and so avoided much of the race traffic in the City Centre.  The parking was on the grass of the racecourse, at that time of the morning (7:30am) the grass is wet with dew but there were plastic overshoes provided for runners to keep trainers dry (another of my jobs the previous day – unwrapping thousands of these!).

I joined the start pen’s about 10 mins before the start and lined up midway in the 3:30hr pen next to Magnus, a friend from Chester Tri. The race started at 9am prompt with just under a mile on the race course itself, after that it was out on a short loop and through the landmarks of Chester City Centre. We started off fine and focussed on keeping to 8mm pace for the first mile while runners streamed past us. After 2-3 miles people seemed to settle into a pace and we started to gradually climb through the field still keeping at a steady pace (7:50mm).

We passed Magnus’ wife and friend after appx 3-4 miles in Zone 2 (I know that because Magnus looked after this zone in previous years – and nominated his friend to take over this year!), and then started to enter the countryside in what I learnt was the Duke of Westminster’s estate (his houses have a unique brick pattern) – Mangus was an excellent tour guide! We passed the first 10k timing mat a shade under 49mins, so far so good.

As I settled my pace quickened slightly to the low 7:40s as we ran out into North Wales and Magnus took a pit stop and left me to fend for myself. The miles seemed to tick by relatively easily and I continued to pass many runners on a consistent basis. My next landmark was the 12 mile mark where there is a short overlap with the faster runners just over 2 miles ahead. I also knew that Kenny (another from Chester Tri) was looking after this Zone as usual, so looked out for him and it was comforting to see him and get a bit of encouragement. The second 20k timing mat showed just under 48 mins for the second 10k, a bit quicker as I’d expected. After a 2 mile loop at the halfway stage we I passed Kenny again and started to head back towards Chester, so far so good.

The next focus point was the 30k timing Mat, this is the phase of the race I used to struggle at when racing faster and would usually suddenly tire at the halfway point. The aim was to maintain the consistent pace through the villages of Holt and Farringdon. I’d taken on board a few sips of Lucozade at the earlier drinks stops and had a few jelly babies– all provided by enthusiastic spectators. I didn’t bother with Gells during the race (I used to take 4-6 on a Marathon) although Steve Fenney later suggested that maybe I’d have benefited from a couple in the later stages. There was a short hill coming out of Farringdon – where Sparker jumped out on me 2 years ago after riding up to support – but unlike 2 years previously I easily resumed the same flat pace after I got to the top. I managed to maintain a consistent pace in the 7:40mm range and again finished the third 10k in appx 48 mins.

The next focus was the 20 mile mark which came after my fastest mile of the race (7:35mm) on a slight downhill, at this point I passed Andy (co Race Organiser) and appreciated the encouragement. I continued to run well for the next couple of miles, and passed more runners as the Metric Marathon runners (they started an hour later on a different course) joined us for the last few miles, and then started to tire a bit at mile 23 and dropped off to 8:10mm pace. I passed Jan at this stage (wife of Dave, a star of the organising team) and passed a few words of encouragement (we were both tired). At this stage I was focusing on a mile at a time and maintaining the pace and continued to pass runners as I’d done since the early stages. Up ahead at 24.5m was the hill at Sandy lane (notorious on this course) but nothing like what we train on in Stone. However it this stage of a Marathon it’s likely to bite. I continued to plug away at 8:10mm pace and got to the hill and steadily climbed – however this year it didn’t seem as steep as the last time.

I reached the 40k timing mat tired. The fourth 10k was appx 50 mins,  slower but the wheels were still on. At this stage we were back in Chester and after a short spell on the main road we headed down to the river Dee for the final run in. This is a great section with lots of vocal support – however this stage seemed to go on for longer than it should have. The tiredness and caution at this stage enabled a few runners to pass me for the first time, but I easily resisted the urge to push harder and challenge. Eventually I could see the final bridge after which I knew was the Racecourse and appx 800m to the finish. I maintained the pace and ran back on to the grass of the Racecourse and maintained the 8:10mm pace. As I approached the final 50m I heard my name on the PA – no special treatment, they have a sensors on the home straight to enable the commentators to identify runners from the timing chips.

I headed towards the line and raised the hands in customary manner and crossed the line to be immediately greeted by Arran who handed me my medal. Fantastic.  I managed 3:26:03 which was roughly where I thought I may finish, despite not setting any firm targets.

I went for a quick shower (as quick as it possible after a Marathon) had a pint of Guinness with my nephew (who has now beat my 5k and 10k PB’s and is getting close to my HM PB) and used my contacts to get back through to the finish area to watch the runners finish – Arran was still busy with his finish area duties. It was great to watch the finishers, and watching loved ones, as they crossed the line and the array of emotions that followed – a special place to be.

All in all a good run and a great day out for Arran – he had the time of his life helping out. Cheers to the Chester Marathon crew – we’ll be back next year.

Race Report – Julie Ebery

A balmy late September day greeted our club runners at the first Cross Country Race of the series, held at Winsford.

We had a spirited turnout from our SMM Ladies: Margaret, Alison, Anne-Marie, Julie E, Rachel and Emma. Rachel and Emma were our first timers and we were delighted to have them. They paid tribute to the event with bringing gorgeous post-race goodies. In total we had brownies, apple cake, scones…..

The gentlemen were a little sparse and sadly Richard and Kevin were our honorary men; but insufficient to make up a team – where were the rest of our SMM Males??

The going was firm underfoot although the grass was a little long and spongey in places. There was a good turnout and a super atmosphere. The course is simple and effective. Running around the perimeter of a sports field with a few hills and wooded areas, made the event intimate as our supporters could see us most of the way round.

The ladies race was just over 3 miles and certainly not muddy at all. We were proud to support SMM and came in with some good times. Moreover the spirit that ensued within the team was the highlight.

The mens race started in earnest and Kevin and Richard maintained a strong pace throughout the race. When our boys ran past our club cheerers, ‘our SMM ladies’ were highly spirited. Kevin stayed in the ‘zone’, and maintained his composure, however Richard was so excited he danced around a tree (much to the delight of both the SMM ladies and the Market Drayton ladies). The gents ran an honourable distance of over 6.5 miles.

Well done to all our SMM’ers. The sad news is that we failed to have a men’s team, but nevertheless we all enjoyed the day, thanks to good cakes and an enthusiastic attitude.

On a final note, Cross Country shouldn’t be seen as something scary. It is a team event and a great deal of fun, bringing club members together.

We’d love to have more support from or members, so please if you are interested, let Alison or Jonathan know.