Vale Royal AC Runners

25 June:  Currently working away in Harrogate, Iain Wedge finished 10th Overall in the Esholt trail race near Leeds, and in the process claimed the prize for 1st V40.

22 June:  Congratulations to Sandie and Matt Sweeting - on the birth of their 3rd daughter Francesca (7lbs).   Mother and baby said to be doing well, dad almost recovered too! 

 NATIONAL SILVER FOR ANDY GIBBS!!!!   

21 June:  Andy Gibbs had a fantastic run in Horwich at the British Masters 5K championship.  A typically committed Andy finished in silver medal position in the MV45 race - only losing out on gold in the last 400 yards of the race.  Well done Andy - brilliant!!  Pauline finished a creditable 8th in LV55 championship.  What a week for the club! 

20 June:  A big turn out for the next round of the Cheshire Grand Prix Series at the Lymm 5k.  Gemma Barnett and Stu Doyle were running to maintain their leads in the ladies and men's series.  Stu had a superb run for 6th place overall (3rd Cheshire) and holds on to his overall lead.   Gemma was 2nd club lady home and 6th from Cheshire but maintained her big lead in the series.  Vale Royal ladies had an excellent run to win the team prize.

19 June: More club success in the men's and ladies races at the Tough Team Event in Tattenhall.  On a cool breezy night, Mary Tavener, Jo Molyneaux and Helen Smith were first ladies home having had a good battle through the race.  Tom sided with the opposition as he joined the Wrexham AC duo Mike Robbins and Darren Rowlands to win the event by a good margin in what was announced as a course record but it's not even a club record!.  Tom's planned partners Goffy and Darren chose instead to run with a strong 10k runner...but must have got lost on the course somewhere!.   Several other club teams completed the event and had a good time at the bar after the race! 

18 June: Club success at the Shugborough relays!   Fastest for the 2 mile leg was Mark Thornley who with the help of Mike, Mary, and Tony won the 200+ "ultra vets" category in superb style.  Carol, Pauline, Colin and John all had excellent runs to finish 2nd in the 240+ "Super Vets" category. This race is highly recommended by all who did it so one to mark in the diary for next year.  Results.

16 June: - Pete Clayton and Dave Hanson ran in the heat in the tough Potteries 'Arf Marathon  on Sunday.   A third club runner also completed the course..........

While most of the squad were at the Castles, there was still a strong team out at the Dunham 5K. There were some excellent performances and a big PB for Helen Smith.

WELSH CASTLES 2009!     

15 June: A great weekend at the Welsh Castles!    The team spirit was excellent as usual with blue and yellow visible throughout Wales!  After a colourful Dave completed the team efforts into Cardiff castle, the team had finished in 27th place in 25:32:13 and 25th in the mountains.  Some great performances and most importantly some great support!  A few pics in the gallery....full results are available here.  Rob's pictures are here.

9 June:  An elite group turned out for the Capenhurst 10k on Sunday.  Photo's are in the gallery and results below:

 5 June:  The Bowden 5k was run in perfect racing conditions on Thursday night.  Here are the provisional results (still awaiting the published results).  The results of two family duels (Miles and Davies) can be judged below.  Well done Andrew for being first Vale Royaler!

4 June:  Mike Harrington takes 25th place in the Full Bronte 5 in Haworth, West Yorkshire in a time of 30.36.

31 May:  In the undulating Golden Gate 10k, held in the picturesque Chatsworth Park, Mike Harrington took 22nd place in 41.23 with Helen Whitby, showing good form, less than 4 minutes behind in 45.20 (6th Lady). 

It was scorching hot weather for the Edinburgh Marathon - so on a day where finishing would be an achievement for most,  Jo Edwards got home in an excellent 3:58 (1:53 to half distance) with Jayne Lomax following a few minutes behind in 4:12 (1:55) and Val Kinvig chasing them home 4:21 (1.56).  Well done girls and enjoy a couple of days off! 

30 May: News from New Mexico Updated!  The Hollins Green 5K took place in blistering heat on Saturday.  Pete Maher continued his fine return to form with an excellent 19th place.  John Todd, still suffering from a troublesome hip injury was back to racing while Gemma ran an excellent sub-20 time.  Mary was a bit off the pace she set at Christleton but still had a solid run. 

The 9km very hilly Wincle Trout Race in Derbyshire was run in scorching hot weather! Tom finished 9th in ~41:50 with Darren just a few places behind in ~42:30 after a fall on the dangerous last descent.  Goffy, Tommy, Clutty, Hainsey, Click and Braddy all agreed that conditions were tough....indeed several us had the same thought at the 1.5 mile point.........turn left here and i could call it a day!  Results:

28 May:  A big club turn-out at the Mobberley 5.3 multi-terrain race.  Full result below but Darren was 7th overall, Dave just behind in 9th place, Col was 2nd MV65 and we had an age-category winner with Pauline finishing 1st LV55! Photo's in the gallery.

24 May:  Janet Snow made her debut over the marathon distance at the tough White Peak Marathon in Matlock, Derbyshire.   Janet completed the distance in an excellent PB(!).....4:16.01 for 137th place.  Fantastic run Janet!  

22 May:  The first of the North Cheshire 5K Series was at Dunham Massey on Friday.   Stu Doyle was 5th, John Clarke was 2nd MV55:

17 May:  In breezy conditions at the Shell Chester Half Marathon, Tom Armstrong ran an excellent PB inside his 1:25 target, but it was under 20 runner Zach Cross who brought the squad home in an impressive 1:17 and a top 10 finish. Our only representative from the ladies, Helen Smith was a massive 4 minutes quicker than at Helsby earlier in the year.  Here are the full results: 

and at the Manchester Great Run 10k, Gary Weedall pipped Matt Sweeting for 1st club finisher in the massive field.  Both were disappointed to have lost to Heile Gebreselassie!  Anne Budenberg ran an excellent race in 45 minutes:

The Moulton "Pound the Bounds" Race attracted a slightly smaller field than at Manchester, but Col and Carole were out to enjoy a friendly low-key event especially as it started and finished at the pub!  Col finished 3rd in 30 minutes and Carol was 1st Lady in 35 minutes!    

16 May: British Masters Relays, Sutton Coldfield. Thanks to all team members and supporters who made it a memorable trip to the Midlands! Andy Gibbs was in cracking form with a scorching run over the 3 mile course finishing in 9th place on his leg.  Surely that will be good enough to earn a country vest?! With 7 more great runs after that, the team finished in 26th place in the MV40 category. Here are the times and the positions after each of the 8 legs:  

12 May: Helen proves to be a REAL star by crossing the line first in the Race For Life at Delamere on Sunday - 

www.realradionorthwest.co.uk/events/race-for-life-2009-whp3/race-for-life-pictures/d1a6srmx/photo-30524/

11 May: Results Round up: Tommy Armstrong produced a fantastic performance on Sunday to take 13th place in the South Cheshire 20 in a time of 2.18.11. This is believed by many to be the best performance by a Tesco employee for many years! 

Mike Harrington took 4th place in the Wavertree 5k in Liverpool last Wednesday in a time of 17.56, following Mike home in 40th place was regular racer Barry Chambers. Barry completed the course in 22.05.

Rob Olliver continued his tour of Yorkshire Half Marathon's on Sunday, with another fine run. Having completed the Sheffield Half in 1.30.31 (288th out of 4,591), 2 weeks ago, Rob ventured back over the pennines to take part in the Leeds Half this weekend and finished in a time of 1.31.37, a 3 minute improvement on his time there last year!

Andrew Miles took 3rd place in the U17's 3000m at the Cheshire Track & Field Champs in 9.57 (just 7 seconds outside his dads PB!) and 8th place in the 800m in 2.16.0 (which tops the family rankings!).

10 May:  A first victory for the club at the 'Runaway Dash'  on the Ascension Islands!  Olivia:   The race was out and back on the 2 mile runway.  It was a cloudy but windy morning  so was not too hot (for a change!) but poured down at the finish. There were prizes for the first finisher over all, the first lady and the runner up. I won both the first finisher and the first lady awards! I was surprised, as there were quite a few military guys there, all thinking one of them would win. It was funny, I don’t think some of them were too impressed being beaten by a girl. The US Base Commander said afterwards that it had not done his reputation any good being beaten by a ‘chick’, and an English one at that (not even military!). So, there were smiles all round from the locals - they can’t remember a girl winning before.  Prizes were given out by the Administrator of the Island.

10 May:  Col, Carole, Pauline, Paul and Goffy make the trip to Shropshire for the Muller 10k and the complimentary yoghurts!  Dave ran well after Friday's 5K (and the FLM!), Paul moved closer to the 40 minute barrier. Col showed he's still in good form taking 1st MV65, Carole achieved her 51 minute target and Pauline put London behind her and won the LV55 category - a successful day out!   

8 May:  A windy night for the Christleton 5K didn't put off the big Vale Royal squad!  StuD brings us home in 16:20 just outside his PB.  Mary (1st FV45) has a superb run to equal her PB just 2 weeks after London, and Mrs Hainesy commences the inevitable!  Also PBing was Paul Clutterbuck!  Results:

.29 April:  Goyt Valley 10k Trail Race, Errwood, Derbyshire Two club members made the trip across to Derbyshire, last Wednesday evening, to take part in the picturesque (and undulating!) Goyt Valley 10K and both had excellent runs. On a tough course, which produced a winning time of 37.53, Police Mike (Harrington) showed further signs to indicate that his race fitness is quickly returning by taking 14th position in a time of 42.01. Whilst newcomer (Police) Ian Wedge made a fine debut for the club to secure 25th place in 44.40 (5th V40).

27 April:  LONDON MARATHON WEEKEND.   On a beautiful day for spectating, the warm and sunny weather was not ideal for all in this years marathon although it wasn't as tough as 2 years ago!   The story of the weekend was Grand Col's fantastic efforts to try and claim a MV65 podium spot..   Although not achieving his long held goal of winning the category, Colin had a cracking run to finish in 3:11 and 3rd place after closing rapidly on the leader in the latter stages.   The first medal winning performance at the FLM for Vale Royal!  Jo Molyneaux had a superb run with a PB of 3:27 despite being full of the cold and most of us thinking she'd do well to finish.   Gemma also showed how much she is improving with a PB and breaking her 3:20 target by just over a minute.  Paul Clutterbuck found the last three miles  tough and was spotted stopping for a stretch at 23 miles before Mike H kicked him back on his way!    Well done also to Pete, Dave and Mary who despite not achieving their ambition times were very positive about the day and their performances.   Stewart Irlam, who has joined us in training this year, finished the race with his brother Michael in 4:42 with a big smile on his face and, annoyingly, no visible signs of fatigue!  Pauline had looked good to half distance but withdrew shortly after as she suffered in the heat.  She'll be back........but she says not at marathon distance.  We'll see!  Well done to all - it was a pleasure to watch! 

19 April:  A good club turn out at the Whitley 10k.   In beautiful weather, Pete Maher brought the team home in 18th place.   Tom Armstrong continues to show his potential in 27th place.  Colin was also demonstrating the benefits of his high mileage racing as he scared a few of the 'youngsters'!  Results:

16 April: Newcomer Dave Murphy led home a trio of Vale Royal runners in the increasingly popular Runcorn Bridge 5 Mile race on Easter Sunday. In a field with a record number of 636 finishers they recorded the following performances: 

Cheshire Champs medalists:  LV45 Gold for Mary at the 5 mile champs!  Senior Silver for Gemma and Senior Bronze for Stu Doyle at the 10k champs.  Well done! 

Cheshire GP Standings:  Gemma Barnett and Stu Doyle currently lead the Cheshire GPs.  Vale Royal teams lie 2nd in the ladies and 3rd in the mens.   Results. 

12 April:  A fantastic run by Gemma at the Air Products 10k.  The race was both the next round of the Cheshire GP and this year's Cheshire 10k champs.   Gemma recorded a PB and finished 3rd lady overall!   Gemma leads the Cheshire GP and this should help her to maintain that!  Although the weather was fantastic and the course flat, times were not that quick and there were some claims that the course was a bit long.  Col was not convinced - he probably cut the corners though!   StuD brought the men home in 8th place to continue his excellent challenge for the men's GP.  Also a well earned PB by Rob!   

8 April:  Spring 5.  Mary Tavener gets gold in the Cheshire Champs 5 mile for LV21 category!.    Mike Harrington showed he is coming back to form and a terrific PB for Carole Williams in 41 minutes!  Tony was also on form after his altitude training.   Pete Maher is also showing good form as he takes 2nd MV50.

5 April:   On a more serious matter, we have received a complaint about the inappropriate use of nicknames on this website.  Following an official club enquiry we have agreed that Big Stu is no longer to be called Big Stu as the use of the adjective "big" is sadly wrong (although perceived size is relative so i assume the fact that Goffy named him may tell us something!).  We sincerely apologise for calling Big Stu "Big Stu" and in future we will refer to Big Stu as StuD until a more appropriate nickname is assigned.  Watch this space.  Fortunately we're OK with Big Matt. 

4 April:   A quieter weekend for racing meant there were some fresher legs for a blistering Sunday Run!   However despite Goffy's awesome victory on the run in to Knight's Grange, the real news was several hunded miles south where Grand Col was in action again.   Col was completing his spring tour of the best 20+mile races in the country at the Exe to Axe coastal race (21.3 miles on his new GPS).  The course is on coastal path with ~4000ft of climb - so you'd expect it to be hard!.   Col described it as "the toughest race of my life" and "not the best idea I've had" after he finished in 3:27:20 (he got the minutes right but the hours wrong!) for 34th place.   Only 1 runner finished inside 3 hours!   Fingers crossed that the race has put him in good shape for London! 

29 March:  In perfect calm and sunny racing conditions, several Vale Royalers competed in the Wilmslow Half Marathon.   Gavin brought the squad home with an excellent run as he returns to form.  Big Stu kept up his challenge for the Cheshire Grand Prix with another strong run.  Tom Armstrong showed his ability with an excellent 1:25 - dragging Goffy with him for good measure.  Caroline Jones found the distance tough but enjoyed the race and was happy with her performance.  

At the Lincoln 10k, Mike & Helen return to racing!  Colin's racing again but over a rather shorter distance than of late.  Carole has a great run with 51:13.

HE'S BACK!   Mike returns to racing at the 10-mile Grizedale Forest Trail Race.    Mike (who, apparently, is now unattached!), runs superbly for 11th place and 1st MV50.   Mary also runs well after last weeks efforts at Milford. 

25 March:  Skinny Matt raced in the "Sticky Toffee Pudding Trail Race" (try saying that quickly!) in Cartmel on Sunday.  In very muddy conditions, Matt finished the 11mile/2000ft race in 65th place in a time of 1:33:25.  Sadly Matt's son Lewis had a tumble and fractured his collar bone during the race (his debut in the fells).   Lewis proved his character by finishing the race!

On a happier note we have two new arrivals to report.  Mel had a little boy, named Harry, just 1 week ago.  Mel is desparate to get training already!  Glenn's wife Karen also had a little boy which they've named Fraser Stephen Wilson.  Congratulations to both. 

22 March:  Colin finishes 3rd MV60 in yet another 20 mile race - this time the Ashby 20 in Leicestershire.   Showing no signs of the previous days XC, Colin managed 2:27:43 - that's three 20 milers in 3 weeks and all within 20 seconds of each other.  Amazing!  3 down, 1 to go..................meanwhile at the Milford 21, Snowdonia marathon veteran, Paul "Sandstone Trail is a Cakewalk" Clutterbuck was in somewhat reflective mood when reporting the race as "the hardest ****ing race i've ever ****ing done!!  Steve Bradshaw, in similar mood, has decided never to race again!  Thanks for the warning lads!  No comment yet from Mary!  Mary finished 2nd LV45.

Milford 21 

21 March:   Andy Gibbs finished a fantastic 5th MV45 in the British Masters XC at Ruthin.  Starting in typically quick fashion, Andy moved up into 3rd on the last lap only to lose out in the run in.    Also running in the 35-50 race was Tom Annable who paid for his quick start, faded in the middle of the three laps and struggled home from there!   Another masterpiece of tactical running!    In the 50+'s, Colin worried everyone by running despite his injury.   Colin ran well considering this was a prelude to Sunday's Ashby 20 (3x20 miles with 6 days rest - quite an interval session that Col).    In the ladies race, Carole Williams was first Vale Royal finisher with a strong run in a high class field.   Pauline Davies  scared us all by falling on the stony descent.  Pauline sensibly retired from the race but fortunately without major damage except some nasty bruises.  Pics in the gallery. 

British Masters XC (5.3 miles) 

15 March:   At last, some nice weather!  This years marathon runners were in action in the Spen 20 and Trimpell 20.  Pauline and Colin were following up last weeks Stafford 20 with the tough Spen race.    Both ran the same times and won the same prizes as last week!  Last we heard, they were spending their prize money in the Mobberley Arms.   Dave showed good form at Trimpell finishing in 2:10 - very promising!   Gemma, Toddy and Mary were all pleased with their performances - Mary was about 4 minutes quicker than last year.  So far it's looking good for London!  

Trimpell 20 

Spen 20 

At the Trafford 10k,  Gavin brought us home with a solid 33 minute run (would have been quicker if he hadn't played football on Saturday!) - there were also a couple of PBs on this flat and fast course.  Darren was spotted looking at race shoes in the shop afterwards - so look out for them (and him!) at his next race!

At the picturesque Dentdale 14 race on Saturday, before the weather improved, Rob Olliver had another excellent run to finish 62nd out of a field of over 400 in a good time of 1.42.01, for the undulating course on a windy day.        

8 March:  A busy racing weekend for Vale Royal.  Big Stu and Gemma were deservedly selected to represent Cheshire at the Inter-counties XC in Nottingham on Saturday.   On a tough hilly course, Big Stu finished 191st (5th counter) and Gemma was 205th (6th counter). Both were pleased with their runs.  Stevie Stockton was 29th in Senior Ladies and Rebecca Craigie was 5th in the U17's.Also running in the juniors was Graham's son Andrew who finished in 219th place.   Results.    Closer to home, Helen Smith showed her continued progress as she finished 1st Lady in the Oulton Park 5K!  The course was about 200m long and Helen achieved a good time of 22:18.    

A smaller than usual turn-out for the Stafford 20:  In very windy and very wet weather, Pete Clayton had an excellent run in 2:13.  Colin was 1st MV65 in 2:27 in his new long socks (not quite looking as good as Nik does in hers Col!).  Pauline also ran very well, 2:48 is a big improvement on last year and 1st LV55!   There were 2 relay teams too.  Dave, Darren and Tom were not as competitive as they hoped as there was some strong competition!     Also Carole, Val and Jo E ran impressively in the bad conditions.   Not such an enjoyable day with the bad weather, traffic problems and a lack of hot drinks and cakes at the finish!  Pics in the Gallery.  

5 March:  Big Stu 4th in the Farndon 10k in 34:03.  Results.