Merry Christmas

Wye Valley Runners wish to thank the local running community for your friendship and support during 2014. The club membership continues to go from strength to strength particularly the ladies who now seem to outnumber the men. During the year our members did an incredible job raising a record amount for our charity of the year Marches Family Network.

We really appreciate the fantastic support from the many many volunteers who helps with races and event organisation there is an incredible amount of work done behind the scenes. We look forward to another great year in 2015.

Merry Christmas to you All

 

Wye Valley Runners

Monkhall Cross Country 11th January - Details and Directions

Wye Valley Runners are pleased to be hosting the 4th race in the Herefordshire XC Winter League on Sunday 11th January 2015.
This course is largely on private land. It is really important that runners do not practice or do recce runs . The land is also an active game shoot - so please steer well clear apart from race day.
This years course is a new route - around 6.1 miles and quite challenging - so feel free to load up on mince pies at Christmas as this race will work them off for you!
Race starts 11 am prompt. Parking is at a premium so please share lifts where possible. Please also note that the approach is through narrow lanes with dog walkers and farm vehicles a plenty - please drive with care and respect to our hosts.
Click here for an image of the course
Directions from Hereford
  • Follow the A49 south towards Ross-on-Wye for 3 miles.
  • Turn right between the car dealerships, Ssang Yong and Suzuki.
  • Turn left at the T-junction.
  • After 200 metres, turn right and follow run signs .
Directions from Ross
  • Follow the A49 north towards Hereford for 8 miles.
  • Pass the Pilgrim Hotel on the left. Then, after 1.5 miles, turn left for Callow.
  • Take the first left into the no-through road half a mile after passing Callow Church.
  • Follow run signs

Directions from Abergavenny

  • Follow the A465 towards Hereford for 18 miles.
  • Turn right immediately before the Shell Garage on to the B4348 for Much Dewchurch.
  • Cross the railway line and take the first left.
  • Turn right at the T-junction.
  • Turn right after 400 metres into the no-through road and follow run signs

Mighty Oak Awards

Voting is now closed for the 2014 Mighty Oak Awards.

We are pleased to say that the new voting forms proved very popular.

 Congratulations to the nominated club members Bill Griffiths, Chris Walden, Antony Evans, Sally Ware, Laura Tootell and Kelly Rose all would have been very deserving winners. Voting was very very close for the female award requiring a recount.

We will announce the winners and present the awards at the beginning of the prize giving for the New Years Day 10k.

Ufton Court Cross Country Results

Thanks to Nic Goodwin and family, Mike Blenkinsop and all at Hereford Tri Club for a well organised race today. Interesting conditions challenged the 38 strong Wye Valley Team - with Steven F taking pole position in 45.15 only 15 secs behind improving Jeremy  J. In the women's team Claire Conway had a fantastic run to finish first Wye Valley lady in 51.25. Full results here - next up Monkhall in January - details to follow soon. 

Bill Berry - a Lifetime of Sport

A Lifetime of Sport

 

I know many of you have already bought a copy of my book in support of St Michael’s Hospice but in case you are unaware of it this is the background.

The book is about my lifetime’s involvement with sport covering my 50 years as a competitor and 35 years as a coach.

Over the years many people have asked me how I became involved in coaching but the idea for the book was originally suggested by my cycling pal and fellow Wheeler – Alan Hill. We often talked about our various sporting experiences and Alan used to say to me “ you should write a book about your athletic experiences and trips “ but I thought no more about it.

However a couple of years ago Alan was diagnosed with cancer and eventually passed away in St Michael’s Hospice. Then sometime last year I read about a cyclist, who had written a book about his life of cycling, to raise funds in memory of a friend who had died in similar circumstances to Alan.

So I decided to write my book and I am selling it to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice. All the profits from the sales will go to the Hospice so your help in supporting this very worthy charity would be much appreciated.

So far I have sold over 400 books and have just over 500 to sell .The cost is £5 per book plus £1.30 if posted. If you would like a copy please contact me or send your name and address to -  berry@hr4moreton.freeserve.co.uk. or direct from St Michael’s Hospice via link below –

http://www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk/Shop | Books & Music | Bill Berry, A Lifetime of Sport

Ufton Court Cross Country - Sunday Dec 7th - details.

Race 3 in the winter cross country league hosted by our pals in Hereford Tri Club.

Race starts 11am. If you haven't yet got a number please arrive by 10.15. Club vest must be worn.

Given proximity there are no shared lift plans - but please use Facebook if you need a lift

Ufton Court - Bogmarsh - Directions
 
Ufton Court is situated off the B4399 road which runs between Hereford and Holme Lacy.  The postcode for the hamlet is HR2 6PH.  Please use your eyes and not your sat-nav once you've turned off the B4399 road though, as you need to follow signs. 
 
Take the turn marked 'Aconbury, Bogmarsh, Newtown' which is at the bottom of the hill the city side of Holme Lacy village.  If you are coming from Hereford it's a sharp right-hand turn before the road rises up into the village.   If you're coming from the village, it's a sharp left turn as you go down the first hill. TAKE CARE
 
After you've left the B4399 the road goes uphill.  You will pass a grilled gate on your right hand side and after approximately 500 metres you'll see a wooden fenced paddock with large (double) metal gates on your right - go through these gates and follow the marshal's directions to the parking area.
 
Ufton Court is a working farm and the run is mainly on private land.  Please don't attempt to run the route at any time apart from the organised race or recce days as the surrounding area is regularly used for shooting.  Please make sure that any children are also supervised at all times as there is a lake on site plus farm machinery, grain stores and muck heaps.  
 

Club Xmas Party Cancelled

Club Xmas Party scheduled for Dec 13th is cancelled due to lack of ticket sales only 18 sold to-date. Gail canvassed runners at the club this evening and found that there are lots of other things going on so little prospect of a significant increase in bookings. With less than 2 weeks to the party we have to make a decision out of courtesy to the Rowing Club and catering providers. All those who have already purchased tickets will be given a full refund. Many thanks to Gail Colley for all her efforts and we will see whether we can find a more popular format next year.

London Marathon Draw Results

London Marathon Draw Results

Sorry for delay, as I have only had confirmation today.

Wye Valley Runner’s has been allocated 3 club entries for the 2015 Virgin London Marathon.

The draw took place at the Rowing Club on Monday 24th November and the lucky 3 are, Mark Watkins, Lynne Compton & Shane James. Congratulations to you all. 

Reserves are Jason Smith and Alison Turner.

Many thanks Ralph

Wye Valley Runners