Crsos Country Details Wednesday 13th June

The 2018 Herefordshire Summer Off Road League kicks off next week on Wednesday 13th June at High Vinnals near Ludlow. Course map and details attached.

Herefordshire Off-Road League Summer Series, Race 1 High Vinnalls, organised by Ludlow Runners 13th June Start time 7.15 pm We hope the route will be the same as the previous two years (please see attached map). If so, the course is a challenging ‘up and downer’ of approximately 5 miles. It features hard and grassy tracks, forest roads, and a short ‘technical’ downhill section through woodland about three quarters of the way round. Then there is a steady climb to the finish of about a mile. Due to potential forest operations we also have a contingency route consisting of two shorter laps and obviously we will let you know the situation on the day. Directions: The Postcode for Monstay Farm, opposite High Vinnalls car park, is SY8 2HE From the South: Take the first turning to Ludlow from the A49 along the B4361. On arriving at the edge of the town turn left immediately before a set of traffic lights on a closed river bridge (Ludford Bridge). Signposted Burrington/Wigmore. The Charlton Arms is on the corner of this road. From the North: Take the first exit into Ludlow from the A49 (Bromfield Rd B4361). Follow this road into the centre of town at the top of the hill. At the traffic lights continue on the B4361 downhill – the road bears right at the bottom of the hill. At the next set of traffic lights by a stone river bridge (Ludford Bridge) turn left over the bridge and then immediately right just past the Charlton Arms, signposted Burrington/Wigmore. Finding the Start (From both North and South): At the Wigmore Road, travel for 3 miles uphill, passing the Whitcliffe Common and viewpoint on your way. After a sharp downhill section watch out for a sign displaying 'Vinnalls Car Park 200 yards'. Turn right into the farm entrance immediately opposite the Vinnalls car park. We are using the field opposite the Forestry Commission car park for parking so we don’t monopolise the car park itself. The land owners have kindly consented to this, but have requested a donation to the local church. Please therefore be ready to make a £1 donation for parking

Club Run is coming to Wye Valley!

General Data Protection Requirements

You're probably all sick of this by now. However, the Club has updated it's Privacy Policy and if you want to read yet another one, you can find it here

Do you want to compete more on the track?

I recently met with the Committee of Hereford AC to see how we could work more collaboratively with them as clubs. They cater mainly for children and Under 18s but have a very small number of senior athletes who compete in the Senior Track and Field leagues. If any Wye Valley Runners are interested in competing second claim for Hereford AC, we would support it and they would be absolutely delighted. I'm guessing that our runners would mainly be interested in the longer track events, i.e. 800m, 1500m, 3k/5k and steeplechase, but I'm sure if yo wanted to do any of the track and field events, they would welcome you with open arms. This is a really good way of getting the feel of track running and would give you the same benefits as a good speed session. You might also find out that you're good at event that you have never tried before!

The next meeting is in Hereford on Saturday 2nd June, so if you are interested, contact me and I'll put you in touch with them.

Martin Flowers

martinflowers@sky.com

Gords 6

We have had a very nice letter of thanks from Fran and Paul Clements. You can read the letter here

Cotswold Relay Update

I have 3 provisional team lists now. Please have a look and arrange transport as far as you can. We will have a meeting in a few weeks or let me know if you have any concerns. The organisers website gives all the details about times and starts/finish maps etc.

The list is here

WVR Committee

A reminder to members that at the AGM I gave an undertaking to publish Agenda and Minutes of Committee meetings. These are on the website under "News - Committee Points"

Committee points

Tonights club run

Tonights club run

There will be a run from the club tonight taking in Aylestone Park. The route is here:
https://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_4730687.html

The second race in the Hereford 5k series (entries closed) is taking place at the Leisure Centre, meaning that there will not be a session on the track. However, assuming the grass dries out after last nights rain, there will be a speed session on the football pitches behind the all weather area, commencing at 6.30 as usual.

Cotswold Relay Saturday 30th June

Cotswold Relay this year is Saturday 30th June.

10 back-to-back races, starting each stage with a mass start at the expected arrival time of the 1st runner from the previous stage. 

Running from Chipping Campden in the early morning, through to the arrival at Bath Abbey in the early evening, using the waymarked route of the Cotswold Way as our route, the relay is over 90% off-road, taking in many hills, woodlands, fields and tracks, all offering spectacular views of the countryside around (if ever a runner looked up from the path to take it in!). 

There is a meeting for all interested on Wednesday 9th May after club run. Committed runners fee £15. If anyone has a preference we will try to consider but it is a team event and we all will pull together. If you want to stay in Bath after the event you will need to book ASAP. Most of us will stay at the YMCA it's great value and central location. Enquiries to Jan Edwards

Some changes to club training nights

Following the recent members survey, the Committee has decided to make some changes to club training nights. With effect from Monday 9th April, we will offer a club run only on Mondays, with no optional speed session organised by the club. The Wednesday track sessions run in conjunction with the Tri-club will continue, unless there is a race, such as the 5ks and cross countries. Every other Monday, commencing 16th April, will be a “run together” night, with preset checkpoints for faster runners to run/jog back and “gather up” the slower runners. We are aiming to make club nights more sociable for existing members and more welcoming for our newer runners. Once a month, on a Monday, we will have an after training social in the Rowing club bar, starting about 7.30. We are looking to reinstate Friday night runs at Haugh Woods, but this is dependent on ensuring that sufficient experienced guides can regularly attend on a Friday. Anyone interested (and qualified) to undertake this role, please let me know.
Club training nights will continue to be Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 6.15, as now, but we will keep this under review. The routes for the coming weeks, which will be mainly off-road once the weather improves, will be published on the website shortly. We also want to make greater use of the excellent facilities that we have at the Rowing Club and will be organising a number of running/social events over the summer, based at the club. The first of these will be a quiz. Look out for details.
We will continue to support other popular ad hoc events such as the Cotswolds Relay and alternative runs, which will begin again later this month, or next.
We appreciate that some of these changes will not be welcomed by all, but we needed to do something to ensure that club nights cater better for the majority of our runners and potential new runners. This is what most of you told us in the survey. For the quicker members and those wanting to improve their running, we will be looking at other ways to support you, supplementing the Wednesday track sessions.
If you want to discuss any of these changes or make any further comments, speak to me or one of the Committee. We are always prepared to listen and consider different viewpoints.

Gords 6 - 11.00 a.m. Sunday 15th April

The next Wye Valley Runners promoted race is only just over 2 weeks away. The challenging, mainly off-road course is the same as last year and offers fantastic views of the Wye and surrounding countryside. The race is also one of this years Super 10, so we are expecting lots of Wye Valley Runners to have a go. If you can’t or don’t want to run, this year, you can still earn Super 10 points by offering yourself or a family member/friend, to marshal or help. Remember, we can’t put these races on unless we get lots of volunteers.

Again there will be childrens races, 1k and 2k for under and over 8s, free entry on the day – 10.30 start

Enter Gords 6 https://www.entrycentral.com/Gords

Marshalls/helpers names to Andrew Blackman in person or e-mail ajsb58@btinternet.com

Super 10

Next week will see the start of this years Super 10 Series, The series is made up of great races hosted by local clubs over varying distances so there should be something in there for everyone. We will also be keeping the age graded performances so everyone is in with a chance to win it.
Full list of races and dates are available on the website.

http://www.wyevalleyrunners.co.uk/super-10/

Lighter nights at last!

Now that the clocks have gone forward and the lighter nights are here, we can take to some more enjoyable off-roads routes. First up on Monday 26th March is "Up the river" followed by Belmont woods on Wednesday 28th March. Most people know these routes, but these and the routes for the next three months will appear on the website in due course. If anyone wants to suggest a favourite off -road route that we could use, please let me know, as the more variety the better. We will also be looking for suggestions for "alternative runs" over the summer, starting from a different location (often a pub), with a potential social/drink afterwards. I know that the usual crew will already have some routes in mind, so again, can you let me have them and a proposed date, so that we can get them in the calendar? 

There will be a speed session on the King George VI playing fields on Monday and the usual track session on Wednesday. A calendar of speed sessions is currently in preparation.

Finally a reminder about Jan & Bryans Good Friday morning run starting from the Bell at Tillington at 9 a.m.

Club Members Survey

We have had a very good response to the on-line questionnaire. If you haven't completed, it there is still time - click here

I would like any club members who are interested in discussing the results, to join me in the Rowing Club after training on Wednesday 7th March 2018. Following that the Committee will formulate a set of proposals for taking forward. So this is your chance to influence that process.

To give me an idea of numbers., please let me know if you will be attending

Martin Flowers, Chairman

Muddy Woody 2018 results

Congratulations to Jonathan Pugh of Buith & District - this year's overall winner in an extremely fast time of 41.13 and to Jessica Bennett of Lords Hill - first woman in 48.28. Race report to follow - provisional results here

Membership Subscriptions 2018

We have a considerable number of members who have not yet paid their subscriptions. The Committee is currently looking at alternative methods of payment, but in the meantime, if you haven't paid, please let us have your £25 in cash or by cheque as soon as possible.

Winter XC League final results, categories and awards

After a busy and hard fought season the Wye Valley Men's and Women's team had to be satisfied with the silver medal this year. The men missing out by just one point to a resurgent Maldwyn Harriers and the women battling hard against a very strong team from Croft . Our congratulations to them. Full team awards here

Our disappointment with the team position was softened by some excellent individual performances. Huge congrats to Christian Jones - first vet 45 with a maximum score, Mike Fawcett vet 50 also maximum score, Brian Symonds vet 75 with a max score again and  Jan Edwards also with a maximum score in the women's vet 60 category. Award listinghere

Check your own category position here if you ran enough races

Presteigne XC results

Reports on XC season and Presteigne to follow - click here for results from Sundays race. Thanks again to Mike, Clive and Tony for results service and to the Pacers for their excellent course

Presteigne Cross Country details - Sunday 4th Feb

Details listed below for the final race in the 2017/18 Herefordshire XC League to be held at Presteigne on Sunday 4th February.

Please note that the MV75 runners will now run the shorter course (starting at 10.45 a.m.) with the Women and Juniors (aged 15-16).

Please make sure you are wearing the correct race numbers issued by Kelly. 

Come along to the Presentation Ceremony at the British Legion Club to support your club's award winners and celebrate the end of another successful XC League. 

Men's course here

Women's course here

Many thanks to Presteigne Pacers for hosting this event.

Club Members survey

Please help us by taking 5 minutes to complete this short survey. We are keen to hear your views. Thank you