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WITNEY ROAD RUNNERS

October Results

Published on 28th October 2022 by web editor

Sunday October 23rd

Apocalypse 10 Mile Off Road

Francis Tracey 1.43.47
Vince Foster 1.43.55

Saturday October 29th

Snowdonia Marathon

Gareth Petts 3.05.09
Margaret Mason 3.54.32 3rd FV50
Mark Johnson 4.31.18
Kirsty Webb 5.25.10
Matt Lock 5.25.10
John Green 5.34.34
Jim Pearce 6.20.16

Chasing The Dragon

T’was a dark winters night, well the WRR Christmas party 2019 to be precise, when I first learnt of ‘The Dragon’.  I witnessed one of my (many) WRR running heroes Graham Ferris collect The Dragon trophy after he’d completed a trio of Welsh races. Having never run in Wales before or, at that time for more than 15 miles, this series of races had an appeal. Covid delayed things of course but this year the fun began…

First up was Rhayader ‘Round the Lakes’ on Saturday 5th March, a 30K (18.6miles) road race around beautiful reservoirs and Welsh countryside. Whilst the locals talked of very changeable weather conditions in past years, I was blessed with a sunny & cool day. The race starts with a constant climb for about 4 miles once out of the village, before a long ‘undulating’ downhill to the finish. I couldn’t fault the marshals or medical support. However, I was slightly perturbed that the support ambulance slowly drove past, parked up, watched me and a few others run past before moving off again further down the course. We must have passed each other 10 times over the length of the course. Perhaps the toughness of that early climb was showing on me more than I thought?!
With an entry limit of only 400 this race does have that local ‘running club’ relaxed feel about it but still very well organised. Although I stayed over the night before, a start time of 11:30am does make it commutable from Witney. (Entries for 2023 close on 3rd Feb. They even do a 10k but it’s not part of the WRR Welsh challenge)

Second race in the trilogy was the Offa’s Dyke 15 miler on Saturday 11th June. It’s a mix of road and mostly trail and the first race that I’d done which wasn’t a loop. The start is in Hay-On-Wye and finishes in Kington. I opted for parking at the finish and getting their provided coach (for a £5 fee) to take us to Hay in plenty of time for the 11am start. Unlike Rhayader, this one dishes up its major climbs & descents throughout the run but thankfully we were rewarded with a 2 mile downhill to the finish. Being in June the ground was firm enough for just road shoes and again I was lucky that the weather was cool and dry. As the runners share the Offa’s Dyke path with walkers it was great to get cheered along by groups of scouts, D of E participants and other hikers along the way. Next year’s race date is Saturday 17th June and entries are open now (you will not be disappointed!)

 

And so to the biggie – the Snowdonia Marathon Eryri on Saturday 28th October. Despite reduced WRR participants numbers compared with previous pre-ballot entry years, there were still 6 brave WRR soles taking this one on, me included. It was here though that my good weather luck ran out and there was a real mix of very heavy rain showers and strong winds. But of course, this wasn’t going to deter the fantastic support from the WRR cheer squad, and it was great to see Steve & Lyn braving the elements at the top of the first climb after 5 miles (Pen-y-Pass Youth Hostel) and Dave & Regina at the start of the last climb at about mile 22.

This race is billed as one of the UK’s toughest marathons and I can see why… I am in awe of all the WRR runners past & present who have taken this one on. Despite my relative steady pace (along with plenty of walking up the hills!) the miles did seam to click by quite quickly. My quickest section was the first downhill bit to halfway where I had the pleasure of running a few miles alongside Matt Lock, a rare event for me! (Matt was ‘coasting’ of course). I had heard about tea in china cups at mile 24 and just had to sample one for the experience and to warm me up after the final mountainous (walking!) climb. I was looking forward to the steep downhill last couple of miles but the slippy conditions along with the state of my quads meant that it was a relatively slow careful affair. But I made it home in 5Hrs 34mins which I was ok with. My primary goal was the make sure I crossed the line and hence conquer the ‘Dragon’. I’d describe Snowdonia marathon as “brutal” but a bit like XC league, fun!

I am thrilled to have been the fastest, ok the only WRR runner to complete these 3 Welsh races this year but you’ve got to be ‘in it to win it’ as they say… The Snowdon ballot opens at 9:00 am on Thursday December 1st 2022 and the new entrant to the WRR Dragon ‘The Wales Marathon’ is open now. So, what are you waiting for?!?

John Green

Sunday October 23rd

Abingdon Marathon

Matt Lock 2.39.31 PB
Morgan Thompson 2.58.47
Isabel Stubbs 2.39.58 PB  3rd Female CC
Sally Howard 3.57.44
Mark Johnson 4.48.45

Sunday October 16th

Great South Run

Allie Maybrey 1.53.04

Oxford Half Marathon

Jack Gavin 1.22.05
Will Downey 1.25.02
David Candywould 1.33.34 PB
Thomas Dobson 1.34.49
Mark Johnson 1.35.45
Matt Day 1.41.50
Simon Welch 1.41.55
Simon Arnold 1.44.37
Francis Tracey 1.46.52
Martha Holland 1.52.20
John Green 1.58.19
Alan Jones 1.59.43
Chris Wherritt 2.09.26
Matt Clatworthy 2.13.16
Alice Burrows 2.24.57
Wii Spracklen 2.26.13

 

Saturday October 15th

Tough Runner – Notgrove 10km Trail Race

Andy Green 47.45
Lisa Kay 51.46 3rd in Age Cat

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Bumper crop of hardy WRR beating storm Bert at @ey Bumper crop of hardy WRR beating storm Bert at @eynsham_road_runners 10k 

Well done to all that complete the course it was tough out there! 

Don’t forgot to email you results in to appear in next week newsletter 

#stormbert#runners#10krace
Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Snowdon Marathon trophies - Rachel Stanley-Evans (4:07:07) and Matthew Lock (2:47:36)

Well done to the 19 Witney Roadrunners who ran this year. Congratulations on your incredible achievement.
A bumper #MedalMonday this week. We had an incred A bumper #MedalMonday this week.

We had an incredibly busy weekend of half marathon races this weekend. With Witney Roadrunners out in force at the Oxford Half Marathon, Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon and the Manchester Half Marathon.

Congratulations to you all on your individual achievements. For quite a few yesterday it was also their first ever half marathon👏🏻
Witney Roadrunners made the pilgrimage this weeken Witney Roadrunners made the pilgrimage this weekend to the home of parkrun and where it all began - Bushy Park.

Ahead of the 20th anniversary next weekend a group of Witney Roadrunners, @eynsham_road_runners and a few other special guests made the trip to run the famous course.

A great morning was had by all those who joined. Attendance this weekend at Bushy Park was 1525.

Answers on a postcard for the next venue for us to visit!
That is a wrap on another Mota-vation series for a That is a wrap on another Mota-vation series for another year. 

We had 74 runners taking part in the fifth and final race of the series at Stratfield Brake.

Well done to everyone who has taken part across the series and congratulations to those who won prizes. 🏆
Last night was the final of the 2️⃣0️⃣2️ Last night was the final of the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣’s Club Time Trial and the incredible @leevanstone cross the line as the winner in 29.53 🏆 Last year winner @fredaford215 handing over the silver ware to the new TT winner 🤩

4 months of monthly heats with the aim to improve on the time you predicted or previously ran.  To qualify for the final you had to of run at least two of this years heats and we had over 60 runners who qualified for the final which is amazing to see! But a total of 50 runners took part in the run with some running there first time trail and we had a total of 25 pb’s which is magnificent showing the hard work all our runners have been putting in over the last few months with their training for various events that are coming up 💪🏻

Well done to all the runners but especially the top 5:

1st Henry Vincent (1st Time trail) 
2nd @leevanstone 🥇
3rd  @ge_andrews96 🥈
4th John Green 🥉
5th  @sfyoungmit 🏅

We are excited for 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ TT starting in April 25 see you there so better start practicing as you now all got to beat this years times 😃
Witney Roadrunners @oxtrail2024 Challenge - 90mins Witney Roadrunners @oxtrail2024 Challenge - 90mins, collect as many Ox-selfies as you can. Start and finish at The OxTrail Hub Shop. 

We all had amazing fun - see who won with 33 Oxen Selfies collected. Everyone received an Oxley Fridge Magnet for joining in and an Oxley Key-Ring for the winner

#WitneyRoadRunners #running #OxTrail2024 #SobellHouse #OxPloring #Oxford
Tonight saw the return of the annual Club Handicap Tonight saw the return of the annual Club Handicap where we had 45 runners run a course that was only revealed just before tonight’s run. 

Each runner has to predict their finishing time to get around the 4.4 mile course and there is no watches allowed.

Rules: If you are a second over your predicted time you are out and the person who is the most under their predicted time is awarded the infamous Wooden Spoon award.

🏆Congratulations to this years winner Tracey A who was the closest 

🥄 Lindsay S is the new recipient of the Wooden Spoon award

Thank you again to all those who were involved with organising tonight’s handicap.
A brilliant turnout from the club for the @alchest A brilliant turnout from the club for the @alchester5k this evening. We had 48 runners race this year. 

The cooler temperatures made for perfect conditions.

Well done to the following runners who placed in their  categories:

🏆 PaulA 2nd V60M, HollyPR 3rd V35F, PaulT 3rd V40M, JohnMc 3rd V70M.

 🏁 Congratulations also to the 6 runners who also completed the league following tonight’s race
A brilliant turnout once again for the fourth Mota A brilliant turnout once again for the fourth Mota-vation race of the series - Combe II

Well done to the 74 runners who took part and represented the club. 

Congratulations also to those members who won awards in their age categories. 👏🏻
Last Sunday saw the return of the annual Marathon Last Sunday saw the return of the annual Marathon Relay at Radley College.

The relay is a great opportunity for the juniors and the seniors to get together as a club and compete against each other on the track.

The juniors were the winners this year in an impressive 2:02:18. 

Well done to all of the runners and everyone involved in the organisation before and during the event. 

The times this year were as follows:
🏆 Juniors - 2:02:18
🥈 Seniors - 2:03:06
July saw the return of the annual Eynsham Challeng July saw the return of the annual Eynsham Challenge. 

Each host club holds a leg on their own course.

Courses are roughly 4miles/6.5K. The winning club being the club with the fastest average time. Each club runner therefore counts towards the final time.

Witney were victorious 🏆

Will Witney win the Eynsham Leg next month and reclaim their trophy?

Thank you to @witneyproperty for kindly sponsoring the top raffle prize of a Fit2Run voucher.
Good luck to Witney Roadrunner’s Thelma & Louise Good luck to Witney Roadrunner’s Thelma & Louise - Freda and Lynn who are doing Trek26 Cotswolds 2024 today.

Best of luck from all of us at the club 👏🏻

Today they are trekking for the Alzheimer’s Society a charity that means a lot to them both.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Freda-Ford2
We had 35 runners race at the Thame 10K on Sunday. We had 35 runners race at the Thame 10K on Sunday. 

Congratulations to all those who ran and notably to the following 3 runners who placed/won overall:

🏆 Matt L - 1st overall. 
🏆 Sally H - 2nd V45
🏆 Lisa H - 3rd V55

We had several PBs smashed and 4 more runners completed the WRR league.

🏁 Next Race: Didcot 5
It’s voting time! There’s an important one on It’s voting time! There’s an important one on Thursday, but here at WRR HQ we need your help to solve a ‘debate’

Which of our two fabulous races does the running community love more?!

🦆 Are you a fan of the fast, flat 5km at the edge of Ducklington? Our new duck on the block - The Duck Dash.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Or are you more of a Classic runner? The established, ‘fundulating’ 10miler with the fab swag (shirt & beer!) waiting for you at the end after you’ve conquered Hillzakilla in the middle - The Cotswold Classic.

We can’t choose between them so it’s time to put your X in the box and choose.

Comment below with a 🦆 or a 🏃🏻‍♀️ for your favourite and tell us why! 

Share to increase the sample size and improve the validity of our very official study! 🤓
What a lovely evening Friday was. Great to see lot What a lovely evening Friday was. Great to see lots of faces come join us at the Plough in Witney for our pub garden social.

It was a good opportunity to catch up with one another, to  discuss the upcoming few races and for some, their upcoming training blocks.

Already looking forward to our next one. 

Thank you for those who came. The weather was kind(ish) to us 🙏🏻
Well done to all of the WRR ladies who individuall Well done to all of the WRR ladies who individually placed in their age categories at the final Sri Chinmoy race of the 2024 series this week.

Monday saw 49 runners race the final 2 loops around the Peace Mile at Cutteslowe Park.

This race also doubled up as another club league race, which helped 9 more runners complete their 8th race to complete the league.

Congratulations & well done to all of the runners who ran during the series 👏🏻
An amazing turnout for the final Sri Chinmoy race An amazing turnout for the final Sri Chinmoy race of the 2024 series yesterday evening. 

Last night we had 49 runners race the final 2 loops around the Peace Mile at Cutteslowe Park.

This race also doubled up as another club league race, which helped 9 more runners complete their 8th race to complete the league.

Well done to the Juniors and the Senior Men who individually placed in their age categories. Ladies pictures to follow.

Congratulations & well done to all of the runners who ran during the series 👏🏻
A brilliant turnout this evening for the 2nd Sri C A brilliant turnout this evening for the 2nd Sri Chinmoy race of the series. The first out of the two 3 mile race (3 laps of the Peace Mile)

Well done to the 43 runners who ran tonight’s league race. So big we had to split the team picture into two😂

A busy week with another league race tomorrow and the 2nd time trial later in the week.

#running #runners #witneyroadrunners #runningclub #oxfordshirerunningclubs
Nettlebed Stinger 📸 John McCormac Nettlebed Stinger 📸 John McCormac
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