Bramley Newspaper Articles

Notts Summer League and Spring Marathons

Southwell Running Club recently hosted the first of this season's Nottinghamshire AAA Summer League Races at the beautiful Hexgreave Hall Estate.

Before the race a tribute was paid to George Pass, who recently passed away; having been a key co-ordinator of previous races. The race route took 550 runners out over traffic-free roads to the Southwell Trail and back through the fields and paths of Hexgreave. Members of over 15 different clubs participated, including Mansfield Harriers, Holme Pierrepont RC, Redhill Road Runners, Beeston Athletics Club, Sutton in Ashfield Harriers and, of course, Southwell Running Club. Runners from Mansfield Harriers made their way around the course in record time, hot on the trail of SRC's Ian Haigh who rode the lead bike for the event. SRC had 19 members participating - two men's teams and a ladies' team, which was led home by Katie Simpson who came in as 8th lady. Southwell Running Club would like to thank Tony and Helen Strawson who kindly allow us to use the estate and who put in so much time preparing the grounds. 

In other club news, congratulations to Lauren Birkbeck who ran her first marathon in Manchester in 4:22:18. Lauren commented that the crowd was superb and it was a really well organised enjoyable event, even though she discovered that a marathon is a very long way!

Brendan Parkinson, who suffered a fall breaking his elbow and cracking a rib in the last weeks of his training, amazingly overcame adversity and ran the London Marathon in 4:43:54, giving him a good for age time. Despite the wet weather, the crowd in London were also brilliant. It's accepted that getting to the start of a marathon is a feat itself, and that race day is the victory lap; Brendan certainly proved this to be true.

Ruby Runner

www.southwellrunningclub.org

Early Spring Challenges for Southwell Runners.

The Belvoir Challenge is a popular event with Southwell Running Club members. This year the 26.3 mile challenge of hills and mud along byways, tracks and minor roads throughout the beautiful Vale of Belvoir was met with enthusiasm by Kat Hall, Penny Durance, Brendan Parkinson, Julie Stafford and Gillian Tivey. Katy Simpson, Michelle Hall and Helen Jones took on the 15 mile challenge along part of the route. The day was clear and bright with no sign of rain and to Brendan’s surprise the course was decidedly lacking in its usual large quantities of mud. The new route with short sections around the Belvoir Castle grounds and along canals was enjoyed by all and provided a course PB for Brendan and very good times for all other runners. Katy Simpson was second lady overall in the 15 mile challenge in a time of 2:05:41.

In other club news Penny Durance took part in the 49th Notts AAA 10mile road race and County Championships, the oldest race in Nottingham, which was held at The National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont. Penny, who came second in her FV65 category crossed the finish in 1.24:50.

Stewart Lenton and Michelle Hall both took part in the Burghley 7; a seven mile road race through Stafford and the beautiful Burghley Estate. Both Michelle and Stewart finished the course in just over 1 hour.

As always we encourage new runners to join us on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday mornings for a variety of different running activities.

Ruby Runner

For Southwell Running Club

European Duathlon Championships

Southwell Running Club member Pam Dutton is a keen cyclist and swimmer alongside her running and in recent months has competed in a number of triathlons and duathlons (run bike run).

Late last year having participated in a duathlon held on Darley Moor race track Pam qualified for the European Duathlon Championships in Venice in March this year. Pam’s training included cross country race and weekly track sessions alongside intervals and social running with Southwell Running Club. Much of Pam’s winter biking was on her indoor bike trainer, and local trails. Pam commented that closer to the event she frequently practiced hopping on and off her bike whilst moving, to try to speed up the transitions between run-bike-run.

Arriving in sunny Venice and noting that the temperature was just right, Pam was excited and ready for the event. The sprint duathlon event began with a 5K run through the little town of Venice-Carole followed by a 25k bike ride through the fenlands over quirky little wooden bridges, and finished with a 3.5k run. Pam’s overall time was 1hr 22mins placing her first in her FV65 age category for the event and gaining her a European Championship gold medal. An amazing result!

Ruby Runner

Southwell Running Club

Crazy about Cross-Country running.

A huge well done to the growing numbers of Southwell Running Club who have taken part in the East Midlands Cross-Country League Races this year. The four races held at Holme Pierrepont, Bramcote Park, Colwick Woods and Long Eaton cover a 5k distance for women and a two lap 10k distance for men.

This year has seen an increase in enthusiasm from SRC members with men’s and women’s teams being fielded for three out of the four events, leading to a 5th place score for the women and 9th place position for the men. Vet runner Pam Dutton, a keen cross-country runner, commented that this season had been very successful for the club with a larger number of members getting involved and contributing to the team spirit. Stewart Lenton, who participated in all of the races said “I am quite new to cross-country but have loved the variety of the courses even the hills and muddier sections. It’s added a new dimension to my running which I have really enjoyed!”

Earlier in the cross-country season, SRC have had ladies and men representing the club at the British Masters XC Relays, and the North Midlands XC League races. A very encouraging sign for the 2023/24 season.

In other news, the club continues to grow in numbers with Tuesday night training sessions proving extremely popular, especially for those training for the Belvoir Challenge and Spring marathons. As always, we welcome new members to any of our sessions. Find out more at www.southwellrunningclub.org.

Ruby Runner

Southwell Running Club

The right kind of clothing…

The weather in January and February can be tough for outdoor sports like running and cycling but the well-known phrase “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”, is absolutely true. Like many other keen sportspeople, Southwell Running Club members have been layering up, adding their hi-vis and torches and heading out for their training sessions each week. You might have seen us completing interval circuits and hill reps on your local streets and wondered what kind of nutcases are out and about in the cold rain, wind and snow! Actually we are a very friendly bunch and we welcome all to come along and join in our any of our sessions whatever the weather – just don’t forget to add those layers.

We are once again including our ‘back to/new to running’ development group in our sessions. This group is designed for those who wish to take a gentler route into running slightly longer distances. The group will help runners to steadily build up from running about 2.5 miles to 4 or 5 miles over the next few months. The sessions would also suit runners who have completed a couch to 5k course and are now looking to further develop their running. If you are interested, please email southwellrc@hotmail.com or meet us in the car park near the Leisure Centre at 6.45pm on a Tuesday evening

In other news, a number of members took part in the North Midlands Cross Country League with both the men’s and women’s vets teams finishing 9th in the series. Steven Tomlinson and Pam Dutton completed all four races with Pam coming first in her age category and Steven Tomlinson fifth in his.

Ruby Runner

www.southwellrunningclub.org

Awards and successes.

Members of Southwell Running Club recently celebrated a successful year of running at their annual Awards Evening and Christmas dinner.

The club’s awards recognise both running success and outstanding contributions to different aspects of club life. This year the winner of the Ladies’ Grand Prix award was Carol Hayward with Izzy Pass as Runner Up. The Grand Prix Men’s Winner was Bill Lee with Simon Hughes as Runner Up. The club’s Runner’s Runner Award, which is voted for by club members went to Ben Parker for his outstanding support of all runners and his commitment to the club. The Outstanding Achievement Award went to Katherine Hall for her recent North Atlantic Coast Challenge and Ironman events.

The Mary Cochran Award, which is presented to a club member who has overcome adversity to carry on running, went to StevenTomlinson. The Cregg Cup, which is awarded to a club member who has made an outstanding contribution to cross country running went to Pam Dutton and finally this year’s Chairman’s Award to Stewart Lenton, for both his participation in numerous club events and his improved times. The annual draw for the club’s London Marathon Place was also held at the awards evening and Carol Hayward was successful in gaining the place, which returns to its pre-Covid date in April 2023.

The club held its annual Halam Hat chase just before Christmas and the winner this year was new member Alan Davidson. The Hat Chase has a tradition of members getting lost on the course and this year was no exception with Izzy Pass, Steven Tomlinson and Carol Hayward all finding themselves navigationally challenged on the route.

Five members of the club braved the icy December weather to participate in the Keyworth Turkey Trot half marathon. Katy Simpson and Penny Durance both finished first in their age groups. Finally Pam Dutton took part in the Wild Deer duathlon at Sherwood Pines and came first in her age group in a time of 1:25:41.

Southwell Running Club members would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year - come and join us on a Tuesday or Thursday eve or Saturday morning.

Ruby Runner

www.southwellrunningclub.org