Bramley Newspaper Articles

More Muddy Challenges

The Belvoir Challenge is known for its muddy, undulating course but this year the 26.3 and 15 mile routes of hills and mud along byways, tracks and minor roads throughout the beautiful Vale of Belvoir excelled itself in producing the muddiest course ever, following the recent rainfall.  The day itself was overcast with some rain early in the day but this cleared away allowing runners to enjoy a slightly drier run than had been expected.

Penny Durance and Julie Stafford completed the course in 6:06:44 with Kat Hall and Lee Mulraney just behind them in a time of 6:16:05.  Katie Simpson, Alan Davidson, Nigel Whitmore, Steven Tomlinson  and Brendan Parkinson all completed the 15 mile route with Katie coming in as second lady in a time of 2:22:48, Alan finishing in 2:39:14, Nigel and Stephen in 3:12:32 and Brendan in 3:24:25. All runners declared it was the muddiest and slipperiest course they had ever experienced for Belvoir Challenge.

Congratulations go to a small team of SRC runners who took part in the Notts County Fell championships at Wolf’s Pit. Ian Haigh, Jess Coyle and Paul Orton won the silver medal in the mixed team category and Jess won silver in the open women’s competition.

Several club members ran the Ashby 20 last weekend, with most using this 20 mile undulating road race as a warm up for their spring marathons. Lee Mulraney completed the event in 2:37:43, Kat Hall in 2:39:48, Mel Duffy in 2:50:13, Penny Durance in 3:12:55 and Lauren Birkbeck and Megan Mulraney in 3:36:59.

In more sombre news, at the start of a recent training session, a club member suffered a serious medical incident. Due to the very prompt actions of a number of the club members and the use of a nearby defibrillator he was able to be supported in becoming stable by the time the very efficient NHS emergency services had arrived and was taken to City hospital for further recovery. The emergency services praised the very prompt actions of the club, in helping to the runner’s life. This has also highlighted the importance of all runners wearing ICE ID when they are out both alone or with a group.

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

Cross-Country Season.

Members of Southwell Running Club Jess Coyle, Sarah Mckie, Michelle Hall, Loraine Fozzard, Adam Smith, Ben Parker, Paul Orton, Alan Davidson, Ian Haigh, Stewart Lenton, Rhod Price, Nigel Whitmore and Stephen Tomlinson took part in the East Midlands Cross-Country League Races this year. The three races held at Bramcote Park, Colwick Woods and Long Eaton cover a 5k distance for women and a two lap 10k distance for men. The fourth race usually held at Holme Pierrepont was cancelled due to recent flood damage on the course.

This year has seen an increase in enthusiasm from SRC members with men’s and women’s teams being fielded for all three events, leading to a 5th place score for SRC senior women and 5th and 7th positions for the 2 men’s vets teams. Club member Jess Coyle commented that she had loved every minute of the season including the hills and mud but especially the team spirit.

In other news congratulations go to Nigel Whitmore who completed his longest run yet taking part in the scenic Valentine’s 30K and finishing in a time of 2:36:45.

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 Muddy Season.

12 members of Southwell Running Club decided to embrace the mud and hills and take part in the Round Sheffield Run. This event begins and ends at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield taking in the trails around this part of the country including the stunning views and incredible hill climbs. From Endcliffe Park the trails climb through Porter Valley to the peak of the hill and then descend back down through Limb Valley to Eccleshall Woods and to flatter ground. Another climb then takes runners up through Graves Park, down to Lees Hall Golf Course and Meersbrook Park and is followed by a very speedy downhill section to Brincliffe Edge and a final sprint through the park to the finish.

The event is unique in that runners have 11 different stages which they need to complete. Between each stage is a walk section giving a combined running distance of 20km plus 4km of walk/jog sections. The day of the race was mostly dry but the ground underfoot was extremely muddy with many opportunities for slipping and sliding. Runners from SRC all achieved great times given the conditions with Ben Parker coming in first for the club in a time of 1:38:47, Kayne Rukas finished in 1:41:05, Rhodri Price in 1:42:36, Nigel Whitmore in 1:46:40, Adam Smith 1:49:17, Kat Hall and Lee Mulraney in 2:03:05, Stewart Lenton in 2:08:42, Megan Mulraney and Lauren Birkbeck in 2:12:30 and Carol Hayward in 2:18:40. A wonderful event especially if you are partial to mud and hills.

Several members of the club will also be taking on the muddy conditions and hill challenges when they participate in the East Midlands Cross Country series which takes place in the next few weeks.

New members are always welcome at our Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions; more information via the website.

Ruby Runner

www.southwellrunningclub.org

Winter running for that Spring challenge.

With Spring marathons looming for many members of Southwell Running Club in the next few months, the Christmas break was no time for a rest. A sizeable group ventured out on Boxing Day and enjoyed a muddy trail run through local fields around Brackenhurst and Norwood Park, while others have continued their training in varying parts of the country.

Earlier in December, a number of club members took part in the festive Turkey Trot, a half marathon starting and finishing in Keyworth following a single circuit, undulating rural scenic route through villages of the South Nottinghamshire Wolds. The day of the race was fairly inclement but SRC runners persisted through the rain and many gained notable times. Katy Simpson came first in her age category in a time of 1:35:47 winning herself a voucher for a turkey. Rhodri Price came home in 1:36:58 followed by Kat Hall in 1:39:13. Nigel Whitmore scored yet another PB in a time of 1:41:24, Mel Duffy just behind in 1:43:00, Andrew Ball ran in 1:48:37, Stephen Holt 1:55:31, Bill Lee came second in his V70 age category in 1:59:57, Lauren Birkbeck finished in 2:00:33 and Ian Beadles in 2:17:12. Well done to all!

If you inadvertently signed up for a running challenge over the Christmas break – be it a 10K, half marathon, marathon or your first ultra, please come along and join us on a Tuesday evening for our training sessions. We are a pretty hardy bunch and can be found running round Southwell in most weather conditions! Alternatively, join us on a Thursday evening or Saturday morning for a more general run of about 6 miles. Find more information on our website. We would love to meet you!

Ruby Runner

www.southwellrunningclub.org

Another year of running success!

Members of Southwell Running Club stepped out of their hi-vis and lycra to get together for their annual Christmas celebration and awards evening.

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 Izzy Pass with the men’s Winner as Stephen Tomlinson. The club’s Runner’s Runner Award, voted for by club members, went to Katherine Hall for her outstanding support of the club through training sessions, organisation of social events and her own running successes through the year. The Outstanding Achievement Award went to Nigel Whitmore for his exceptional progress in half marathons and club events since joining the club.

The New Member’s Award was given to Jess Coyle who joined the club in September and has already made her mark at cross country and club events. The Mary Cochran Award, presented to a club member who has overcome adversity to carry on running, went to Brendan Parkinson for his sheer determination and tenacity to complete the London marathon and Camino de Santiago with broken ribs and a broken arm. The Cregg Cup, awarded to a club member who has made an outstanding contribution to cross country running, went to Stephen Tomlinson and finally this year’s Chairman’s Award to Pam Dutton, for her exceptional commitment to the club through participation at cross country events, coaching sessions and her own personal running and triathlon achievements. The annual draw for the club’s London Marathon Place was also held and Katie Botham was successful in gaining the place.

In other news, club members Katie Simpson and Adam Carney took part in the Hyrox London 2023 Mixed Doubles event at the Excel Centre. Hyrox events require extreme strength alongside running prowess. The pair finished 8^th in their age group, gaining them a place in the world championships in Nice next Summer.

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

Ruby Runner

www.southwellrunningclub.org