Swinton Running Club J U N E 2 0 1 0 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

T H I S M O N T H

Race Reports

Presentation Night

Race Results

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

Heaton Parkrun 1

Comberbach Fete 5K 2

Fetch Article 3 Edinburgh Marathon 4

Potters ‘Alf Marathon 6

South Lakes Marathon 8

Swinton v Astley Paarluf 11

Smithills Serpent 13

CLGP Series 16

Up and Coming Races 17

Special Notices 18

Committee Minutes 19

Social Events 20

Presentation Night 21

Race Results 23

Contacts 24

It is a 5km run - it's you against the clock.

Every Saturday at 09:00

It's run in Heaton Park, Manchester.

Cost? Nothing - it's free! But please register in advance.

Come along and join in whatever your pace!

It is entirely organised by volunteers - email HeatonHelpers@parkrun.com to help.

After running Woodbank Park twice I decided it was time to have a go at another local park run.

Heaton Park I had been told was an easier course.

Lauren had done it the week before and got a better time than at Woodbank, so it was my turn.

Paul offered me a lift and said he would pick me up at 8.20 am. At 8.30 I was getting a bit worried but

Paul suddenly arrived outside. We set off for Heaton Park a little bit later than ex-

pected, but I should not have worried because as soon as we got on the motorway

Paul just pushed a button on his car dashboard which had a sign underneath which

read. “SPEED OF LIGHT”.

FLASH we were sat in Heaton Park car park.

We walked round to the start by the duck pond where we met up with fellow Swinton runners.

Steve, Mark, Lisa, Darren, Jason and also running was Shirley Duckworth-Oates. The run started, so

along with around 240ish other runners I set off on the course. The first part is a flat small loop back

round past the start and then up towards the house. So the first mile is quite quick. As you start the

second mile it takes you up a long hill until you reach the house at the top where you turn right still on

a hill and past the house. This makes the second mile the slowest but as you swing on past the house

you get the benefit of going back down the hill. Then the finish is one loop around the lake and back

to the start.

Run done you then line up with your finish token and printed barcode to be scanned and entered onto

the computer.

My finish time was about 50 seconds quicker than Woodbank Park which is still my favourite park

run so far.

Highlights of the run were being overtaken by a Japanese fighting dog and

owner being dragged along behind. Also a big well done to me for managing to

catch up and over take a nine year old girl on the hill section and holding her off

at the finish.

Big thanks to Paul for getting me there in quick time and a big well done to him

for a big PB.

Full results can be found available here.

Ads.

5km - The hottest tread this summer at SRC

Heaton parkrun - Weekly Free 5km Timed Run, , 12th June 2010

A Japanese fighting dog

(owner somewhere behind)

P A G E 2

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Comberbach Fete 5Km Race, 13th June 2010

Around Christmas time my sister had a friend die of cancer, so she decided

that she wanted to do the Derby Race for Life this year and asked if I would

support her. Linda hit the gym and I went out on the road with her a couple

of times. Her first attempt at 5k on the treadmill took nearly 40 minutes, so

when we did the Race for Life and she managed 29 she was really chuffed.

To keep her motivated Linda asked me to find another 5k for us to do later in

the year.

I thought I only had one criterion for my search – no grand prix or inter-club races, I didn‟t want her

to get disheartened by being 5 mins behind the rest of the field. It became quickly apparent that there

were plenty of reasons that we couldn‟t do the majority of 5k on offer:

Races for Life – been there, done that, got the T-shirt (literally)

Midweek evening races – difficult when Linda works long hours and drives between

branches across most of the Midlands.

Park runs – we‟re at least an hour‟s drive from each other, so one of us would have to get

up at a stupid time on a Saturday to get to them for a 9am start, plus loo and warm up time.

Anything organised by Sale Harriers – have heard stories about how ferociously competi-

tive they are, didn‟t think that was a good idea for a beginner.

Eventually I found the Comberbach fete 5k. I looked at last year‟s results and there were only 80 en-

trants with times ranging from sub 20 to over 40 – ideal! I entered by post the week before the postal

deadline (no online entries which was slightly frustrating). When numbers 13 and 14 turned up I be-

came a little worried, were we going to be jogging round the park on our own?

I was also worried by the directions that Google gave me for Marbury Country Park, the race venue. It

seemed that the race was to be round Northwich Tesco car park! I decided on Friday to drive over and

make sure I could find it rather than messing Linda about Sunday morning. Marbury Park is some

miles away from Tesco and BEAUTIFUL! The Forest Ranger (who was probably bored and glad of

someone to buttonhole) gleefully informed me that the park is 440 acres but that there is over a thou-

sand acres of woodland in total. I would thoroughly recommend it if anyone is in the area.

When we arrived this morning the children‟s fun run was just finishing – toddlers only just out of nap-

pies looking over their shoulders to make sure they weren‟t being caught! Judging by the number of

green shirts Helsby is the local running club and sure enough first male and female across the line

were Helsby runners. There were a few more than 14 of us, we saw numbers into the eighties so were

reassured.

After looking at the Fetch newsletter 5k improvement guide we had a target of 28 minutes in mind. So

I thought a nice, steady 9 min mile jog would be no problem and did a ferocious interval session at the

gym Saturday morning. OMG Linda set off like a speeding bullet, ignored my protestations that she‟d

set a fast pace and did the first mile in 8.04, at this point I was wishing I hadn‟t trained quite so hard

the day before. Fortunately for me she couldn‟t keep up this pace and gradually slowed, particularly as

we ran out into the open at the back of the park with no shade and fairly warm sunshine. Apparently

Linda heard the locals at the start line talking about the first half of the race being downhill and an

uphill climb on the way back, so she decided to push the downhill section. Entirely unnecessary as the

only undulation of any kind was a bridge over the stream. The route is a figure of 8, with the local

troupe of Brownies handing out water in the middle, apparently there is a section of track made of

chippings, but I didn‟t notice it. As we passed the Brownies second time around we found ourselves

back in shady woodland, still on a nice level path. At this point we again passed a group of teenage

lads that I had ribbed about being passed by old ladies half a mile earlier– these youngsters just don‟t

have the stamina! Joking aside there were lots of teenagers and younger in this race. It really was a

family affair, a girl of about ten ahead of us being coaxed round by her dad and their dog.

P A G E 3

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

We didn‟t overtake the ten year old, but Linda managed to run past the Lord Mayor, (who had the

same fixed grin; glinting in the sunlight to match his chain, as when we passed him at the start) in

28.08 so it was a successful morning and justified Pavlova at the coffee shop on the way home.

The race is well marshalled in a pretty location, small and friendly, well worth a visit if you‟re free

this time next year.

Result available here

Sarah

5km article from the Fetch Newsletter One of the things about running that draws you in, is that your early PBs tumble like skittles, as your

body learns to race, and your mileage creeps upwards. I thought I'd look at 5k's, and at how an average

runner improves in their early racing life. ..Of course, you are anything but an average runner, and

these numbers have been steamrollered flat, so if you find yourself on the wrong side of a curve, don't

worry.

Run your finger (or at least a mind finger) along the bottom row until you find your first ever 5k time -

then move directly upwards. The different coloured regions show how much your time can improve

over 2, 3, 5 and 10 races. For example, my first 5k time was 23:30, so the graph suggests I should take

about 9% off in my first ten races, bringing me down to 21:23. I'm a bit behind that, with a best of

21:31, but it really is just a ballpark figure. If that's all a bit technical, try this handy tool.

There are two more important things to note about the graph. Firstly, the percentage improvement gets

smaller the more races you do. That 9% improvement after 10 races is only 13.4% after fifty! It's com-

mon sense really - otherwise you'd run out of percent completely, and end up being at the start and end

of the race at the same time. Secondly, we all admire the speed and athleticism of the faster folks - but

they really are at the sharp end of this graph and have to work really hard to

improve. It's fun to beat PB's, but eventually it gets VERY hard.

For more details on Fetch click here

From the sublime to the ridiculous - now for something a little longer

P A G E 4

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Race Report

Edinburgh Marathon, Sunday 23rd May We had decided to travel down to Scotland on Friday evening

for a spot of sight seeking on Saturday morning leaving the af-

ternoon free to time the walk to the start and see where we

needed to go the following morning, but thanks to a local traffic

warden we got sent the wrong way, however one hour later we

eventually found the start. (30 minutes walk back to hotel).

Sunday morning arrived and hurray it had been raining and the temperature had cooled down,

although my enthusiasm was to be short lived. Having overloaded on porridge we met Lisa out-

side the hotel and headed off to the start. We then met Fiona, Dave and Phil which calmed the

nerves and relaxed the atmosphere. Enough time for team photo, and then we had to split into

time predicted pens. Dave and Phil were starting from London Road and Lisa, Fiona and myself

were all in different sections on Regent Street.

A nice touch was at the baggage station where a couple came up and wished me luck and thanked

me for raising money and awareness for Williams Syndrome. Their granddaughter also has Wil-

liams Syndrome.

The start was well organised but this was the point when the sun came blazing out. Luckily I had

put on some sun cream and a hat. Being in the last wave it was easy not to start too quickly, al-

though I was surprised when we reached 6 miles – I am sure the miles were closer in the first half

than the second!

It would have been nice to run through the more scenic areas of the city but the route quickly

made its way out of the main city.

Between mile 12 – 13 the leaders passed and we all cheered them on – how can they look that

fresh after 23 miles!

The weather was getting hotter and reached 28o but there were plenty of water stations, except

between mile 17 and 20 when you most needed it, as we suddenly went off road and there was no

shade from the glaring sun and I found this extremely tough. No marshals, no crowd and not a

water station in sight. This was the point when it would have been easy to start walking – the

only thing to get me going was that it was just as difficult walking and it would take me longer to

finish so took a gel and carried on at a slower pace.

By mile 20, I found it easier as I kept telling myself I can easily run 6 miles – then each mile

marker I pictured a race I had done at that distance and this worked for me. And by mile 23 the

spectators were back – and they were fantastic – people creating showers with their hosepipes and

children squirting water guns at us – very much appreciated. They were giving out sweets and

oranges, although dodging the slippy orange peel on the floor was tricky. At this stage the last

leg of the relay runners were dashing past, full of energy which lowered the spirits slightly and

they did get in the way.

Last water station and I tried to speed up for last couple of miles. Home straight with 0.2 miles to

go and we had to run on spongy plastic matting covering the grass, and we all seemed to run in

the style of Monty Python Ministry of Silly Walks. But there it was at last the finish line and I

heard a „come on mummy‟ so I tried to do a sprint finish but the mats were too bouncy and I had

nothing left!

Got a lovely medal but it felt so heavy. Had to queue for a photo and at this point I said “never

again!.” A further walk to get my goody bag, and then I saw Stephen and Daniel. The only prob-

lem was there was a long walk to the baggage trucks which wouldn‟t have been too bad except

for the crush of people trying to get through the small gate.

P A G E 5

Unfortunately I never saw Sue, but luckily met up Lisa, Fiona, Dave and Phil again, time for an-

other team photo. All relieved to have finished we started discussing which one we would do next

– what had I said not 30 minutes ago about never again.

We walked to train station only to be told the train was full and we couldn‟t get on, the trains only

ran every hour. So we walked back and tried to get a taxi but they were all unavailable. Decided to

have a coffee in Tesco and then went for a local bus back to the start. It was 7.00pm by the time we

got back to the hotel and 8.00pm until I could eat as I hadn‟t eaten since breakfast at 7.30am.

I have got 2 lovely red stripes across my legs and bright red shoulders but only 1 blister so got away

lightly.

Great experience, so pleased to have run a marathon especially when 3 years ago I couldn‟t run

upstairs.

A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me and helped me raise over £637.00 so far for the

Williams Syndrome Foundation.

Swinton Runners results available here

Carol

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Pre-entries are now being accepted for next years Edinburgh Marathon 2011, and it already

looks like Swinton Running Club will have a large presence again.

P A G E 6

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Race Report

Potters ‘Alf Marathon, Sunday 13th June It was 7am when my alarm went off one cloudy miserable Sunday morning as I made the 50 mile

trip down the M6 as the solitary Swinton runner heading down to Stoke for the Potters Arf. The

race had a lot to live up to - the reviews on the Runners World forum all said what a great atmos-

phere it was with the local residents coming out to cheer the runners on and some tough hills

throughout the course. Before I entered I checked out the previous years 'form' and saw that Steve

Campbell did the 2009 race in 1hr:29. One fellow Swinton runner (who shall remain anonymous)

commented that it was 'slow' for Steve and it must have been hilly for him to enter.

After a short blast down the motorway I soon arrived in Hanley where the town centre had been

transformed with the finishing line, portaloos and race registration and lots of runners and support-

ing friends & family. Whilst warming up I soon got talking to a local who was running for the first

time but had practiced the route previously. He, like many others on Runners World forum,

warned me that there were a couple of killer hills about the 4 & 11 mile mark but he reckoned he

could finish in under 2hrs if he really pushed it.

As 10.30 drew closer myself and some 1,200 other runners made our way out of the town centre

onto the ring-road where the start line was assembled. The Mayor & Mayoress were on hand to

sound the horn and we set off for a quick lap of the town centre before heading out of the centre

towards Fenton. Despite being a Sunday morning the local Police were on hand to close off all the

roads and ensure all the runners made it safely along the course. The road to Fenton was long and

you could see for a good mile ahead. About half way down the road you could see the dip in the

road and the steady climb back up. Despite being out of the town centre the streets were still lined

with people clapping and cheering and the steady in climb soon faded into insignificance and we

soon were on level ground again.

The first 3 miles soon went past as we headed into Longton. The Police were still kindly stopping

the traffic as we were directed off the main road towards the first of the major hills in the route.

For those that have done the hill training sessions in the winter I can best compare it to Hospital

Road in terms of gradient but about 3 times as long. Having made it up the hill we were kindly

greeted by a gradual downhill section that took us round an industrial estate. Despite there being

no houses in sight there was a woman with 2 kids and 3 freezer bags full of ice pops handing them

out as we ran past!!!

As the race went on the skies turned cloudier and a gentle shower came down which was a wel-

comed relief. Being off home turf I was struggling to pinpoint any landmarks to work out how

near we were to the Town centre. As we made our way along large housing estates the roads were

still lined with people outside their houses handing out jelly babies or cups of water, there was

even one kind person who had the garden hose out as an impromptu shower to cool you down.

Just after the 8 mile marker I spotted the 'local' from the starting line who was struggling and I

shouted some words of encouragement as I passed him. He did say before the race he was going to

run the first 3 miles at 7 minute mile pace then slow down - the first 3 miles must have really

taken their toll as I didn't see him after I overtook him.

P A G E 7

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Approaching the 11 mile marker the road started to climb and I remember thinking this must be the

2nd of the killer hills everyone had been talking about. As I struggled up the hill a grey haired local

who had taken his vest off and resorted to just running in his shorts started shouting and encouraging

everyone to keep on going for the last couple of miles. I remember thinking this was the hill every-

one had been talking about and how it wasn't as bad as everyone had made out.

We were soon directed off the main A-road onto another residential area where a Policeman with a

big grin on his face was directing us to turn right at the pub on the corner. As I looked up I realised

why he was grinning - we were faced with Stoke's equivalent of Trooper Lane. Another one of those

hills where it's quicker to walk up than it is to run. For those that have had the 'pleasure' of Trooper

Lane, Stoke's equivalent is not as long but every bit as steep and still burns your thighs as you go up

it.

Until this point I was feeling quite good, on track for knocking a couple of minutes off my PB. When

I saw what lay ahead two words came to mind, 'oh' and 'f*!k'. As I struggled up the hill there was a

lady with a jug and paper cups handing out much needed water. As I held my hand out she went to

pour me a cup. Too late, the jug had run dry and we had passed the final official water station. By

this point my concentration had gone, all I could think about was getting over the finish line and not

really caring what time I did it in.

The last mile was a bit of a blur, all I remember was people stood outside pubs with pint of lager in

hand and cigarette in the other shouting encouragement. To get back to the town centre where the

finish line was we had to cross the bridge that spanned the A-road where just 2 hours before the race

had started. Looking back the bridge wasn't really steep but after 13 miles of up's and down it felt

like a killer. There was even a craftily placed photographer to capture those final moments of pain.

After crossing the line in 2:07 we were quickly ushered towards the goody bags where we were

handed t-shirts and medals and a much needed bottle of water.

In summary this is a great race, some of the best support I've seen with friendly locals on hand to

shout some words of encouragement, offer a jelly baby or cool you down with a blast of a Super

Soaker. I can't wait for next years race, for the £15 entry fee this is worth every penny. The highlight

of the day had to be seeing people running for charity, a woman pushing her handicapped son in a

buggy whilst carrying a collection bucket, a man running in full camouflage gear including boots for

Help For Heroes and someone running for a local hospice dressed as a sunflower. And before you

ask the sunflower did finish ahead of me!!!

Full results available here

Mike

P A G E 8

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Race Report

South Lakes Half Marathon, Saturday 26th June

“UNDULATING” When the umpteenth shattered runner came round the final bend, tripped on the sleeping policeman,

and went full length onto the hot tarmac it became clear that the South Lakes Half had been baring its

teeth. “Who‟s idea was this anyway?” Sarah called out as she avoided a similar fate a few minutes

earlier. A fair question. Only later, huddled around a table in the car park of the very excellent “The

Old Engine” did it become clear that the charm of this race lay more in the location than in the course

itself.

“You‟ve only got it because it‟s 2 for 1 at Morrison's!” bawls a rather substantial lady at a table to

my right. Or, more or less to my right: these good burghers of Cark have moved their pub table half

into the road in order to chase the evening sun. The wide wench has shouted across the pub grounds,

and across a small river, into the garden of a house beyond where an equally well equipped lady has a

jug in her hands. Between these two massive long distance interlocutors sits a doubt as to whether we

are referring to grout, or Pimm‟s. This is surely the first time in human history that these two sub-

stances have been confused, which somehow sat well with the high risk tanning strategy in operation.

It was one of those days.

We had arrived early, around 0930 and chatted about this and that – speculating about the weather,

the times we expected, the nature of the course, and where to finish off the day with pint in hand. A

car park had been arranged in a nearby field – the one resource that Allithorpe has in profusion – and

we learn from the guy watching the gates (who is a project manager from the nearby submarine con-

struction yard) that nearby Grange-over-Sands is known locally as “God‟s waiting room” due to the

average age of its all too temporary inhabitants.

This sets the tone. For a race with 170 runners organised from a small community with few facilities,

no open pubs, no police or traffic wardens, and probably only one gay in the village, it all worked

well. It is based around a community centre last decorated in 1976, before the days of magnolia and

when heavily textured polystyrene ceiling tiles were cool. Probably built in wartime it was the only

thing of substance the Germans missed. But the people were lovely and as runners‟ numbers that

have been lost are rewritten in pen onto labels the moist selection of homemade sponge cakes calls to

us all from across the jaded wooden floor. Meanwhile, the sun climbed slowly, lazily, and ultimately

mercilessly into the sky.

The Swinton Posse hits town

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A word on shorts at this point. I remember, a long time ago and in a galaxy far, far away, running

as a 140lb youngster in proper running shorts; shorts so short they were barely more than a belt and

a way of controlling vegetables (inadequately, on one occasion – but that is not for here). Not so,

these days, I observe. Amid the lycra and the labels all manner of sub-stomach apparel is on dis-

play, including my own pet hate, shorts that go down beyond the knee (or “longs” as I like to call

them). One pair in particular catches my eye, looking for all the world as though they were de-

signed in a Russian tractor factory they appeared to be cheap denim, extended to mid-calf, and had

the girth of a common or garden air balloon. Luckily, it was a windless day.

The race began and Swinton have made a good showing, with only the Dashers showing up in

similar numbers. Up through the village and away into the boondocks they go. “If I take more than

2 hours I‟ll be in tears,” Sarah says, somewhat prophetically it turns out.

I spent the next 90 minutes doing what you runners never see. I killed time, finding a local shop

where the serving girl would not look me in the eye – drawing ever closer an uncomfortable com-

parison with The Wicker Man (always count the fingers); taking on the sights, sounds and smells of

the village; dawdling in the makeshift car park and listening to the Grateful Dead. Actually, on this

day, time flies and my copy of The Guardian remains virgin. The sun is high and the midges ab-

sent among the silent grasses. Only the lonely barking of dogs and the profile of the church break

the peace and the air is thick and heavy with the heat of the day. It is tranquil, near-idyllic (apart

from the car park bit), and from this reverie I am loathe to rise – at least until the end of Cumber-

land Blues – but the thought dawns that it is hot, a bit hilly (or even undulating) and that our run-

ners might be grateful for a little tlc. Temporarily and reluctantly eschewing the Audi, the sun-

glasses (nobody was watching anyway) and Jerry Garcia‟s languid solos I make my way to the

start armed with a bag full of liquids and bits and bobs.

Real horror show, as they say in the Clockwork Orange. In the heat and the “undulation“ all the

times are down. Although Tony has put in what was on this day a stunning time of 1 hour 30, run-

ners are dripping across the finish line like bags of sweat with attitude. To make matters worse, the

MC is making full use of the tannoy (earlier playing J J Cale, which is good) and attempting to

raise spirits. “And here’s Jim from the Morecambe Mitherers. Give us a smile Jim! What about a

sprint finish then?” If the MC is not now dead this would be disappointing since his removal from

the gene pool would be a blessing.

Speaking of gene pools, Cark in Cartmel does not have an overly large one, but there we must stay

the night. It all became clear when the horses trotted into the pub car park, shortly after pyjama

man arrived. It might be the grout, but who can say?

Pyjama man has those slacks on. You know, the ones in which one could comfortably accommo-

date an extended family of Polish plumbers. His shirt, if such it could be called, was several square

metres of what remains of the Hindenburg. What she was wearing was equally inexplicable under

the microscope of sartorial reason but mercifully all-covering as she rattled and rolled towards the

bar. The horses, oblivious to grout, Pimm‟s and suicidal sunbathing, were lovely and soon attracted

an audience of children keen to stroke and pet while the lady riders (not dissimilar to their mounts

in size and shape) sank a quick one. There were footballs, laughing locals, horses, bemused tour-

ists, bizarrely attired people and it began to take on the feel of a circus.

Back at the finish, Tony has pulled a calf, Lauren is next in but in pieces, and Adam, Sarah, Re-

becca, Carol and Steve duly appear – all showing the signs of wear. “Undulating,” it turns out,

means run uphill all day and the South Lakes Half is the only course known to mankind designed

around the principles of Escher. The first 5 miles are uphill, and apart from a few helter skelter

downhill moments so is the rest – except for mile 12, which is very uphill. The field outside the

community centre increasingly resembles a World War I field hospital as bits of runner appear,

dazed and sun-struck, before collapsing on their goody bags. Sardonic comments about a lovely

run in the afternoon abound and long after our crew is in and accounted for bedraggled pools of

sweat held together by momentum are trundling down into the village.

P A G E 1 0

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

We leave the car park in decent spirits then, saying goodbye to Carol and Steve before making to-

wards Cark and the many splendoured wildlife to be found at The Old Engine. We are staying at the

Eeabank Lodge guest house, the first duty of which is to provide showers and soft furnishings for

our runners but otherwise the main purpose of which is to be close to the pub. On all counts it ex-

cels and after a while we arrive, eat, and start drinking. Queue horses, kamikaze melanomiacs, py-

jama man et al. The absence of a troupe of clowns in a battered wagon is the only disappointment.

At one point, a senior gentleman appears with his good lady wife and, ignoring the horses, the

chaos and the girls at risk of getting BMW tyre tracks in their sunburn, he looks at the pub building

itself in complete amazement, as though it had just dropped down from space. I‟d love to know

what he was thinking. Or drinking.

And now a word about drinking – always do it in moderation. That night there was plenty of mod-

eration. At one point the Pimm‟s lady appeared with her jug because the shop would not re-open for

her (an outrage). For our part we attempt to fit in, sequestering several bottles of little known vin-

tage purely in order to give them the benefit of our experience. It was a fair exchange and with

heavy legs but enlightened minds we rolled back up the street towards Eebank, to be greeted by a

carefully pre-positioned bottle. Very shortly afterwards we went down like felled trees and the gods

of the night and the tired sped us towards morning in uncompromising bliss.

The last word must go to the excellent Eabank breakfast. On a stylishly bedecked table in the yard

and the morning sun we ate like kings. As the menu was read out by the genial Chris, we said

“everything,” “bring it on,” “it’s all going down.” He duly obliged, as did we.

A good trip.

Jon G.

And in the order that we ran them,

with only a day’s rest in between!..

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S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

14th May and Steve chucked the words Paarlauf at us, Rebecca, Lauren and TV superstar Sarah

Green all asked a very important question... “What the heck is Paarfluff?!” Paul fired the first reply

back with a bit of German oral, Paar meaning Few and Lauf meaning Run, he was half right anyway,

we were gonna bloody run! Ads heading for Google found the other half for us, that should have

been enough warning!

Two Mondays training at the track in the nice weather and I felt pretty ready, actually looking for-

ward to it! Hard but worthwhile training I thought. Quickly came a rainy race night, despite several

of our runners getting a full on Baking over the weekend at the South Lakes, traffic delays due to

some plum wagon driver on the M60 setting fire to his rig and Navigator Horton making me drive

over curbs in a search for parking we arrived at the rather plush Sports centre.

Steve quickly got us up and ready into teams of three while me and Mike took a telling off from a

man who seemed to be trying to charge us a quid to spend a penny! Minutes later Team seven and of

course everybody else were lined up ready to go, A whistle went up and Rebecca as first of our three

runners zoomed towards me, too fast as far as I was concerned! A quick tag and I was off, “not too

bad this” I thought as I tagged operative number three Dave for the first time, that opinion soon went

off the top 100 in my head and mainly was replaced by the phrase “please Jesus let this be over” de-

spite a driving rain everybody kept going, round and round, passing people and being passed in

equal measure, finally at the start marker I heard the minute to go shout go up and saw Rebecca bear-

ing down, not wanting to be stuck just before the line I went for one final time, too fast, my legs

wobbled but I was nearly face planted into the track but I managed it, crossing the line with seconds

left, the whistle went up and I finally got to fall over!

First round might have gone to the A&T team but I really think the laps everybody on both teams

knocked up were fantastic, people actually smiling at the end and the knackerdness I think was actu-

ally worth it, a good choice for a challenge! Agecroft Hill memorial run next week anyone?

A massive well done to everybody who ran!

Paul Shier

Race Report’s

Swinton v Astley & Tyldesley Challenge 2010

Round 1 - Paarlauf Relay, Monday 28th June

P A G E 1 2

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

A&T v Swinton Challenge - by Garry Baines

On the wettest night for months, our friends from Swinton RC made the short journey down the East

Lancs Road to contest the 1st Leg of this year‟s challenge at LSV.

Taking the format of a 30 minute Paarlauf, both clubs fielded 8 teams of 3 runners, with A&T sup-

plemented by the inclusion of a “very” junior team. As you would expect the race was conducted in

an extremely competitive but friendly spirit with all runners giving 100%.

There were some great performances with the winning team managing 26 laps and approx. 120mts.

or just over 6.5 miles. To put things into perspective, this is around 17seconds per mile faster than

Gabresalassie‟s record-breaking marathon pace.

Even the 7th teams from both clubs managed 21 plus laps.

The final finishing order with points scored was as follows:-

A&T Team 1 26 laps plus approx. 120mts = 1 point

Swinton Team 1 25 laps plus approx. 350mts = 2 points

A&T Team 2 25 laps plus approx. 300mts = 3 points

Swinton Team 2 25 laps plus approx. 170mts = 4 points

A&T Team 3 25 laps = 5 points

A&T Team 4 23 laps plus approx. 250mts = 6 points

Swinton Team 3 22 laps plus approx. 320mts = 7 points

A&T Team 5 22 laps plus approx.230mts = 8 points

Swinton Team 4 22 laps plus approx. 50mts = 9 points

Swinton Team 6 21 laps plus approx. 300mts = 10 points

Swinton Team 5 21 laps plus approx. 270mts = 11 points

A&T Team 6 21 laps plus approx. 220mts = 12 points

Swinton Team 7 21 laps plus approx. 200mts = 13 points

A&T Team 7 21 laps plus approx. 190mts = 14 points

A&T Team 8 17 laps plus approx. 210mts = 15 points

Swinton Team 8 17 laps plus approx. 180mts = 16 points

The final scores were: A&T = 64 points – Swinton 72 points.

The A&T Junior Team, consisting of Joseph Wane, Harrison Williams and Cerys Baines

did remarkably well and recorded 19 laps plus 330mts.

A big thank you to the lap recorders – Dave Crowe, Liz Ellicott, Andrew and Michelle Coates

who had the arduous task of counting every team as they completed each lap.

So A&T take back the trophy, at least for the time being. Swinton will have their chance for

revenge at the 2nd Leg at Swinton on 25th August and we‟re all looking forward to that encounter.

http://astleyrunners.blogspot.com/2010/06/v-swinton-challenge-by-garry-baines.html

Race Report’s

Swinton v Astley & Tyldesley Challenge 2010

Round 1 - Paarlauf Relay, Monday 28th June Team 1

Mark Birchall

Steve Campbell

Jason Cunningham

Team 2

Richard Sutcliffe

Paul Rutherford

Steve Doxey

Team 3

Chris Lomax

Lauren Marsden

Adam Pickup

Team 4

Louise Mcloughlin

Carl Price

Sarah Green

Team 5

Mike Horton

Phil Summers

Glyn Williams

Team 6

Andy Smith

Mel Jones

Charlotte

Team 7

Rebecca Mills

Dave Williamson

Paul Shier

Team 8

Kate Cammish

2 A&T Runners

P A G E 1 3

The Smithills Serpent is a 3 lap, off-road, trail race run mainly through the

Horrocks Wood area north of Smithills Coaching House.

Last year 2009 Serpent was the 1st running of this race and had 120 race fin-

ishers. This year 2010 saw 87 runners finish.

I think quite a few runners decided to stay away from this run as it‟s a very

challenging race.

I was joined for this race by 11 other Swintoners . Unfortunately Lauren & Rebecca were the only

women able to turn out for the women‟s team due to various reasons from illness to recovering

from marathons.

Lauren, Rebecca, Mike & myself decided to do a warm up on the course and soon found that it was

still made up from shredded car tyre rubber, some of which had been scattered to the side of the

track only to reveal quick sand down the centre. This made for a bouncy foot strike which seemed

to drain all the energy out of your legs within 10 metres. We didn‟t go too far to save our energy for

the main event so we ran back (walked) to join up with the other runners at the start.

I set off at quite a slow pace remembering how I felt last year. The first part of the run took us

through a gate which had a bottle neck of runners at it last year but no such problem this time. We

then turned right onto that *$%&****!£$% rubber & sand track and headed down. But not for long

because as we took a left, the bottom of the Serpent revealed itself.

As we looked up all we could see was its body twisting all ways to some dots at the top (race lead-

ers).

My slow pace got even slower at this point and my breathing(panting) got louder. Rebecca, Steve,

Paul & Mike were all close at this point but Lauren was the only other Swinton runner I could see.

But it didn‟t take long before Lauren was out of sight as her famed hill prowess showed itself.

I reached the top with the local Mountain Rescue team eyeing me over as a possible faller.

It was then a steep down section until we reached the rubber trail for our second lap. At this stage

things were pretty spread out apart from the odd casualty walking the other way. Half way up this

snake‟s tail I sensed a runner behind me . I moved to the side and watched as a Horwich runner (the

leader) streamed past me and disappeared into what was now a very strong blustery head wind,

which made my breathing almost impossible at times.

Near the top I passed a stricken A&T runner ( well and truly bitten by the Serpent)

Down I went again trying to get some speed while still conserving myself for the final lap. Horwich

number two runner flew past me in a clear 2nd place.

Lap 3 then and I managed to pass a women runner who had been stopping and starting for the last

mile, another A&T runner as well as a tall unattached runner. We all ended up having a tussle up

the last hill section; I managed to get in front until near the top when unattached runner went past

me. I could hear the breathing of the female runner behind me but I was saved by the steep down

section where I decided to let my legs go and she took a more reserved approach. Finally I was in

sight of the finish only for a group of three finished runners coming the other way using the route as

a cool down and chat area. Still I made it over the line and was presented with my trophy (a blue

Burnden water bottle).

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Race Report’s

Smithills Serpent ~ Grand Prix Race, Sunday 30th May

P A G E 1 4

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Last year I blamed my time on the fact I was recovering from illness. This year fit and well again I

manage to be 1 min slower!!!.

It‟s a hell of a run but I will be back next year to do battle with the Smithills Serpent.

Many thanks to Clare who cheered us all on and made me run faster until I was out of sight.

Carl Price also ran but I could not find his name on the results sheet.

Full Results available here

Ads.

Pos Name Cat Pos Club Time

16 Mark Birchall Swinton Running Club 33:21:00

24 Darren Russell Swinton Running Club 35:14:00

28 Paul Rutherford V45 8 Swinton Running Club 35:47:00

33 Chris Lomax V40 7 Swinton Running Club 36:12:00

39 Richard Waring V40 8 Swinton Running Club 37:13:00

44 Jason Cunningham Swinton Running Club 38:06:00

49 Lauren Marsden L35 3 Swinton Running Club 39:04:00

71 John Pickup V45 13 Swinton Running Club 43:59:00

75 Rebecca Mills L 16 Swinton Running Club 45:42:00

78 Steve Hart V50 11 Swinton Running Club 46:52:00

82 Michael Horton Swinton Running Club 49:21:00

83 Paul VanCalster V45 16 Swinton Running Club 49:26:00

Race Report’s

Smithills Serpent ~ Grand Prix Race, Sunday 30th May

P A G E 1 5

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Race Report’s

Smithills Serpent ~ Grand Prix Race, Sunday 30th May

After heavy rain the previous day, runners were greeted with dry but breezy conditions. 2009

race winner Anthony Valentine of Bolton again took out the race but pulled up with an injury

on the first lap. This left Richard Howarth of Horwich to take over the lead with his club

mate Colin Rigby chasing. After 3 laps Howarth held the lead and won by a comfortable

margin in 29.01, almost a minute faster than Colin, who took 2nd and 1st V40 place.

Champagne and a microwave oven were Richard‟s reward at the post race presentation. Hor-

wich, out in force impressively filled the first 7 places to easily win the A team race (first

10). Indeed with another large turnout they were assured of winning the B team race as well

with the next 8, and also Vets (first 6 to count).

Martyn Pollitt, Burnden (45), Graham Schofield, Horwich (50), Ian Hamilton, A&T (55),

Tony Hesketh Horwich (60) and Dave Waywell, Wesham (65) all gained first places in their

respective vet categories.

Josie Maley of A&T continued her impressive season‟s form by holding off Burnden‟s Izzy

Hughes by 42 seconds, winning in 35.58. Champagne and a gazebo for Josie. Izzy was 1st

40, with further age category honours going to Carmel Sullivan, Wesham (35), Brenda

Wane, A&T (45), Anne Ferguson, Burnden (50), Sheila Jones, Radcliffe (55) and Eileen

Royle, Radcliffe(60).

Burnden took the Ladies team prize on the day with Izzy, Kirsty Preece and Anne but A&T

took the Grand Prix honours with the lowest 4 to count. On the day Horwich men obviously

won the team prize with Martin Jones 3rd ahead of Graham Schofield being 4th counter.

Of the 87 finishers, 80 were runners running for the 8 grand prix clubs. 58 of those were

Vets. Hopefully all enjoyed the challenge of the testing course and some runners may have

even appreciated the fantastic views at the top of the course.

Thanks to all those that made this race happen and also to Bolton Mountain Rescue for their

support on the day.

Chris Greenall of Burnden

P A G E 1 6

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Race Series Report

The Central Lancashire Grand Prix Series

Race Event Date Distance Entry Forum

1 Lostock 6 28th February 6 Miles

2 St. Annes 10 21th March 10 Miles

3 Radcliffe 10k 18th April 10 Km

4 Haigh Hall 4 12th May 4 Miles

5 Smithills Serpent 30th May 5 Miles

6 Horwich 5 21th July 5 Miles

7 Chorley 4.4 Trail 4th August 4.4 Miles

8 Swinton 10 26th September 10 Miles

9 Gin Pit 5 10th October 5 Miles

U S E F U L C L G P L I N K S

Central Lancashire Grand Prix Web Site

Swinton Running Club Forums

UK Results ( on-line entries )

SportSoft ( on-line entries )

The next Grand Prix Race

is another evening race

Horwich 5 Wednesday 21th July 2010

7:30pm

We failed to get a full Ladies Team out for the Smithills Serpent

If you can attend the Grand Prix Races please try and do so.

Please note the Registration Desk as now moved please check the

forums for more details

Up and Coming Races

P A G E 1 7 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

Heaton Park - Park Run Every Saturday at 9am this 5km run is organised - free!!. All you have to do is let them know you're coming in advance.

It has been suggested that it could become a Swinton regular event on the first Saturday of each month. Web page link

Lucozade Sport have a van at the run every 4 to 5 weeks, giving away lots of freebies and advice.

Race Calendar Web Sites

Look for all those local and not so local races on

these web sites

Swinton RC Forum

Fetch

John Schofield

SoftSport

The wonderful Fetch does it all (running log, routes, race log,

leagues, logs shoe miles, blogs, fetchmail & more!!) its a great

place full of nice running types, a proper online community, its the

place to see and be seen, AND its free!! King Fetch (Ian) is very

good at responding to member requests about new site content and

there are now a total of 12 Swinton Members using the site! Fetch

(in my opinion Fetch has the Class!).

Andrew

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Fancy something a little bit different

Radcliffe AC 3 Day Challenge Series

Three days, three races

Thursday 8th July Friday 9th July Saturday 10th July

Bull Hill Fell Race Summer Cross Country 5 Mile Trail Race

Thursday 1st July

Reebok Manchester 5K Sizzler

Sunday 4th July

City of Manchester 10K

Thursday 8th July

Bull Hill Fell Race

Friday 9th July

Summer Cross Country

Saturday 10th July

Radcliffe 5M Trail Race

Sunday 11th July

Gill Pimblott Memorial 5K Trail Race

Sunday 18th July

The Gravy 6

Sunday 25th July

The Moonraker 10K

Sunday 1st August

Idle Trail Race 10K

Wednesday 4th August

Chorley 4.4 Trail Race - CLGP

Sunday 8th August

Chernobyl Challenge 10K

Sunday 8th August

Belle Vue Debdale Park 7K

Sunday 15th August

Great Warford 10 Mile Road Race

Sunday 22nd August

Birchwood 10K Road Race

Saturday 28th August

Lancaster 5K Race Series

Sunday 29th August

Fleetwood Marathon and Half

P A G E 1 8

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Special Notices

Important Membership Notice

2009/2010 registration fees have been paid to England Athletics. Any member who has not paid

will be automatically removed from the database at the end of June, anybody who wants to con-

tinue as a member must pay their fee and I will ask EA to reinstate them. Cards will be sent out

in the next few weeks, if you don't receive one and think you have paid then please let me know.

If any new members need their registration number please email me -

barbara.bayliss2@btinternet.com

2010/2011 fees will be payable in January 2011, instead of October 2010, to bring us in line with

England Athletics.

Special Discount Rate for Swinton Running Club Members

The usual price per session is £35, SRC members, on production of a current English Athletics

card, will only pay £25.

This offer is available at both the Leigh Road and Prestwich clinics. Anyone who wants to access

the service but does not yet have their card can contact Barbara who will contact the clinic on

their behalf.

Please check there website for more details

Committee Meetings

P A G E 1 9 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

Regular meetings are now being held on the second Wednesday of every month at the club after pack runs. Notes from the

May meeting below. The minutes for June will be approved at the July meeting and appear in the July newsletter.

Remember any member may sit in the meeting.

Swinton RC Minutes of Committee Meeting held 19/5/2010

Item

no.

Action

Attended - Barbara Bayliss (BB), Jon Mellor (JM), Steve Doxey (SD), Steve Hart (SH),

Ian Harvey (IH), Ian Thomas (IT).

1 Apologies – no apologies

2 Minutes of meeting held on 14/04/10 – Accepted.

Outstanding items :

(Item 2) 24Hr Run being organised by sub committee – ongoing.

(Item 4) Astley & Tyldesley Challenge set for Monday 28th June and Wednesday

25th August.

(Item 7) Members who have not renewed by end of June will be removed from the

EA database.

3 Swinton 10 Mile Race -

Ten Mile course based on two laps of the Women‟s would be short.

Loop near the start was considered to be inappropriate.

Diversion possibly at the Lancaster Road roundabout could cause other traffic problems

and not increase the distance.

Continuing to Barton Road for the finish lap and finishing from the opposite direction

on Overdale appears to be best option.

Group of 3 people required to measure distance with GPS watches to check where start

and finish would be.

JM will contact old club to see if we can use as a base for this and the Women‟s run so

we then won‟t need the portaloos.

SH/JM/IH

JM

4 Women‟s 5 Mile Race –

Looking for Sponsorship

Coffee Van as last year to be contacted for race

IT

5 Physio –

Leigh Road / Prestwich Physio has offered his services to club members

25% discount, £25 per session instead of £35 but must provide EA registration card.

Link to be set up to their website.

SH/BB

6 Coaching –

Jason Cunningham to go on coaching course

JC has agreed to help out in winter on a Wednesday night

Female coach/leader required – send out request in newsletter

SH

7 Run England –

Organisation to help and support new runners

Need to look into further

IT

8 Runner of Quarter –

TF selected as Male RoQ

Female RoQ to be decided after Edinburgh Marathon

BB/JM/SD/SH/IH/IT

9 AOB – No AOB

Date of next meeting

Monday 7th June 2010 due to 24Hr Run

Social Events

P A G E 2 0 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Pie night is the last Weds of the month, next one 28th July. I finally made time and saved up enough

Calories to sample last months, verdict – sod the Calories I’m having one this month anyway

Sarah

Pie Night - Last Wednesday of the Month

24 Hours - The Run

At the moment all I am at liberty to discuss about this Top Secret event is that

we completed it.

Full statistics available in next month’s edition, when I will no longer be

in danger of breaching the official secrets act.

Sarah

P A G E 2 1 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

24 Hours and Presentation Night - The Social - Friday 25th June Although I was not able to attend this gala presentation evening I understand that it was a show to rival the Grammys. Elvis

set aside his halo for his rhinestones yet again and midst an impressive sequence of key changes, wobbled his hips and lar-

ynx for the entertainment of the gathered masses.

The real stars of the night were our Runners of the Quarter Carol and Tony.

A few times in the early spring I passed Tony out on the roads with Steve, all in black, looking like the

hero form the Milk Tray adverts of my childhood. (For those not as ancient as I, he was a cross between

James Bond, Jim Morrison and Rocky). Whatever they were up to worked wonders, Tony‟s marathon

time was awesome, in January he told us...

Well he certainly managed that! Just in case anyone you missed it last month – 2.49.23!

Carol‟s performance at Edinburgh was similarly impressive. On a day that had me hiding in shadows at home,

Carol completed the course in 4.32.51. I wasn‟t there but I guarantee that she came across the line with a smile

on her face. Carol is the only person I know who, no matter how long, hilly, hot, cold, wet, windy or otherwise

nightmarish a race, will come across the finish smiling.

Ladies champion for 2009 was Lauren; sorry Lauren, but I could have predicted that at the beginning of the

year, did we really need to tot up points?! Well done, (through gritted teeth and with a plot to nobble you next

year being hatched as I write.)

Sarah

“This year will be my 7th London marathon and hopefully my last because

after reaching ten marathons I have decided that’s enough. I would love to

complete my tenth marathon in a time less than 3hours.”

Full List of Awards Presented

Runners of the Quarter:

Ladies: Carol Hart Men: Tony Flanagan

2009 Club Championships

Ladies

1st Lauren Marsden

2nd Sarah Green

3rd Dawn Green

V40 Louise McLoughlin

V45 Carol Hart

Men

1st Steve Doxey

2nd Tony Flanagan

3rd Chris Lomax

V40 Richard Waring

V45 Adam Pickup

V50 Carl Price

V55 Dave Burke

P A G E 2 2 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

24 Hours and Presentation Night - The Social - Friday 25th June

Race Results Corner

P A G E 2 3 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 6

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Full race results can now be found on both the Swinton Running Club Website and the forum

If you have ran a race and cannot find the details on either site please let me know.

Chairman

Secretary

Steve Doxey

Treasurer

Ian Thomas

Social Secretary

Jonathan Mellor

Club Captain

Steve Doxey

Ladies Captain

Barbara Bayliss

Swinton Running club can provide you the opportunity to train and

compete at whatever level you choose. We are affiliated with the

North of England Athletic Association for Road, Fell and Cross Coun-

try running. You can be part of a friendly informal running club with

members from local runners to fun runners - all enjoying taking part in

a sport that provides the chance for everyone to find the event that

suits them best. We regularly compete in local races at all age and

ability levels. Some of us just come down to the club to run and don't

want to enter races but like to train with like minded people and enjoy

the social side of being with a club (we do have a bar !!!).

Website

Forums

If you have any race reports, photos, announcements or any news that would be of interest to the others members

please let just know.

Sarah

We have said it before and will say it again:

We hope that you enjoy this occasional newsletter. If you are sick of it clogging up your in box, let me know and I will take

you off the circulation list.

Steve

S W I N T O N R U N N I N G C L U B

Important Membership Notice

2009/2010 registration fees have been paid to England Athletics. Any member who has not paid will be automatically

removed from the database at the end of June, anybody who wants to continue as a member must pay their fee and I

will ask EA to reinstate them. Cards will be sent out in the next few weeks, if you don't receive one and think you have

paid then please let me know.

If any new members need their registration number please email me - barbara.bayliss2@btinternet.com

2010/2011 fees will be payable in January 2011, instead of October 2010, to bring us in line with EA.