Rab Mountain Marathon, Eastern Lakes

The best event of the year (in my view!) was a real belter this year, covering some terrific mountain terrain in the Eastern Lake District around Haweswater: 6 hours to get as many points as possible on day 1, 5 hours on day 2. As with all score class mountain marathons, checkpoints were spread across the range - 5 pts for the easiest and most accessible ones, ranging up to 40 for the ludicrously placed ones (on top of mountains or at the bottom of inaccessible cwms etc). You decide your own route. Good weather throughout, although a very cold night at the overnight camp in Martindale was rather uncomfortable (to say the least) for those of us taking the 'ultra lightweight' approach! Chris and Fen really stepped up and found their mountain marathon feet this weekend, with an excellent result - and they managed to stay warm overnight. Huw and partner suffered from this event's very harsh lateness penalties, losing all their points on day 1 even though they were only just over the time limit. Simon R found himself 3rd vet after day 1, so went for big points on the highest peaks and remotest cwms on day two, including a desperate finish pelting down the shore of Haweswater with 3 minutes to spare, only to finish 4th by 3 points! Overall positions and scores (teams and solos are mixed in this event).
10th. Simon R (405 pts)
143rd. Chris and Fen (240 pts)
229th. Huw and partner (but would have been far higher without penalty!)

Wirral Multi-Terrain - Harrison Drive

Buckley were back up to a team of four again after Pete returned from his holidays and Paul decided to give his achilles a further good stretch.

Dave gained his revenge on 'Huge' Lewis (mainly because Huw didn't run)
Pete followed, in what he told us was his favourite race (not)
Paul bravely came in next
and The Goat, racing after missing last week due to marshalling duties, brought the team home

In the overall positions, Pete just has to win his section to win overall for the over 60s, Huge looks a rock-solid 4th if he races next week (and the rest of us are nowhere !)

Dave

Wirral Multi-Terrain - Wirral Country Park

So the intrepid quartet became a duo ! Huw & Dave took on the combined treats of the Wirral Way & the beach at Thurstaston for the second of the series.

Huw gained revenge for the first race easing past a tiring Dave just before the finish line.

No PBs this time - I put it down to a strong headwind rather than lack of fitness (no.37 on the list of running excuses).

Dave

Caenarfon 10k

Dawn and Fenella travelled to Caenarfon for the 10k on 5th September. As neither of us have raced for some time (which we are getting some stick for!) we were a little rusty and found it hard going for the first 3 - 4K, but got going once we hit the hills. We did not achieve very good times but Dawn came first in the V35 in 46.15 and I came 2nd in the V40 in 48.52. So good day out and both came away with prizes.
Fen

Cardiff 10k

Four Buckley Runners represented North Wales at the Welsh 10k championships in Cardiff yesterday. The highlight was Erika taking an excellent bronze medal in the women's race. Jez and Simon R both broke 35 mins for the first time. Dave M also recorded a superb pb (I think it was a pb!), while Jane ran through injury to finish for the team.
45. Simon R, 34.45
49. Jez, 34.57
92. Erika, 37.43

Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon - Remembering Doug

Two Buckley Runners completed the course today

Rob Davies 2.11.53

Ann Ablett 2.35.08

1206 finished

Wirral Multi-Terrain Royden Park

Last Tuesday the intrepid quartet of Huw, Pete, Paul & Dave made up Buckley 'A' in the first of the Wirral Multi-Terrain races at Royden Park near Thurstaston. The night was warm, and I looked like I'd been in the shower just from doing the warmup run. The course was a fine combination of fields, woods, road & sandstone escarpment & with over 240 runners it was like doing a Borders League race. Results were

Dave 33:15
Huw 33:21
Pete 34:31
Paul (suffering with his achilles ) 37:12
Team 15th

Next race is at 7pm on Tuesday Sept 14th at Station Road Thurstaston which promises to be another fun-packed event. If you need directions, Huw's your man.

To make a full team we need 5 people, so come on ladies, no wimping out next week - you know who you are !!!

Dave (for Paul)

Off-road Sereis; Last Race Friday 3rd

A good turn-out by Buckley Runners for the last race of the series. A smaller field than the last few races, but that is usual for this series. Many of the prizes are settled after the first three races, it is common to see the category winners watching this one. And this time there seemed to be no local runners turning up for a local race and filling up the bottom end of the results.

Quick shower, egg and chips and a drink and it is time for the presentation. Steve Bellis won MV55, Sue Ridings won FV50. It was good to see Marcus Reid completing the race, he had pulled out of the previous one with a leg injury. For his efforts and consistency he won 3rd MV45. He was delighted with his first ever prize. Well done Marcus.

Buckley Runners racing on the night; Paul Stinton, Rob Davies, Margaret Ludden, Rob Mackey, Mike Jones (plus Steve, Sue and Marcus). Results should be on Deestriders website in a day or two.

This is a great series. The course varies a little from year to year. This years tweaks were are huge improvvement bringing back some extra "off-road". It is well organised, friendly and good value. The weather has been kind this year. every race has been fine and dry. It was a warm, humid evening for the last one. Not ideal running conditions, but good for specatators and marshals.

Posted by Rob (who had a dreadful run - but finished)

Cilcain Mountain Race

New course is a great improvement (it descends via the Clwydian Hills fell race route). Big field this year, lovely weather.
10. Simon R, 36.24 (1st v40)
39. Steve B, 40.30
78. Paul S, 44.15
113. Gwyn Morgan, 48.11
140. Rob M, 54.28