Snowdonia Marathon

Two thousand odd runners visited Llanberis yesterday for the 28th Snowdonia Marathon. Much has changed over the years not just the size of the field and the race was a credit to the organisers and legion volunteers who marshaled and staffed the plethora of drinks stations along the route. Many of the volunteers being youngsters, doubtless cold but ever cheery, ''ah the youth of to day'', worth their weight in gold eh?

The route had changed slightly also taking in some 'off road' terrain from the top of Pen-y-Pass.
Unchanged, an ever constant race feature however was the weather. Swinging from lovely bright and warming sunshine, to torrential rain then hail, both driven along by strong winds that conspired always to be against the field.

Four Buckleyites partook in the event, this being a reduced quota through injury and illness. Paul D injured but on the mend and Dawn's tummy letting her down the night before.
Sean and Dave led the way home with Fenella putting in a remarkable first marathon performance in some of the worst of the weather.

Been for a jog this morning as we had no milk. Surprised myself in two ways. First, it was 5.45, yep forgot the clocks going back and second, started to think about doing it again next year!
Take care
Chris

Sean Hooson 3.36.36 26th in category
Dave Boothers Boothroyd 3.45.24 40th in category
Fenella 'wife' Higgins 4.52.27. 37th in category
Chris me Higgins 3.54. 28th in category.

Welsh 1000 metres request

As organisers of the Welsh 1000 Metre Peaks Fell Race we are seeking runner's opinions on the merits of this classic mountain event. This takes the form of an on-line survey. We would be very grateful if you would be willing to circulate this email to your club members requesting their feedback. All they have to do is click the following link to complete the survey...
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DH8HW7L
The recent promotion of Glyder Fawr to 1000 metre status is already stimulating discussion in fell-running circles and we would like to know whether runners think this peak should be included in the full course to create what would arguably be the most challenging fell-race in the country.
We would be very grateful if you can help us to gather runners' opinions.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Middleton
Welsh 1000 metre Peaks Organising Committee

Border League at Caernarfon Sunday 24th October

It was good to be back at the Border League races. BL Races are always competitive, well organised and very sociable. The idea of seven road races being free to club members is another attraction. It makes it worthwhile being a club member. It is a good to get back and meet up with friends and rivals.

The Caernarfon event was excellent. It is a good course, perhaps not as easy as first impressions, an interesting combination of long steady climbs and short, sharp drops does not make for PBs. It was well organised, I wouldn’t expect anything else from Arwel and the team at Eryri. There was even a drinks station, very welcome on an unseasonably warm and sunny morning.

Good to see Buckley there in numbers and some new faces (or legs)(Eric and Leighton) and some returns (Marcus, James, Steve from flu and John from injury). Some excellent performances, particularly Eric Campbell, 27^th overall in his first race for us and 2^nd MV45, Les 1^st MV55, Simon 2^nd MV40, Erika 1^st Senior Lady and Fen 2^nd LV40. Despite these superb efforts it wasn’t quite the start we wanted. Several key men were unable to run and the ladies only had two runners, thanks to a combination of injuries and other commitments. It is many years since we last failed to field a full ladies team. Rather disappointing results (Men 4^th in Div 1, Ladies 7^th in Div 1 and the Vets were 5^th) but it gives us something to work on, we know we have team to succeed with. I’m looking forward to pulling it back in the next race.

7	Jez Brown	34:38
9	Matthew Rose,	34:51
17	Simon Roberts,	35:49
27	Eric Campbell,	36:36
53	Les Coathup,	38:47
61	James Huggins,	39:26
62	Daniel Hollingworth,	39:30
78	Steve Bellis,	40:50
108	Paul Stinton,	42:57
137	Chris Higgins,	44:49
142	John Morris,	45:12
179	Marcus Reid,	48:53
186	Leighton Williams,	49:31
209	Rob Mackey,	52:36
48	Erika Robinson,	38:18
162	Fenella Higgins,	46:49

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I'm really looking forward to the start of the Border League season next Sunday 24th at Caernarfon. But beware of the roadworks at St Asaph. They caused problems at Colwyn Bay for the Cross Country, the Ladies race had to be delayed as many runners were stuck in traffic for about 45 minutes. I don't envisage it being as bad early on a Sunday morning as it is on a Saturday lunch-time, but please leave abit of extra time for the journey.

We need to share cars too. We will meet at Northop Car Park, ready to set off at 8.45 on Sunday. See you there or at Caernarfon.

Rob.

North Wales Cross Country at Colwyn Bay

As usual the first race of the series was at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. And as usual it was fine and sunny; unseasonably warm. And that is my excuse, and I’m sticking to it.

Another record turnout for the event, and a better turn-out for Buckley. We have struggled at this event in the past so it was good to see a full team of both men and ladies.

Erika had another superb run; 4^th lady overall in 18.14. She was well supported by Dawn 30^th in 21.10, Sue 83^rd in 25.11 and Ann 105^th in 30.21.

For the men, Matt had a good run finishing 26^th in 35.35, followed by Les 79^th in 39.12, Huw 94^th in 40.47, Dan 102^nd in 41.29. Pete had another good run finishing 104^th 41.46, with John 148^th in 45.29 and Rob 171^st in 51.53.

The men were 5^th in Division Two and 13^th vet team. Ladies were 7^th in Division One and 11^th Vet Team. Not bad as we were missing a couple of our usual cross-country reliables through injury or illness. Hopefully they will be back for the next race in a couple of weeks. But we could do with a few extra runners to guarantee a decent position at the end of the season, please!

Posted by Rob, who for the record is a Vet 60, not a vet 65 as it shows in the results which are on the NWCC Website.

Breidden Hills fell race

Morning mist gradually cleared for this race which takes in all those hills to the east of the Oswestry-Welshpool road (7m/2300ft). A great and long-established event, with good ridge running, great scenery, some tricky terrain, and home-made samosas (in the village hall afterwards). The two Buckley entrants finished 7 seconds apart, after an unbelievable final descent from Edwards, who flew past Roberts (almost literally) on the last hill. 117 finishers.
8. Simon E, 1:02:05
9. Simon R, 1:02:12 (1st v40)

Helsby half marathon entries

Looks like well over 600 registered already for this, so presumably likely to sell out even more quickly than normal.

Arenig Fawr

Another update on last weekend's activities. This was a North Wales champs race this year, so a strong field. Must have been a photo finish between Pete and John!
11. Simon E.
42. Pete
43. John

Sandstone Trail

Lots of events last weekend. Jez was the only Buckley member to take on the full Sandstone Trail in what must have been very trying conditions! He finished an excellent 5th in a strong field.

Flintshire 10km

Not so many runners out as in previous years but a good day for the club. Several other events on the same day. A very wet start following heavy rain overnight. This is a good event attracting well over 300 runners. A good number of club runners but clearly very popular with unattached runners. Fun runners would be a good term, because they were having fun, despite the weather. It was really good to see several friends, including an ex Buckley runners and an ex colleague of mine doing her first 10k.

The ladies (Erika, Rebecca, Margaret and Susanne) took first team prize and the men (Simon, Steve, Dave and Mike) took second in the mens team event. Erika had a superb run, 1^st lady and 12^th overall and Simon was 5th and 1^st MV40

Positions

Ladies

12^th in 37:19 Erika Robinson, 1^st Lady

75^th in 44:20 Rebecca Davies,

136^th in 48:38 Margaret Ludden LV45

187^th in 52:18 Susanne Brierley LV40

239^th in 57:03 Alison Jones LV35

Men

5^th in 35:28 Simon Roberts MV40 1^st Vet 40

19^th in 38:57 Steve Bellis MV55

19^th in 39:03 Dave Boothroyd, MV45

60^th in 43:00 Mike Jones MV40

121^st in 47:44 Rob Davies MV50

166^th in 50:49 Rob Mackey MV60

Posted by Rob