Diary dates (with additions and confirmations)

Oct
2	Pub Night	Running Hare	8.30 onwards
6	NWCC Race 1	Bangor	2.00/2.45
7	Chester Marathon	Chester	09.00
14	Flintshire 10km	Flint	12.00
20	NWCC Race 2	St David’s Coll.	2.00/2.45
21	BL1 Eryri	Caernarfon
28	Snowdonia Marathon	Llanberis
	Halloween Hellraiser			Champs MT
November
4	Abergele 5	Abergele
4	Clwydian Fell Race	Cilcain	10.30
11	BL2 Capenhurst	Ellesmere Port	11.00
17	Pen Fell	Penmaenmawr	10.30	Champs Fell
24	NWCC Race 3	Wrexham	2.00/2.45
December
2	Helena Tipping 10km	Wrexham	11.00
8	Welsh Inter-regional CC
16	BL 3 West Cheshire	Chester?	11
26	Round the Walls	Chester
Jan 2013
12	NWCC Race 4	Lilleshall	2.00/2.45
13	BL 4 Birkenhead AC	Birkenhead	11
26	NW CC Champs	Rhug
???	Dash in the Dark			Champs Ext
February 2013
2	NWCC Race 5	Bangor	2.00/2.45
3	BL 5 Cybi	Holyhead	11.00
April 2013
3	Spring 5	Chester	7.00	Champs Road
10	BL 6 Buckley	Mold	7.00
24	BL7 Wrexham	Wrexham	7.15
	Wrexham 10	Wrexham		Champs Road

The folly of fashion!

Some thoughts for you as the winter approaches: -

Wearing black seems to be fashionable. Black is great for that slinky little number or the “dress to impress” business suit. But on the road it is not. That is why road workers, breakdown drivers, police and people who work in busy factories and yards all wear yellow HiVis. On the railways they always wear red because its easier to see in daylight.

How often do you see runners and cyclist out in their trendy gear; black tops, black tracksters, black trainers, black bike, black helmet. Very smart but almost invisible to drivers, even daylight. And then to add to the mix, listening to music on headphones so you can’t hear the traffic either.

I witnessed two cyclist nearly knocked off their bikes by a car recently. The driver did not look properly before pulling out of the side road, but with the sun in his eyes the cyclists were not easy to see; dressed head to toe in black with black bikes and helmets. Fortunately no-body was hurt but it could have been very different.

Directgov.com gives the following advice to cyclists, walkers and runners: -

· Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing that helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light

· Wear reflective clothing and/or accessories, like a belt or arm/ankle bands, in the dark

The brighter your clothes, the more chance other road users will have of seeing you. Red is probably best in daylight. Fluorescent yellow colours are best for higher visibility in the dark, preferably with wide reflective strips.

Please think before you go out running on the road. Even in daylight you need to wear colours that can be seen. Now that evenings are getting darker, and even the light in daytime is poor you need to be extra vigilant.

Posted by Rob

This note will also appear on the North Wales Runners Blog on athleticsnorthwales.blogspot.com

Llyn Brenig Race

Four Buckley Runners turned out on Saturday 15th for this excellent trail race. The 9-mile route round the lake consists a bit of tarmac, some footpaths and forest tracks. It finishes in spectacular style across the dam.

The weather was excellent, dry, sunny at times and breezy, although the breeze felt a bit more like a gale when you ran uphill into it.
Paul Stinton was 11th in 1.01.40
Margaret Ludden was 45th in 1.17.35
Jack Thomas was 57th in 1.24.59
Rob Mackey was 61st in 1.28.01

Posted by Rob

Off Road Series

Friday night was the last race of the Off-Road MT Series organised by Deestriders. This was the last race that Fred Aird is organizing, he is stepping down after 10 years. Thanks Fred.

A good turnout of Buckley Runners, despite a fairly small field (61 runners). And good results in the series. Paul Stinton picked up 3rd in Senior Men. Jez won MV40, Jeff won MV 45 and Steve won MV55.

Posted by Rob

Caernarfon 10k/Welsh Championships

A big turnout from Buckley at the Caernarfon 10k, which this year also hosted the Welsh Championships, as well as the usual North Wales competition. Quite warm, with a light headwind for the coastal path. Dave Mountford won the race in 32.43, with several individual medals for the runners below.

14. Simon R, 36:00
17. Jez, 36:44
18. Jon B, 37:01
25. Eric, 38:28
32. Les, 39:05
34. Shaun, 39:23
56. John Ashton, 41:12
77. Chris H, 43:59
130. Fenella, 50:13
161. Jack, 54:58