CC Round 3 at Wrexham

An good turnout at Wrexham and some fine performances saw the men maintain an excellent season. (Ladies team results not out yet)

The men had two top twenty finishers, Matt in 5th and Jez in 16th helping the men to win top slot in Div 2 with 170 points on the day. They now have a total of 748 behind Bangor Uni who have 521.

Other excellent results for: -
Eric 3rd M45, Les 2nd M60, and John Morris 3rd M65.
The Vets were 2nd on the day with 27 points, but hold onto a clear lead overall with 108 points (Telford are 2nd with 156)

Posted by Rob (who enjoyed himself at Wrexham)

Penmaenmawr Fell Race 2012

On Saturday five Buckley Runners ran the 38^th Annual Penmaenmawr Fell Race (usually called “Pen Fell” for brevity), claimed to be the oldest fell race in Wales.

After a wet summer competitors were warned in advance that the course was wet. Heavy rain overnight continuing into the morning could only add to it. Fortunately as we drove west along A55 the sky cleared and we were treated to fabulous weather; cool, sunny with a light breeze. This race comes with dire warnings not to be underestimated; in foul weather there is little margin for error or stupidity up there on open moorland. Fortunately the weather was kind this year.

233 runners had entered the race (you have to enter on-line, no entries on the day) and on the day 193 turned up. One DNF but the other 192 sploshed and splashed and slithered round a roughly triangular route on the high ground behind the quarries at Penmaenmawr for a little short of 11 miles. It includes a steep climb to start followed by steady climbing for another couple of miles, a very wet boggy section, a short road section, rocky and undulating tracks and paths heading north back to a very steep, slippery drop down the notorious “Donkey Path” back to the village hall at Capelulo. Hot soup and a roll are very welcome rewards for the finishers along with a bottle of “Pen Fell Ale” provided by Bragdy Conwy.

It was a good day for the club. Jez Brown had an absolutely magnificent run to take first place overall and in 1st MV40 against some class opposition. At the back of the leading group at the top of the Donkey Track Jez decided to go for it on the slippery descent, not only passing the others but opening out a 24 second gap to finish in 1.17.21. Superb stuff, Well done Jez.

Simon Roberts was 10^th overall in 1.22.16 with 4^th MV40.

Peter Roberts was 63th overall in1.37.47, winning the MV70 class by 64 minutes!

John Morris was 97^th overall in1.44.03 taking 3^rd MV60

Last Buckley runner home was Robert Mackey in 167th place with a time of 2.12.07, 13th of 17 MV60's in the race. (that's nearly 15% of the men running)

It was an excellent day, and I thoroughly enjoyed the race. I was surprised to be 8 minutes slower than last year, but in the same position (167^th out of 192 this year and 167^th out of 190 last year) with the same runners around me! Perhaps the wet and slippery conditions did make a difference, certainly the bog was heavy going and the tracks were very slippery. Nothing to do with being a year older after all.

Rob

BL @ Capenhurst

What an excellent day at the races. Big turnout by Buckley Runners on a day when all the clubs turned out well. Good to see new faces, the regulars and many returners.

Well done everybody. Some good pictures around on FaceBook

Posted by Rob

Abergele 5 Buckley 5

Another grand day at the races for Buckley.
The weather couldn't have been better, nice and crisp, too cold to stand around in but ideal for a spot of 'legging it' along the back lanes of Abergele.
As usual a large field for this well established and popular race with all the 'usual suspect' clubs being well represented. The organisation is pretty well up there and the course, although only five miles, manages to slip in some more than decent gradients.
It was great to see a couple of new Buckleyites if only from a distance and 'an Old Buckleyite' in James Huggins.
So how did we get on, pretty blinkin good really all round, each member giving of their best.  
Results of the 'main' race bearing in mind this was a Welsh Championship event as well.

Eric 28.48 and 2nd MV 45 (sure I saw him hanging on the back of an appliance! )
Simon R 28.51 and 2nd MV 40
David Gilbert (Hi David) 30.49
Sean H 31.21
Chris H 34.25  3rd MV 55
Dawn 35. 58    3rd FV 40
Margaret 36.56 2nd FV 50
Fenella 38.05
Lisa Gillins (Watcha Lisa) 40.00
Jack 42.47
Alison 44.47

As if all those performances wern't enough 'Little Buckley' didn't do to bad in the Championships either.
Silver medals wen't to
Margaret, Eric, Simon and Chris in their respective age groups.
We also did well in the Team events, Ladies came 3rd and the Men 2nd.
I've got all the trophies and intend being at the Running Hare on Tuesday so hopefully see you then.
Take Best Care

As a post script can I mention Emily Hooley, unattched runner, been to the club ages ago and I'm trying to lure her back!
Emily in her first year of running was Second Senior Female. Well done mate.

Chambers Lane Evening Run

Just to welcome new runners - our winter evening runs are along well lit routes. Tonight 4 of us ran the Elfed School Chambers lane 4.6mile route. A little couple of hills. But a nice little run to warm up on a cool Thursday night.
Here is the link to the connect garmin from Rob Davies' garmin.
Reminder : the first Tuesday of the month is 'club night' ie we go to the pub -after a run , and shower & change . The Running Hare in Ewloe.