Update on results and events

Events 
We are off for a run in the hills on Saturday 28th December. The plan is to meet at 9.30 at the first car park on Moel Famau, ready to set off for a run at 9.45. The run will be about an hour, fairly gentle, being back and ready to drink tea and eat cakes, minces pies etc. 11.00. Or you can run on your own and join us at 11.00 for tea, or you can just join us for tea. Contact Rob or Jane for more info.

Communication
I have been sending out emails regularly using the list that I have on my computer. I found recently that at least one club member has not been receiving them since I bought a new computer in September. If you are not receiving regular emails and would like to, please email me on robertlmackey@btinternet.com. Or if you are aware of anyone who is not getting email updates please let me know.

Club competitions update.
The top four in each of the competitions at about half way through the season are shown below. Just a reminder as to how it works. You score points for every race completed . 1st place gets highest score, based on approximately twice the number of runners per race e.g. Men's BL is based on 30 points as we get about 15 men running each race.

Ladies Cross Country (based on 15 points)

Ladies Cross Country

Margaret Ludden             45 points

Dawn Urquhart                42 points

Fenella Higgins                 39 points

Jane Lindley                     34 points

Mens Cross Country (based on 20 points)

Matt Rose                        60 points

Jez Brown                        57 points

Eric Campbell                  53 points

Eddie Davies                   49 points

Ladies Borders League (based on 15 points)

Dawn Urquhart               45 points

Fenn Higgins                   40 points

Margaret Ludden            40 points

Sue Ridings                     37 points

Mens Borders League (based on 30 points)

Eric Campbell                 85 points

Simon Edwards,             84 points

Paul Stinton,                   77 points

Jeff Gifford,                    75 points

Posted by Rob

Better late...Inter Regional C.C. Champs 8th December 2012

The 14th Welsh Inter Regional Cross Country Championships were held as usual at the Royal Welsh Showground on Saturday the 8th December 2012.

Slightly warmer weather than last year greeted the top cross country runners from each region across Wales, although this didn't prevent the water to the shower block  freezing  before reaching it's final destination. None the less, the touch of frost had gone from the ground making the going in some parts 'good to soft' in others really quite 'heavy'.

Though the venue was a constant the course had been changed to send runners in the opposite direction to last year. Changes to the route evidenced runners 'looping' within the wood completely wrong footing spectators, well this one any way, who nearly ran the length of both mens' and women's races secure in the conviction of 'knowing the course' and determined to see runners at some point!

It's a cracking event to watch. In addition to seeing some of the top Welsh cross country runners, it has such a local feel many of the runners being familiar faces and friends, via the fells, training, Cross Country and Borders League series and yet again our own ''little'' club colleagues made disproportionate numerical representation and outstanding contributions. The full results are on the W.A.A. site but in summary

Matthew was 14th and 3rd 'Northern Region' athlete in what can only be described as a very competitive field.

In the women's race, a Buckley trio at one stage seemed to be in formation, a different type of 'thin blue line' streaming past in pursuit and being pursued on some of the toughest parts of the course, those Sundays on the Clwydians obviously paying better dividends than any I.S.A. when tackling the 'up bits'.

Dawn was first home ever so slightly puffing after an epic battle with Sandra Rowlands which saw Dawn pull away in the last few yards.
Margaret and Fenella returned in that order, they to having raced from the off against some very stiff competition. Less than a minute and a half separated the three.

Jez and Eric had sterling runs. Jez was the 2nd North rep and I think 5th in age group. A truly amazing feat by Jez it has to be said. Eric was even to the casual observer clearly under the weather but despite this ran well. Erics condition seemed confirmed when I asked how he went and Eric commented he couldn't really remember the race!! I'd prescribe Lem sip and a hot bath mate.  

Really great to watch and a good way to get inspired and motivated on those days when it all seems a bit hard!!
All the best
Chris

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.