This week the Helsby RC blog brings you #greenarmy podium success, a look back into the race archives and a look forward to an autumn/winter of events. With the blog now back up and running I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you we have a team of 4 bloggers; myself, Pete, Jim and Ben Tumilty. Personally, I’m really looking forward to seeing how we add our own slant to topics we blog about and the style we go about doing it in. We hope you do too.
Our club social media channels have been getting good engagement recently, which is really positive to see. You may see some of the same information on multiple channels. The is done so as many members, followers, prospective new members get to see and hear about all the great club activities (past, present and future). This is key for member engagement and in turn the club’s continued health and growth. If you want to let us know what you’d like to see in the blog drop us a mail at helsbyracereports@gmail.com
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Race Reports
Wirral Multi Terrain Race 2 – Written by Club Chair Fitzy
Wirral Country Park was race 2 of the series. 9 Helsby runners made the start line for a quick downhill start and some tarmac slapping before you hit Thurstaton beach. Now the beach isn’t my idea of the best place to run and this beach is full of rocks and due to a bit of drizzle the rocks were pretty slippy. I could see lots of runners had their go faster shoes on and you could see how hard it was to run in them.
As the runners are still packed together on this first of two laps, you really have to concentrate on were you are putting your feet otherwise you will end up going over. Approx 1 mile down the beach and you climb back up some steps to run back along a trail which was an old railway track. It’s now time to put your foot down as its completely straight but as your losing light, it can be a bit of a miserable journey back knowing that you have to go and do another run along the beach for the second lap. The marshals guide you back down onto the beach.
As it was cooler I was feeling a little better than the week before so started to overtake a few faces from the previous week I was battling with. If you ask me, the finish is a little cruel, as you have a little climb to cross the finish line and the faces of some runners coming through as they hit that hit are brilliant, especially Alison Williams, wish I had a camera on me 
Well done again to all that ran, but looks like we have a star in green now, Peter Taylor-Bray taking the win on the night by 8 seconds, which is an excellent result considering some of the runners that race in this series, it’s a huge achievement.
Next up, Harrison Drive and more sand.
Wirral Country Park Final Results – niftyEntries.com
Guilden Sutton 10k – Written by me
Sunday 17th September saw the running of the 40th Guilden Sutton 10k (formerly Sutton Six) – incredible the race has reached such a milestone. Organised by our close friends at West Cheshire Athletics Club, it forms one of many superb races spread throughout the year, right on our doorstep, and organised by one of our neighbouring clubs.
These club races are the lifeblood of our sport and revenue generated goes a long way to keeping clubs in the black. I always try to support them first, before the bigger commercial races. Some of my favourites (as a road runner) are: Spring 5 (West Cheshire Athletics Club – April), Mid Cheshire 5k (RunCheshire our own club member Helen & Mike from Cheshire Dragons – April & August) Christleton 5k (Chester Triathlon Club – May) and Capenhurst 5k (Ellesmere Port RC – August).
The Guilden Sutton course starts and ends in the village, takes in 2 undulating loops over and under the A55 before heading South to Tarvin Road for a fast and straight blast down past the Vicars Cross Golf Club before hooking a left to return via a couple more lumps and a drag back to the finish. Men’s Club Captain Mike Fryer continued his running career purple patch taking 2nd overall in his first road race podium, clocking 34.25 – a course PB and only 13 seconds back from the race winner. A great result for Mike. Adam Gordon and Mike Barnard took top 5 and 15 spots in their vets categories respectively.
With the race reaching such a significant milestone it whetted my appetite to dig into some history. I landed upon the 1993 ‘Sutton Six’ edition. What I found was Helsby RC domination! 1st, 2nd and 5th overall in the men’s race (won by a certain Mr Paul Frodsham in a lightening quick 32.29), 2nd in both the men’s and women’s V40 and victory in the men’s V50 by M Frayne. Superb!
If you have recently raced/run and want the rest of the club to hear about it please please please email us a quick race report to helsbyracereports@gmail.com . We really want to focus on publicising the achievements of our members at all levels.
Another 40th approaching…..
It of course goes without saying the best club run race in the North West is our very own Four Villages Half Marathon. Planning is well underway, headed up by race director Geoff Colins. It’s our 40th edition and the income supports a number of local charities in particular Halton Haven Hospice and Hospice of the Good Sheppard. It also subsidises our club membership! Without club volunteers the race can’t be put on, it is as simple as that. If you can help in preparation or on the day of the race please let Geoff know geoff.lyn@btopenworld.com . Entries open 1st October and the race date is Sunday 21st January 2024.
and finally….Borders back baby!!
Borders league 2023/24 season starter is less than 1 week away and I cannot wait for my first as a vet! For any members who haven’t experienced it yet, you must! Here the team’s score is really what matters. Each and every runner contributes to the team’s position in the league through a niftly thought out scoring system. It is free to all members and is probably the premier road running club competition in the North West & Wales. Both women’s and men’s teams maintained their place in the top division last season. Both vets teams were really really close to the podium in 4th respectively. Can we go one better? Newly recruited members should further add to our strength in depth this season. Car shares depart for race 1 in Caernarfon from the club at 8:30am on Sunday 1st October. Bring yourself, your vest and your barcode and let’s @~%$ go! Contact Susie Woodward-Moor for all things Borders League queries.
Club Parkrun results https://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=1721
Finally a quick plug – Our friends RunCheshire are holding the Connor Young 5k in Northwich on Saturday 15th October. The course looks a quick one! The event is taking place to raise awareness and funds for mental health charity YoungMinds while celebrating the life and memory of Connor. https://youngminds.niftyentries.com/ . I know a number of club members are planning on supporting this one by running.
That’s all folks!