Hello Green Army
Most important news of the week. It’s Borders League race 4 on Sunday, and we need another good turnout please. It’s a local one as well over on the Tattenhall course, which is a cracker. Post code CH3 9QF, 11am start. For anyone that has not done one of these yet just turn up in your race vest, its free of charge, it’s as simple as that.
Message from our race director Laura Baynham-Hughes, after the successful weekend and running of the Four Villages Half Marathon.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped on Sunday, Saturday and in the run up to the 4VHM. It really is a team effort and you are all amazing. It has been another successful race with 1636 runners taking part and overwhelmingly positive comments! We should all be very proud. Thank you. Well done to all the Green Army runners and I was extra delighted to present the local trophies to two Helsby members and see Hannah finish as second lady!
Alison Halsall sent in a 4VM race report…thanks Alison.
After suffering from severe cold during the race last year, I found myself continually checking the weather reports for 4VHM day on Sunday which varied as the days went by from sunny to sleet and even snow. In the end it turned out to be near perfect race conditions, let’s face it, I was just pleased there was no ice or snow but that’s just a runners point of view! More importantly, it meant that all the effort and organisation put into this fantastic local race paid off. I jogged down to the start line from home to be met by a great ‘buzz’ at the club and the start line. It was great to talk to runners from other clubs who, despite also experiencing the conditions last year, had decided to come back again. I also noticed a lot of green 4VHM hats in the line up! Before long the race started and the support from the off was amazing. This support continued throughout the race and it was great to see familiar faces from local Helsby people, Helsby cubs who were enthusiastically handing out water, from the marshals and fellow runners from the club (Mario, Joe, Vanessa to name just a few).
After moaning about not feeling great and being a bit worried about the lack of serious training, I started to feel really good on the day and ran hard. Thanks to James Higgins who encouraged me and pulled me a along in the first half of the race before I found my rhythm. Once I realised that I could aim for a decent time, I just went for it and tried my best to get a category place too but was pipped in the last few hundred yards but my legs couldn’t go any faster. I was really pleased with my time (and the fact that I could feel my hands and feet this year!) and it was also great to hear that Hannah and Chris had done so well both overall and in winning the local trophies too. Well done to all the Helsby runners and everyone involved, what a great team effort which makes for a fantastic race. I may even do it all again next year!
Alison
Totally agree about the support on course, it was brilliant this year.
Mark Gittens also sent in a short race report, cheers Mark
I set off from the start. I soon realised that I was fat and heavy. So, I suffered around the course and finished in my slowest ever time. The end.
Spot on !!!
Karen Horsley is trying to rally the troops and raise some funds for a great course
Please have a read of her blog and details to the fun run on 10th Feb
https://www.facebook.com/events/1983160565108541/
We have the beer festival coming up soon at the club, would be good to see as many as possible support it, might be the last one in the lovely club house
Parkrun
Our consolidated club report can be seen http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=1721
That’s all for now, see you all soon
Fitzy