Pontypridd Roadents RAT RACE Magazine January/February/March/April 2022

The Pontypridd Roadents Magazine January/February/March/April 2022

Cardiff Half-Marathon - The Greatest Show!

Sam Richards & Fiona Davies - In It For The Long Run Also Inside: Boston Marathon, National Road Relays Strawberry Fields 4 Dayer, Reverse 10 Braassemloop 10k, Brighton Half + More Photos Than Ever!!

www.pontypriddroadentsac.org.uk

For Quirky Handmade Cushions, Aprons, Tote Bags, Dog Bandanas, Peg Bags & other Unique Makes, You Can Find Gail & The Unique Cushion Co at The Following Markets: St Fagans Bank Holiday Makers Market - 29th April to 3rd May Cardiff City Centre Makers Market, The Hayes, Cardiff - 7th to 21st May Home Show, International Conference Centre, Celtic Manor - 29th May St Fagans Jubilee Weekend Makers Market - 2nd to 6th June Cardiff City Centre Summer Makers Market, The Hayes, Cardiff - 6th to 20th August St Fagans Summer Makers Market - 24th to 25th August Cardiff Bay Bank Holiday Makers Market - 26th to 30th August

Have A Day Out & Come To Say Hello!

CONTENTS

January/February/March/April 2022

Sam Richards @ ACP Page 12

Cardiff Half-Marathon Page 24

Lliswerry 8 Page 36

Fiona Davies @ Crawley AIM 24 Races Page 32

Welsh Cross Country Championships Page 64

Boston Marathon Page 62

Front Cover: Olivia & Tak Jai Tsim @ Cardiff Half-Marathon 27/03/22 & Sam Richards @ ACP This page: Piers Copeland @ UK Indoor Athletics Championships, Birmingham

The Committee Andy Davies Club President

Paul Graham Vice Chairperson

Nick Pounder Treasurer Sam Richards Club Championship Secretary Darren Bishop Kit Officer Ben Butler-Madden Road Race Captain Liz May Road Race Vice Captain

Jo Gwynne Club Chairperson/ COVID-19 Officer

Laurence Pole Club Secretary Charlie Smith Membership Secretary/Club Welfare Officer Abi Ghuman PR Officer

Rhodri Evans Race Director Bretti Paxton Off-Road Captain Daniel Thrift Off-Road Vice Captain

Neil Brooke-Smith Club Welfare Officer Mair Johnson Club Welfare Officer/ Child Safeguarding Officer

Martin Green Website Editor

Symon Murphy, Paul Harris,Claire Ghuman, Mike Gwynne, Adam Bull All General Committee

RAT RACE come

Wel

Diversity it the key word for this edition of RAT RACE because I believe that throughout the massive 70-plus pages you are about to look through, you’ll see articles and photographs taken of one of the most diverse clubs here in Wales. We are diverse in age, ability, race and gender. From those of our members who have achieved the standard to run wearing a Welsh vest to those who, despite their age, run hundreds of miles just to say they have done it. We are an accepting bunch of people in this club of ours, showing a spirit of support to everyone at every level.

Though it’s only a small gesture, and I know you could say why not for Syria or Myanmar or other troubled states, but the symbolism of changing the magazine’s masthead colours to represent the Ukrainian flag is another form of support. We are runners, some of us at highly competetive levels, while others, like myself, do it whatever the outcome. What we tend not to be is aggressive and we feel appalled by aggressive behaviour, especially by bullies. Though I personally feel useless to intervene in the terrible war that is facing the Ukrainian people, we can show our disgust at this horrible situation and hope that the conflict comes to a positive end sooner rather than later. Our symbolism shows our solidarity.

I must say sorry to David Mather who I forgot to mention in the last issue of RAT RACE who stepped down from the committee prior to last year’s AGM. He was our virtual light during the lockdown period with his Roadents Run The World Challenge, we must thank him for his service. And whilst we talk about the committee, welcome to Adam Bull who has joined the ranks giving us a younger (and faster) perspective on the club’s goings on...

As always, if you are running a race/event soon and want to talk about it in these pages, I welcome all submissions. Just email them to darren@darrenwarner.co.uk.

Cheers!

n e r r a D

Darren Griffiths-Warner Magazine Editor

Just so you know, our Roadents Vests are now available in a cropped top version. Just ask our Kit Officer Darren Bishop how wonderful they are, as you can see by the photograph displayed here. At least in this issue he is wearing something!

News

Congratulations Mair

My lovely fiancé Dai proposed to me in front of the Welsh National Anthem statue in Ynysangharad Park in April. Ponty Park has been one of my favourite places since childhood and in recent years I’ve run around it hundreds if not thousands of times. As a patriotic Welsh teacher, I felt proud that Evan James and James James were witnesses to the proposal!

We have already started planning our wedding which takes place on 6th August at Llanwonno. I am hoping that Guto Nyth Brân will give me his blessing and make me run faster!

As I spend my free time running, Dai spends his time coaching Tonypandy Albion as he can no longer play football due to a recurrent injury. He has joined me on two parkruns at Mallards Pike and Ponty and surprisingly enjoyed them - but not the early start! I’ve been persuaded to have a wedding parkrun so I hope you can join us in your tutus on 30th July!

After a two year hiatus, the East Wales Clubs Road Race Championship returns in 2022.

As a reminder, or by means of introduction to newer clubs and runners, the East Wales Clubs Road Race Championship was a scheme set up in 2017 to encourage team competition and participation in the region.

The series features 4 races - ideally a 5k, 10k, 10 mile and half marathon distance race. For 2022, we have selected the following 4 races: RACE 1 TREFOREST 10K – 29th May 2022 RACE 2 ROSE INN RACE SERIES (EVENT 3) – 12th July 2022 RACE 3 BRECON LIONS 10 MILE ROAD RACE – 7th August 2022 RACE 4 SEVERN BRIDGE HALF MARATHON – 28th August 2022 All Welsh Athletics affiliated running clubs within the East Wales region are automatically entered into the championship. Runners should enter the four nominated races, individually, in the usual way. For this series, all the races can be entered at www.fabian4.co.uk When entering the races, runners should include the name of the running club they are a 1st claim member of. All runners of eligible East Wales region running clubs will then automatically be entered into the championship.

Laura McCarthy @ THE HUB We’ve had a message from Laura McCarthy to let you know that THE HUB will be open for service five days a week, Monday to Friday from 30th May. For all your sports massage needs she’ll have times available from 10am til 5pm on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday while it’s from 10am til 4pm on Tuesdays and Fridays.

If and when you require a descent massage (which I do, on a regular basis), you can call Laura on 07967220461 to make an appointment or message her via her facebook page.

A session is a very resonable £25 for an hour and believe me, you feel like you are floating on air once you’ve had your treatment.

So go book an appointment now!

Our club has gotten bigger, with a large membership many of whom want to attend our Tuesday Night Tracks Sessions.

Of course with such numbers, certain rules need to be adhered to. So please take a look at the Track rules (above) and do your best to keep to them.

Thanks!

Pontypridd Roadents Reverse 10 30th January 2022

Photos by Mair Johnson

This was the 1st running of the Reverse 10 race since the pandemic so hopes were high of a good turnout due to runners itching to get back racing. The traditional 1st weekend in February to hold the race had to be reassessed after it was found out it would clash with another established local race, Lliswerry 8. It was decided that the Sunday before would be the best option with least impact on numbers and clashes so the date of January 30th was set.

Another uncertainty which only got given the green light two weeks before race day was the license being granted by Welsh Athletics. Again this was due to the COVID restrictions at the time changing in our favour.

Two weeks is a long time and was plenty of notice to the relevant authorities and for us to get organised. One obstacle to overcome at the 11th hour was Caerphilly Council not allowing the use of Tredomen House for toilet facilities. This involved a last minute ring around to get some portaloos sorted to avoid a Glastonbury festival style trench being dug! A friendly company from Aberdare obliged and were very efficient. PS note to self for future races.

Another problem I found on the recce a day before was an abandoned car blocking some of the path after the start to Parc Penallta. A few extra marshals and some cones made sure this was safe as could be for the runners.

Race day morning was dry and cold with some ground frost which thankfully did not mean icy paths, although a few areas did not thaw out when the sun came up.

To the race itself: it went off with no major hitches, nobody got lost, no horses on the course, 1 casualty in the First Aid tent due to a recurring injury flaring up.

Due to the dry weather the paths and Parc Penallta were quite busy with dog walkers, cyclists and other runners so the marshals, lead cyclists, tail runners under the direction of Little and Large did a sterling job out on the course.

Big thanks also to Jo, Fiona, Clara, Paul and Ben on Registration and Start/Finish line. It is a team effort after all!

RESULTS Top 3 Men: 1.Adam Bowden, Bridgend AC, 51.49 - not far off the course record 2.Daniel Bodman, Parc Bryn Bach RC, 54.17 3.Jack Blackburn, Pontypridd Roadents, 55.20 Top 3 Women: 1.Donna Morris, Builth and District RC, 1.01.02 2.Vicky Jackson, Swindon Harriers, 1.05.55 3.Emma Wookey, Lliswerry Runners, 1.06.41 RHODRI EVANS, RACE DIRECTOR

‘My First Welsh Vest’ by Sam Richards

Anglo Celtic Plate 100k 2nd April 2022

Photos by Paul Stillman , John O’Regan & Arwel Lewis

In early 2020, the UK was being battered by Storm Ciara. That day was my first ever Ultra - a 43 mile race, from Brecon to Cardiff...I came first! Two weeks later, I found myself running 40 miles around a track in Barry. From my success there, I was chosen to represent Wales for the Anglo-Celtic Plate 100k race. Sadly, the 2020 event was cancelled because of Covid 19.

To keep my motivation high, I ran 7,577.4 miles that year, which is almost the equivalent of running halfway around the world. Then I had Covid...so I had to isolate. No more running for a little while! Many miles equals less speed.

In 2021, I suffered with several injuries, including my right achilles. I rested and tried many solutions but the process was slow. So I decided to get back into shape, for 2022, no matter what. The last time I had done this, in 2018, I had pushed my body too hard, which had resulted in stomach and kidney problems, as well as other long term injuries. Even so, in terms of running, I had had the best year of my life!

These experiences taught me that I needed to be more sensible with my diet, and not so obsessed with calorie counting.

When I became vegan in 2020, my stomach and kidney problems eased. I learnt that a plant-based diet can lessen inflammation.

I got in contact with an ACP selector, expressing my interest in the 2022 race. I was honest about my injuries, and was given the impression that the team would be selected from the year’s results, which would include the Barry 40 mile track race. I decided to enter.

I met Gareth Pritchard and his partner, Catherine, at the race, who are vegan runners. They have been so supportive to me, and for this I am very grateful. Little did I know at that time that Gareth would be my main rival for the Welsh title!

During the Barry race, I set off at a fairly sensible pace - but not as sensible as I should have done. Although I didn’t know it at the time, Gareth is an experienced ultra runner. He paced it perfectly. I had lapped him multiple times, and hadn’t considered him to be the threat that he actually turned out to be.

When I’m running, I’m constantly looking ahead. I am being hunted by my competitors, but I am also the hunter, trying to chase down the competition - I realise these metaphors are unexpected, coming from a vegan! I am both the prey and the predator! Ha! From approximately half way, repeatedly going around the same bend started to get to me physically. I was getting tight on my right side - my hamstring, etc. I started slowing down, and some runners began to unlap themselves. When I was close to 35 miles, feedback informed me that I needed to up my pace to hold my position. I did this, and was close enough to the end to muster a good finish, coming in 4th position, with Gareth following just a little way behind.

Overall, not a great performance, not one that I’m proud of, and 10 minutes slower than in 2018 - when I ran 2 extra laps by mistake! But at least I got the Welsh title!

I was expecting to be selected for the ACP, but, shortly after, I was disappointed to hear that that was not

the case. I understood that I was the least experienced ultra runner there so accepted this decision.

Unfortunately, Pip Blackburn had to pull out with a knee injury, so I was then called up to replace him at short notice!

I saw Pip a couple of days before the race, and he was very helpful in giving me advice about how much and what to eat for the race. (I felt this had been one of my shortcomings at Barry.)

I hadn’t had time for a proper taper but I don’t like tapering anyway, so wasn’t too bothered.

Then Simon Roberts (Dragon Back 2021 winner) dropped out with covid, so I had to “save the day” and take the kit up with me (what a hero!).

I travelled up to Scotland on Saturday, met part of the Welsh team and went for the 2.381k loop in the park with them. We met for a briefing and a meal. The meal wasn’t very big so I ate a malt loaf, and then went to bed early.

On Sunday I woke up at 5.30am, had Weetabix with water and headed to the park to meet my competitors and my team.

The race began at 7am, and I knew that - with the distance being longer than Barry - it was essential to have a steady pace, so I started with 7 minute miling.

The field was stacked with some great runners and I watched them go off into the distance. My pace felt too easy but I hoped that some of those runners would fall back to me later on in the race.

I was lapped by the leader - an Irish team member - at mile 12, and over the coming miles counted twelve people lapping me!

By the time I lapped Gareth at mile 20, my muscles were starting to tighten, but not as badly as at Barry.

At mile 30 I was pleased that I managed to retain my 7 min/mile target, but my muscles were really tightening up. My pace started to drop.

Over the next couple of miles, Gareth unlapped himself. However, I was still running okay, and had to keep re-evaluating my performance.

I struggled through the middle section of the race. Several runners dropped out.

The 50k race started at 10am, so I targetted a runner of a similar pace. I used him to try to prevent my pace from dropping too much.

I overtook the lead Welsh runner, Dan Weston, who held the best Welsh ACP time of 7.11 hours. (With good reason, he had raced off too quickly at the start.)

I continued to keep an eye on Gareth on the loop and, at mile 50, managed to pick my pace back up a little.

With the end in sight, I was able to dig in and speed up. I had DJ Snake’s “Turn down for what?!” in my head, and I used it to motivate myself. I was thinking “turn down” means “slow down.” Well, I wasn’t going to slow down for anyone. I was going to speed up, and smash it!

In terms of fuel, throughout the race, I was mainly eating rice cakes and malt loaf to keep my energy high, and my stomach felt okay. As I was close enough to the end if the race, I decided to try consuming some gels.

I hadn’t been drinking too much water, to avoid toilet breaks, but would regularly douce my tight muscles with water, hoping to cool them.

On the final lap, I pushed the pace up and was telling myself to go harder on the out breath. I knew I looked stupid, but I didn’t care, as long as I got to the finishing line giving my all. I always want to do myself proud, but wearing the Welsh vest was a special honour, but also a great responsibility...I didn’t want to let anybody down. In fact, the final mile was actually my quickest.

A hundred metres from the end, a Welsh flag was passed to me by a supporter.

Carrying the banner, I proudly sprinted across the line. I finished in 7.36.08, and in 15th position!

On reflection, I realised I was only 32 seconds away from 14th position, and I had been catching the runner quickly. Having said that, I don’t really think I could have improved my performance - even if I’d had that information during the race.

I was pleased with my overall performance, even though I had averaged 7.22

minutes per mile. I probably should have started slower, however, I was happy that I had managed to hold onto my position as lead Welsh runner!

Hopefully, I will be involved in next year’s race, which is being held in Northern Ireland.

I know that, at the moment, I am not running at my best, but I am planning to get back there by next year’s race. I intend to buy some “cheat” shoes, as well as finding out what the leaders of the race did about fuelling.

I am confident that, next time, I will get closer to finishing the race in 7 hours.

The men’s and women’s ACP records were achieved during this year’s race, and seven runners made it to the finishing line in under 7 hours. Fantastic achievements!

After the event, I watched a zoom podcast showing the Scottish team’s analysis, to try to learn from them. It turns out that they all went to the toilet multiple times! (With my - slightly - bad kidneys, I probably should have drunk more than I did, even if it would mean using the loo!)

A week after the ACP race, several runners dropped out of Ponty’s twelve-stage relay team, leaving a space for me. I lost a toenail, I rolled and stretched my muscles, and managed to get rid of the knots, just in time for a quick 5k on the Saturday. This was the quickest 5k from Ponty Roadents... with the help of Ben’s “cheat” shoes! They definitely helped, so I will be getting some as soon as I return to my PB shape.

Now, the next target is to get into the Castles Relay team, which I’ll hopefully achieve on my own merit...and with some magic shoes!

SAM RICHARDS

The John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League Races Blaise Castle, Bristol 21st February 2022 Singleton Park, Swansea 19th March 2022

Bring On The Results!

Senior Male Individual Mark Horsman 36th Andrew How 38th Doug Nicholls 49th Stuart Wadlow 69th Callum Priest 70th Daniel Thrift 71st Gethin Edwards 120th Phillip Evans 126th Steven Hoare 225th Stephen Locke 239th Iestyn Henson 245th

Senior Female Individual Kate Libby Jones 112th Bretti Paxton149th Elizabeth Henson 175th (Overall this season) Senior female team - 30th Division 2 team - 6th Female 35 team - 21st Female 45 team - 40th

(Overall this season) Senior Male team - 4th Male 35 team - 2nd...very close to first...

Male 45 team - 17th

Again what a wicked season and brought fab results by all. It has been an absolute pleasure.

Myself and Dan looking forward to next season .

BRETTI PAXTON

National Road Relay Championships Sutton Park, Birmingham 9th April 2022

It was a stunning day heading up to the National Road Relay in Sutton Park, Birmingham! It was an early start with James kind enough to drive - we had a full car with Sam and Jac travelling up with us too!

We pulled up to Sutton Park to meet up with our club mates. I was blown away to see so many flags and tents with so many different clubs around the country! We couldn’t fit in our official Pontypridd Roadents tent so Ben brought his two man tent with a Wales flag on top of it. It did the job and was very cosy inside!

Morale was high with the team, everyone laughing and joking with some friendly banter flying around! It was a 12 stages race, so some would do 5miles and others would do 5k. I was on the 6 stage 5k, so had to wait til later on the afternoon, but we all agreed to stick around and cheer everyone on til the end of the relay.

First up was Paul’s 5 miler, so we all went to the start line to cheer him on! This was the only time all the runners would start the same time. As our teams went through the stages, mine was fast approaching.

Conditions were good, the sun was out, and the running surface was really good - just like Ponty Park!

The nerves were slowly kicking in as all my team mates had done amazing! So I went for a warm up and to suss the course out. With the team behind me the nerves soon went and I was pumped up for my stage.

I went up to the starting line pen, waiting for James who was on the stage before me. Then my number was called out and I was waiting to go. Then the marshal went three two one go!

I was off! The lads had told me about this first killer hill, so I set off a little bit quick and slowed right down towards this monster of a hill! I just dug in until I go to the top. Thankfully, coming over the hill it was all flat with some little hills!

I finally got to the last stretch with the finishing line on top of a hill! So I sprinted to the line finishing 19.50 - I was very pleased with my result!

We finished 34th overall, up against the best teams in the UK! It was a proud day for me to represent my club at this level. I want to say a big thank you to Ben for organising the team and the day - it was a fantastic day out!

PHILLIP EVANS

Cardiff Half-Marathon 27th March 2022

The Planning: The event was well organised, and the information packs were very thorough which made planning easy.

The Weather: It was a clear and sunny day, but a bit warmer and windier than we would have liked.

The Route: There was a slight deviation to the route this year to avoid the construction work being carried out in Cardiff Bay, but the course was very well marked and marshalled, passing through several of Cardiff’s stunning landmarks.

The Support: This was my 4th year running the Cardiff Half and whilst there was great support from the crowd around the course, it seemed quieter than usual – probably largely due to it being Mother’s Day. That said, there was plenty of organised music-based entertainment along the way as well as frequent water and gel stations.

The Team: Pontypridd Roadents were well and truly out in force for the Cardiff Half with over 70 members taking part! The support from team mates (both on and off the course) was second-to-none and made me so proud to be part of such an amazing club.

The Results: The highlight of the day for me was Pontypridd Roadents female team bagging a GOLD – nice work ladies! I finished in a time of 76.46, placing me 6th overall female and 3rd Welsh female.

OLIVIA TSIM

Event Photographs byJamie Bishop, Andy Davies & Nick Denny

The Crawley AIM Charity track races are firmly established in the UK’s Ultra Running calendar – the 6- and 12-hour have been going since 2006, with a 24-hour race being added in 2017. AIM stands for Advance International Ministries, who work to help orphans and others in need in Kiyindi, on the shores of Lake Victoria, Uganda. Race organiser Pam Storey is a trustee of the charity, which has built a medical centre, church, and school for the Kiyindi community – the school now caters for 600 children. So there’s definitely a feelgood factor in doing this event – it’s also extremely well organised, very friendly, and open to anyone who’s up for the challenge, whatever pace they run! Last year I did the 24-hour race, but as training for that distance wasn’t compatible with Castles qualifying, I opted for the 6-hour this year.

My original training plan included a track run every 3-4 weeks, attempting to build up the number of consecutive 10k’s I could run within an hour each. In January I comfortably managed 2 – then I went crosscountry skiing! When I returned, I could hardly run at all (not sure if that was due to overworked muscles, or bruising from the number of times I fell!)– every step hurt and even one 10k within the hour would have been impossible. Thankfully I recovered, just in time for Brecon-Nantgarw, where I was pleased (and surprised) to have more stamina and endurance than I’d expected. But I never got back on the track to see if I could run 30k in 3 hours – so as Gareth (my husband/crew) and I rocked up at the Crawley track on a beautiful Saturday spring morning, I was about to find out! I knew that getting to 50k in around 5 hours would give me a good shot at the British W65 6-hour record (56.65k) – but don’t even think about that now, focus on the splits, focus on the process (good form, head up, keep smiling!)

The 6- and 24-hour races started together at 12 noon. With only around 40 runners in total (including a visually impaired runner with her guide), it didn’t take long to settle into our pace, and I happily found myself running behind two of the 24-hour field who were doing just under 9-minute miles (one of these was the eventual winner, Wendy Whearity, who averaged under 10-minute miles for her first 100!

Incredible!). 55 minutes for my first 10k. At 1 hour I grabbed a drink from Gareth and lost a few metres, which I didn’t regain – but still kept up a decent pace to hit the half marathon at around 2 hours. Time for a little walk break with my next drink and some jellybeans!

My pace was slowing, but I was still inside 3 hours at 30k. Then it started getting tough. I needed more drinks.

My vest was chafing under both arms. My feet were too hot. My jellybeans were sticking to my teeth. Gareth was telling me to keep my head up. My miles were slipping to 10 minutes plus, even close to 11. Time to dig in – every ultra has its tough moments! Try and push through to the 4-hour mark, where we’d change direction.

4 hours at last! And almost, but not quite, 40k! Turn round the cones, a chance to see some of my fellow runners face to face! Let’s get the marathon distance done and then have a break! It was a relief to sit down for a couple of minutes and change socks and shoes (to my Brooks Launch – lighter and bouncier, my 5/10k shoes). After a drink and a few pretzels, off I went again. Wow! The shoe change really made a difference – back on sub 9:30 miles! It’s amazing how much quicker a 2:20 lap feels than a 2:40 one!

50k somewhere around 5 hours 10 min. Daring to hope I could actually do this! Around 5:30, I asked one of the officials to check how many more laps I needed for the record. The answer came back a couple of laps later – 9 more. Just keep going and don’t walk! At last the hooter went, I dropped my beanbag (finish marker for exact measurement) and collapsed on the grass. The 24-hour competitors, only a quarter way through their effort, warmly congratulated all the 6-hour finishers as they passed. I’d done it! 57.422km, a new British W65 record and 7th on the W65 world list!

At the presentation, it was lovely to speak to Gerry and Rose George, founders of the AIM Charity, about their work in Uganda, even though I had to rush off abruptly when I thought I was going to throw up (I didn’t – that came later!). It was a nice surprise to find I was also first woman in the 6-hour race. Back to hotel for a hot bath – no energy to go out for food so made do with a few snacks, and then did full justice to Premier Inn’s all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet in the morning!

After a relaxing Sunday stroll around Crawley’s beautiful Tilgate Park (including cheering on some Junior parkrunners) we popped back to the track to give a shout to the 24-hour runners, most of whom were still going strong. Definitely a great event – highly recommended for anyone wanting to challenge themselves on a track ultra!

FIONA DAVIES

Crawley AIM Track Races 9th April 2022

Event Photographs by John O’Regan

LEFT: Piers Copeland winning the 1500m.

UK Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

Copeland who timed his run perfectly in the closing stages to cruise smoothly into the lead and claim gold in 3:49.01.

Copeland said: ‘It’s my first British Champs win which is exciting.’

27th February 2022 RIGHT: Cardiff 20/10 Mile Races with Stephanie Davies coming 2nd Lady in the 10 Mile Event while Laurence Pole came in 1st in the M40 Category (5th Overall) in the 20 Mile Race.

13th February 2022

BELOW: Pontypridd Roadents Pacer Day @ Pontypridd parkrun 26th February 2022

Lliswerry 8

Pontypridd Christmas parkrun 18th December 2021

3rd April 2022

Photos by Howard Attwood

ZUIDERPARK parkrun, Den Haag, Netherlands Saturday 2nd April 2022 As part of the parkrun challenges, the alphabeteer challenge consists of running parkruns with every letter of the alphabet (excluding X). There aren’t many Z parkruns but there is one in The Hague, Zuiderpark. Myself, Michelle and three of our Les Croupiers friends, Dave and Claire George, and Dave Williams decided to hit Holland for the weekend.

Most Le Croupiers are either called Dave or Claire. Fact.

We decided on April 2nd as the best date as the Invictus Games were taking over Zuiderpark for the following 3 weeks. We travelled on the Friday, after a bit of panic over an article reporting that Zuiderpark would now be know by the English name of South Park and would no longer be a “Z”. I then pointed out to some people who will remain nameless that it was April Fool’s Day. We flew into Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, then a 50 min car ride to Den Haag (The Hague).

Zuiderpark parkrun is a small event (there were 57 people when we ran). The RD’s were English ex pats and very welcoming to us. I would say over half the participants were tourists and most sported Cowell buffs or bobblehats. The morning was sunny and fresh with patches of snow still lingering from the day before.

The course itself is three laps of the park which is picturesque and flatter than Tremorfa (zero feet elevation gain). This is definitely a potential PB course, I was only 12 seconds off mine and I took the first lap easy. Just keep an eye out for the numerous bikes on the course (and in Holland in general!)

The marshalls were extremely friendly as were all the participants.

Post run coffee was at the Parkoers cafe which serves exceptionally good sandwiches. They also serve Affligem and Heineken...There was a good turnout of runners in the cafe and we chatted to people from Hampshire, Liverpool and Norfolk, as well as one or two locals. Would definitely recommend for parkrun tourists or anyone who just happens to be in The Hague.

BRAASSEMLOOP 10k, Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands Sunday 3rd April 2022

Knowing we would be in Holland for the weekend, Dave George from Les Croupiers researched some potential races we could also run on the Sunday. He found one in Roelofarendsveen which is roughly half way between Den Haag and Amsterdam. The race was the Braassemloop organised by Plantaris Running Club.

The race had three differing distances, 5k, 10k and a half marathon. All three were only 8 Euros to enter.

Myself, Chelle and Claire did the 10k with the Daves running the half.

The venue was easy to find and parking in the residential streets was easy and close to the start.

Registration was straight forward (Dave had been in contact with a member of their club). When they found out who we were they were really welcoming and so friendly.

The three races started at different intervals, the half at 11, the 5k at 11:10 and the 10k at 11:20.

The start was in a residential cul de sac and there was music and a very enthusiatic MC on the mic. The course started off running through residential streets but very soon headed into the Dutch countryside.

The scenery was amazing, running past pan flat fields full of livestock and actual proper windmills. The course then swings back through residential areas but all verging on a wide river running to a large lake.

Some of the riverside views and houses were breathtaking. The course then skirts a large portion of the big lake before heading back to the start.

A lovely touch was the MC announcing the “Welsh” people as we crossed the line. All finishers were presented with a bunch of tulips instead of a medal or tee which I thought was a great touch. We headed back to the Plantaris club house to watch the presentations and were given free ham and cheese rolls, currant buns and crisps. We had to pay for the Henieken though! Great event, cheap, amazing scenery, friendly locals.

MARTIN GREEN

Christmas parkrun CF64 Trail Pontypridd Race 18th December 2021 3rd April 2022

Severn Bridge 5 Mile Race 1st April 2022

Manchester Marathon 3rd April 2022

Newport Half-Marathon 6th March 2022

Merthyr Half-Marathon 2oth March 2022

Photos by Visit Merthyr Tydfil, Ruth Cochran & Mair Johnson

STRAWBERRY FIELDS 4 DAYER MARATHONS with First & Last Running, Lifton Down, Devon Friday 15th to Monday 18th April 2022 The event is a new event for this year and run by Davey Green, First and Last Running.

The base for the run is Strawberry Fields Farm shop which has some amazing local produce.

Anyway back to the run, basically it’s 4 days of running around in Devon, you can chose your distance Half Marathon, Marathon or 50k Ultra, on each day you get a lovely medal with different colours on the back, a goody bag with water and snacks and if you complete all 4 days you get a Hoody too. It was £140 for all 4 marathons.

You can mix and match your distances or just enter single day events.

Mike and I chose to do the marathons as a training event for our next race which is Viking100 with SVN. Registrations open at 8:30am and the race starts at 9.30am.

The cut off for each day is 6 and a half hours for each of the runs, the course is all on open roads and is well signposted.

The course is a mix of pathway and road. For the 26.2 miles Full Marathon, there is a 1.5 mile out-and-back followed by 7 x 3.53 miles loops around Strawberry Fields and the neighbouring farms.

The 21.77km Half Marathon and the 50k share the same start line but one event does a few more loops than the other.

The loop is a simple “keep turning right” circle on the country lanes so that you never need to cross any roads.

You will pass the checkpoint on each loop, which is also the Finish Line.

The Checkpoint is also the aid station and is nicely situated just next to the Athlete’s car park. It’s well supported with the aid station at the end/start of each lap with squash, water and coke and sweet and savoury treats.

The event is a mental challenge as well as a physical one as the course doesn’t change over the 4 days. However the support from the other runners and marshals was amazing.

For more info visit https://www.firstandlastrunning.com/strawberry-fields-4dayer We stayed at Kingfisher Barn, Wooladon Cottages giving us all the creature comforts for after each day https:// www.wooladonestate.co.uk/ JO GWYNNE

San Domenico 20 & Pontypridd 10 MileChristmas Races parkrun 13th March 2022 18th December 2021 Photos by Johnny Lam & Mike Gwynne

Boston Marathon 17th April 2022

After arriving in Boston on a mission to complete the 6 World Marathon Majors, Beth and I headed straight to the Expo in downtown Boston to collect our race bibs and merch. It was the Friday before the race and Boston was already in marathon mode as the whole city seemed to be focused on the race, with the finish line already set up on Boylston Street in the heart of the city. The event village was also in full flow, with the drinks flowing from the Samuel Adams beer tent.

Following a few days enjoying the sights of Boston (plus being interviewed by local press and Abbott Marathon Majors about couples completing their 6 stars!) it was time for race day. After an early morning mission to Boston Common I managed to find another Roadent Simon Lewis who was also racing. At Boston Common we were transported on yellow American school buses out to a small town called Hopkinton. Unlike most races Boston is a point-to-point course, going through multiple towns and villages before eventually arriving in downtown Boston.

At the start line we had the tradition of The Star-Spangled Banner national anthem, followed by a fly over of American air force planes. Then we were off! Following a downhill start the route itself is undulating for most of the way, apart from a flat 4-mile section in the first half, with the hilliest section from miles 16 to 21 (with heartbreak hill to finish!). Around half way we ran through the legendary scream tunnel outside Wellesley Colleague, it was loud! Simon and I ran together at a steady pace for the first 16 miles before he pushed on at the hilly section, see you later Si… The race is well supported as you move from town to town, with crowds building and building as you run into Boston. After getting through the hilly section the fatigue was setting in, but the end was in sight. After 6 years and a combined 16 hours 22 minutes of racing, running down Boylston Street at the finish was a great buzz knowing the 6 stars were in the bag. At the finish I smugly collected my 6-star medal bling. Then after finding Simon (and his mate Simon!), we waited in the sun for Beth to complete her 6 stars, she was slightly delayed due to taking selfies with the Boston Marathon dogs Spencer and Penny, whilst also downing a beer at the top of heartbreak hill. Then we went off to celebrate with beers and nachos at Fenway Park. Job done….

BEN BUTLER-MADDEN

Welsh Cross Country Championships 12th March 2022 Photos by Paul Stillman

Paris Half-Marathon 6th March 2022

Great Welsh Half-Marathon 10th April 2022

Pontypool 10k 27th February 2022

Brighton Half-Marathon 27th February 2022

It was a cold yet sunny winter morning for the Brighton half marathon on 27th February this year. A popular, well attended event that saw many people attempting their first post lockdown race. As the 8000+ runners assembled on the long promenade there was plenty of space for a warm up and to maintain social distancing. The race began at 9am in one wave (take note cardiff half) with a half mile stretch before heading out on to the course proper.

Racing mainly on the seafront the majority of the race is run on the flat with a few long but gentle inclines in the first 3 miles. Any future participants who may be pb hunting this course definitely has potential for a fast time. The main drawback to the fast time potential is that being on the sea front, when the wind gets up, which it did on race day, you could end up with a very stiff onshore breeze in your face. So for the last 3 miles at the end of the half marathon not only did we have to battle against fatigue but also the heavy wind.

Nevertheless the race returned to the start point for the finish and I was happy to complete in a time of 1:49:42, some way off my personal best but a progressive run as I try to work back to my previous fitness levels.

TIM DAVIES

Wrexham Half-Marathon 24th April 2022

Mark Horsman, 2nd place, Bwlchygroes MT Race 16th April 2022

Bubbles Young 3rd Place Female, 1st Place with Dog Beast Of The Beacons 20 Mile Race 16th April 2022

Paul Graham, 2nd place Hale 10k 2oth February 2022

Hoka Winter Trail Half-Marathon 2oth March 2022

London Landmarks Half Marathon 3rd April 2022

Red Warrior Cani-Cross 10k Pembrey 13th March 2022

Brecon to Cardiff Ultra Marathon 20th February 2022

Piers Copeland Welsh Indoor 1500m Record (3:36.12) @ The Muller Indoor Grand Prix, Birmingham 20th February 2022

THE PEGASUS SOUTH CANUM 42 MILE ULTRA MARATHON Saturday 2nd April 2022

It had been a long time coming but after 4 postponements due to COVID and my back tripping out, I finally got to run alongside the majestic Breconshire Canal. I had been suffering from a chest infection most of the month leading up to the event, which had put my training all over the place, but my recent runs at Merthyr & Cardiff Half’s still proved to me that I’d be OK to finish it. Just needed to get my weight down a bit beforehand for running speed (Yes, I saw Mair’s pix of me during the Merthyr Half!). This was to be my 30th Marathon/Ultra Marathon and at 40 miles in length it was going to take a good few hours to complete. In fact the distance was 42 miles thanks to an untimely diversion and a slight discrepancy over the actual distance (ultras aren’t accurate like official races, more a distance of convenience) but what’s two miles extra when you’ve run 40 already!! The race started late but got away around 7.25am from the Fourteen Locks Centre near Newport, before crossing under the M4 Motorway twice and heading in a northerly direction towards Cwmbran 7 miles away. Before that, a number of climbs had to be negotiated alongside a series of locks (yes, canal runs aren’t always flat) while the canal seemed to twist and turn as it followed the contours of the land. In fact, after Pontypool you often looked right or into the distance behind you to see the direction you were actually heading towards as the waterway doubled back on itself. At Goytre Wharf, 16 miles in, my wife Gail and fellow ultra runner Liz Davies met me for a short jaunt along the canal while fellow Roadents couples The MacBraggars & The Hensons waved at me from the opposite side of the canal after their visit to Pontypool parkrun that morning. But soon after I was on my own again. Ultra running is a lonely business for me, I’m not good at running with others, preferring the solitude of my own footsteps, so other than the odd hello as some of the other participants passed me by, I rarely said a word or saw anyone. Bliss. As the day drew on and the mileage increased, I watched as the route passed Abergaveny, then Crickhowell, before reaching Talybont-on-Usk. Easily some of the most beautiful landscape one could ever hope to run though. At one point the canal traverses over the delightful River Usk via a massive iron aquaduct before heading into the final few miles that’ll lead to Brecon and the final destination. I had known that since the 30 mile point my lack of training was going to make me suffer, but I refused to give in. No power walking today, I was going to run the whole distance - and when I finally crossed the finish line I knew I had achieved that target. It had taken me 10 hours, 32 minutes.

I had been hoping to beat my PB of 8 hours 53 minutes for 40 miles but it wasn’t to be today, but then, who really cares. I was still smiling as I finished and loved every step I had taken.

DARREN GRIFFITHS-WARNER

Photos by Antelope Media & Adrian Braggar

Exeter 10k

15th April 2022 Photos by Gethin Edwards

Teifi 10 Mile Road Race 24th April 2022

Bryn Bach 6 Mile Race 24th April 2022

. . . And Finally!

WHAT’s IT ALL ABOUT

You may have noticed, if not on the running field then at least in the pages of this magazine, that some runners are using a certain gesture as they cross the finishing line. So, what’s it all about? Well basically, it started with Piers Copeland who copied the gesture from the Manchester United player Bruno Fernandes and now other club members are joining the proceedings. Fernandes, who created the hands over the ears gesture he displays after scoring during a match, said that it’s a tribute to his daughter. When she was little and he asked her to put away her toys she would place her hands over her ears and say ‘Blah, Blah, Blah. I can’t hear you Daddy.’

ROADENTS ON TV After our game of ‘Spot The Paul’ in last year’s July/August/September issue of RAT RACE where you had to find Paul Graham from a TV grab of the Great North Run, it seems you can’t watch a decent night’s telly without some Roadent or other turning up on our screens! From being interviewed in Welsh after the Cardiff Half-Marathon ,to highlight shows and live sporting events, we’re over run with them. They are everywhere now! Even one person who shall remain nameless (initials MJ though) turned up chatting to Derek the BBC Wales weatherman on ‘Weatherman Walking’. Suppose they’re all going to be after a BAFTA next!