Roundhay Sports Fair - Thursday 5 June – 5:30pm-7:30pm

 

Valley Striders have two stands at the Sports and Active Lifestyles Fair at Roundhay School LS8 1ND this Thursday, one for running, the other for cycling.

 

We recruited several adult and junior running members at last year’s Sports Fair.

 

We will be doing several running taster sessions (10-15mins) during the Fair, for adults and juniors, led by Kathy and Richard.  It would be great if some of our existing members would come along and join in.

 

Email back if you need more info.

 

Yorkshire Vets Race at Leos - Tuesday 24 June

 

For the fifth year, we’re hosting the Yorkshire Vets League at Leos.  The race starts at 7:30pm and we need about 30 marshals, to meet at Leos at 6:50pm.

 

If you’re available to help, please email help@valleystriders.org.uk .  If we have sufficient marshals, then Valley Striders members will be able to run – if you’d like to run, please mention this in your email.   NB you need not be a vet (over-35) to run, if you are under-35, you can run in the race as a “guest”.

 

Football fans will have noticed this is the same evening as England vs Costa Rica.  We’ve been negotiating with Sepp Blatter and he has kindly and conveniently arranged the football match to start at 5pm (UK time).  Leo’s will be open from 4:30pm so you can come early, watch the football (will finish at 6:50), and then marshal (or run).

 

We also need people to set up the race route.  We’ll be starting at 5pm or 5:30pm (the more we get the later we can start).  We’d also like these people to take the marshals to their marshalling positions.  But they will be given first priority to run if they want.

 

And we also need marshals for the car park – two from 4:30pm, the rest from 6pm.  Again they will get first priority to run.

 

Please email help@valleystriders.org.uk .

 

Relays – Y Vets and BMW – last opportunities

 

Last opportunities to email put your name down for

·         Yorkshire Vets Road Relays - names required by Tuesday 10 June

·         Bradford Millennium Way Relay - names required by Friday 6 June

 

Saturday 21 June – Yorkshire Vets Road Relays

 

The race is at Roberts Park, Shipley and starts at 10:30a.m.  Teams as follows M35(4 per team), M40(4), M50(3), M60(3), M70(3), W35(3), W45(3), W55(3).  2.9 miles per leg.  £5 per person to enter.

 

Note that we can make up teams that cross age groups, e.g. if we had two M40’s and two M50’s they could be a M40 team.

 

So far we have a complete team for the M60 category, but only two other entries. 

 

Please email teams@valleystriders.org.uk by Tuesday 10 June if you’d like to run. Check your entry on www.valleystriders.org.uk/vsteams.htm

 

Sunday 29 June – Bradford Millennium Way Relay

 

Myra emailed “The Bradford Millennium Way Relay is on Sunday 29 June.  This is teams of 5 pairs, total 50 miles, all within Bradford City Council boundary, but nowhere near Bradford, details at http://johncarr5k.org.uk/site/bradford-millennium-way-relay/.  Route starts and finishes at Bingley Rugby Club, and goes via Marsh (near Oxenhope), Laycock, Silsden and Ilkley.”

 

So far we have 17 runners, so we just need 3 more to make 2 teams (otherwise 7 will be disappointed).  And we’ll need some reserves. 

 

Please email teams@valleystriders.org.uk by Friday 6 June if you’d like to run. Check your entry on www.valleystriders.org.uk/vsteams.htm

 

Training Calendar

 

Tuesday 10 June - Track training

 

·         6pm at Grammar School at Leeds for Kathy & Ken’s beginners/improvers group

·         6pm at Grammar School at Leeds for Richard’s juniors – we will need several adult helpers – please email juniors@valleystriders.org.uk !

·         7pm at Leeds Met for Holly’s intermediates and also the experienced runners group

·         More details, including maps, on the website

 

Tuesday 17 June – Normal training at Leos and Curry

 

See website homepage www.valleystriders.org.uk for details how to order

 

Valley Striders Summer TDF Party and BBQ – hosted by the Cycling Section - Friday 11 July

 

Dan Murray emailed

 

We are holding a summer party at Leos on Friday 11^th July 2014. It will be Tour De France themed and Tony is preparing a special ‘Le Tour BBQ’ which we can enjoy whilst watching all the action from that day’s Tour De France stage on the big screen. All are welcome with partners and kids, costs are £10 per adult and £5 per child. Please confirm your booking by no later than Saturday 5^th July confirming orders to mail@danmurray.co.uk and stating carnivore or vegetarian.

 

There will be games to play on the night so bring some sensible footwear. 

 

More info in next week’s V S Update, and also on the VS and VSCC facebook pages.

 

Race Calendar  (other races are available!)

 

Wednesday 4 June - Otley Chevin Fell Race

 

Saturday 7/14/21/28 June – Leeds (Hyde Park) parkrun – earn points in Leeds Race Series and Leeds Junior Race Series – all Leeds (Hyde Park) parkruns in June count towards Series, best time to count (see www.leedsathletics.net )

 

Wednesday 11 June - Otley 10 – this is a VSGP race, also in Leeds Race Series

 

Wednesday 18 June – Bramhope Ramble, the second in the summer series of Country Trail Races http://www.countrytrailraces.co.uk/  and  www.racebest.com

 

Saturday 21 June – Yorkshire Vets Relays see above

 

Sunday 22 June – Pudsey 10k and junior race – these are VSGP and VS Junior Grand Prix Races, also in Leeds Race Series and Leeds Junior Race Series.  Details at www.racebest.com  

 

Saturday 28 June – Leeds 5k Track Races - at Leeds Met See  www.evensplits.co.uk and and  www.racebest.com

 

Sunday 29 June – Bradford Millennium Way Relay see above

 

Sunday 29 June – Settle Hills Race VSFC

 

Tuesday 1 July – Danefield Relay on Otley Chevin, see http://www.fellandale.com/index.php/danefield-relay  for details

 

Tuesday 1 July – Jane Tomlinson 5k Canal Race at Methley  also junior race. Details at www.ukresults.net

 

Wednesday 9 July – Hyde Park Mile Races – VSGP & LRS www.racebest.com no entries on the day

 

Wednesday 9 July – Hyde Park Half Mile Race (for Juniors) – VSJGP & LJRS www.racebest.com no entries on the day

 

Friday 11 July – Post Hill race – LRS www.racebest.com

 

Sunday 13 July – Eccup 10 and junior races – VSGP, VSJGP, LRS and LJRS www.racebest.com

 

Leeds Country Way Relay - Sunday 31 August

 

Please keep this date free, more details in the next V S Update

 

England Athletics Membership Cards

 

I’ve just received my England Athletics 2014-5 membership card through the post – have you?

 

You should have received one if you are registered first claim with Valley Striders.

 

You won’t have received one if you

·         Joined after 14 April … but we have just sent off another payment so you should receive yours by the end of June

·         Paid your VS subs after 14 April … ditto

·         Are a cycling-only member

·         Are a junior (under 18) – but if you are competing in 5k races (other than parkrun) in 10ks or half marathons, we do need to register you – please contact tom@valleystriders.org.uk  

·         Are a first claim member of another club – but if you haven’t received one for your first claim club then get on to your membership secretary because they should have paid for you by now

·         Are a volunteer member for VS

·         Have moved address recently and not notified us

 

For any queries, please contact tom@valleystriders.org.uk  

 

Hooded Tops

 

Orders now being taken – DEADLINE Sunday 22^nd June 2014

 

Message from Mr Kit – Hooded top orders now being taken for adults and kids. The options / costs are:

·         Adult Black Hoody (no zip) - £20

·         Adult Black or Grey Hoody (full zip) – £24.50

·         Kids Black Hoody (no zip) – £15

·         Kids Black or Grey Hoody (full zip) - £19

 

Each hoody comes as either male or female and will have ‘Valley Striders Leeds’ on the back (heat applied) and the same on the chest only smaller and embroidered. The price also includes for your name or initials to be embroidered on the chest so you don’t get it mixed up with other Striders. If someone doesn’t want their name adding, a slight saving to the prices above can be offered.

 

Sizing info can be found using the links below:

·         Full zip hoody: (black or grey): http://www.sg-clothing.com/index.php/collection/11/29

·         Pullover hoody: (black): http://www.sg-clothing.com/index.php/collection/11/28

 

You could always try on a fellow Striders top too but make sure they have an SG hoody not one of the old versions.

 

Can I please request orders by no later than Sunday 22^nd June 2014 to kit@valleystriders.org.uk

 

Results

 

Valley Striders have travelled some miles in the last week.  In descending order of distance travelled(!):

 

Sierra Leone marathon

 

Lots of Facebook posts and Twitter tweets at end of last week - James Tarran has just come back from Sierra Leone where he ran a marathon and finished first European.

 

Read this first to see why James was going  http://runforyourmoneyblog.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/sierra-leone-bound/

 

And here’s James’ blog of his visit and the race which also has some great photos http://runforyourmoneyblog.wordpress.com/2014/05/28/the-2014-street-child-sierra-leone-marathon/

 

ITU World Duathlon in Spain – from Howard Jeffrey

 

I went to Spain over the weekend to do the ITU World Duathlon championships in Pontevedra. Lined up physically and mentally in pretty good order. Congested start (at 8.35a.m., so cool) helped me ease into the first 5 K which was undulating round the old town with some tight turns. 21.05m got me to the transition and sharply onto the bike leg. Slight technical hitch at the first turn when the handle bars turned but the wheel went straight on! Re-assembly of the bike in the hot room then it standing in the cool morning air just left the clamp a bit loose. Overcame the worst of the problem by leaning into the bends. The bike course went straight uphill for 9K then straight back down with a couple of level bits. I stopped on the hill to straighten the bars but moving them just made it looser. Apart from ‘crabbing’ up the hill a bit I got to the top and made the turn. Hitting speeds of 60+ KpH on the downhill was a bit unnerving and although leaning to steer worked in the main I had to hit the brakes a few times and because I was ‘reaching sideways to hold the bars’ couldn’t get into the aero position so was losing time. There was a lumpy section of concrete at the bottom of the hill where it was like the Pink Panther cartoon ‘overtaking the front wheel’! I got to end of the ride and managed a 10.45 2.5K run. That got me to 15/24 in the age category in 1.15.34 which was within 7 minutes of the winner (as opposed to 10 last year). I reckon the problem with the bike cost me 3 minutes and a top 10 finish but all good experience for the next major (Euro sprint tri in Austria) in a fortnight.

 

Edinburgh Marathon -  a late result

 

Joe Steele - Chip Time: 03:19:54;  Overall finish position: 624 of 8624

Joe emailed “It was my first marathon, and quite the learning experience!”

 

I said in last week’s VSU that Edinburgh had only made results available to individuals.  There has been a change of policy, and all results have now been published online!

 

VS Ladies Spring Tour to Lake District (report from Holly)

 

The morning started well, with the hog roast truck just making it into the over grown parking field, we then popped up the VS tent (up is evidently easier than down!) and registered. The event was really well organised, with plenty of helpers to give out race numbers and room to make camp. After a short warm up Holly and Hannah got on their way, the weather was perfect - overcast yet dry. The route was brutally hilly and rocky underfoot, with the notorious 'sting in the tail'/ thigh shakingly steep ascent in the last 1k before the finish.

 

Holly came in first lady to an audience of VS ladies with two fingers bandaged together and Hannah came in a short while after. While they enjoyed a pint of the local stout from the brewery next door the other 8 women tackled the 17k version of the trail race. Under similar footing conditions but with limited water and jelly baby supplies, moral was wearing thin for some approaching the gladiator dressed Marshall's at the last ascent.

 

Julie McGurk was the first VS home, with Liz Reddington hot on her tail.

 

Everyone had a smile on their face at the finish and Liz Guthrie said she "...actually really enjoyed it!". We all enjoyed the music and ice creams at the end and would well recommend the race series.

 

Bob says : lots of pictures (most from Hannah, I think) on the VS website, just click on the “Photos” link on the top bar of www.valleystriders.org.uk , then click “April-June 2014”

 

10k Results

Race pos                       Gender Pos

    9 Holly Williams     58:59     1

  192 Hannah Stoneman  1:30:42    99

                                 168 finished

 

17k Results

   94 Julie McGurk     1:50:28    18

   99 Liz Reddington   1:50:44    21

  208 Sarah Howell     2:03:08    58

  225 Liz Guthrie      2:04:45    66

  324 Eileen Mitchell  2:16:49  

  333 Becky Bibby      2:18:17   131

  341 Sue Carr         2:18:34   138

  380 Elaine Craiggs   2:28:05   167

  401 Becky Murray     2:32:09   182

                                 204 finished

 

Outlaw half-ironman triathlon

 

John Bucktrout posted a picture on Facebook saying “Me powering (deliriously) down the finishing lane of the Outlaw Half after the most enjoyable, horrible, painful, exhausting, awesome 6hrs and 33minutes of my life. Some really fit guys n gals there, only came 19/25 in my age group. How anyone can do a full ironman is beyond me. Chapeaux to Liz Wood, Steve Wilkins, Richard Adcock and any other Valley Striders IM's”

 

The picture is now on the V S website homepage

 

Humber Bridge 10k

 

    4 Andy May         35:27 1^st Vet

   70 Adam Parton      44:11 

   71 Callum Parton    44:18

 

Osmotherley Trail Marathon

 

   35 Richard Adcock   5:05:59    

  146 finishers

 

Maypole Meander at Barwick-in-Elmet

 

    2 Gary Mann        0:47:01

   29 Richard Clough   1:15:12

    = Elaine Craiggs

    = Becky Murray

   40 Julie McGurk     1:29:02

    = Sarah Howell

   46 ran

 

Stuart StJohn on TV

 

Stuart was the original founder of Valley Striders in 1982.

 

It wasn’t me who was watching “Antiques Road Trip” on Monday afternoon but I received a text about it.

 

If you have 5 minutes to spare PLEASE watch :

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0465dcp/antiques-road-trip-series-8-episode-21  (starting from 8mins 25seconds)

 

Stuart is head guide at Drumlanrig Castle, but if you watch the program, you wonder who is the interviewer and who the interviewee, it was this enthusiasm that built Valley Striders to such a successful club in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

 

Stuart wrote some articles about the early history of Valley Striders – click http://valleystriders.org.uk/vslife.htm .

 

And if you enjoy this, also read http://valleystriders.org.uk/vsnl0209.htm#HerbElliot and http://valleystriders.org.uk/vsnl0206.htm#Saint .  All in the “History” section of the website.