Leicester Half and Full Marathon 2012
(Lorna Muskett) Despite the near freezing conditions 10 members took part in the Leicester Half Marathon this morning. At the start, the temperatures were barely above zero, however by the end of the race it was a glorious sunny Autumn morning.
Tom had a great run finishing 1st F&K runner and 58th overall in a time of 1:30:24 (chip time 1:28:27). This was well inside his goal time . I was next home in 1:43:04 (1:40: 58 chip), it wasn't my best time but the race did seem to cure my tonsilitus. Claire and Stacey finished together in 1:47:26 (chip 1:45:29). Stacey was taking it relatively easy before his knee operation next week - I am sure all of the club wishes him the best and hope he recovers quickly.
Unfortunately, Vince couldn't quite maintain his normally very consistent pace of 8 minute miles for the entire race, however he still did very well finishing in 1:50:20 (1:47:42). Luke was next to finish in 1:52:33 (chip 1:49:55) followed by Alan in 2:01:19 (chip 1:58:31). Not only did Alan break the 2 hour mark, but he also raised over £500 for charity. Dressed in Beautiful fancy dress Lucie and Aileen finished 2:12:22 (2:07:18). Jo finished in an impressive 2:45:45 (2:40:06). I believe this is ~20 minutes quicker than her previous PB - well done Jo. In addition, well done to a former member Terry Challoner who finished in 1:39:53 (1:37:53).
In the full marathon Noel finished 18th (5th Vet 40) in a very impressive 2:59:44 (2:58:10 chip). This is just outside the club record he set in 2009. As someone who was knackered after 13.1 miles, I can't imagine how tough running 26.2 miles was - well done Noel, that really is a great achievement.
I would also like to say a big thanks to Andy Kemp who marshalled in Abbey Park (if it wasn't for volunteers like Andy these events wouldn't take place), as well as John who took photos and put the flag up for us to meet up at at the start and finish. And of course all the supporters round the course.
L.R.R.L Kibworth 6 2012
(Lorna Muskett) There is no doubt that the Kibworth 6 is one of the hardest and one of the most enjoyable of the LRRL races. Both Saddington Hill and Gumley Hill are real killers. For non-elite runners like myself it is quicker to walk Gumley Hill than run it. However, these two challenges are more than made up for by the picturesque mile past the reservoir and on to the bottom of Gumley Hill and the long down hill from Gumley back toward Smeeton. Add that to the beautiful weather today and the great support from Lucie, Aileen, Terry, Fraser and others (not to mention Aileen's wonderful cake), and I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning.
There was a great turn out for the club today. As in previous races this season the real battle of the race was between Jamie Strange and Duncan, with Jamie again being the first F&K member home in a time of 35:37 (21st). Duncan finished one place behind (22nd) in a time of 35:56. Next home was Josh (50th) in 38:27, who finished literally seconds ahead of top Under 20 runner Jack Williams (51st, 38:29). Just over a minute behind, in just his second race for the club was Richard Johnson (66, 39:40). Next home was Mike Turner (96, 41:45) who finished just ahead of a rejuvenated Dave Wheeler, who ran far better than at Markfield two weeks ago (99, 42:01). John Redfearn was the eighth runner home (191, 46:52), followed by Vince Brown (225, 48:38), Luke St Clair (238, 49:16)and Jon Stone (259, 51:04), who I am sure was pleased to beat wife Lisa. Next was new member Mark Evans (261, 51:16). It was good to see Rich Young (343, 60:11) back racing, he ran well to finish just ahead of Andy Bailey (344, 60:25). Roy Myring was the final runner home in 349th (62:05). However not content with running 6 miles Roy went on to run a second 6 miles later that day at the Sport Relief Mile!
In the Women's race I led the way home in 43:31 (14th woman), followed closely by Kate Dormer (15, 44:40). Next home was Bernie is 46th (49:36) and Lisa Stone, who despite her lack of recent training ran a respectable time of 52:46 (61).
L.R.R.L Markfield 10k 2012
(Dave Wheeler) It felt good to be racing in beautiful spring like conditions in today's Markfield 10K a perfect spring day.
Congratulations to Bernie who kept the flag flying for the ladies without her participation there would have been no representation for the fairer sex and well done to her for a fine run giving her 38th place in 48:28 for the ladies section.
There were also a number of outstanding performances in the men's section but sadly with only 7 men going to the line we once again posted a no result for failing to field a full complement of eight to score and so sad to report both men and ladies will continue to fill the relegation places in their respective divisions.
But this should not detract from the excellence of various performances on the day. A special well done to Jamie who is starting to get back to his very best and is turning out for the club consistently as he continues to prepare for next month’s London Marathon and he franked this by posting his best LRRL result this year in 21st place and a time of 36.29. Duncan ran in line with his recent good form to finish 30th in 37:18. Josh was our third finisher in 39;44 for 71st place which was a good step up from his result in the Desford 10K and he was hotly pursued by young 16 year old Jack Williams who ran an heroic 39.30 for 73rd place. I say heroic as Jack only received a call up on Friday to represent Leicestershire in Saturday's Inter Counties Cross Country Championships in Birmingham. To then run half of that race with only one shoe and then turn out for us was a great gesture and very uplifting to share amongst us. Following behind Josh and Jack was a very fine debut from Richard Johnson who returned 41;24 in 102st place and from the evidence we have seen we know that there will be plenty of improvement to come. There was then a considerable gap to myself in 159th place and a time of 44:14. Closing out result was Andy in 300th spot and a time of 62:37.
There were some heart warming performances here, i have already mentioned Jack's effort but let us again salute Andy's commitment which must be around a 100 mile round trip for each LRRL race he competes in and he is at 100% for the season. We should also again stop to applaud Jamie's superb result today which he has managed whilst training for the London Marathon. Let us salute these three clubmates in particular and draw inspiration from them as we approach the final winter league fixture on our home patch - The Kibworth 6 a fortnight today - Sunday 25 March
L.R.R.L Desford 10k 2012
(Dave Wheeler) On a busy weekend of racing for Fleckney and Kibworth Athletics Club the third chapter of the Leicester Road Running League, The Ashby 5 Miles, provided the centepiece attraction. This popular race with its fast and mainly downhill finish attracted its usual large turnout and was hotly contested at all levels. As before in the previous race Duncan Campbell and Jamie Strange ran in virtual parallel but with a change in fortunes on this occasion as outstanding Vet 45-49 Campbell recorded his first ever leading finish for the club dipping below 29 minutes in a terrific time of 28:57 for 26th place and hotly pursued by Strange who also recorded his best finish of the season with his 28:59 gaining him 27th place. With a number of leading male athletes training for long distance races there was then a significant gap before Dave Wheeler placed third for the club and 158th on the day crossin the line in 33:47. Further down the field but all battlling hard and true to the tape were John Redfearn who upon his seasonal debut should be pleased with his time of 37:26 to place 252nd followed by Luke St Clair taking a break from his ongoing half marathon expliots to record 324th place in 39:13 and then followed by seasoned campaigners Jon Stone 349th in 40:10 and Andy Bailey 467th in 48:84.
In the women's section again a lack of appettite for league action was to the fore with only Bernadette Owen and Lisa Stone making the trip to North West Leicestershire although both performed with their customary gusto. Owen placed 45th in 38:37 whilst Stone was home in 39:32 to cross the line in 67th place.
Derby XC Runner League - Ullesthorpe 2012
(Dave Wheeler) Today i took part in the final cross country league race of the season which was held at a new venue at Manor Farm Ullesthorpe hosted by Hinckley Running Club. It really was a excellent test of approx 5.5 miles of a one lap course which was really demanding and undulating in parts and including two brook crossings the first of which was a literally up to your knees affair and quite difficult to scramble out of! There was also a very hard uphill finish which made of a very interesting race and it's a real shame that more club mates come not come along given the relatively local nature of the event. I ran a tentative 43:47 to finish 121st as i was nursing a suspect ankle and blistered feet and i guess in a sense i was relived to see the XC season over without mishap!
L.R.R.L Desford 10k 2012
(Lorna Muskett) Today 12 members braved the cold and took part in the Desford 10km. There was a change of venue this year with the race starting and finishing in Market Bosworth. Unfortunately this venue was not really designed for the large number of runners, and our club was relegated to meeting in a Shed at the back of the Rugby Club! However, the course was quite enjoyable if a little tough. The first half was very quick being predominantly downhill. The second half was inevitably a lot harder with one long and one short uphill (although I am sure there was more downhill than uphill!).
The highlight of the race was Jamie and Duncan racing each other right to the line, with Jamie just winning, and thereby finishing 30th in a time of 36:34. I am sure Duncan was pleased with his time of 36:35 (31st), which was a massive PB - well done Duncan. Next home was Stacey in 37:54 (59th) followed by Josh in 40:21 (103rd), Mike in 42:10 (151st), Luke in 48:02 (254th), Willem in 49:28 (277th), Jon Stone in 52:07 (297th) and Andy Bailey (who as usual was invaluable by getting to the race early and helping organise everyone) finished in a time of 63:15 (328th).
In the Women's race I was the first home in a time of 44:11 (18th), followed closely by Claire in 46:25 (30th) and Bernie 47:54 (46th). Unfortunately for the second race running we were unable to field a full Women's team.
L.R.R.L Barrow 2012
(Dave Wheeler) In the women's section there was some degree of disappointment as for the first time in five years we failed to field a scoring team of four and it was left to the plucky and willing trio of Helen Newberry, Bernadette Owen and Lisa Stone to represent the club. Newberry is in a rich vein of form and in this her third season she showed that her current training regime for April's London Marathon is not hindering her progression as she posted an excellent finish of 17th in a time of 42:45. Bernadette Owen continues to reel off consistent results year after year and was again consistency personified as she returned 45:34 and seal 41st place. Making her seasonal debut after a long break from racing Lisa Stone closed the women's result out with 59th place, a finish time of 47:06.
In the men's race there were once again a large number of notable absentees due to injury and various commitments. First home was Jamie Strange who can be pleased to record 44th place in 35:05 after a recent injury lay off and he will looking to upgrade this as he get more quality training under his belt. There was then a nip and tuck effort by Duncan Campbell and Noel Houlihan wo raced the majority of the race together with Campbell prevailing in 36:23 for 64th place with Houlihan finishing in close order, his 74th spot achieved in 36:50. Fellow Masters runners Mike Turner and Dave Wheeler battled up Capstick Hill together with Turner 147th in 40:26 and Wheeler 152nd in 40:43.
There was a excellent performance by the clubs next finisher Luke St Clair who only made his league debut in the final event of the 2011 season and has started his first full year of racing by taking the 6th scoring place for the club when he crossed the line in 45:20 for 262nd place. With vital league points still to be gained every club mate was cheered in as Willem Veldhuzen, Jon Stone and Andy Bailey rounded off the day's results all with battling efforts. Veldhuzen- 313rd in 47:59 was narrowly ahead of Stone - 320th in 48:18 but there was much celebration for the reliable Masters 55 Bailey who shattered his personal best for the distance in a time of 56:00 for 372nd spot.
Derby XC Runner League - Grace Dieu 2012
(Lorna Muskett) This morning a small group of intrepid F&K members braved the cold weather to take part in the Grace Dieu XC race. As you can imagine the two stream crossings were particularly chilly! This has got to be one of the most challenging short (i.e. less than 10 miles) races that we do - that said it is also one of the most interesting/enjoyable. After a gentle start round some hilly fields you follow a track through the woods that seems to go up and up (approx 100m of climbing) with a number of short steep craggy hills. Then it is flat out down hill back through the woods for a mile or more (the only problem is the tree roots, mud and rocks). The finishing mile round some more hilly fields is tough with the final short climb to the finish being a real killer - it was great fun!
Jack Williams led the way home finishing 42nd (and that was without eating any breakfast!), Dave was 192nd. He would of finished far higher up but unfortunately twisted his ankle over twice (the starter did announce at the start that 'this course is dangerous!'). I was first home for the ladies in 13th place (spurred on up the last hill by Ian telling me there was a woman just behind me - I didn't have time to check whether he was telling the truth or not), while Lucie finished well in 57th.
County XC Championships 2012
(Lorna Muskett) Yesterday was the Leicestershire and Rutland Cross Country Championships. Unfortunately there weren't any team medals this year (we didn't have enough runners in any age group to qualify) but there were some strong individual performances. The results are particularly impressive given the number of top quality athletes who take part in this event. The multiple lap course was pretty fast. There was a nice down hill start followed by a muddy stream to splash through, unfortunately after that there was a long uphill, before a mile or so of undulating grassy fields.
The Senior/Masters (over 35)/U20 women ran 6km. Lorna led the way home in 16th (8th Sen) in 27:59, followed by Kate who was 23rd in 29:58 (10th Masters), Helen who was 24th (9th sen) in 30:06 and Bernie who was 34th (18th Masters) in 33:15. The Mens Masters/Seniors/U20 race was over a distance of 10km. Alex Prettyman had a great run leading the men home in 49th place (26th senior) in a time of 46:24, closely followed by Josh who was 51st (28th senior) in 46:36. Dave Wheeler was 79th (37th Masters) in 50:58 and Jamie Davies 98th (52nd Masters) in 57:36. We also had some good results in the Junior age groups with Charlotte Mathers finishing 13th in the U13 girls (15:47) and Luke Mathers finishing 15th in the U17 Men in 25:26. I should also like to mention a few former members/2nd claim runners who had really good races: Jack Williams (representing Robert Smyth) was 6th in the U17 men, while Chris Parkes Bowen (representing Wreake) was 11th. While in the Masters/Senior/U20 Mens race Jamie Short (representing Leicester Coritanians) was 24th (4th U20) and Michael Burke (Harborough) was 63rd. A big well done to everyone who raced.
Derby XC Runner League - Allestree 2011
(Lorna Muskett) The course description might have said that there was one hill on each of the two laps, what they didn't say was that the hill was about one and a half miles long- there were a few flat and downhill bits to give you a breather - but it was hard work! This was a great XC course (about 6 miles long) along muddy tracks through the woods, the second half of each lap was pretty fast being predominatly down hill, however the long gentle hill up to the finish was a real killer! I was the only F&K representative at the race. I was quite pleased with my run and finished 11th. It would be nice to see a few more people at the next XC League race, and of course the County Championships at the beginning of January.
Derby XC Runner League – Foremark 2011
(Lorna Muskett) Despite the fog and the hills I thought todays Foremark XC race was really enjoyable, and it was the first XC race of the season where there was mud! Its a tough little 2 lap course with 2 big hills, one of which was really slippery (even if you walked it like me) and then a fast section on a bridle path to finish. As usual Karl led the men home finishing tenth, followed by Josh (41st), Jack (47th) Stacey (54th) and Dave (160th). In the Women's race I was 15th followed very closely by Claire (24th), Jody (30th) and Bernie (47th). It was really good to see Jody back racing for us.
Six of the best do county proud
and Kibworth girls race to relay glory
The long cross country season reached its crescendo for members of Fleckney & Kibworth Athletics club with double success in two notable events. Six months of sound planning which commenced with the club's boys squad capturing the Midlands relay championships at Melton Mowbray in October came to a head in The Inter Counties cross country championships held at Birmingham's Cofton Park whilst nearer to home and ending where it all began in Melton Mowbray the county schools cross country relays was another key event.
The Inter Counties brings together the very best athletes from all four corners of The United Kingdom with squads from the likes of Scotland and Cornwall amongst the front runners and marks the final domestic "heavyweight" clash of the 2010/11 season. With the cream of Leicestershire & Rutland athletes to select their teams from the county managers did Fleckney & Kibworth a huge honour in selecting six of the clubs athletes to appear on the grand stage more than any other county club outside the illustrious and nationally renowned Leicester Coritanians and Charnwood AC. The fabulous six were under 13 Bryn Williams, his brother Jack and Luke Mathers took Under 15 boys slots whilst Jamie Short and Chris Parkes Bowen, much on the strength of their thrilling personal duel in January's county championships, took their places in the Under 17 men's race. Making up the representation was the club's only senior athlete in the form of ladies captain Lorna Waters.
In the Under 13 boys Bryn Williams had little time for nerves as he had received the call literally at the eleventh hour on Friday evening. An unfortunate consequence of this was the realisation that his specialist cross country spikes at school and thus he was obliged to tackle the mixed terrain with less suitable footwear. In the event he produced a very good effort to place in the top half of the field in 176th place in a time of 12:03 for 3 kilometres to anchor the powerful Leicestershire squad. Equally impressive in the Under 15 boys was elder brother Jack who took his expected slot in the pecking order having been allocated the fourth spot in the starting pen. Also giving a good account of himself was the rapidly improving Luke Mathers in 261st place clocking 18:07.
As the programme reached its climax the Under 17 men's event saw Jamie Short turn the tables on a couple of team mates who had got the better of him in the county championships and he was rewarded with the fourth Leicestershire slot off a six placed pen start to finished a creditable 220th and a time of 22:17 in a very competitive field. Joining him on this test was Chris Parkes Bowen who can be pleased with 253rd place which saw him over the line in 22:46. Reflecting the notable ability of the Fleckney & Kibworth area to breed outstanding talent it is also worth recording two other young men from the local villages Stefan Ashman and Jonathan Monk, school contempories of the Fleckney & Kibworth boys and members of Leicester Coritanians. This outstanding statistic meant the two villages alone supplied half of the county squad in this age group category.
Lorna Waters was another late call in the squad overcoming the handicap of having to miss the important qualifying criteria of the county championships with a heavy cold. Now restored to something approaching her best Waters posted a time of 37:16 to place 242nd in the senior women's event.
Meanwhile back in Leicestershire three members of the clubs "hard school" Saturday morning training group supplied three quarters of the Kibworth High School Year 7 girls squad that blasted away all opposition to secure victory in this year Leicestershire & Rutland Schools cross country relay championships. Club regulars Grace Grimmett, Lottie Mathers and reigning girl athlete of the year Elise Tear were joined by school mate Jess Seaton to successfully see of the challenge of a clutch of schools with a long cross country tradition in the form of Manor High School, Loughborough Grammar School and De Lisle School.
Head coach Dave Wheeler reflecting on a highly satisfactory weekend commented "These season ending results endorse the success of our "Club XC" group that we launched back in September and set all our youngsters from school year 7 a challenging circuit around the Saddington and Gumley ridge paths. In the early weeks many in the group were needing to take regular pauses to recover but as was always envisaged we worked these out of the system as the young athletes became progressively stronger and we have arrived at the business end of the season with an elite core who are now regularly acquiring honours with each carefully targeted event that they compete in"
Away from the off road exploits regular training partners Lucie Butwell and Aileen Collins were looking for more secure footing on terra firma as they took on the of the London Half Marathon held at its usual venue the Silverstone racing circuit. In sunny conditions Butwell shattered her personal best for the distance with a time of 1:46:34 and Collins also managed to dip below the key two hour barrier with some comfort in 1:55:31
Kat Takes The Cream as club consolidates fine start to league season
LRRL Desford 10K 27 February 2010
Rapidly improving Fleckney & Kibworth Athletics club star Kat Lovelock turned in the performance of the day as the club's women and men both consolidated their fine start to the 2011 road season. Lovelock who made her competitive league debut just over twelve months is clearly predisposed to the sport and with her best finish to date of 14th in a time of 42:54 just got the better of recently appointed ladies captain Lorna Waters who was celebrating confirmation of her call up to the Leicestershire & Rutland team for next weekends Inter Counties cross country championships at Birmingham's Cofton Park. Waters was just edged out by Lovelock but nevertheless can be very pleased with 15th spot in 43:07. Third finisher for the club was Vet 40 triathlete Rachael Campbell who admitted to not being at her best with a lingering cold but battled resolutely to 29th place and stopped the clock in 44:57. Outstanding Vet 55 runner Bernadette Owen has recently moved into this age category and her time of 46:18 for 37th place will improve her chances of pulling off a third consecutive age group title. Making up the ladies results were league debutants Julia Fox and Rachel McQuaid who responded positively to the clubs urging for more members to embrace the racing environment and both were highly satisfied with crossing the line virtually together in 68th and 69th places although their finishing times still await confirmation.
In the men's section after three consecutive runner up spots in the club's own race pecking order Karl Beardall broke his duck to lead the club home with a 25th place finish and a fine time of 35:46. The bragging rights for this accolade will be right back on the line at the next league race - due to hosted by the Fleckney & Kibworth club - The Kibworth 6 in three weeks time when previous number one finishers Adam Taylor and up and coming star Jamie Short both return to the line up. Jamie Strange was next home showing good consistency across all the league races to date and his time of 36:36 was good enough to secure 35th spot. In close order Noel Houlihan closed out his best finish of the campaign to date in 38th place stopping the clock on 36:39 despite a 20 mile outing the day before as he appraoches maximum mileage on his build up to April's London Marathon where he will be hoping to improve his own and the club record for the classic distance. Following Houlihan was training partner Steve Hollingsworth in a time of 37:05 to bolt down 47th place and close on his tail the improving Josh Smalley reproduced his previous finishing place of 51st in the recent Markfield 10K on this occasion in a time of 37:11. The club's sixth counter was yet another product of the their youth development policy in the shape of 15 year old Jack Williams and with this being his road race debut and an appearance, like Lorna Waters, in next weekends Inter Counties cross country championship's in the offing a measured race strategy including being paced through the opening kilometres by clubmate Sergio Gisbert before taking wing in the closing stages was rewarded with a highly satisfactory 77th place and the suggestion that there will be far more to come in the next couple of seasons as he adjusts to the longer distances in the road running calendar. The aforementioned Gisbert his guide work done plugged away successfully to dip just inside the first hundred finishers to place 99th in 39:33. Securing the all important eight scoring place was a very selfless run by Michael Burke who had previously mailed in as an injury absentee 48 hours earlier but perming a Lazarus like appearance to be rewarded with 121st place.
With the requisite league points secured there was some strong support from the clubs "senior service" as a band of hardy Vet 40, 50 and 60 age category men battled through the elements to take the tape in the following order:- Dave Wheeler 148th 41:54, Terry Challoner 156th 42:15, Mike Turner 234th, Vince Brown 257th 48:40, Jon Stone 285th 51:54, Rich Young 308th 58:36 and Andy Bailey 315th 59:33.
The club are also reflecting upon more recognition in UK Athletics Inter Counties call up's as in addition to the aforementioned Lorna Waters and Jack Williams both Jamie Short and Chris Parkes Bowen will be wearing the black and gold vests of their home county and with this event due to be televised on Sky Sports club mates will be keeping a beady eye on their TV sets next weekend for glimpses of the intrepid quartet."
