November Handicap
A damp Bonfire Night saw a well reduced number of runners for this months 10k Handicap with only twenty-one runners out on the course. Twenty were running under a handicap time and one unhandicapped.
The problems of last month with no lighting on the course after the houses at Ambergate made for an adjustment to the route. The start was taken back to Wyver Lane and the turn round was the entrance to the now defunct RGN sports ground. This proved to be a little short with quicker times than most expected but you as a runner always know if you have ran well.
Regardless of all the problems there were still some excellent runs from our runners. Gemma Brady made it first back with a strong run and is making improvements rapidly at the moment. Ed James was the fastest of the night while there was first time runs for Helen Brunt, Andy Fenwick, Zak Naylor, Richard Mayne and Alan Mackay.
We are already working upon sorting a suitable, safe, accurate and well lit route for our December Handicap.
A very well done to all the runners who ran and hopefully will return along with many more members for the December Handicap. Once again thanks to those who helped on the night, particularly Geoff Stone at the turn round and Chris Jackson for the timekeeping and prompt return of the results. Finally thanks to Steve Meath for his hospitality at the Devonshire.
Thursday Training
Another change is taking place starting this Thursday November 7th. The venue will now be Goods Roads instead of the Whitemoor Centre for our Thursday training sessions. We will be giving this venue a try where it should be traffic free and quiet for our training. Goods Road is just beyond the Babbington Hospital on the right-hand side coming out of Belper towards Milford. Start time is 6.30 and finish is 7.30. Come along this Thursday and give it a try.
Club Championship
As many of you are aware this has been running since the beginning of April and we are now half-way through the year. Dave Horton who set-up the competition and agreed to co-ordinate it has not as yet received many times from members. So if you have times from various individual races let Dave have then asap.
BDL Cross-country
The second race takes place this Sunday November 10th at Chaddesden Park, Derby (11:02 start). After the excellent performance at Shipley Park another good turnout of runners would be welcome to keep the club up there among the top three or four.
England Cross-Country Relays
These took place last Saturday at Berry Hill Park Mansfield and seven of our members were in the two teams. The men’s team of Simon Edwards, Simon Hackett, Steve Meath and Tom Jackson represented the club in this tough race and produced some creditable performances. For the ladies Theresa Hempsall, Steph Ilsley and Gemma Brady all ran well and will no doubt enjoyed the experience. Well done to all seven runners for making the time to represent the club in this tough event.
Winter Specials
The first of these took place from Duffield in October and proved to be popular with both an off-road run and an on-road run. The second one is already arranged with Alan Billington sending out the information needed, approximately a week before the run.
Forthcoming Tuesdays
November 12th Belper Leisure Centre
November 19th Winter Special
November 26th Belper Leisure Centre
December 3rd Belper Leisure Centre
December 10th 10k Handicap
December 17th Belper Leisure Centre
Ilkeston Track
The next track session is on Thursday November 21st.
Malc