Newsletters March 2023
By Ann Ellmers on Apr 27, 2023
Hi everyone.
Well, this is my last newsletter before the AGM and stepping down as Club Chairman.
It’s been an awesome 7 years and being Chair of the club that my Dad helped to set up way back in 1987 has been a privilege and a pleasure. I would like to thank the past and present committees that I have shared the experience with me, and of course Karen for her support. Please give the future committee your full support and consider joining them at some time in the future. This is a fantastic
club and long may it continue to be so.
Thank you and see you around! Hopefully at the AGM – next Thursday, come along for a drink and a chat, set you up nicely for the Easter break!
Sam.
New Senior Members
Joining us this month are:
Emma Whyte - welcome to the club!
Scotty Barker - welcome back.
AGM - 6th April 2023
The Riverside Runners AGM will be held on Thursday 6th April 2023 in the Rowing Club at 7:45pm.
The agenda is available on our website. At the AGM your committee will be appointed and the 2023 club charity voted for. We’ll keep the formalities brief and we'll stay on for drinks and a chat afterwards so it should be a nice social evening. The bar will be open (card payment only) and
changing facilities are available. Please do make every effort to attend.
Club Charity 2023
Each year club members select a charity for the club to support and over the years we have made significant donations to many local and national charities. In fact, we have just made a donation of £2000 to our 2022 charity, Magpas air ambulance.
Nominations so far are:
Woodgreen Pets Charity (nominated by Karen Roper)
Children with Cancer UK (Adam Harris)
Little Paxton Pre-School (James Shiner)
The Friendship Club (Janice Barnes)
Little Miracles (Ann Ellmers)
St Neots Foodbank (Sam Byers)
The vote will be made at the AGM.
Beginners Course
We’ve had good interest in the beginners course but please continue to spread the word, there are still places available.
Starting on Monday 24th April, the day after the London Marathon, our course will get complete beginners running up to 5K within 10 weeks.
This course has been very successful in the past with several members having joined the club following completion of the course. If you know anyone who would be interested please ask them to contact Ann. It’s also traditional for members of the club to come along and support these potential new runners on their running journey. So please do come along for these Monday sessions to encourage them along and share our enthusiasm for running.
Frostbite Friendly League – Race 6
A warmish blustery day didn’t do enough to dry out the wet ground so there were some pretty soggy patches along the route at Jubilee Park. I did snigger at a couple of other club’s runners who lost shoes as they tried to avoid a puddle! It was a fun end to the Frostbite league.
Our junior scorers were Harry Pateman, Jake Johnson, Freya Plumb & Jack Hewitt. Unfortunately we were one girl short of a full team this week however the team still managed to finish in ninth place on the day and finished the series in ninth place overall. Congratulations to Jake Johnson and Esmae-Rose Judd who were the Riverside Junior Runners of the Series. Jake has gone from strength to strength over this series and had been an ever present, whilst Esmae-Rose has run well in her first Frostbite season. The senior scorers were Simon Ashton, Matthew Studd, Russ Hewitt, Hayley Bond, Fiona Brice, Sam Windebank, Michael Ball, Anthony Nethercott, Craig Losh & Rob Moir and the team finished in seventh place on the day. Unfortunately this wasn’t good enough to move up a place in the league table and we finished the series just out of the trophies in fourth place overall. Congratulations to Russ Hewitt and Ann Ellmers who were Riverside Senior Runners of the Series. Russ has had a cracking series, ever present and consistently scoring. Ann has also been an ever present and tirelessly encourages others to attend and supports our runners throughout. Thank you to everyone that turned out to run for the club over the Frostbite series, and to those that didn’t run but came and supported anyway. It is much appreciated. We hope you all had a good time at this local, accessible and free event and we look forward to it starting all over again on the 8th October at our very own Priory Park. Save the date and if you can’t run please do come along anyway to help marshal the race.
Yaxley Runners & Joggers annual invite night
Our friends at Yaxley have once again invited us to their annual run and social evening on Thur 11th May 2023. The invitation is extended to the majority of GPAN & Frostbite clubs. Starting at 7pm from The Farmers, Yaxley, PE7 3NT there will be a 6-mile run, mainly traffic-free taking in Hampton Waters. Club kit is encouraged. Afterwards there will be a social function and raffle (in aid of Young People’s Counselling Service) post-run in The Green Room. Food and drink available to purchase. Please order food before the run. https://www.thefarmersyaxley.co.uk/
Senior Handicap
Craig Losh is smashing it at the moment with maximum points for the third month in a row. There is a long way to go though and there are still loads of points to be won. It’s all about your improvement not how fast you are compared to others and Russ Hewitt, Joanne Carrington and Hayley Bond are not too far behind. The 4.4 mile route starts and finishes in Priory Park near Rowley Road. You can run it at a time convenient to you, once a month, during the allotted dates. It’s suitable for all members regardless of pace or ability. Simply download the app and run the handicap route each month, Maurice will work his magic and publish the results. It's a great way to track your improvement and to encourage a little friendly competition. Your first run will set your time then you have the rest of the year to make improvements.
If you’ve not taken part before do check out the details on the website and get involved. The Handicap is open to all club members, it's free and there’s a much coveted trophy to be won! It is also a great motivator to get out, run and improve. Full details and instructions, including the route map and results, are on the website: https://riverside-runners.com/racing/senior-handicap.html The next event is 10th - 16th April
Race round up – March
March began with a great weekend of running. We had loads of members at the Cambridge Half, one of our Long Distance Championship half marathon options, and way down west we had members take part in the challenging Grizzly run. It was great to see a large turnout of Riversiders at the Cambridge Half, with 30 members running and several others pacing or marshalling. There was no shortage of PBs and other excellent performances: Simon Ashton 01:15:15 PB, Adam Harris 01:18:34 PB, Russ Hewitt 01:19:22 PB, Michael Ball 01:20:23, Matthew Studd 01:23:44 PB, Martin Green 01:27:38, Rob Moir 01:28:55, Rob Tuffnell 01:39:36 PB, Richie Moore 01:39:57, Lee Radley 01:39:57, David Irwin 01:40:30, Sam Byers 01:40:55 PB, Kat Miles 01:42:32, Amanda Peacock 01:48:25 PB, Maurice Hemingway 01:49:12, Nathalie Williams 01:58:46, Jo Bettles 02:06:29, Stephanie Williams 02:07:16 and Judy Moore 02:17:44
Congratulations to Craig Losh who ditched his plans to run the Grizzly and ran his first sub 1:30 half marathon at the London Half Marathon in a PB time of 01:29:34.
Down in Devon we had 24 Riversiders taking part in the Grizzly event, a very popular and challenging multi-terrain race traversing hills, pebble beaches, estuaries, cliff paths and steps, fields, bogs and ditches. The main Grizzly race is 20 miles and the Cub run 9 miles. It’s a fantastic event, with superb support all the way round - well worth doing and incorporating a nice weekend break. On race day the weather was cool but thankfully the previous days wind had dropped so conditions were pretty good. The organisers have indicated we may be offered more entries next year so keep the date free and look out for an announcement later in the year.
The following week Nathalie Williams ran the Burghley 7 in a time of 01:03:30 and Maurice Hemingway ran the Cambridge Boundary Half in 01:58:31. Whilst at the MK Running Festival Adam Harris ran the 20 miles event in 02:15:28 and Sam Byers got a PB of 02:57:41.
The 20 mile races are popular this month with it being marathon training season and we had several members at the Twin Lakes 20 where Adam Harris ran 02:13:37, Piers Serjeant 02:20:53, Kat Miles 02:59:35, Maurice Hemingway 03:02:57 and Niki Serjeant 03:06:42. Diane Hufford went to sunnier climes and ran the Limassol Half Marathon in 02:18:16. Anthony Nethercott reached his latest star award target completing the BTR Liverpool Half Marathon in a PB time of 01:27:57. At the Thorney 10K Michael Ball bagged a PB of 36:31, Martin Green 40:06, Craig Losh 40:51 PB and Gavin Osborn 42:29.
And last but not least, at the challenging Oakley 20 Adam Harris ran 02:13:55, Russ Hewitt 02:16:17, David Johnson 02:49:39, Kat Miles 02:52:10, Maurice Hemingway 03:02:01 and Norma Leckie 03:46:25 winning her age category.
Star of the Month
Norma Leckie for winning her FV70 age category at the Oakley 20. Norma’s marathon training is
going well and she is an inspiration to us all. Well done Chief Chick!
Don't forget to add your race times to the website (see how below) if you want a mention in next months newsletter and to be eligible for Star Awards.
Tony's Star Awards
Star Awards are presented to members each month based on race performance over five distances: 5K, 10K, 10 mile, half marathon and marathon. Members can move up through the award scheme with increased performance balanced against age.
Simon Ashton 6 stars for Cambridge Half Marathon
Russ Hewitt 6 stars for Cambridge Half Marathon
Adam Harris 5 stars for Cambridge Half Marathon
Anthony Nethercott 5 stars for BTR Liverpool Half Marathon
Martin Green 4 stars for Cambridge Half Marathon
Martin Green 4 stars for Thorney 10K
Matthew Studd 3 stars for Cambridge Half Marathon
Craig Losh 3 stars for The London Half Marathon
Craig Losh 3 stars for Thorney 10K
Sam Byers 3 stars for Cambridge Half Marathon
Judy Moore 1 star for Cambridge Half Marathon
The current full list of awards and the levels of achievement necessary for each age band in the five distance categories are on the website: https://riverside-runners.com/racing/star-awards.htmlPlease note that only those race results entered onto our website results database will be eligible for Star Awards. Please ensure you provide your age category against each result to simplify our administration of this. See below on how to add race results to our website. Note: Virtual race results will not be included. Well done all! Your certificates will be emailed separately.
Club Championship
The Club Championship is a series of races over different distances for members to run throughout the year to determine the male and female Club Champions. There are also age graded awards and personalised medals for participants completing each set.
To complete the Short Distance Championship you need to run one 5K, one 5 mile and one
10K from the specified events.
To complete the Long Distance Championship you need to run one 10 mile and one half
marathon from the specified events plus any marathon.
The proposed 2023 event options are now available on the website (and listed below). Get them into your diary now so you don’t miss out!
UPDATE:
We’ve been told the Kimbolton Half will not be on this year so we have added Bedford Half in its place. See our website and below for details.
Also, Anthony has negotiated a 15% off discount code from ATW, it can be used on any of their events. It is strictly for Riverside Runners only so please do not share: SNRR_15
Cambs Road League
Eligible races are listed in the events below.
Open to first-claim members of clubs affiliated to Cambridgeshire AA (Riverside Runners are Cambs AA affiliated). Runners must represent their first claim club.
For individual honours, the best four scores will count. For team honours, scores in all staged races will count. If fewer than six races are staged, only the best three scores will count individually.
Prizes – individual 1st £30, 2nd £20, 3rd £15, Vets 1st £15, Teams 1st £45 (3 x £15)
More details on the Cambs AA website here: http://cambsathletics.org.uk/road-races/
Events coming up
New Riverside Runners events added: Parent Child Relay and It’s Still Not Kenny’s Relay. These are for club members and will get the juniors and seniors into mixed teams. Usually held in Regatta Meadow they will consist of short loops within the park. Suitable for all and great fun. Please put the dates in your diaries and keep an eye out for further details.
2 Apr 2023 Cambourne 10K (Short Champs & Cambs Road League)
2 Apr 2023 Sandy 10 (Long Champs)
6 Apr 2023 AGM followed by club social @ Rowing Club from 7:45pm
1 May 2023 Milton Keynes Half (Long Champs)
14 May 2023 Eye 10K (Short Champs & Cambs Road League)
24 May 2023 Parent & Child Relay – club organised social event
9 Jun 2023 Marston Forest 5K (Short Champs)
11 Jun 2023 Flaming June Half (Long Champs)
23 Jun 2023 Colworth 5 (Short Champs)
24 Jun 2023 Colworth 8.1m trail
25 Jun 2023 Colworth Half
25 Jun 2023 Ramsey 10K (Cambs Road League)
28 Jun 2023 Corby 5 (Short Champs)
9 July 2023 Wellingborough 5 (Short Champs)
12 July 2023 P’boro GP 5K series @ Ferry Meadows (Short Champs & Cambs Road
League)
14 July 2023 It’s Still Not Kenny’s Relay – club organised social event
23 July 2023 Blues Foundation Bedford 10K (Short Champs)
23 July 2023 Blues Foundation Bedford Half (Long Champs)
9 Aug 2023 P’boro GP 5K series @ Ferry Meadows (Short Champs & Cambs Road
League)
2 Sep 2023 Bedford Twilight 10K (Short Champs)
3 Sep 2023 Sawtry 10 (Long Champs & Cambs Road League)
16-17 Sep 2023 Round Norfolk Relay
24 Sep 2023 Bedford Autodrome 10K (Short Champs)
24 Sep 2023 Bedford Autodrome Half (Long Champs)
8 Oct 2023 Frostbite Race 1 @ Priory Park
15 Oct 2023 Cambridge Town & Gown 10K (Short Champs)
15 Oct 2023 Great Eastern Half (Long Champs)
29 Oct 2023 Fenland 10 (Long Champs & Cambs Road League)
TBA Nov 2023 Frostbite Race 2 @ Nene Park, Peterborough (Short Champs)
TBA Nov 2023 Bass Belle 10 (Long Champs)
TBA Nov 2023 Wolverton 5 (Short Champs)
TBA Dec 2023 Frostbite Race 3 @ tbd
TBA Dec 2023 Buntingford 10 (Long Champs)
Adding Results to the Website
Did you know you can keep a record of your race results on our website? Not only is it interesting for other club members to see the events you have done, it also provides you with an excellent results database of any type of running race you do; long, short, road, track or trail. You can even highlight your PBs.
Brief user guide:
First log in to the website (with the username and password you set up when joining).
Then check to see if the race is already listed (search in Races under the Racing tab).
If the race is listed, click the Add button next to the race and enter your details, including age category on race day (Note: if your race time was under an hour you must enter a zero in the hour field) and Submit.
If the race is not listed you'll need to add the race first. Go to Members Dashboard, select the Add Race button and complete the relevant fields (Note: race date format is YYYY-MMDD) and Submit.
Then, select the Add Result button, select the correct race from the dropdown and complete the fields including your age category on race day (Note: if your race time was under an hour you must enter a zero in the hour field) and Submit
If you need any help using this excellent facility please ask.
Mental Health First Aiders
Please check out our Mental Health Support section of the website, where you can find out how Ann Ellmers, as a trained Mental Health First Aider, can help and support you, or simply be someone to talk to in complete confidence. There are also some useful links to external resources.
We hope you find it helpful. https://riverside-runners.com/members/mental-health-support.html
Riverside Runners running kit
The official Riverside Runners green and white running tops can be purchased from the Club via the Members Shop https://riverside-runners.com/members/shop/We have vests, T-shirts and long-sleeved T-shirts in stock. Note they come in chest sizes (inches). We also have a few very nice Big Bobble Hats in stock - just £13. Please remember to contact Malcolm to arrange collection:
[email protected]
Total Clothing - training kit
At the bottom of the website is a link to Total Clothing, an external company, who have a selection of Riverside Runners branded training kit available to purchase directly from them: https://www.totalclothingshop.co.uk/riversiderunners
Running gear - www.sportsshoes.com discount code Great priced running shoes, clothing or equipment with an additional 10% discount and free
shipping.
If you wish to take advantage of the discount code please contact myself or Ann Ellmers. The discount code is issued to us on a monthly basis and are for club members only - they CANNOT be shared or posted on social media. If they are shared we will lose this benefit.
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