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Twelve runners from Belle Vue turned out on the last day of 2006 for the annual Festive 5 event at Wythenshawe Park. In a field of 361 runners, Alison Sedman finished first in the Female 40 category in 00:31:19, well done Alison. There was also a strong run from newcomer Jill Osgood, who finished in 00:36:07. Special mention to Barry Guy (first race for some time?), finishing in 00:41:53. And a rare outing on the road for Lynda Cheetham (00:42:17). Happy New Year to all.
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Joe, Alison and Nigel’s Half Marathon (3 in 3 weeks) odyssey thankfully came to an end at Congleton. Jon Sargeant completed the Belle Vue quartet and ran a great race in 1:25:01 finishing an impressive 26th overall. Alison Sedman came 4th women in 1:26:40, Nigel Sedman finished in 1:27:48 and Joseph Rintoul carved over 3 minutes off his PB before heading off to India. This event continues to be one of the best half marathons around meandering through the peaceful and scenic Cheshire countryside.
(Photo courtesy of Bryan Dale’s race photo website.)
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Six Belle Vue club members made the trip with 30,000 others to Newcastle to compete in the Great North Run. The sun broke out prior to the start making the conditions fairly warm. Alison Sedman headed the Belle Vue crew in a great time of 1:26:00 and in an overall womens race position of 43. Nigel Sedman finished in 1:27:31, David Okopochini finished in 1:33:05 and Joseph Rintoul reduced his PB to 1:40:18. Kevin Draper suffered with a sore knee posting 2:03:56 and Maxine Grimshaw warmed up for Amsterdam in a time of 2:41:04.
And congratulations to Steve Bunyan, who completed the tough Macclesfield Half on the same day in 1:35:54.
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Several Belle Vue racers take part in triathlons as well as the programme of running events. Two of these took the Belle Vue badge on the road in recent competitions. Kevin Egerton and Chris Yianni recently competed in the Brinscall Triathlon near Chorley (24th September 2006). This consisted of a 500-yard pool swim, a very hilly 12-mile cycle and a tough 3-mile run on Brinscall fell. Chris completed what was his first tri in 1 hour 18 minutes 19 seconds and Kevin registered a time of 1 hour 27 minutes 24 seconds.
Chris enjoyed his first tri so much that he took advantage of a trip to Bedfordshire the following weekend by entering the Bedford Autumn Sprint Triathlon (1st October 2006). He completed the 400m pool swim, 25k bike and 5k run in 1 hour 24 minutes 31 seconds finishing 110th out of 236 finishers, which was a good effort given that he was in 176th position after the swim.
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Autumn sees the return of local half marathons. Alison, Nigel, Joe and Jon had to get up very early indeed for the Swinton Half, where another great run by Alison saw her finish second female.
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The fifth and final grand prix event - which was also the final race of the club championship summer season - was held at Boggart Hole Clough on Sunday 17th September 2006 and the Belle Vue Racers women again featured heavily among the prizes.
In the individual event Emma Jones and Alison Sedman took the hot weather and hills in their stride finishing 3rd and 4th overall with great encouragement from Malcolm and Lynda. A great run from Annie Hirsch also meant that the Belle Vue women picked up the women's team prize.
In the grand prix series overall, Belle Vue members hands were sore with clapping and Lynda was more than pleased with her coaching skills as a procession of Belle Vue runners picked up prizes. Winners included: Emma Jones (2nd senior women), Helen Lakner (3rd senior women), Alison Sedman (1st women over 35), Rebecca Healey (3rd women over 35), Clare Brady (4th women over 35), Annie Hirsch (1st women over 45), Steve Bunyan (4th senior male), Nigel Sedman (3rd male over 40 - courtesy of Jon's trip to Scotland).
Bring on the cross country season!
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In spite of the weather, 111 runners turned out for our own Eddie Cheetham Memorial race, run over 7K at Debdale Park. The fourth event in the Manchester Parks series saw another great run by Emma Jones, first senior woman home in 26:50. Alison Sedman finished third woman in 28:17, while Clare Brady took first place in the ladies' V35 category in 32:55. Belle Vue ladies also took the overall team prize. In the senior men category Phil Wood, returning from Belfast for the weekend, finished an excellent fourth in 25:07.
Thanks to all who helped to make the day a success. Photos here.
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This month saw good performances from Belle Vue Racers in the Moonraker 10K at Middleton and the Frank Hodson race at Saddleworth, with both events counting towards the spring/summer club championship.
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Nineteen Belle Vue runners turned out for the third race in the Manchester Parks Grand Prix Series at Platt Fields, where club championship points were also up for grabs. A cooler day than in previous years saw some great runs. Phil Wood finished sixth man overall in 36:21, while first Belle Vue woman home was Emma Jones in 39:07. Fantastic results also in the Female Vet 35 category where Belle Vue took the first three places: Clare Brady (47:59), Rebecca Healey (50:08) and Amanda Kinsley (52:43) Alison Sedman took the prize for first Female Vet 40 in 39:59, and Annie Hirsch was first Vet 50 in 45:58.
Congratulations to everyone who took part.
Reminder - the next event in the Parks Series is our own race at Debdale Park on August 13th. We're still looking for volunteers to help on the day, so if you can possibly do it please come forward and let Lynda, Nigel, Jon or Chris know.
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May 7th saw the first race of the City of Manchester Parks Road Race Grand Prix 2006 at Heaton Park. Despite the rain, good times were returned by Belle Vue runners in both the men's and women's 5K races. The women's race saw a double victory for Belle Vue: the seniors’ race was won with strong performances from Emma Jones (19:32), Alison Sedman (19:43) and after a long lay-off, Cath Carney (21:54). The vets’ team also came in first: Annie Hirsch (23:15), Clare Brady (23:51) and Rebecca Healey (24:12). In the men's race the first three home for Belle Vue were Nigel Sedman (18:51), Daniel Murphy (19:05) and Ronnie Shea (19:13).
The following week (14th May) saw Belle Vue runners compete in the Gin Pit 5 at Tyldesley. Also a Club Championship race, and though the club turnout was smaller there were good runs by Daniel, David, James, Dale, Annie, Andy and Kevin.
The BUPA Great Manchester run (21st May) saw a significant Belle Vue turnout among the 25000 runners. Thanks to Malc for the vocal support on the finishing straight!
Finally this month was the second race of the Grand Prix series, held at Wythenshawe Park on the 29th May, where again Belle Vue women took first place in both the seniors' and vets' races - another fantastic result!
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Sunday 30th April 2006 saw the holding of the annual Radcliffe 10k. The race also represented race 3 of the Belle Vue spring/summer championship. As a consequence there was a superb turn out for Belle Vue Racers with 9 women and 9 men club members completing the highly undulating and mainly off-road, 2-lap course. Highlights from the Belle Vue participants included Annie Hirsch finishing as 1st F50 in 48:37 and Alison Sedman coming 6th lady overall in 41:25. Nigel Sedman and Jon Sargeant managed to squeeze under 40 minutes in 39:20 and 39:58 respectively and Ronnie Shea had a good return to form in 40:46. Steve Bunyan ran strongly in 41:02, and the consistent Andy Roberts performed well in 44:23, closely followed by Daniel Murphy in 44:54. Third and forth Belle Vue ladies home were Rebecca Healey in 51:58 and Amanda Kinsley in 53:02. Tony Houghton in 46:31, Chris Yianni in 48:11, and Kevin Egerton in 54:10 completed the male team. Clair Jubb and Julia Foy ran their first races for Belle Vue and put in great performances posting times of 56:15 and 57:04. Lynda Shentall and Medwen Roberts ran well in 57:35 and 59:55 over the difficult terrain and Maxine Grimshaw who pulled away strongly from the opposition on the final grass section in 1:02:03 rounded off the ladies team. There was also plenty of vocal support for the Belle Vue contingent from Lynda, Barry and Malcolm in this well organised and well attended event.
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Near-perfect running conditions at the 25th Flora London Marathon on April 23rd saw great times for the five runners from Belle Vue who made the trip. Congratulations to Alison (3:08:46), Jon (3:10:18), Nigel (3:18:52), Annie (3:55:45) and Dee (4:25:27).
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Good Friday 2006 - which this year fell on April 14th - was the date for the Salford 10k. This race also represented the second event of the Belle Vue summer season and as a consequence a total of 17 Belle Vue runners resisted their Bank Holiday lie in to run the event.
The morning started off with the 2k fun run for which there was a good turnout of Yianni and Sedman kids. Highlights included May Yianni as 1st 5 year old and Ella Sedman as 1st female.
The 10k race was run over an altered and slightly shortened 2 lap course compared to the traditional route (due to a collapsed wall) and finished at the newly built Kersall sports complex. The altered course proved to be success as the section along the riverbank and over the bridge was a welcomed respite from the roads and a fairly strong breeze.
Alison Sedman was 1st Belle Vue woman home in 38:05 and came 6th lady overall. Nigel Sedman was 1st Belle Vue man in 37:25 closely followed by Jon Sargeant in 37:35. David Okopochini ran his first race for Belle Vue and posted a great time in 38:57. James Corrigan, Andy Roberts and Tony Houghton ran together and paced each other round in 43:10, 43:10 and 43:16 respectively. Phil Wood was unfortunately watching due to his knee trouble but sister Clare Brady did the family proud in 46:16. Other great performances from Belle Vue runners included Daniel Murphy 40:21, Ronnie Shea 42:14, Ade Aboaba 46:25, Rebecca Healey 48:43, Kevin Egerton 49:31, Lindsay Wilks 50:43, Stuart Kitchen 52:49, Lynda Shentall 53:54 and Maxine Grimshaw 58:25. There was also great support for all the runners from Lynda, Cath and Chris.
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Friday 24th March saw the club Winter Championship presentations at the Al Bilal restaurant. First man was Jon, followed by Nigel and Steve. The women's award was won by Alison, with Maxine second and Lynda third. Maxine also took the women's Progress Award, with Frank winning the men's. Well done to all, and thanks to Alison and Nigel for arranging a great night in Rusholme.
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Good turnout at the Wilf Richards Relays at Heaton Park on 18th February, and at the Radcliffe 12 Mile Trail Race on 26th February, when fourteen Belle Vue runners lined up... Congratulations to Pod on his excellent time of 41:46 at the Trafford 10K on 5th March... Well done to those who braved the Cloud Nine Hill Race on 6th March... and to Nigel and Jon who made the trip to Yorkshire on 12th March to run the Spen 20 in near-blizzard conditions...
The Asics Wilmslow Half Marathon on 19th March saw the usual big turnout and some great runs by Belle Vue runners...and congratulations to Alison, first lady vet in the Trimpell 20 on 26th...
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After her great run to finish second at the Blackburn 10k the previous Sunday, Carmen Anthony followed this up with a brilliant run to win the Nick Beer 10k at Llandudno on the 12th February 2006. Carmen loves the hills and she negotiated the Orme speedily, posting a superb time of 38:17. Other Belle Vue Racers who travelled over the border with Carmen and did the club proud included Kevin Egerton (53:45) and Maxine Grimshaw (63:35).
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Great Belle Vue turnout at the 25th Shell Four Villages Half Marathon . The race was a sell-out once again, and over 1600 runners lined up on a deceptively cold morning , twelve of them from Belle Vue. Once again Phil did us proud, finishing 7th overall in 1:14:12, while Alison picked up the prize for first lady vet 40 in 1:23:29.
Commiserations to Nigel, who arrived at the finish line without his electronic tag and doesn't therefore feature in the official results. (He wasn't the only one to lose the chip - there were reports of quite a few of them being seen on the road!)
The race was won incidentally by Andy Norman in 1:05:58, winner at our very own Hit The Trail the previous weekend.
Finally - was this really Lynda’s and Christine's last Half Marathon? Can their knees take any more punishment?
Results available on the Helsby Running Club site.
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Lynda mentioned at the AGM a couple of weeks ago that we're looking into the possiblity of getting some new kit for Belle Vue. Here's one manufacturer we've been looking at - have a look and see what you think.
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Some nice things being said about Hit The Trail in the Runner's World Event Forums.
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On the 15th January 2006 Belle Vue Racers hosted their Hit the Trail race in Reddish Country Park. There was a great turnout as nearly 200 people ran the race around the undulating and picturesque country park trails. Runners of all abilities entered the run, which measures approximately 5 miles, and were rewarded with a calm and gloriously sunny day.
Leading the field was Andy Norman of Altrincham AC who ran a superb race beating the course record in 24:12 and also winning a bottle of vintage bubbly for his efforts. Lynda momentarily forgot she was a champagne lover as she screamed encouragement to Andy as he climbed up the final slope to the finish to beat the previous best of 24:29. There was a great ladies turnout and first lady home was Rachel Thompson of Horwich Harriers in 30:47.
Many thanks to all those who supported the race by running and also the Belle Vue club members who very kindly volunteered to marshall the course, did a great job and provided plenty of encouragement to all the field (especially the pack of cheerleaders around the 3 mile mark). Let’s also not forget to give thanks to the park wardens who very generously allowed us to again use this great venue. Belle Vue’s own Phil Wood came an excellent 8th and Janet Salmond was among the prizes finishing first lady over 35. Fitness First again supported the race, had a great turnout and were rewarded with 1st ladies team. Stockport Harriers also sent a strong team to their hometown event and were 1st mens team.
We must also stress that we do listen to all feedback from participants and take on your comments in order to constantly improve our races. As a consequence at the race in future years we will provide water at the finish. Thanks again to all those who ran and hope to see you all next year!
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Congratulations to Belle Vue Racers' Men on promotion to Division One in both the Seniors and Veterans categories of the Manchester and District Cross Country League. The final race of the season took place at Broadoak, Ashton on Saturday 7th January. A great turnout once again for a race over a somewhat uninspiring course. which nevertheless saw good performances rewarded with 2nd place overall in the Seniors' League and 3rd place in the Vets' League.
Special thanks to Malc for turning out to support week after week, whatever the conditions and in spite of his well-documented knee trouble!
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