Various news updates are posted below.
(For images please see our facebook page or instagram feed.)
At Croups, we pride ourselves on being a club who’s members take part in a variety of events over lots of different terrain, and last weekend proved that in spades 👇
We first start with the track events. On Wednesday, Ed Foster ran a hugely impressive 1:58 in the 800m in Watford. This was followed on Saturday by impressive runs from Alfie and Vaughan in the 1500m inter regional races in Carmarthen! 🙌
From track, to Fell racing, on Saturday evening in 30 degree heat, Sam Wilson finished 7th in the Guto Nyth Bran race in Caerphilly! Dom Shields also competed in the 6 mile race with almost 1300 feet of climbing! 🧗♀️
From fell racing, to, according to Arwel, “some mental 50 mile trail race in the Alps”, where the brilliant Lowri Morgan finished 11th amongst in a high quality field! The event in question is called the Trail Verbier St-Bernard Trail Race!
Turning to Sunday, Louise Flynn finished 🥇 Lady and 🥈 overall in the Ludlow Half Marathon. Gareth Logan came 🥈 overall in the 5k. We have been informed that Gareth and Louise got the train down, so they lead the standings in furthest travelled by train for a Sunday morning race 🚂
From Ludlow to Torfaen Paul Francis finished an impressive 🥈 in the V50 age category with a fab time 35:20 in the Mic Morris 10k! 🔥
In the Ammanford 10k, Janneke Van Beijnum finished 🥇 in the F45 age category, with Emyr Morgan finishing 🥈 M50! Huge results from the super couple 👏
Lastly, but very much not least, a huge well done to Tim Gibbons for completing the Half Ironman in Swansea! Tim finished 8th in his age group, absolutely top performance! 🙌
The start of July was a popular week of racing for the Croups! 🔴🟢
Starting on Wednesday, Judi Rhys competed in the Run4All 5K in Aberavon. Finishing in 24:08, Judi came 🥇 in the F60-69 age category 👏
Jenny Martin completed the tour of Merseyside, a week of running which took place in six different venues across Merseyside, covering 52 miles over 7 days. A huge congrats Jenny 👏
Thursday saw the return of the Tintern Trot, a 5.5 mile multi terrain race in the heart of the Wye Valley. The race is part of our off road club championships, so we had lots of croups participating, and category wins:
- Men’s team 🥇
- Owain Zerilli 🥈 overall
- Steve Chadwell 🥇 MV50
- Julie Scholey 🥇 FV65
- Clive Osmond 🥇 MV65
- Howard Kent 🥇 MV70
- Nicola Mason 🥈FV70
- Mike Murphy 🥈 MV70
Saturday saw 30 Croups venture to the Cotswolds to participate in the Cotswolds Way Relay. Our teams did themselves proud over the 103 mile off road course, which was split into 10 stages 👏
In the preliminary category results:
- Open team finished 9th (14th overall)
- Vets team finished 13th (78th overall)
- Mixed team finished 16th (66th overall)
We begin Sunday at 5am on the other side of the world, where Rachel Hooper ran 57:04 in the Hat Yai 10k, Thailand. Looks like a beautiful race in a wonderful country 👏
From the beaches of Thailand, to the beaches of Trecco Bay, where over 30 Croups were representing the club at the Porthcawl 10k! A huge well done to all who took part! 🫶
We had a number of notable performances:
- Alaw Beynon-Evans 🥇 F35 & 4th women
- Louise Flynn 🥇 F40
- Andy Blair 🥇 M60
- Judi Rhys 🥇 F66
- Wayne Humphries 🥈M50
- Carl Nealon 1 second negative split between first and second 5k
Lastly, but certainly not least, Ben Beckingsale had a great performance at the Great North 10k in Newcastle on Sunday, setting his second fastest 10k time on a hilly course! 👏
Some dates for your diary
The below is the information to hand about the coming season's Gwent League fixtures:
2025
Sat 11 Oct - Margam Park
Sat 8 Nov - Llandaff Fields (with Cardiff Cross Challenge)
Sat 6 Dec - Blaise Castle, Bristol
2026
Sat 7 Feb - Chepstow Race Course
Sat 28 Feb or Sun 1 Mar - Penlan, Brecon or Parc Bryn Bach TBA
With thanks to Jeff Aston.
Howard Kent's video of the track 3000 metres event can be found below.
Read more: Video
A playlist of Howard Kent's WCR videos can be found using the link below, enjoy!
Howard Kent's latest musical production can be found here:
Paul Stillman's finish line images from Wednesday's event can be found below. (Disclaimer - Les Croupiers Running Club will not be held in any way responsible for that weird grimace you were making.)
Links to Paul Stillman's images can be found below. Lots of Green and Red!
Links to Paul Stillman and Leo Holmes' images below.
Experience the Senior Women and Masters Men race at Brecon by clicking the link below.
Paul Stillman's images from a sunny Sunday at Jenner Park can be found here:
The following advice is intended to keep our runners SAFE at all times!
It is also essential that, whilst out running as a club, we are seen to be polite, responsible, set a good example & not put others at risk.
AT ALL TIMES BE SAFE BE SEEN! You can never be too visible! During the day, always wear bright or light-coloured clothing - fluorescent is good.
At night we would strongly recommend that people ALWAYS wear light-coloured clothing plus a REFLECTIVE (not just fluorescent) bib or sash.
Clip on flashers are a great way to be seen. NEVER ASSUME YOU'VE BEEN SEEN. Always be cautious with traffic.
We would like to remind people that they are responsible for their own safety and that they run at their own risk.