Well what a day that was and what a good feeling to be able to send out results with so many names on!

Don’t really need to describe the weather though…, a bit windy should do it, but it didn’t seem to deter many of the Helsby contingent producing great times in the conditions. I know it was Jayne’s , Adrian’s and Hannah’s first foray into the half marathon so hearty congratulations for them producing very impressive times to now build on. Dave Feakes, wearing the elegant number 50, isn’t convincing anyone that he reached that category today, not with the PB he secured! Well done also to Jane Ashbrook for a 2^nd place in her category.

Unfortunately I didn’t manage to speak to everyone today so if there any more PB’s out there or tales to tell please let me know and I’ll get this report updated for the blog. Photo links on other blog reports or twitter/runhelsby

And I should really reiterate what so many people have said today, that it’s with lots of hard work from many individuals, and some in particular, that the Helsby half is continually so successful. It’s a real honour to be part of a club that has people with so much commitment, drive and energy and I think the enthusiasm now evident at the club is clear for all to see.

Great support round the course too

Results for the Historic Helsby Half 2012 below

https://www.raceplus.co.uk/

Individual results for Helsby runners extracted below (if I’ve missed anyone please let me know!). I’ve used gun position and time for this so check your chip times as they’ll be quicker!

24^th         Adair Broughton               1.17.49
144^th      Ian Landucci                       1.28.26
153^rd      Chris Baynham-Hughes 1.28.52
191^st       Jim O’Hara                          1.30.22
231^st       Jane Ashbrook                  1.31.51  (2^nd in age category!)
269^th      Ivan Davies                         1.33.06
289^th      Jayne Joy                             1.34.03
307^th      Ed Halliwell                         1.34.33
311^th      Paul Porter                         1.34.37
332^nd      Gareth Boyd                      1.35.43
336^th      Alex Fitzmaurice               1.35.49
404^th      Steve Riley                          1.37.49
445^th      Dave Feakes                      1.38.54
460^th      Geoff Shaw                        1.39.03
462^nd      Adrian Jackson                  1.39.04
560^th      Carol Shaw                          1.41.32
624^th      Albert Berry                       1.43.35
670^th      Hannah Hughes                1.44.49
793^rd      Lesley Feakes                    1.48.05
958^th      Chris Igoe                            1.52.47
969^th      Dave Madders                  1.53.00
996^th      John Thompson                1.53.55
1000^th    Alison Meakin                   1.53.57
1184^th    Nesta Hawker                   1.59.55
1224^th    Betty Grieve                      2.01.27
1275^th    Liz Dobson                          2.03.39
1423       Peter Causton                   2.11.07
1426^th    Kay Pirali                              2.11.15
1487^th    Ivor Johnstone                  2.15.49
1622^nd   Kevin Bell                            4.04.28
However, the highlight and performance of the day surely goes to Kevin Bell for completing what is a record breaking 31^st Helsby Half marathon in 4 hours 4min and 28 seconds. Kevin was determined to finish and shows not just what this race can mean to individuals but also acts as testament to their character. I think this in itself puts a great perspective on all our performances on the day. I’ve also been informed that Kevin’s wife may well be bringing along his collection of medals one night after a Wednesday run which will be great to see.

Keep on running

Adair

Some tough running conditions saw a Tipton Harriers 1-2 in the Helsby Four Villages Half Marathon this weekend. Martin Williams lead home the field in 1:08:32, with 89 seconds in hand over team mate Ben Gamble, who improved on two 4ths and two 3rds in consecutive previous years (albeit in a slower time, giving some idea of the conditions). Christian Prior, City of Chester Triathlon, completing the podium and first from a local club, a further 28 seconds behind.

This was the 31st edition of a highly regarded opener to many people’s season. The first race was established as a local answer to the first London Marathon. Both events draw an incredibly loyal and friendly crowd, with the Four Villages ever popular with north west club runners as well as attracting high quality club entrants from further afield, together with a healthy cohort of civilians.

In the women’s race local Gemma Connolly was first home in 1:21:05, improving on last year’s 4th, followed by Belgrave’s Louise Blizzard just 4 places behind and first F40, getting closer to a PB time set 8 years ago. Completing the trio another travelling runner, this time from the East Midlands, Nicki Nealin of Huncote Harriers (another strong F40).

The strong and blustery winds and an exposed course, meant that the course record was never under threat. Nevertheless further down the field were numerous PBs — including Adair Broughton first from host club Helsby RC in 24th with 1:17:49 — on what’s never an easy course. The steady climbing from mile 7 to 10 normally finds out any weakness in legs nearing their limit.

Despite the unpredictable wind, the weather gave us a good temperatures for running and a massive improvement on some forecasts. A personal highlight was seeing clubmate Dave Feakes get a pretty respectable PB on his 50th birthday. A great race, that always gets good feedback. Here’s to the next one!

Steve Riley

More pics at http://www.mickhall-photos.com

Dave Pinnington’s pics on Flickr

Results and event video over on the main site at http://www.helsbyrunningclub.org.uk/

Women’s results
Gemma Connolly 01:21:05 St Helens Sutton (55th overall)
Louise Blizzard 1:22:00 Belgrave Harriers (59)
Nicki Nealin 1:23:32 Huncote Harriers (70)

Men’s results
Martin Williams 1:08:32 Tipton Harriers
Ben Gamble 1:10:01 Tipton Harriers
Christian Prior 1:10:29(PB) City of Chester Triathlon Club

Hi all

Results are now available for the North West Series XC held at Town Park Runcorn 15^th January 2012, see below for link

http://www.btinternet.com/~steve.saunders/ss/xc/2011/race4_11.pdf

Some cold weather hardened what is usually a muddy course but with a beautiful blue sky and frost on the ground a near perfect day for cross country ensued.

Photos in the blog below courtesy of Mick Charman of Spectrum

Other photos online courtesy of Dave Pinnington of Penny Lane

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davepinno/sets/72157628885302261/

Once again the Helsby ladies continued to impress which has now put them in lead position for the team results to date, so be sure to congratulate them! The mens team are currently 5^th.

Many thanks also to the support on the day from Mario and Joe and friends and family and also to Kathryn Roberts who helped marshall on the day.

Helsby positions and places as follows:

Mens Results

10^th Adair Broughton
59^th Roy Gaskill
81^st Steve Riley
91^st Adrian Jackson
116^th Andy Smith

Ladies Results

3^rd Jayne Joy
4^th Jane Ashbrook
16^th Janet Robertson
17^th Rachel Arnold

Please note the next NW XC will be on 5^th February at Walton Hall Park, Liverpool, details will follow regarding that race.

Friday 20^th Jan 2012
Friday 10^th Feb 2012
Friday 2^nd March 2012

http://www.clwydianrangerunners.co.uk/Club%20info.htm

Read more in the attached PDF: HexxTalent-2012.

Please find attached results for the latest Border League Race at held at Abergele Sunday 8^th Jan.

http://www.bordersleague.org.uk/

Described as an accurately measured 5 mile out and back course, oh, with a random bit through a caravan park,   14 Helsby runners started and finished the race with some strong performances thrown in, including a 5 mile PB for Adrian, well done. Age category highlights included podium finishes for Jane Ashbrook with 3^rd, Vanessa in 3^rd, Albert in 2^nd and Robbie in 3^rd.

Helsby positions and times listed below

22^nd        Adair Broughton               28.42
79^th         Ian Landucci                       31.37
118^th      Roy Gaskill                          33.22
125^th      Jane Ashbrook                  33.38
135^th      Jayne Joy                             34.04
148^th      Adrian Jackson                  34.51
155^th      Vanessa Griffiths             35.15
156^th      Albert Berry                       35.16
186^th      Carol Shaw                          36.25
201^st       Andy Smith                         37.07
206^th      Phil Gillard                           37.23
255^th      Betty Grieve                      40.12
263^rd      Jackie Keasley                   40.53
304^th      Robbie Webster               45.18

Helsby ladies should also be congratulated for finishing in first position on the day in Division two, with some more races left to run they can now provide a strong challenge for promotion. Helsby men consolidated their position in mid table of Division Two on the day.

Helsby ladies also finished in 2^nd place in the improvers trophy table so shows what a great year they are having.

The link below should also take you to the handicap rankings, which is a great way of seeing what your current form is and if you are improving.

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/lindleyjane/BorderLeagueResults/Results1112/handicap1112.htm

Sadly, and rather remiss of me, I’ve missed sending this on previous results and so I should mention that on two previous races in this current Border League series we have had two Helsby ladies win the handicap rankings. Betty won the Prestatyn race 1 and Vanessa won at Birkenhead Park race 2. These are great performances which should have been noted previously. (Sorry!)

Regards

Adair

Full weekend for Helsby runners and many thanks for those doing the double, starting with Saturday’s windy and muddy Winsford escapade to Knights Grange. (Sundays Border League results will hopefully follow shortly)

Results here

http://www.cheshireaa.com/Results/XCC/2012/XCChamps2012Results.pdf

Saturday’s race was the Cheshire Championship Cross Country, quality fields with Helsby ladies once again retaining their 2^nd place vets category medals spearheaded by Jane Ashbrook in a brilliant 10^th place closely followed by the shockingly improving Jayne Joy not far behind in 12^th.

Jane and Jayne may well be representing Cheshire in the future with these performances.

Janet who was 3^rd in her category and Rachel also had strong runs to maintain their podium places for the team result. Well done ladies. Of note Helsby ladies were 4^th overall so bodes well for next year.

Support was ever present in the form of Joe, Mario and Vanessa and due to separate races for the men and ladies we could also support each others races. There is a great spirit to team events.

Mens race was 10k with 4 laps, ladies 7.5k with 3 laps.

Mens results

37^th         Adair Broughton               47.27
114^th      Phil Gillard                           58.37

Ladies results

10^th         Jane Ashbrook                  40.03
12^th         Jayne Joy                             40.29
23^rd        Janet Robertson               45.26
25^th         Rachel Arnold                    45.47
34^th         Jackie Keasley                   51.07

Next cross country is the Northwest League at Runcorn Town Park this Sunday 15^th January, start time of 10.00am. Details here

http://www.btinternet.com/~steve.saunders/ss/xc/dirtown.pdf

This will be a great introduction for those not yet longing for the mud, good atmosphere, local and free tea/coffee and sandwiches after. Give it a go!

Regards

Adair

Well it’s been nearly a month! but results are now online for the Arrowe Park XC race that was Race 3 in the Northwest XC series held on 4^th December 2011.

Full results can be found at the website below

http://www.stevesaunders.co.uk/

as well as some photographs I managed to take here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/runhelsby/sets/72157628296948039/

After having slept a couple of times since the race I will have to apologise for a limited report, however, I can remember some great Helsby performances, a little bit of mud and a few spots of rain held under a sky the colour of concrete.

Ian Landucci stormed round for the men in 1^st place for the Helsby contingent and 28^th place overall ably followed by Roy Gaskill who ran admirably well considering it was his first foray into cross country.

Helsby men’s positions and times as below:

28^th         Ian Landucci      
61^st         Roy Gaskill
83^rd        Adrian Jackson
90^th         Andy Smith

However, it is with the Helsby ladies where some significant improvements were spotted with Jayne leading home the charge for an amazing 5^th place overall, with Vanessa chasing hard behind for a great 13^th and Rachel just behind in 18^th which meant all the Helsby ladies finished in the first half of the field.

5^th           Jayne Joy
13^th         Vanessa Griffiths
18^th         Rachel Arnold

The ladies team is currently in joint 2^nd place with all to play for! Well done.

The next race in this series is Town Park, Runcorn on 15^th January. It will be great to have some strong teams for what is a local race.

Thanks also to support from Joe and Mario on the day

good looking and green

Regards

Adair

Please find attached the results for the 40^th running of the Boxing Day Round the Walls race at Chester Racecourse.

Due to wall repair and bad weather in previous years, this was the first running round the walls since 2006 on what was a slightly extended course (basically two laps round the racecourse rather than one).

Strong winds and excess mince pies didn’t deter the four Helsby runners with the standout performance from the ever improving Jayne coming in as 2^nd senior lady on the day. Over 420 runners completed the course.

13^th         Adair Broughton               30.16
86^th         Jayne Joy                           36.05
107^th      Geoff Shaw                         37.13
310^th      Janet Shaw                         47.09

Full results can be found here: http://www.westcheshireac.co.uk/roadracing/RoundtheWalls

If there were any races I’ve missed and someone would like to post a report or send a link to results it’ll be great to put them on the blog.

Please remember for those wishing to do a recce of the Helsby Half Marathon it’s scheduled for 9.45am to 10.00am on Friday 30^th December at the club.

Regards

Adair