The day came around all too quickly and before I knew it I was stood in the village square of Broadway at 7:45am, surrounded by experienced ultra runners, plus Matt and Colin from BRC.  What on earth was I doing?  I expected to be out for anything between 8-10 hours so I decided to just relax and enjoy it.  3… 2 ...1… GO, we were off, and far too fast, trotting along at 10km pace.  I managed to slow myself down though and get into the groove of plodding along at a far more gentle pace.

The first 10 miles passed really quickly and checkpoint 1 came into view with it’s array of sweet treats, fruit and malt loaf to keep us all going.  I scoffed down a couple of flapjacks, filled my bottle and got ready to set off again.  However, annoyingly I could already feel a couple of blisters developing so I took the time to get them taped before I carried on.

Big congratulations to BRC runner Matt Spinks and his achievement of completing his first marathon in a cracking time of 4hr 16min. We are looking forward to seeing how this speedster chips hip time down in the coming years! Here’s the first hand account.

“I joined BRC back in November after running the Bridgnorth 10k. I decided to join the club because up until then my training for half marathons had been very sporadic, I wanted to try and increase my distance/pace and ultimately was getting bored of running by myself.

The BRC team have been great and offered lots of support and advice!

I started running about 6 years ago just to keep fit and when I first started I regularly did a 3-4 mile loop around Bridgnorth. It wasn’t up until 4 years ago that I decided to enter my 1st half marathon in Ironbridge that meant I needed to up my game. My 3-4 mile loop around Bridgnorth increased up to 7-10 miles.

Over the last few years I’ve entered about 15-20 half marathons and a couple of 10k races but never made the jump to marathon. 2015 was to be the year I did my 1st and on the 8th March 2015 I completed the Wrexham Full Marathon in 4hrs 16 minutes, which i was more than happy with seeing as it was my 1st. Now I have something to work with in preparation for the next one.

The race was very well supported along the route and had plenty of marshals, drink stations and toilets. The full marathon only had approx 188 people enter. The weather at the start and end was ideal running conditions but about 15 miles in the heavens opened and the wind picked up which made the next five miles very hard to maintain the pace.

It hasn't put me off doing another one and I have already signed up for Wolverhampton in September. I may even try and squeeze a 3rd in for 2015 but still continue with the half marathons, next one being on the 22nd March in Stafford.

Look forward to seeing you all out on the road, keep up the training, be it a mile or 10 every bit helps.”

Well done Matt, keep up the training; it’s clearly paying off.

By Joy Whitworth

The thought of  running after a day at work didn't seem to appealing but I knew deep down at 57 I must. Thinking about my fitness & weight loss and daughters wedding this was a good incentive.
 
As I arrived with friend Debbie I thought run or pub?
 
Run it was and thank goodness I did. Will and his team of volunteers / other runners were all so friendly. The first night it was dark, cold. I won't say it was easy. We started off with a good brisk walk and a small amount of jogging – with no pressure – the volunteers giving you confidence & encouragement all the time.
 
After the warm down exercise I got in the car with such a great feeling of success. I would say to anyone whatever you manage on the C25K its better than being sat on the couch all night !
 
After 9 weeks and the gradual  increase of distance I was aiming for the 5K at Telford  !!
 
Then came the Graduation at Telford Town Park – felt nervous and thought I really want to run this without stopping. The run was on and as always I found it hard for the first ten minutes – middle run not to bad – then the last K the push was needed ( there were times when I felt like stopping !) It was a relief to see the finish line. ( and see the Cake we were promised at the start line –this was a very good incentiive )  I may not be the fastest at 33 minutes but I completed it and the feeling is amazing. 9 weeks ago I never thought I would  run 5K.
 
A big thanks to everyone -  this is a wonderful memory you have helped me make.
If anyone wants to feel good about themselves physical and mentally – join the C25K

Bridgnorth Running Club was well represented in Cumbria on Saturday 21 March, while Cat and Dean were enjoying  the Cartmel Lakeland Trails Race, this runner headed for The Coniston 14 Road Race, an annual event of 14 miles following around the perimeter,  as closely as possible,  of Coniston Water. Proceeds from the race going  towards community projects in Coniston and surrounding area.

The weather was sun and blue skies with just a stray cloud or two passing overhead as The Old Man of Coniston looked down in all his glory basking in the sunshine.

The race headquarters is at The John Ruskin Secondary School and there is ample of parking on the School playing field for a token fee of £2. It still seems chilly as I arrive at 10.00, though the car shows eight degrees on the thermometer and park up in the third row of cars near the top of the playing field. I have a wander around, Pete Bland has a stall here and I buy some expensive Innovate running gloves at £15, but they will do the job today. Inside the School Hall cakes and hot drinks are available to buy and I make a mental note for afterwards.

I get kitted up in my Bridgnorth Running Club vest and affix my number with built in timing chip; By 11.00 everyone is assembled on the road outside the school and the starter gives his talk and instructions before a hooter sends the strong field of 1126 runners, of which about eighty per cent are club runners, off and over the timing mat to make their way up the rising road to turn left at the cross roads by the BP garage. It is a long slog of a climb out of Coniston on the A593 main road and the entrance to Coniston Hall is passed on the ascent before levelling off nearer towards Torver. Along this section of about three miles the Police have stopped all traffic to make the road free for runners. At Torver , the race turns left onto the A5084, a fairly quiet road  and another climb is required up to a garage at the top of the hill before a good descent to join the edge of the lake and some flat. A couple of cattle grids have to be negotiated around and the first one has a gate next to it lakeside and a marshall steers the runners through while the other has had matting put over for the runners safety, again a marshall is in attendance. At Water Yeat, 6 miles, there is a drinks station and  I rehydrate, there had been an earlier one which had been ignored.

 Here at Water Yeat, the race leaves the main road and travels down a narrow lane crossing Bouthrey Bridge at the southern head of the lake. At the same time an open top car turns into the lane from the other direction of the race and spurts out diesel fumes at me as it is unable to make progress with all the runners but most annoyingly the car turns left at the end of the lane  to follow the race route on the east side of the lake and I have to breathe in even more fumes!

 The road on the east side is far more undulating and climbs quite high above the lake. After seven miles I feel I am getting in my stride and manage to overtake several other competitors. A lot of the road is shaded by deciduous trees and the water on the lake looks calm and blue. There is a long steady climb at about ten to eleven miles and the race route goes past Brantwood, the home of painter John Ruskin with its majestic gardens and lake views. At the top of the climb the road levels out for a short while before steeply descending down to the northern head of the lake. Along here there are many spectators so I cannot ease up now! Soon this road joins into the Coniston to Hawkshead road for the final part before heading through Coniston Village, again lots of spectators line the street as the race makes its way back to the school to complete in chip time 1.44.24 in a position of 191 out of 1119 with 7 DNF. In all the race had included 619 feet of ascent according to my garmin . The winner, from Black Coombe Runners was 1.20.34.

 No goody bag but a slate place mat simply decorated Coniston 14 2015 and depicting a couple of running figures within the large number 14 in gold colour. The School provides showering facilities which I use and then have a couple of cups of tea and a cake, Hot meals were also being served from the school kitchen but I did not want one at this time.

 An excellent race, recommended. Entry fee £23 for affiliated runners. Google....Coniston 14 for details, it fills up early.

 As The Old Man of Coniston had looked so inviting, I climbed it the next day,  again really sunny, on the tourist path. A very busy route and mostly slabbed or stoned for all the way until about fifty metres from the summit where it steepens out for the final leg. An easy walk.