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Mike | Add a comment! July races are now updated and available here. This year there seem to be a few more to choose from, although given the opportunity to watch other people slogging it out on TV, I’m not sure how well attended they’ll be!
Frenchay Runners has been going for over a year now and they have gone from strength to strength. They are already well known, and that has to be because of the enthusiasm and care of their leaders.
They’ve now decided to set up another womens’ running club on a Saturday morning in Brislington, and they’ve already got a good looking website set up, which says someting about how serious they are.
They will meet at 8am at Arnos Manor Hotel, on the Bath Rd. The first session is on 12th May 2012.
There will be different routes every week with a 2 mile, 3 mile, and 4 mile group. All abilities are welcome.
Each group will have a run leader so everybody should get the support they need.
Running is certainly thriving in Bristol. Groups that I know have grown hugely in the past couple of years are Southville Runners, Frenchay Runners, and the Bristol & West AC recreational runners group (coached by the man who coached the UK’s fastest woman in the recent London Marathon). All of these groups are known for the fantastic support they give to new runners, and there certainly seem to be plenty of those around!
At the same time, I note that that the Towpath 10k Series used to be fully booked at the start of the season, but now it is not. It’s a really good route. Why should that be?
Mike | Add a comment! There are loads of races small and large flat and hilly to choose from in June and the list is here. Please let me know if I’ve missed anything.
Sharon | Add a comment! Running Free: Breaking Out From locked-in Syndrome By Kate Allatt
I couldn’t put this book down and read the entire book in about a week. Believe me that’s quick for me as I never seem to get the time or solitude to read a book apart from in the bath. So I had lots of long baths when I read this.
The author writes her own story about from being a busy self-employed mother of three young children, who loves running across the Yorkshire Moors with her running buddies to someone trapped in her own body. At the young age of just 39 she has a stroke, leaving her struggling with locked-in syndrome.
Completely paralysed, her prognosis for survival is low, yet the doctors are unaware that she can hear and see everything going on around her. Finally after several weeks of pain and frustration her running friend realises she can communicate through blinking.
This is the first of many milestones in the author’s recovery. Simply an amazing story of determination, self-belief & strength. Against all the odds she learns to speak, eat, and walk again and with the help of her friends tries to run again.
It was her thoughts and memories of running free through the countryside and the love of her friends and family that helped pull her through her ordeal. Simply an amazing story. The author has just published a follow-up of her story entitled Gonna Fly Now!
Want to run up a hill and break a world record? I have just received the following press release:
PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION FROM SOMER ATHLETIC CLUB
RUNNING EVENT AIMS TO BREAK WORLD RECORD UP A HILL
Runners from across Somerset and beyond are being asked to be a part of world record breaking attempt as part of the Jack and Jill Challenge on Sunday 13 May.
The running event, comprising a 10k off-road running race and a shorter fun run, is in its second year and organisers Somer Athletic Club believe that it will be the best yet.
“We’re hoping to attract a great mix of runners of all ages and abilities to the event and in particular, we want to encourage entries from anyone called Jack or Jill”, says Somer AC Chairman Adrian Holborn.
“We’re unlikely to break any truly athletic records so we thought we’d try and break the world record for people called Jack and Jill up a hill.
The organisers are in contact with the Guinness World Records team to clarify the existing record, thought to be a mix of 117 Jacks and Jills.
The Jack and Jill Challenge covers around six miles of stunning countryside including rolling fields, hidden valleys, footpaths and woodland tracks, over styles and even the odd river or two including an ascent of the famous Jack n Jill Hill.
Adrian adds: “This is a great challenge for all runners, especially those that love to get off the roads in a search for some mud. If we can attract lots of Jacks and lots of Jills, maybe we can set the world record but if not, I’m confident we’ll have a great race that goes up hills and in search of water.”
The race starts and finishes from Haydon Que Club in Radstock. The main 10k race starts at 11.00am while the shorter fun run starts from the same place at 11.10am. Entry fees are £8.00 for affiliated runners or £10 for unattached runners (£2 extra on the day) and just £3.00 for those taking part in the Mini Jack fun run. Runners called Jack or Jill will be able to compete for the coveted Jack or Jill award.
The event helps to raise money for Above + Beyond, the Bristol-based charity that supports all of the city’s nine central hospitals, investing in projects that provide gold-standard care. The Jack and Jill Challenge is sponsored by specialist running retailer Moti.
More information and entry forms can be found at www.somerac.org.uk/jack_jill
ENDS
