Hi there
We start this week with a race report from last week’s Bromyard Round the Downs Race. Thanks to Tor Band and Jayne Cresswell for the write-ups and photos.
From Jayne
Last Sunday, 20th June, saw the return of the Bromyard Round the Downs race but with a twist. The usual 4.5 mile road race had to be turned into a 5.4 mile trail race due to Covid. But my gosh what a blessing that was. The race was fantastic. Tough, beautiful and strangely enjoyable.
The race had staggered starts to avoid large groups. The fast people started first and that included me as I needed to get to work. Don’t stress, I gained permission. The beauty of this is that I got to see all the Harriers running as they passed me. It was a two lap course across the Downs and there was the odd climb but you got some fantastic views. Fingers crossed, next years race will be off road too.
Results for the Harriers
David Bannister 33:36
Kate Elkington 43:05
Mark Rooke 47:24
Rachel Bannister 51:21
Nicholas Tyler 52:16
Victoria Band 53:06
Laura Webb 53:27
Sian David 57:22
Jayne Cresswell 67:58
Thank you to everyone who waited for me to come in. It was great hearing you shout as I was running to the finish.
From Tor:-
On Sunday 20th June the weather stayed dry for 10 Harriers to take part in the Around the Downs trail course which was started by the town crier. The first recorded race was in 1923 and the race has taken place annually since 2010. The route took a new course this year but still took us along the traces of the Napoleonic Wartime racecourse that was once there, along with the bowling green, rifle butts and two underground bunkers that were built in the adjoining Warren Wood in case of invasion during the Second World War.
200 participants ran past a combination of gorse and grassland, wood and coppice. Rising to over 700 feet, the Downs dominates the local area and provides breath-taking views west into Wales and North to Clee Hill making Kate’s recruitment for more Harriers to join Cross Country and run on the grassy stuff an easier task.
Winning time was 31.41 and first Harrier home was David Bannister in a time of 33.36 putting the Harriers on the board with a top 10 finish, followed by Martin Williams with 39.54. First lady home was in a time of 38.27 closely followed by our very own Kate Elkington with a top 5 female finish at 43.05. First Harriers couple home were The Bannisters (Dave & Rachel) with a combined time of 84.57.
The ice-cream van was a welcome sight after the 5.4 mile undulating route and a downhill finish. The most impressive Harrier finish had to go to Sian Aubrey who managed a sliding finish approx. 5 meters from the line.
All starting Harriers finished and took one of the wooden Around the Downs medals home as a reward – here’s hoping we can get even more of the club there for next year.
Malvern Joggers 10K – 30th June
Good luck to people running this on Wednesday evening. Pictures of Harriers would be great!
Pub Run – 6th July
The Slip has now been booked for the pub run on the 6th July. Please meet there ready to run by 6:45pm. I think I confused you all with having 2 spreadsheets. I will transfer everyone’s name over to the ‘normal’ signup spreadsheet for next Tuesday if you haven’t put your name on it already.
Other Social Events
Rounders social event: All Harriers are very welcome, with partners and children, to come along to the Rugby Club at 6.30 on Friday 30th July to play rounders and spend some time together. The bar will be open to buy drinks and it is steak night for food if you’d like to eat out after playing (menu below). There is no charge for the rounders!
If you would like to come along, please sign up here :-Sign Up for Rounders 30th July 2021
If you want to eat afterwards, it is Steak Night at the Rugby Club. The menu in brief:
Steaks or leg of Lamb @ £15, Sea Bass £14, Cajun cauliflower steak £12, all including a side of potato/sweet potato chips or onion rings plus a choice of sauces. Food served till 9 pm.
Paddle boarding evening: we have a provisional booking for Friday 23rd July at 6.30 pm for a paddle boarding evening with Paddle Boarding Adventures www.paddleboardingadventures.co.uk. Maximum 15 places are available costing £30 per head (discounted from £35). The 2.5 hour session is suitable for beginners and includes learning the basic skills plus time to paddle along and have fun. Participants must be able to swim. Full payment is required in advance. Please email Jo if you wish to come along. jotaylorgreig@gmail.com
Tuesday Run – 29th June
Jeffers – meeting at the Rugby Club.
The other groups are meeting in the usual place.
Gentle Joggers – Primary School Car Park
Easy Runners – Swimming Pool Car Park
Runners – Homebase Car Park
Sprinters – St Katherine’s Car Park
Fast Group – Market House
Sign-up sheet can be found here:-Tuesday Night Sign-Up Sheet
Thursday Night Sessions
These take place every Thursday night at 6:30pm at the Rugby Club. All are welcome to attend.
- Sign-up sheet is here:Thursday Night Session
I think that’s all for now. Have a good week.
Helen