13 Tattenhall Runners left the stygian gloom of Cheshire for the uplifting and sunlit Clwydians on Sunday taking part in the annual Clwydian Hills Fell Race starting and ending in Cilcain village. The weather was outstanding; hot dry and sunny with dehydration being a far greater threat than exposure on what proved to be the hottest November day since 1946; one of the team even had to beg a drink from a passing walker!

A experienced field of 159 runners took to the hills in a race which followed a new course, described by the organiser as ‘sadistic’, of just under 14 km. It required a total ascent of over 770m and was won in a time of 82 min 58 sec by Stephen Skates from Prestatyn Running Club. The first Tattenhaller home was, unsurprisingly, Peter Taylor who declared himself particularly pleased at beating his nemesis and leading club ultra fell runner, Simon Ellis. Simon’s wife, Sue, with dog in tow, provided much needed encouragement on the fells.

Competition was fierce with Tattenhall’s sole prize for a podium finish going to Ali Grundy who finished 2nd in the FV40 category and was 6th female overall; Well done Ali and indeed well done all Tattenhallers who braved the scorching temperatures and sadistic hills. Particular congratulations to Sharon B who chose to spend rather longer up to her neck in gorse, heather and bracken than everyone else!

With 39 clubs competing for the mythical ‘King of Moel Famau’ trophy, Tattenhall’s strength in numbers enabled it to stride into first place, taking over 9% of the points available. Well done to all.

Full Tattenhall Runners listing is:

Peter Taylor – 23rd overall 95min 26 sec
Simon Ellis – 26th overall 97min 44 sec
Rob Arden – 34th overall 101 min 10 sec
James Jenkin – 36th overall 101 min 50sec
Simon Duckett – 47th overall 104 min 40 sec
Nick Holmes – 50th overall 104 min 56 sec
Alí Grundy – 60th overall (6th F overall / 2nd FV 40) 109 min 50 sec
Kate Lightfoot – 87th overall (10th F overall / 5th FV 40) 119 min 47 sec
Lee Lumb – 95th overall 122 min 54 sec
Charlie Eldred 108th overall 133 min 37 sec
Mike McCorkell 113th overall 138 min 23 sec
Tim Charmley 125th overall 145 min
Sharon Basford 198 min (approx)

84 runners of all abilities took to the picturesque lanes between Tilston and Shocklach for the annual Tilston 10k race on Sunday. The sun shone and humour was good but this didn’t detract from the seriousness of what is sold as Cheshire’s Friendliest 10k! Racing was fierce, particularly at the leading end with the course record broken by over a minute in a time of 33 min 24 sec. Andy Sudlow took 2nd place for the second year in succession in a very creditable 37 min 29 sec! 6 Tattenhallers chased variably, the clock, the person in front or just a good time. James Jenkin came in, in 7th place overall in 41 min 19 sec, taking a second off his personal best (for his age) and winning Runner’s-up medal up in the MV50 category. Had there been a MV55 category he would have won first prize in this category, but there wasn’t! Oh well, he consoles himself by not being beaten by an older man! Other Tattenhall Runner’s times were:

Mike Davies – 48:57

Lance Boseley – 49:32

Robert Webster – 50:14

Debs Stanaway – Timing to be determined! Editor’s note: Unfortunately, due to the fact that Debs covered up her race number in the photograph, the author was unable to determine her finishing time which might have been 51:56; 57:07 or 66:19! Perhaps she can enlighten us!

In any event a grand day out!

With the summer evening short fell races now behind us it’s time to see how the competition is shaping in the 2015/16 club fell championships. The table linked below shows the points won in the first 4 races. There will be 7 races in total and it’s the best 4 performances that count for each runner (in comparison with other Tattenhall members).

Congratulations to Sharon on being the only runner with a 100% attendance record so far. It means that her current total of 15 points gives a target for all the other ladies to aim at! In the men’s competition both Peter and Simon have  a perfect 2 points from 2 races but Lee and Martin are also looking good, each with 3 races already notched up.

Fell_Series_Points_2015-6_latest

Tattenhall Runners were again out over the weekend although holidays and injuries limited the numbers tackling the hills or open roads. That said, the annual ‘Race the Train’ events took place in a sunny Tywyn, mid Wales, on Sun 15 Aug. This classic series saw four Tattenhall Runners this year race the Talyllyn train from Tywyn on its journey to Abergynolwyn and back. In order to do this runners use a mixture of public roads, lanes, un-metalled roads, tracks, agricultural land, and rough grazing pastures and over 1200 runners took on the challenge. The longer 14 mile Rotary course was tackled by Peter Taylor and Rob Chambers with Pete completing the course in an outstanding 43rd place in a train-beating time of 1hr 34min 33sec and some 13 minutes before the train. Rob Chambers very narrowly missed out on the target arriving only 47 sec after the train had arrived! A shorter 10k Quarry Challenge was undertaken by Lance Boseley and Jen Chambers, both achieving very creditable times but unfortunately arriving after the train.

Alli and I have finally completed  our endurance challenges, raising money for the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer.  We took part in the Peak Skyrace on Sunday 2nd August, a tough 30 mile trail run in the Peak District, along with fellow Tattenhall Runner Simon Duckett, finishing in a time of 6 hours 22 minutes.  On Sunday 9th August we then took on the 115 mile Rise Above Sportive, a hilly road bike venturing into North Wales, finishing in 9 hours 36 minutes.  After 3000m of climbing we were spent but it was a truly incredible day.

Visit our JustGiving page for the story behind these challenges and to donate.

https://www.justgiving.com/Rob-Arden1/

Welcome to our relaunched website for Tattenhall Runners, which aims to provide information for both existing members and those interested in joining this great club.

There are details on our training nights, races and social get-togethers.  I think you’ll find we’re a friendly bunch who don’t take things too seriously.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@tattenhallrunners.com

Rob Arden, Club Chairman