Captains Corner

Hello everyone! We hope 2020 is being kind to you all and you’ve had the chance to get out there now that Spring seems to be springing! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for no more rain…

Since our last newsletter you’ve been getting involved in a number of races.

First off was Club Champ Race Number 3 – the Longleat 10k! We were so pleased to see so many of you take on the challenge of this 10k and having the opportunity to enjoy such lovely weather. Quite the opposite to the 2019 race which was snowed off!! And with so many of us postponing to the 2020 date it made it easy for us to pick this as a CC race.  It was a fast race to start, with a cheeky little hill in the first few k. A loop back past the Longleat estate house was picturesque but short-lived before we scooted off into the undulating estate. I Don’t think the next bit was through the lion’s enclosure but we all probably ran a bit quicker just in case! The final loop took us up the same cheeky little hill before turning towards the house where you could see the finish line. The finish straight was very very long but the end was in sight so it was a good incentive to push to the line. There were some fantastic results from everyone – including some PBs - so well done all!

Next up was CC Race Number 4 – The Green Man Ultra (GMU). 4 epic ladies and 8 heroic men took on this beast of a race which circles the wider outskirts of Bristol. 46 tough glorious miles of paths, trails, woodland – oh and mud! A fair bit of mud. Times on the day from GMU participants can typically range from under 6 hours to over 12 hours – such is the length of the course. An enforced detour due to an angry farmer added a couple of extra miles on as well this time! As the GMU is not marshalled (aside from checkpoints) – a fair bit of orienteering skill - or tech - is also needed, unless you can hook up with a ‘Timelord’ to guide you around. That said, there is always some fabulous support along the way. Random people come out to provide sweeties or salty snacks and cheer runners on to help get them around - and of course - there’s none more random than us at EGRC! It was great to hear about club members going out to cheer our runners on or provide messages of support through the clubs social chat. I’m sure that made a huge difference to our dozen hardy EGRC participants.  So let’s hear 3 cheers for the dirty dozen!  48 ish miles of endurance, of never giving up, of blisters, of tears of pain and hopefully a few tears of joy as well. You are an inspiration to all of us at the Club. You have proven to us that our club really can achieve anything we put our minds to! A massive well done to you all.

After such massive achievements how could we possibly top that!? Well…. that would be our beloved Rodway 10k to follow the very next day! It was great to see so many EGRC faces either running or marshalling. The race was a great success once again! And we must take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you and good wishes to the two who made the race the fun and success that it has become over the past number of years – Ashley and Kate Wright. You have been such a fantastic team in organising the race over the past years. Behind the well-oiled machine that unfolds on race day goes months of preparation, of organising sign packs, stuffing goody bags, seeking various permissions, organising marshals, etc etc etc. It of course wouldn’t happen without our small army of EGRC helpers, but without you, the race would certainly not have kept going. So on behalf of all at EGRC – we thank you, we applaud you, we salute you! – and wish you all the best for your next challenge, whatever that may be.

Frenchay 10k Recce Brunch run on 15th Mar. Come for a lovely Sunday morning run and check out the route if you’re running it on the 5th April, or if you’re not! Plus an opportunity for a bit of (optional) fancy dress as we try to recreate the very first F10k circa 1980! Bring your best comical 80’s gear to run in! Or something colourful. Head-bands, sweat-bands, pop socks, spandex, short shorts for the men? – whatever you fancy! Details are on the #teamEGRC Event Facebook page - but if you have any questions please ask Anna Thomas, Matt Bessell or either of us.

Weston half on the Sunday 29th Mar – this is our next team CC race. It’s a long one but you do get to finish on the Pier (free entry – no £1 required  😊 ) Last year it was warm in the sun but cold in the shade so keep an eye on the weather conditions nearer the time.

Frenchay 10k – Sunday 5th Apr. It’s the 40th anniversary so it will be a very special one! With over 50 of us EGRC already entered (the most ever!) it would be fab if you could enter if you haven’t already. Let’s see if we can break the record with the most participants ever! 100% of proceeds from entry fees go to charity FYI so it’s a win-win!  

Hogweed Trot – Monday 18th May – away run so will end in sausages and chips! Yum yum

 

We’ve also been busy getting our Bristol 10k and Cotswold Way Relay entries sorted. Both are closed now and we will be in touch with the final details in due course.

Happy running all!

Graham & Wendy