Club News

New Severn and Gloucester AC team win first Midland League match.

The eagerly anticpated Gloucester & Severn composite team finally became a reality when it competed in the new Midlands Athletics League Division Three match at Yate on Saturday (3rd May) and immediately gave signs of its potential as it stormed to victory in the opening fixture.

Administrators from both City clubs had worked hard in recent weeks to assemble their forces and their work was rewarded as the athletes merged into one solid unit.

The team got off to an excellent start as Wayne Powell and youngster Michael Tommey gained first places in the men's hammer 'A' and 'B' strings (the latter with a new personal best distance) and Nikita Morgan (also with a new personal best) and Marion Loveridge taking 1st and 2nd places respectively in the women's 'A' and 'B' competition.

As expected, the throwing events reaped ample rewards for the City unit as further wins were recorded by another promising youngster, Gareth Winter in the shot putt 'B' event with his first ever throw over 10 metres, Justin Sysum in the discus 'B' event and Leigh Pritchard in the javelin 'B' event. Their victories were backed up by further second places from Loveridge in the women's shot putt and Beverley Jones in the women's discus.

On the track, Albert Gardiner showed that he is on the road to recovery from illness and injury when he held on for victory in the men's 200m, before cruising to an emphatic 400m win. Steve Millward was a comfortable winner in the steeplechase with a personal best, as were Lloyd Andrews in the 400m hurdles, Brendan Goss in the 110m hurdles and Richard de Camps in the 800m.

Team manager Jeremy Mower was delighted with the result and the ease with which the athletes settled into their new team, saying "The sport in the City has been crying out for this merge for several years and the athletes all worked well together. There are several athletes still to come into the team and competition for places will be keen as everyone wants to be part of this." Mower added "I thought our ladies did very well today. They were depleted by non-availabilities, but they all rallied round and gained very useful points."

For more photos check out the gallery page.

Results:
Match - Gloucester & Severn 382 pts; Kettering 364; Yate 355; Dudley & Stourbridge 292; Tipton 258; Corby 173.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Birmingham Cross Country League dates set.

The venues and dates have been arranged for Severn Athletic Club's cross-county team in the 2008-9 Birmingham Cross County League Division One. They are: October 25, Birmingham; December 6, Northampton; January 17, Coventry; February 14, Gloucester.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Stephens and Hawkins in 10k action

Peter Stephens finished third in the Frenchay 10K multi-terrain race in Bristol on 20th April, clocking 36.08.

"I was on course for 34.30secs at halfway, then there were three steep hills which slowed me," he said.

On Wednesday 23rd April Andy Hawkins finished 18th in the Civil Service 10k championships in Battersea Park in 36.45. The race was won by Phil Parry (Bristol & MOD) in 32.21.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Tim Dalton selected for BUSA championships

Tim Dalton has won selection to represent Loughborough University in the British University Athletic Championships at the weekend. The 20 year-old performed with distinction in the Loughborough trials. In a tactical 800 metres, he was fifth in one minute, 57.6 seconds. Two hours later, he took over 20 seconds off his 3000 metres best when second in 8:33.5.

They were his first track races of the summer season and followed a triumphant winter when he won the second individual award in the Birmingham Cross Country Division One League.

He runs the 5000 metres in the championships and hopes to improve massively on his best of 15mins 38secs.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Blaisdon Bluebell 10k - 5th May 2008

THE Severn Athletic Club May Bank Holiday race will be on Monday May 5 and will be a new 10 kilometre road race, the Blaisdon Bluebell Run starting from the Red Hart, Blaisdon at 11.30am.

All local runners aged 17 and over are welcome. Registration is at the Red Hart pub from 10.30am.
Entry £4.00 attached, £6.00 unattached, surcharge for entry on the day.

For further details contact Terry Haines on 01452 410885

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Hope leads way in London for Severn

Severn Athletic Club members met with mixed fortunes in the London Marathon. Achieving the best placing ever by a Severn Athletic Club runner was Gary Hope, 107th, in two hours 35 minutes 38 seconds, a personal best by two minutes.

"I went through half way in 75 minutes 12 seconds but couldn't sustain the pace for a sub two hours 30 minutes," he said.

Brother Alex, the club captain, in his fourth marathon was 270th (44th in the Vets 40-44 age group).

The former junior 800 metres champion was five minutes outside his best, and said: "I never really got going and was running very slowly at certain stages. Perhaps marathon is not for me."

Veteran over 45 John Holland produced an excellent display of even paced running.

He sliced a massive seven minutes off his best breaking the three hours barrier.

He was 1,020th in two hours 59 minutes 13 seconds and placed 111th in the 45-49 age group. Holland was running his 14th marathon and his run caps a winter series of best performances at cross-country.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Lloyds TSB Fitness Run Series

LLOYDS TSB will again be sponsoring the Severn Athletic Club summer series of Four Mile Fitness Runs from the Pilot Inn, Hardwicke.

The runs will be on May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4, starting at 7.30pm.

Runners capable of running faster then 24 minutes for four miles or its equivalent at other related distances are barred.

Mark Robinson of Lloyds TSB said: "Last year we were delighted with the record turn-outs. The runs are intended to give those who use running as part of their fitness regime to have a gauge for their progress."

Entry is on the night and all runners receive a time certificate.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Blackbridge available for training only.

Following discussions between UK Athletics and Gloucester City Council it has been decided that Blackbridge will be available for use by Severn AC athletes for training purposes only.

There are problems with lane 6 and the long jump pit so these must not be used.

Club training will continue from Monday 7th April at 6.30pm as usual.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Severn qualify for National 12 stage road relays.

Severn's mens team put in a good performance in the Midlands 12 stage road relays finishing 13th in 4.16.18. We have now qualified for the National 12 stage relays on Saturday 26th April in Sutton Park. Well done to everyone that took part. For more details check out the results section.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Severn team win first National Title!

Severn AC won their first National title in the National Masters Cross Country Championships at Banbury on Saturday. The team of Gary Hope, Alex Hope and Simon Fortnam were victorious in the 35 - 39 age group, beating last years Champions, North Belfast by over four minutes.

Gary finished third, Alex fourth and Simon ninth in the race.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

2008 Cotswold Way Relay

The race is on the 28th June 2008 and consists of 10 back-to-back races which follow the Cotswold Way (90% off-road) from Chipping Camden to Bath (all different distances, see below). The races are staggered throughout the day, the first stage is at 7am in Chipping Camden and the last at 5:20pm starting at Cold Ashton and finishing in Bath.

For a mixed team we need 3 ladies and 7 men, can you get back to me if you are interested. its a really fun event and think we'll have a good chance of winning some prizes!!

I've put the race info below (times,locations, distances), can you let me know if you have a preference on which stage you complete.

Stage 1: 7am Chipping Camden to Stanway House - 12 miles

Stage 2: 8.15am Stanway House to Cleeve Hill - 12 miles

Stage 3: 9.35am Cleeve Hill to Seven Springs - 8.5 miles

Stage 4: 10.30am Seven Springs to Cranham Corner - 12.5 miles

Stage 5: 11.45 Cranham Corner to Ebley Mill Stroud - 12.5 miles

Stage 6: 1pm Ebley Mill Stroud to Dursley - 9 miles

Stage 7: 2pm Dursley to Wotton-U-Edge - 7 miles

Stage 8: 3pm Wotton-U-Edge to Old Sodbury - 12 miles

Stage 9: 4.20pm Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton - 9 miles

Stage 10: 5.20pm Cold Ashton to Bath - 10 miles

For further information contact Lucie Woodyatt: lucie.woodyatt@glos.nhs.uk

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Summer Training at Blackbridge

Severn AC Training, Spring/Summer 2008

Outdoor training at Black Bridge re-commences on Monday 31st March.

Severn AC club nights shall be each Monday (except Bank Holidays) and Wednesday (6:30 - 8:00 pm) through to mid-September. Training is free to all fully paid-up club members, so please make sure you have paid your subs to qualify for this privilege!

Because of the new arrangement with Gloucester AC where we shall be fielding a composite team in track & field competitions this year, you are able to use the track on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, but will be expected to pay for entry.

For details, ring Richard Blackwell on 07817 974630 or 01452 371707.

Remember: 6:30 is the time to start your training, not the time you should be thinking of leaving your house to go to the track, or start looking for your kit etc. Please do your best to be on time - out of courtesy to those people leading the sessions and to your training partners. Continued lateness is plain bad manners!

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Free bio-mechanical assessments available

Oxford Brookes University Osteopathy Teaching Clinics are now open for SPORTS INJURIES. To introduce this service to the community, we are offering an introductory FREE BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT on Mondays.

Appointments are available throughout the day on Monday at both our Oxford Clinic on Windmill Road, Headington and our Swindon Clinic on Ferndale Road.

The Assessment consists of screening for muscle imbalances, such as weakness or shortening, which may lead to fatigue, strains or underperformance. We also assess mobility in spinal and peripheral joints as required for particular sports; for example,
focusing on hips, trunks and shoulders in a golfer and primary joints responsible for shock absorption in a runner.

Following the assessment you will be provided with a summary of the main points from your assessments and advise on any stretching, strengthening or mobility exercises, which may be useful to help prevent injuries or improve performance.
There is NO obligation to take up a treatment programme and no specific injury is needed in order to qualify for the assessment. However, if you are carrying an injury, we would be able to offer advice on appropriate course of action following the consultation.

To book your FREE BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT please contact:

Mill Court OXFORD 01865 484158 or, Ferndale SWINDON 01793 437444

shsc.brookes.ac.uk/osteoclinic

Please mention you are a member of Severn AC

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Midlands track & field league fixtures

The 4 fixtures for the Midlands league joint men's and women's team for 2008 have been announced.

Saturday 3rd May at Yate
Saturday 7th June at Kettering
Saturday 5th July at Corby
Sunday 3rd August at Dudley

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Membership Subscriptions now due

Please note that Terry Haines is acting Club Membership Secretary until such time as a replacement volunteers their services.

The deadline for subscriptions has been extended to 8th March 2008. After this date there shall be a 25% surcharge.

Cheques (payable to Severn AC) can either be handed to Terry or sent to his home address.

Rates are as follows:
Full senior £30
OAP/UB40/students aged 15 and above £13
Children 14 and under £10
Life Membership £105 (Existing Life Members are required to pay £3 annual registration fee)

Family Membership and Life Family Membership details are negotiable with Membership Secretary and Club Treasurer.

Many thanks - and please consider volunteering as Membership Secretary.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

Severn and Gloucester AC combine forces

Severn AC and Gloucester AC will compete as a composite team in the Midlands athletics league Division three this summer. Delighted Severn Vice Chairman Richard Blackwell said afterwards "I'm very pleased as it will give our track athletes something to aim for this year, as well as enabling the clubs to combine their competitive, coaching and officiating resources."

Gloucester's track team manager Jeremy Mower added: "Both clubs' strengths complement each other and to see them working together in this way is great news for track and field athletics in the city.

"We hope it will encourage the development of local facilities which, as people know, are pretty poor."

Updated by Simon Fortnam

ROBINSON BREAKS COURSE RECORD

Dan Robinson blitzed the field in the Winter Five-Mile road race from the White Horse, Sandhurst. Already the holder of the course record (23 minutes, 50 seconds) from 2004, Robinson took 10 seconds off that time.
With the London Marathon and Olympic Marathon as 2008 targets, he is delighted to be in such good form.
Second man Phil Parry (Bristol) ran one of the best UK Vet 45 times of the year and was just ahead of Cheltenham's Jeremy Bradley, who was pleased his return from injury and is progressing well.

Wendy Nicholls, of Cirencester AC, sliced 44 seconds off her own course record with a personal best to finish fifth in 26:56.

Updated by Simon Fortnam

KINSEY HAILS TEAM AFTER MIDLAND BEST

Severn AC ladies captain Gwen Kinsey was delighted with her team's running in the Midland Counties Cross-County Championship at Leamington."We equalled our best placing of sixth. We would have been nearer the medals in the last few years but the standard was higher this year," she said.

Sian Lewis (17th) led the team home, improving after her usual cautious start which had her in 30th place after a quarter of the four-mile course.

Jo Fletcher (35th) ran her best ever cross-county race and might have been higher if she had not fallen into the brook crossing.

Kinsey (37th) overtook team-mate and Midland Five Mile Champion Lucy Woodyatt (39th) in the final half mile.

In the men's senior eight mile event, Severn took heart at the return to racing after set-backs of the Hope brothers.

Reversing recent results between them, the younger Gary just held off Alex's finishing charge in 72nd and 73rd places.

Updated by Simon Fortnam