Redcar Running Club

News

Time for a challenge?

If you've already got plenty of 10ks and half marathons under your belt, why not challenge yourself to run a bit further? This year sees the introduction of two new, northern marathons to tempt us into stepping up the distance... The Greater Manchester Marathon (April 29th) and the Marathon of the North (May 6th) at Sunderland are both within easy reach and still have places available. Many club members have already signed up so there'll be plenty of training partners for those long runs. Go on - you know you want to really!

It's that time of year again...

After a dismal British summer, it's now time to pack away the string vests and bikinis and dig out the high-visibility clothing and waterproofs.

It might not be the height of fashion but high-vis is an essential piece of kit for winter running. We strongly advise that all runners, and especially women running alone, should wear high visibility clothing when out training in the winter evenings so that you can be easily seen.

Cheap high-vis gilets and jackets can be picked up from most high street sports stores or you can indulge in flashing LED armbands and the like from more specialist shops. And while the dark nights mean high-vis clothing is vital, at least in the dark no-one can tell it's you in the neon pink jacket and flashing vest!

New monthly Steel River 5K trail run

If you fancy a change from road running and competitive racing, there's a new trail run at Flatts Lane Woodland Park, starting on Saturday 27th August and then on the last Saturday of each month thereafter. The run is organised by Redcar & Cleveland Council, Tees Valley Leisure and Bike Traks and, as well as the scenery, there will also level 2 UKA coaches to provide encouragement and advice on training, kit and technique. Registration and warm-up exercises start at 8.15am with the run starting at 9. For more information, ring 01642 913 069 or visit the Bike Traks website.

Exclusive 15% discount on massages for club members

Some of you may already have benefitted from a post-run massage from Sarah Munster... now you can take advantage of a 15% discount of all massage treatments at her new salon, Revival Zone, part of Adore Hair and Beauty, Dundas Street, Redcar. To get pummelled back into shape after a hard run or just have your daily stresses smoothed away, print out a copy of this voucher or book a session on 01642 497278 (mobile 07757745738), staing that you're a member of the club.

Free gait analysis for club runners

Do you pronate or supinate? Do you know the difference? Bike Traks, one of the sponsors of the Redcar Half, are offering free gait analysis sessions at Redcar Bowl on the evening of Wednesday 4th May. Gait analysis can provide information on running technique and bio-mechanics, enabling runners to choose appropriate cushioning/supportive shoes and, hopefully, avoid injury. This service is usually charged for, so why not take this opportunity to have a closer look at your own running style and book a session? There are also training plans and running starter packs available (in case you don't already own enough Lycra!)

Marshalls wanted for Redcar Half

Would anyone not planning on running the Redcar Half Marathon, June 12th 2011, please consider marshalling the event? Events like this rely on the support of volunteers in order to keep their costs down so that we runners don't bankrupt ourselves.

A t-shirt and refreshments will be provided for all those marshalling or assisting at the water stations, plus they will be given a discount at the store of one of the event's sponsors, Bike Traks. If you, or any of your family, would like to help out, please let John Walshaw know... thank you!

Happy 25th Birthday to us...

It's our 25th Anniversary this month - and to celebrate we're planning a party on Friday 1st April. All club members and their significant others are welcome and there will be a free buffet, prize draw and the chance to socialise with people who you'd normally only see wearing lycra. So please, come along and make merry with us - we don't turn 25 very often!

Annual General Meeting - Wed 9th March, 8pm

Have your say on how the club is run. Yes - it's the AGM and it's your opportunity to give us your ideas, voice your opinions and raise any issues. Everyone is welcome and it should only last an hour so hang around after your run and have your say. If you want to get more involved in the running of the club, find a proposer and seconder and put yourself up for membership of the committee. There are 5 committee meetings spaced throughout the year - they all take place after the Wednesday night run.

Happy New Year's resolutions

Have you made that resolution again this year? New Year, new you? Well, after a few months of slipping around on sheets of ice and ploughing through deep snow, we can at last enjoy getting out and doing some proper running again - just in time for all those post-Christmas diets and New Year's resolutions.

For those just starting out running, be it as a means to lose weight, keep fit, or being the next Haille Gabreseilasse, just remember to take it steady. Check out our beginners and training sections for advice and remember - if you can't chat while you're running, you're going too fast.

For those looking to improve or just wanting a change of scenery, try (gradually) increasing your distance and join the Sunday AM long run from Majuba car park or try your hand at a trail or fell run and give those quads a workout on some hills. Either way, more miles or more hills will certainly help shift any post-Christmas pounds!

Show some support for Sundays!

The informal Sunday morning club run is suffering from a lack of attendance. If you've nothing better to do on a Sunday morning than lie in bed, why not drag yourself down to Majuba Road car park (outside R-Kade skate park) for 9.30am and join us for a long, slow run?

Don't be scared off by the idea of a long run - we will gladly accommodate the needs of individuals and we always select our routes and distance according to fair and open debate (rock, paper, scissors usually works!) We try and go a little further afield and take in a more varied terrain than can be managed on the Wednesday night runs - such as Errington Woods, Upleatham, Saltburn Valley Gardens or the beach - and are open to suggestions for other routes.

Also, don't think that these runs will be too hard. We keep the pace nice and steady - this is a training run and should be enjoyable. Please feel free to come along and join us for a nice long chat, with a bit of running thrown in.

Huge haul of PBs at Redcar Half Marathon

Despite the gloomy weather and much derided new 'scenic' route, a highly impressive field of 30 club members turned out for the Redcar Half Marathon and several others braved the drizzle to turn up in support (though they sneakily avoided being included in the Club photo).

Several runners, both local and those from further afield, commented on the lack of support along the out-and-back route but the cool, damp conditions were ideal for running - as demonstrated by the results. Sadly, Karen had to pull out due to an existing injury but the others managed the achieve an impressive 22 personal bests (including 12 first time PBs) and our usual star performers - Dave Greensmith, Sarah Bibby and Pam Costello - also set three new club records.

Ladies going from strength to strength

The club's female runners have once again been putting the blokes to shame with some fantastic results. Pam has notched up so many first places in her age category that we've frankly lost track and the recent Tees Barrage 10K race saw our ladies finish first in four age categories and Sarah Bibby finished as fourth lady overall. In addition, their strong performance meant they picked up the team prize as well.

Changing rooms improvements complete

The rennovations to the Cricket Club's changing rooms are now complete - hurrah! Unfortunately, the start of the cricket season means that our access to the changing facilities will be limited to those evenings when there isn't a home match scheduled... gah! However, our meeting room is now newly decorated and we shall continue to meet there prior to Wednesday evening runs when there is a cricket match on.

Paul's charity appeal

On 16th May, Paul Munster is running the Brathay Windemere Marathon in aid of the Brathay Trust, an organisation which helps young disaffected people. If you would like to sponsor Paul, please visit his Just Giving page and help support his fund-raising effort.

Rennovations underway on club facilities

The Cricket Club changing rooms are currently not accessible as improvements to the current facilities are underway. This will mean a few weeks of disruption but we will eventually have separate showers and changing facilities so that the ladies will no longer run the risk of getting an unexpected eyeful... In the mean time, members are asked to meet in the Cricket Club lounge prior to the weekly club run.

Ladies lead the way

We've had several very strong performances in recent races by the club ladies who seem to be improving exponentially. Sarah put in a strong performance at the Brass Monkey and captured the coveted 'Top Dog' rank from NMH, whilst Pam has placed first in her age category regularly at the cross country series and her performance in the Brass Monkey was good enough to put her in the 80% WAVA category. Rachel is also making rapid progress, knocking 12 minutes off her previous best time at the recent Poultry Run. With so many new female club members and improving results, the boys had better pull their socks up!

Cross-Country grows in popularity

The cross-country season has kicked off and the club has fielded several new runners this year with many of our newer members tackling the hills and mud. Experienced mud-bunny Pam has notched up some fantastic results, winning her age category at Flatts Lane, the toughest course of the series, and many members have improved on last years times. We're already a few races into the season but anyone interested in running off-road should speak to Dave Bell, Ian or John for details of how to get involved in cross-country, trail and adventure races as there are many opportunities to leave the roads behind and get a little more adventurous.

Winter running season gets off to a Hellish start

Club masochists Rob and Tom have embraced the mud and rain and have taken part in several 'adventure races' – serious off-road events where the aim is apparently to get as muddy as is humanly possible. First up for the dynamic (and possibly deluded) duo was the Saab Salomon Turbo X Challenge - 10 miles of mud, hills and muddy hills just outside Sheffield. Rob struggled with an injured ankle but Tom relished the conditions and managed a respectable time for the distance, despite the three pounds of mud plastered to him. A few weeks later, they headed off to Cheshire for the HellRunner - Hell Up North race, a 12(ish) mile scramble through Delamere Forest with added obstacles and, of course, waist-deep mud. Despite the mud and arduous conditions, they both claimed to have enjoyed the events and are busy trying to recruit more mud fanatics to join them next year.

Click here for pics of Rob and Tom at Hellrunner

HellRunner 2009 - images from www.sleepmosters.co.uk

Record turn out for Tees Pride 10K

A record 27 Redcar Running Club members took part in the recent Middlesbrough Tees Pride 10K on September 6th. It was a pleasant day for racing - not too warm - and perhaps it was that, combined with the strong support around the course, that helped 12 of our runners to get PBs.

Several people performed particularly well and knocked minutes off their previous bests: both Denis and Michelle beat their previous times by over 3 minutes, Nadia and Louise managed to get 2 minutes under but the star performers were Paul Wilmot and Peter Ball who cut their PBs by 4 and 6 minutes respectively.

Click here for club results or visit the offical results site for all competitors.

Ladies claim victory at Kilburn Feast

A memorable day for our ladies at this year's Kiburn Feast. The 7.2 mile hilly race saw our ladies team grab first place with strong performances from Angela Inman and Pam Costello who also won prizes in the Womens' Open and Womens' Over 55 categories respectively - Angela picking up a prize for 10th placed lady and Pam coming first in her age category. Sarah Bibby (another member of the successful ladies team) finished just outside the prizes in a commendable 11th place and the final team member, Louise Bibby, was chased to the finish line by Rachel Jones in her first race for the club.

For full race results, click here.

Club membership continues to grow

We're not sure if it's just word of mouth or our strong presence at local races (resplendent in our Redcar Running Club jackets), but more and more people continue to join the club. Membership has soared in the past few years with many new members, both keen runners looking to improve and complete beginners looking for motivation and new running-buddies.

If you're thinking of joining, why not come down on a Wednesday night at about 6.15pm and come see us? We're always happy to welcome new people.