Word from the Chair
Ian Sturgess writes
Monday 14th June 2010
Hello again from the chair, sorry for the delay in this exciting publication, so much going on not least the fantastic performances being put in by so many of you, I have even managed a race or two myself!
The club continues to go from strength to strength , in particular the Thursday track sessions have been superb and this is reflected in the large numbers attending, often more than forty. The sessions put on by our own coach’s working in pairs have been great and with the input from Paul Evans I think you will all agree we now have some great ideas to use in our own sessions away from the club.
Having softened you all up I will now get to the focus of this edition, Round Norfolk Relay (RNR). This year as a club we have again entered one team in the RNR, a great event that has athletes running through the night around the county border supported by a normally small band of members in a Transit or similar van. Not tempted by this? Well you should be, it really is a fun event, both for the competitor and those providing that valuable support.
Over recent years getting a team together has proved tricky and has generally been made up of the same people year on year, whilst this has worked ok it would be nice to see some new faces taking part in this excellent event. I am conscious that part of the problem may be that the only way of really finding out about the RNR is to have taken part , in an effort to assist and encourage you would be RNR runners here is a brief overview:
The RNR was established more than 25 years ago by Ryston Runners and remains similar in its overall set up. Covering 193 miles around the edge of Norfolk it starts and finishes at Kings Lynn and teams take between about 18 and 27 hours to complete the distance. The start is staggered with a 6am start for the slower teams and as late a midday for the quickest.
The 193 miles is split into 17 stages (we need 17 runners!), Stage lengths vary from 20 miles down to 5miles, there are four stages of 15miles or more and we always have difficulty covering these, I know some of our regular long leg runners would like a change! The majority of the stages are 7 to 12 miles so we should have lots of volunteers!!
The route is very attractive from Kings Lynn through to Great Yarmouth by which point it is normally getting or already dark. From here on its the AI43 road to Scole nr Diss and then onto Thetford. These are the long legs 16 , 19 and 19 miles, by this time road traffic is light and the various teams are beginning to group quite closely, it’s a sight to behold this line of orange flashing lights spinning away into the distance as each runner is followed closely by their very own ‘van man’ and supporters all hoping that the next runner will be at the change over point ready to receive the baton. Oh yes, we do carry a relay baton all the way round.
From Thetford its out towards Munford and Feltwell and then Downham Market and back to Kings Lynn, Lynn Sport. A warm welcome, a sprint finish and cooked breakfast, what more could anyone want, Oh, of course the prize giving, not compulsory!
That was a quick summary of what is involved for the competitor, there is much more to RNR than that, we need an accompanying cyclist on much of the route, particularly during daylight. We have to have a support vehicle, the van, throughout the race. That means several drivers accompanied by a time keeper. It tends to be quite good fun on the van, particularly in the small hours when we are all at our best!!
The RNR is also a great spectator event, combined with a visit to the coast, Snettisham to Yarmouth take your pick. The runners from all teams appreciate a cheer whatever time of day or night and if you are feeling really wide awake you can help out at Our Marshalling point at USAF Feltwell. Wymondham AC have responsibility for that change over and we need at least four Marshalls to make sure all runs smoothly. The timing is good 2.30am to about 5am what could be easier, thanks to all who carried out that task last year.
I know you will all be champing at the bit to get involved one way or another so I will be putting a sheet for names on the club notice board, please don’t be shy and please ask if you are unsure about taking part.
Finally a thanks to everyone who helped at our 10 mile race on Sunday 13th June. Although we only had just over 100 runners taking part, the event seems to have been enjoyed by all. A big thank you to Karl who once again had to come up with a new course, feedback from runners on the day is they liked it a lot. Course planning and certification is no easy job and takes a lot of time and energy, much appreciated.
Lots of races coming up so don’t be tempted to over compete as this will normally lead to fatigue, injury and a lot of frustration.
Keep running
Ian
Ian Sturgess
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