WSFRL: Littlehampton Beach Run and Hove Stinger

TWO RUNS in one week sounds daunting, but what a challenge with James Smyth at the helm Haywards Heath Harriers have jumped to the top of the league, but with only a few points between 1st and 2nd place, the pressure remains on.   First up on Wednesay is the Littlehampton 5 miles beach run organised by Arunners and then the Hove Stinger organised by Hove Hornets.

Beach run

The athletics flags went up on the green next to the beach as everybody met for the five mile run, for some the evening was going to end in a bar to watch England play in the Euro's for the rest of us fish and chips on Littlehampton Harbour.

The run started with one and a half laps of the green before running down the shingle towards the wet sand and we started the two and a half miles down the beach with a strong wind behind us whipping up the sea spray.

It wasn't until the turning point that you realised how strong the wind was, running directly into the wind and sea-spray.   This was harsh but it was a course open to the elements and certainly invigorating.

At the end of the run, thanks to Cary's Hind there was fish and chips and we sat around talking about the run.

Hove Stinger

JUST ON the border of Brighton and Hove the athletics flags went up again for the second run of the week as we prepared for a 10km run across the South Downs.   Some of the athletes were there for both days.

The day was sunny and hot and like the beach run we were open the elements in terms of a course that had the first 5km going uphill with little to no shade.

It is an outstanding run looking down from the South Downs across the East Sussex countryside.   At the five km mark you start to go downhill towards the finish line.

I had a cat and mouse session with three athletes from Crawley Run Club (CRC) and we found a great way to motivate each other to get around the course.   One of them said, "We run as one".    This was so close to my heart and showed the inclusive aspect of running, we are one, regardless of whether you are first or last over the finish line.

Surrey and Sussex Wellbeing Weekend 2024

LAST YEAR I attended the amazing Surrey and Sussex Police well-being Weekend in Hay-on-Wye.   This year I was determined to go again, although it got off to a difficult start with the dates falling on working days and no chance of leave, when suddenly the dates changed with a perfect rest day fit.

Hay has a unique position on the border of England and Wales, it is ideal for visitors to enjoy and explore the border country.   Hay is known for it's books and bookshops and is the first book town in the world, with a yearly festival attended by thousands of people.  

This year promised to be bigger than last year with more people attending, resulting in Karl booking the local activity center in Cussop for accommodation.   Giving us the perfect base to rest and relax before heading out for the planned events.   Last year was the first time that I had been on an activity weekend, which I booked as I was going through a very hard time.   The weekend really helped and I would recommend it to anybody.

I decided to relocate to Wales on the Thursday staying at the bungalow in Hirwaun, it helped me miss the Friday traffic on the M23, M25 and M4 and put me within a one hour striking distance of Hay.

Day 1

Arriving in the town of Hay I met up with Karl and Forest for coffee and waiting for the Surrey contingent to arrive.   We met in the town of Hay and went for coffee, catching up with friends from last year and meeting new people at the Castle Cafe.   There were the inevitable delays on the motorway and the chance of wild swimming on day one was lost, but there was plenty planned for the rest of the week to make up for it.

We settled into the Activity Center in Cussop sorting out the sharing and dividing up the rooms.   It was great to have a large open community area and kitchen.   Karl had sourced the food and the weekend started with a BBQ.   Following this was an evening around a camp fire with guitarist/singer Stephen Russell, who did an amazing set with his guitar and looping system.   Highlight for me was an amazing rendition of U2's "With or Without You".

Things took a different turn when Aggi turned up with two bottles of vodka (apple and grass).   With the sun going down we sat around the campfire drinking vodka and talking about the weekend to come.   Aggie didn't make it last year, so this was the first time I had met her and hope she will make future events.

Day 2

This was the big planned actives day.   Heading out to Glasbury we met up with The Ultimate Activity Company for a canoe exploration of the River Wye.    We were set up with canoes of two or three people and headed downstream canoeing from Glasbury to the Boat Inn between Rhydspence and Willersley.

We picked up a passenger whose party had left their "best man" behind during their stag weekend.    Luckily, by the time we got to the Boat Inn he was seeing the funny side of things!

It wasn't long after the safety briefing that we got the canoes into the water, started to pair off and sailing down stream.   It all got off to a great start and were doing well, navigating the stream, riding weirs.   Things were about to change when Forest became Captain Jack Sparrow and launched himself over the gap between two boats in an effort to "parley", but capsized the boat putting everybody in the water.   Swim Forest Swim!

It was a great journey on the river, working in teams to get the boats down stream and across the weirs to arrive on the lawns of the Inn for beer before we were picked up and taken back to Glasbury.

Then came a lesson in archery being taught how it should be done.   At Karl's suggestion we were split into two teams of male and female in a shoot off, where the men clearly demonstrated how not to do it and were taken back to school by the ladies!   Turned out Janice was pretty good with a bow and it was a well deserved win, next time we will have to even up the talent a little!

This was followed, rather neatly, by a lesson in axe throwing.   Again once being taught how to throw an axe there was a play off.   My inner Saxon came out and I found I wasn't bad with an axe!   Karl threw a great session and it ended with a head to head between Forest and I.

The day ended with a trip to The Globe to see the Classic Blues Band, playing covers of blues songs that Britain exported back to the states at the end of the 1960's and early 1970's with bands like Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, Fleetwood Mac and Eric Clapton who embraced the music and tried to recreate the sounds.   In those days there was no internet and it relied on vinyl imports from the states and hours of listening to the music to try and transcribe and learn it.

The Classic Blues Band recreated the music brilliantly and we really ended the day.   The combination of guitar and vocals were amazing, but the work of the saxophonist and trumpet really created a great sound that made an amazing evening.

After an evening of music and beer we regrouped and headed back to Cussop for our last sleep at the activity cent, pretty knackered from the days events having created a lot of memories.

Day 3

It was a sad moment to get to the end of the week, but there was one more event planned before we packed up the activity center and headed back home.

We had an 11km hike from Cussop to Hays Bluff.   A really nice trails hike across the country with some very difficult hills; the aim to get a lot of altitude to see the whole of the surrounding country side.

The pinnacle of the hike was to get to the top of Hay's Bluff which forms a part of the "Dragons Back", running from North to South Wales.   This was a climb and a half to get to the top, but well worth the effort.   As we hit the top we sat back with a packed lunch and enjoyed the surrounding countryside.   The top of the Bluff was a good few degrees colder and I am pleased Karl questioned why I was just wearing a running vest!  Good call!

I am definitely looking forward to next year.

Surrey and Sussex Wellbeing Weekend 2023

THE FIRST thing I need to do is thank the amazing Karl for organising and hosting this event from Hay and Jo for organising it from the Surrey/Sussex end to bring it all together.   Without them the entire weekend wouldn't have been possible, so a great big heart felt thank you to both of them.

At the end of a long shift I found the lastest copy of the S&SP Wellbeing Magazine online.   In it was an article from Jo about the weekend last year with new dates for this year.   It came at the perfect time for me, I emailed Jo asking if there were spaces and to sign me up!

All I needed to do was get to Woking and transport was arranged from there.   Straight through to Hay-on-Wye in Herefordshire on the border with England and Wales, where the weekend kicks off.   I was really looking forward to this break and couldn't wait to hit the road with Jo and Andy.

Day 1

Somehow we got around the M25 and up the M4 making perfect time for our arrival in Hay.   Greeted by Karl and dumping our gear into the bedrooms we had fruit loaf and tea before taking off for wild swimming at Bredwardine.   The location was amazing below a large bridge that goes across the river, the water was refreshingly cold, but great fun, swimming against the current as it came around the bridge legs.

Once we dried off and changed we walked across to Brobury House for coffee and a walk around the gardens situated between the Cathedral city of Hereford and the book-lovers paradise of Hay-on-Wye.   The gardens are cared for throughout the year by a small team of dedicated gardeners and make the perfect place to visit all year round.   They do not close the gates to the public, so you are able to go and enjoy what the gardens anytime.   In the centre of the grounds is Brobury House, a charming turreted Victorian building which in spring has the most magnificent bloom of purple wisteria.

Karl turned out to be an amazing chef and knocked up a risotto in the evening, after which we walked around the area and into Hay for drinks at the Blue Boar.   After this we made our way back to the house and closed day 1.

Day 2

This was the big day with Gorge walking arranged.   I had my well worn wet suit at the ready and was excited about the day with the challenges that lay ahead.   We headed for the activity centre to get our wetsuits and buoyance aids on before heading for Dinas Rock in South Wales.   We disembarked the mini bus and walked the trails to the start point where we jumped into a deep pool of icy water before floating down stream where the adventure really started.

If you want to see what this looks like then click here.   This will show you a group of adventurers walking highlighted parts of the course from two years ago.   Well worth having a look at.

This is something that you have to try, walking up stream, though deep water, across rapids and climbing waterfalls was amazing, refreshing and I walked away thinking that I had achieved a lot, I want to go back and do more, so looking forward to next year already.

In the evening we went back to Hay and had pizza, spending the evening at The Globe.   This is a community centre where they put on variety, with authors reading their work, plays, open mic nights and DJ sets.   A few more beers were acquired and we made our way back to the house for the end of day 2.

Day 3

This was the chill out day before heading back to reality.   We spent the morning on a walk across the fields to Hay and had a slow look around the book and curisoity shops.   It was a great morning, ending with a village fete on the local fields before heading back to the house and packing up.

This was a great weekend, full of friendship and camoraderie.   It was relaxing and fun to do, especially after the week that I had.   Thank you Karl and Jo for a great weekend.

Run Reigate Trails 10km

RUN SERIES have two successful half marathons on their books with Run Reigate and Run Gatwick.   Last year saw the introduction of Run Reigate Trails a 10km run between Reigate and Redhill.

The inaugral spring run took place last year at The Royal Alessandra and Albert Private School at Gatton Park, Gatton Point at the northern end
of Redhill.   This was quickly followed with a second event on the same course as the summer 10km trails run.   To add another branch on their portfolio Run Series added a Canicross/dog fit run for runners to bring their dogs along.

Sunday 19th February 2023 was the second Spring 10km run on the same course held just below the North Downs taking in a beautiful run around the lake, through the school grounds and around the horse fields making it a standout run.  This is a run with effort as there are three hills that require effort and because it's a 5km course you have to run it twice.

A welcome change on the route was on the hill as you finish the lake leg of the course.   It's a long steep run to the school farm yard that take a lot of effort.   This year there was a detour on the hill that goes flat, loops round and then goes up again.   It doesn't sound like a lot, but it gives that recovery opportunity that will get you to the top (on both occassions).

Outdoor Military Fitness

A COUPLE OF weeks ago I went out for a training run.   The plan was to head to Victoria Park and do some hill loops, using the lamposts as marker points and then run across to Paddockhall Road for more hill loops.   I completed the Victoria Park segment and then everything changed!

Outdoor Military Fitness were running their Saturday morning session in the park and I decided to watch them for a couple of minutes before moving on to Paddockhall Road.   Being a amazing friendly group I was invited to join the session, free of charge and give it a go.

This is one of the hardest workouts I have completed in a long time, it really tests your fitness levels in a fun, safe enviroment with a great trainer who takes your needs into considerion.   After an hour of the OMF workout I ran home.   When I walked through the door my wife thought that I had been run over by a car as my clothing was covered in mud from the session!

Since my free session I have returned twice for further sessions.   Since taking on the training I have found that my core has improved and there is an improvement in terms of my stability and endurance in running.  The basic athletics fitness level has improved, not significantly, but I have only completed three sessions so far.

OMF is run by current military trainers who are engaging and friendly, the groups are amazing as they are welcoming and help you with the sessions as you grow in confidence and build your fitness levels.   I have put this down to the way that the trainers approach and develop both the individual and the teams to work together.   Which is exactly what the military do.

If you are looking for a really good workout to improve your fitness levels then it's worth dropping down to Victoria Park and have a chat, maybe come prepared for a free session to see how it goes for you.   OMF also operate in Crawley and Horsham as well as Haywards Heath.   If interested or you want further information then click here.

Sussex Athletics Cross Country Masters

WEST SUSSEX Athletics held their 8km Masters Cross Country race on the 21st January 2023 at Coombe Farm, Lancing.   Held in a natural bowl on the South Downs it hosts a run with a lot of effort but an amazing pay off at the end.

I always approach this run with a feeling of anticipation, because I know what's coming, but once I get moving I feel a lot better but it takes quite a while to settle into the effort that's required for this particular run with it's amazing views of the South Downs.

To run the course you have to start with a short run on the flat, you then run up the lowest but steepest side of the bowl, this turns right and you have to run a long distance up the ridge of the bowl towards some open fields.    You then start a long loop downhill before turning right along a flat part of the field then head up again.   Once you complete the long loop you end up back on the ridge of the bowl and have a long sweeping downhill section before you either head out for the second loop, and final loop, or cross the finish line.

This is the second time that I have run this course and absolutely love taking part, even though it saps your strength very quick with the run up the bowl, but the sweeping downhill run towards the finish line is so magnificent that you have to love it, expecially as you tear downt he hill and cross the finish line.

WSFRL: Crawley Run Crew @ Tilgate

WEST SUSSEX Fun Run League suffered disappointment on their first run of the season with Goring Road Runners Hangover 5 cancelled on the 1st January 2023 due to severe flooding on the course.

The second run of the season hosted by Crawley Run Crew with their 5 mile run through Tilgate Forest and Park brought the magic back and set the league up nicely for the coming year.

The athletic standards were raised at the K2 race track with runners completing a lap of the track before heading into the forest and past Tilgate Zoo before heading round into the park, up towards the Smith and Western restaruant and down around the lake.   On the return the race turns back to the forest before heading for the final lap of the athletics track and crossing the finish line at the K2.

There was some excellent running from Haywards Heath Harriers with Andy Hind first across the finish line followed by Jack Chivers and Abigail Redd.   Both Carys Hind and Sarah Hamilton ran a steadily paced race.   Last year was Caroline Gumm's debut run in the league and this year she pulled a magnificent sprint finish out of the bag.

This is a beautiful run of two arranged at Tilgate, with the second being hosted by Saints and Sinners Run Club later in the year.   This was the start of the WSFRL season that we were all looking forward to.