Red’s Weekend Round-up

Another hot and humid weekend of running for the Couriers with a good group of reds ‘going on tour’ outside the county in a number of different races over Saturday and Sunday.

We had red vests on show at the Tenbury 10k, Barry Island 10k and the Llanthony fell race not forgetting some ParkRunning (both home and away) with some good solid performances to report.

A team of 4 took on the challenge of the Tenbury 10k, a very well organised local event with 200 runners taking part. The route started in the town then went out around the local villages of Berrington, Saint Michaels and Oldwood. Its good to know that Worcestershire is just as hilly as Herefordshire as the first 4 miles were very up and down before levelling out in the final 2 miles for a quick finish. Ben Skinner was the first Courier home in 15th place, 43:05. Darren Broady picked up a PB and continues to impress with a strong finish to come in 18th pace, 43:57. David Green came in 41st place in a good time of 49:54. Unfortunately Izzy Axford had to stop during the race suffering from heat stroke but she was for a guaranteed PB going with her time for the first 4 miles. We all wish Izzy a speedy recovery!


Naomi Prosser was the only Courier at the Llanthony fell race on Saturday starting just after midday. The course that is made up of 3.5 miles & 1100ft is part of the Llanthony show, starting and finishing in the show ground. The route goes out across the event field up steep farmland and onto Offa’s Dyke path then back towards Llanthony. Naomi finished in 29th place in 44:14 in tough conditions against good competition.


[PLEASE INSERT GAVIN & STACEY / BARRY ‘REYNOLDS’ ISLAND PUN HERE] 🙂 Sun, sea, and sand provide the backdrop to the Barry Island 10K, The popular race around the seaside resort is renowned for it’s varied and scenic route, unbeatable crowd support and feel-good atmosphere. Couriers Barry Reynolds, Sheryl Evans & Anna Simpkin were across the boarder representing the reds. Barry finished in a fantastic 10th place in the event in a very strong field of runners recording a time of 34:40 & also was the first +V45 man home, Sheryl  had a fine run too moving down to the shorter 10k distance finishing in 45:43 & 2nd +F50 lady. Anna Simpkin continues to run well and crossed the line full of smiles in 01:05:38.


Parkrun; Sarah Bowring & Ryan Lawrence went for a bit of ParkRun tourism this weekend Sarah visited the Forest of Dean run which consists of 2 laps of woodland paths  around Coverham Enclosure recorded a time of 32:19 & Ryan visited Colby ParkRun which is 3 laps around the National Trust Woodland Garden, near Amroth, Pembrokeshire Ryan came in 10th place in 20:58

Closer to home we had a good turnout of runners at the Hereford ParkRun, Richard Hughes picked up a Hereford ParkRun PB returning from injury in 19:32 (3rd) with the fast finishing Chris Cleary not too far behind in 4th (19:40), Nigel Clarke finished in a strong 10th place (21:32) & Ben Skinner was just behind in 11th (21:43), Jonny Williams set a new PB in 15th position (22:09) with Clare Mallender & Becky Evesham the 1st & 2nd ladies to finish in 23:44 & 24:05 respectively. Kev Barnes had a steady run in 30:42 as a warm up for the Hereford AC Track event on Sunday.

Great to see so many Couriers out the weekend, all warming up for the Cross Country race this Wednesday at Westhope of course………. 🙂