2021 race winner Charlie Jones with Jon’s parents Trevor and Linda Ward.
The Couriers are proud to announce that last months Jon Ward 5k races have raised £3,000 in memory of former runner and decorated runner Jon Ward which will be donated to the charity MIND.
The money was raised from the Jon Ward 5k and the virtual events which were held in August 2021.
Chairman Jon Edwards said “We are delighted to confirm that we have raised £3000 in memory of Jon. I’d like to thank everyone involved who got involved with the race, those who competed virtually, the many kind donations and to everyone at the club for their continued support.”
RUNNERS Ryan McLennan of Moray Road Runners & Couriers own Clare Mallender came out on top in the Virtual Jon Ward 5k race this August helping raise funds for the charity Mind.
The race was another successful virtual race held by the Hereford Couriers which was created to run alongside of the physical race that happened last weekend & saw over 50 finishers from all across the world with racing taking place in Africa to Scotland running many routes in between in memory of Jon who sadly passed away in 2020.
In the men’s race, McLennan was the fastest recording a superb time of 18:15 to seal victory.
He was followed virtually all the way by his team mate Simon MacDonald who finished in a time of 20:43 with Christopher Barnicoat picking up 3rd place in 21:11.
Quickest female was Hereford Courier Clare Mallender who finished in first position in a fantastic time of 21:58
Second place was Hereford & County youngster Eva Tyler, who finished her race in 22:40, ahead of Moray Road Runner’s Karen Norvell who finished in 3rd place in a time of 23:34.
The club would like to thank everyone who took part and got involved in the event, we really appreciate the support for this great event.
This weekend the Couriers are proud to be hosting the 2nd Jon Ward Hereford 5k in memory of ex-Courier Jon Ward who sadly passed away in June 2020.
Jon was a decorated runner, competing across every distance from 5k to Ultra Running. He was a proud member of the 100 Marathon Club and many locally knew him well, Jon was a Courier from 2010 – 2017.
With running being such a huge part of his life, this weekend the Couriers are proud to host the Jon Ward Hereford 5k with the aim to raise as much funds with all proceeds going to the Mind.
The race will start and finish at Hereford Racecourse on Roman Road & will consist of 2 laps of the Bobblestock flat and fast course. The race will be chip-timed which will allow the potential of waves of runners to make sure everyone is as safe as possible. All participants will receive a finishers medal. The race will follow UK & England Athletics strict guidelines in relation to covid-19.
Hereford Couriers Club Chairman Jon Edwards said ‘The club are incredibly proud to host this event in memory of Jon again this year. He was a fantastic runner, who inspired so many others. Due to the current lack of races due to the covid-19 everyone at the club is looking forward to competing once again, and we hope to raise a lot of money for a fantastic cause’
The club are offering runners 2 ways of getting involved, you can still join us this Sunday.
Enter today and you’ll be able to collect your number on the day.
Chip timed race which will help with social distancing
If you cannot make it on the day, why not join us virtually. We have a virtual race where all runners taking part will receive a bespoke medal through the post upon completion of your race
As many of you are aware, here at the club our 40th year celebrations are underway.
The club would like to collate the history of the club which was started in 1981.
If anyone has anything in their cupboards or drawers that may be remotely connected to the club please get in touch, whether you have photographs, newspaper cuttings, club kit, result sheets or anything else.
It’s nearly our first race day of the Couriers 5k series, here is a reminder of the race day instructions so have a read of the below guidance the club has put in place to keep all runners, volunteers and the general public safe. You will see a very different set up to any races you may have attended previously.
The Club have worked tirelessly to host this series so we need your support by playing your part by reading and keeping to the guidance below failure to adhere to these rules could result in disqualification with no refunds.
** If you have any symptoms of Covid-19 do not attend! **
We are asking that masks are worn at all times whilst you are in and around the venue and especially in the segregated pens for starting, once you are called forward to start you can remove your mask to race popping these in a pocket or the bins we will provide, we will have masks available for participants but please bring your own if you can.
On the night we will have 2 start times as this will help us with social distancing, the first wave will be for any runners who will finish in sub 20 minutes and will start at 18:45, once this race has been completed, we will then start the 2nd wave which will be for all the remaining competitors which will start at 19:15, please see the arrival, warm up, start and departure times for these 2 waves below.
The race is chip timed so the results will be created for both waves combined.
Please only take part in the first wave if you are going to complete the course in sub 20 minutes as this will delay the start of the 2nd wave.
Race numbers: Race bibs have been sent out in the post and you should have received these now, please keep these for the whole race series!
On the day set up: Please see the diagram below of the one-way system, please adhere to these at all times, this has been put in place to keep everyone safe, be mindful of members of the public at all times as this area is used regularly for dog walking.
Venue: The venue for the race is Hereford Racecourse, Roman Road, Hereford. HR4 9QU
Facilities: Due to Covid-19 no facilities for changing are available, Toilets are supplied by the Racecourse & will have a social distancing queuing system in place using cones, once the cone in front of you becomes available move forward.
Parking: Parking will be available at the racecourse, we have created car parking area for races 1 & 2, Parking will be tight due to the race being at capacity so if you can please use B & Q or Halo (HR4 9SH) on Holmer Road or The Co-op at Bobblestock (HR4 9LT) as alternative parking and jog to the racecourse as a bit of a warm up.
Hand Sanitisers: These will be available for everyone taking part please make use of these.
Face Masks: We are asking that masks at all times whilst you are at the venue and especially in the segregated pens for starting, once you are called forward to start you can remove your mask to race popping these in a pocket of the bins we will provide.
Team/ Group Photos: No group/team photos are allowed to be taken, social distancing must be maintained at all times, we do have a race photographer who will be out on the course for those race photos
Bag Drop: There will not be a bag drop at this event.so please arrive race ready
Marshalls & First Aid: The race will have plenty of Marshalls out on the course along with yellow directional arrows. Please listen to Marshall’s instructions they are out on the course for your safety, Due to Covid-19 all Marshalls have been briefed to not to shout so please do not be offended you can’t hear them (we are usually a friendly bunch) We have professional first-aiders who be at the start/ finish area along with a rapid response car out on the course.
Course: The route is a 2-loop course on open roads around a housing estate, please be mindful of other participants and members of the public, please keep to your left at all times, if you need to overtake, please give space and do so on the right. We will hold the traffic for the start of the race but on the 2nd loop please be careful when you go onto the main road as the turn is tight, we will cone this area but please stick to the left.
Warm Up Area: We have created a warm up area, we are advising that runners wear a mask & maintain social distancing all times.
Pre-Race Briefing: We will be doing the race briefing online on our Facebook page on Sunday, please listen to these instructions.
Race start: Due to the high volumes of entries and adhering to social distance rules there will be set starting pens for all runners based on your PB/ estimated finishing times, please remain socially distanced in these pens wearing a mask until you are invited to the start line by the Marshalls. Please see the diagram below:
Race Finish: The race finishes in the same area as the start. Key Point! Once you have finished, participants will enter a one-way system taking runners to the toilets and car park, all runners will be made to keep on moving and no mingling. We are encouraging all runners to depart the racecourse as soon as you’ve finished your race.
Warm Down: We are encouraging runners not to use the racecourse for this due to social Distancing.
Water Station: We will have one water station at the finish, this will just be a bottle collection table, to keep participants moving. Please discard all empty bottles in the bins provided.
Medals: Each runner will receive a finishers medal; these medals can be picked up on race 3 in June.
Spectators: We are advising that spectators do not attend the event unless absolutely necessary,
Results: Results will be available to view post-race, they will also be displayed on the club website http://www.herefordcouriers.com
Sunday 15th August 
2 Waves, Wave 1 (sub 20 mins) 9:45am & Wave 2 (over 20 mins) 10:15am
Hereford Racecourse
£15 (£17 unattached)
Chip timed race which will help with social distancing
10k – Weds 4th Aug
PB’s keep tumbling on our super-quick course! 
What a red-hot night of racing 
Sub 15 mins 
Sub 16 mins 
Sub 17 mins 
Sub 18 mins 
Sub 19 mins 
Sub 20 mins 
HEREFORD COURIERS RUNNING CLUB 
You must be logged in to post a comment.