Coach Carney’s Training Blog
In a strange year where it looks likely that there will be limited, if any, competition, what better time to engage with wisdom of our coaches? Here is a very interesting short blog from Coach Carney – well worth a read!
BRAT Summerfield Smash 5k 2020 (POSTPONED until TBC)
A fast race for those that care about their time (no matter what that time may be). A simple event with minimal fuss. No t-shirts, medals, goody bags, etc. Just run hard, get a PB, go home proud and repeatedly refresh Pof10 until time appears. Facebook event – click here Latest Updates 20/07/2020 POSTPONED UNTIL THE SITUATION CHANGES With one month to go it seems unlikely that the situation will change to allow us to run this event the way we want to, therefore, we’ve decided to postpone. It’s disappointing, but the Smash will be back at some point so stay fit and race ready! 27/04/2020 SAVE THE DATE – the BRAT Summerfield Smash 5k is scheduled for Wednesday 26th August 2020! ENTRIES NOT CURRENTLY BEING TAKEN – It’s possible/likely that this event may not be able to go ahead owing to restictions related to Covid 19. We’ve optimistically started…
The National Cross Country Championships – Wollaton Park
Saturday the 22nd February saw the pinnacle of the cross country season, a historic race, one which is a rite of passage for most cross country runners – The English National Cross Country Championships. The familiar venue of Wollaton Park always holds potential for a brilliant cross country course and this year was no exception. As we arrived, the mud was evident and absolutely everywhere. We’d anticipated mud, but this took mud to a whole new level … it was going to be great fun! As we collected the numbers and set up camp there was a real buzz of excitement as thousands of club runners from under 11 to seniors came back from races caked in mud and frantically wrapped tape round their spikes before heading to the start. Our two-women-team saw co-captains Eloïse Lee and Molly Browne donning the club vest at the biggest event of the season.…
Midland XC League 2019-20
Saturday 8th February saw the final Midland XC League race of the season take place in Leamington Spa. Clubs and University teams from across the Midlands competed over four races between November and February with this year’s league taking us from the rolling hills and icy rain of Burton Dassett to a very hilly and boggy course in Stratford, then onto a challenging trail race in Trentham and through the infamous ditch of Leamington! The BRAT women have been out in force this season, welcoming old faces and new to XC – and what a season it has been! The season opener in November could not have been in worse conditions with heavy icy rain and a muddy hilly course it really was about as tough as XC gets. Anne Kenchington led the team home with a superb start to the season taking on the hills and conditions no problem…
Super Saturday (part 3)
Meanwhile up in Telford the BRAT mens XC team went into the final league fixture looking to secure promotion back to Div.1 at the first attempt. The top of the table was very tight so despite sitting in second place before the race (3 to go up) there was no room for complacency.Under the expert guidance of Martin Ludford (team manager) the team secured 2nd place on the day to anchor themselves in 2nd place in the league. Not to be outdone the B-team also finished second on the day securing 1st place overall in the B-competition.Well done all – Division 1 awaits next winter.
Super Saturday (part 1)
Saturday 8th February saw the BRAT ladies XC team head down to Leamington for the final race of the 2019/20 XC league campaign. It was still all to play for with BRAT sitting in 4th position behind Loughborough students, Birchfield and Birmingham students.The Leamington course didn’t disappoint with the usual mix of hills, mud, open country and the infamous ditch.A fantastic team effort by Eloise, Beccy T, Anne K and Molly saw BRAT overhaul Loughborough and move back into third place overall.This was topped off by Molly winning 3rd place in the individual standings.Thanks should go to all who have competed this season (many pictured above in the unseasonal sunshine yesterday) as this has produced a brilliant team atmosphere on race days.
Midland XC Championships 2020
Saturday 25th January saw runners from across the midlands set up camp at Prestwold Hall in Loughborough for the Midland XC Championships. With the numbers collected, a walk around the course confirmed that the new route for 2020 would be challenging and heavy going … perfect! A number of BRAT juniors ran very well in the earlier races (U13G, U15B, U17B). Lauren Hevey came 97th in U13Girls, Tom Burdett 19th and Morgan Hill 78th in U15 Boys and Rueben Kite 21st in U17 men. Then it was suddenly time for the BRAT women to take to the start line. The course was two laps with lots of mud, a log to jump and a steep hill to contend with. The gun went and as expected it was a quick start on what felt like the only downhill section of the course. A leading pack went off early and soon there…
Diary Dates
Some general dates for the diary for 2020 21st March – Midland Road Relays Men 12x, Ladies 6x and Juniors 3x University Open Track Meets6th May10th June8th July29th July
Midlands Road relays
On a lovely and pleasant Saturday,….if anyone can remember what that is ! BRATS were there in force; dominant over all others in numbers having with six teams, and a strong A team to boot. The B team were looking a real potential force to qualify, but illness hit their team making qualification it a tall order. The six stage when compared with the twelve in Spring; has always been more difficult for us to shine, however, we are not traditionalists. The best of the Midlands all in our sights. First leg, just like an “old man’s” particular seat in a pub had Dan’s name on it (He is a veteran, so appropriate). There were four athletes away: Bath, Bristol, Bath, Newcastle and Dan; who took on the lead on the way down to the lake. A great performance and pb putting us into 4th position. Karl was flying, overhauling…
Friday Night Circuits are Back
Work on that S&C and build up your core strength and stability. Starting this Friday 4th October at St Thomas Aquinas school gymWychall Lane B38 8AP 7 to 8pm. £3.00 per session Any queries contact Nigel Clegg.
BRAT Summerfield Smash 5k – Results
Provisional results for the BRAT Summerfield Smash 5k.
Wonderful Wythall 10k!
Course records were tumbling this morning at Wythall 10k. In a very strong field James Marshall ran a course record 32:53 to take the men’s victory, Dan Robinson finished 3rd in 33:23. Friend of the club Hayley Carruthers took the win in the women’s race and set a new course record of 33:40. Approximately 15 – 20 BRAT’s turned out and put on a great showing for the club. A special mention for 12 year old Lauren Hevey who ran in the 5k race and finished 1st in the U15 competition and an impressive 3rd place overall. Great morning all round ? Results can be found here: 10k http://www.racetecresults.com/Results.aspx?CId=16418&RId=591 5k