Big Trips 2008

By popular demand, and by juggling some holiday, school exam dates etc,I propose that we enter at least two teams into the Green Belt Relay in 2008….key dates weekend of  17^th /18^th May-starting 8am Saturday finishing 7 pm approx Sunday with each of 11 runners in each team being available some or all of the time that weekend,with optional overnight accom in deepest Essex!

The two close contenders for our 2008 challenge were the Round Norfolk relay and the Welsh Castles.However logistics and the desire to improve on last years very creditable 18 th position by hours are in my sights!

For newcomers,this is basically a stage relay  (22 individual mass start races) with stages between 6 miles to 14 miles- a physical and organizational challenge but all worth it on the day!

See Here for Last Year

Big Trips 2007

Every year we do one or more big trips, or other fun things. This year so far, Ken is calling for names for the Green Belt relay challenge and once more we are on for the Grizzly, except loyal webmaster, who will be packing for the Pistes De Oasis challenge. Any one else during anything worth a mention? There normally is.

Grizzly 2007: http://www.axevalleyrunners.org.uk/races/grizzly.htm

Kent Writes...

The Event
Dates 19th/20th May

Team(s) of 11-MAP attached
Saturday
running about 120 miles with stage lengths between about 8 miles and 14 miles starting Hampton Court 8.30 am to west of M25 and then Staines,Marlow,St Albans finishing Blackmore at 18.0 hours

Sunday
running about 100 miles continuing clockwise Thorndon park,QE2 bridge(!!),Lullingstone,Tastfield,Merstham,Box Hill(ugh!!!) Walton again finishing about 18.0 hours
Stages between 6 and 13 miles

Rules state that every Saturday runner must run on sunday as well

By the schedule on the internet which also grades and maps each stage,cut off times are approx 10 minute miling and looking at previous results ,average team was doing about 7.5 minute miling with winning team 6 minute 40 miling .Like offa's dyke would be great achievment to finish but unlike that run,

1)Stages are accurately mapped out,monitored etc-reccy before event strongly recommended
2)All in daylight hours
3)Probably we could organise better rest breaks
4) Ability of car loads to come and go back to home during day though obviously encouraging to have en route supporters
5)Many prizes age groups,stages,last team etc.....in fact about a dozen prizes for the maximum 40 teams
6)No mountains,fewer stiles.......but still some tough hills

LOGISTICS-my first thoughts

This is a weekend event and a team event

Very straightforward

I would suggest each team has a captain(who has to attend one briefing a few weeks before event) and a vice captain maybe one responsible for morning and one afternoon.Whole team of 11 based around 4 car loads each responsible for a few consecutive stages

Saturday evening-flexible schedule with either returning to Beckenham or arranging some accom/friends/relative/ in that area of Essex near end of stage 11 for R&R! and some team members being ready for an 8.30 Sunday start

Paris - Versaille

Latest News: Paris Versaille was cancelled at the last minute - Andy is arranging a race near Valencienne for the same weekend....

More News: www.coursedesterrils.com

"Courses des Terrils" Trip Update at 23 Aug 06 

This is for those attending the entire trip (14 of us). 

Pick-Up and transfer:- A 16-passenger coach is booked. We have brought forward the pickup time to 08.15 a.m. Saturday 23rd September 2006, at Foxgrove Road.

 Please bring some breakfast and drinks if you like - we don't really want to stop before we get to France. 

We are booked on the 11.07 Shuttle under the Channel. Races:- We have provisionally entered the races we designated individually, last week (see attached). We need to pick up our race numbers at Raismes, on the way to our Hotel (Baudouin) in Valenciennes, on Saturday 23rd. 

(Twin rooms booked for all, for 2 nights). The race starts are staggered, but the first for us starts at around 09.00 a.m on Sunday 24th. The coach will take us down there together. After the races, we shall return to our Hotel by coach. No doubt we'll find something to do in the evening.

It is nearing that time of year again. If anyone is interested in
running/swimming/climbing the Grizzly in 2007 thought has to be
given to our diaries about now.
The race itself is on Sunday 11th March 2007 but Axe Valley (the
organisers) will be taking entries from the 10th September this
year. Last time the places were filled within three and a half weeks
so we have to be quick of the mark if we want to get in.
If there is interest I am very happy to organise things again.
However I have rather cleverly managed to be away on holiday around
the 10th September and it would be folly to wait for me to get back
so Ian Mc McCarthy has very kindly agreed to step in and collect all
the entry forms, money and send them off for me.
Having organised just the one race since joining the club I have
learnt from last years experience and will do things a little
differently this time.
I think accommodation needs to be organised before we know for sure
if we have got in. After all it is easier to cancel than to try to
search out spaces so could you give this some thought also?
Anyone who is interested in staying at the Dolphin would you kindly
let Ian know and I will book upon my return. Others may like to stay
at a cottage nearby as last year. 

Previously year runners have been to Copenhagen, Le Havre ( Almost ), Ireland, Wales ( Offa's Dyke ), back to Alderney  (  "Son of Venus" ), and now Reims. Details below...