Southville RC Newsletter May 2024
Hi Everyone,
GWR Towpath Mobmatch
Southville Running Club is the two-time champion of the Towpath Mobmatch - and on Friday May 24th it's time to defend our title again!
For the third time the race clashes with the Classic Quarter, but that's no hindrance as we're 2 for 2 since the Mobmatch was moved to May. But there's still no room for complacency - with many of our runners on the road to Cornwall that evening, we'll need as many as possible on the Towpath to keep our crown. And every runner counts - we want as many people to turn out for SRC as possible no matter what pace they run at.
The first runners for each club (usually 20) score points for their finishing position (1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 and so on), but if you're not in Southville's first 20, it doesn't matter because every runner you overtake adds more points to other clubs' scores (more points = bad).
So even if you're not usually a racer, give this one a go - the format means you can only improve our position by turning up. We'll be cheering in every runner as always and then heading to the Tobacco Factory afterwards.
The Mobmatch is now part of the first Towpath 10k of the series, so you will need to sign up either online or on the night.
Great Bristol 10k and Half Marathon
The week before the Towpath, Sunday May 19th will see one of the other biggest Bristol running events of the year: the Great Bristol 10k and Half Marathon. Whether you're signed up or not, here's how to get involved:
Photo op: If you're running the 10k, head to the Arnolfini, a stone's throw from Millennium Square, at 8.55am precisely for the SRC team photo. If you're in the Half, head to the same place at 10:05am.
Spectators: With Vauxhall Bridge closed for maintenance, we'll have to find a new cheering spot, so head to the other side of Gaol Ferry Bridge where you'll find us somewhere between there and the Louisiana.
Social: Whether you're running, spectating or just fancy socialising, we'll be at the Hen & Chicken on North Street from 12 noon for food and drinks.
Social news
A big thank you to everyone who came to April's New Members Social to make our newest runners feel welcome over coffee, and to Chris Hopes for organising.
May's big social event will be the post Great Bristol Run social covered above.
On Sunday June 23rd, join us for the inaugural SRC sport’s day at Victoria Park, followed by some drinks at a pub (location TBC). Games to include Rounders, volleyball, ringtoss, limbo, egg 'n' spoon and more! Come along to meet new people at the club in a fun event for all!
And there's another big date to save in your calendar - Friday July 26th will be the SRC Summer Party. (Don't worry Towpath runners - there will be more than enough party left when you get there!)
Parkrun news - please note Clevedon cancellation on 4th May
There's a change to our usual parkrun schedule In May. Normally the first Saturday of the month is the big Ashton Court turnout, but this Saturday May 4th there's not one but two SRC events further afield.
The first is our club captain Sophie Patten's 30th birthday, in whose honour we'll be heading to Pontypool parkrun. (Clevedon parkrun has been cancelled that Saturday.)
And closer to home, Blaise parkrun on the same day will be an SRC Championship race. (Remember, it's 5 out of the 9 races to count, so you won't necessarily be penalised if you go to Pontypool.)
Two weeks later on 18th May we're heading back to Blaise for an SRC volunteer takeover. Head to the Facebook event to put your name down, or email us if you're not on Facebook.
And an early save the date - on Sunday 16th June we'll be holding an SRC volunteer takeover of a Junior Parkrun for the first time at Greville Smyth. Junior Parkrun is just like the big parkruns, except it's 2km, on Sunday and for runners aged 14 and under.
Race report
Thanks to Laura Pease for the write-up.
April was not only the month for Spring marathons but the club championship also began.
We had runners take part in Brighton, Paris, London, Manchester, Zaragoza and Newport marathons. Well done everyone who ran their first, including Ben King, Harri Spelman, Mark Fermandel, Jenny Thomson, Ali Siddorn, James Newcombe, Jonny Lloyd-Jones & Sambourne Bush. Those who achieved a PB - Liam Coleman, Julia Damsell, Victor Garcia, Rob Phillips, Rachael Woodroffe, Charlotte Robinson, Penny Guess, Ben McCabe, David Thorpe & Laura Pease. But a big congratulations to anyone who took on the distance!
3 SRC runners gave The London Landmarks Half a great review and raised lots of money for charity. Well done to Rachel Jones for also running a PB.
The Club Championship started at Ashton Court parkrun, took us to the Frenchay 10k and finished with Weston Prom Run.
Highlights included Ellie’s cake after the hills of Frenchay and a very windy Weston Prom - well done to Dave Unsworth who still managed a PB.
Oliver Haynes is currently leading with Kayleigh Doherty and Jamie Walker hot on his heels in joint 2nd. But all to run for with 6 races left through May and June.
Congratulations to Teresa Oakes who was first in age in the Rogue Runners Twilight 5 mile race on the Severn Bridge. Also a big shout out to Katie Egan, who PB’ed in both the 5k & 10k this month! With 1st in age & 4th female at Newport 10k.
Track also returned, we have seen an amazing number of runners taking park, including 62 at the taster session.
Finally, congratulations to those who achieved parkrun milestones. Sam Lewis has now run 100 parkruns, Mike McBeth 300 and Clara Katin has volunteered 50 times.
Dates for your Diary
🧡Sat May 4 - Pontypool parkrun tourism
🏆Sat May 4 - Blaise parkrun
🏁Thu May 16 - Weston Prom Run
🎽Thu May 16 - No track session
🧡Sat May 18 - Blaise parkrun SRC takeover
🏆🥳Sun May 19 - Great Bristol Half/10k
🏆Fri May 24 - Towpath Mobmatch 10k
🚌Sat May 25 - Classic Quarter
🎽Thu May 30 - No track session
🏆Mon June 3 - Hogweed Trot
🏁Tue June 11 - Clevedon Midsummer 10k
🏁Fri June 21 - Towpath 10k
🧡Sun June 16 - Junior Parkrun takeover, Greville Smyth
🚌Sat June 22 - Breakheart Backyard Ultra, Gloucester
🥳Sun June 23 - SRC Sports Day
🚌Sat July 6 - Cotswold Way Relay
🚌July 11-14 - Love Trails, Gower
🎽Thu July 11 - No track session
🏁Fri July 26 - Towpath 10k
🥳Fri July 26 - SRC Summer Party
🚌August 16-18 - SRC Jurassic Coast Extravaganza
🏁Fri August 23 - Towpath 5k
🎽Thu September 12 - Last track session
All the best,
Southville Running Club
info@southvillerunningclub.co.uk