April 2024
By Rosie Clarke
Welcome to the April edition of the GWR monthly newsletter!
This is the place where you can hear all about the latest club information including races, save-the-dates, ADMF good-news stories, kit updates, and more… all in one place! We hope that this can be a great way to keep you all updated on the exciting goings-on of the club, and to celebrate all we have accomplished.
In this edition, we see the imminent return of a well-loved social blockbuster: Parkrun Tourism at Five Arches; a new and shiny Wednesday speed session led by Mark; a Weston Half-Marathon Volunteering roll-call; an action-packed spring events schedule; a membership renewal reminder, and a lot of races to celebrate… Spring is definitely getting brighter and busier!
Membership due NOW – please see renewal email
April
- Wednesday 3rd April: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups and speed session – England Athletics’ very own Richard Ayling to join club run and speak about the benefits of being part of EA: very informal chat but this won’t be one to miss!)
- Thursday 4th April: Weston Prom – 5 miles along the prom
- Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th April: Bath Skyline races – Night/Day – hilly, narrow and technical
- Sunday 7th April: Bristol Brabazon 10K and Half Marathon
- Wednesday 10th April: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups and speed session)
- Saturday 13th April: The Maverick Adidas Terrex Original Mendips – 6.5K, 13K, 22K
- Sunday 14th April: Frenchay 10K road race
- Wednesday 17th April: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups and speed session)
- Thursday 18th April: Weston Prom – 5 miles along the prom
- Sunday 21st April: Mud Master in Weston Super-Mare 5K, 10K or 20K
- Wednesday 24th April: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups and speed session)
May
- Wednesday 1st May: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups and speed session)
- Saturday 4th May: Parkrun tourism
- Wednesday 8th May: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups and speed session)
- Saturday 11th May: Eastville Parkrun Takeover
- Wednesday 15th May: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups and speed session)
- Sunday 19th May: Great Bristol Run Half-Marathon, 10K and Fun-Run road races
- Wednesday 22nd May: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
- Friday 24th May: Towpath Race 1 (including MobMatch)
- Wednesday 29th May: 19:00 club run (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
Upcoming this summer…
That’s right, the most anticipated race series possibly in the world (and certainly in Bristol) is approaching. Is it UTMB? Is it the World Majors? No… it’s the GWR Towpath series (of course)! Want to try your hand at a 10K PB? Want to simply finish strong? Want to just get out and soak in the inter-club atmosphere? Look no further – all four race dates are now live – sign up here!
- Friday 24th May: Race 1 (including MobMatch)
- Friday 21st June: Race 2
- Friday 26th July: Race 3
- Friday 23rd August: Race 4 (5K finale)
Parkrun tourism
April’s poll has drawn to a close and the winner is Forest of Dean parkrun for a devilish event 666 for you secret parkrun Nelson challenge hunters! The course is a trail course so pay attention to the weather a few days before as you may need trail footwear to keep you upright! That’s the 6th of April and post event brunch details will be posted in due course.
Bristol Half – ADMF places
The Great run company have gifted the Arthur Dagger Memorial fund 2 places for this years bristol half marathon event. The places are free, however we would like the recipient(s) to raise some money to at least support 1 athlete for 2024/25 so around £100. If you think you can help please great in touch!
Bristol Half Volunteering
Sticking with the Bristol 10K/Half marathon, Great run have asked if we could provide 6 marshalls for the day. Volunteers will receive their own t-shirt and are fed and watered for the day. If you are going down to watch the event, maybe consider lending a hand!?
Club Social
Star Wars day – 4th May – East Bristol Brewery Trail! The force is definitely strong with this one that you should come along to at least 1 of the 6 venues on the route. Last years event at Zero Degrees was well attended and this one will be even better. Starting venue and times to be announced in due course!
March Race and Achievements Report
This month we look back at the Bath Half and commend ourselves for a great team performance! We had 22 runners represent the club and half of them ran under the magic 90 minute mark which speaks volumes about the talent, enthusiasm and discipline we welcome through our doors every Wednesday! To add to that, the next 10 came in under 2 hours! It’s not all about finishing times though, everyone who wears the blue vest is a credit to themselves and the club so keep being awesome!
ADMF Good News
The Arthur Dagger Memorial Fund (ADMF) was created by Great Western Runners in memory of one of our most treasured club members Arthur Dagger. ADMF’s mission is to provide financial support for young, talented athletes.
Thank you to all those who continue to support this wonderful initiative – the wonderful success stories wouldn’t exist without you all! For more information about ADMF and what it’s all about, see more information here.
Misc. Updates
Club Membership renewals are due!
With Richard Ayling joining us on Wednesday 3rd April to tell us about all of the benefits of being affiliated with England Athletics, it’s a great opportunity to be reminded of why renewing your official membership with our wonderful club is not one to be missed. £50 for single and £80 for joint household membership… all information to be listed on the renewal forms.
With the recent success of the effort sessions every Wednesday. Voom Nutrition has given us the opportunity to get one of their nutrition starter packs for the price of P&P. Enter Code GREATWESTERNRUNNERS at checkout and you should be good.
https://www.voomnutrition.co.uk/collections/the-running-club
Fancy trying your hand at blogging and have a Great Western Runners event you’d like to brag about? Get in touch with us at the committee – we’d love to have new blog writers for the website contributing the wonderful things you’re doing for all to see.
Welfare Officer appointments for the club are pending very soon.
Short on running gear? Fancy a discount at sportsshoes.com? You’re in luck! Email the committee for the code for 10% off the whole range on orders over £50, complete with free shipping, valid until 3rd May 2024.
Kit
For kit (including club branded running gear) enquiries, please see the website here.
Contact
If you would like to contact the committee about any club run business, suggestions, questions or otherwise, please do get in touch on committee@greatwesternrunners.org.uk
We’d love to hear from you!