Arrows Running News and March Schedule
- Details
- Category: Club Schedule
- Published: Wednesday, 01 March 2023 00:00
March News and Schedule
Hope that you're feeling the start of the end of the cold and darkness of winter disappearing, your winter miles are bearing fruit and those approaching your 2023 'A' race (marathon?) have remained injury free and on track.
For everyone else just ticking over, recovering from injury or wishing that the summer months would come quicker to get out in finer, warmer weather - we hope that you'll do it with Arrows.
Renewal season is nearly upon us and we hope you'll be keen to stay with us as recent suggestions mean that we're stepping on the gas to offer you more in 2023 than we managed to achieve in 2022. We're looking to:
- Restart the Luton Track nights every other week. We've made bookings in March and will continue if well attended and can support through the RunLeaders. 1st session is 7th March at 7pm. More details below.
- Run Technique - we've got irons in the fire to have Run Technique training sessions when it gets a bit warmer. Could have focused sessions of 6 runners, but up to 12 runners depending on interest and content or focus.
- Change to run times - Looking at polling the membership to see what times suit better all our timetables. We've historically always started at 7:30, but working practices and needs have surely changed and there's a call for different times. We just have to make it easy a) to provide RunLeader cover/guidance b) administrate as we still have to register runners if doing an Arrows organised run (EA regs and good Health and Safety practice). We're already starting the track sessions at 7pm and will do the 5k earlier at 7pm in March.
- Focus on 5k - we've been told that we don't cater for this distance. We did try this before, but there was waning interest. We'll try again to see if there is now a demand that we can cater for
- Social - 2 events currently in the diary, more to come. 5th March for Awards celebrations at Marquis of Granby 4-7pm and a pub social following the Club 5k on 28th March. Location tbc.
AGM
In other news, the AGM was held and votes cast on the proposed changes. All but the 4.1 Application of Surplus Funds was voted through.
There was an intro to the committee/management team, discussion on what we said we'd do in 2022 and what we'd achieved and thoughts for 2023. We are lucky to have Sharon Stanley join us as Secretary. We say goodbye and thanks to Stephen McKee and Lisa Munt.
We also made a round of awards. Many will have applied for these - but a number were selected by the team and you, the members. The surprise announcement was that Anita White had deservedly won with over 80% of the votes cast the "Members Award" for her unswerving passion and support for the club. We'll give her and the other following winners their awards on 5th March at the Marquis.
- Newcomer – Phil Dean & Janie Morris
- Committee Awards – Mark Pattison, Issy & Steve Green
- Fastest Club 5ks – Inga Cobb & Ian Bryson
- Superstar Performer – Aisling Patterson
- Outstanding Achievement – Scott Clarke
We'll send out the full AGM pack, etc during the month or in the next news.. so steal yourself until then, come meet us at the Social and enjoy all the running in March!
(Webmaster: see AGM Minutes and Presentation and Accounts )
Watford Cross Country
A sunny day out at Watford XC - and good news, it's no longer the last one of the season! Royston's back on 12th March!
This month the newsletter contains:
- News
- This Month's Club Timetable
- Dates for the Diary - including another XC!
- General Notices and Reminders
As ever, please do join the Facebook group as we may have missed something and post updates about any proposed Parkrun tourism or other festive events.
1. News
A busy start to 2023
Many Arrows have been out running in Red & White. The Highlights include :-
- Parkrun has been as busy as ever with Arrows reaching many milestones. Phil Dean, James Blackburn & Patrick McGuinness all reached 150 with June Rowlands completed her 200th.
- Cross Country has seen Arrows teams at the County Championships & the Sunday league Watford race where the Vet Men placed 1st.
- Paul Goodwin was our lone runner at the National Championships. Nice one Paul.
- Road races have seen many Arrows all over the country and abroad. 32 raced at the Fred Hughes 10 where the ladies picked up a County bronze medal. The Bedford 10 had John in attendance, a couple of glamourous ladies were at Watford running the half marathon, Aisling was 2nd Lady at the Grisdale Half (even at -2 deg. she still ran in shorts and vest!) and Scholastica completed the Hong Kong half.
- The Spine race is probably the toughest physical and mental test a person can endure. Roger Montgomery has written a cracking account of his run. Please read the article Roger Completes the Spine Race and be blown away by his 143 hours and 50 minutes running the Pennine way and come meet him after the club 5k on 28th March at the social to hear further tales.
Best, Team Green
2. Dates for the Diary
Awards Celebration 4pm - 7pm Sunday 5th March
Upcoming Races
- Arrows 5K Handicap - Kit & Social, 28th February
- Cambridge Half, 5th March
- Tokyo Marathon, 5th March. Good luck Jen - the big 6 club awaits.
- XC Sunday league, 12th March (league points up for grabs)
- Ashridge Boundary run, 25th March
- XC County Vets, 26th March (separate email to follow)
- Many others leading up to Marathon season
- London Marathon, 23rd April
- MK Marathon, 1st May
Track Nights are back on at Luton Track
We're doing a block booking for 20 people and have the ability to exceed this on the night. There will be some plans for the night - but will always have to flex depending on who turns up. We will endeavor to try and keep some runs going at the club too - but again, need to see how it goes and what can be done with RunLeaders and the turn-up and run attendees.
Start time is planned for 6-7pm. Apparently it's busy before then. Track closes at 8:30pm. We're booking Tues 7th and 21st at the moment.
We'd encourage lift sharing. Likely at 6:30pm meet at St Georges and there will undoubtedly be chat on the Facebook group to organise. For March, ping This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. an email if you're unsure
To run at Luton, there is a form to complete for a LutonActive card. If these are sent ahead of time, we can forward to reduce the form filling on the night and speed up the issuing process. For March, please send the forms to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sunday 12th March - Cross Country Royston
The rearranged Royston race is back on
Please do come along to run, or support, cheer and bring some cake! Fun for everyone and don't worry if you've never done XC before, they are suitable for all speeds, and every runner counts to the club league position in the season.
The usual format, Car share 9am St Gs, 10:30 start, back in time for a late lunch if the cake hasn't filled you up.
All you need is an ARROWS vest or T-Shirt in official race colours (red with white detail) to take part. If you don't have one you can order from the Arrows Kit Shop.
Want to know more? Please see our Facebook events page, contact Simon Speirs (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or see the separate email that went out to members about XC Season. (Or see the website page)
Tuesday 28th March
Arrows Club 5k Handicap, Winter Course at St George's School, Pub Social
WINTER COURSE - ROADS AROUND ST GEORGE'S
It's quite late again this month to enable a social with Roger Montgomery in attendance. He recently completed the Spine race a mere 250+ mile race along the Pennines. A lot in the dark, wet and cold. His race report is a good read. It's here Roger Completes the Spine Race for those not on Facebook.) Come along and celebrate and re-hydrate after the 5k.
Do come along, this is your monthly chance to get together with fellow Arrows, run a FREE timed 5km, and afterwards join us for tea, cake and a chance to buy or order Arrows kit. We do it on a handicap basis so slower runners go off first with fastest last. Timed to perfection and everyone running to expected pace - everyone could come over the line at exactly the same time!
Cake bakers and marshal volunteers - if you can help on the night please join our "Arrows Club 5km Organising" WhatsApp group by clicking this link Arrows Club 5km Organising WhatsApp Group.
Please also see our Facebook events page.
PLEASE NOTE SOME RULES ABOUT RUNNING AT THE 5K IN THE GENERAL NOTICES BELOW.
3. Club timetable for March
Great news - by popular request Luton Track sessions are booked every other week in March. We've got a block booking for 20 Arrows and can pay extra for anyone else who turns up. Start time is 7pm and typically might last an hour in total. Track closes at 8:30pm. We'll try to offer other runs on those nights - but very dependent on who remains from the RunLeader group either willing to miss or logistically can't get to Luton if they want to participate.
Club 5k LAST Thursday in March starting at 6:45pm. 30 mins earlier than normal! It is hopefully the last on the Winter Course as we'll try an earlier start on the Summer course in April with a pub social to follow. There would be no other training sessions on Club night.
Other Club nights: remaining Tuesdays and Thursdays we will try to offer a selection of turn up and run groups including 4, 5 & mile road groups as well as trail runs. If there is interest to have a 5k runs other requirements - please let us know and we'll see if there's interest to get a group together and could be covered.
RunLeaders - we'll try to offer hills or speed as an alternative to Track sessions to on occasion, but runs are set-up and led according to demand and RunLeader availability and will be pre-advertised on the Facebook group.
|
Tuesdays 28/02 - Club 5km, Kit and Cake Night 07/03 - Luton Track (7pm+) 14/03 - Hills / Road / Trail 21/03 - Luton Track (7pm+) 28/03 - Club 5k + Pub Social (6:45pm) 04/04 - Luton Track (provisional) |
Thursdays 02/03 - Regular St G's Road / Trail runs 09/03 - Regular St G's Road / Trail runs 16/03 - Regular St G's Road / Trail runs 23/03 - Regular St G's Road / Trail runs 30/03 - Regular St G's Road / Trail runs |
4. General Notices
Free t-shirt for RunLeaders
If you're good with a route or two, and would like to lead runs for Arrows, please let us know! We are always looking for more people to join our core team, either as occasional helpers or as regular run leaders. All you need is confidence and we'll give you more of that and some of the knowledge to keep everyone safe - it's not onerous and a lot of common sense.
If you're interested in leading please email rungroupbookings@
Kit Shop: The club shop can be found here:
https://www.iprosports.co.uk/ club-zone/harpenden-arrows/
The range of available kit includes club vests and t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, caps, beanies, and a new line in colourful hi-viz t-shirts bearing the club logo.
All kit can be personalised with names or messages on the front, back or both – so no more melting your t-shirt trying to iron on wonky letters (or was that just me)?
If you would like to see or try on any of the kit samples, please come along to our monthly 5km, Kit and Cake night, and speak to our kit secretary, Rowland Hughes. (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
10% OFF SPORTSSHOES.COM - March code
If you haven't found what you want from the Arrows online kit shop, we have secured a 10% discount code specifically for Arrows, plus there's free shipping for orders of £30 or more from www.sportsshoes.com.
This is redeemed via a unique discount code, which will be changed each month.
Please do not share the code with non-members. Any Arrows in receipt of the code must not share it on social media or any public websites.
This month's code valid for March 2023 has been sent by email to paid-up members.
Active Training World 10% off race entry with the code ....
(Sent by email to all paid-up Arrows Members)
We have some exciting news for you - Arrows have obtained a 10% discount for members on all ATW-organised races.
Just enter the code at the checkout to obtain your 10% Arrows discount. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS FOR ATW ORGANISED EVENTS (there will be a big banner on the site when an ATW event. Please do try to avoid confusion as occasionally ATW provide the booking system / support and the 10% fee is not available on these occasions).
Please do not share the code with non-members. Any Arrows in receipt of the code must not share it on social media or any public websites.
Can you marshal for an ATW event?
Earn £20 and free race entry, or £10 per hour, in exchange for marshalling at ATW events.
If you're interested in marshalling, please email racemakers@
#JustTurnUp - St George's runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays
If you want to attend any of our regular run groups at St George's, please #JustTurnUp on the night. No pre-booking is required for our regular runs from St George's.
We will also always adapt any run groups to those that turn up on the night, or if possible form additional groups to suit varied paces. Nobody will be left behind and we operate a *looping policy if we happen to have a wide pace range in the group.
*That means that faster runners are asked to loop back to keep the group together.
Safety reminder for Arrows club 5km events
Please note, for the safety of all members when participating in the Club 5km event, the following advice applies:
No headphones. For your own safety and to ensure you can hear instructions from marshals, and cars on the road, headphones are not permitted whilst taking part in the club 5km event. If you are seen wearing headphones during the event, you may be disqualified!
We strongly advise you to please wear a head or body torch - some of the roads are very dark with parked cars and uneven pavements and a lot of leaf litter currently. A head or body torch is strongly recommended for your own safety.
Wear high visibility clothing and/or your Arrows vest - this makes you easy to see running on the dark roads.
Stay safe everyone, and stay well!
Thank you for supporting your club. If you have concerns or suggestions please get in touch.
Harpenden Arrows Running Club
rungroupbookings@
In case you missed it - heres the link for Roger Completes the Spine Race