Arrows Running News and October Schedule

Details

Category: Club Schedule

Published: Sunday, 01 October 2023 00:00

October News and Schedule 

Wow, another month has already gone by, and we now find ourselves heading into Autumn and the darker days. As always when we look back at the month it's amazing what our members get up to, all for the love of running!!

Highlights for September were:

• Saturday 2nd September saw quite a few Arrows participating in the annual Stampede event. This is a fun and social event and a great time was had by all.  Paul Goodwin was in one of the winning teams, well done.
• The next day saw many Arrows gathering at The Marquis of Granby to help Georgie Hamilton celebrate her very special birthday. It was good to see so many Arrows (both old and new) in such a relaxed atmosphere. The food was good and the weather was amazing.
• James Chasen, Nigel Douglas, Stephen McKee and Dean Murley took part in the Great North Run. Dean even managed to help his friend achieve the official Guinness World Record as the fastest-ever Ninja!!
• Club 5k was run for the first time on the winter course with seven runners taking part. Thanks as always to our volunteers and cake providers.
• As always there has been great representation at parkrun. The tourism event took part at Cassiobury in Watford. We even had a dog joining us with Sharon as she marshalled. Thanks to Julie for organising.
• Jillian Russell represented the Club at the Leighton 10k. A well-organised event by Leighton Buzzard Athletics. Well done Jillian.
• Stephen McKee has been keeping himself busy. Not content with running one event he decided to do two in one day.  Firstly, The Last Dual Trail Run in Fife followed in the afternoon by the Linlithgow 10k. Wow, what an achievement.
• As always, the Hatfield 5k series was well attended. Race #2 is an Arrows league race so we had 20 members in attendance on what was a very hot and humid night.
• We also had Arrows participating in the Stevenage 10k, the Relay Triathlon in Hemel and the Big Half.
• The wonderful Audrey Zilliox Herrback represented France in the recent World Triathlon Championships.

Don’t forget to enter the Arrows Club League nominated distance races. We’ve got the 5m and 10k still to run. Entries are now open for registration. Remember to register as an Arrow and use your EA number and ATW discount code if applicable. No booking is needed for the 3 XC fixtures which also count in October and November. Read all about the league and follow the links to book – https://www.harpendenarrows.co.uk/web/indix.php/leagues/364-arrows-club-league-2023.

Club start time - results of Poll

You may remember that we talked and ran a poll about changing the start times for the club on Facebook. There was about 35% response rate from the membership - we didn't get any commentary on email or outside the poll.

• 6:00  2 votes, 3%
• 6:30  11 votes, 16%
• 7:00  18 votes, 26%
• 7:30  37 votes, 54%
• 8:00  1 vote, 1%

Results would suggest we've got it about right with the standard 7:30 pm time and mixing it up perhaps with the different start times for the track nights and Club 5k. Of course, it doesn't look like we suit everyone and hope that these people, if they can't make the club times do find each other and self-organise club members to suit their lives. We're very much aware that the nature of work-from-home means earlier times are possible and preferred, but perhaps those still commuting need the later times to make sure their travel can be accommodated. Sorry, we can't satisfy everyone.

Hoping for smiles doing your miles, and stay safe in the increasingly likely darkness for your training.

Sharon & Spiersy. 

What's going on:

1. Track nights – We are back at Stockwood Park on the 3th and 17th of October. Please aim to arrive at 6:45 pm for a prompt start at 7 pm.
   

2. Herts 10k – Will take place on Sunday 8th October. There is still time to register and earn points in the Arrows club league.

3. Club 5k / Social – This will take place on Tuesday 31st October. As this is Halloween, we are planning something different. More details to follow but get ready to dress up and run in your best Halloween fancy dress. On this occasion, we are planning to decamp to Inn on the Green for the social post the run. Please feel free to suggest impromptu socials post-event or even attempt a pub run.

4. Cologne Marathon weekend (29th September - 1st October) – By the time you read this many Arrows will have even taken part or even be running round the course. We have many members taking part in either the full marathon, the half marathon or the team marathon. Good luck everyone.

5. October Park Run Tourism - Saturday 7th October - Luton Wardown – Jillian Russell is Run Director on this day, and it would be fantastic if, as well as having Arrows running, we could try and fill the volunteer roster as well – Arrows volunteer takeover! Many of you have already said you will attend but if you are interested but unfamiliar with the volunteer roles you can see the list on https://www.parkrun.or.uk/lutonwardown/futureroster; or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. saying that you’d like to volunteer and what role you’d like to do. They will want to know your parkrun number, so you get a volunteer credit.

6. Sunday League Cross Country Races – The season is nearly here so please make a note of the dates below. Each event will be posted on the Arrows Facebook event page with all the organiser's details. Cross country is great fun and should make you faster so do give it a go. No entry is required, just get there in time, wear your Arrows top / vest, run, pick up a token and note your name and finish token number on the Arrows results sheet. If you can’t run, do consider coming along to support or marshal. Broxbourne runners who are organising the first race are asking for help.
   
   - 15th October – Cheshunt (11am start).
   - 29th October – Cassiobury Park, Watford.
   - 5th November – Trent Park, Cockfosters.
   - 17th December – Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage.
   - 18th February – Royston Heath.

7. Quiz night – The Committee are looking into organising this event during October or November. Watch this space for further information – get in touch with Anita / Sharon if you’d like to help out.

8. AGM / Social - Advance warning that the Committee are looking into options for this event. Date TBC, but probably February 2024. Watch this space for more information. We are likely to be sending out a poll to gauge members' interest in this event.

Just a quick final reminder that high viz is going to be increasingly required as sunsets are now a lot earlier. (Go to the club shop and get a branded Arrows top.)

Team Arrows in Cologne at Rheinpark parkrun.

For now, this issue contains:

1. This Month's Club Timetable
2. Dates for the Diary
3. 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. Club timetable for October

As ever, a combination and variety of running is available. We're trying to offer 4m, 5m, hills and/or speed sessions. Is there any interest in a shorter 5km run? Please let us know. All combinations rely on RunLeaders taking care of existing, new and potential joiners to Arrows. If you don't feel you have the confidence or skills to do this... we'll help. Please let us know.

Start times:

St G's club runs: 7:15 arrival for 7:30 departure.
Club 5k: 6:45 for a 7:15 start
Track: start at 7:00

Track Nights at Stockwood

Please aim to arrive by 6:45 pm for a prompt start at 7 pm.

2. Dates for the Diary

Upcoming Races

• Parkrun tourism - Luton Wardown - Saterday 7th of October
• Herts 10k - Sunday 8th of October
• Sunday League Cross Country - Cheshunt - Sunday 15th October (11:00)
• Sunday League Cross Country - Cassiobury, Watford - Sunday 29th October (10:30)
• Club 5k / Halloween Special - Tuesday 31st of October

Tuesday 31st of October

Arrows Club 5k Handicap, Winter Course + Cake Night

WINTER COURSE - ROAD RUNNING

Do come along, this is your monthly chance to get together with fellow Arrows, run a FREE timed 5km, and afterwards join us for a great social over a slice of cake! For the run, we do it on a handicap basis so slower runners go off first with the fastest last. Timed to perfection and everyone running at their expected pace - everyone could come over the line at exactly the same time!

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. 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 it is common sense.

If you're interested in leading please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and ask for more info.

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 of 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 - October 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 is changed monthly.

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 July 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 races. Why not use it for entering the Hatfield 5-mile event this November?  Fast, flat and local race with PB potential. (Webmaster - and Arrows League points too!)

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

#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 any club activity. If you are seen wearing headphones during the Club 5km event, you may be disqualified!

Wear high visibility clothing and/or your Arrows vest - this makes it easy to see you 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

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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