Frostbite 2016/17

Hi all,

We've only just stopped swimming in the river (well, most of us), but it's time again to start looking forward to this winter's Frostbite running season. The dates and fixtures have been confirmed and are listed on the website: http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk. So these are the dates to put in your diary:
1st Race 2nd October 2016 Riverside Runners Priory Park, St. Neots
2nd Race 6th November 2016 Bushfield Joggers Nene Park, Peterborough
3rd Race 11th December 2016 Hunts AC Hinchingbrooke Park
4th Race 15th January 2017 March AC Elm Road Sportsfield - March
5th Race 5th February 2017 Bourne Town Harriers Bourne Woods
6th Race 12th March 2017 BRJ Run and Tri Jubilee Park, Huntingdon

For those who are new to this: Frostbite is a series of 6 races organised by and for 16 local running clubs. Each race is about 5 miles, and on the 1st or 2nd Sunday of the month from October to March. It is a team race in which the first seven men and the first three women count for the club. Entry is free. The only condition is that you have to wear some form of Pactrac kit (and be a member of course). And there are trophies at the end of the year for the best male and female Pactrac runner of the series (who I get to pick so you know who you need to bribe).

We have been performing reasonably well in recent years, and finished 7th overall last year. Not bad for a bunch of triathletes! In the process we've had some great individual results, including several wins by Paul Vernon and 4 in the top 10 in last December's race.

Everyone is welcome; you don't have to be a top runner, these are great friendly events with 100s of runners of all possible levels. Even if you are not in our scoring teams, you may still be taking points off other teams. And they are good races to track your fitness compared with others, and compared with previous years. It is usually quite difficult for us to find enough women to race, so ladies are especially welcome.

Please note that there is also a Juniors Frostbite series for under 16s, with 1.5 mile races starting at 10.15 at the same venue. I'm not organising our team for this though - please speak with Sam Fielding if you are interested.

I will send reminder / rallying emails in the week before each race - first one next week, ahead of 2nd October's St Neots race. Put it in your diary! We will also be using the Website Forum for car sharing opportunities - please post there if you are looking for a ride.

Thanks,
Jaap

Next Sunday 2 October is the first race of the new season of the Frostbite Friendly League. See previous post / email for further information about the Frostbite series. As always, Race 1 is in Priory Park, Huntingdon Road in St Neots, starting at 11am. Directions are on:
http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Race1_riverside_map.pdf

This year's course isn't on the website, but I presume it's the same as in previous years: all in the Park; mostly on grass plus a few bits on forest tracks; no tarmac. Off road shoes or even spikes are an option, but if it's dry, normal running shoes are fine.

Please let me know if you are interested, preferably on the Forum, otherwise on jjf_99@hotmail.com. It would be good to get a feel for who is running, so that we know if we have a complete team or not, and need to do some rallying.

Thanks
Jaap

I will be there. Driving from Hampton if anyone else wants to ride along.

Thanks Jaap. See you there, coming from Uppingham if anyone wants a lift (a47/a1)

Will be there :) looking forwards to it

Will be there if my running top has arrived.

Hi Mark. I'll have some running tops there. They cost £24. I'll have an assortment of sizes.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for getting in touch. We don't manufacture on each order online. We open and close club shops as agreed with the club kit managers.

We apologise if this hasn't been communicated correctly.

--

Hi Mark,

Thanks for getting in touch. We don't manufacture on each order online. We open and close club shops as agreed with the club kit managers.

We apologise if this hasn't been communicated correctly.

--

Steve,

Many thanks will see you soon.

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Jaap, I'm not able to make it as I'm racing at Oulton Park.

Has the lure of the World's finally overcome you? Good luck on Sunday.
Put me down for one Jaap. May cycle there after all.

I'm planning on being there and will need a club running top please. See you there!

I hope to be there, but am trying to get over a hamstring injury (again), so will only be jogging round (again).

Amy- I'll join you for a car share if you're still going? I can meet you in Hampton. I'll have a (small) box of kit from Steve as well as he's cycling down there.
Let me know,
A.

Hi Jaap, i'll be there.

Hi,
Myself and Petro will be there, although we're still waiting for our tips from V2 to arrive, didn't realise it was a 4-6 week wait for them? :-0.
Steve, will you have plenty of tops there?, would need two at 40"?.
Thanks

Yes, I'll have enough tops there. VO2 will wait for a minimum order before making the garments. We are discussing this with them. I have a good supply of running tops at £24. You can then cancel your order with VO2. (If it does still arrive, I'll refund you the £24 as a goodwill gesture)!

We currently have little or no cycling garments / trisuits in stock in regular sizes, but ask first if you want anything.

Great Steve, thanks for the reply, we had ordered vests, but T-Shirts will be great, thanks again.
See you Sunday
Ali

Hi Amy, just found this message on the forum. Would love to share a lift with Amy from Hampton just need to know the address and time. many thanks in advance, Sue : )

Hello, I will be there tomorrow. Can I also have a t-shirt? It's my first time doing frostbite, am quite looking forward to it. See you tomorrow Jayne

Sue and Andrea, can you meet me at my house at 9:40?

1 Malus Close PE7 8DU.

Hi all,
The results are on the Frostbite website - 3rd for the Juniors (well done!), 10th for the seniors. Not bad considering most of our top men from last year weren't there. Great that we had a team of 16 with lots of new faces and lots of enthusiasm. On to Ferry Meadows on 6 November, put it in your diary!
Jaap

..........(2 Nathan Tweedie M NVH 27:02)
..........(7 Rob Brownlee M NVH 27:57)
..........(22 Simon Mead M Ramsey 30:02)
42 Wayne Stainsby M PACTRAC 31:06
53 Steve Giles M PACTRAC 31:44
..........(56 Sean Beard M NVH 31:49)
74 Ali Brightley M PACTRAC 32:28
75 Giles Cooper M PACTRAC 32:32
..........(82 Paul Baxter M Bushfield 32:50)
..........(86 Richard Ardern M Bushfield 33:02)
..........(91 Jeremy Thompson M Werrington 33:16)
..........(101 Mike Wenn M Riverside 33:42)
110 Aaron Godden M PACTRAC 34:08
116 Petro Bartoszyk M PACTRAC 34:15
..........(139 Daniel Amps-WoodwardM Thorney 35:10)
140 Steve Hope M PACTRAC 35:10
..........(158 Roz Loutit F Yaxley 36:21)
207 Andrea Robinett F PACTRAC 37:57
212 Sue Burnett F PACTRAC 38:14
214 Steve Skelhorn M PACTRAC 38:18
230 Laura Johnson F PACTRAC 39:09
239 Mark Bradley M PACTRAC 39:26
..........(258 Barbara Johnson F Yaxley 40:19)
..........(267 Rebecca Witton F Bushfield 41:03)
270 Sarah Caskey F PACTRAC 41:08
283 Jayne Roe F PACTRAC 41:34
284 Amy Hayes F PACTRAC 41:35
330 Mariska Niemeijer F PACTRAC 44:03
410 Roy Mayhew M PACTRAC 50:19

That's 17 Jaap!

Plus the Juniors are now joint 2nd!
Name Time Position
Sam G 07:39:00 7
Flo B 07:46:00 10
Joe G 08:05:00 20
Katie T 08:12:00 28
Olivia C08:37:00 50
Lottie T11:41:00 172
Chloe M 13:22:00 185

Hi all,

We had a good turnout at last month's first Frostbite, with lots of first time competitors. As a team we came 10th, not bad considering most of our usual top runners weren't there.

Next week is the second leg. As always, this is organised by Bushfield, but the venue has changed to Ferry Meadows, in Orton, Peterborough. Race HQ is the Water Sports Centre there. For directions, see http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Race2_Bushymap_2016.pdf

The course has not been confirmed, but is likely to be mostly on the narrow'ish tarmac paths around the lakes. There may be short stretches on grass, but nothing seriously off-road. If there is any wind, you will feel it. As always, the distance will be 5 miles or thereabouts.

The start is at 11am, it is free to take part, it's a club race and everyone (from super fast to super slow) contributes, both by scoring points and by contributing to club feel (in random order)! All you need is to be a member and wear some form of Pactrac kit. Let us know if you need to buy any.

Vests to look out for when approaching the finish line next week are Eye & BRJ (just ahead of us in the rankings) and Fenland & Ely (just behind).

Please let me know if you are planning to run, preferably on the Forum or Facebook group.

Finally, the Pactrac Committee is keen to support the Frostbite team, recognising its importance for club spirit through the winter. Any suggestions and initiatives for improvement are welcome, and the Club will pay the costs if it's a good (and affordable) idea. I was thinking coffee & cakes, in the glorious Nene Swim tradition, if anyone is willing to take the initiative...

Thanks,
Jaap

Many thanks Jaap, see you at Ferry Meadows next Sunday

So, do we need wetsuits now???

Hi,
Course map now published: http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Nene_Park_Course_2016.pdf
Much more offroad than I thought it would be - should be good!
Jaap

Hi all,

The organisers have clarified that car parking fees for Sunday's race will be £1 - there will be a discount code provided with the race envelopes.

The weather looks great for Sunday so despite the offroad stretches, normal road shoes should be fine. Note there is a short steep hill around halfway, in the woods.

I haven't received many confirmations. We normally have a very good turnout for the Bushfield race, so I'm sure we'll be fine, but do let me know if you plan to run.

Jaap

1 Paul Vernon M PACTRAC 27:00:00
..........(12 Simon Mead M Ramsey 29:11:00)
15 Tom Briggs M PACTRAC 29:19:00
39 Paul Lunn M PACTRAC 31:04:00
48 Steve Burton M PACTRAC 31:47:00
..........(65 Richard Ardern M Bushfield 32:19:00)
71 Jaap Flikweert M PACTRAC 32:27:00
75 Giles Cooper M PACTRAC 32:39:00
..........(99 Daniel Amps-Woodward M Thorney 33:32:00)
102 Ali Brightley M PACTRAC 33:34:00
130 Aaron Godden M PACTRAC 34:19:00
..........(135 Mike Wenn M Riverside 34:25:00)
..........(137 Jeremy Thompson M Werrington 34:29:00)
143 Adam Poole M PACTRAC 34:38:00
144 Petro Bartoszyk M PACTRAC 34:40:00
162 Simon Pauffley M PACTRAC 35:15:00
..........(171 Martyn Witton M Bushfield 35:44:00)
182 Steve Hope M PACTRAC 35:59:00
..........(207 Paul Jephcott M Bushfield 36:45:00)
265 Abi Schofield F PACTRAC 38:30:00
..........(267 Carry Murphy F Yaxley 38:33:00)
277 Steve Skelhon M PACTRAC 38:53:00
284 Mark Bradley M PACTRAC 39:06:00
286 Sarah Caskey F PACTRAC 39:12:00
..........(302 Rebecca Witton F Bushfield 39:51:00)
320 Paul Beland M PACTRAC 40:40:00
410 Roz Giles F PACTRAC 45:07:00
..........(418 Rebecca Carey F Bushfield 45:30:00)
..........(421 Sue Davys F Bushfield 45:35:00)
431 Amy Hayes F PACTRAC 46:01:00
432 Debora Leininger F PACTRAC 46:06:00

20 PACTRAC Seniors.

14 Connor Walker M PACTRAC 07:22
17 Flo Brill F PACTRAC 07:30
21 Katie Tasker F PACTRAC 07:34
27 Hugo Brill M PACTRAC 07:39
38 Joe Garner M PACTRAC 07:55
79 Olivia Corner F PACTRAC 08:37
92 Teddy Cowin M PACTRAC 08:52
..........(113 Rhiannon Loutit F Yaxley 09:06)
114 Norah Brill F PACTRAC 09:07
151 Toby Cooke M PACTRAC 09:49
179 Lottie Tasker F PACTRAC 10:27
182 Jack Cooke M PACTRAC 10:32
192 Libby Mellor F PACTRAC 10:47
215 Chloe Moore F PACTRAC 11:48
219 William Horspool M PACTRAC 12:40

14 PACTRAC Juniors.

Hello, this is a message for American Amy.. It's jayne, I saw you at the Peterborough services and you were just off for a swim. I don't have your mobile number and was wondering if I could pop down with you to wadenhoe one day for a swim. I will have a wetsuit mind. My number is 07703656545. Give me a shout if you don't mind if I tag along.. thanks .. speak soon. :)

Hi all,

We had a really good turnout last month at the 2nd leg of the Frostbite Running Series at Ferry Meadows. As a team we were 9th, which is okay - although last year we were 2nd at Bushfield. Never mind, it was a nice (although windy) day out. Paul Vernon was back to his winning ways. Great to see Roz Giles back in action, scoring some points while Steve went for a jog with the baby.

Next Sunday is this year's 3rd Frostbite race, at Hinchingbrooke Park in Huntingdon. As always it starts at 11am and is free to enter, but you do have to be a member and wear club kit (let us know if you need any). There is a good competitive element, but Frostbites are also great social events to catch up with clubmates about race plans and boast about winter training or lack thereof.

The course hasn't been published yet, but will be similar to the usual at Hinchingbrooke: a twisty and turny combination of grass, muddy and firm forest paths and tarmac cycle path along a main road. Definitely one for offroad shoes if you have them, but not suitable for spikes. If you want to get an impression, the 2014 course can still be found online: http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Default%20page/Race3%20course%202014.pdf.

Please take note of the parking arrangements: there is only very little space at the Park itself and the organisers ask to park at the Huntingdon race course. There is a 10-15 minute signposted walk to the Race HQ - not suitable for prams and wheelchairs. There is paid parking at the Hospital at £2.90 for 4 hours. Full directions here: http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Race3_directions.pdf.

Ely is one point ahead, while BRJ Is level with us, so they are the two teams to look out for when dashing for the line.

Please let me know if you plan to race; preferably on the Forum or Facebook group, otherwise on jjf_99@hotmail.com.

Thanks,
Jaap

I missed the first 2 races due to event clash and injury. I'm running faily strong now and plan to be at Hinchingbrooke for leg 3. Regards Mark.

Hi all,
Based on responses thus far we won't have a full team tomorrow. Looks like it will be a lovely morning for a muddy cross-country run! Please let us know if you plan to run.
Thanks,
Jaap

Greetings!
Can anyone tell me what the course is like for the next fixture at March in January?Is it the same as the March AC 5mile "Spud Run",or is it a different course?If so,is it soft "going" i.e.mud,or is it firm going?
Thanks,
Phil.

The next race in the series is scheduled to take place on Sunday 15th January - but it's NOT at March now. Unfortunately, the landowner across whose land we run has double booked and will be hosting a shoot on the same day; therefore he will not allow access across the land. Understandable, "although it could have led to some PB’s!"

Given busy weekends either side, the race venue will be moved to Ferry Meadows, Nene Park, Peterborough, to enable it to be kept to the 15th.

Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday 15th at Ferry Meadows.

Hi all,

Indeed - next week's 4th leg of the Frostbite series will be at Ferry Meadows. It looks like the course is the same as the new Bushfield course that we ran in the 2nd leg in November. This is a nice mixture of grass, firm tracks and tarmac paths through the country park and along the river Nene. If it's windy, the course is a good opportunity to benefit from our triathletes' well-honed drafting skills. There is a short sharp hill halfway, but the rest is pan flat. See http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Nene_Park_Course_2016.pdf. For directions, see http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Race2_Bushymap_2016.pdf.

Those who turned up for last month's Frostbite in Hinchingbrooke had a good race; well done Mark, Giles, Tristan, Michael, Sarah, Amy and Mariska! It would be nice to have a full team next week though, and not come last...

The start is at 11am, it is free to take part, it's a club race and everyone (from super fast to super slow) is very welcome - you'll contribute to the team whatever your result, and it's a good social club occasion as well. All you need is to be a member and wear some form of Pactrac kit. Let us know if you need to buy any.

Please let me know if you are planning to run, preferably on the Forum or Facebook group.

Thanks,
Jaap

I hadn't realised that we only had 7 runners last time around. I'll ask the wife not to book any more holiday's in future. That's a pretty poor turnout. I was looking to be in the Seychelles that weekend but will cancel it as we clearly need more runners ...

See you on Sunday 15th.

I'll be coming and I'm bringing a new member for the team.
Ady Pendred, please make him feel welcome. He has got a vest.

I'm encouraging Sue McLeod to come too.

This Sunday's Frostbite has been moved to Nene Park, Ferry Meadows, Peterborough.

Course Map: file:///C:/Users/steve/Downloads/NeneParkJan2017Course.pdf (you might need to cut and paste this)

As with the November meeting, runners are asked to use the first car park on entering the park, and follow the marshal’s directions & signs to the start which is at the Water Sports Centre. Please do not park at the Water Sports Centre as this means driving over the course route.

There is a charge for parking in Nene Park which is payable on exit. A special rate of £1 is available with the code UAMVG. Voucher valid: 09:00 – 13:00.

The cafés at the Watersports Centre and also close to the Visitor Centre will both be open and will have a selection of cakes and sandwiches in addition to hot and cold drinks. Please do not dump bags etc in the cafes as they do get reasonably busy with other park users. A meeting room is available at the end of the Watersports Centre terrace where bags etc may be stored; but the room will not be manned or locked during the races, therefore please do not leave valuables there.

It looks like the course is the same as last time, except for the start and finish route. The junior route looks to be different but still using the same field.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Just a reminder that it's Frostbite tomorrow at Ferry Meadows. Based on responses it looks like we won't quite have a full team. It's going to be wet and quite windy - not one for wimps, so I'm sure you'll all be there...

Good for tomorrow Jaap, see you there. Giles

What's pactrac's view on running with a buggy at frostbite? If Steve was to run round (like he did last time at ferry meadows) would pactrac prefer him to put a club vest on so he can score a few points for the club (if numbers are low) or is that going to cause more problems with the organisers than it's worth?

Ferry Meadows Frostbite - Sunday 15th January 2017.

1 Paul Vernon M PACTRAC 28:28
30 Mark Weathersby M PACTRAC 32:22
37 Paul Lunn M PACTRAC 32:44
46 Ady Pendred M PACTRAC 33:16
50 Giles Cooper M PACTRAC 33:29
60 Jaap Flikweert M PACTRAC 34:02
104 Steve Coombes M PACTRAC 35:39 25
105 Rhys Wilkinson M PACTRAC 35:42
112 Chris Pike M PACTRAC 36:06
154 Petro Bartoszyk M PACTRAC 38:21
169 Steve Hope M PACTRAC 38:53
189 Steve Giles M PACTRAC 39:32
203 Mark Bradley M PACTRAC 40:11
209 Abi Schofield F PACTRAC 40:23
217 Tony Daniels M PACTRAC 40:43
236 Andrea Robinett F PACTRAC 41:32
238 Sarah Caskey F PACTRAC 41:44
266 Sue Burnett F PACTRAC 42:55
270 Martin Thorpe M PACTRAC 43:06
289 Roz Giles F PACTRAC 43:59
404 Nicholas Partridge M PACTRAC 52:03
412 Amy Hayes F PACTRAC 52:41
Adrian Tasker ?

12 Sam Garner M PACTRAC 08:36
31 Hugo Brill M PACTRAC 09:01
35 Katie Tasker F PACTRAC 09:08
114 Toby Cooke M PACTRAC 11:15
140 Lottie Tasker F PACTRAC 11:58
144 Libby Mellor F PACTRAC 12:07

Both teams finished 8th on the day.

Hi all,

Next week is leg 5 of the Frostbite season, in Bourne Woods. As always, the race starts at 11am, is free to enter, and all you need is some form of Pactrac kit (and a valid membership). This is the woodiest, most off-road and muddiest of the Frostbites, so it should be fun! Definitely one for off-road shoes - or wellies.

Good to see that we had a much better turnout at last month's race in Ferry Meadows: 17 men and 7 women. Paul Vernon got another win and our top 7 men were in the top 104. Well done to the girls too, including Sarah Caskey's incredible feat of running in the Frostbite races before and after giving birth, and scoring too! We were 8th on the day, but within 100 points of 5th, so it was close. We are now in 11th overall, equal in points with Ely - so look out for those black & yellow colours next week. There are largish gaps up and down.

As far as I can tell the course, race HQ and parking arrangements are the same as last year. Race headquarters is at Westfield School (PE10 9QS) in Bourne; you can find directions on http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/BourneMap.pdf. Parking at the Woods itself is a lot closer by, but spaces are limited so you will have to be on time. Plan carefully: if it's full there, it will take at least 15 mins to drive to the School, park there and walk to the start.

Let me know if you intend to run so that I have an idea of numbers. Also let us know if you need to buy Pactrac kit in order to take part.

As always, we are starting to think about the nominations for Pactrac Frostbite runner of the year. There is a trophy for the best male and female runner. At the moment Giles Cooper is the favourite for the men, having scored in each race. For the ladies it's difficult to see anyone else than Sarah winning the trophy. But of course anything can happen with two races to go.

Thanks,
Jaap

Hi all,
Very little response for Sunday's race; just two or three runners signed up thus far! Please let me know if you intend to run.
Thanks,
Jaap

Jaap, unfortunately I can't make tomorrow at Bourne. Best of luck to those that are running.

Hi all,

Next Sunday is the last Frostbite of the season. It's on a new course in Jubilee Park just outside Huntingdon. From the information, it looks like an interesting and different course, on firm field & farm tracks. Course information and directions can be found here:
http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Race_6_directions_2017.pdf

If anyone knows these tracks, could they confirm whether they are doable with a baby jogger? I'm keen, and I guess so is Steve Giles.

The Race HQ is located in the Club House in Jubilee Park, Kings Ripton Road, Huntingdon PE28 2NR. Car sharing is recommended.

We had a good turnout at last month's race in the end, well done! We came 10th and moved up a spot to 10th in the general classification. Special welcome to Claire Steels for her first race, finishing first lady! It looks like 10th will also be our final place, unless we finish 5 or more places behind Ely; or 8 or more behind Bushfield. So keep an eye out for those two teams in that sprint to the line.

As always, everyone is welcome, you just need to be a member and have some form of club kit (let me know if you need any). There is no entry fee, the start is at 11am, let me know if you plan to be there.

Unlike previous years there is no trophies ceremony after the race; I should have our runners of the series trophies to hand out to the winners!

Thanks,
Jaap

Hi all, it looks like we have a grand total of three runners for tomorrow's final Frostbite... The weather forecast has been improving, so by tomorrow the forecast may be for sun! Or not. Let us know if you intend to run.

Seniors 7 (we needed 10 for a complete team).
Juniors 4 (We needed 5 for a complete team).

Hence, both teams dropped to 11th overall. Well done to all who turned out. Sounds like a lot of hardy triathletes were put off by the prospect of bad weather; whereas it was actually warm enough for 95% of the runners to be in shorts, and the grass was very firm underfoot.

35.. Giles Cooper 31:56
82.. Ali Brightley 34:08
132. Sarah Caskey 36:40
166. Steve Hope 38:09
255. Andrea Robinett 42:21
308. Mariska Niemeijer 46:25
380. Georgina Jennings 52:51

Juniors:
15.. Sam Garner 9:47
27.. Flo Brill 10:17
133. Toby Cooke 13:11
152. Lottie Tasker 13:53