Frostbite 2019/20

Fri, 20th Sep 2019 - 8:53 p.m.

Hi all,

It's time to start thinking cross-country running! The annual Frostbite Friendly League is starting again in two weeks' time. This means all of you are invited to six monthly races, 5 miles on varied courses, without entry fee, to compete for PACTRAC! This is an initial heads-up so that everyone can put the races in their diary.

The dates and fixtures are listed on the website: http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/.

So these are the dates to put in your diary:
1st Race 6 October 2019 Riverside Runners Priory Park, St. Neots
2nd Race 3 November 2019 Bushfield Joggers Nene Park (Ferry Meadows), Peterborough
3rd Race 8 December 2019 Ramsey 1940s Camp Ramsey
4th Race 12 January 2020 March AC March
5th Race 2 February 2020 Bourne Town Harriers Bourne Woods
6th Race 1 March 2020 BRJ Run and Tri Jubilee Park, Huntingdon

For those who are new to this. We've been a longstanding member of the league, organised by and for 16 local running clubs. Each race is about 5 miles, and happens on the 1st or 2nd Sunday of the month from October to March, starting at 11am. 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 be a member and wear some form of Pactrac kit. 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).

Our results in recent years have been variable; we've won quite a lot of individual races, been top 3 as a team, and top half in the final standings; sometimes not quite. But the results are only a small part: Frostbites are very accessible, with 400+ fields ranging from 25 mins to 1h15. Even if you are not in our scoring teams, you will 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 and Facebook posts in the week before each race - first one next week, ahead of 6 October's St Neots race. Put it in your diary! We will also be using the Website Forum and PACTRAC's Facebook page for car sharing opportunities - please post there if you are looking for a ride.

Thanks,
Jaap

Tue, 1st Oct 2019 - 9:06 p.m.

Next Sunday 6 October is the first race of the new season of the Frostbite Friendly League. See previous post 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/Default%20Page/Race1-StNeots-2019.pdf

Like last year, the organisers ask to avoid parking on Huntingdon road which runs along the park, and try instead to use Almond Road and Longsands School.

This year's course is the same as in previous years: three laps, each slightly different, 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 or Facebook group, 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

Wed, 2nd Oct 2019 - 8:28 a.m.

I'm in.

Can i get a lift?

Sun, 6th Oct 2019 - 8:32 p.m.

81 Giles Cooper ........... 34:14
117 Ian Cushion ........... 35:45
128 Adam Clark ............ 36:34
140 Andy Corner ........... 37:06
141 Steve Hope ............ 37:21
229 Tony Daniels .......... 40:35
301 Nikki Higgins ......... 44:43
323 Sarah Haslam ....... 45:47
363 Mariska Niemeijer .. 48:59
390 Emily Boyd ............. 53:08
406 Nicholas Partridge . 56:17

19 Elizabeth Eames ..... 08:21
25 Olivia Corner .......... 08:35
63 Jude Hinch ............. 09:27
128 Libby Mellor ......... 10:47
176 Chloe Moore ........ 12:05
186 Emma Cushion ..... 13:26
188 Archie Mat ............ 14:52
189 Rebecca Lucas ..... 14:59
190 Lucy Cushion ........ 15:01
191 Joshua Moore ....... 16:21

Sat, 26th Oct 2019 - 3:01 p.m.

Hi all,

Good running last month, and nice to see a full team racing. Welcome to first-timers Emily and Adam! As a team we came 13th out of 16th - one step up from last year's first race.

Next week is the second leg. As always, this is organised by Bushfield, and like the last few years the race is at Ferry Meadows, in Orton, Peterborough. Race HQ is the Water Sports Centre there, and the start is nearby.

The organisers have asked if members of the other clubs are able to help with marshalling and other jobs. Please email dave@frostbiteleague.co.uk (cc myself) if you are able to volunteer, it would be much appreciated.

The course has not been confirmed, but is likely to be the same as last year's. This went clockwise around the large lake along the river; then an anti-clockwise loop through the woods; and then back. The surface is very varied, mostly offroad: grass, firm path, muddy path, firm path/tarmac, and then back over the same muddy path - firm path - grass. There is a short sharp hill halfway, just after crossing Milton Ferry Bridge. If there is any wind, you will feel it along the river. The distance last year was exactly 5 miles on my Garmin.

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 Ely (black-yellow) and Bourne (sky blue).

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

Thanks,
Jaap

Sun, 10th Nov 2019 - 8:44 p.m.

16 Seniors. 11th 1289 points. Now 13th overall.

41 Mark Weathersby........32:31
47 Tristan Matthews.........32:59
51 Scott Lloyd...................33:08
82 Richard Wright.............34:43
91 Ian Cushion..................35:04
101 Rob Hammond...........35:30
123 Adam Clark.................36:26
124 Chris Pike...................36:27
138 Dustin Braband...........37:31
141 Jaap Flikweert.............37:44
158 Harriet Lomas.............38:33
273 Nikki Higgins...............44:11
322 Willow Worthington.....46:59
389 Emily Boyd..................54:02
410 Daniel Richardson.......59:33
412 Georgina Jennings......60:30

14 Juniors. 3rd 180 points. Now 5th overall.

17 Connor Loughlin.......8:45
25 Olivia Corner.............8:58
34 Jude Hinch................9:11
45 Edward Judd.............9:29
59 Elizabeth Eames.......9:40

124 Frankie Philips........11:07
142 Libby Mellor............11:23
161 Archie May..............12:07
172 Chloe Moore...........12:35
175 Samuel Judd...........12:38
177 Lily Maston..............12:47
183 Emma Cushion........13:28
198 Lucy Cushion...........15:37
200 Joshua Moore..........16:11

Sun, 24th Nov 2019 - 9:04 p.m.

Hi all
The next Frostbite race is on 8 December. We are back in Ramsey for the first time since 2011. The organisers have asked for volunteers to help out on the day, especially from clubs that don't organise their own races, like us. Please let us know and I'll put you in touch.
Thanks,
Jaap

Sat, 30th Nov 2019 - 9:12 p.m.

Hi all,

A decent result at last month's 2nd leg at Ferry Meadows. We had a decent turnout and good results, also from new team members Dan, Harriet and Scott (at least I don't think Scott had been on our Frostbite team before). As a team we were 11th, and overall we are in joint 11th, equal with Ely and March.

Next Sunday is this year's 3rd Frostbite race, and we are going back to Ramsey. We last raced there in early 2011, and I remember some proper Frostbite conditions. The course map is here: https://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Default%20Page/Race3_directions_2019_Ramsey.pdf
The address is: 1940s Camp, Wood Lane, Ramsey, Huntingdon, Cambs PE26 2XB. Car parking is on site.

It might well be the same course as before: a mixture of sports fields, along ploughed fields and over rural tarmac roads. Given the wet weather it looks like one for offroad shoes.

As always it starts at 11am and is free to enter, but you do have to be a member (you can sign up on the day) 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.

Please let me know if you plan to race; preferably on the Forum or Facebook group.

Thanks,
Jaap

Mon, 2nd Dec 2019 - 12:15 p.m.

I would like to run the frostbite on Sunday but am in need of a vest - size 10/12. Could I buy or borrow one please? Thanks

Sun, 22nd Dec 2019 - 8:51 p.m.

Results from Ramsey:
Seniors 12th.

19 Paul Lunn...................30:52
27 Mark Weathersby.......31:45
47 Scott Lloyd.................33:05
85 Ian Cushion................34:48
93 Adam Clark................35:21
104 Chris Pike.................35:45
154 Simon Pauffley.........38:16
286 Nikki Higgins............44:55
313 Willow Worthington..46:42
349 Daniel Richardson...50:27
354 Mariska Niemeijer....50:44
357 Emily Boyd...............51:52
359 Sue Davys...............52:07

Juniors: 5th.
29 Elizabeth Eames.....11:45
41 Jude Hinch.............11:54
43 Edward Judd...........11:56
76 Aaran Sudakaran....12:47
106 Libby Mellor...........13:47
113 Josh Spencer.........14:27
149 Chloe Moore..........16:40
150 Samuel Judd.........16:50
167 Lucy Cushion.........20:59
168 Joshua Moore........21:11

Mon, 6th Jan 2020 - 7:51 a.m.

Hi all,

Happy new year!

We had a full team for last month's race and some good results, with 5 men in the top 100. Welcome to new Frostbite team member (and long-standing Pactrac member) Sue. Our 12th place takes us clear of the bottom 3. Just a few points more would have seen us move up a spot - just to demonstrate that it's worth sprinting to the line!

After the Christmas break the Frostbite circus will be back on the road next week. This will be in March - as far as I can tell the usual venue and course at Whitemoor Prison. As always, it's a 5 mile run, starting at 11am and entry is free. All you need is some form of Pactrac kit and a valid membership. Let me know if you need either. Everyone is very welcome - you'll contribute to the team whatever your result, and it's a good social club occasion as well.

The details below are from last year's race - if they change, I will post again. The race HQ is March AC's Clubhouse on Longhill Road March PE15 OBL. There is limited parking, so please car share (or cycle in, like a proper triathlete) if you can. The parking directions are quite specific: see http://www.frostbiteleague.org.uk/Default%20Page/Race4MarchACMap2018.pdf.
The website doesn't have course details yet, but I presume it's the same as last year: a mixture of grassy tracks (first 2 and last 2 miles) and tarmac (mile 3 and last 200m). This is normally not a very muddy course, but there could be slippery bits if we have lots of rain this week (not really in the forecast); in that case though, offroad shoes are an option. All flat apart from up and down some embankments, as you would expect in March. This is one race where it pays off to start a bit more to the front than normal, as there is a tight, bendy and slippery bit after just 200m.

It would be great to see a large group of Pactrac'ers again. You can see it as a good last test run for Folksworth 15 the week after. Or you can see it as a nice run in a friendly environment with a large group of runners of all abilities. Or as a chance to meet up and talk tri season planning with clubmates. Or even do it to help Pactrac get up the ranking. Or all of the above.

Let me know if you intend to run, preferably on the Forum or Facebook, otherwise on jjf_99@hotmail.com!

Jaap

Sat, 25th Jan 2020 - 8:54 a.m.

Hi all,

Next Sunday 3 February is the next leg 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.

We nearly had a full team at the last race (only 2 weeks ago) in March and some decent results, on a muddy and windy course. Well done and welcome to new members father and son Nayar. We came 13th as a team, so sustained our 13th place overall. Teams PANVAC and March AC are just a few points ahead, so they are the ones to look our for next week.

Course information has not been confirmed yet, but will be similar to last year. It starts on a firm forest track, goes around some exposed fields; then back into the woods, including a muddy and rutted climb; back onto firm forest track; a short but muddy detour through the trees, and then the final climb and descent on firm track again.

I will confirm parking arrangements when they are available. In any case, parking is usually a challenge for this race, so it's worth planning to be on time.

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.

Thanks,
Jaap

Sat, 1st Feb 2020 - 6:07 p.m.

Hi all,

Hope you are all ready for tomorrow's race: expect a classic muddy one!

As expected the senior course is the same as normal, apart from a slight move of the finish away from the final downhill.

Car parking arrangements have changed from last year (as they do each year). The message from the organisers is as follows:

The main car park for both the junior and senior race is at Warners Publications (with their kind permission) on Manor lane near to the police station off West Road (PE10 9PH).

A further car park is available at Bourne Westfield Primary School which is also the race HQ and has access to 6 adults’ toilets. Please remove muddy shoes before entering the school.

We have previously experienced congestion at the Bourne Woods car park and the Forestry Commission have stated that previous parking on the road leading to the car park was unacceptable, additionally runners taking up the majority of car park spaces has led to complaints from regular users therefor only use this area as a last resort.

We cannot disallow you from using the Bourne Woods car park site, but we could be banned access if runners do not respect the actions that we have put in place to ease congestion. STRICTLY NO PARKING ON THE ROAD LEADING TO/FROM THE CAR PARK TO THE MAIN ROAD.

All car parking options will be well signposted and are within walking distance of the junior and senior start. (please allow time to get to the senior start from Warners, as this is a little further away - just over a mile). It is always good to car share so please travel with a friend!

Jaap

Tue, 4th Feb 2020 - 7:56 a.m.

MARCH - 12th January.

Seniors: 13th.

26 Mark Weathersby....32.12
36 Scott Lloyd....33.04
58 Wayne Stainsby....34.35
69 Jaap Flikweert....35.01
81 Ian Cushion....35.29
94 Ben Nayar....36.12
136 Raj Nayar....38.25
276 Nikki Higgins....44.06
280 Steve Hope....44.17
375 Nicholas Partridge....51.56
387 Sue Davys....53.20

Juniors: 5th.

18 Connor Loughlin....08:53
30 Elizabeth Eames....09:20
33 Jude Hinch....09:27
39 Evander Wishart....09:34
71 Reuben Hinch....10:20
74 Theo Wan....10:24
99 Libby Mellor....11:02
111 Archie May....11:24
149 Chloe Moore....13:10
164 Emma Cushion....15:57
166 Lucy Cushion....16:43
167 Joshua Moore....17:00

Tue, 4th Feb 2020 - 8:08 a.m.

Bourne - 2nd February.

Seniors: 14th.

26 Scott Lloyd....32.30
52 Mark Weathersby....34.59
78 Ian Cushion....36.11
119 Wayne Stainsby....38.51
169 Steve Hope....41.52
228 Nikki Higgins....45.07
238 Willow Worthington....46.10
261 Sarah Haslam....48.28
312 Mariska Niemeijer....54.21
352 Georgina Jennings....66.00

Juniors: 6th.

15 Connor Loughlin....09:24
23 Elizabeth Eames....09:56
41 Edward Judd....10:19
43 Jude Hinch....10:23
106 Libby Mellor....12:25
141 Chloe Moore....14:30
147 Samuel Judd....15:10
152 Emma Cushion....18:47
153 Lucy Cushion....18:49
154 Archie May....18:58
155 Joshua Moore....19:00

Sun, 23rd Feb 2020 - 11:40 a.m.

Hi all,

Next Sunday is the last Frostbite of the season. Like the last few years, this will be in Jubilee Park just outside Huntingdon. Assuming the course hasn't changed, it's a big loop on firm field & farm tracks, finishing on the sports fields.

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

The results for last month's Bourne race were strangely similar to last year's: again we were 1 man short but this was compensated by a woman, and again Georgina scored for the team! Well done all, it was proper muddy. We came 14th on the day, and are (again) 13th overall. There is still a small change to move up one spot, if we are 3 points above PANVAC next week. So they are the ones to beat 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.

The last race will also decide the PACTRAC Frostbite Runner of the series trophies. For the ladies it's hard to see Nikki Higgins miss out on the trophy. For the men there is still a battle of three: Ian Cushion has raced all five, but both Mark Weathersby and Scott Lloyd have raced four and are almost equal on race points. All to play for!

Thanks,
Jaap

Sat, 29th Feb 2020 - 7:50 p.m.

Hi all,

The weather is looking okay for racing tomorrow. The organisers say that the course is firm and dry. It is all tracks and grass, so off-road shoes seem a good option.

Car parking is available at the Sapley Park Playing Fields (PE28 2GA) or Stoney Close (PE29 1PU) both a short walk (in fact about 1km) to the race HQ at Jubilee Park. Limited parking is also available at Jubilee Park. Please use the car parks rather than use the grass verge. Please car share where possible and follow marshalls' instructions so that we can use all the car parking space and cars are safely parked.

See you tomorrow!
Jaap

 
Mon, 16th Mar 2020 - 10:27 a.m.

Huntingdon - Jubilee Park Frostbite:
45 .... Jaap Flikweert .......... 37:06
76 .... Iain Cushion ............. 39.11
172 ... Steve Hope .............. 44.41
270 ... Nikki Higgins ............ 50.19
307 ... Daniel Richardson .... 54.49
321 ... Nicholas Partridge ..... 57.50
373 .... non-RUNNER 7.
373 .... non-RUNNER 8.
373 .... non-RUNNER 9.
373 .... non-RUNNER 10.
TOTAL POINTS 2683. 15th.
OVERALL Stayed 13th/16.

Juniors:
27 ..... Elizabeth Eames ..... 09.37
72 ..... Theo Wan ................ 10.24
113 .... Libby Mellor ............ 11.28
159 .... Archie May .............. 13.04
168 .... Chloe Moore ............ 13.35
177 .... Joshua Moore .......... 15.38
179 .... Lucy Cushion ........... 17.04

TOTAL POINTS 539. 14th.
OVERALL dropped 1 place to 5th/15.