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'Your club is unusual in the breadth of disciplines in which it competes. But how many of us stick to what we know, and run only on the road / fell / track? Of course, we’re members of the club because we enjoy doing what we do, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But how many of us are content to always run the same route? How many of us who run mainly on the road enjoy an off-road route in the hills in the summer, or appreciate a track session or a flatter road route once in a while? I suspect the answer is that most of us enjoy some variety in our running and would appreciate sometimes having a go at something different. However, for many of you, there is a barrier to trying the road / fell / track / cross country (delete as applicable), either because you don’t know people or because you feel you need to be of a particular standard before you enter a race. The answer is that it shouldn’t be that difficult in a club such as Macclesfield. But it is. To encourage us all to try something new, and to encourage those who have not done so before to try entering a race, the club is for the first time in 2012 holding a cross discipline challenge. To complete the challenge, and receive your complimentary T-shirt, all you need to do is turn out (and run, or perhaps even jump or throw) at two road races, two fell races, two cross country races and two track and field meets during the year. The available events are any of those in the 2012 road, fell and track and field club championships and the 2012-13 cross country championship. The emphasis though is not on competition (the various club championships provide for this), but on participation - the challenge will not be scored and there will be no cross discipline champion. The only other thing you will need to do to complete the challenge is to support the club once during the year at an event we organise, for example by marshalling or assisting with catering. Many of you probably do this already, but any extra help is always appreciated. A calendar of club races is below. In all disciplines you can choose between local low-key local events which welcome new-comers, or if you prefer them, big championship races. There should be something for everyone and if you find you don’t like what you try, then all you will have lost is the entry fee. I will be aiming to complete the challenge and look forward to meeting more of you during the course of the year.' Chris Bentley Below are the races in the calendar, some are pre-entry and will fill up sharpish, so get your planning done and entries in now !! |