Lliswerry 8:
The Lliswerry 8 Mile Road Race is organised by Lliswerry Runners who present themselves as "Newports` Friendly Running Club."
We are not sure how Newport Harriers feel about that but there is no denying that you get a great welcome at the Lliswerry race.
First run in 1985 the event is now in its 27th year and is routed around flat country lanes through Goldcliff and Nash villages. This year saw an impressive 25% increase in competitors over last year, over 500 runners.
The organisation is a real club effort and it is reported that there were more than 70 marshals working on the event, demonstrating a real club spirit and camaraderie. Thats more marshals than some clubs have in membership.
Historically, the Lliswerry 8 has been used as a time trial race leading up to The London Marathon in April or to get a feel for "where you are" in the middle of your winters training and has seen many top runners on its course over the years.
Porthcawl Runnerslife:
We had two runners at Lliswerry, one who had planned to run the race (Gabriella Maine) and one who hadn`t (Julian Maine) and neither of whom were really prepared for the exertions of an 8 mile tempo run: -
Gabriella had been looking to do the Lliswerry 8 as an intermediate target race on route to the London Marathon. Solid training had been put in thoughout December and the monthly training review was showing good improvement in quality and quantity over the previous years build up.
Then as so often happens at this time of year the dreaded "lurg" took hold, although there are suspicions that it may have been intentionally passed on by Romana (mum), who as first reserve in the London Marathon Club Draw, has a fair bit to gain in her daughters` demise.
Leading into the Lliswerry race Gabriella had only managed to run 2 out of the previous 8 days and one of these runs was a 2 mile jog the day before, a little trial to see if the heavy cold had finally cleared. Not fully cleared but itching to blow away the cobwebs Gabriella made the decision to race .....and for Julian to race..... although Julian did not yet know of his fate.
Poor Julian, who is also in training for London, was kindly "advised" (by Gabriella) the night before, that he would be picking up his daughter and accompanying her to the race.
Isn`t that just what dads are there for!
So with Gabriella sporting her new black and white shorts, who said "we`re glad to see the back of those pink striped ones", it was away to go: -
Expectations are not high at this stage of season but there was a secret hope that both could get around without ill effects and ideally in a time that produced mile splits which were faster than their Half Marathon PB pace.
If acheived, this would give confidence in the aim of a Half Marathon PB with another six or so weeks of training in the bank?
Porthcawl Runnerslife Results:
It was job done and targets met: -
Gabriella Maine - 53mins 45secs:
Gabriella finished 3rd in Category and 6th Lady Overall.
Julian Maine - 54mins 33secs:
Julian finished 16th in Category.
Lliswerry 8 Results:
You may view the full Lliswerry 8 results on the website under Fixtures/Results.