February 2026 Newsletter

Dear All,

I hope you’ve been managing to successfully dodge the recent snow, ice, sideways rain and freezing temperatures to enjoy your running!

The role of Chairperson

As you may be aware, I stepped back into the role of Chairperson in November 2025, but this is a temporary situation. I first took on the role in April 2021 and it has been an amazing experience. However, after five years, I feel that I have done my bit and it is time for someone else to take on the role. As I have previously said, it would achievable and rewarding for anyone. I have heard lots of reasons why people can’t do it and I agree with them all as most apply to me too! But without a Chairperson in role, the club will not comply with England Athletics rules of affiliation. The club would not be able to offer coached training sessions. In the event of dissolution of the club, any assets would be distributed to charitable bodies. Does this sound a bit dramatic? Yes. However, with no one coming forward to even discuss taking on the role of Chairperson, the club could find itself in that situation. There is a strong Committee currently in place. Lots of people are doing amazing things to keep regular aspects and events of the club going. Silson AC is in a great place and should continue into it’s 50^th year and beyond. Please consider being a bigger part of that journey.

So what does it entail? In the last month, I have: chaired the monthly committee meeting (presently via Zoom, roughly once a month); responded to new member enquiries - tailored to the specific query; liaised with other committee members about kit, race entry requests, the Parkrun take over and first aid kit provision; booked training facilities. Other aspects of the role are spread throughout the year but mainly involve having an eye over all aspects of the club.

Please get in contact about taking on the Chairperson role if you, like me, want the club to go forward strongly into the future – silsonchairperson@gmail.com.

For now, here are race reports from Graham and Julie-Ann, a summary of member news and of some of the local racing opportunities coming up:

Graham’s race reports - January races 2026

Northants County Cross Country Abington Park Northampton, Saturday January 3^rd

It was a bright crisp morning which greeted competitors after a heavy overnight frost, on a day where Silson ladies had another successful championship. Helen Heley and Julie Ann Hammond were again selected to compete in the Inter Counties in Nottingham on March 7^th. First off were Silson men, unfortunately one short of a full team. First home for Silson was Mark Conway 30^th, followed by a strong running Simon Woodward. Steve Wareham running his first race for while was 49^th, with Paul Holmes 58^th and Toby Heley 59^th completing Silson men’s squad. Helen Heley, 6^th, ran well to take a vet ladies silver medal, closely followed by Julie Ann Hammond 7^th who won bronze in the vets category. Doing a great job for the ladies’ team were mother and daughter Sue and Laura Torrance, Laura 14^th and Sue 15^th. It is important to have full teams as was emphasised in the results: the ladies took veteran team gold and surprised all with a senior team bronze too.

Chiltern Cross Country League Watford, Saturday January 10th

While the Silson coach was stuck in traffic on the M1, we had junior runner Oliver Watkinson scoring valuable team points. Oliver competing in the under 13’s finished 10^th an excellent first Chiltern league outing. The ladies literally disembarked the coach and ran to their race, producing a battling performance. Completing a real good team effort were Tracey Turner 62^nd, Hannah Torrance 68^th and Kim Froggitt 79^th on her first league race of the season. As with the ladies, the men had good numbers, holding their own with the clubs around. Silson had Richard Popiel 74^th, followed by Bob Kellam 90^th and Dave Morley 92^nd, doing a sterling job for Silson.

Results U/13 10^th Oliver Watkinson Ladies 3^rd Helen Heley, 21^st Louise Honeyball, 25^th Rosemary Heley, 27^th Mary de Frates, 39^th Rachel Prior, 51^st Madeleine Moutrie, 56^th Sue Torrance, 58^th Laura Torrance, 62^nd Tracey Turner, 68^th Hannah Torrance, 79^th Kim Froggitt Men 11^th Richard Francis, 26^th Chris Coghlan, 37^th Simon Storer, 43^rd Simon Kirshner Heavens, 48^th Toby Heley, 52^nd Paul Holmes, 54^th Levien Stevense, 59^th Jakob Ebrey, 74^th Richard Popiel, 90^th Bob Kellam, 92^nd Dave Morley.

Graham Linnell

The Midlands XC Championships

The Midlands XC Championships at Mallory Park are a key fixture in the regional cross-country calendar, the event draws runners from across the Midlands and, while it’s a championship race, athletes of all abilities line up to take on the challenge.

Silson had three runners braving the 2026 event: Sue, Richard and Julie-Ann. Pre-race preparations didn’t quite go to plan for Sue and Julie-Ann, thanks to an unexpected road closure on the A5, meaning they arrived just in time to make the start line, with no warm-up [best kept quiet from Graham!] and no idea what the course had in store. With the route having changed significantly since last year, it was very much a case of learning on the run. Fortunately, Hannah was there to save the day, providing sideline support, collecting numbers and grabbing discarded outer layers as they were shed at speed!

Mallory Park is anything but a gentle introduction to cross-country. The course comprises of rolling, undulating terrain, short sharp climbs, plenty of mud, deep water jumps and sections of softer ground that demand strength, balance and grit. This is a race where cross-country boots/spikes aren’t just recommended, they’re essential!

Despite the tough conditions, it’s a race well worth doing, and one we’d strongly encourage other Silson members to try next year. With Mallory Park under your belt, the Chiltern races might just start to feel… easy.

Julie-Ann Hammond

And here is some of the Member news from the Facebook Group:

-          Many congratulations to Susan who completed the Victoria park half marathon with a 2^nd age group placing and to Linda who won her age group in the 10k race on 4^th January

-          Huge well done to Karen and David who completed the Northampton 10k on 11^th January

-          The Winter Cup 2^nd round took place on 14^th January, well done to all who took part

-          Only a few hardy individuals sign up to take on the 100 mile Arc of Attrition race on the Cornish coast at the end of January. Simon Storer is one such individual, who took on the (frankly utterly terrifying to me) challenge along with friend of the club, Huw Jones. Running through the night in wet, cold, muddy and very hilly conditions, Simon achieved an incredible 11 hours of treacherous running and Huw continued on to complete a total of 99 miles – both deserve full admiration for their amazing achievements.

-          The Watermeadows Parkrun take over on Saturday 31^st January was a great success, thank you to everyone who got involved.

Future dates for your 2026 diary:

Saturday 7^th February, 5^th and final round of the Chiltern League Cross Country, Stopsley Park, Luton. Full teams needed to aid our promotion to Division 1

Monday 4^th May Great Western 5 Run – this year includes a team event

Wednesday 6^th May – Silverstone Grand Prix 10k, all members to volunteer please

Saturday & Sunday 9^th  / 10^th May Northamptonshire County Track and Field Championships

Friday 15^th May Blisworth 5 (EMGP)

Tuesday 19^th May Banbury 5(EMGP)

Tuesday 2^nd June Harborough 5 (EMGP)

Tuesday 16^th June Weedon 10k (EMGP)

Wednesday 24^th June Corby 5 (EMGP)

Tuesday 30^th June Milton Keynes 10k (EMGP)

Wednesday 8^th July Rugby 6 (EMGP)

Other opportunities to run together:

-          The Slovakia and Austria unofficial trip has 21 people signed up!

-          Parkrun adventures continue with a number of members taking a trip to Greenwich on 21^st March

Training

Training continues on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm. Wed 25^th Feb is at Winter Hills, all other Wednesday training sessions in February are from Silverstone Circuit.

Saturday training sessions at Stowe Track have been booked for Saturday 14^th February and Saturday 14^th March.

For Sunday Run locations and hosting opportunities, please check the Facebook Group.

Many thanks and enjoy your running!

Helen Heley

Chairperson