January 2026 Newsletter

Dear All,

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are already making good use of any new kit that Santa brought as we head into the New Year! 2025 brought many running highlights for members, including new locations explored, pbs and a few club records. The excellently organised 40^th 10k race was a resounding success and we are well on with entries and coordination for the 2026 event – a reminder that we ask all members to volunteer on the day, so please add Wednesday 6^th May to your new calendars! … oh and Saturday 31^st January for a Silson AC take over at Watermeadows Parkrun.

For those of you looking for a new challenge, a further reminder that our fantastic club is looking for a new Chairperson. The role is incredibly fulfilling and a great way to get to know everyone who runs and volunteers with us. The Committee are very knowledgeable, and the running of events is very much a team effort, so please contact me for further information.

One final word a head of Graham’s race round up, a very big thank you to Mel, Humphrey, Sally and Karen who took on the volunteer marshal roles at Campbell Park.

Best wishes and happy running in 2026!

Helen

Graham’s round up:

A Happy New Year to all Silson members. In this newsletter we reflect on the Chiltern League fixture in Milton Keynes and some well-dressed Silson members at the Hook Norton Christmas Canter. Looking ahead, we have male and female teams in the Northants County Cross Country Championships, with a view to returning from Abington Park with a clutch of medals.

Chiltern League Campbell Park Milton Keynes, Saturday December 6^th

Silson travelled to Milton Keynes, clear at the top of the league, looking to win Chiltern League Division 2 for the first time, as we have always finished as runners up. Illness and injury saw Silson’s men travel without a full team, not also helped by midrace injury to Steve Lincoln. Despite these set backs, our runners performed well. First off were the Ladies where Rachel Prior continued her excellent form finishing 23^rd. Susan Mulligan made a welcome return to the League crossing the line 26^th. Also doing a great job for the Ladies’ team, Tracey Turner 49^th and Hannah Torrance 50^th. Next to tackle the unusual lumpy parkland course were Silson men, who all placed well. The men finished 2 short of a full team, making it difficult to compete with a Buckingham team to whom we are closely matched.

Results Ladies 2^nd Helen Heley, 7^th Julie Hammond, 11^th Izzy Hodgson, 23^rd Rachael Prior, 26^th Susan Mulligan, 33^rd Madeleine Moutrie, 47^th Sue Torrance, 49^th Tracey Turner, 50^th Hannah Torrance. Men 9^th Richard Francis, 18^th Mark Conway, 19^th Chris Coghlan, 26^th Alfie Long, 47^th Paul Holmes, 63^rd Simon Kirshner Heavens.

The Hook Norton Christmas Canter

Enjoying the festivities across the border in Oxfordshire, Silson runners dressed as elves and took part in this well-established race. Humphrey Marten won a Christmas pudding for finishing 3^rd vet 70 and 155^th in the race. Working in packs, the next group of elves were Kit Rapson 185^th, Sally Stephens 186^th and Sheona Smee 187^th. Also tackling the very muddy undulating 7 mile course were the Torrances: Laura crossed the line 272^nd, Sue 273^rd and Hannah 274^th

Race Fixtures for January

Saturday 3^rd Northants County Cross Country Abington Park Northampton (Entries Closed)

Saturday 11^th Chiltern League Watford (coach from Sponne School Towcester)

Saturday 24^th Midland Counties Cross Country Mallory Park Leicestershire

Training

Continues on Wednesday Evenings 6.30pm at Silverstone Circuit from 7^th January.

There is no Saturday Winter track training in January due to the heavy race schedule. The final 2 Winter Track Training sessions of the season are at Stowe on Saturday February 14^th and March 14^th.

For the Sunday runs follow Facebook.

Graham Linnell