Canicross Midlands took their race series to Pembrey the weekend 18/19th February. There were some NATBs attending and enjoying the location.

Located at the Pembrey Country Park its a firm favourite. The course is great single track over dunes, some wicked hills and fast straight tracks.
Being just a stones throw from a huge wide expanse of sandy beach you cannot fail to enjoy your stay.

The event as always was well run and great fun. The Midlands team make it look easy and all competitors feel supported.

Day 1 was not too warm but the Midlands team made the sensible decision to only allow everyone to run the 3k course on the second day due to the humidity increase pushing the limit quite high.

The members who attended were Izzy, Helene, Emily, Emma and Roy.

Emily had her trade stand in-situ as well as taking part in 2 events each day, bagging a 3rd in Female Bikejoring and a 5th in 2 dog canicross. Emilys sprollies are fabulous and work so hard for her (even sometimes princess Teagan, who is there specifically to be adored!). 

Izzy was battling an injured foot but her team did her proud both days, Sam giving his usual display of madness and excitement at the start line before being her main engine whilst Flo pottered along for the ride! Izzy however finished 4th in the 2 dog canicross which was great.

Helene also took part in the 2 dog canicross and with her wonderful team bagged 2nd place, her gorgeous spaniels pulling her round in great style. Helene has been training hard this year and the proof is showing, well done! Helene enjoyed being able to take her whole team down onto the sand - Mazar and Toffee thoroughly enjoying the time playing around and the freedom on the beach.

Emma was suffering badly with the flu bug thats knocked out half of the country so was basically there for the fun -  pttering around with Kavik on the bike on Saturday caused an asthma attack so advise was to rest! On the Sunday the Midlands team kindly switched Emma's classes around so all her dogs could get a run moving them to the 3k course - at least they got a run and had a fabulous time.

​We shall return, thanks for a great event!

Again a report written directly by Cliffy, super proud of both members, human and canine!
:)
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​BSA Yateley Woods 4th & 5th Feb 2017

At last a race only minutes from home and I could race and then go to work.

I entered only Stanley in bikejor for his first race on his own.
The BSA courses wouldn't suit Vinnie's little legs.

On arrival Saturday morning a very organised set up greeted me of equipment inspection and then collect your bib and be given a start time , 10.14 was our slot.

Stanley was really excited at the start and thanks to Kerri for handling for me.
From the off Stanley was flying going flat out, his only blip was wanting to go to speak to a Marshall when ever he saw one!!

At the final climb we overtook one rider and then caught another on the finish line!!
A great time of 11.23 for third place !!!
Only 5 seconds separated 2nd and 4th place.

On Sunday morning we had moved up to third rider out, Stanley started well but seemed not to have his drive from Saturday.
We finished well but dropped 30 seconds to finish 4th.

For Stanleys first outing in bikejor he was a star, considering the weekend before we had run 33.5 miles , im sure none of the other teams had been running those distances.

I was impressed with the BSA slick running of an event with competitors race times up an hour after you finished.
First class event.

Team Tea (Cliffy!) has written a report on the ultra, read in awe below - awesome effort!
Em :)
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​January 28th 2017 
Hobo pace, Waterways 30.5 miles Ultra.

An early start again for Team Tea leaving home at 3.30 for the four hour drive to the Hobo Pace Waterways Ultra near Retford.

On arrival the base was great, next to the village hall in a lovely clean car park.
The weather looked good , the rain had stopped !! Always a bonus.

The main field of runners went off at 9 am and the Canicross runners then lined up.
The small sleepy village was woken by Stanley and Vinnie exercising their vocal chords!!

The rest of the canicrossers were from Midlands Canicross club, running for charity.

When given the off the hounds didn't understand this was a distance run and we did the first 10km in a PB of 40 mins, not how to set the pace for over 30 miles.
Yes this was going to make me pay later !!

At mile seven the shooting started and poor Vinnie had a meltdown, no matter how much cheese or mini sausages I tempted him with he wasn't going to move.
I then ended up running carrying poor Vinnie until I bumped into the Midland support crew, two ladies I'd never met Olwyn and Petra were trying to dog nap my poor Vinnie!!!

They then saw my NATB shirt and K9TT logo and I realised I could trust them.
Vinnie was safe and away from the noise, Stanley then set the pace for his first run all on his own.

We bumped into the Midland support crew at mile 14 and Vinnie came out to run again, big mistake !!!!
One mile on the shooting started again and that was it, I then had to run Vinnie back a mile and just caught the support crew as they were driving off!
Vinnie was now retired for the day.
I then ran that mile again!! 
The course was really dog friendly underfoot mainly on grass towpaths or river banks, great for the dogs but boy it was hard work, slipping sliding and trying not to turn your ankle.

Around mile 20 the dreaded stiles appeared and Stanley was amazing just bouncing over 5' stiles as if they weren't there!!
 
At around mile 28 I started to pay for my early speed, I felt like crap and running was a real effort, a few cups of coke and shotbloks at the last aid station put some fuel back in the tanks for the final drive home.

I could soon see the village where we started and we just kept pushing on, and wow the finish line was closer than I thought!!!

Team Tea support crew Sally was there waiting for me, I'd been tracked on track my husband app!!
We were then reunited with baby beagle who was so pleased to see us.

A great event very well organised, great marshalls and aid stations.
We completed the 31.5 miles in 5.45 hours but I had another 2 miles to add on!!

It was an experience definitely ... completed thanks to the guys from Midlands help .... I think I enjoyed it!