Welcome to the latest race report week. This weekend’s racing was disrupted by the return of more snowy and cold weather, including the cancellation of the Colchester Harriers 15, nevertheless, many runners still managed to get out and run.

On Sunday, several determined Bentley runners had travelled all the way down to Devon for the Axe Valley runners 30th Grizzly, Seaton in Devon . Adverse forecast meant the full 20 mile route was downgraded to the approximately 10 mile Cub route. This was still extremely challenging and crazy, with a blizzard between Seaton and the apply named village of Beer. Well done to Rob Blackman, Brian Telford, Emma Wakeling, Paul Carlisle, Barbara Law, Vicki Law, Helene Tyler, Paul Blackwell, Hien Louise Hoang , Su Perman, John Gwillim, Lindsay Buttery, Frank Gardiner, Dave Green.

[Think the girls needed this drink to get through Grizzly.]

Also on Sunday :Lee Clarkson was managing to avoid all this by being in Cyprus, warming up for pacing the Colchester half next week, running to a time of 1:45:01 at a very warm, flat , fast and coastal Limassol half marathon, which takes in some impressive historic sight and scenery.

[The Lucky Lee in Limassol]

In Brightlingsea, Anthea Colsell, took on the Hare and Tortoise challenge, where runners could choose the number of laps they wanted to run of a 6.5 mile loop. Andrea summed up perfectly how mad we runners are, by running in conditions where it was so cold the drinks were freezing over at the water stations, and being wet, windy and muddy, completing 3 laps (20 miles) in 3h32 and still loving it !

[Anthea with her well earned awesome medal]

Ben Ficken and Janice also braved the cold to run the Mud and Mayhem canicross 10k in Thetford Forest, finishing in a very respectable 5th place in 45.02.

Saturday Park Run Update:

Wakefield Thornes parkrun. A field of 231 runners, took on this run in Yorkshire. 3 park run tourists were the blue vested Presland family, who had travelled to support Milly, who was taking part in the National Schools XC. Phil described it as a very chilly, undulating run mainly on hard paths or stony tracks except for 400m where trail shoes would have been ideal. Vicky finished as 4th lady in (21.59), followed by Phil (22.27) and Katie (26.58). A special mention also to Milly Presland, running for Essex Junior Girls at the English Schools National Cross Country championships, with the team winning the event,and Milly finishing in an awesome 29th position out of a field of over 340 runners !

Colchester Castle Park Run : 253 runners took part this week ; It was a cold but not icy, so safe to run. Paul Hollidge and Deb Cubberley, (for now known as the Hollerley’s), back from their special holiday , finished in (26.17) and (26.18) , Paul insisting on a finishing dip at the line to make sure he was first. Louise Upston and Jack Wicks also braved the cold finishing with times of (31:57) and (31:58). The other GBRC runners were James McCullagh (27:57), Russell Clarke (21:41), and Paul Connell (20.09). The runners were entertained by some quality dancing moves by Eric Shaw and and Sue Foley who were marshalling the not so mad gate. Thanks for the fun helping us round !

Harwich park Run: 62 runners took part in the run, in what looked like very wintry and snowy conditions from the photos; Kevin James finished in 13th place with (25:00) , followed by Malcolm Jarvis (25:26) and Sandra James (38:56).

Junior Park Run – Sunday 18th. Unfortunately the conditions were too icy for the kids to run at Old Heath

Fantastic running everybody who was able to get out last week ; keep safe, and keep on running, and keep on smiling – you’ve earned it.