This week was the last in October and Bentley runners have been treated to unseasonably warm weather – however, as might be expected with English weather, we have also been treated to wind and rain too. This has made course conditions less than ideal, with puddles to dodge and slippy leaves to avoid.

However, Saturday morning was a bright sunny day, and this might explain the high turnout for parkruns across the country. 

Blue vests put in appearances at Alton Water (Cherie Hipkins), Bury St Edmunds (Rob Blackman), Bath (Anna Lyon), Clacton Seafront (fourteen Bentley runners – our biggest turnout), Colchester Castle (six blues), Felixstowe (three blues), Harwich (four blues), Highwoods (eight blues), Markshall (seven blues), Mersea Island (Charlotte Hammond), Rothay Park (Paul Arnold), Sizewell (The Briggs!) and Witney (the birthday girl, Caroline Searle!).

Of particular note:

Well done to Charlotte Hammond for her first run without stopping since having Jasper! 

Great work, Laura Cook for smashing your sub 30 goal with a time of 28:55.

Top sibling-ing to Anna Lyon for convincing her sister to join her at the Bath Skyline parkrun!

Mark Jasper 2nd man home

Joshua Beaumont 3rd man home

Great park running everyone! And don’t forget to add Great Bentley to your profile so we can celebrate your runs.

Now onto the Sunday where the warm windy weather gave way to showers. Wet runners put in fantastic performances at the Hertfordshire half marathon, the Stort 30, and the Wix 5 miler 

Paul Brazier was the sole blue runner at the Hertfordshire half. He managed a brilliant time of 1h37 which was a PB – great running, Paul!

We had more representation at the Stort 30, an out and back route along the river Stort. Three male Bentley runners put in three excellent performances. We had Paul Davison coming 11th with a time of 4:24:08. Tim Clifton completed the course in 6:36:35 and Adam Toyne was 21st overall and first in his age category with a time of 4:53:37.

Now a more local event, the Wix 5 miler.

We had celebrations from both male and female club members when both the gents and ladies were awarded second place in the team prizes.

Louise Balfour was the first blue woman home with a time of 46:39. Debbie Smith, Alison Clarke and Barbara Law all put in great performances, with Barbara scoring first in her age category.

Doug Mcgilivray was the first blue man home, coming in fourth with a very impressive time of 28:01. Charlie Keitch scored himself a PB with a great time of 30:26. Then Craig Mitchell was 14th with 30:59 with Richard Heath on his heels with 31:01. 

Gerry Gladen, Malcolm Stratham, Graham Semple, Peter Benton and Dave Jones all put in solid performances and earned their medals today.

In Junior Parkrun news, Nainsí Hallahan and Ella Simpson were both awarded marathon wristbands after running twenty-two junior parkruns. Well done, girls!

Super running everyone!