Well, we’ve had Christmas music on the radio for the past 4 weeks, so it must be almost December. What have you chaps been up to this month?

There has been all sorts of events going on all over the country (and beyond). Blue shirts have been out on The Rangers Peak District Ultras, LDWA events like the Six Dales and the Sundon Saunter, a marathon in New York, Remembrance Runs in Brightlingsea and Thetford Forest, the Stebbing 10 mile, the Clacton Reindeer 10k and Billericay 10k, Canicross at Thetford and a dizzying array of parkruns far and wide.

In amongst all of that we have seen episodes 1 and 2 of the cross country league. The first cross country meet of the season was our very own race at Hilly Fields. For those who remember cross country from last year, it was generally pretty cold, but pretty dry, but don’t worry because all the evidence so far points to it being an absolute mud bath this year!

Rodger, Tom and Matt pulled some long shifts in preparing our course for race 1. Of course, loads more of us were there on the day for set up, marshalling and baking among many of the other jobs that needed doing. All in all it was another really successful GBRC event and we can’t put these on without the help of all our members, so thanks for your commitment to the cause.

Conditions out on the course were slippery and there appeared to be a few traumatised faces crossing the finish line. As luck would have it this turned out to be a great warm up for the mud (and the water feature) at Halstead for race 2. There was once again a brilliant blue turn out and after two races we find ourselves in fourth place in the league.

So what is coming up in December for us to look forward to?

This Saturday, 3^rd December, is the Essex (Vets) cross country races in Chelmsford. There are a number of GBRC runners taking part, good luck to all involved.

Later on Saturday we have the annual awards night at the village hall in Great Bentley. It seems we have broken a record this year with 84 people signed up for the event. It’s going to be great to see so many of you there, and no doubt there will be a few people coming to their first awards night. If you haven’t yet met Fraser, Paul or Rob feel free to approach us on Saturday for a chat.

Sunday morning is the traditional post party social run and breakfast (again in the village hall in Great Bentley. Hangovers are not a pre-requisite for this, but if you do bring one with you rest assured that you will not be alone. The format for this is a 5 mile run (starting at 9am) and by the time we get back to the village hall the magical Christmas elves (Paul, Tom, Yolande and Jon) will have cooked breakfast for us all. Remember to bring along your plate, cutlery and mug (and maybe even a toaster). After breakfast we then have a quick clean up of the hall and you are free to go.

On December 21st there is the annual fish and chip run through Great Bentley. This is a great opportunity to pretend you are joining in for the running, but actually enjoying some social time with the club and stuffing your face with fish and chips.

We are still running a full programme of training through December, so stay motivated and get your hi-viz on for those sessions. The Thursday night track sessions are an excellent way to stay safe, running on a floodlit, flat track with no concerns about traffic or kerbs. Craig’s bootcamp sessions have also returned to the last Wednesday of the month. For anyone who has yet to take part in these, they come highly recommended and are very popular.

Following the recent news regarding the art installation on Bondi Beach (Beach bums: Bondi bares all for Spencer Tunick’s art installation – in pictures | Art and design | The Guardian) our chairman has suggested that GBRC should produce our very own work of art on Jaywick beach. Anyone wanting to participate should contact the Chairman directly.

Runner of the Month

This month we have been really impressed by the performances of one of our newer members. He ran his first ever half marathon (Queen Elizabeth half in London) coming 24th  out of 1,400 runners in 1 hour 22 mins, 1st in the Hare & Tortoise Remembrance 10k, 3rd in the Debden airfield 10k  in 36:39 which was a 10K PB and 12th overall at Hillyfields XC, his first ever XC for the club.

Congratulations Josh Beaumont, a really well-deserved ROM.