The latter stage of Twixmas proved quieter on the racing front, but I am sure many of you got out there to try new shoes or kit.

It was a New Year’s Eve Saturday parkrun for nearly 60 of you, including some tourism/away days for a few of you. Meera and Robin were in Prudhoe, a parkrun that they have ran at before. They both had steady performances with Robin in the top 20 runners. Martin Owen went to Sherwood Pines parkrun which was a single lap route through the woods. Sammy and Martin Cotton were in Harlow and ran the parkrun there, which is a 3 lap route around the Town Park. A mention for Helene Tyler who managed 1000 miles with the last parkrun of 2022. I am sure many of you smashed that and more last year, it’s a tough number to reach. The times for New Year’s Eve parkruns can be found here.

With a new paragraph, I wish you Happy New Year. There was a good selection of parkruns to choose from for a New Year’s Day run and many of you did pop on your trainers and partake in 5k. Highwoods and Clacton Seafront were our local ones. Mark Jasper started 2023 with a leading run at Clacton and Anna Lyon was third lady home. Martin Owen went to Belvoir Castle, where there was a fast downhill start which meant a harder last mile back up again, plus airborne sheep (disclaimer – may not be available at every parkrun). This was their winter course, so Martin may have to return to try out their summer route, which is said to be undulating! Paul Davison went to check out Hilly Fields in London, not a patch on our Hilly Fields I am sure! Sammy Cotton ran her 50th parkrun at Highwoods, well done Sammy! Here are the results.

On Monday 2nd January, Essex Trail Events held a trail run to raise funds for the Cross Country Trophies for this year. There were two routes, one with an extra loop of tarmac with added deja vu, but plenty of slippery mud! Doug McGillvray led the Bentley Blues home on the long route with the Hollidges and Preslands home next. On the shorter route, Rachel Rodgers and Yolande took part, with Yolande building her strength up ready to start running again in 2023. With 33 participants we had the biggest club attendance, a great turnout for some miles of mud, getting us ready for Writtle in a few weeks time.