This weekend saw a new king be crowned, but one GBRC runner was too busy navigating the Five Rivers Ultra, a race with a 32 hour deadline and distances of 51, 71 or 103 miles. Adam Waller-Toyne opted for the 5RU, 103 mile route which started at Harwich and ended at Blaxhall in Suffolk. The five rivers in question were the Stour, Orwell, Deben, Butley and the Ore/Alde. The map below shows the route and just how far he had to go. It also shows how often he would be looking at one side of a river and wishing he was already over there! He finished the route in 29 hours, 1 minute and 20 seconds. Amazing running Adam!

Meanwhile, in a field near some castles (not royal ones I’m afraid) we had Mark Crittendon, Neil Robins, Michelle Auer and Emma Levett-Welham completing the Two Castles Trail half marathon. This was a self navigated route which led to some mis trodden paths as the instructions not up to GB standards. It takes in one castle at Clare, the other one in the name being found on the marathon route!

Sunday also saw the Co’run’ation event held by Hare and Tortoise events at Kingsford Park. This was for a crown (in the form of a medal) and it involved a 5, 10 or 15 mile route. We had runners in each of the categories. Sarah Blewden, John Ferdinand, Sue Wright and Karen O’Grady ran one loop around Gosbecks and Olivers Lane. Caroline Searle ran two loops to complete 10 miles and Tim Clifton, still on his streak, ran 15 miles. It was an undulating course but a good one to do.

On Saturday, Colchester Castle parkrun was off due to the park having royal duties, so Highwoods was the main host this weekend in Colchester. Clacton also had a good turnout. It was Mel Willsmore’s 50th parkrun – well done Mel! Charlie Keitch continues to find great times with 18:27. This is his all time best parkrun time, and close to his all time best of 18:09 (Harwich 5k series last year). Connor Sharp continues to improve too with a PB of 21:39 with his brother Charlie running well in 25:15. Well done all!

Emma Wakeling took on Gorleston Cliffs parkrun whilst Helene Tyler took on the undulating Hadleigh parkrun. Jon Mann visited Ipswich parkrun and Sammy and martin cotton ran at Storeys Fields in Cambridge. All parkrun results can be found here. At Colchester junior parkrun on Sunday, Xander Briggs ran 13:57 and Jocelyn Mills ran 20:57.

The final paragraph is saved for our lesser known faction of GBRC and that is the Great Bentley Walking Club! There were two locations being walked this week, Cornwall and the Peak District. Natalie Martin took on the 20 mile Edale Challenge, whilst the Preslands, Youngs, Hollidges and Greenhams took on the Isle of Cornwall, a circular multi day route from Marizon along the South West Coast Path.