Doing the Double

Those eagle-eyed among you may have noticed there was no race report last week – you would be correct. A three-day migraine meant that focus was out of the question and so I agreed to write a double report with the other race reporters. I did not realise at that point just how full on September would be for races and feel somewhat daunted whilst typing this as I may miss something off – if I do I apologise in advance and don’t take it personally. What’s that I hear? Get on with it? Oh ok then…

Due to the number of races to cover I am just going to shout out parkrun tourism and PBs if you have notified us of them – the rest of the results can be accessed here for the 2^nd September and here for the 9^th. Click on the link and have a nose if you interested and if you want to know if the listed parkruns are worthy of tourism ask those who ran them for the intel.

The happy face of a PB and unknown top 10 of all times performance!

Valentines parkrun: Laura Cooke (48:27) and Bee Harris (50:46)
Horsham: Stephen Walsh (25:44)
Clare Castle: The Double Ds – Davison’s and Dyer’s 2^nd place for Paul (19:42) and Rob just squeezed in a top 10 finish (21:15), Caroline (24:07) and Sarah (26:21)
Groe parkrun: The Briggs – Lisa 2^nd female and 8^th overall and a PB – just fabulous! (20:24) and Jonathan (22:10) (which is fabulous too)
Gorleston Cliffs: Matthew Knowles (33:37)
Whitley Bay: Donna and Mark Harris (29:36 / 29:31) and Laura Cook (30:42)
Sheringham: Sarah and Paul Davison (the single Ds) (28:55 / 20:50)
Great Cornard: Mags 2^nd female (23:32), Tom (23:53) and Daniel Whymark gatecrashing the Komorowski’s anniversary cycle and run celebrations (26:33)

2 weeks ago we had 5 Bentley boys take part in the Big Half London Craig Slocombe was first in a ultra fast time of 1:21:52. Next was Matthew Illsley in 1:30:35, followed by Chris Smith in 1:34:34, Gerry Gladden in 1:38:07 and Simon Leggett in 1:57:36. Well done lads!

Our very own Vicky Presland completed the Maldon Triathlon, the day before the Essex Way Relays (rather you than me!) and the sea swim component was a first for her. As usual she knocked it out the park coming home as 3^rd lady – bravo!

That leads me very nicely on the aforementioned Essex Way Relay where we fielded 3 full teams competing against 73 others. Everyone ran their best and enjoyed themselves in some challenging warm conditions. I’m told that it is a lovely event – hats off to Harwich Running Club for the excellent organisation. With regards to results Team 21 (GBRC men’s) was 15th in the category and 20th overall, Team 22 (GBRC mixed) was 35th in the category and 47th overall. Team 203 (GBRC ladies) was 8th in the category and 58th overall. Thanks to Meera for all her help organising our teams and Rodger for hot drinks at the finish.

8 blues took on the hot, hot, hot Pleshey half marathon but I couldn’t find everyone’s results so am just including what came up! Charlie completed in 1:27:24 and he said he planned to start easy and build into it, but probably went off a bit too fast and it was a real struggle in the heat from the eight mile mark. Mags 1:41:46, Sarah Davison Pleshey half marathon Charlie 1:27:24 at the Pleshey Half Marathon today. Tried to start easy and build into it, but probably went off a bit too fast and it was a real struggle in the heat from the eight mile mark. Managed to get around without stopping, though, and pleased with the time given the conditions. Mags 1:41:46, Sarah Davison 1:53:45, Paul Davison 1:53:47, Lisa Briggs 1:58:54, Frank Gardner 2:14:22, Alison Clarke 2:20:29 – Inga also competed.

The mass event Great North Run saw four of our ladies cross the finish line. Laura Cook, who was running for a brain tumour charity in memory of her friend Ian was joined by Donna Harris both completing in 2:19:05. Sarah Blewden finished a little ahead of them in 2:16:16, and Helen Coe in 2:43:30.

Maybe spurred on by Rob’s crazy ultras, Caroline took on the Thames Path Challenge 100km as her first 100K ultra with the hubby. The race went from Putney Bridge to Henley on Thames. According to Caroline it was a brilliantly run event by the Ultra Challenge events team. A lovely course and a lot of great views of palaces, castles and expensive homes. The final part was a bit more difficult in the dark in open fields that seemed to go on forever! Conditions were not great as it was the hottest day of the year and the hottest location in the country! Caroline finished it in 17:40:52. 171 out of 940 starters, 33rd female. For anyone considering this distance (erm not me!, this is an event she would recommend. A massive hurrah to Caroline as that is a massive achievement. Kim Chatting, one of our international members completed the Swiss Peaks Trail marathon which, in true trail style, measured more like 46.5km by her garmin, with around 2’500m of positive elevation. Another example of pure insanity! A beautiful course starting in the ski village of Morgins, with an immediate climb of over 750m up to the higher sections. It was quite technical in parts but Kim still finished in just under 9 hours, 5th in her age group and around the middle of the pack overall.

Another race taking place on a ridiculously hot day was the Richard Bennett Felixstowe Coastal 10 miles which was taken on by Dave Jones and Alison Clarke – I’m sorry I couldn’t find you on the provisional results!

A final race to share was 5 mile distance by a solitary Blue – Malcolm Statham. This was the Colne Engaine. Malcolm said it was warm and hilly and a great little event. He completed in a cracking time of 34:51.