Men, I must warn you that we’re going to start our newsletter for January in the most unlikely of places – February. Let us not beat about the bush. I’m writing this newsletter late so why keep up the subterfuge that I’m writing this before our half marathon when, simply put, I am not? That’s why I would like to start by thanking everyone who helped make the event such a success and to congratulate Mel who did a fantastic job in her first event as race director.

I’d also like to say well done to all of our men who completed the race:

• Gethin Hughes
• Paul Brazier
• Paul Arnold
• Dean Pepper
• Dave Jones
• John Ferdinand
• Martin West

Great work!

Sticking with February, don’t forget that it’s the final cross-country fixture of the season at Hadleigh on Sunday 18. It would be great to get a mass turnout at this final race so make sure it’s in your calendar. And finally, before I actually get around to things that actually happened in January, I also want to remind you about our club 10 miler which has been rearranged for Sunday 3 March. Let’s face it, the chances of our February newsletter being out before then are slight, so I thought it best to include a reminder now.

January

At last! We reach the point – January. And what a month it was!! January is a great month for running off-road and we had a great turnout at Wix for the NESS XC league, as well as runners in action at Essex Cross Country Championships in Basildon. Eight of you also took on the hills of Hadleigh Country Park at the Benfleet 15 and I want to give a special mention to Josh Beaumont who put in a fantastic performance to finish in 17th place, but well done to all of you for completing this gruelling course.

Away from racing I know that many of you have been putting in the miles as spring marathon training gets into full swing, whilst others are training for the Grizzly in March, which brings me nicely onto our runner of the month. This man is all about the Grizzly. Every year he puts his name down, and as he crosses the finish line at Seaton, I know he’s already thinking about next year’s race. You can already see that he’s building up those long runs ready to tackle the Jurassic Coast this year with plenty of parkruns as well as finishes at Benfleet and our very own half marathon.

Congratulations, Dave Jones, you are our runner of the month for January.