This is the Race Report covering- 21/10- 03/11

Sun 27^th – XC kicks off (how is it possible that XC season is upon us already!)

A fantastic turn out at sunny Ipswich for the first in this year’s XC league. The sun was shining down on all the blues and there wasn’t a dry robe in sight it was so warm, just blue vests and shorts! (shorts, call me old but who still wears shorts at this time of Year apart from the postman!)

Sat 26 Oct- GBRC Park Run Away day- Thornham Walks

7 rather dashing Blues took a trip to Thornham Walks Parkrun in Eye for this month’s parkrun tourism. The Ladies were obviously resting their legs prior to XC the following day, although another talent of Lisa Briggs is clearly not just running but photography too!

Sun 27^th– Dublin Marathon

This year saw the Dublin Marathon route start and finish in the City Centre. There were 17732 participants running through the streets of Dublin with our very own Gavin Byrn representing Bentley who was placed 555 and ran in an exceptional time of 02:55:59 taking off an unbelievable 20 minutes from his previous marathon PB. Huge congratulations Gavin what a truly remarkable run. I hope you are resting those legs now!

Pumpkin Plod Marathon- Brandon Country Park- Sun 27^th

My fellow race reporter Tim Clifton was back in action at this event organised by Zig Zag Running. It is a 6-hour event starting at 9am or a 4-hour event starting at 11am. You have the choice of running a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or Marathon and the course itself consists of gravel footpaths and some grassy areas, so it is a true multi- terrain course! It attracts runners of all abilities who all go along to enjoy pressure free running. Tim opted for the full marathon route and completed it in 5:15:06. Well done Tim, another spectacular performance. I wonder what event he will choose next. The Turkey Trot or maybe perhaps the Christmas Canter!!

Sun 27^th– Marathon Eryri- Caroline Searle.

Marathon Eryri has twice been voted the Best British Marathon. This is an exceptionally demanding and spectacular route which encircles Yr Wyddfa (I can spell it, but I cannot pronounce it!) which is the highest peak in Wales. The route follows the A4086 and climbs to the top of the Llanberis Pass (Pen y Pass 1.100ft). It then drops down to the Pen Y Cwyryd junction, and then follows the old road along to the campsite until it joins the A498. Next is a short sharp uphill back up to the main road at the campsite. The route then continues to the Beddgelert (200ft) and then continues along the A4085 to Waunfawr. This is where it gets really challenging! There is then a rapid climb to about 1,200ft at Bwlch y Groes and then thankfully DOWNHILL to the finish in Llanberis.

Huge congratulations to our Head Coach Caroline Searle who completed this event in a spectacular time of 5:46:00, which incidentally did not include the 2-mile run she had to complete just to get to the start line having had to abandon her car due to roadworks. Well done Caroline what an amazing and challenging event and achievement.