This newsletter carries a warning it is now officially illegal to read the following information with out a mince pie in hand!
Even though we are nearly at the end of the year there is still plenty going on at Great Bentley, and looking forward the calendar for the first part of 2025 is starting to fill up nicely, so brush off those crumbs and read on………………
GBRC inter-club 10 mile race
On the 5th of January we will once again be trying to maintain our title against the black and white might of the Harwich runners. In this race points mean prizes and every runner’s score will be combined and the club with the most points wins. It’s a fast course and a great way to kick start your road running in 2025, plus the chance to get a great 10 mile time to enter into the club champs. However, this race can’t go ahead without volunteers so if you don’t feel like running please contact Tom if you can help with the marshalling.
GBRC Half marathon
Our half marathon is the stuff of legends, it attracts runners far and wide due too its unrivalled pb potential, the current course record was broken last year with a staggering 1hr 9mins 50secs finish. Many have it in their London marathon training plans and use it as a benchmark for their fitness on the road to the big day. It is also the biggest event in the clubs’ calendar and funds many of the things we enjoy throughout the year at Great Bentley. So, if you can help support this race, please can you fill in this form from Mel https://forms.office.com/r/jFvcuUNijB
GBRC NESS cross country race
We are hosting the final race of the NESS cross country season on the 9th March so it would be nice to go out with a bang. It would be great to as many of you running as possible but we will also require plenty of you to help marshal the course amongst other duties. Meera with be emailing out a form in the near future to gather names of willing volunteers.
Whilst on the subject of cross country this coming Sunday, the 8th of December is race number two of the season at Gosfield school. As always it will great to see plenty of you there, sadly for me the plan to race every course this season has been scuppered early and my marathon training has taken its toll on my back, and I may not be able to attend this one, but good luck to those that do, a few points to note if you are going,
- Trail shoes will be needed
- Wear a blue club vest
- The club pays for your entry fee
- Junior race starts at 10am, adult race starts at 10.45
- Postcode is CO91PF, the parking is tight there so please car share where you can
- Best of luck to everyone!
The Great Bentley fish and chip run
Every year we take a trot round the village to see the brightly coloured lights and festively decorated houses of Great Bentley and then go back to the village hall to dine on fish and chips. Marion kindly organises this event the attached link takes you to the Facebook page she has set up for it Fish & Chip Christmas lights run! | Facebook
Awards night 2024
Its nearly here, the chance to celebrate the successes of your fellow Bentley runners. This Saturday7th December is the annual awards night which kicks off at 7pm at the Great Bentley village hall. There is no charge to come just turn up in your glad rags with whatever food and drink you wish to consume and have a great time.
Who’s be running and where?
There has still been plenty of you out there racing in the month of November, so working our way up the distances here’s what’s been going on.
Scott young took a pilgrimage to Busy Park home of Parkrun where he was one of 1400 runners who ran that day, I think his still in the queue at the coffee shop. A few of us went on the monthly GBRC Parkrun tourism to Bury st Edmunds and had a great morning, look out for more of these next year.
Young Flynn Eyre flew into 2nd place at the Wix 5 mile in a stellar time of 28mins 38secs what more can this boy do in 2025. In fact, there was some strong performances from several Bentley men at the race that day.
Malcolm Statham and Dave Allen came in 3rd and 4th at the Colchester Kawaski 10 mile trail race, in fact Malcolm has completed three 10 miles in November alone.
Charlie Keitch ran at the Essex half marathon and bearing in mind that he has been steadily working his way back from injury his time of 1hr 27mins 57secs is not to be sniffed at.
Craig Mitchel was another Bentley man to run a half marathon in November this one was in Benidorm where he traded his blue vest for fancy dress and ran a great time of 1hr 42mins
Dan Palmer and myself were also soaking up the Spanish sunshine whilst tackling the Valencia marathon I made it round in 3hrs 10mins 40secs and Dan did it in 4hrs 24mins 43secs annihilating his previous pb by 1hr 11mins.
Last but by no means least Tim Clifton, Paul Davidson and Rob Dyre all went on a wet, windy and hilly marathon distance Christmas Canter.
Runner of the month
Here we go the bit you all read to the bottom for its runner of the month time!
Some of you may not be aware of this chap as he keeps himself to himself and is not always able to make the regular training sessions through out the week. This however does not stop him from racing regularly and putting in some impressive times as well, from what we can gather he’s approaching his 100th marathon. I touched on the fact he ran three10 mile races in November and two of them being back to back which is why Charlie and I decided that Malcolm Statham you are a very deserving runner of the month, well done!
Great Bentley Running Club 