The summertime race lull has past and as the weeks go by you tenacious Blues have kept myself and my fellow race reports busy with your racing antics. Do not fear this message will not self destruct upon reading but it will, hopefully, entertain and inspire.
Vilnius marathon
Lithuania is where we are heading to kick this race report off and the city of Vilnius to be more precise. The Vilnius marathon started life as a 10k race back in 2001 and by 2004 it had evolved into a full marathon and has around 11,000 entrants every year. The marathon itself goes round the city of Vilnius including some of the old town which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Donna Harris was one of the 11,000 runners who raced round this fabulous city and did so in a pb time of 4hrs 27mins 1secs, which is fantastic considering it was not a flat as she anticipated and there was plenty of cobbled streets to contend with.
Pleshey Half Marathon
This race needs no introduction as it is a popular race hosted by Springfield Striders and is on most local runners’ radars. This rural winding course takes you round the quiet lanes surrounding the small village of Pleshey which is situated just outside of Chelmsford. Several Bentleys headed there and, I’m pleased to report all had a very good time,
- Rosie Youngs 2hrs 12mins 36secs and half marathon, 8 minutes faster than the previous year.
- Mary Ann Taylor 2hrs 6mins 54secs a half marathon pb by 5minutes.
- Alan Johnson1hr 50mins 52secs his fastest half marathon in 35 years.
- Charlie Keitch 1hr 28mins 49secs 2mins quicker than The Big Half just a week before Pleshey.
- Steve Bullen 1hr 27mins 15secs a half marathon pb
Ipswich half marathon
Just up the A12 is the town of Ipswich where on Sunday over 2500 runners took part in the annual half marathon. The race takes you on a looping tour round the main shopping area of the town before going through hilly wooded parkland, along the banks of the marina and then out on a steep climb which takes you under the arches of the Orwell bridge. The course then turns you back towards the town where you finish in the in the shadow of Portman Road football stadium. Several Bentleys took on this race and here are their times below,
- Jon Mann 1hr 25mins 50secs
- Gerry Gladden 1hr 31mins 48secs (pb)
- Paul Davidson 1hr 38mins 52secs
- Stefan Hogan-Steele 1hr 43mins 3secs
- Rob Dyer 1hr 55mins 34secs
- Caroline Dyer 1hr 55mins 36secs
Felixstowe coastal 10
‘Oh, she does love to be beside the seaside’ especially if there’s a race to attend and a medal with a crab on it to be earned. Ladies vice captain Lisa Briggs took on the Felixstowe Coastal 10 mile race which wasn’t without it’s challenges, as there are parts of the course which were on shingle beaches and of course as with any coastal race the obligatory headwind. The race is also part of the Suffolk County Champs so there was also a strong field of athletes to contend with, Lisa ran well and came in 12th lady with a time of 1hr 12mins 54secs
Keswick half marathon
Another Bentley lady who was all by herself was Helen Coe who ventured all the way to the Lake District for the Keswick half marathon. It rained almost up until the start at 11am on race day. Although the sun did shine eventually it was enough to dry up the flooded roads of the course but the water didn’t dampen Helen’s spirits, and she still got round in a time of 2hrs 31mins 40secs. I’ve copied a quote from the organiser’s website.
“Come and take part in this very popular annual event; we appreciate that we’re biased but believe wholeheartedly that it is the most scenic 13 miles 192.5 yards in the country. If the running doesn’t take your breath away, the elevated views of Derwentwater certainly will”
Ingatestone 5
Steve Bullen headed over to Ingatestone for the seriously slopey Ingatestone 5 mile race which won the Howard Williams trophy for’ best road race’ in Essex last year. Steve ran the hills of Ingatestone in a time of 31mins 27secs earning him first place in his age category, a trophy and some money, the Milky bars are on Steve!
London Classic
Vicky Presland achieved her London Classics medal over the weekend by swimming the Serpentine. This medal is awarded to athletes who have completed the London marathon, Ride London and swim Serpentine. That is one fantastic achievement, well done Vicky.
Aldeburgh team triathlon
It was a family affair of sorts for the Sharps who entered Aldeburgh team triathlon, minus Charlie. It’s tipped as a fun team relay consisting of a 700m sea swim, 22k bike ride and a 5k road race, it sounds more challenging than fun. As a team they came in 37th place out 90 teams, a great effort team!
ATW events Triathlon
More triathlon action and this time Katie Collin with a middle distance triathlon in Maldon organised by ATW events. It was a tough race, but Katie dug deep achieved some personal bests along the way and even though she took a tumble towards the end she got the job done, driven on by Andrea Markwick’s enthusiastic supporting.
Katie was not alone in this race either as Piers Markwick was also competing in it as well, great job both of you.
Parkrunning
There was a good group of us who headed to Harwich Parkrun on the for the last of the GBRC tourism coastal socials. The run was a mostly chatty one and although some of us had to dash I’m sure a few remained for a coffee and a catch up.
Rob Dyer visited Hadleigh Parkrun which has sections of the Benfleet 15 route which will be familiar to some of you. Although not a particularly flat course it is completely on gravel paths and comes highly recommended by Mr Dyer.
There was a GBRC trip to climb mount Snowden which I believe went really rather well from what I can gather from those who attended. As if climbing a mountain isn’t enough most of them also decided to start the day with a Parkrun, and I can see why they did. The local Parkrun is round the grounds of Penrhyn Castle and finishes with a dash through the gates of Penrhyn Castle into the courtyard.
Scott Young visited Pennington Flash Parkrun situated West of Manchester the home course of Keely Hodgkinson Team GB’s middle-distance runner who is currently competing at the World Athletics Championships over I Tokyo. Despite being more than a little damp under foot Scott splashed round in a time of 26mins 50secs
Club Secretary Mags and Head Coach Caroline eased themselves into Saturday morning by going to Maldon Parkrun for a cruse round Promenade Park.
Whilst visiting family Mary Ann Taylor took herself to a newly established Parkrun which was only three weeks old. It’s a single lap course round the forest of Haughmond Hill which Mary Ann said was fabulous.
Congratulations are in order for Ashley Coles as not only is he a newly wed but his bride let him out the very next day to run Colchester castle Parkrun.
Whilst on the subject of Parkruns on Saturday 8th November the GBRC monthly Parkrun tourism is heading to the home of Parkrun, Bushy Park. Men’s captain Charlie has arranged for a coach to take us there which will be leaving from the bus stop between Colchester Leisure World and the Fire Station Cowdray Avenue at 6am and will bring us straight back afterwards.
There are a maximum of 34 seats available which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The club have kindly agreed to subsidise the trip, so the cost is just £15 per person.
Please click the link below and complete the form if you wish to come.
https://forms.gle/Qu7QJCJNdMEEheNQ8
Thank you for taking the time to read this I hope you enjoyed it, that’s all from me for now. I hope you feel suitably inspired to lace up and get outside.
Great Bentley Running Club 