XC SEASON- Kicks Off!!

Essex AA Cross Country Relays- Hyland Park

How am I possibly writing that the XC season has kicked off! It is still too warm for XC!

14 hardy Bentley Blues took on the Essex XC Relays at Hyland Park despite a challenging start with traffic chaos on the A12, however they all got there safely and ran amazingly well.

Unfortunately, the results are still being processed so I am unable to publish them, but I have no doubt the Blues smashed it! Well done team.

Park Runs

Hyrox- Poland

Paul and Sarah Davison, Rob and Caroline Dyer were over in Poland competing in Hyrox for the weekend and fitted in a Parkrun at Gdansk. (Not sure if I have spelt that correctly!)

Congratulations to Caroline Dyer for a 6-minute PB and 3^rd place in her age category at Hyrox and congratulations to Paul Davison for his 3^rd in age too. Well done both!

Bos Amsterdam

Mary Taylor took part at Bos Parkrun in Amsterdam where she described the route as amazing, with beautiful scenery and most importantly it was Flat!! Well done, Mary.

Christchurch Park Ipswich

This month’s GBRC tourism was at Christchurch Park in Ipswich, the course is two- and a-bit laps through the park on tarmac paths, and it is NOT flat!

Tarmac Twister

Scott Young, Claudia Keitch and Phil Presland completed the Tarmac Twister, and judging by the photo below it certainly was a Twister! This event is run by Essex Trail Events with the route being just under 6 miles and the 3 Amigos finishing in about 56 mins. Well done, Guys. I bet there was a nice pint waiting for you at the end!!

The Royal Parks Half Marathon

Bev Shortley and myself (Lou Balfour) ran this race, starting together and finishing together both achieving a sub-2, something which I have been trying to achieve for about 2 years and finally doing it! A big PB for me and another sub 2 for Bouncy Bev. A special shout out to Bev who has been so consistent and committed to her training for many months despite carrying an injury. Well done, Bev, you nailed it!

I would highly recommend this race which is well organised, very picturesque and most importantly flat and the support around the course was fantastic although train strikes and several tube station closures added to the excitement of the day and an increase in heart rates!!

Chelmsford Half/Full Marathon

Paul Brazier ran the half marathon coming home in true “Paul” style in an incredible time of 01:33:27.

Billy Hamilton, Cheryl Congram and Zoe Wolf all ran the full marathon and all 3 finishing in spectacular style too. Well done guys and congratulations to both Billy and Zoe on your PB’s.

Billy (“The Whizz”) Hamilton- 03:01:03 (PB- Knocking off 5 mins from previous PB!)

Cheryl Congram- 03:51:31

Zoe Wolff – 4:31:26 (PB)

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known for its flat and fast course. The race starts and finishes in Grant Park and travels through one of the World’s most magnificent cities. This course has produced four world records, several national records and countless personal bests.

We had one Bentley Blue in action at this race and none other than the superb Tim Clifton who finished in 05:06:53. Well done Tim, another fantastic marathon ticked off!

Tiptree 10

There was a sea of blue shirts at this race and all running on spectacular form, this is a tough route (in my opinion!) with a hill towards the end that I am absolutely convinced goes on for about 2 miles!! Although Donna Harris will tell me it is a small incline and only about 500 metres!!

Stephen Bullen- 01:04:04 (PB)

Gerry Gladden- 01:08:01

Magdalena Komorowska- 01:14:35 (PB)

Inga Hayden- Cooper- 01:22:38

Kathy Bishop- 01:25:28

Donna Harris- 01:26:55 (PB)

Maddie Clifton- 01:27:47

Emma Gladden- 01:34:21

Rosie Youngs- 01:39:00 (PB)

Daniella Harris- 01:41:20 (PB)

Helen Coe- 01:45:06

Debbie Smith – 01:45:43

Andrea Markwick- 01:48:01

Dave Jones- 01:52:01

Kathy Ott- 01:51:58

Gary Cooper- 02:25:59

Capel 5

“Super Speedy Sarah” Evans was back in action at this race and boy she smashed it coming in as 1^st Lady and 11^th overall in 32:38. Incredible running Sarah very well done and this also puts Sarah in the GBRC all-time Top 10 in 6^th Position.

Craig Mitchel was multi-tasking at this event, running and recording Sarah at the same time. How is that even possible!! Well done Craig who finished in 32:43

Congratulations also to Dean Pepper who ran this race and got himself a new PB finishing in 38:04.

Claudia Keitch had a fantastic run too finishing in 44:31. Well done Claudia and closely behind was Gary Howard who finished in 44:50. Great running Gary.

Wix 5

A mighty group of Blues were seen whizzing round the Wix 5 course and judging by the results they were firing on all cylinders!

Jon Mann- 30:18 (6^th overall)

Stephen Bullen- 31:10- (1^st MV 50, 8^th overall)

Chris Smith- 31:58

Craig Slocombe- 32:07

Gerry Gladden- 33:05

Malcolm Statham- 39:37

Inga Hayden- Cooper- 41:12

Donna Harris- 41:36 (PB)

Daniella Harris- 46:27 (PB)

Sue Wright- 50:59

Gary Cooper- 59:44

Clacton Seafront 10k

Back for the second year and with a sellout both online and signups on the day this race is proving to be a very popular one locally.

Unlike last year the weather was kinder although cold to begin with but once the race began the sun came out and the wind lessened!

A massive congratulations to Flynn Eyre who came in 1^st in an incredible time of 35:47. Well done Flynn.

There were some impressive performances from Bentley at this race as can be seen below:

Flynn Eyre- 35:47 – 1^st Place

James Eyre- 39:37

Matt Illsley- 39:56

Ray Baggs- 44:18

Richard Moor- 44:55

Rachel Tylor- 51:00

Zoe Wolf- 52:44 (PB)

Brian Telford- 53:53

Katie Collin- 56:18

Kathy Ott- 58:34

Dave Jones- 1:08:36

Mark Crittenden- 1:10:04

Emma Wellham- 1:15:03

Bev Shortley – Tail Walker

Lou Balfour- 65 mins Pacer

The Great South Run

The “Dynamic Duo” Donna Parker- Evans and Lorraine Adams ran the AJ Bell Great South run in Portsmouth together which is described as probably the World’s favourite 10-mile event with inspiring history, salty air and glorious views. Although according to Donna I am not sure they saw many glorious views as it rained nonstop!! Well done ladies fantastic achievement and look forward to seeing the medal.

Another Bentley Blue also ran this race Dan Palmer who finished in 1:15:12 and another PB. Amazing run Dan and having to contend with heavy rain and a headwind for the last 2 miles too. Dan must have enjoyed it as he has already signed up for 2026! Great photo and loving the matching socks and trainers look!!

Amsterdam Half Marathon

After doing the local Park run the day before Mary Taylor took on the Amsterdam Half marathon which she describes as a lovely flat route with lots of hydration and banana stations and most importantly there were lots of DJ’s pumping out the vibes. Well done Mary congratulations on another great run.