It’s the most runderful time of the year and my goodness you have not allowed the Christmas “break” to be sedentary. With collectively more miles (or KMs if you prefer) than Santa’s reindeers totted up over Christmas, the final race report of 2025 should help us all build up an appetite for 2026 challenges.

Queen of the Comebacks

A nasty fall resulting in a torn rotator cuff and three ripped tendons, followed by the prospect of surgery and a long road to recovery would be enough to make most feel defeated. However, we’ve all seen the poise and steely determination of Helen Coe taking it all in her stride; with her sensible and quiet commitment to the movement required to get back to full health. The elated energy (pictured below) of Helen overcoming even more obstacles (arriving late, starting at the back) to fight for a sub 30 minute 5k seems the perfect happy ending to 2025.

Parkrun Tourism

Not since Coca-Cola’s assault on Saint Nic’s colouring, has Christmas seen such a momentous rebranding with Bentley runners crossing the Strood to blue wash the Mersea Island’s Parkrun. Details of 2026 dates will be available in due course.

♪Don’t it make your brown eyes?♪

Christmas Day 5K

Christmas Day Parkruns were popular with a strong contingent of Bentley Blues at the Colchester Castle Park Run (the least photo shy pictured below). Scott Young braved a cold Worsley Woods for some Christmas Day Parkrun tourism whilst Phil and Vicky Presland took advantage of the mild weather with a 5k “paddyfield run”. Finally, introducing the newest Bentley canine mascot: Riley, who Hélène Tyler showed the joys (and smells) of Colchester Highwoods Parkrun. I’m as yet unsure whether I’m more impressed by the festive fashion or the extent some people will go to to avoid peeling vegetables…

Witham Running Club’s Boxing Day “Chase the Pud” Event 

The theory goes that Boxing Day was named for the antiquated tradition of servants being given gifts and time off after working all Christmas Day. Well, in light of the accomplishments of our runners, I will forever associate it with the Balfours’ Bootcamps; those boxing mitts and cotton white gloves surely contributed to the speedy success and array of PBs secured by Bentley’s “Three Wise Women”. The five mile road race was well attended by Bentley Blues so I apologise if your success is not documented but let’s celebrate: Bev Shortley who ran the race in 42:41, Lou Balfour’s 41:29 and Magdalena Komorowska’s 36:03. Perfect conditions and the festive atmosphere may have added some inspiration but these PBs were earned with the consistent discipline we see in their training every single week – modern wisdom indeed! 

Parkrun Home and Away Saturday 27 December

Daniella Harris chalked up her 50th Parkrun of the year finishing with a glowing PB. A year in review has seen her knock 11 and a half minutes off her 5k time! Daniella’s irrepressible energy will undoubtedly mean more success and achievements in 2026.

Also smashing Parkruns out of the um…park were Sammy and Martin Cotton who braved the chilly conditions for the Thames Path Woolwich Parkrun. Caroline Searle went to Monkton Park in Chippenham for the loopy course, securing a time of 33:05. Whilst Scott Young continued his tour of Northern England taking in the Sale Water Parkrun which included a frosty jaunt along the Mersey.

Congratulations are due to Jimbo Thompson who WON the Hartlepool Parkrun with a lightning fast PB of 17 minutes 14 seconds! The maritime setting and sea views spurred Jimbo on to his first victory in a blue vest. We’re all very proud and looking forward to seeing you (perhaps a glimpse very far off in the distance) building on the success of this year. 

Running is Good for Your Elf

While some couples use Christmas as an occasion to mark their commitment with engagement rings or by booking a holiday abroad, let’s take a moment to marvel at Mags and Tom using the season to truly show the extent of their commitment. And then, let’s take a moment to symapthise with the people whose egos were injured by being overtaken by them.  

I hope Christmas (if you celebrate it) brought you all the bright trainers, wearables and lycra required to survive training runs in the dark when everyone takes their Christmas lights down. Looking forward to more runderful (sorry!) times in the year ahead.