The Windmill Way Wander- Zig Zag running- Sat 16^th Jan

This race is organised by Zig Zag running and it offers a number of distance choices from 5k, 10k, Half, Full or Ultra Marathon. The route is all road although it does have some rolling hills and an elevation of approximately 650ft. The route also takes you through some lovely Villages such as Higham, Gazeley, Denham and taking in the amazing windmill at Dalham. Hence the name Windmill Wanderer!!

The incredible Dan Palmer was in action at this race and came home with a 7-minute half marathon PB of 1:36:04 finishing 5^th overall. Congratulations Dan on your PB, amazing running, despite the t- shirt!!!

Folksworth 15- Sunday 18^th Jan

Now in it’s 35^th year this race has certainly become very popular for may runners and is a great training race in preparation for a Spring marathon. The route takes in some great scenery over two laps of an undulating course and all on Country roads, although there are 3 fairly steep hills on each lap, so the course is described as “testing”, but those hills did not deter the Dynamic Duo, Men’s Captain Charlie Keitch and Vice-Captain Jon Mann.

Jon Mann- 1:37:41

Charlie Keitch- 1:43:32

XC- Sun 25^th Jan- Thorrington

Round 4 of the NESS XC league took place at a new venue of Thorrington Scout Camp that was hosted by Braintree & District Athletics Club and judging by the photos it was rather muddy and hilly! The course was 3 laps which was slightly shorter than the expected 5 miles (2.69 miles apparently!) but each lap provided a challenge for all runners with a fast downhill first half before climbing back up hill on very slippery mud on the second half.

Well done to all our Blues, great running!

Many Congratulations to Andrea James who finished Braintree & District XC in 1^st position which places Andrea in the GBRC all time Top 10 in 1^st position.

Also, huge Congratulations to Flynn Eyre who finished Springfield Striders XC in 5^th position which places Flynn in the GBRC all time Top 10 in 7^th position.

Wickford Memorial Park Run

Jon Mann dropped into Wickford Memorial Parkrun on his way to work where he came second! This course is two- and a-bit laps going anti clockwise along a very scenic route. It follows the perimeter of the park along the river Crouch on a mixture of some trail but mostly gravel paths. One for perhaps in the Spring/Summer!

Dark Horse trail Run

This race held in Chelmsford is approximately 5 miles which is a self-navigation trail run using a written route description that is issued to you at the start and there are NO course markings, marshals or GPX file!! The USP (Unique Selling point!) of this race is that it starts and finishes at The Horse and Groom pub!! Judging by the photo below it was a tad muddy one thinks!! Well done to Phil and Vicky Presland, Piers and Andrea Markwick and Larina Marsh.

I finish this report by wishing all our Bentley runners who are running our half tomorrow the very best of luck and a huge thank you to all of you wonderful volunteers.