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Results 2014

Phoenix Year End Marathon, Thames Path - Sunday 28th December 2014

66 finishers.

Buntingford 10 - Sunday 28th December 2014

470 finishers.

Chingford League Fixture 3 - Trent Park, Cockfosters - Saturday 27th December 2014

150 finishers.

parkrun - all venues - - Saturday 27th December 2014

parkrun - Christmas Day - - Wednesday 25th December 2014

Run Through 10km, Greenwich park - Sunday 21st December 2014

489 finishers.

Sikhs in the City, Dawn to Dusk Ultra - Sunday 21st December 2014

Maud reports: I thought I ought to come up with some sort of race report from today's Sikhs in the City Dawn to Dusk Ultra, but I don't actually have much to say. I left the headless chicken at home today, and while I wouldn't like to say it was easy, I got round my 25 laps (plus one for luck in case I'd miscounted) without too much fuss. Although no-one could accuse the course of being scenic, the nice thing about multiple laps is that you pass (or get passed by) the same runners many times, which made for a relaxed, supportive feel to the race. Congrats to Patrick, who won the Half Marathon, Karen, who reeled off her 50k, took a lunch break and came back for more, and Fiona, who I think it's fair to say found the last 2 or 3 laps heavy going, but was totally determined to complete the Ultra distance. And thanks to the many ELRs who came out to support us, especially Jim, who was there all day.

Torrington Christmas Caper 9.5 miles - Sunday 21st December 2014

185 finishers. Sarah reports: Claire Parker and I took on the Torrington Christmas Caper today a hilly, muddy, almost 10 miler with Christmas Pudding and clotted cream as the reward. We had great support from Claire's parents and my dad. It was tough.

Met XC League, Uxbridge - Saturday 20th December 2014

383 finishers.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 20th December 2014

Serpentine 5km, last Friday of month, Hyde Park - Friday 19th December 2014

Christmas Party - Thursday 18th December 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Royal Parks 10km Winter Series. Regents Park - Sunday 14th December 2014

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 13th December 2014

and Emiko Priest at Wimpole Estate 32.19 46.26%.

Ware Cup - 5 mile Cross Country held by Loughton AC - Saturday 13th December 2014

72 finishers

Bromham Pudding Run 10km - Sunday 7th December 2014

404 finishers.

The Full Montycute 10 mile - Sunday 7th December 2014

240 finishers. The race has 10 designated Hills in the just over 10 miles. There are other what we call small ascents but nothing to write home about. Conditions will be muddy and slippery please wear off road shoes!

Bedford Half Marathon - Sunday 7th December 2014

957 finishers.

Grim Challenge , Aldershot - Saturday 6th December 2014

also Paul Browne 1.37.09 & Ben Waller 1.37.10.
1.800 finishers. This land is used to test Army vehicles so expect it to be interesting! You will reach a long hill shortly after the start before descending again eventually reaching a water filled ravine. You will run on over puddle-strewn paths before having to crawl under camouflage netting. You’ll eventually reach some man-made mounds before arriving at and running through some rather large puddles. Expect to get very wet! You’ll run on to the fast vehicle driving circuit where it is rocky underfoot. This brings you to some more large areas of water and the finish area.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10km Series - Event 3 - Saturday 6th December 2014

376 finishers.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 6th December 2014

Cooper Test 2 - Track night - Monday 1st December 2014

Last test 15th September 2014-(updated 15th Dec 2014)
Helen Real 2700

Hatfield 5m - Sunday 30th November 2014

317 finishers

Red Run 5km, Victoria Park for World Aids Day - Sunday 30th November 2014

190 finishers

Kingston 10km - Sunday 30th November 2014

462 finishers.

Ashford Half Marathon - Sunday 30th November 2014

330 finishers.

Essex Vets XC Championships, Chigwell Row - Saturday 29th November 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Team results :Vet Ladies 7th place,B Team 16th & Vet 40 Men 8th place, B Team 11th




It seemed like a balmy spring like morning but in reality it was the last Saturday in November when the old folks of Essex including the ELR teams rolled up for the County's Vets Championships of 2014 in the Woodland Trust area of Hainault Forest.

However despite the calm dry weather conditions underfoot were extremely wet and muddy following the heavy rains of recent weeks.

At 11am the Ladies 35+ and the Male Vets 50+ set off on the 2 lap 5.4 mile challenge and within 200 metres they met their first "obstacle", into the trees, uphill, smelly, muddy, boggy ground that seemed to go on for 200 metres or so. This led to better paths and before long they were cruising down a big hill(also muddy in parts) before heading back uphill to Squires Oak and a short downhill, past the two houses and back into the heart of the forest. A long diagonal drag and a big uphill challenge awaited before more normal and flatter ground could be gained which led to the run back to and on the plain to the start/finish. Just another lap and it was all over, easy? Never, enjoyable? Yes, Great sense of achievement? Definitely!

Then at 12 noon, having had the course softened up for them the young males aged 40 to 50 did the same except faster, allegedly.

Hosted by Ilford AC on behalf of ESSEX AAA the race was expertly organised and marshalled. Thanks to Mike and Jim for their support.






Maya's Race Report
So I've been casually calling it 'The Old Lady Race' since I said I'd run it a few weeks ago. Everyone kept talking about the mud. And the hills. And the mud. And the hills. And oh, did I know it would be muddy? I stoically ignored them and called it The Old Lady Race. That sounded much nicer, I decided.
A balmy sunny November morning. 'Course, we're lucky with the weather. Remember two years ago Frank ? When it was snowing?' You're not all helping you know!
Hmm. Maybe I should have listened more about the mud. A quick trip to the 'ladies' was muddy enough. I was disappointed with the facilities, I have to be honest. No Moulton Brown handwash, and no paper, but at least there was no queue. A few more leaves on the trees would have been appreciated though...
Two numbers this time, one on the back telling the world I'm not 45 yet. Which would normally be great, except when you're one of the youngest, and you're still at the back, racing a 78 year old ex international. Tell you what though, Pam has great support. I'm changing my name to Pam next ELR race I do. And I always knew how close she was on my tail, by judging how loud I could hear people cheering her.
Anyway. The mud. Glory BE, the mud. It was actually incredible. I had a proper Vicar of Dibley moment in one puddle, right upto my knees. But I kept both my shoes, which I think was a result actually. I'm putting that down to Karen and her 'lace up tight ladies' just before the off. And it was just so muddy, and just so hilly, that at some points I just had to walk. The thing with being at the back, is you know you're not the only walker, so while I just never could quite catch my teammate Sheila , I wasn't ever overtaken either.
Halfway round and there are the men, cheering. I love the East East East London chant. It makes me laugh. They're threatening to chase me round again like they did at Parliament Hill, but I know their race starts soon, so they won't have the time. Phew.
Round again. Past all the speedy runners on their way down. Here's a thing, when you are running towards someone, you get splashed in the face a fair bit. That made me laugh too. Past all the marshals again. All the marshals were great. Really happy and encouraging and bouncy. Even the one near the end who had the nerve to be eating a lovely looking ham roll, which I cheerfully could have snatched and eaten on the hoof.
And to the end. A downhill, relatively unmuddy (in comparison) stretch. Maud and Caroline there to run me home, and I knew that Pam probably had a good finish, so I actually managed a sprint with a smile. Not sure which is more of an achievement for me, I'm normally a scowly, staggery finisher...!
And I'm done. I was actually quite stressed about today. More than Parliament Hill. But it was so so pretty, and the mud made me laugh. And Pretending I Was Pam made me laugh too.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a LOT of mud in my toes, and I'd like to be allowed back in the pool at my gym tomorrow.

Mo Run 10k, Greenwich Park - Saturday 29th November 2014

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 29th November 2014

Chelmsford 10km (inc Essex Championships) - Sunday 23rd November 2014

516 finishers.

Sunday Cross Country League - Event 2 - Grovelands Park - Sunday 23rd November 2014

248 men, 133 ladies. Team : MEN 15TH of 21, Ladies 17th of 21.

Mens Health Survival of the Fittest, Wembley - Saturday 22nd November 2014

4,137 men, 1,763 ladies Total 5.900.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 22nd November 2014

ELR reach the 2000 runs at Wanstead Flats mark. Russell's course pb of 18.05 brings him to No 53 on the fastest 500 list with Ciaran at No 50 with 18.02 , there's his target. But with the mud now spreading at Wanstead it may be a while. 1st place finishes for Sarah at Wanstead, Katherine at Valentine's and Patrick's 18.02 at Walthamstow. Course pb at Valentine for Saheed also.

Valencia Marathon - Sunday 16th November 2014

Richard's report.

I first visited Valencia 2 years ago and loved it so having seen an advert for the marathon jumped at the opportunity to return and knowing it to be flat the potential to go sub 3 hours 30 or failing that at least a pb (plus the chance for some warm winter sunshine of course!)

I arrived on Friday and went to the Expo on Saturday where I got my race number, t-shirt and kit bag fairly easily at an event which was smaller and therefore much more easily manageable than others I had been to.The race started and finished at the spectacular and futuristic City of Arts and Science the following day.

I got there in good time and got chatting to a guy from Dublin who was having as much difficulty as me at finding the bag drop area which wasn't very well signposted at all. Eventually we found it and finding it to be quite empty of runners I took the opportunity to pop back outside and take the items I needed for the race from my kit bag before going back to drop off my bag. By then it was rammed full with runners and everyone seemed to be jostling and not actually moving anywhere. I started to wonder if I was going to get out alive (never mind drop off my bag in time) as it was in an underground car park so there was no room for people to spread out.

Eventually I got to the drop off point for my race number and went back outside to go through my pre-race stretches and to take my place in the 3rd of five starting pens. In next to no time it was 9 o'clock and we were off.

We started off over a bridge and then turned right to head down towards the seafront area and spent a lot of the first few kilometres snaking in and out of roads in that area including a few bits where the course doubled back on itself allowing us to pass fellow runners going the other way. That meant the kilometres got ticked off fairly quickly and I found myself going along at my pre-planned pace and began to inch a bit ahead of my time (up to 2 minutes ahead at my best point) as we approached and went over halfway.

Past halfway the course went back towards the City of Arts and Science before following the course of the old River Turia (now redirected, dried up and turned into a lovely park which snakes its way through the city) Just past the Mestalla Stadium we crossed a bridge at which point I went past a guy having a right old rant at himself. How I wished I spoke Spanish so I could understand what he was shouting about!

We now headed through the historic old part of town and just after 28k went right past the hotel I was staying in. If only I'd known I could have left my supplies for the second half of the race out on the front desk instead of carrying them round with me! It would have been very easy to pop in as there weren't many barriers on the course and that meant some runners had cyclists riding with them carrying their supplies and one runner even had his partner roller-blading along beside him!

From there we turned back towards and over the Turia and out to the Bioparc where the course reached its furthest point from the start. We were heading towards 34k which was the point I had allowed my times to drop as I usually tire in the later stages of long races but the problem was this time I was tiring more than usual.

I plodded on as best I could for the next few kilometres and as I went past the 37k marker told myself it's just a park run left to do! At this point we headed back to the old part of town past the splendid Art Deco North Station but I was getting slower and slower and was down to almost walking pace.

Swarms of runners were now going past me, in fact the only people I seemed to be passing were those at the side of the road receiving treatment for cramp. I knew I was now in danger of missing my 3.30 target and finally abandoned that hope at about 40k when the 3.30 runner went sprinting past me like he was Usain Bolt!

I decided to refocus my efforts to at least get a pb and put in one last push as we rejoined the Turia on the other side and headed back to the City of Arts and Science. The big buildings from there loomed up ahead but the only problem was no matter how many steps I took they didn't seem to be getting any closer.

Eventually I reached them and went down the ramp onto the cobbles leading to the finish line (cobbles at 26 miles - whose bright idea was that?!)One last turn brought me onto the platform that had been built over one of the pools so you finished the race over water and I estimated I had about 250 metres to go and about 2 minutes to get a pb.

By now the noise from the crowd was deafening and that plus the fantastic setting and novelty of running over water gave me one final burst of energy to push me to and over the finish line and a time of 3.33.43 - a pb by 47 seconds!

I was shattered but pleased and gave myself plenty of time to recover and reflect before turning my thoughts to a nice cold cerveza!I would recommend the race and city to anyone (providing they can sort out the bag drop area). Definately a pb course and hopefully others from ELR will do it one day.



Richard in a previous race.

Rugged Radnage 10km - Sunday 16th November 2014

374 finishers.

After Adoption 10km, Regents Park - Sunday 16th November 2014

793 finishers.

Mo Run 5km, Battersea Park - Sunday 16th November 2014

779 finishers.

Rodings Rally - 5 point event - Saturday 15th November 2014 to Sunday 16th Novembe

East London Runners finished in 3rd place after 3hrs & 10 minutes with Edward Barnard, Jimmy Hartwell & Matt Evans.

London Cross Country Championships , Hampstead Heath - Saturday 15th November 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

ELR Ladies and Mens Teams plus No 1 Supporter, Club Treasurer Don Bennett!

Maya's day (some expletives deleted!).

Follow the muddy people from the station. Crikey, some of them are truly filthy. Oh. They have rugby kit on. Ok. Calm down Maya. Right. So I'm bloody SURE that hill didn't look that steep in the photos.

Yep. It feels like I'm a horse at the start of the Grand National. Oh MY. He has a starter gun! No sirens here. Where's Chris Hoy and his horn? And GO.

Start strong, I can hear the boys shouting for us. Don't stop Maya.
WHEN IS THE BLOODY TOP COMING? This hill is just awful. Finally, the top. And a down. Now if I could just stop my lungs from burning, I could think about running properly.

Ok. I'm feeling better now. Keep going. Splosh splosh. You are KIDDING ME. UP AGAIN??? Don't walk Maya. Ooh. Look. I could actually overtake that skinny girl in black wearing headphones! Ok. Stay calm. Just keep going... I'm gaining... I'm gaining... I'm actually OVERTAKING.... YIPPEEE. I'm not last! Just make sure she doesn't catch me.

Holy cow. Another bloody hill. But look, people are walking! You could walk too Maya. No don't walk. Walk. No don't walk. Please walk! NO DONT WALK! Oh. I'm walking... Right. That's enough. Run again.

Look, I could catch another person! She's walking, just don't walk and you'll have her. Ha! Gotcha lady!

Oh. She just over took me again. Dammit. Oh well. I still have skinny headphones girl behind me. Really?? Another UP?? Sod this. I'm walking. Oh, but look, walking girl is walking again. Cmon Maya, RUN. Nope. Can't catch her.

What's that you say Marshall? Downhill to the halfway point? Really? FANBLOODYTASTIC. Watch your step Maya, don't slip. So this is easier. What's that noise? Look! It's the boys team! What a racket they are making! Keep going let them see how you're coping ok.

Right. Halfway. Bloody hell this is tough. And look. That awful hill again. Don't walk Maya. It's no good. I have to walk. Hang ON a cotton pickin minute. The boys are at the top of the hill to cheer already?? How on earth did they get there so fast??

Bugger. Now I can't walk. Yes Grant I'm trying to use my core, but this hill hurts! But there's walking girl again. This time she's MINE. Gotcha. Downhill again. Ignore your lungs Maya, you've done it once, you can do it again. Just find your breath quickly on this down, because.... Yep. There's an up again.

Ok. You can walk a little bit. No WAY. How do they do that?? Those bloody boys seem to miraculously appear just as my legs want to give up! Ok ok, I'm running. Did you hear that Maya? They're proud of you! Don't get emotional, just keep MOVING.

Last long up. Look over your shoulder, don't worry, she's way behind. Have a little walk. No flipping WAY. Those boys are stalkers! Every hill they've been there to stop me stopping!

Ok. I'll keep trying and pushing. Occupy your mind Maya, think about your race report. Would you do this race again? No I bloody won't. It's soooo hard.

And now it's the final down. Stretch your legs and go a bit quicker... Don't slip now.. LOOK! It's my girls! They're running to meet me! And now they're running with me!

The finish line is right there! I've done it!

No time to rest though, we have to run to the start to cheer the boys as they start in a minute, hurry hurry, phew, made it.

COME ON ELR!!

So there you go. My thoughts as I ran, pretty much verbatim. I wasn't last. I was very muddy. And actually, would I run it again? You betcha.



Maya in action!

parkrun- all venues - Saturday 15th November 2014

Grand Union Canal Half Marathon - Sunday 9th November 2014

770 finishers.

Royal Parks 10km Winter Series, Greenwich Park - Sunday 9th November 2014

Sarvar Half Marathon - Saturday 8th November 2014

Former ELR member Lee ran the Sarvar Half Marathon in Hungary, his first half since 2009 and recorded a very good time of 1.32.44, a new PB.

242 finishers.

Loughton AC Vets Cup - Saturday 8th November 2014

Grant Conway appeared as a guest runner in a Vet's XC between Loughton, Orion & Eton Manor in a 3.5 mile challenge. ELR have been invited to enter a vet's team next year if we can.

The Bexhill Poppy Half Marathon - Saturday 8th November 2014

984 finishers.

parkrun- all venues (all Wanstead unless indicated) - Saturday 8th November 2014

Sophie reaches her 100th parkrun as Maud & Patrick collect there 100 shirts. First place and a pb for Russell at Wanstead , also first finish places for Patrick, Karen & Sarah. Course pb's for Morgan at Wanstead & Mary OBrien at Valentine's. Large turnout at Wanstead Flats of 19 ELR's.

Chingford League Fixture 2- Redbridge Cycle Track 5K, Hog Hill, Hainault. - Tuesday 4th November 2014

Finishers:- 124 men, 52 ladies. Times to be confirmed.

Regents Park 10km Winter Series - Sunday 2nd November 2014

420 finishers.

Lode 11 mile half Marathon - Sunday 2nd November 2014

Russell reports: Entered two half marathons this year, one cancelled due to a foot of flowing water and today's cut short due to police breaking up a rave..
Personally I think it would have made a good cheer station..?
Need a half marathon before the end of the year as I've pb - ed at every other distance!

Billericay 10km - Sunday 2nd November 2014

575 finishers.

Thames Meander Marathon - Saturday 1st November 2014

322 finishers.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10km Series - Event 2 - Saturday 1st November 2014

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 1st November 2014

Dublin Marathon - Monday 27th October 2014

Stort 30 - Sunday 26th October 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Stort 30, Sunday 26th October - 30 miles (off road), 5hrs 20 mins (ish) - still waiting to official time to be posted on line, but I was just glad to be able to finish!

Having tasted the delights of ultra running at the Royal Parks ultra a couple of weeks ago, in my lunacy, I decided to throw myself into another one. It turns out that, relatively speaking, it was perfectly same as I was put to shame by a group of runners who had competed the Beechyhead marathon the day before.

It was a small, but well organised run, well marshalled with food stops every five miles, serving red bull cakes. The narrow paths made it hard to overtake and you could only go as fast as the people in front of you, although in my case, that didn't really make a difference.

The course itself was flat, but the conditions underfoot weren't great. There were a lot of muddy sections and stony sections which really took it out of the feet. I was glad to reach the last section of the race which was on Tarmac, even though it was uphill.

Sadly, the red bull cakes didn't give me wings so I had to stumble to the finish the old fashioned way.




After my second ultra in a matter of weeks, my legs aren't happy with me!

Sunday League Cross Country Fixture 1 - Cheshunt - 26th October 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

366 finishers, 243 men & 123 ladies.

Marathon Toulouse Metropole - Sunday 26th October 2014

Frankfurt Marathon - Sunday 26th October 2014

BUPA Great South Run - Sunday 26th October 2014

also Alex Day 65th in 58.22.

Old Deer Park Richmond Half Marathon - Sunday 26th October 2014

400 finishers.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 25th October 2014

Quickest time of the week goes to Russell at Valentine's in 18.11 with John Booth's 1st place at Medina, Isle Of Wight in 18.53. Fastest lady was Claire at Hackney in 21.12. Celia was 1st lady (23.08) at Wanstead with Lauren 2nd in a course pb of 23.20.
Course pb at Valentine for Saheed Shabbir. Jamie was doing some very precise pacing at Walthamstow for 24 minutes with 24.02.Thanks to Bernadett & Patrick for volunteering this week. Finally a couple of members very close to there 100th run's with Sophie at 98 and Dan Spinks doing his 99th.
Where's the 100th going to be Dan?.

Curry Night - Thursday 24th October 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

ELVIS Final point's and placing's. - Thursday 23rd October 2014

Chelmsford Marathon - Sunday 19th October 2014

958 finishers.

Amsterdam Marathon - Sunday 19th October 2014

12,197 finishers.

Mizuno Amsterdam Half Marathon - Sunday 19th October 2014

14,251 finishers.

Birmingham Half Marathon - Sunday 19th October 2014

14,551 finishers.

Cabbage Patch 10 - Sunday 19th October 2014

Jill Oliver 10km, Edmonton - Sunday 19th October 2014

229 finishers.

SEAA Cross Country Relays, Wormwood Scrubs - Saturday 18th October 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Well done to our team at the South of England x country relay champs at Wormwood Scrubs today.

A quick and easy journey across town to White City on the central line to the race venue at the Linford Christie Stadium to register the team.
Russell Price led us off on the first leg, followed by yours truly, then Patrick Brown ran leg 3 and Paul Thompson brought us home. All the team gave it their all and I think we all had fast times over the 5k distance on a relatively flat course in a well organised event that gave us a chance to compete against some international athletes in a strong field.
Thanks to our 3 supporters as well, Julie Brown, her mum and beautiful baby Annalise. Next year we should try and field at least two teams. Grant.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 18th October 2014

Congratulations to Kate Brett on her 50th parkrun. Couldn't quite believe my eyes at parkrun when i saw not only Ava on her 2nd parkrun since May 13, but Danny as well on his first. 5 ELR's in the first 8 finishers with Alex Day in 2nd place also. 1st places for Euan & Ava , also Thomas at Oak Hill and Katherine at Valentine's. 10 runner's broke the 70% age grades. A slight finishing token's problem at Wanstead but think we sorted it out.

Royal Parks Ultra 50km Run - Sunday 12th October 2014

Really enjoyed the run, the weather was perfect, the route was fairly flat, with a few lumps around Richmond, the off road sections took its toll. I faded quite badly after 30k and the last 10k was extremely painful!

Perkins Great Eastern Run 2014 - Sunday 12th October 2014

Swindon Half Marathon - Sunday 12th October 2014

950 finishers. I ran the Swindon Half Marathon in 2:07:07 chip time, Gun time 2:08:37, 657 out of 950 finishers. It was a scenic but hilly course, last hill nearly killed me.... Someone told me at mile 8 it is the 3rd toughest half marathon in this country, not sure if that is true but it definitely felt possible

The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon - Sunday 12th October 2014

Well done to Helen who was running in her first marathon.
1,731 finishers.

Royal Parks Half Marathon - Sunday 12th October 2014

14,718 finishers.

Oxford Half Marathon - Sunday 12th October 2014

4,461 finishers.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 11th October 2014

Congratulations to Patrick & Maud on reaching there 100 landmark.
Also to Kate Brett as parkrunner of the month at Wanstead Flats. First place finishes for Patrick, Thomas, Dan G & Katherine and 2nd places for Aaron, Dan S, Spencer & Birthday Girl... Claire Parker.
Course pb's at Wanstead for Sheetal & Bernadett and Maya does her tourist bit at Walthamstow. Among our 2nd claimer's Allan Todd did a 18.13 pb & Dennis continued his tourist runs at the 1st Panshanger parkrun near Ware & Hertford.
And finally parkrun have introduced a club rundown of all ELR's running round the country so that make's my job a lot easier and nowhere to hide.

Chingford League Fixture 1- Redbridge Cycle Track 5K, Hog Hill, Hainault. - Tuesday 7th October 2014

Men's Senior team 4th and Vets team 5th (out of 11).
Women's Senior Team 7th and Vets team 7th (out of 11).
Total of 130 Men, 58 Women and a number of non-scoring guest runners.

Copped Hall 5 mile - Sunday 5th October 2014

Southend 10k Classic - Sunday 5th October 2014

972 finishers.

River Thames Half Marathon - Sunday 5th October 2014

Mablethorp Marathon - Sunday 5th October 2014

MBNA Chester Marathon - Sunday 5th October 2014

2422 finishers. Excellent debut marathon from Gavin.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10km Series - Event 1 - Saturday 4th October 2014

101 finishers.

parkrun - all venue's (10th Birthday) - Saturday 4th October 2014

ELVIS 7 : Valentine Park 5km - Sunday 28th September 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

200 finishers.

Please see Race Results here. here



Claire, Karen, Ava and Sylvia after the race!

The ELR members who were in Valentines Park early on Sunday morning to set up the course and the race were thankful that the fine September weather had remained overnight. There was no wind and a high temperature for early morning. By the time the race had started the sun was out and there were plenty of hot perspiring runners crossing the finishing line later.


This race was the 7th and last in the ELVIS Race Series 2014 and once again female runners from east London Runners dominated for the Ladies and Ilford AC for the Men. Both these teams were to win the overall ELVIS 2014 Team races.

Individually for ELR Karen Levison was 1st Female overall in a pb time of 19.21 and Ava Lee 3rd. Sylvia Brown making her competitive debut for ELR had a great race too. The mens race saw Iford AC have a one two with ELR' Euan Brown in a creditable 3rd place.

With 48 runners finishing for ELR we were once again the largest team competing and as can be see in the results all had fine performances.

Special thanks go to all of those from ELR who helped to plan and organise the race both beforehand and on the day. We also again thank Martin Clarke of Ilford AC for his help and guidance.

There was a great turnout of runners and helpers from ELR and it was especially great to see the children having fun in both helping and in their own race after the main event.

The full ELVIS 2014 results will be availble soon and will be published separately together with reports from our ELVIS Captains Ninette Fernandes and Grant Conway.






Please see Race Results here. here ELR Members results can also be seen in our Results Page on this website.

Saints & Sinners Half Marathon, Boulder City, Nevada - Sunday 28th September 2014

606 finishers.

Henley Half Marathon Trail Run - Sunday 28th September 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

157 finishers.



Mike: Congratulations to Roisin who won a trophy for finishing 2nd lady. A great run on a tricky course. This was a stunning half marathon, set on a beautiful part of The River Thames in Henley.
Roisin reports: Very chuffed, my first trophy. Not a PB but pretty happy with 1.35 considering it was a trail. Lots of hills, uneven terrain and gates etc. to contend with. Vino definitely on the menu tonight!

PZU Warsaw Marathon - Sunday 28th September 2014

Berlin Marathon - Sunday 28th September 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Loch Ness Marathon - Sunday 28th September 2014

Wayne Kelly reports: My debut marathon mini report. Lochness marathon. The day started at 5.30 am. Breakfast in the hotel then off to bougt park, Inverness to get the coach which transported us to the start near Fort William. We were dropped off in the middle of nowhere about an hour before the 10am start. 4000 people at the start waiting for the off. A bit cold but dry. First few miles were down hill. Tried not to go off too fast. Course was very undulating, some hills larger than others. The course took us down to the east side of the loch for 20 miles. Tried to keep to a 10 minute pace, which was working until 16 miles. Then each mile after took a little longer. The hills were starting to take their toll. At 20 miles hit the largest hill which went on for a mile. Had to walk for that. The rest of the run consisted of some slow running and walking until the finish back at bougt park, Inverness. My time was 5.12:24 for the lochness marathon.

Ealing Half Marathon - Sunday 28th September 2014

Paul Quinton reports: I ran Ealing half marathon this morning. A very well organised race and very well supported by the locals who were out in their numbers cheering on the runners and handing out much needed oranges and sweets in the last few miles. An undulating course so maybe not PB potential but still a great race all round, definitely recommend it. My unofficial time, 78:54. Great to see all the ELR results from the marathons coming in, inspirational stuff!!

Paris to Versailles Grand Classique - Sunday 28th September 2014

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 27th September 2014

sss - 21st September 2014

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Bristol Half Marathon - Sunday 21st September 2014

Finsbury Park 10km - Sunday 21st September 2014

91 finishers.

Resolution 10k Hyde Park - Sunday 21st September 2014

214 finishers

Pleshey & Essex Half Marathon - Sunday 21st September 2014

Also life member Simon Morgan running for Tiptree Road Runners - 91.40 (81st) and second claim member Dennis Sherwood -1.48.00 (225th).

403 finishers.

Ava Lee reports: Really enjoyed the race today. Maybe one of my all time favourites. Thanks a lot for getting us there and back Andrew Baxter. Lovely to see Patrick and Julie too. Very friendly, well organised, lovely route through the Essex countryside. Would thoroughly recommend to other ELRs for next year. Oh, forgot to mention the post race massages, good post race T shirt, home baking and bacon rolls. What more can you ask for!

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 20th September 2014

Cooper Test : Track Night - Monday 15th September 2014

James Horgan 3150 Maura Barrett 2000 Alex Brown 2500 Lucy Leddy 2750

If you are looking for a simple way to assess your fitness you will find that you can easily determine your VO2 max with the 12 minute Cooper Test.

VO2max is considered the best way to measure cardio fitness, so a simple test that anyone can do is to be welcomed.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_test

Buttermere Open Water Swim 10km - Sunday 15th September 2014

That was the most horrific thing i have ever done. 10k swim with 3 tea and cake stops took a never ending 3hrs 58mins. I've never wanted to quit anything quite so badly. But the aim was to complete it so proud to say job done.

London Duathlon Ultra - Sunday 14th September 2014

Run 1(20km) 1.50.59, T1 2.03, Bike(80km) 2.56.48, T2 4.51, Run 2(10km) 1.05.01

Tough but enjoyable day out, delighted to have finally done this in under six hours. Tough bike conditions as there was a really strong headwind which, at one point, was taking between 5 and 10 miles per hour off my bike speed on the Roehampton end of Richmond Park.

I now have just under a month to recover in time for the Royal Parks ultra!

Eton Dorney HSBC Olympic Distance Triathlon Relay - Sunday 14th September 2014

Paul Browne 1 mile swim 37.29, T1 1.28, Dave Chapman : Cycle - 1.33.50, T2 1.21,and Jayne Browne 10km - 56.23 - Total 3.10.31.

Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon - Sunday 14th September 2014

332 Finishers

Tallina Half Marathon, Estonia - Sunday 14th September 2014

Run To The Beat 10km, Wembley - Sunday 14th September 2014

Ingatestone 5m - Sunday 14th September 2014

133 finishers.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 13th September 2014

At Wanstead someone ran through finish line after only 1 lap so after James & Dan most Wanstead times should be the one after your recorded times. May be corrected later in week.

Great North Run 2014 - Sunday 7th September 2014

Cheltenham Half Marathon - Sunday 7th September 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

2944 finishers.

Maidenhead Half Marathon - Sunday 7th September 2014

1666 finishers

Regents Park 10km Summer Series - Sunday 7th September 2014

522 finishers

Foster's Law Kent Coastal Marathon - Sunday 7th September 2014

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

202 finishers.

parkruns - Saturday 6th September 2014

LGN Inter-Advertising 5K - Thursday 04th September 2014

Hokkaido Marathon, Japan - Sunday 31st August 2014

Arrived at the start area this morning with about 30 minutes to spare , weather was already quite hot and was forecast to get to 27 Celsius by noon with no cloud cover , so with that in mind , I had already resigned myself to a slower time that I would otherwise have expected , if running in Europe , also I had been placed in the last corral (F).
The previous Day I had come down to the expo to collect my running number and timing chip , whilst there I found some stats from previous years events , for instance the completion rate in 2006 was only 52.4% and averaged only 81% in the years up to the present , that's a lot of DNF,s.
Just before race start , I waited in the Queue to use the toilet , however when I came out everyone had gone and my corral had been closed and had moved forward.
I was directed to use the corral behind (G) which were the fun runners , who start directly after all the marathon runners have left and follow the marathon course for about the first 10K.
The course itself consists of a Single 10K loop , followed by an almost straight out and back for the remainder.
The first 10K were really slow as There was no way of getting past the many thousands of fun runners in front of me , so rather than try to weave in and out and suffer the consequences later on in the race , I just went along with there pace until they branched off and found my self with more space - lots more space as I had almost the whole marathon field in front of me.
As 10K turned into 15K , I began to feel the heat of the Sun as the temperature increased and tried to run in whatever shade became available. But as I began to reel in ever increasing numbers of back markers , everyone wanted to run in shade creating yet more congestion.
During the middle section of the race , from around 17 to 34 there was no shade as we ran along a wide straight dual carriageway to the 25k mark where we U turned back and headed back to Sapporo and although at this point the was a lot more room to run , the heat was beginning to take it,s toll on the runners and the pace began to slow , with many walking now.
On the way back we could see the other runners heading up to the turn and before long a truck was coming along taking runners off the course as there is a quite severe time limit of 5 Hours and another reason why so many do not finish , so a bit of a double edged sword with the heat to contend with as well.
The remaining 8K was ran through narrower roads and a few Kms through a park which led on to the final 1.5 km through the Town Centre to the finish in Odori Park where we started.
The course was fairly flat with only about 3 small hills going over bridges to deal with.
Reasons to be cheerful :
My time of 4hrs 29min 58sec was favourably comparable with other hot weather marathons that I have completed in the past ie :- Bangkok , Singapore.
I managed to run (albeit rather slowly) the whole distance from start to finish , without walking at any point - a first for a hot weather marathon.
My finishing position of 5,917th meant I must have passed approx 7,000 runners during the race , as I started in last position and there were 13,000 starters.

Amsterdam next up.

Putney & Fulham Riverside Half Marathon - Sunday 31st August 2014

323 finishers.

UFD Dance Half Marathon, Hackney Marshes - Sunday 31st Aug 2014

Malmesbury Carnival 10km - Saturday 30th August 2014

227 finishers. Caroline reports:- This race was important to me, as I entered for it when I took up running again after a 2 year break, and I found reading posts on this group really helped motivate me to get back into running and do things to sort out my injuries. At the time I entered I could hardly run a mile, and it shows how good it is to have goals. The Malmesbury 10k was a hilly but very beautiful course so I'm pleased with the time. Sadly they've just postponed the Malmesbury half marathon to next Spring.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 30th August 2014

ELVIS 6 : Barking Park 5km - Monday 25th August 2014

Last years times in brackets.

Bollington 10km - Sunday 24th August 2014

293 finishers.

Brixton 10km, Brockwell Park - Sunday 24th August 2014

260 finishers.

Adelaide Half Marathon - Sunday 24th August 2014

973 finishers, Sam arrived on Thursday and ran 1.27.35 in the Adelaide Half Marathon with an age grade of 67.61% ranking him 4th in his age grade 20 - 24.
Second place in the half went to Steve Moneghetti in 1.15.31, age grade 89.43% (50 - 54)

parkrun : Torrens, South Australia - Saturday 23rd August 2014

Thames Meander Half Marathon - Saturday 23rd August 2014

268 finishers. Roisin writes: Hi. Did the Thames Meander Half on Saturday. Only a small event but really nice route up the thames paths from Kingston area to Kew and back. Off road with some uneven surfaces but pretty flat course. Only down sides were very few marshals and no mile markers. Plus paths (some quite narrow) are still open to the public so lots of weaving in and out to avoid collisions and slows you down a bit. Nice race though with some lovely views along the way. If anyone fancies it there is a winter one lined up for November 1st and still open for entries.

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 23rd August 2014

Strandloop Oostende 9km, Belgium - Friday 22nd August 2014

Isle of Wight Half Marathon - Sunday 17th August 2014

also Alex Day 10th in 1.23.00.

Tough Mudder - Sunday 17th August 2014

Read Julie's report here - toofattorun.co.uk/tough-mudder-2014/#

Roseland August Trail : Red Rat route from Portloe to Porthpean - Saturday 16th August 2014

Andrew's report:
My race report from Roseland August Trail (R.A.T.) Red route (20 miles). Apologies for a rather lengthy self-indulgent write up but I know (hope) some of you like a detailed report!!

This race was too good an opportunity to miss – sitting in the middle of a fortnight’s holiday to Cornwall and coinciding with the need to get a 20 miler in as part of my build up to Dublin Marathon in late October.

Arrived at the event village early Saturday morning for registration, kit check and pre-race safety briefing. Then at 9.30am, after a quick goodbye to family, we were whisked off by coach to the tiny fishing village of Portloe – walking the final mile, as the roads became too narrow for the coaches, to what has to be the most scenic start for a race ever; on the slip way into the crystal clear waters of this cove.

Excitement built as the first green (64 mile) and black (32 mile) route runners came through as we waited for the start at 11am – I couldn’t believe how good the green runners looked considering they’d been out since midnight and already had 40 odd miles on the clock, absolutely awe inspiring.

Then it was our turn – no time at all to ease into things, with a tough climb up out of the village and on to the cliff tops, that set the tone for the rest of the route. Lots of stopping and starting at this point as the field settled down with very limited space to overtake, including the green and black route runners we’d been cheering minutes before (although they very generously stepped aside, and offered encouragement, whenever they could to let us through).

A few miles in and I started to settle into things, resigning myself to fact that they’d be no easy miles to tick off on this one, and even began to enjoy myself – getting into a rhythm of power walking the worst inclines and making the most of the less steep of the descents and limited amounts of less hilly terrain to up the pace and run steady wherever I could.

Veryan Bay passed with puzzled looks and applause from holiday makers in some of the, up until now, most secluded of beaches. Then on and up over Dodman Point – I knew this would be a tough one from the course instructions, but it was ok and cruising down the other side towards Gorran Haven I felt very strong. Into Gorran, and the first checkpoint and huge cheers from white (11 mile) route runners waiting for their start. Quick glug of water and up and out the other side – still feeling good at this point, even time to dwell on an early childhood memory of playing in the rock pools here, as I passed the beach and headed up towards Chapel Point.

Then out of the blue, about 12 miles in, things got very tough – started to
feel very heavy legged and had to force myself to start running again at the
top of the climbs, not helped by it now being my turn to step-aside as fresh
legged white start runners came past (hopefully I showed the same grace that
green and black route runners had shown me what felt an age ago). I felt
progressively worse as we hit a bit of tarmac going into Portmellon, and then
down into Mevagissey I started to struggle in the heat with the sun reflecting
off the white buildings, and looked enviously at the families eating ice cream
and enjoying cold beers on the harbour wall (I’m supposed to be on holiday too,
why am I doing this?). Was a horrible slog for the next few miles, feet were
burning and I was really battling the demons in my head, until, out of nowhere
I’m in Pentewan and at the final checkpoint.

Decided to take a bit of time out here – stretching legs and making the most of the huge range of refreshments available. A coke(!), some water melon, an orange and an ice pop must have done the trick as suddenly 5 miles didn’t seem such a long way to the finish, and despite these being incredibly tough with one relentless climb after another with equally as tricky stepped descents, I started to find a new albeit slower, rhythm. I was even passing one or two of the white route runners who’d overtaken me a hour or so earlier.

Finally we got the cry from a marshall to turn inland and that there was only half a mile a go – so what if it was all steep up hill, by now I didn’t expect anything less and wasn’t going stop – even picking up a few places along the way and managing a wave, as I crossed the line, to family who’d had their own endurance event patiently waiting five and a half hours for me to return. What dedication from them.

Final time 3.53.54. 22nd place (bit of confusion as listed 18th in initial results but really doesn’t matter) in what is by far the hardest event I’ve ever done.

Absolutely brilliant from start to finish, superb organisation, great camaraderie out on the course and, best of all, a unique way to experience some truly fantastic parts of the Cornish coastline.

One I’d recommend to all ELRs whether it be the 11 miler, the 20 or, for certain club members who think nothing of silly distances, the 32 or 64 mile runs!

parkrun - all venue's (age grades) - Saturday 16th August 2014

Thought this week I would have a focus on age grades with 8 runners breaking the 70% barrier. Ciaran Canavan tops the table with his debut at Barking with Patrick, Spencer debuting also with Russell all finishing in the top 11. Fiona on holidays on the Isle of Wight was top lady with 71.82%, also nearly became first finisher at Wanstead with a barcode mix-up with Euan.
Katherine Harris broke last week's 22.00 minute's, this time paced by a few male runners she was 1st lady in 21.16 moving up to 2nd placed ELR lady at Valentine's. Also her 5th pb in 6 weeks.
Gavin was away at Brockenhurst also two 2nd claim members Allan & Dan were at the inaugural Woking parkrun. Good to see Peter Rains back at Valentine's after nearly 6 months off. Course pb by Steve Bywater at Walthamstow, perhaps a chase by a certain Julie Bywater one place behind pushed him to a pb. Nine days to ELVIS 6.

Marathon Talk Magic Mile 2014 - Sunday 27th July to 10th August 2014