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Results Jan-June 2016

Track Night June - Monday 27th June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Sikhs in the City Relay Marathon - Sunday 26th June 2016

Ramesh, Manjit and Manjit's son took part in the SitC Relay Marathon as a team of 3, taking turns to run a lap of the 2k course. Their combined time was 3.09.

Brading 10K - Sunday 26th June 2016

167 finishers

Colworth Marathon Challenge - Overall standings - Friday 24th - Sunday 26th June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

157 finishers. Mens team were 1st place overall.
Also Jo Bull 5.00.18 - 124th

Colworth Marathon Challenge - Day 3 - Half Marathon - Sunday 26th June 2016

233 finishers. Mens team were 2nd place.
Also Jo Bull 2.30.07

Harry Hawkes 10 - Sunday 26th June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

537 finishers

Giant's Head Marathon - Saturday 25th June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

372 finishers

23K du Mont-Blanc - Saturday 25th June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

1527 finishers

Suffering Legend (3 race event) - Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Josh finished 34th out 267 Legends completing all three races

Colworth Marathon Challenge - Day 2 - 8.1 mile trail race - Saturday 25th June 2016

229 finishers. Mens team were 1st place.
Also Bernard Dumonteil 1.22.23, Jo Bull 1.45.28

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 25th June 2016

Orion Harriers Fast Friday - 10,000m C race - Friday 24th June 2016

20 finishers

Orion Harriers Fast Friday - Open 5000m - Friday 24th June 2016

21 finishers

Colworth Marathon Challenge - Day 1 - 5 mile - Friday 24th June 2016

360 finishers. Mens team were 2nd place.
Also Bernard Dumonteil 43.45, Jo Bull 44.43

ELVIS 3 - East End Road Runners QEOP 5K - Tuesday 21st June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Rocks N Rollin Ultra, Donegal - 11k race - Sunday 19th June 2016

7 finishers.
Sally writes:
My first race report (be gentle): Flop (the dog) and I had a busy weekend. We were supposed to be double racing this weekend and changing countries in between. I had to drop out of the Brutal 10 on Saturday due to poor logistical planning and stuck with a very slow park run with a friend who is getting back to running - suited me (see below). We got the overnight ferry to Ireland and our 12km started at 11am Sunday morning in Moville, Co. Donegal. The views were nice, the weather was horrendous, so no surprises there. Still we plodded on up the hills, down the hills, up more hills, all off road and muddy and then finished with 3 miles along a fast (for cars) road. I had a friend who was running and she had had a massive loss in confidence so being the good (and VERY lazy) person that I am I ran with her. Which was a lot slower than my pace, if that's possible at all. We even had to walk some of the ups. But I thoroughly enjoyed running at a pace a lot slower than mine, as it made me realise I'm better at running than I think and I enjoyed the chat the whole way round. We finished in 1:25 by my watch. I'll be out tomorrow for another 10km as I have lots of miles left in my legs as a result.
Next Saturday is the big one - Gaelforce North - a gruelling 65km cross country (inc some cycling) with the odd mountain we have to run up and down.
Flop got a medal this morning for her effort (which was greater than mine, her effort not the medal) and everyone donated their tuna sandwiches to her cause.

Amba Hotel's City of London Mile - Sunday 19th June 2016

2819 finishers

Stuart writes:
The City Mile.
Yes it's a long way to go on a Sunday morning just to run a mile, But it's a free event and well organised.

I bumped into a few ELR members at South Woodford Station and we travelled together, Not long after arriving at St Paul's a few more ELR turned up. The sun was out and I felt good.

I was in wave four 10:30 along with loads of other ELR. Standing around waiting the nerves kicked in no way could I beat my time from Westminster a couple of weeks ago.
The gun goes and we're off. Lots of people to get past and lots getting past me, Before you know it my watch buzzes that 1Km has gone I look down and the time looks ok. 400m to go and I think of track and Grant Conway saying one fast lap, however this 400m seems to be a hill. 200 meters I can hear the band and see the finish line I try to sprint but my little legs are having none of it, across the line and pause the watch. It could be a PB I need to wait for the text. I meet up with ELR for a photo call, then I get the text, yes I get a PB. Thanks to all at the club for helping me achieve this. Now the matter of Colworth.

South Downs Trail Marathon - Saturday 18th June 2016

397 finishers

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 18th June 2016

John Clarke Memorial Fell Race - Friday 17th June 2016

Maya writes :
Walking a long, steep downhill past piles sawdust to the start of a race is more than a little unnerving... At back of the start pack I giggled with the other nervous women about why we doing this and not drinking win in front of the telly.

The Race Director starts to talk:
'This is the only fell race inside the M25. It's about 3 miles, with 6 hills. Fell races are known for their sociability and simplicity, just runners running and having fun, this one is no different'

And we're off. Straight up Pole Hill. I'm at the back pretty much straight away. After about 100 meters I start to walk, but it's not like Parliament Hill, cos I'm not the only walker. Everyone at this end of the pack is walking now, and breathing heavily. It's so steep. I'm eye level with a lot of bottoms in Lycra.

And then it flattens out. Phew. I start to run and it feels good to be on the flat. Not for long though. Into the forest, and then.... Down! I still have down hill fears after falling over earlier in the year, and it's slippery and muddy, so I don't race, just try and get to the bottom safely. And then immediately into an up. Look at my screenshot - it was up down up down up down. Never a moment to get into a pace.

But that meant you never had a chance to realise how tough it was. The race director was right, it was fun! A woman in front of me had 'Loopy' on the back of her shirt. I laughed at its appropriateness. So did she. She said 'isn't this the best way to spend a Friday night!' I thought about it. And then laughed. 'You know what, YES!' There were low level branches to duck under. Brambles that would whip your legs (I have NO idea how the speedsters weren't covered in scratches), tree roots to watch out for.

Lots of the downs were through forest. The dusky light and leave cover made it feel ethereal. So very beautiful. And then, after a short flat...
'Just through there love, mind the roots and go though the small gap. We've put a bit of a view on for you..'

So I run into a dark little path, through a gap in the hedge, and WOW... JUST WOW. I'm at the top of a hill. The very top. And I can see for miles and miles. Right out over a massive reservoir and you could see what felt like the whole of London. It was like the top of the world. I grinned and grinned and ran down the field. It felt like I was flying.

I said to the marshal at the bottom 'that was the most incredible thing I've ever done!' He smiled. 'Hold that thought for the next hill' Oh. Yes, I remember now... Running down one while the speedsters were running up on their way home. That penultimate hill was hard work, just keep on walking Maya. And laugh at the craziness.

I knew it finished going to the top of Pole Hill again. The same one we'd started on. This last hill was tough. Just walking it was hard work. Really hard work, I just wanted to stop moving altogether and have a sit down. Round a corner and one last little up to the finish. I find enough to run the last 50 meters. Touch the obelisk and I'm done.

3.21 miles in 47:17, and I wasn't last! It was hard work. But just brilliant. £3 entry AND we got a free glass of Prosecco at the end. Perfect.

St Albans Half Marathon - Sunday 12th June 2016

2407 finishers
Ramesh writes:
Very well organised, similar to Bedford, undulating through country lanes. Great support all the way round with lots of jelly baby jars. I guess I should be pleased with 70.2 age grading.

Runthrough Olympic Park 10K - Sunday 12th June 2016

814 finshers

Runthrough Olympic Park 5K - Sunday 12th June 2016

292 finishers

Southend Half Marathon - Sunday 12th June 2016

1998 finishers

Mizuno Endure24 - Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th June 2016

Boz & Carlton took part in the Endure24 24 hour race as part of Team Boz's Boys. The team covered 120 miles between them.

Man v Horse - Saturday 11th June 2016

665 finishers. Some of them were horses.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 11th June 2016

ELVIS 2 - Havering 90's Midweek 5 - Tuesday 7th June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

219 Finishers. Previous years shown.

First posted 7.6.2016, and finishing positions updated 8.6.2016

Worthing 10k - Sunday 5th June 2016

Regents Park 10k series - Sunday 5th June 2016

Lakeland Trail Half Marathon Challenge - Sunday 5th June 2016

407 Finishers

John reports:
So, while it's fresh in my ELVIS addled brain, a brief report on the Coniston Lakeland Trails half marathon I ran on Sunday. I was booked in to run the marathon but swapped for the half as I was under-trained for the distance, particularly on hilly trails billed as "One of the hardest and most picturesque Marathons in the world". Both of these points held true for the half as well. As a trail novice I was surprised to see people around me walking up the first hill and I happily jogged passed them thinking I knew what I was doing. By the 3rd very steep and loose terrain ascent within the first few miles I realised that these people knew exactly what they were doing so happily copied their game-plan. It went against the grain to begin with walking up the steepest ascents, but it gave me time to get stuck into the water in my Camel-back, it was 27 degrees, and running up them would have been virtually impossible (for me!) The scenery around the Lakes is stunning and I had time to appreciate it. Once i's got used to the idea of it all I became quite comfortable and thanks to several of Grant Conways hill sessions in Claybury Park had the confidence to let go on the down hills, making up a lot of time and pinching people back who had gone past me on the ascents. My mile splits ranged from sub 7.00 minutes to nearly 12.00. The descents were scary in parts as they were very steep with loose stone underfoot, concentration and confidence all the way down was the only way to do it and I was really pleased with how I handled them. There were five races on the course at the same time, all with different start times, so I had no real idea where I placed so just completely ran my own race and tried to enjoy it, which I did. Once we came out of the hills around mile 11 the course led back around stunning Coniston Water to the finish by the boating club. it was marshalled and signed excellently, with an array of goodies and foods at the water stations. Through the finish and straight into the lake with several other runners to cool down, the thing my muscles were begging for the most at that point, very cold lake water. I ran 1.56:53 and was very pleased to have gone under 2 hours but had no idea how I compared to the rest of my race. As it turned out I placed 22 out 407 and was chuffed. Trail running like this at times felt like a different sport entirely & I have to say I loved it, I'll be back and can highly recommend this race to ELR. Lakeland Trails run several others in the area, and although its a long way to go, it's worth the trouble, loved it......

Orion Harriers Forest Five Race 1 of 3 - Saturday 4th June 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 4th June 2016

Vitality London 10000 - Monday 30th May 2016

Hatfield Broad Oak 10K - Monday 30th May 2016

1216 finishers

Mud Monsters Run 10K - Sunday 29th May 2016

750ish finishers

Vitality Westminster Mile - Sunday 29th May 2016

I haven't given positions, as the official results only give positions within the wave, which are a bit random.

Rock'n'Roll Liverpool Marathon - Sunday 29th May 2016

2524 finishers

Edinburgh Marathon - Sunday 29th May 2016

6555 finishers

European Triathlon Championships - Sunday 29th May 2016

29 finishers (in age group)
Swim 28.50, T1 1.6, Bike 1.16.50, T2 1.13, Run 45.31

Needles XC Half Marathon - Sunday 29th May 2016

350 finishers

Maverick Original Dorset Long Course (23K) - Saturday 28th May 2016

Lucy entered the 16K Medium Course, but missed the split and ended up running the course!
39 female finishers (results are published separately for men & women)

Kent Roadrunner Marathon - Saturday 28th May 2016

458 finishers

Lee Valley Velopark Half Marathon - Saturday 28th May 2016

51 finishers

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 28th May 2016

Chase the Sun Hyde Park 10K - Wednesday 25th May 2016

384 finishers

High Easter 10K - Sunday 22nd May 2016

White Peak Marathon - Saturday 21st May 2016 -

171 Finishers

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 21 May 2016

Happy 5th Birthday Wanstead!!
Congratulations to Maud and Scott for yet again winning the points competition.

Well done to Patrick Brown finishing in 1st place at Wanstead, and to Thomas Grimes finishing in 1st place at Grovelands.

Judith achieved a new PB and was 1st woman at Valentines with some shiny new PBs for Dan Slipper, Shaun Desena, Saheb Yousefi, Janet Bywater and Spencer Evans (again!)

ELVIS 1 - Dagenham 88 5ish - Wednesday 18th May 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Also
Kate Ford 52:32 203rd unaffiliated.
Jennifer Ford 52:38 204th unaffiliated

Previous year's results in parenthesis. Course: 'a bit longer'; weather: cooler and wetter!

222 Finishers

Ellie & Maya's Magic Mile - Ashton's Playing Fields - Monday 16th May 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Also Ian Grant 6.16, Stuart Hodson 7.46, Sarah Stephens 8.39, Michela Williams 8.45.
Thanks to Spencer Evans for recording the times.

Edmund Carr Great Baddow Charity Race 10M - Sunday 15th May 2016

649 finishers

Wimbledon Common Half Marathon - Sunday 15th May 2016

604 finishers

Great Ocean Road Marathon (44K) - Sunday 15th May 2016

997 finishers

Sydney Herald Half Marathon. - Sunday 15th May 2016

9,186 finishers.

Nuclear Onslaught 12K - Saturday 14th May 2016

304 finishers

Hope 24 - Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th May 2016

Bozena took part in the Hope 24 hour race as part of Team The Besties - the team covered 75 miles of which Bozena ran 25.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 14th May 2016

Chase The Sun Battersea Park 10K - Wednesday 11th May 2016

Wings for Life World Run - Sunday 8 May 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

With David Coultard in the catcher car.
Billy reports.
Thought I'd write my first race report after running the Wings for life world run this weekend in Cambridge, as pretty much no one I've spoken too has heard of it and I think it's a race well worth doing!

The race is sponsored by Redbull and 100% of the entry fee goes to the spinal cord research charity 'Wings for life', I believe around €6.6m was raised this year. It takes place simultaneously at 36 different locations around the world ranging from Brazil to Japan at 12pm GMT. The race is huge in some countries, there were almost 12000 finishers in Austria and the UK race is certainly growing from 1000 entries last year to 2500 this year following a move in location from Silverstone to Cambridge.

The unique thing about WFL is that there is no finish line! 30 minutes after you start a catcher car chases you down starting out at around 9mph and building up to around 13mph and you just run until you are caught. In Cambridge the car is driven by David Coultard, and he was there at the start line to set everyone on their way.

There was quiet a bit of time spent queuing with seperate queues for disclaimer forms, race numbers and bag drop! And then we were all held at the start for about 30 minutes so that each country was ready on time. But once we were given the signal we were underway!

The route was pretty flat and in the towns the crowd was fantastic with families bringing out sponges, hoses and water pistols, but there quite a few long spells with nothing but fields and long straight country roads. These were the hardest parts, knowing I was never going to see a finish line come into sight.

I didn't really know how far I would manage to run but I looked at what pace I'd need to complete a marathon before being caught which was around 7:10 mile pace, I kept this up until around 13 miles and then the heat started to get to me and I dropped off the pace, slowing at water stations to refuel. At around 19 miles a motorcycle came up along side me to let me know the car was approaching and I was then joined by a redbull cyclist who kept me update on how far behind the car was. I gave it one final push over the 20 mile mark before hearing the siren and being over taken by David Coultard which was my signal to finally stop running.

After being caught I had to walk around 1km to the shuttle bus which took me back to the start along with all the others that been caught around the same time as me. Back at the start there was a big screen set up and you could watch live coverage from all over the world until the final runner was caught. In the UK that was Steve Way who ran almost 40 miles, and worldwide the winner was from Italy and he ran an impressive new record of just under 55 miles!

I completed 20.63 miles for 45th place in the UK out of just over 2000 runners and 1900th place out of just under 90,000 runners world wide.

Big thanks to Chloe Millan for coming down to support me even though she could only see me at the start and when I arrived back! So she had a long time spent sitting in the park watching the big screen and checking the website to see if I was still running or not.

Also Daniel Levicki for fixing me up a couple of days before! I ran pain free and my legs actually feel quite good today.

Monster Mojo and Monster Mojito Triathlon - Sunday 8 May 2016

Vitality Hackney Half Marathon - Sunday 8 May 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

11746 finishers
Query re some finishing positions as these appear out of order on the Vitality HH website.

Scott Reports.
Warning: unnecessarily extensive Hackney Half Marathon race report!
So I did the Orion 15 race a month or so ago. As everyone says, such as a tough race! Running doesn't get any tougher than this! But yet, somehow, it was strangely enjoyable. I mean, there is no pressure to put on yourself, no expectation with regards to time. What time is a good time? What pace is a good pace? Who knows, every mile is different from the one before. You've just got to ignore your Garmin, run it on feel, judging your effort, just asking yourself if you can do this, if you can get to the end. Only when I saw the results at the end did I realise I'd actually done OK - I'd finished ahead runners I consider to be better runners than me. So I thought - having trained for this tough 15 miler, having done well, having come out of it feeling good, having another crack at a super flat half 13.1 miler would be a breeze, right?

As Strava users will know, my training between the Orion 15 and the Hackney Half was a little unconventional - it was mostly done pushing a buggy. It takes a bit of getting used to - it uses your core a bit more, for example, but another big issue is this: what is a good pace when you are pushing a six month old baby up Whipps Cross Road? I had no idea (though my conclusion after a month of this is that on the flat or downhill it adds 20-30s per mile, but with any gradient or wind that increases exponentially). But I did get used to it, and felt I was running pretty well. On the weekend before the Hackney Half I tested it with a trip to Hackney Marshes for the parkrun. 18:41. My second fastest ever, but if you take into account the fact that my PB was when it used to be a short course (come on, admit it), probably my fastest true 5k ever. So I was bang on form. A HM PB felt on the cards.

Then the weather turned. Having done so many of my buggy runs in the cold wearing gloves, the sudden change to it being so hot was a shock. I mean the Hackney Half is always hot, for some reason, but this was something else. It took me back to last year's Newham 10k, a race which finished in the Olympic stadium, but which I can barely remember finishing, because I was so dehydrated. There is a video clip of me crossing the finish line. It isn't pretty. I wasn't making that mistake again. Plenty of water, more water while I waited in the starting pen, and waited, and more water, and waited some more, and boy is it getting hot now, and why are we still waiting here, and more water, and actually I'd quite like a wee now, but no time for that, finally off we went, a mere 15 minutes late.

I did the first 5 miles on target PB pace, before my head started to tell me that my legs were being idiots. These really weren't PB conditions for me. Thankfully I listened, and ignored my Garmin, and spent the rest of the race judging it on how I felt, just like in the Orion 15. Took the pressure of chasing a PB off. Everything became 20-30 seconds a mile slower - buggy pushing pace, I was used to that. Others weren't coping as well (let's not mention Dan "King of the Negative Split" Senior here, it ruins the narrative), runners were dropping like flies by the roadside, it was pretty upsetting, and I found myself having to ask myself "can I do this, can I get to the end?". And the answer kept coming back - yes, just about, I think so.

Boy, this was hard, harder than the Orion 15, in these circumstances, give me mud and hills any day. I just about kept it up through 12 miles, drinking water at every station, then managed to tap into some depleted energy reserves to finish with a strong last 1.35 miles (13.35 miles, compared to 13.4 miles last year, I'm still baffled as to where the racing line is on this course).

1:31:49, my watch said (1:31:50 officially, as if it wasn't hard enough they took another second off me). Was that a good time? I had no idea. I mean, it was nearly 2 minutes short of a PB, and over 30 seconds down on my time here the previous year. But when I saw the results on the website later, I was 328th - compared with 495th last year. Blimey, I'd done OK. Actually, better than OK. If there is one thing that this year is telling me, it is that your "PB" might not always be your fastest run.

Halstead and Essex Marathon - Sunday 8 May 2016

452 finishers

Leeds Plusnet Half Marathon - Sunday 8 May 2016

6334 finishers

Wildlife Trust Blubell 5 - Sunday 8 May 2016

237 finishers

Geneva Marathon Weekend - Half Marathon - Sunday 8 May 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

4237 finishers

Julie's report - http://toofattorun.co.uk/geneva-half-marathon-2016/




   

Vitality Hackney 5K - Saturday 7 May 2016

Orpington Marafun - Saturday 7 May 2016

Geneva Marathon Weekend - The Genevoise (6.5KM) - Saturday 7 May 2016

996 finishers

QEOP Race Series - Saturday 7 May 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

299 finishers

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 7th May 2016

Milton Keynes Marathon - Monday 2nd May 2016

Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend - Burgess Hill 10K - Monday 2nd May 2016

365 finishers

Fiona completed the 3 races that make up the Marathon weekend (2 x 10M, 1 x 10K) in a total time of 4.09.43

Fiona's Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend Report:

I doubt if anyone will be interested in reading this or ever attempting it. 3 races over 3 days that involve a 2 hour journey from East London is a commitment. Especially when they are small low key events and I didn’t know anyone else running them, my brother has completed it a couple of times but he had other commitments this May Day bank holiday weekend. I entered for sentimental reasons, I grew up in Mid Sussex and wanted to go back and run my roots, yes a bit strange but some people think running 10 miles is a strange thing to do anyway. All 3 races start at 10.30 am, so plenty of time to get there, but even getting to the start can feel as much an achievement as running when you have had a stressful journey. It is a well organized weekend with a friendly, festive feel common to all three events. There were children’s races before the main event. A local radio station provided a commentary at the start and finish of the 3 races and generally set this atmosphere interviewing runners including children who had run. All the courses were well signed adequate water stations and the marshals warm and encouraging . There were plenty of runners from local Sussex running clubs participating and overall it felt like a festival of running. I had trained for this, that is why I have been entering half marathons and the Orion 15 but still struggled particularly on the first run. I would consider doing it again if I had the time, but would stay locally to avoid the trek down from London.

Race One East Grinstead 10 miles, personally I do not consider East Grinstead Mid Sussex, but I’m not going to argue. The race organisers had kept us in informed of the conditions and recommended trail shoes. The start was at a rugby club. Kieran recovering from injury decided not to run but came to support me pointed out some ladies were using the gents loos, so I joined them and avoided the usual queue or dash to find a bush. Despite the chip timing it almost felt smaller than an Elvis race, even though I stood towards the back I could hear every instruction from the race director. It is a cross-country course, nowhere near as muddy as I am used to, although at one point I was thinking again about all the different types of mud cross country runners might give names to as I encountered a new type of condition in a spongy but not boggy field that was rutted with hoof prints. I was thankful I had followed the race director’s advice and worn my mud claws. The course is scenic mix of bluebell woods, primroses, fields, farm tracks and pleasant views over a reservoir. At about mile 4 a pleasant run up what seemed to be a disused railway line to a turn around at about 5 1/2 and down back past the 6 mile mark and diverting to make a figure of eight back to repeat the first 2 miles back to the finish. The only complaint, and other people might consider this a nice challenge was the downhill on the way out meant a tough up hill on the way back. (I’d rather it was the other way round!)However to be honest I found it tough most of the way. I hadn’t applied the tag to my shoe properly and had to stop to adjust it and it tore, luckily I managed to stick it down with the mud on my shoes, also my legs felt heavy and I’m not sure whether the early start or the mile and a half walk up hill to the race HQ had affected me.

Race 2 Haywards Heath 10 miles: I grew up in Haywards Heath, so this was nostalgia for me, I won’t go into detail as all the familiar places to me are meaningless to most people. However the start of the race is close to the church that is considered to be the middle of Sussex!! I arrived early enough to watch the childrens’ race, soaking in the atmosphere in the sunshine as I put the tag on my laces (in a better place). Again another mostly scenic 2 lap course route, not quite as hilly as yesterday. In fact there was a long downhill stretch that would have been lovely if it hadn’t been on a bypass, although the road wasn’t busy and we were separated from the carriageway by a line of white paint! Most of the route though was really pretty, it started and finished in a park, through woods, bluebells and celandines, streams, a loop up a farm track, through quiet, pleasant, leafy, residential streets, all the way round people had come to cheer us on. No mud today and it felt a lot easier. After the race I basked in the sunshine rolling out and stretching on the mats and foam rollers provided by a local fitness centre. It was quite nice being on my own, not keeping the speedy runners waiting and taking my time to have a sports massage in aid of the Mayors charity.

Race 3 Burgess Hill 10 KM: My mum and brothers live in Burgess Hill. I had stayed at the night with my mum so no early start for me today but my legs were sore when I got out of bed! Rubbed in some gel to sort that out. Kieran and Pat drove down from London with Julie and Annalise and we walked to the start in the bank holiday Monday drizzle. My brother Ollie came to join Julie and Annalise in cheering us on. It had stopped raining by the time the race started. This route isn’t as pretty as the other two, but true cross country. Except a short run through quiet residential streets at the start and finish the course is 2 laps through undulating fields with country views. With the recent rain it was muddy, soggy and at times slippery, and spikes would have been great for this, but I was in road shoes, I was finding it tough and bracing myself as each up hill came round again, wondering if I’d be too knackered to run up the next one, but luckily I was able to keep running. Oh yes there was a photographer waiting at the top of one of these! Also at one stage I was having a mental battle to keep going and noticed I was overtaking people and thought I could go a bit slower if I wanted and still get round, but something compelled me to keep pushing, even when I was in sight of the finish and saw that I had to run round the edge of the muddy sports field, again, but it was worth it. I soon met up with the others. Kieran wasn’t far behind me and Pat had finished in second place, beaten by the man who had won the two previous races.

Regent's Park Summer Series 10K - Sunday 1st May 2016

608 finishers

Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend - Haywards Heath 10M - Sunday 1st May 2016

400 finishers

GEAR Grand East Anglia Run 10K - Sunday 1st May 2016

2092 finishers

Great Birmingham 10K - Sunday 1st May 2016

6189 finishers

Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend - East Grinstead 10M - Saturday 30th April 2016

238 finishers

Runthrough Lee Valley VeloPark 5K - Saturday 30th April 2016

80 finishers

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 30th April 2016

Post Marathon Social Event - Cuckfield, Wanstead - Thursday 28th April 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Virgin Money London Marathon 2016 - 24th April 2016

Jonathan's Report.
Paris v London, the rematch.

As you may know, I ran Paris on 3 April, and didn’t exactly come away best pleased, despite my PB. London was going to go two ways, it was either tackle this head on, or continue to feel like I hadn’t recovered enough and make my excuses. My game plan for taking on two races in this season begun back in the autumn when I was lucky enough to get an ELR entry for London. Paris was always my banker. I often thought, and was asked, which one are you going for. Saying what I thought I should say, “Oh Paris is just a long run and I’m going for it in London”. That seemed to be right and many agreed with me. I am such a novice at this, and listening to the experience of other club members is so important. Everything was going so well, despite an early hamstring pull in the mud of Hainault Forest in late December. But three HM races all at PB, and the Essex 20 debut, were leading to this going down as being a good year. But I’m such a defeatist, when would the bubble burst?

Leading up to Paris, I felt really good. I was ready, but sadly I still had three weeks to go, and come the day, I was beginning to think I had peaked too soon. Enough about Paris, I’ve already written about that. I didn’t enjoy it. I came away with a PB, 3:32:45. I should be delighted but I wasn’t. Those pesky 2 mins and 46 seconds!

So to London. I should initially reflect on the experience of running two Marathons in three weeks. I know I am not unique in this situation this year, with many of us having a go at a double – Saheb in Paris, Craig and Tanbir in Manchester all doubling in London. It took me two whole weeks to feel like I had the energy to run. I struggled to get up in the morning, was tired at work, and just didn’t think I could do London after all. But then the third week – wow, I suddenly felt good. Where was this coming from? The news from Boston was coming in, I was hooked. What if…. No, calm down, you need to so sub 3:25 for even a glimmer of hope of trip to Boston. I just wanted to go sub 3:30 in London, just those pesky 2 mins 46 seconds. I had a score to settle with Paris.

I bumped into several people in the week before London. A former boss, who I owe so much of my career to, he believed in me then, and he believed in me now. Then meeting Mark Boulton at the Expo, who having shared his thoughts with me, made me realise even the best runners feel like I do. But no matter what you feel or do, only one thing counts, what is driving you? You need drive, passion and a will to succeed. If you want this, you can do it. I was stoked. I shared with him my Boston dreams. Knowing that anything more like a GFA was well out of reach. I’ll save that for later. My rematch with Paris was on.

So the day of the marathon, I have never felt so good for a race. That wasn’t a good sign. I had a great night’s sleep, in fact I had several in the week before. I was chatting on the train and trying to relax. But everything was going well. As ever the train ride, the photos (yay I was in one this year) and the goodbyes were emotional. The sun was coming out everyone was starting to feel better. Could today really be the day? I was starting to believe.

Unlike Paris I had a really good starting pen. Pen 3. I was with Spencer. Feeling out of my league, I let him wriggle to the front of the pen, while I hung back. After all this was the big boys' and girls' pen, 3:15. Yikes. The pen began at the gates to Greenwich Park. Blimey this is like pole position.

Soon it was time for Tim Peak to announce our count down. Really? Surely that's a recording but it was good anyway. The fun then began. Getting in the right pen is so important. I had it right. I was in a flow, I didn't need to weave. I had room. There wasn't much jostling. I felt good. I still felt good.

Remembering the adage- the first mile is a liar I tried to relax. But I was loving it. I looked up, there was the 3:15 pacer. Surely not. This can't be right. I decided that I had to go with how my legs felt, not his, but I wanted that push. I edged forward to try and get in front of him. I know .... In front! What was I thinking? But I thought if I can't see him it won't bother me, seeing that gap ebb and flow while he's in front just plays on my mind. Better not to know and keep just in front.

I kept with him until about mile 13 when I'm sure he just legged it. I am trying to find his number to check his splits. Soon after that I saw Mark Wyatt who looked comfortable. I slowly caught him and we chatted and ran together for a bit. I'll remember his first words - "this is horrific". But he looked and sounded quite relaxed. I can't talk at that pace AND run so made my apologies. We ran along together for the next 4 or so miles and I think I guiltily left him about 17 miles in.

Once again, as with Paris I was starting to fall apart at 18 miles. Despite my usual fuelling strategy of a gel every 5 miles, I was flagging and big time. The wheels were coming off. 18, 19 miles. Come on. You need to find something to get you through 20. They are going to be so happy and I don't want to go thorough in pain or a shuffle. Dig in.

20 miles. Wow. What a lift? I needed that. Last year it was a bit of a flash. This year I think I took a bit more in. But it's still a blur. A hand slap from Alex Bee and a bear hug from as many ELRs as I could grab at once. It was time to go. Grab a water bottle. Not sure who gave me that, but thank you so much. A quick spray in the air, and it was time to go.

The last 6 miles were the worst. Was this a wall? Was this the dreaded second half? I was trying to compute what I had to do. My watch had given me really duff info on my pace, and the distance covered. I think the GPS around the tall buildings of Canary Wharf did that. So I was now just relying on the official clocks and a guess that 6x8 was still 48. I could just about scrape inside. Don't think. Just run.

I was flagging. I wanted to walk. My legs were screaming walk. My head was saying Boston. Come on just keep going. You are not walking. The crowd will give you a hard time. I was now in a place I've never been before. This was the hardest I've ever run. I had nothing left. I was stiffening up. The soles of my feet were hurting, the crowd were loud. I wanted to hide. This was a really dark moment. When would it ever stop? The countdown had begun. One more park run to go. Come on.

My recollection of the next couple of miles is a blur. I don't remember much. Tarmac. Lines. Tarmac. Mats. Tarmac. Bridges and the most welcome of red arches.

I still had no idea what I had done. My parents and friends were closely following my time, so I'd received a message before I'd even stopped my watch. I read my time. Have I done it?
Sub 3:32:45. A new PB.
Sub 3:30. Stick that Paris. London Wins.
Sub 3:25. Yay a BQ! Just fingers crossed it’s enough.
3:21:52. I had done it!

In London 2016 for the first time ever in my life, I found will power. My will power had won. An emotional wreck - but it was finally time to celebrate 2 marathons and 2 PBs in a month.

A few thank yous before I sign off. To Bernard who had put up with my training and lack of energy to work in the house, and for being my no 1 fan. To all my club mates for the encouragement and motivation to believe in myself and who relentlessly inspire me. To all my work colleagues in Team Finance. To my besties Shailesh, Katherine, Mags and Ruel who patiently waited and cheered in the cold. And to all the special ELRs who volunteered to make any of this possible. ‪#ýelrstrong‬

Spencer Evans - Race Report

The Build Up

The big day has finally come for me as I knew running my debut Marathon, I kind of knew what to expect out of this. 7.30am, I met Ellie Wilkinson at South Woodford Station who seemed very excited about it as it was her debut too. When we got to Leytonstone we met most of the other East London Runners who were running on the platform. When we all got onto the train, near enough 80% of the carriage was packed with East London Runners at this point I said “This is a dedicated ELR carriage”. When all got to Stratford where we took the DLR to Greenwich station and walked to our relevant assembly point (I was in the red start) and deposited our baggage.

The First Half

After an hour of waiting around it was then time for me to make my way to the start line. 15-20 minutes later, 10:00am I crossed the start line and started my watch. My plan was to try and run at around 7.20 – 7.30 mins per mile. For the first half, I stuck strictly to this plan by not going any quicker 7.20, this didn’t feel too hard in the first 13 miles as the atmosphere, entertainment and the roar of the crowed was amazing. When I got to mile 10 I heard Julie Creffield who was in the crowed shouting “Come on Spence”, this gave me more confidence and was tempted to increase my pace, but I decided not to as I wanted to pace it properly.

Miles 13 - 18

When I approached the halfway mark which is just over Tower Bridge, my time was 1.40, which I was pleased with. From then on I still stuck to my plan and kept the pace. Between mile 17 and 18, I passed Danny & Ava in the crowed on Westferry road who were also very encouraging.

Mile 20

Just before I got to mile 20, I see Alex Bee who came towards me saying “Come on Spence, you got this”, he was very encouraging and knows what I am capable of as I had been doing a number of training runs with him before this day. Then as I passed mile 20, I see loads of East London Runners who were helping out on the water station, who were chanting and cheering me on especially Maya Goodwin who has a voice of a foghorn and chanting “East, East East London”. This was the point where Maya Goodwin wanted me to blow kisses at everyone as I passed having chatting on facebook the night before as this is what I have done as passed the group in previous events, so I did this for a laugh and everyone loved it.

The last 6 Miles

Having thinking back to what Grant Conway says “The race starts at mile 20”. I agree that this is the most important part but is also the hardest part. At this point I took an energy gel and managed to keep strong between mile 20 and 22. When I got to mile 23 I was struggling and I knew I had to really dig in for the next 3.2 miles, so I was drinking loads of water and Lucozade sport to keep me energised and hydrated, this seemed to of worked and before I knew I see a sign saying 1km to go, at this point I was determined to give it all I got and tough it out which I managed to do so but was a killer and felt like more than 1km. I then finally reached The Mall where the finish line is so managed to speed up and finish strong. After I had crossed the finish line, it was such a relief and was very proud to have finished in a time of 3.20.58.
Overall it was great day, and I really enjoyed it even though it was hard work towards the end but oh well pain is temporary and glory is forever.

Dave Kinight's Report.
Here is my marathon report.
I think that this was my 13th london Marathon. I am truly addicted to the event as a celebration of running. This year I was raising money for Housing Justice, a cause that I really support, and it has been great raising money on their behalf. It looks like I will raise around £2,500, the most I have ever achieved in sponsorships. So, it felt more important than ever to complete the race. However, just 12 days before the Marathon, I took a knock in a walking football tournament that left me struggling to walk. I was really worried that I wouldn't make it. I decided that I should see a physio, but I could not get an emergency appointment and was about to give up when my friend, Dave Chapman called me and using his persuasive powers got me an urgent appointment. The physio treatment that I received from Ashlins in Walthamstow proved beneficial and I started to feel much better. I had a bruised muscle in my left calf but was able to run with it by the Monday prior to the race. My thanks to Susan Edwards for accompanying me on a gentle jog that night.
So, it was with a little trepidation that I arrived on Marathon morning. I just about managed to meet up with the ELR's at Leytonstone Station and off we went.
Jonathan, Spencer and Neil proved to be good company in the red start area and we passed the time in a good relaxed frame of mind.
The race started and it took me 18 minutes to cross the start line. I felt pretty lethargic for the first few miles but began to relax into my pace by the time we got to Cutty Sark. At 12 miles my kids, Joe and Ellie had unfurled a banner for me from their friends flat in Tooley Street. Seeing them and the banner gave me a massive lift that kept me going to Canary Wharf where my lovely wife, Anne, was cheering me on. Another mile and it was the incomparable ELR water station. Running through our fantastic volunteers was a real high. Managed to get a few hugs, 3 pork pies with mustard (coutesy of Jaime and Natalie - more of that in my next post) and a jet of water from Roberto Bruni. John White ran a few yards with me to give me further encouragement (if that's the right word for a John White pep talk).
Then I was faced with that last daunting 6 miles. Burdened with my pork pies I stumbled along and by mile 23 my bruised calf was letting me know that it had had quite enough. nevertheless, with the crowd's cheers egging me on I did manage to pick up my pace a bit and I finished with arms outstretched, pork pies raised aloft and a big smile on my face. I was really pleased with my time of 4:24. I know I will not beat my PB but it really doesn't matter. it really is the taking part that counts for me and I had been a really good day.
The whole experience was well rounded off by a grand session in the Ship and Shovel with my fellow ELR's and Joe and Ellie. It really couldn't have been better.
All of our club runners did brilliantly and it was an absolute joy sharing our experiences of the day, though it was sad to hear that Frank had to withdraw with an injury. He had been my major training partner so it felt very unfair that he had not been able to do the full distance as I know he had been great on our training runs and had also been a great motivator for getting us out on the cold, wet mornings and is always great company.
Now comes the task of collecting the money pledged by many friends - I hope I can break that £2,500 mark.
I'll finish by saying thanks to all who have supported me this year - it is much appreciated.

Blackpool Marathon - Sunday 24th April 2016

Virgin Money London Marathon - Sunday 24th April 2016

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Also DNF Frank Brownlie - achilles injury.

Bernadett's report:

Sooo, my big London run- Virgin London Marathon 2016- my first (possibly last)… Sorry it is long!
04:28:03
I had 2 goals in this race: 1) to finish and 2) to run
Pleased to say both of these are achieved. The running up to this day had been a testing time, littered with little injuries- each of which easily could have turned into more severe ones, fatigue and overall loss of confidence on Easter weekend when I could only manages half of the 22 mile I set out to do. So I spent most of the time last week half excited about it and half worried about the state of each little muscle, tendon and bone in my body.
After a restless night I got up really excited and realizing that it is only 3C outside so layered up jumpers plus one to be discarded after the first couple of miles- the last minute I threw in my winter duffle coat into the bag- it served me well after the long winter runs and today did look like one of those winter days.
When we arrived at Greenwich I seem to have lost sight of everyone and only Ellie bumped into me in front of the urinals- surreal experience, there were a lot of giggles in the area while exploring this new invention- but let’s just leave this at that.
Start took an awful long time and it was VERY cold, my hands were freezing- it was so cold that it took me 4 miles running to warm up enough to get rid of my jumper. We were jovially jogging along- I kept thinking of the one advice all experienced runners tell you- not too fast. Now I am good at that, if nothing else, and apart from one km I kept myself at 6:10- 6:30 min/ km expecting this to go up to 7 in the last 4 miles (in fact my pace was so steady, even in the last 2-3 miles it stayed well within 7 min/km). Greenwich was amazing- people everywhere and I wondered will this be like this the whole time? And it was. I think it is the crowd that make London and we runners only provide the scene. It’s the loveliness of Londoners, shouting cheering and feeding the crazy runners with all sorts of goodies- oranges apples, jelly babies, even chocolate drinks that make it special.
Reaching Tower Bridge was amazing- running across the Thames on this iconic bridge full of cheering people! No wonder Paula Redcliffe was emotional last year! Also, it is almost half way. I know and knew then that it is not really half way, but at least you think you did already something. And this was the point when my stomach started playing up. I think it must have been the overconsumption of Lucosade combined with gels and jelly babies, whatever it was, I was not prepared for this- I was prepared for any muscles or tendon tricking me, but not my stomach, which has served me very well until now! Anyway I decided not to take in anything for the next 2-3 miles. After that I just took tiny slips of water (I did learn something from being mum of a daughter with very frequent tummy bug attacks after all). This sort of did the trick and I started looking forward to seeing the club and the family at mile 20 waterstation. At this point (mile 17) I really started feeling tired in the leg. But hey, what were all those long runs for, I know tired legs and know to ignore them! At this stage I was happy as all my previous injuries behaved themselves, even tummy upset was gone and really, apart from being tired in the legs I was fine. Mile 19- I got a bit confused with miles which one was it, 18 or 19- my internal speedometer was confused and the 20 mile station is nowhere yet… But then there it was, with all those lovely faces from the club and then Viktor and the kids, I was sooo happy to see you all!
Now post 20 mile- Carlton warned me the day before: the race only begins at 20 miles. Thinking of this I felt I am sort of ok. By this time I started passing a lot of walking folk, looking knackered. It is only an easy Wednesday run left, I should be ok! I was cheered by my friends after the 22 mile point again and this came the best possible time, I felt I am still ok. From this point on I really went into autopilot mode just milling the steps, watching for signs of the dreaded WALL. And then mile 24- still no WALL! I felt ok, thinking it will be soon over. 2 miles is less than a Parkrun, I should be fine! At this stage my quads let me know they are not happy and had enough. My right knee also signalled it will protest if I push it much longer. Mile 25- at last, we are almost home, it is Westminster! It really felt the last mile went on for at least an hour. My autopilot mode was also failing- but hey it is only 600 m now so I pulled every bit of non -existing energy together and had a mini sprint to the finish.
I still cannot believe it I did a marathon- no drama, no walls, really. Thanks to the crowds and the unbelievable support. Oh and thank you to Carlton- he generously gave up his marathon place for me so that I can run and gave invaluable advice all along. Thank you!

Ellie's report:

I have never written a race report before, but I don't think I can run THE London Marathon and not reflect on what an amazing experience it was, so here goes!
Having met the ELR crew on the tube heading the the start line, I was feeling happy and excited about the whole thing despite being so nervous all week. After saying goodbye to the blue pen runners, I went off to the red pen and I suddenly lost everyone, which I was ok with, it was good to have so time to think. I found my charity & had a group photo it was nice to meet fellow runners for MS-UK. I then bumped into Bernadett which was so nice, I really needed a friendly face & the big hug she gave me! I went off to my pen & got ready! It didn't feel as though we were waiting long before the shuffle to the start line came and we were off!! I got into a nice pace, I felt comfortable but it was slightly ahead of what I had planned, but I felt OK. I did have Maud and Grant in my head saying "don't got too fast at the start" "if it's not easy it's too fast", but I felt OK so stuck with it. I had friends dotted around the course so I felt like I spent a lot of time looking out for people I knew which seemed to tick the miles of pretty quickly! The first half of the race seemed to fly by as I was so amazed by the level of support from everyone. Getting to tower bridge was amazing, even though I had done it a few times in training runs, it just felt like a real 'milestone' within the marathon. I was half way and still feeling ok, the crowds are just incredible and just didn't stop, so so good. My watch went crazy half way through so I didn't really know how I was getting on, so I just had to keep cracking on, I still felt OK. About mile 17, I remembered someone saying people tend to 'blow up' around mile 18, so I was getting ready for it all to go pear shaped, but I had my third gel and dug deep as I knew my friends from ELR were round the corner so I can't give up yet! Mile 19 was NOISY the crowd were great, so I was really pumped to see everyone at mile 20, which I could see over the sea of runners!! Then I saw Maya, her huge smile and welcoming excitement I was so happy to see everyone! Then my fellow pony tails were all there I was so happy. That was is it then, I have 6.2 miles and I have finished my first marathon, let's go! My shins were not playing ball, starting to twinge, eek, so I popped two ibuprofen at the next water station to see if that would help calm it. Who knows if it did, I soon forgot about it as I began to run along embankment - WOW the crowds were just amazing, but some what overwhelming if you can't see anyone you know but you're still amazed! Just incredible I saw my closest friends from school right at the end of 26 miles which totally took my breath away I was so happy to see people I knew!! This was it then, the home straight! 600 metres, just a track and a half ! I dug deep and I saw the finish and actually said out loud "oh my god" I could see the finish and I could also see that I was coming in under my target time of 3:45 but that was the gun time, my watch had died so I had no real clue what I had got, I didn't really mind, I had FINISHED. All those months of training, done. What an achievement. I was so pleased to see everyone for a drink after, I absolutely love ELR, thanks for all the support along the way I couldn't have done it with out you! Official debut time 3:37:40, GFA! I guess I officially have the marathon bug!

Maverick Original Sussex - Long route 24K - Saturday 23rd April 2016

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 23rd April 2016

Boston Marathon - Monday 18th April 2016

Tom's Report - On Monday 18th April 2016 I took my place on the start at Hopkinton to run the 120th running of the Boston Marathon and my 3rd consecutive Boston.

The weather was warm and sunny with nothing much in the way of a breeze. l could feel the heat of the sun on the nape of my neck and shoulders as I stood in my start corral waiting for the off.

The Boston Marathon is a race where you need to have a plan(s) in place as to how you can overcome the obstacles placed before you along this historic and technical course. The main things that need to be prepared for are
1) The weather , which can be notoriously hostile. In the last three years it has been very hot, then cold, wet and windy, followed by being very hot again this Year.
2) The down hills , most runners prepare for the up hills that appear from mile 16 and ending with Heartbreak at mile 21 , but the ones that do the damage are the downs , which wreck the quads.
3) Managing your pace , maintaining pace consistency is difficult here due to the constant undulations on the course , but holding back (resisting gravity) on the downhills , especially in the early stages of the race does reap rewards on those Newton Hills at the later stages.
4) The race does not end at the top of Heartbreak. There are still 5 miles of running to be done after Heartbreak has been crested and the first thing that has to be encountered is a steep down hill passing Boston College on the RHS and the course still throws a curveball or 2 along those final miles , Citgo hill being a prime example. So it is worth bearing in mind at the bottom of Heartbreak and not to attack the Newton hills too vigorously.

This , then , would be my advice to anyone thinking of running the Boston Marathon and learnt through my experiences of the last 3 Years that I have ran here.
My times over the last 3 runnings have been
2014 :- 5:35
2015 :- 4:05
2016 :- 3:50
2017 :- tbc

For all Boston's difficult course and unpredictable weather , It still remains my favourite marathon and I will return again next Year to run and be a part of something very special.

Tom Woods

PS :- Sorry if this seems a bit disjointed - jet lagged after a red- eye flight back to Blighty.

Energized Sports Hyde Park 10K - Sunday 17 April 2016

379 finishers

BM 10K - Sunday 17th April 2016

Brighton Marathon - Sunday 17th April 2016

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 16th April 2016

St Clare Hospice 10K - Sunday 10th April 2016

251 finishers

Fulham & Putney Riverside Half Marathon - Sunday 10th April 2016

637 finishers

Croydon Half Marathon - Sunday 10th April 2016

261 finishers

Asics Greater Manchester Marathon - Sunday 10th April 2016

Tanbir Reports - Owing to traffic in the morning, I couldn't get the car anywhere near the venue so I ended up running an extra 3.4 miles in 27 mins, so I'm calling it an ultra!

If anyone is thinking of doing this next year... They had horrendous logistics issues, it was impossible to get into the car parks in the morning as the queues stretched out onto the motorway and most people left their cars on the side of the road. It was even worse at the end as the baggage queues were worse - I waited 2 hours 15 mins to get my bag!

Spartan Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Sprint - Saturday 9th April 2016

7K and 20 Obstacles

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 9th April 2016

Regents Park Summer Series 10km - Sunday 3rd April 2016

561 finishers.

Eton Dorney Marathon Prep Race 16 miles - Sunday 3rd April 2016

Lidl Kingston Breakfast Run 16.2 miles - Sunday 3rd April 2016

503 finishers

Bratislava Half Marathon - Sunday 3rd April 2016

2574 finishers

Bernadett writes:

So, Bratislava half marathon, my first run report ever:
I thought it will be a good idea to fit into our long weekend a little trip to do this half. To be honest, I would have enjoyed it- had it been not for the worry that one of my numerous injuries get in the way.
We had a very civilized 10AM start, which really allowed us to get there and ready in time even with the family in tow. I was determined not to push myself too hard- having remembered how I finished the last 20mile training run (with ibuprofen, courtesy of our chairman) and the run a week before this one (not even finishing and limping back a couple of miles to be picked up..). I really felt, me being a novice in marathon training took its toll and felt less fit than I was a year ago! I kept remembering the analogy Fiona used for running, comparing it to the old friend you fell out with and don’t know how it will go next time you meet them. Anyway this is just to show my attitude at the start line. I kept thinking and felt grateful I am not running a full marathon (half marathoners and full marathon runners started together so I could just wave the other lot as they started their lap 2). The whole course was flat as a pancake- we did not even run up to the castle, which was a bit of disappointment and had to just do it afterwards. In fact we ran out on a long- long road and then back again, milling the miles. By about mile 9 I started feeling I am ok, all my imagined and real injuries behaved themselves well and had to admit I even like running this course (particularly the fact that it is not going to be a very long run). We were very well fed on the way- lovely oranges, bananas, chocolate a glucose tablets were on offer so frequently one really could not have wished for better supplies. The last 4 miles led through the old town, much of which, to my surprise I remembered, even though I had not been in this city for 25 years! This occupied my mind and I next noticed the 12 mile sign. At this stage it also sank in that I might be within 2 hours, which I really did not expect! Still, at mile 13, I was so glad I don’t need to do another lap- I can just ignore the shadow of a long full marathon for now.

Richmond Half Marathon - Sunday 3rd April 2016

1557 finishers

RunThrough Hyde Park 10k - Sunday 3rd April 2016

469 finishers

Paddock Wood Half Marathon - Sunday 3rd April 2016

2111 finishers

Oakley 20 - Sunday 3rd April 2016

787 finishers

Reading Half Marathon - Sunday 3rd April 2016

10980 finishers

Wimbledon Half Marathon - Sunday 3rd April 2016

176 finishers

Berlin Half Marathon - Sunday 3rd April 2016

Julie's race report can be found here:
http://toofattorun.co.uk/berlin-half-marathon-race-report

Freiburg Marathon - Sunday 3rd April 2016

Congratulations to Dan on joining the 100 Marathon Club!

Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris - Sunday 3rd April 2016

41708 finishers, 46200 starters

​Jonathan's race report:
So yes a PB at 3:32:45 (from 3:42:16 in London 2015) and I'm delighted but I really thought a sub 3:30 was in the bag. It was on paper and I

QEOP 10km Summer Series - Saturday 2nd April 2016

505 finishers

Orion 15 - Saturday 2nd April 2016