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Results Jan-June 2018

ASA London Region 2018 Open Water Championships 2km - Surrey Docks - Saturday 30th June 2018

Race report for the ASA London Region 2018 Open Water Championships - Surrey Docks, 2km
So this is my first ever race report for a swimming race, my debut as a Masters swimmer and debut for an open water race.
Having only got back into swimming approx 3 months ago (after a 27 year break!) I was conscious this race was about enjoyment, not my finishing time - which is the complete opposite to my running ethos!
The conditions were perfect and it was great to see the smiley faces of Pauline Tester, Colin & Ralph upon my arrival. We saw Ralph start his 5k race and after a pep talk from Pauline I was then in for my safety briefing for the 2k swimmers. No masters age group for this distance (shame as I was the only entrant for VF40+ if they'd had the same groups as the other distances and I'd have been on for a gold!). So for this race anyone 25 and over was in the same category. I should point out the youngest swimmers were 12!!
Waiting for our starters announcement I suddenly saw my mum and Marc further along the dock which was great!
After a delayed start we were off and the nerves really kicked in. I stayed a good distance away from the crowd so no risk of being grabbed or ducked and the group soon thinned out with only 2 swimmers behind me. But this was for enjoyment not speed I kept reminding myself.
Lap 1 was good and I even slowed to wave at my mum and Marc on the dock (an extra few seconds really wasnt going to make a difference - its the equivalent of stopping for a jelly baby from a kid when running a marathon!). I decided against waving on the remaining laps though as I thought the safety team might think I was in distress and yank me out!
But open water is waaaaay different to pool swimming and each of the 4 laps seemed to get longer and longer and more choppy but I couldnt help the competative side of me still trying to keep in front of the 2 guys on my tail. I maintained a good lead for 3 laps, 4th lap saw the penultimate swimmer make a break for it and take me on. I wasn't sure what had happened to the last swimmer but this guy really had paced himself well to get up the speed that far into the race. But he kept going wide of the buoys on the turns and so that was my chance for a short burst to get away from him.
Coming to the last bouy however he was alongside me and then off. I just couldn't keep up no matter how hard I tried. My mind kept flitting between wondering if the last swimmer had actually passed me earlier on and Id missed him and still hearing Foo Fighters songs from their concert a week ago! 100% concentration was almost impossible by this stage!
But I did it!
Hitting the finishers board I shouted to the judges am I last?. They said no and I shouted yeeees! much to their amusement. Climbing out of the dock I had Pauline, Ralph, Donna, Colin, my mum & Marc all there to greet me and it was great!
Whilst I got lapped by a bunch of kids I didnt get eaten by the gigantic fish (and they were MASSIVE), I didn't stop, I managed to finish under the 1hr cut off....and I didn't come last!
Official times are still not published but when they are it will be my starting point for training harder and doing a longer distance next year.
Home and pub for obligatory celebration pic of burger and beer(s) and my hat (as no medal this time).
But after 2 showers I do have one question......
Just how permanent IS this permanent marker and who's free to scrub it off???

Run Through Velopark Half Marathon - Saturday 30th June 2018

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 30th June 2018

OCR (short course) 4km, European Championships, Esbjerg, Denmark - Friday 29th June 2018

One medal from the "4km Sprint Race" at the OCR European Championships this morning...
What a crazy race!!! Mandatory obstacle completion on 24 obstacles that would make Ninja
Warrior cry... around 30 out of a few thousand managed to complete all obstacles within
the 2 hour cut off, safe to say that I was not one of them!
I did not have the forearm or finger strength to compete today, but had a lot of fun.
Lots to learn... until the 15km tomorrow!

Orion's Fast Friday, Walthamstow Track - Friday 29th June 2018

Sri Chimnoy 5km, Battersea Park (Dashing Deer) - Monday 25th June 2018

World War Run OCR 5 MILE - Sunday 24th June 2018

6th place from 521 at World War Run 5 mile OCR yesterday. 1hr1min52.
Was more of a runners course without any really technical obstacles,
so not ideal for me! One more training session to go then I fly to
Denmark on Thursday for the OCR European Championships.

Leeds Castle Standard Triathlon - Sunday 24th June 2018

1500m swim, t1, 40k cycle, t2, 10k run
30.35, 1.29, 1.22.53, 1.23, 50.51 = 2.47.13

The Centurion Triathlon - Sunday 24th June 2018

1.25 mile swim 57.29
t1 2.59
84 mile cycle 5.37.06
t2 1.35
15 mile run 2.50.05
total 9.29.15

Trent Park Triffic Trail 10km - Sunday 24th June 2018

481 finishers.
Andrew Howard: I was a bit slow at the Triffic Trail this morning; only a second better than my PW. It was quite warm and, in the dozen times I've run the race, Ive not seen so many people, including some wearing club vests, walking up the hills. Its a pity it clashes with the Colworth Marathon but it is an old favourite and the wonderful people of Trent Park Running Club (who did the beginner friendly duathlon in January) put on a race that Ill do until I cant even walk up the hills. Even the goodie bag is entertaining and included toothpaste (has been dental floss in the past), baked chickpea bites, vitamin D tablets, a notepad from the local solicitors (their previous years contributions have included a key ring and a doorstop), a pen and vegan lip balm. And this year's finishers' T-shirt is red.

Colworth Marathon Challenge - Final Placings - Sunday 24th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Colworth Marathon Challenge 2018, Overall Results.
Winner FV45 : Suzanne Bench
3rd Male - Patrick Brown
Team Winners - East London Runners (Patrick, Thomas, James, Louis and Manjit)


Grant Conway Colworth Marathon Challenge report.
Selfishly a family member decided to get married today so I thought I would post a quick report in order to keep me awake! I am well and truly shattered! What a tart!
Anyway, this was my 7th consecutive Colworth visit and I have now completed 6. We wont mention the year I didnt complete and the reasons why! Coc!
The weather this year was incredible. Warm/hot days followed by cool nights sleeping under the stars. I so love camping. I cant wait for next year so I can do it again. Not!
This year we had around 20 participants which was a few less than last year but it was just as enjoyable as I got to chat to or bore more or less everyone over the weekend.
The running was as hard as ever especially with camping for 2 nights on Friday and Saturday and running 3 races to complete the marathon distance over the weekend on the back of ELVIS 3 on Thursday.
Everyone did great whether they ran once, twice or completed the whole challenge.
Although it was hard I thoroughly enjoyed the three runs in beautiful Bedfordshire countryside mainly on trails through forestry and fields. Thanks to all for getting me through the weekend somehow and for putting up with my mythering about camping. A special thanks to Jonathan and Paul for getting me round the three runs. Remarkably I managed a course PB on the hilly and rutted trail run yesterday but this event isnt really about times, its about getting round and having fun. The hosts really do put on a great event and I wouldnt miss it for anything. Alexandra said she would still go even if she couldnt run and I would do the same, despite the pesky camping!
Some great highlights with the BBQ and beers after the Friday night run, the fabulous meal last night with great company. Thanks Suzanne for arranging and Fionas hungover HM today. A true athlete!
See you next June!

Fiona This is not really a race report more a big thank you to everyone involved; Colworth Striders for organizing a fantastic weekend of racing and all our ELR runners and family for their wonderful support, it all goes to make the Colworth Marathon Challenge one of the highlights of the running year.

While I cannot really be proud of my 'hungover half' (thanks Grant for bringing that up), I am very proud to have completed the whole challenge. It was my first real racing for six months and for that I have to thank the Tendonopathy Team at Mile End Hospital for getting me back running. I did achieve my highest placing yet in this event & a creditable 4th in Age Category, so thank you Patrick Browne for awesome coffee & Jonathan Woodlridge for not leaving me to die in a corn field!

All I can add is that this is a great weekend away, camping, running, laughing, even if we did have to miss a parkrun. Next year will be my 5th Colworth...see you there June 2019......bring it on!

Colworth Marathon Challenge - Day 3 - Half Marathon - Sunday 24th June 2018

Mens team 2nd - Patrick, James, Louis and Manjit.
Ladies team 3rd - Suzanne, Rachel & Bernadett.

Harry Hawkes 10m - Sunday 24th June 2018

Swansea Half Marathon - Sunday 24th June 2018

Cancer Research UK Race For Life 10km, Victoria Park - Saturday 23rd June 2018

A race of a different kind. 10km Victoria Park Race for life. Lovely friendly atmosphere
of people running for a very poignant reason, to fight cancer. The competitive side to me
was very pleased at running a unofficial PB (no chip time) of 54:45.

Midnight Marathon, Dartford - Saturday 23rd June 2018

A short report from Ciaran: you would think after 15 Marathons that I would avoid the rookie error.
Went off way to quick at the start and really paid for it in the last 10k. Still, 2nd place, not bad for an old boy!.

Self Transcendence Mid Summer 10km - Saturday 23rd June 2018

141 finishers.

Leeds Castle Sprint Triathlon - Saturday 23rd June 2018

750m swim,t1, 20k cycle, t2, 5k run.
20.01, 1.45, 52.16, 1.15, 20.42 = 1.36.02

Colworth Marathon Challenge - Day 2 - 8.1m Forest Trail - Saturday 23rd June 2018

1st Team: Men - East London Runners (Patrick, Thomas, James & Louis)

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 23rd June 2018

45 parkruns at 15 venues,
2 first finishes, James at Wanstead and Karen at Valentines,
6 debuts and 5 course pbs,
ELR Club records for the following:
Shahib Ali at Crane Park,
Julie Creffield at Folkstone,
Andrew Howard at Hazelwood.

Orion's John Clarke Fell Race - Friday 22nd June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Alex Jameson: My 3rd year of doing the Orion Harriers John Clarke Fell Race. A short (5k), very scenic but with over 250m over ascent (I guess that's what makes it a fell race...) gives you a great sense of achievement.
Fantastic weather (as you can see) and not too hot made it even more enjoyable.
My main aim (apart from running faster which I did by 3 mins) was not to get insect bites on my legs hence the leggings and lots of repellent. Like everyone else I would thoroughly recommend it.


Maya Goodwin: Nah. Cant be bothered to do the Fell Race tonight after all. To make up for it Ill hoover and mop the kitchen floor.
And as the evening approached I kept glancing out to a beautiful evening. Hmmm. How gutted will I be to see everyones photos vs how much do I want a glass of wine in front of Love Island. Then a message form Katherine Harris. Are you going? Itll be fun! And Im pulling out my club vest, decision made.
The race is the only Category A classes Fell Race within the M25, with 1,000ft of climbing in just 5k, and it starts AND ends on a long, tough, brutally steep UP. Cruel...
Its a long old walk to the start, and we were nearly late! But nicely warmed up. And then 3,2,1, GO! Ive done this race before, I didnt even try and run that first brutal up. But I wasnt alone. We were all striding with purpose. Up, 10m of flat, up again, and finally... flat to a down. And thats pretty much how the race went. Tough ups followed by restful downs.
But what you also get is scenery. WhenI moved to East London twenty years ago, I had no idea it was so very pretty. I used to run on the main roads and wish I lived nearer the country so I could run somewhere pretty. Then I joined East London Runners and discovered a whole new world of Epping Forest. After one long up at 2 miles, a marshal pointed us into a hedge. Just though there, and this is the best bit We scrambled through the path and out onto the top of a hill that felt like the top of the world. Kat and I stopped to take photos, and take it in. And then ran a lovely long long pretty down to the bottom, laughing all the way.
The last up was pretty grim, I wont lie. But I came in just two minutes slower than last time, which I pleased with, considering all the stopping for photos! And thanks to the tail runner, I wasnt even last!
£3 race entry for all those view, and a free beer or prosecco at the end. Totes worth it babes. 100 percent. AND I got home to a clean kitchen floor

Colworth Marathon Challenge - Day 1 - Friday 5 Mile - Friday 22nd June 2018

Colworth Day 1 - Friday 5 Mile.
1st Thomas Grimes 28:33
2nd Patrick Brown 29:33
1st FV50 Suzanne Bench 39:28
Overall Team Winners -East London Runners
Thomas Grimes, Patrick Brown, James Nichols, Louis Le Roux
The Ladies Team were 4th.
Also 9 year old Oliver Szabadi 5th in the 2k fun Run in his ELR top!
Well done also to all the ELR who ran tonight.

Elvis 3 - East End Road Runners Midsummer 5km, QEOP - Thursday 21st June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Times above are chip times, then gun times. Age grades for those who recorded there 5km best times so far for this year.


Paul & Caroline: Well done to all you wonderful ELR finishers at ELVIS 3 this evening hosted by EERR in the Olympic Park.
Another great turnout by the club & you should all be very proud !
Some excellent individual runs saw Jennifer Ansell win the ladies race with Euan 1st and Paul Quinton 3rd I the mens race.
We also saw Calvin Bobin collect the Vet60 prize.
Provisional results are in from last nights ELVIS 3.
Please can you let me know if you spot any major errors. It does look like some of us may not have received a chip start time (including myself !). This is shown as 99:99:99 in the 'Start' column so your time will be just the gun time and not much I can do to change that. Sorry !
Placings look correct though.
From what I can see we have won both the ladies & mens races.
Score for the ladies was 18 points with scorers Jennifer, Caroline, Ellie & Paula.
Score for the men was 70 points with scorers Euan, Paul, Mark, James, Dan & Scott.
Well done all !

Terry Lewsey: Really have no idea how I ran a PB last night legs we shot to bits, but I did. Ran 20:14 also beat saturdays parkrun PB by another 21 seconds taking me that bit closer to my sub 20 goal which Im happy about .....also a big well done to everyone who ran last night was nice to see you all

Run Through Chase The Sun 10km, Victoria Park - Wednesday 20th June 2018

Sri Chimnoy 5km, Battersea Park (Speedy Steeds) - Monday 18th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

135 finishers.

Adidas City Run 1 hour, St Pauls, London - Sunday 17th June 2018

How far can you run in 1 hour?.
Terry Lewsey: London Adidas 1 Hour City Run done today got Another Medal for my collection, I Managed to run 7.9 miles in the hour and bagged myself a new 10k PB of 43:02 in the process well happy with that as i did no real training for it and ive only ran over 1 hour once before, perfect end to the week with new PBs at every distance, now time for a well deserved curry

Sundried Southend Triathlon - Sunday 17th June 2018

Sundried Southend Triathlon is a Sprint distance triathlon
750m swim - 20km cycle - 5km run
Anna 18.27 , 1.39, 41.47, 1.02, 31.57 = 1.34.51
Sarah 17.52, 1.04, 38.01, 1.12, unrecorded run.

South Downs Marathon - Saturday 16th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 16th June 2018

Terry Lewsey: Wow what a week first the sub 35 min 5 mile for Elvis Races for East London Runners on Tuesday Today I joined the 20 min club for park run with 20:35 taking 25 seconds off previous PB, also finished 6th with loads of Individual PBs things are seriously getting there now I have a bit of structured training and support from my new Running Club, today I wore club colours to do my first park run representing them, smashed it I swear that red vest makes me faster also big thanks to coach Grant Conway for his awesome track sessions which are all contributing to making me faster, next up the 1hour Adidas city run tomorrow then, ELvIs 3 this Thursday 5k race at Olympic Park, Im ready

Chase The Sun10km, QEOP - Wednesday 13th June 2018

Elvis 2 - Havering 90 Joggers 5 miles - Raphael Park - Tuesday 12th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Simmer Dim Half Marathon, Shetland - Sunday 10th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

57 finishers.

Endure 24 - Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Caroline Frith reports: Endure 24-billed as Glastonbury for Runners-but as Ive never been to Glastonbury I wouldnt know......
However it really does have a fun, festival vibe to it with a bar, music, fire pit, food vans - with a bit of running thrown in.
This is the second year my team of friends and I - Mums Run The World - have given it a bash. Our team consists of 8 of us out of a larger group of about 30 running mummies, who all met virtually over 10 years ago on the Runners World Forums. A thread called The Pregnant Runners Club fitted the bill nicely at the time, then we graduated to the Running Mums Club and have remained friends ever since.
The idea of the race is your team does as many laps as they can of a hilly, off road 5 mile course in 24 hrs. You can decide whether you go consecutively or double up on laps - whatever strategy works for you. You can also take a break if you want, or just keep going.
I ended up running 5 laps, and my times were 36.13, 36.24, 41.13 (night lap-pitch dark) 38.28, 38.07. Overall we completed 33 laps and came in 5th place out of 29 ladies teams. Not a podium position like last year (2nd) but not bad for a group of middle aged women with 19 children between us, proving that mums really do ru

Southend Half Marathon - Sunday 10th June 2018

Thames Chase 10km, Upminister - Sunday 10th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Proud to have won my first race in club colours - Thames Chase 10K in Upminster (36.45).
In the words of someone from Dagenham 88:
"Your club only sent one runner this time and they still blinkin' won!"

St Albans Half Marathon - Sunday 10th June 2018

Last One Standing - Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th June 2018

The Last One Standing - race report
Its a simple concept - 4.1 mile lap, starting on the hour every hour. The winner is the one who completes the most laps.
I took the train to Diss (wish Id realised it stopped at Stratford - could have had an extra half an hour in bed), and had booked a cab from the station. My taxi driver was lovely - we chatted about all sorts of stuff, and I jokingly promised to let her know if I won. I arrived at race HQ, picked up my number, checked out the trophies and medals, which were displayed in the registration tent, and pitched the tent that Stuart had lent me (one of the idiot-proof ones that just pops up). Quickly got chatting with the guys in the neighbouring tents, Dave & Stuart, and the next one along, James from Witham, with his wife & two dogs. It was a small event, 45 entered, of whom 36 made the start line, so everyone is your friend.
Race briefing at 11.30, then off on the first lap at midday. The rules are simple - we had to be on the start line on the hour, and gone from the start area within a minute. And back by 59 minutes & 59 seconds past the hour. No ifs no buts. The course was trail, gently undulating - mostly in woodland (watch the tree-roots), with bits by the river bank (watch the rabbit-holes) and a short road section (mind the cattle grid). The first lap was like a recce, testing the pacing (there was room for strategic walk breaks), and having a good old natter (I may have had good old feminist rant...). Back in 47 minutes (I lapped pretty consistently at 47/48 minutes). Time to go to the loo, get a snack and have a little breather.
The first few laps were straight-forward, and there were very few drop-outs before we got to night-time, but Dave was really suffering with a dodgy knee after only about three laps. He took some painkillers and kept going, because ultra-runners are tough cookies. He got to a double marathon before packing it in.
We put our head torches on for lap 10 (9pm), as the forest sections would be getting gloomy by then. Started getting properly dark on the following lap. Halfway round that lap, the guy behind fell - are you OK? Ive broken my finger. I wondered how he was so sure, and then I saw his finger going off at a jaunty angle. Luckily the race director/first aider was nearby putting out the glowsticks - he found that the finger was in fact just dislocated, and popped it back into place. The runner was able to finish the lap, and run one more before calling it a day.
The night time laps were tough. It goes so much darker in the countryside, and it was a cloudy night (light most of the night), so hardly any moonlight. If youre the sort of person who would be freaked by being on your own in the woods in pitch blackness, then this race is not for you. My pace slowed, but I walked less so my lap times remained consistent. Quite a few runners quit during the night.
The lap that I and many of my companions looked forward to was number 16 (3am), when we would hit 100K and get some daylight back. Both felt so good. I also found out at the end of that lap that I was the last woman standing - Angela, the second last woman had been timed out at the end of lap 15. She came over and gave me a big hug, and cheered me own as I started the next lap. I was still lapping consistently (fuelled by Red Bull, bacon sandwiches and many other things), so no excuse to stop. It was lovely running with the win along sealed up - the guys still out there made me feel like a superhero, and the runners who had already quit cheered as all on from their tents.
But the format is brutal. 12 minutes doesnt last long by the time youve had a pitstop and some refreshment. 3 minutes, guys. Two minutes. One minute. 30 seconds.
I called it a day at the end of lap 20 - 82 miles & a triple marathon in the bag. My form was going and my motivation was crumbling. I was pretty certain that 100 miles was beyond me, and had achieved what a set out to (I wanted to get over 100k and see the sun come up), and had won my first ever race (I dont count the Essex titles where there was no-one else running). The trophy is so large that my shelf isnt going to cope. I also got some other goodies, and a free entry in to the Irish edition of this race - not sure Ill be taking that one up...
It was still only 8am when I finished, which was a bit hard to believe. I made a cup of tea and sat down to watch the guys still running. Nine made it 100 miles, and as I write at 8.30pm on Sunday, the last two are still slugging it out - truly outstanding.

Can you be the last one standing? Maud Hodson
Run 4.1 miles each hour on the hour until there is only 1 left.
lap 1 - 47.21 4th lady (36 started)
lap 2 - 1.48.34 3rd, 14th overall
lap 3 - 2.47.14 2nd lady, 11th overall.
lap 4 - 3.49.09 4th lady, 23rd
lap 5 - 4.48.34, 4th, 20th
lap 6 - 5.48.48, 3rd , 18th
lap 7 - 6.49.08, 4th, 20th
lap 8 - 7.48.34, 4th, 21st.(35 started)
lap 9 - 8.48.20, 4th, 16th.
lap 10 - 9.48.06,3rd, 16th (33 started)
lap 11 - 10.48.48, 2nd, 15th
lap 12 - 11.48.58, 1st, 10th (30 started)
lap 13 - 12.49.17, 1st, 11th (29 started)
lap 14 - 13.48.22, 7th overall
lap 15 - 14.48.35, 6th
lap 16 - 15.47.47, 6th
lap 17 - 16.47.17, 6th
lap 18 - 17.47.00, 6th (17 started, 1 lady)
lap 19 - 18.57.23, 13th (16 started)
lap 20 - 19.50.07, 10th (13.)1st lady.

Orions Forest Five Series - Race 1 - Saturday 9th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Jose:Yesterday was the first of the Orient Forest Five.
My first time running too. Great experience. Harder than I though
as I'm not use to run in trails but the course is just beautiful
and weather was great too.

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 9th June 2018

Great North Swim 5km, Lake Windemere - Friday 8th June 2018

Wimbledon Trail Series - Race 2 - Wednesday 6th June 2018

Go Tri Duathlon 69, QEOP Velopark - Monday 4th June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Sprint: 2 mile run, 10 mile cycle, 2 mile run.
Michael - 14.07/ 30.29 / 14.05 = 58.43
Paula - 13.59 / 32.49 / 13.50 = 1.00.39
Jimmy - 14.30 / 32.42 / 15.25 = 1.02.37
Sarah - 16.24 / 29.45 / 16.39 = 1.02.49
Jason - 17.16 / 36.04 / 17.14 = 1.10.35

Super Sprint 1 mile run, 5 mile cycle, 1 mile run.
Rachel - 8.29 / 17.58 / 8.17 = 34.44
Don - 10.55 / 21.56 / 11.36 = 44.27

Mud Monsters OCR, East Grinstead (approx 10km) - Sunday 3rd June 2018

Comeback from injury continues...
65th of 984 at the 10km Mud Monsters OCR. Voted the UK's muddiest race for the last few years.
I think that the longest running section was around 500metres, the rest was mut pits, bogs and
obstacle sections.
1hr 52 to do a 10km gives an idea of the mud!

Great Midland Fun Run (8.5 miles) - Sunday 3rd June 2018

Run Through Wimbledon Common Half Marathon - Sunday 3rd June 2018

Asda Foundation Derby Half Marathon - Sunday 3rd June 2018

Massive Personal Worst for me 😂 Back and hip are in pieces - made it my goal to see how far I could get today.
So to finish was amazing. Thanks to my fab ELR buddies for their advice and support this week x

The Hurt - Saturday 2nd June 2018

Thomas Grimes:- Ran a trail half yesterday, finished 2nd in 1:37:03.
Really hilly with over 2000ft climb,coincidentally it was called 'The Hurt'.

Maverick Inov-8 Original Surrey - Saturday 2nd June 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

QEOP 10km Summer Series - Saturday 2nd June 2018

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 2nd June 2018

59 parkruns at 23 venues, 3 first finishers,
16 debuts, 9 course pbs and a 50th parkrun.
First finishes for Caroline at Roding, Euan at
Walthamstow, both also set Age records also.
Also Patrick at Brandon Country Park.
50th parkrun for Michael Bamford.
Best age grades for the week for Dan Gritton 80.51%
and Paula Bedford 75.16%.
Fiona, Stuart, Jonathan and Shaun complete there A-Z
at Zary, Poland. Fiona holds the records at all hers.
11 ELR records this week for:
Fiona & Stuart at Zary,
Andrew at Goole,
James at Hilly Fields,
Patrick & Fiona at Brandon,
Michael at Conwy,
Paula at Hove Promenade,
John at Exmouth,
Euan at Walthamstow and
Caroline at Roding Valley.

Stuart Barton: Just a quick update from the weekend,the parkrun alphabet is completed along with
Jonathan Wooldridge Fiona Critchley and Shaun DeSena.
I traveled via Berlin to Poland to run at Zary.
A very early start was needed to catch he plane a quick pick up of the hire car at Berlin and then we drove to Zary,
A nice hotel with a Spa and a few quirks (Painting in wardrobes and a scary looking bed).
A nice lunch sitting out in the sun followed by a spa.
Then a trip out for more food in the next town, A nice meal with a couple of drinks, Then back to the hotel via a stop to pick up some supplies,
A few game of cards and then to bed, After breakfast we headed to the run,
A very nice run in the forest, its a one lap run with a hill near the end but a down hill finish,
A few other tourists had made the trip ans we swapped stories, Then back to Berlin to meet the others,
Berlin is a great city with loads to do we opted for some wine tasting followed by a traditional German meal in a pub, and a visit to the David Hasselhoff museum ( This is a must).
Sunday Jonathan Wooldridge did a run while the rest of us had a lay in, Then off for a cycling tour of the city, the rain stopped just as we started the tour, After the ride we visited a couple more museums and the a lovely meal with more wine.
A big thanks to all who came along with me on the adventure, now the alphabet is completed I will be looking for a new challenge #WatchThisSpace

Elvis 1 - Dagenham 88 Cow Bell 5 Miler, Eastbrooke End Country Park - Wednesday 30th May 2018

268 finishers with 79 East London Runners.
Men's team - 1st Thomas, Mark & Billy.
Ladies team - 1st Ava, Ellie & Caroline.
Elvis team - Men - 1st (as above plus Dan Senior, Ciaran & Danny Lee.)
Elvis team - Ladies - 1st (as above plus Emily Clarke.)

Craig Livermore:- Safe to say yesterday evening yielded a PB for me by 1 second, and a course PB of 2 mins and 9 secs. Not at all bad, despite starting too quick in the first mile, from then on it became a case of damage limitation (that and I choked on a fly...nice). Letting some faster runners through where I could, because there's no sense or glory in holding someone up.
Despite all this I really enjoyed myself, the marshals were fantastic, as was the support. Did I think a PB was possible? Not at all, just beating my time from 2015 was going to be an achievement. Nice to open up the ELVIS series with a bang.
Also, a massive congrats to all the ELVIS and ELR debutants, a stirling effort from the lot of you. Opening the series up with victory in the Woman's and Men's Teams standings is brilliant, and well done to everyone else who I haven't mentioned, you all shone brilliantly.

Vitality London 10,000m - Monday 28th May 2018

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Spencer Evans Race Report:-

After my terrible disaster at the Manchester Marathon a few weeks back, today was my first proper race back. So where do I start, today I was hoping to break 37 mins when i first signed up, but i had to be more realistic in this heat today so i set a target for anything under 38 mins. I met up with Alex Bee, George Mears and Stuart Kelly in St James Park which was close to the start line. We did a little warm up then made our way our starting pen (which was blue pen A). The gun fired and we were off, the first mile i was frantically trying weave in and out of other runners in order to reach my goal pace taking care not to trip over anyhting as the last thing I want was to end up in the First Aid tent again. I went through the first mile in 6.11 which is a tad slower than my game plan due to the congestion at the start. Mile 2 my pace was 5.58 which is normally way to quick but i had to make the time up after Mile 1. From then on i felt in good flow, my further splits where as follows:-
Mile 3 - 6.03 = On Target
Mile 4 - 5.53 = Way too quick!!!
Mile 5 - 6.16 = Paying for it a bit now.
The last mile, i managed to find a way and get back on target. When I saw the 8k i managed to pick up the pace again and hold on until the finish line. Mile 6 I went through in 6.01 and last 0.2 mile my pace was around 5.40. At this point i knew I was on for a strong finish and i did achieve my target for today. My overall finish time was 37.54 which is 30 seconds slower than my PB but was pleased with that considering the heat and congested start!. I would like to thank my top training buddies George Mears, Alex Bee and Stuart Kelly for a great run today and there will be many more to come, and oh yes there will. Watch this space!.



Andy Kumar's report on the Vitality London 10,000m race

andykumar.net/2018/05/28/vitality-london-10000-race-report/

Hatfield Broad Oak 10km - Monday 28th May 2018

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Peter Craik:-
The last time I raced 10K was around Victoria Park in October 2015. Soon afterwards I got a metatarsal injury which just wouldnt clear up. Over the next two years I tried pretty much everything. It eventually became clear that the ongoing pain was largely psychological a figment of my imagination if youre feeling ungenerous, over-enthusiastic communication between foot and brain. Having a mentally ill teenager at home, and a job which I eventually walked away from, didnt help either.

Things have gradually improved, though. Ive learned a lot about how the mind and body can play tricks on each other. Ive learned that having the fitness from cycling 100+ miles every week doesnt mean that its wise to run full-gas most of the time, no matter how much fun that is. Ive learned that the gym isnt actually such an alien place once you get used to it, and that targeted strength training makes a huge difference. Ive learned that I really missed running its pure simplicity, you-against-yourself, the satisfaction of pacing a run reasonably well. I learned that saving my maximum efforts for special occasions is much better than not being able to run at all.

Finally a few months ago I felt ready to enter another 10K. Id watched Maud race at HBO two years ago. I liked the home-grown atmosphere, the fact that the whole village clearly embraced the event, the cakes at the start and the finish, the t-shirts in a different bright colour every year, the flower displays in the church, the crockery-smashing stall, the sausages... So I put my name down, with no particular target other than getting round. Running has gone well since, gradually building up the distance and very occasionally even trying to get up to speed. Getting back to sub-20 last weekend at the Hackney 5K felt positive, particularly as it equalled my best age-grading of three years ago and didnt feel as hard as it had done back then. Perhaps I could actually get a PB today. So I set off at PB pace, struggled in the middle (although Strava claims that kms 5 to 7 are only very gradually up-hill), and overtook a lot of people towards the end. Someone flew past about 20m from the line, but nobody else overtook me the whole way round. PB by 15 seconds, on a tougher course, and nearly three years older. And the 2018 t-shirts are a particularly fetching shade of cerise.

Caroline Frith:- My one and only previous running of the HBO 10k was in 2009 and I just looked up my time - 43.08 - only 29 seconds faster than today. Theres life in the old bird yet! I really enjoyed today - reading Antonios race report on the way up made me want to be able to pick people off, rather than feel like death in the last mile and get overtaken which is what usually happens - so thank you Antonio Martín Romero!
I decided I could run 7 min pace today and thats exactly what I did. I made the mistake of starting my sprint finish WAY to early - as I turned into the field there was a lady in front of me who I had my sights on, so I took off and then realised how far there was to go - whoops! Lovely village atmosphere- the 5k point goes back through the middle of the village past all the cheering crowds which was fun. The kids really enjoyed the fun run and we all enjoyed the pub BBQ - highly recommend this race.

Andy Bolderstone:- Hatfield Broad Oak 10k
A really great little race in a chocolate box village. It was great to have Annette and Emma there supporting me. There were a few ELR running and I started with Maud and Sarah. The cloudy weather seemed to disappear with the start gun. The route is a figure of 8 passing back through the village at 5k. The route is very undulating and after 2 k I realised it was going to be a toughie. I started going backwards at quite a rate. Recently I haven't been able to continue the training I have been doing or want to be doing and my legs felt weak. But the support was great and the route was beautiful.
By the time I came to the finish I knew I was the last ELR on course. Pick the feet and head up and just keep going. Last year I did the Vitality 10k in 50m40sec as a pb, I did the Red Run quicker but I and most people only clocked 5.9 miles so doesn't count. As I crossed the line I looked at my watch - 50:36, a tiny pb, a very surprising pb. A harder course than the Vitality, prettier and half the price. Definitely recommend to anyone and will do this one again.

Worcester Pitchcroft 10km - Sunday 27th May 2018

Edinburgh Marathon - Sunday 27th May 2018

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7,664 finishers.
Antonio reports:- Edinburgh Marathon report:
It is always hard to pull out from the best marathon in the world, and especially, if you are not injured in front of hundreds of people who are cheering you to continue running, but I had a cool head and pulled out to save my energy for a marathon in May, as I wanted a PB. Edinburgh was the only real option. The problem is that this race is always very windy. And, indeed, it was very windy, with the wind coming from the east, it meant that we would have a strong headwind the first 19 miles until we changed the direction to the west. The day before the race, I had clear that I wouldn't a PB.
The race started and I had to be intelligent and try to find a group to protect me from the wind. I was running the first 5K with the first two females, but they slowed down considerably after an uphill, so I had to sprint to the next group in front of me. I wasn't looking at my watch, just always trying to run behind someone to spend less energy. It was more important to run in a group than running at even pace. The wind next to sea was brutal and I had to do another sprint to go to the next group, with only two people. I never leaded it, I had to be cheeky. They slowed down and again, I had to change the pace to run behind a Spanish guy until mile 10th. The wind was very strong and he started to slow down too much, so from here, I started running on my own, but I was feeling so good. After passing the half marathon in 1:17:18, the wind was very very brutal, I was feeling that I was pushing a table and my pace dropped nearly 10 seconds per km. I started to feel very tired, as I was going slow but the effort was like going at half marathon pace. I was going to give up to get a PB today. I continued overtaking more runners, who were dying because of the wind. I thought, ok, Antonio, try to finish in the best position that you can, forget about the time. I started to focus on catching the runners in front of me, then, just before the 3k off-road, there was a long road, the wind was just in a different level, I overtook around 5 runners in less than 5 minutes, I couldn't stop saying "shit, shit", the wind was pushing me to the left, I was very tired. We changed the direction to the west after 30K, just before mile 19th. Finally, the wind had disappeared! I started pushing my pace and doing some miles at 5:51 pace, I checked my watch and thought, F*** a PB is very possible today. I wanted to catch another runner who was 200m in front of me, and that made me going faster because he increased the pace as well, people started to tell me, top 10, top 10. All the miles after mile 19th, were between 5:51-5:55 pace except the last one, that I relaxed a bit the pace in 6:02. I didn't know which time I was doing, with 200m to go, I could see the watch in the finish line, 2:35 something, I enjoyed those last 200m and finished with a time of 2:36:23. Definitely, 2:35 is not out of reach now. It is time to rest a little bit and focus on Berlin in September. As always, thank you very much to this club and all its runners to make me improve every year.

Robyn reports:- Edinburgh Marathon race report
Last year I signed up for Edinburgh marathon before I knew I had a place at London (thanks to the club) and all along thought I wouldnt run both. Having completed London and getting a pb I considered running my Edinburgh place and finally decided three weeks ago to give it a go.
Sunday morning was very misty and the nerves kicked in, the first few miles were great through the centre of the city and I loved the many down hills! I was well ahead of the time I wanted until mile 16 and then things started to slow down. My legs started seizing up by mile 20. The last 6 miles were agony and I promised myself I wouldnt walk and managed not to. I was so happy to cross the finish line, not quite as fast as I hoped but still just over a 6 minute pb. I keep saying I wont run another...well see next year!
A great course but was surprised by the lack of water stations, no isotonic drinks and no pace makers.

Edinburgh Half Marathon - Sunday 27th May 2018

Vitality Westminister Mile - Sunday 27th May 2018

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Run Through Velopark Half Marathon - Saturday 26th May 2018

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 26th May 2018

48 parkruns at 17 venues, 3 first finishers.
10 debuts and 6 pbs.
First finishes for James at Wanstead, Stuart at Roding and
Euan at Walthamstow, also an Age Record for M25 - 29 also.
ELR records for:
Simon at Swindon,
Chris at Lincoln,
Andrew at Peacehaven,
Catriona at Margate and
Jonathan & Fiona at Vogrie.

Virgin Sport Hackney Half Marathon - Sunday 20th May 2018

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Craig Livermore:- Not a bad effort, besides me fading/falling into a slower rhythm between the 5k and 15k mark, which left my mind in an odd state, but what can you do eh? Stomach cramps hampered me for quite some time, and I couldn't really find my footing until it seemed to subside by the last 3.8 miles. It was fine though, as I gradually ramped up the speed again leading up to a mega sprint finish for the final 0.3 miles.
While I was slowing down, I took the time to reflect on some sights of the course, as well as taking in the crowds and getting them riled up. It was nice to see some of the ELR contingent out supporting as well, so I was in rather good spirits.
I hit my silver graded time, which was more than I could've hoped for, given my efforts last weekend were still lingering, but a PB was never on the books. Though for some time it did seem possible, I was realistic enough to know that my pace for the distance wasnt entirely there yet. However, this has given me the knowledge that I'll be back under 1:30 again, more than likely not until next year given what else Ive got to tend to, but I more than content with this. Its my quickest half of 2018, and to my knowledge a course PB.
Id like to thank all of those that made it out to support and marshal today, and thanks to Sonia for booking us a table in the CRATE Brewery and Pizzeria, the perfect chill out to end the day. It was nice to have some company on the way to the start this morning, you all know who you are, so thank you everyone!!
P.S. Yes my reports all over the place, but then again so am I.

Maya Goodwin:- Stop telling me youve got this as it is is quite clear that I have Not Got This
Is not a very good race mantra.
Hackney Half. My plan was to train really well this year. But rugby tours, musicals, childrens shows, they all got Right In The Way. Last week I managed 7 miles. Apart from that its been 3 milers since February. So I nearly didnt run. Not because I thought I wouldnt finish, I knew I would. But it just seems disrespectful to run a race you havent trained for. Disrespectful to the spectators (although to be fair, they all seemed to be having a MUCH better time than I was!) and mainly disrespectful to me. Does that make sense?
Anyway. Last night at the 10,000 PBs, a mosquito who clearly had anger issues, bit my leg. OUCH. So I took loads of piriton before bed and went to sleep. This morning it was really sore. Im not saying it contributed to my time, but it was a niggle I could have done without.
After a queue for the loo longer than one for The Ministry in the 90s, we were off. Now. Not only have I not run more than three miles, I havent even managed that without walk breaks. So I was pretty pleased to find myself bobbing along comfortably to 5 miles before I walked. I wanted to get to 10k but my head flapped and told me that it was impossible. My head is stupid.
5 miles to 8 were ok. Walk running, but keeping to 200 run steps and 50 walk ones. Then I started to struggle. And thats when the mantra started. It made me laugh, but it didnt make me run.
2:38:27. I finished, but I could have done so much better. The conditions were perfect today. Im pleased I did it, but Im slightly disappointed I didnt train harder. So next time any of you see me slacking at club or track, just say to me You owe Hackney Because I can do better.

Jess Trayler-Moore:- It was hot and miles 6-9 were brutal. Since when was east London so hilly? I ate all the jelly babies, gulped all the gels, and completed the run powered by sugar alone.
Thanks so much to all fellow ELR runners and to those that came to cheer us on, it makes such a difference. Unnecessary loo queuing and heat exhaustion aside, I had a really lovely morning.

Liz ODonnell:- It was hot, I ran-walked, ( was great seeing Maya Goodwin ahead of me dogged with determination as usual) did a fast 10k (nearly pb for me) then lost it at 7 miles and had to give myself a right talking-to. Got going again until 11 miles, seized up in the Olympic park, was a sobbing wreck I was so happy to see Maud Hodson Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera Don Bennett and Stuart Stupot Barton. Finally finished around 2.49 and the really weird thing is I want to do another one! Every ELR said hello on the way round even people I didn’t know. Top club spirit as usual- thanks everyone x

Andy Bolderstone:- Going into the race I hadnt been sure if I was going to do it but equally I didnt want to get in the habit of missing races with 3 more over the next 3 weekends (Hatfield Broad Oak 10k, The Flaming Half and The Forest Five). Also my daughter's confirmation had been changed from 3pm to 11.30 am, although being an atheist it wasn't my greatest concern.
The weather forecast said hot and sunny (as it always is come Hackney Half) but as I left home it was cool and misty. I met John Paul Healy and Sheila Kennedy at Leyton Stn and walked down which was nice, chatting . Met more ELR before the start and wished each other good luck. I haven't been too well recently and was told by my dr not to run ( don't they always ?) and to stay well hydrated if I ignored him Which meant that I was going to the loo when the race started. I managed to get at the back of the last pen. It took about 20 mins to get to the start line and I saw several ELR on the big screen starting but by the time I started I only managed 40 metres before diving off for a final pee. And the sun came out.
I decided to just enjoy the race and not bother about a good time. I was just appreciating running and seeing familiar places such as the old Hackney Hospital where I worked and lived in digs, pubs I used to go to, London Field and Vicky Park where so much marathon training took place. I think I counted 13 ELR I met running on route as well as shoutouts from Georgie Hooper and Nacho Aguirre Rodríguez before that darn steep bit before the Copper Box where there were more ELR. On to the finish. I wasn't too sure of my time (because of that annoying auto pause feature I don't seem able to permanently disable ) due to my call of nature but as I crossed the line a huge guy sped past and then collapsed onto me so. I grabbed hold of him and got him to the ground and over the finish line (got to think of that chip time ) and stopped my watch at 1.50.55 ( actual finish was 1.51 something). Somehow I had managed my second best half marathon time and really enjoyed my run to boot. So I got my bag and rushed back and managed to see the second half of my daughter's confirmation (albeit unshowered and in running gear!)
I would totally recommend running at the back and enjoying yourself, saw so many people (passed more than probably all my other races combined), had a blast and caught a giant on the finish line. What's not to love.

Jakub Czeczotka:- Hackney Half
Sometimes you have big expectations for a big race but end up with a bitter disappointment. Sometimes its the other way round. To me it was the David (Hackney Half) vs Goliath (London Marathon) of London road running. My hopes and dreams of a fresh marathon PB melted in the heat on April 22nd when I had to fight for my dear life just to hang on to the bronze target - sub 4h (finished in 3:59:44 - Maya thanks again for the bottle!!!). I was eagerly anticipating Hackney Half but mainly because I invited a group of friends to come over from Leeds, Poland and Portugal and join me. In terms of running form I knew I may be in shape but didnt expect much. The ambitious (gold) target was to follow the 1:40 pacer and if things get tough just let them slowly drift away. Considering last years 1:44 half marathon PB (silver target) and no HM specific training this seemed conservatively unrealistic or eagerly optimistic, depends how you look at it.
The race started on time and I managed to position myself nicely behind my pacers. From the gun the pace felt quite hard but manageable, at least to start with. My main challenge was getting in the rhythm behind the pacers as there were plenty of people around me, going in all directions, especially when the route narrowed. Frankly speaking it felt like hard work as I found myself surrounded by ambitions and elbows of fellow sub 1:40 aspirants. At about 2k, when space on the pavement opened, a cunning plan hatched in my head - I decided to take the pacer over and run just in front of them. Should it work I will gain my natural rhythm, should it fail I will have the benefit of running in a less crowded space for some time and they will catch me anyway. This completely made my race. Very quickly I noticed I finally have the space to run my own race (and pace). It was faster but surprisingly felt easier. After some time, on a sharp turn I looked back and I noticed the pacers were at least 50m behind me. Well done I thought, now just hang on to this ambitious pace (or fade trying). From about 5k it was more of a mental than physical battle. I think you overcooked it the voice kept saying but all systems were reporting status green so I pushed on. Kept myself busy trying to figure out where I was and counting down kilometres to my next gel (had one at 7k and another at 14k). There was no crisis as such, just a wave of self-doubt at 15k - more than a parkrun from home, the gels are gone, surely there must be a major disaster waiting to happen. Well, it never came and my watch was consistently giving me splits a few seconds faster than my target sub 1:40 pace which only added to the excitement as I was hitting the final stretches of the route. I even managed to sprint to the finish where, to my big surprise, I was welcomed by a massive PB of over 7 minutes - I finished in 1:36:49! I really wasnt aware Id be capable of running a time like that. My garmin even claimed I run a 10k PB in the process (45:26). What a race!
Some observations:
* very effective waves, pretty much all the time I was able to hang on to someone and use them as my clandestine pacer
* running around Hackney and Olympic Park makes me genuinely proud what a great part of city that is
* a brilliant medal and a huge improvement in finishers t-shirt from last year
* to a great effect I swapped my 1h-before-the-run double caffeine gel for a double espresso brewed by a bearded hipster barista with Shoreditch grade tat sleeves, going forward I will aim to have coffee before a race and keep the gel as a backup

Nuclear Rush - Sunday 20th May 2018

Ironman 70.3 Barcelona - Sunday 20th May 2018

Swim 1.2 miles/1.9km 49.40
T1 11.32
bike 56 miles/ 90kms 3.47.20
T2 9.27
run 13.1 miles/ 21.1km 2.13.02

Liverpool Rock n Roll Half Marathon - Sunday 20th May 2018

Liverpool Rock n Roll Marathon - Sunday 20th May 2018

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Marc Akers:- Liverpool marathon run report hope this is ok
Sunday morning started early as my mate Billy was running the half & this started at 9.
So we walk from our hotel down to Albert docks only took us 15 mins & we walked into the runners village it was packed already mostly half marathon runners but a few marathon runners too.
We headed for the bag drop were Billy dropped his bag & then he headed for his pen as he wanted to get close to the 1.45 pacer.
I left there & headed into the expo & to spend some money & try to relax.
Next thing it was 9.30 so I dropped my bag & headed out to corral 10 pen I found myself right at the back next to the 5.15 pacers which was ok with me.
The start was delayed by 20 mins & then I was off & running I caught up with the 5hr Pacers at mile 3 & just enjoyed my running & I know I'd be going past Goodson park soon & then through Stanley park & then onto Anfield , the miles went past very quickly & the next thing I knew I was with the 4:45 pacers I felt comfortable & kept plodding along at mile 17 my calfs started cramping up & I got pain in my left foot. I stopped to stretch my calfs & decided it was all about finishing & times went out the window.
I hoped to still get under 5hrs but that slipped away in the last 3 miles too
The last miles was all about finishing running & giving my everything right to the line.
Crossing that line was amazing & a massive release of emotions as this was for my dad.
Thanks to u all as u all inspired me at times throughout trading
Special tks to Jo & Jason training partners

Plymouth Half Marathon - Sunday 20th May 2018

Nottingham Sprint Triathlon - Saturday 19th May 2018

Ava 1.09.32 - 6th/38 in age group - and qualification for GB European Sprint Age group championships - yay!
13.51/ 1.20/33.06/ 1.39/19.36 = 1.09.32
Danny 1.13.38
17.53/ 1.49/33.48/ 1.30/ 18.38 = 1.13.38

Hackney Virgin Sport 5km - Saturday 19th May 2018

London Spring 10km - Saturday 19th May 2018

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 19th May 2018

Capital Challenge (CSAA 10km Championship) - Wednesday 16th May 2018

171 finishers.

Run Wembley 10km - Sunday 13th May 2018

St Neots Olympic Distance Triathlon - Sunday 13th May 2018

487 finishers. Olympic distance.
Ava 28.24 swim, 2.39 t1, 1.08.46 cycle, 1.16 t2, 43.03 run = 2.24.10
Sarah 29.10, 1.26, 1.10.34, 1.12, 56.12 = 2.38.36
Danny 40.15, 3.08, 1.08.38, 2.03, 41.27 = 2.35.31

Great Baddow 10m - Sunday 13th May 2018

674 finishers.

Run Through Alexandra Palace 10km - Sunday 13th May 2018

Toughest 10k I have done, up and down, impossible to get into a rhythm, however, great hill training.
That was a tough, tough 10k - having done 2 parkruns there (normal and alternative course) as well as
cross country races, should have expected multiple hills!!! Shahib Ali

Royal Parks Summer Series - Greenwich Park - Sunday 13th May 2018

365 finishers.

Telenor Copenhagen Marathon - Sunday 13th May 2018

Essex County Outdoor Championship, Chelmsford - Day 2 - Sunday 13th May 2018

Sunderland Half Marathon - Sunday 13th May 2018

1191 finishers.

Dragonslayer Duathlon, Velopark - Sunday 13th May 2018

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79 finishers, 3 mile run/15 mile cycle/ 2 mile run
Michael 22.03 / 45.23 / 15.06 = 1.22.32
Paula 21.14 / 46.59 / 14.33 = 1.22.46
Kat 26.44 / 52.47 / 13.22 = 1.32.53

Halstead & Essex Marathon - Sunday 13th May 2018

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374 finishers.
Jimmy Dale reports:- Halstead & Essex Race report
So as many of you know I foolishly decided to sign up for an Ironman and even more foolishly decided that the best prep for this would be to run a marathon a month. April had been a game of two halves with 2 marathons, 2 weeks apart with 2 very different results. The second (Brighton) I think hit my confidence more than I realised, as looking ahead to yesterday I was a bit apprehensive.
Last weekend I had a head cold and as such I hadnt run all week so on Friday I decided I should go for a run and assess myself before Sunday. I felt slow and sluggish and 5 miles felt like a struggle, let alone 26! On top of this, the weather forecast had gone from 15 degrees and sunny, to torrential rain predicted on Sat. While I decided I would still run it, I was not expecting a particularly great result.
With that said, I tried to have as much positivity as I could and upon arriving, bumped into Roger and got chatting. He was aiming for 3:55 and so I decided that I too would aim for that, even boldly stating I would aim for a PB (well this is a change of attitude I thought!)
The weather seemed to have settled at what seemed like ideal conditions and we set off at what rapidly became a 8.30m/m pace. This was a bit faster than expected but the plan was under 8.45m/m until half way, then under 9m/m until 20 miles and then we’d see how I was feeling and what felt achievable. 8.30m/m felt ok though and twice we even sped up and clocked a 8.15 m/m.
The sun came bursting through at mile 3 and I had a quick costume change, ditching the under-top Id pessimistically started in. The course was beautiful, running through the villages around Halstead. Apart from some very posh houses (one of which had 4 lamas hanging out in the garden), it was all country lanes through woody glades and rolling fields. When the sun fully came out it was like going on a lovely summers walk in the country, except it was a marathon not a walk!
The course was described by Andy B as undulating and I think that was a fairly good assessment! No hill was very long and normally flattened out a bit at the top before coming back down, but there were a lot of hills...a lot!
All the way round there were loads of water stations, offering water, juice, jelly babies and a host of other treats. You could also send your own bottles there ahead of time. The marshals were some of the most supportive marshals Ive come across and made you feel like you were winning the race!
Mile 13 rolled around and I was feeling good, like I could actually do this. A bit of mental maths and I said to Roger if we do 10 m/m from here on out, I think we would finish in 4 hours. This felt like a burst of confidence and I pressed on.
Mile 17 saw Roger drop off but I took on the mental game of chasing down the person in front and overtaking them.
Mile 20 came and mentally I started to feel it, but despite that I was still keeping a good pace. A guy called James from the 100 Marathon club asked if I was ok (clearly I was looking good at this stage!) and we ran chatting for a few miles. This was great as I was so distracted I didnt notice Id picked the pace back up.
I took a gel at mile 23 and by mile 25 that gel decided it was happier outside my body than in. Abandoning James, I dived to the side of the road to throw it back up. Feeling gutted that I’d slowed pace and more importantly, that Id let about 15 people pass me (up until then I think only 6 people had overtaken me), I tried to pick up the pace. I was sure James was gone but at about 25.7 miles, I spotted his blue jersey at the bottom of the hill. Game time I thought and pushed with everything I had left, finally overtaking him just before mile 26. I rounded the final bend, knowing I was on for a Pb and gave it everything I could, finally crossing the line in 3:52:54 (well thats what my Garmin says, the official times havent come out yet).
Halstead and Essex was a fantastic marathon, really well organised, friendly and simply beautiful. The bling was great, with a nice tech t-shirt and a really packed goodie bag. Yes its hilly but as long as you know that, theyre not too bad. Would def recommend it for next year!

Gatwick Half Marathon - Sunday 13th May 2018

Dulux Trade London Revolution Cycle Ride - 200 miles - Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th May 2018

British Heart Foundation Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 12th May 2018

Essex County Outdoor Championship, Chelmsford - Day 1 - Saturday 12th May 2018

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parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 12th May 2018

Stuart Barton:- Alness parkrun is the most stunning parkrun I have ever done, The views are just amazing,
the weather was perfect with blue skies and a slight cool breeze, I was made really welcome by the locals.

Run Through Chase The Sun 10km - Wednesday 9th May 2018

Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride - Sunday 6th May 2018

Haywards Heath 10 miles - Sunday 6th May 2018

Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run (Marathon) - Sunday 6th May 2018

10k 35.33
20k 1.11.22
half 1.15.27
30k 1.49.53
40k 2.29.08
finish 2.37.35
5th place
2nd M 35-39
pace 6.01 Min Mile

Geneva Marathon - Sunday 6th May 2018

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1564 finishers. Geneva Marathon 06/05/18 - Race Report
I have flown in and out of Geneva for skiing for nearly 10 years now and have never really taken the time to appreciate it as a city. This weekend changed that for sure, it will now forever be the place where I acheived a BQ!
So after an awesome day exploring the city with the gang, we had an early night in prep. On the morning of, Gemma and Lucy left early, to take on the Semi marathon leaving Jennifer and I trying to finish porridge whilst fretting about what we had in front of us. We then slowly walked about a mile to the start from our air bnb, but we were still early so we used this time wisely for emergency portalooing & taking selfies!
Then we were off, I ambitiously started a little in front of the 3:30 marker cause you know, go hard or go home right? So I cracked on, with a mad stitch to start, but when that settled just enjoyed the beaut scenery and atmosphere. Now, an observation is Allez allez allez sounds very like Ellie Ellie Ellie so I felt personally supported by the whole of Geneva for 26.2 miles, which was excellent!!
It was hot though, with no shade, at all. However it was flat and beautiful so I cracked on. Made a few mates along the way who were very supportive of the East London vest and I felt the love for the girls from the crowds allez les fille !
The fields reminded me of running at colworth, which I loved - living in the city and predominately running along the a12 makes running through the fields a dream. The final 10k was all along the side of Geneva lake, where I also saw my parents which was so good ! Until my dad cycled along side me and kept stopping to take so.many.videos . It was then great to see fan girls Lucy & Gemma who were very loud and (I think) happy to see me, which felt amazing. Then that was it, head to the finish! I then saw Jenny at the mile 25 switch back, who was standardly smashing it, that was a boost I never see Jenny in a run!! Looking at my watch, I now realised that if I knuckle down I could actually get sub 3:30 here!! Wow.
Then, I did it, 3:26:15 - I am over the moon. Still cant really believe it !
Would I recommend Geneva? Yes, definitely - its obviously much quieter than London, so maybe not if you need the crowds, but deffo if you want a beaut weekend away / stunning scenery / a flat PB course and a supportive crowd at end - do it.!

Geneva Half Marathon - Sunday 6th May 2018

Gutenberg Marathon - Sunday 6th May 2018

Run Through Crystal Palace 10km - Sunday 6th May 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 5th May 2018

parkrun - all venues. - Saturday 5th May 2018

62 parkruns at 19 venues, 3 first finishers.
6 course pbs and 14 debuts.
First finishes for Karen at Valentines(81.70%), Paula at Mersea Island (74.57%) and Patrick at Walthamstow(72.43%).

Paula Bedford:-
What a lovely Parkrun Mersea Islland was! There were 3 generations of our family running and we all came first in our age group categories!!
Herbie Dimmock age 5 - first in under 11
Elwood Wharton age 11 - first 11 -16
Paula Bedford age 40 ish !! First 40-44
Howard Dimmock 70 ish - First 70 - 74.

Maya reports:- Im at Butlins in Minehead for a kids rugby festival. And so I thought Id steal a club parkrun record before that Stuart Stupot Barton and Jonathan Wooldridge got there.
Quite a small crowd. Not many rugby looking people. But I did laugh at the group from Ealing RFC who had their kids with them. The coach said last night that we werent supposed to take them to parkrun as itll tire them out before their games this afternoon. But he was pissed so wont remember!
It was all on narrowish pavements with two out and backs one way and three out and backs the other, so it felt pretty chaotic, runners going both ways and the fast ones overtaking too.
But it was prettier than a pretty thing running along the sea front and the sun was out. And while I may have thought that was chaos, it was nothing compared to Splashworld.

Wimbledon Trail Series (5 miles) - Wednesday 2nd May 2018

Go Tri Duathlon 68, QEOP Velopark - Tuesday 1st May 2018

Gi Tri 68 - 2 mile run/10 mile cycle/2 mile run.
Billy - 12.06/31.56/12.21 = 56.25
Michael - 14.44/31.38/14.42 = 1.01.05
Paula - 14.41/33.32/14.45 = 1.03.00
Laura - 15.13/34.19/15.10 = 1.04.43

Fleet Pre-London Half Marathon - Sunday 29th April 2018

1833 finishers.

Wimbledon Half Marathon - Sunday 29th April 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

515 finishers.

Chester Half Marathon - Sunday 29th April 2018

Grass Snake 12m, Chelmsford (trail) - Sunday 29th April 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

23 finishers.

Viper 15m, Chelmsford (trail) - Sunday 29th April 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

83 finishers.

Haspa Hamburg Marathon - Sunday 29th April 2018

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Michael Wilson:- I did not believe I could run a marathon at the moment due to a lack of any real training in the last few weeks. (That old story)! I did a 20 mile a month ago and after that, not much. Anyway I flew over to Hamburg and decided to run and feel chuffed at how it went in the end. Standing on the start line I was still thinking about how far I could actually run, my morale and self belief being that low. I knew I could not match my 3.33 at Eindhoven 6 months ago, but In the end unbelievably I was only a minute slower than my 2017 London Marathon time. For the race, I set off at just under 8 minutes a mile trying to make it to half way. As Ciaran Canavan said in his Boston Marathon report, just make it to half way and then you can walk the rest if necessary. I got to 13.1 in about 1.44 and then started to count down the KM's. I realised I would slow considerably in the second half, but knew if I could do a sub 2 hour second half I would still pull off a reasonable time.
It was a fantastic race and the crowd were amazing, however it was difficult to get a drink at the water stations with some Runners just stopping in front of me instead of carrying on running. This caused me to bump into them and slow down, which was slightly annoying. All my concerns about injuries came to nothing and i got into a steady rhythm. Of course the last 5k was tough, more of a mental challenge; but I made it without mishap to the finish. I took on the Gels and banana slices that were handed out, so my energy levels were ok. The temperature got to 19 degrees which was warm, but nowhere near as bad as London last week. For the record; this was my 30th Marathon and the time was 3.42.57. I am staying two nights in a nice hotel on the Reeperbahn in the St Pauli district of Hamburg, the centre of all activities. A lot of rowdiness up my street, with stag and hen parties being very popular! The area had already gained notoriety, when the Beatles used to play all night sessions here in 1960 before they were famous. I am pleased I gave Hamburg a visit, it has all been worthwhile.

10,010 Finishers.

Gijon Media Half Marathon - Saturday 28th April 2018