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Results Jan-June 2023

R T Chase The Sun Battersea Park 10km - Wednesday 28th June 2023

Elvis 3: East End Road Runners 5km, Olympic Park - Tuesday 27th June 2023

The Power of 10 lists 5km races separate from parkrun's. parkruns are all different with different terrains.

Team results
Men's Team came 2nd, remain in 2nd place overall.
Women's Team came 4th but remain in 1st place overall.

Challenge Roth Ironman - Sunday 25th June 2023

3.8k swim 1.20.18, T1 10.38,
180km cycle 7.46.51, T2 7.15,
42.2km run 4.52.48 = 14.17.48

Colworth Marathon Challenge - final standings - Sunday 25th June 2023

Gun times / chip times
98 finishers of full marathon challenge

Colworth Marathon Challenge: Day 3 - Colworth Half Marathon - Sunday 25th June 2023

Gun times/ Chip times
112 finishers

Welwyn 10km, Panshanger Park - Sunday 25th June 2023

479 finishers.

Beautiful trail course in Panshanger Park with
a few ups and downs in first 5k - but heat was brutal.
Still highly recommend it - brilliantly organised and marshalled
by Garden City Runners

Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge - day 1 - Saturday 24th June 2023

Colworth Marathon Challenge: Day 2 - Colworth Trail 8.1 miles - Saturday 24th June 2023

UTMB La Sportiva Lavaredo 80km, Italy - Saturday 24th June 2023

Robert Spread reports:
Really tough, the climbs were so steep and it was very hot but stunning scenery.
Great finish line atmosphere, recommend if anyone thinking of doing an ultra.

Run Through Velopark 10 mile - Saturday 24th June 2023

Run Through Velopark 10km - Saturday 24th June 2023

116 finishers

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 24th June 2023

Roding Valley parkrun
80 19 Caroline MOORE 00:29:55
Rosliston parkrun
211 136 Terry LEWSEY 00:43:59
Valentines parkrun
19 18 Calvin BOBIN 00:22:29
33 28 Tim LE RASLE 00:23:33
62 52 Darminder BHAMRA 00:25:11
78 65 Richard CRAVITZ 00:26:03
118 23 Naimah RIAZ 00:29:08
142 31 Lauren KELLY 00:31:00
146 110 Mark DURRANT 00:31:21
198 52 Mary Frances O'BRIEN 00:36:57
237 74 Elizabeth O'DONNELL 00:45:49
Wanstead Flats parkrun
23 22 Jonny SHAW 00:21:24
103 78 Andrew HOWARD 00:27:05
128 94 Scott MCMILLAN 00:28:42
157 38 Kathryn HERTZBERG 00:30:03
160 40 Fiona DAY 00:30:33
218 80 Jane SCOTT 00:35:48
230 88 Sophie EDWARDS 00:36:52
Pymmes parkrun
100 67 Andy BOLDERSTONE 00:30:50
Mile End parkrun
40 38 Mark MOIR 00:20:51
302 178 Arthur DIAZ 00:33:59
Walthamstow parkrun
15 15 Alex PICKERING 00:21:50
23 23 Simon NASH 00:22:23
Tauranga parkrun
43 36 Ciarán CANAVAN 00:24:50
65 50 Lance FULLER 00:26:52
Lancaster parkrun
44 42 Paul MARSHALL 00:25:09
Porch Field parkrun
21 15 Viktor F SZABADI 00:29:00
Charlton parkrun
36 34 John BOOTH 00:21:46

Colworth Marathon Challenge: Day 1 - Colworth 5m - Friday 23rd June 2023

263 finishers.

Pleshey 5, Springfield Striders Friday 5 inc Essex Champs - Friday 23rd June 2023

ELR Summer Handicap Race - Volunteers - Wednesday 21st June 2023

ELR Summer Handicap Race - Wanstead Flats 5K - Unofficial - Wednesday 21st June 2023

Triffic Trail 10km, Trent Park - Sunday 18th June 2023

Run Through Battersea Park 10km - Sunday 18th June 2023

460 finishers

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 17th June 2023

Roding Valley parkrun
22 19 Calvin BOBIN 00:22:38
49 41 Mounir DAHBI 00:25:45
96 23 Caroline MOORE 00:30:35
124 45 Caroline FRITH 00:53:34
Valentines parkrun
19 18 Matthew POWELL 00:22:45
101 14 Molly PINKUS 00:28:09
115 20 Naimah RIAZ 00:29:12
180 41 May HAU 00:33:59
224 64 Joanna QIU 00:38:36
Wanstead Flats parkrun
11 11 Fernando ESPADA 00:20:39
12 12 Jonny SHAW 00:20:43
19 19 Ian MACKIE 00:21:30
99 80 Scott MCMILLAN 00:27:06
117 95 Andrew HOWARD 00:27:38
188 128 Jakub CZECZÓTKA 00:31:38
258 91 Sophie EDWARDS 00:37:32
Walthamstow parkrun
74 13 Janet BYWATER 00:27:36
141 75 Steve BYWATER 00:52:06
Whakatane Gardens parkrun
13 11 Ciarán CANAVAN 00:24:14
Lordship Recreation Ground parkrun
12 12 James NICHOLS 00:19:28
41 38 Jimmy DALE 00:22:56
Roundshaw Downs parkrun
68 53 Martin QUINLAN 00:27:55
Mile End parkrun
199 156 Liam DEMPSEY 00:27:39
Harrow Lodge parkrun
39 34 Clive STEPHENSON 00:24:15
Rutland Water parkrun
188 113 Marc AKERS 00:31:22
Victoria Dock parkrun
36 31 Daniel LEE 00:20:38
Felixstowe parkrun
130 25 Katherine HARRIS 00:26:33
Ford parkrun
17 15 Paul MARSHALL 00:23:33
Great Notley parkrun
46 11 Fiona CRITCHLEY 00:25:51
Springburn parkrun, Glasgow
128 74 Frank BROWNLIE 00:31:11

Orion John Clarke Memorial Fell Race - Friday 16th June 2023

180 finishers

Finsbury Park Half Marathon - Sunday 11th June 2023

SITC Summer Samosas Ultra Relay (5 x 10km) - Sunday 11th June 2023

Ultra Team
ELR Samosas Eaters 2nd - 4.38.38 - 25 laps - 9.30 fastest lap (9).
ELR Spicers - 5th - 3.23.30 - 18 laps - 8.17 fastest lap (10)

SITC Summer Samosas Ultra (50km) - Sunday 11th June 2023

Nathaniel Dye: It may have been one of my slowest. It may have been 30k short of my last run round this course. But this cancer patient just ran a 50k ultramarathon in the searing heat.
Huge thanks to the ELR cheer squad but especially to EMAC Jane for dragging me round 10 miles of it! Plus of course Sikhs In The City - Running Group for hosting a great race!
It doesn’t matter what kind of obstacles life throws at us. We humans are capable of almost anything. I don’t allow myself any excuses. If I wake up and am fortunate enough to find myself still breathing, I try hard and sometimes amazing things happen. But more than that - I’m just getting started with this ultra comeback. Stay tuned - you ain’t seen nothing yet!

SITC Summer Samosas Half Marathon (22km) - Sunday 11th June 2023

Staffordshire Ironman 70.3 - Sunday 11th June 2023

Ava = 5.41.22 = 38.01, 6.03, 3.05.30, 3.19, 1.48.12
Danny = 5.45.06 = 49.07, 10.17, 3.01.27, 4.57, 1.39.20

Ava Lee: Our fundraising Summer of Multisport kicked off yesterday at Ironman 70.3 Stafford. What a belter of a day in every way. The sun shone across the glistening lake for the 1.9km swim at 7am, we then clipped into our bikes and pelted 90km around the beautiful Staffordshire countryside and up the Cannock Chase. The crowds cheered us all the way round the blindingly hot 21km run including the very wicked hill up to Stafford Castle - which we had to ascend twice!! Then it all ends with the magic of running along the Ironman finishing carpet, arms in the air. We ate pizza, guzzled non alcoholic beer, then alcoholic beer and guess what, I qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships this August. The race calendar just got bigger. Team Lee are off to Finland!!😀
Thank you so much for all your donations. We're blown away by your generosity to Maggies at Bart's.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Daniel-Lee36

Southend Half Marathon - Sunday 11th June 2023

Alexandra: Race report S'end half. It was good to see some ELR runners on the day. It was a hot hot day and in short it went a bit pear shaped for me. I thought my training went ok but I may have tapered too early. I've run in hot conditions a lot but that was before having a baby so things change! At around 7.5 miles I was feeling rather unwell and even wobbly. This has never happened to me but again things change! haha! I stopped and walked which was a very sensible thing to do and had to let go of my dream time as I watched the 2 hour pacer sail past me.
The main thing is I finished the race in 2.15 despite my watch saying 2.12! I was disappointed but I'll get over it. All I can put it down to is the heat and a new experience! Well done to all that ran in testing conditions, I've recovered well and hope to see you all soon.

Endure 24, Reading - Saturday 10th June 2023

Paul Sheraton ran 12 laps of 5 miles,
lap 1 - 45.25
lap 3 - 47.15
lap 5 - 53.59
lap 8 - 59.25
lap 10 - 50.03
lap 11 - 54.45
lap 14 - 1.07.09
lap 15 - 57.06
lap 16 - 58.46
lap 20 - 59.29
lap 21 - 1.01.45
lap 24 - 44.27

Tottenham 10 - Saturday 10th June 2023

126 finishers

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 10th June 2023

Felixstowe parkrun
147 34 Katherine HARRIS 00:27:50
Roundshaw Downs parkrun
67 56 Martin QUINLAN 00:29:11
Roding Valley parkrun (101)
54 41 John HEALY 00:26:46
70 13 Sandra PRESTON 00:28:13
73 54 Tim AYLETT 00:28:55
103 28 Kathy MORRISSEY 00:33:17
Valentines parkrun (233)
18 17 Alan ARUL 00:22:22
20 19 Jimmy DALE 00:22:33
70 60 David TAYLOR 00:27:11
86 11 Molly PINKUS 00:28:46
118 25 Naimah RIAZ 00:30:38
183 52 May HAU East 00:35:54
Wanstead Flats parkrun (274)
19 18 Jonny SHAW 00:21:47
24 23 Mark WYATT 00:22:16
37 35 Simon NASH 00:23:33
64 57 Nick HOULT 00:25:24
108 86 Scott MCMILLAN 00:27:33
109 21 Catriona HOULT 00:27:34
133 34 Suzanne TAYLOR 00:29:02
172 54 Fiona DAY 00:31:11
216 83 Maya GOODWIN 00:35:04
219 85 Jane SCOTT 00:35:35
235 94 Catherine MCMILLAN 00:37:26
Raphael parkrun
159 35 Natasha HOWARD 00:30:29
Burgess parkrun (23)
17 17 John BOOTH 00:19:42
Harrow Lodge parkrun (32)
11 11 Shahib ALI 00:21:40
Walthamstow parkrun (104)
12 12 Andrew BAXTER 00:21:15
84 65 Mark DURRANT 00:27:33
103 21 Janet BYWATER 00:28:40
Springburn parkrun, Glasgow
66 46 Frank BROWNLIE 00:31:33
Harleston Magpies parkrun
18 15 Terry LEWSEY 00:25:33

Yateley 10km - Race 1 - Wednesday 7th June 2023

526 finishers

selected parkrun results - all venues - Tuesday 6th June 2023

Elvis 2: Havering 90 Joggers 5m, Raphael Park - Tuesday 6th June 2023

Rayleigh 10km - Sunday 4th June 2023

436 finishers

Stockholm Marathon - Saturday 3rd June 2023

Run Through Regents Park 10km - Saturday 3rd June 2023

Orion Forest Five Series - Event 1, Chingford Plain - Saturday 3rd June 2023

111 finishers

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 3rd June 2023

Hackney Marshes parkrun
127 18 Michelle KING 00:24:26
169 123 Tom WOODS 00:25:48
282 89 Julie CAMPBELL 00:29:57
Roding Valley parkrun
100 30 Caroline MOORE 00:30:20
Valentines parkrun
67 55 Jason LEVY 00:26:52
75 60 David TAYLOR 00:27:11
129 25 Naimah RIAZ 00:31:20
205 61 Joanna QIU 00:38:40
Wanstead Flats parkrun
17 16 Jonny SHAW 00:21:01
22 21 Ian MACKIE 00:21:31
107 76 Scott MCMILLAN 00:28:04
144 46 Suzanne BENCH 00:30:25
145 47 Kate BRETT 00:30:26
159 53 Andrea WALLER 00:31:29
160 54 Jayne BROWNE 00:31:30
200 117 Andrew HOWARD 00:34:53
Roundshaw Downs parkrun
75 64 Martin QUINLAN 00:28:16
Silksworth parkrun
17 15 Mark MOIR 00:21:17
Grovelands parkrun, Enfield
64 53 George GEORGIOU 00:25:46
Chester parkrun
346 116 Angela MORLEY 01:15:47
Raphael parkrun
21 17 Amit MARKS 00:20:23
Mile End parkrun
188 36 Catriona HOULT 00:26:27
Beckton parkrun
35 11 Diana REXHEPAJ 00:30:21
Walthamstow parkrun
135 75 Alex PICKERING 00:49:39
Brandon Country Park parkrun
44 13 Fiona DAY 00:31:36
Springburn parkrun, Glasgow
77 48 Frank BROWNLIE 00:31:04
Hockley Woods parkrun
105 23 Alexandra WILKINSON 00:35:32
Morecambe Prom parkrun
102 84 Paul MARSHALL 00:24:51
Porch Field parkrun
21 15 Viktor F SZABADI 00:27:52

Lancaster & Morecambe AC - Power of 5km Races - Friday 2nd June 2023

Tapijn parkrun, Holland - Monday 29th May 2023

Hatfield Broad Oak 10km - Monday 29th May 2023

Ride 100 Essex - Sunday 28th May 2023

some additional times from former ELR's:
Ben Waller 5.28.17
Sheetal BL 6.57.23

Rahana :A note on how not to do Ride London:
Actually do some training (I did zero training, last time I was on bike was RideLondon 2022!)
Don't get smashed the night before.
Got in wasted night before (I don't even remember!) so forgot to put my 4am alarm on. Woke to messages from run buddies (who were riding) at 5:56am to ask where I was on the platform. I was in platform BED!
Threw myself out of bed in panic and confusion I wasn't even sure what day it is was.
Arghh I haven't sorted my bike out.
Where's all my 'bike' stuff. Get porridge down you now. No can't going to be sick.
But I have too!! Can't do this on an empty stomach.
Should I really do this..!? No I will all that training will go to waste.
Pump tires.I don't seem to have any strength to do this.
Geez Rahana why hadn't you done this BEFORE this morning!
Chuck cycling gear on, about to throw myself out of door! DRAT last years race numbers are still on my bike! Remove all those and put new numbers all that felt like it was taking 5 days to do!!
I don't think I'm going to make it to start line I'm soooo late.
Get to district line. Lovely ladies riding too saw my start time (C) 7am start, 'oooo you're late' I can't even hold conversation not my usual happy chatty self I need to find a rock to crawl under.
Get to Westminster gone 8am saw a parkrun buddy RELIEF he can take charge and calm my nerves! Stuck in pens for an eternity oh for goodness sake what is going on! After what felt like a few more days we finally cross the start line!
Wow we are SOOO late I don't think I'll make any cut-offs!!!
The ride itself hard hard hard hard hard, heat killing me, dehydrated, gripped by hangover. I lost my soul out there. Seriously should be renamed RideFlyovers!!!
Was sooooo good to see Carlton, Janet, Stuart cheering and so many other ELR's dotted around cheering.
Not so good finding Karen (Levison) sunning herself in a beer garden having a lovely jolly when I had 20miles to go still.

ELR Take-over at Walthamstow parkrun - Saturday 27th May 2023

Marshal Davina BOHANE

Walthamstow parkrun
6 5 Alex PICKERING 00:19:58
7 6 James NICHOLS 00:20:58
17 15 Ian MACKIE 00:22:07 debut
23 21 Calvin BOBIN 00:22:38
28 3 Betty BOHANE 00:22:54
36 32 Peter HATLEY 00:23:24
43 38 Simon NASH 00:23:53
57 47 Ian BURROWS 00:24:53 course pb
58 11 Cindy KOON 00:25:05 debut
63 52 Richard GUEST 00:25:37
67 54 Samir YOUNSI 00:25:51
78 64 Stuart BARTON 00:26:28 course pb
90 21 Sandra PRESTON 00:27:33 debut
122 40 Kathy MORRISSEY 00:29:56
126 82 Grant CONWAY 00:30:03 debut
125 42 Maya GOODWIN 00:30:03
129 44 Kathryn HERTZBERG 00:30:23 debut
130 45 Clare STEVENS 00:30:35 debut
134 46 Catriona HOULT 00:31:17
141 51 Caroline MOORE 00:32:03
156 62 Fiona DAY 00:34:55
180 79 Morag CAMPBELL 00:50:13 debut

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 27th May 2023

Wanstead Flats parkrun
49 47 Finbar SHEAHAN 00:23:25
76 64 Scott MCMILLAN 00:25:30
140 96 Andrew HOWARD 00:29:01
Valentines parkrun
13 13 Ashley FARIA 00:20:51
56 48 George GEORGIOU 00:24:56
110 16 Molly PINKUS 00:27:59
114 92 Jason LEVY 00:28:16
Hilly Fields parkrun
139 99 Martin QUINLAN 00:29:12
Great Denham parkrun
186 115 Marc AKERS 00:34:37
Morecambe Prom parkrun
32 28 Paul MARSHALL 00:21:29
Castle Park parkrun
68 59 James CREED 00:24:00
Roding Valley parkrun
78 61 Tim AYLETT 00:26:46
Barking parkrun
11 11 Mark MOIR 00:21:03
Porch Field parkrun
26 18 Viktor F SZABADI 00:27:54

Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5km - Friday 26th May 2023

Elvis 1: Dagenham 88 Runners 5, Central Park - Wednesday 24th May 2023

Elvis team results :
Men 2nd 83 points
Ladies 1st 79 points

Hackney Moves Half Marathon - Sunday 21st May 2023

Jakub Czeczotka: Hackney Half 2023 race report
This was my 6th Hackney Half, no doubt my favourite half marathon. The organisation can be a bit iffy sometimes but Hackney never fails to throw a party! Starting in Hackney Marshes there is plenty of space so it doesn't feel too overwhelming before the start and you can just lie down on the grass and relax after you've finished. Back in 2018 I ran my PB here, a surprising 1:36:49 and this was the only time I dipped below 1:40. Many things have gone wrong in my running since and included a spectacular collection of injuries such as Achilles tendinopathy, tears in my hamstring and soleus muscles, sciatic nerve issues and two years ago the cherry on the top - a stress fracture in my tibia which resulted in six weeks of walking on crutches. Multiple sports doctor and physio visits later, after months of building back which included run/walking, getting on a bike and a turbo trainer, trying to learn to swim properly (aka front crawl) I was slowly getting into my running fitness and started to get some promising results. I targeted Hackney Half as my main race this spring and followed loosely structured training based on garmin recommendations and workouts from the Faster Road Running book. Turns out there's hardly any information if you train for running but also want to include cycling and swimming so I was going by feel, made it up as I went and just listened to my body. Going into the race, my bronze target was to go sub 1:40 (breaking 100 minutes again!), silver was a PB and gold would be sub 1:35. I thought these were equally realistic and ambitious but my watch was negging me with a half marathon prediction of 1:41 so I had to prove it wrong.

I wanted to go with the 1:35 pacers but they started in the wave ahead of me so from the start I had to run on feel, checking with the watch and 5k splits. The pace needed for the gold target was 4:30 min/km and 4:35 for the silver one. Thankfully, I trained it a lot in my threshold sessions and somehow felt ok in the "hard but manageable" state. There is comfort coming from running a familiar course, you are just less surprised by the uphills and know when to expect the boost from the crowds. What I didn't expect was that the comfortably uncomfortable pace very quickly became uncomfortably uncomfortable. At 5km I felt all the control lights on the dashboard were blinking red and inevitably I would need to slow down. I took a gel and decided to try to keep the pace at least until the 10k point. Turns out it never got any easier but it didn't get any harder either. I watched the heart rate more than the pace and backed off when it was getting close to 175. At some point on the course Hoka people were giving away running hats to runners so I picked one and rocked the back-to-front look from my teenage years. Little by little, one turn after another and we finally moved from Victoria Park to Hackney Wick which always make you feel like you can sense the finish line. It was only 2 km to go and I was suffering badly at this point. My hamstring started to hurt, I felt I might get cramps in my calves and my heart rate was going up as well. Having checked the stats later it turned out I was doing 4:20 pace over the last 2k and picked up even more in the last 400m. Then came the final turn left onto the marsh and I could see the finish just a sprint away. Heart pounding, shortness of breath and jelly legs but the fight was over. Some good soul helped me to stay vertical until I got myself sorted. So painful yet so enjoyable! Quick glance at the watch to discover I managed to slip under the gold target by a whisker. The official time was 1:34:48 and I couldn't be more happy about it!
Nutrition was a Maurten bar just before the start and 3 Maurten gels (every 5km - normal, normal, caffeine) with water on course.

Box End Triathlon (Standard Distance) - Sunday 21st May 2023

1500m t1 40k t2 10km
Ava 33.06, 3.34, 1.22.08, 1.02, 49.55 = 2.49.47
Danny 43.44, 1.25, 1.19.43, 1.19, 45.20 = 2.51.32

Chester Half Marathon - Sunday 21st May 2023

Stort 10 - Sunday 21st May 2023

Stort 5 - Sunday 21st May 2023

Hackney Moves 5km - Saturday 20th May 2023

Centurion North Downs Way 50 Miles - Saturday 20th May 2023

Yesterday was the NDW50 Centurion.
This was my main goal of the season an I had high expectations put into this race. I manage to arrive injured free and in peak form apart from a sore throat that was really bothering me the week before the race but that I manage to keep under control somehow. My main goal was trying to finish first and grab one of Centurion amazing trophies. The race started very quick and I tried to hold on a bit and don't get too carried away too soon. That did not last and ended up failling at this as I wanted to control the race from the front.
After Boxhill and Raigate Hill quads started suffering but manage to get a safe gap from Patrick, the runner chasing me. Not only finishing first but breaking the course record for over 3 minutes. That came as an unexpected surprise and literally a dream come true. Thanks to all the Centurion volunteers that were absolutely amazing all along the course and they really look after me at the end of the race.

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 20th May 2023

Hackney Marshes parkrun
195 140 Martin QUINLAN 00:28:13
Roding Valley parkrun
67 52 Tim AYLETT 00:27:29
109 31 Caroline MOORE 00:33:35
Valentines parkrun
26 20 Jimmy DALE 00:23:16
34 27 Darminder BHAMRA 00:24:08
65 50 Richard CRAVITZ 00:25:57
70 12 Bilkis ACHHA 00:26:12
80 56 David TAYLOR 00:27:04
110 77 John HEALY 00:29:09
179 54 May HAU 00:33:42
202 64 Elizabeth O'DONNELL 00:36:21
Wanstead Flats parkrun
13 13 James NICHOLS 00:20:04
60 52 Samir YOUNSI 00:24:13
95 13 Suzanne TAYLOR 00:27:06
99 16 Suzanne BENCH 00:27:13
100 17 Andrea WALLER 00:27:13
145 35 Kasia STACHOWIAK 00:29:28
146 36 Bernadett KALMAR 00:29:28
183 112 Scott MCMILLAN 00:32:45
185 114 Andrew HOWARD 00:33:09
199 62 Morag CAMPBELL 00:34:54
214 72 Vivienne EKA 00:36:48
Harrow Lodge parkrun
31 28 Clive STEPHENSON 00:24:40
Walthamstow parkrun
112 35 Janet BYWATER 00:37:21
123 75 Steve BYWATER 00:51:17
Morecambe Prom parkrun
46 43 Paul MARSHALL 00:22:22
Harleston Magpies parkrun
61 36 Don BENNETT 00:38:53

Great Yarmouth Promenade 5m Series - Race 3 - Wednesday 17th May 2023

Loughton AC Summer XC - Tuesday 16th May 2023

Team Results:
Men 4th place.
Women 3rd place.

Palmerston North 10km - Sunday 14th May 2023

Colchester Stampede 10km, Colchester Zoo - Sunday 14th May 2023

1375 finishers.

Copenhagen Marathon - Sunday 14th May 2023

Halstead & Essex Marathon - Sunday 14th May 2023

A J Bell Great Bristol Half Marathon - Sunday 14th May 2023

Run Garioch - PMC 5km, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire - Sunday 14th May 2023

Ultra Trail Snowdonia Eryri 20km - Saturday 13th May 2023

Battersea Park Half Marathon - Saturday 13th May 2023

Karan Gadhia: Battersea half marathon - 1:20:39
This race report starts way back in April last year when I was preparing for the Vitality 10000 as one of my A races for the year. I was feeling strong after 8 cross country races in the first 9 weeks of 2022 and I was doing track sessions twice a week on high mileage peaking at 60 miles a week. I made some big improvements with Parkrun PBs of 18.40 and then 17.57 a few weeks later but unfortunately I pushed it too far and 6 days before the race I hurt my hamstring at the track. At the time I knew something was wrong but I didn't quite know the severity of what I did so I stupidly raced on it anyway which made it worse.
I tried resting and icing it for a few weeks after the race but it wasn't healing so I went to TherapyGuy Guy Jeneson-Watts who was able to give me a clear diagnosis of a torn hamstring and a rehab programme which was massively helpful. It was a struggle both physically and mentally to be out injured but I did what I could by joining the gym and staying connected to the club where I could by watching the Elvis races.

In October I finally made my comeback to running starting from scratch doing walk/runs and slowly built up the miles. I did several of the cross country races this winter and I recently started doing track sessions again which has definitely helped with my speed. Now I'm back to running 6 days a week and keeping up with my gym sessions but on a lower mileage than last year.

Anyway so finally this race...I'd actually planned on doing the RunLondon 10k in Victoria Park this week, but decided not to after seeing several 1* reviews about their lack of organisation on race day. I couldn't find a replacement 10k for this weekend that I wanted to do, but after seeing my friends Shahib and Mark do their half marathons last weekend I decided to enter this one on Tuesday. It was such a last minute decision I even sent Don the wrong date (sorry!).
I was full of nerves on the start line until I saw former ELR James Georgiou and had a good chat with him. My plan was to set off at my 1:27 PB pace of 6:40 miling and try and hold on but in my typical style I set off a lot quicker than intended though the pace felt comfortable. I managed to speed up a bit more from mile 2 to and hit a 10k PB by 2 minutes before my pace dropped slightly in the second half. By mile 9 it was really starting to bite but I knew I just had to keep going. As I came into my last lap I emptied the last drops in the tank to speed up and finish strong. At the end I saw George who also got a PB before exploring the new Battersea Power Station shopping centre.

The course was 8.75 laps starting with the short one before the 8 larger ones. The laps got a bit monotonous by the end but with the amount of people and small course we were overtaking a constant stream of people which was a big confidence boost.
As I crossed the finish line I couldn't believe my time and to be honest it still hasn't sunk in. I was dreaming about days like this whilst on Guy's therapy table last year and it is a PB that I'll cherish for a long time. I'm so happy to be back running injury free, but also back at my best! I can't wait for ELVIS after missing the entire season last year and I'll be back here at Battersea Park next month to get an official 10k PB but in the meantime I'll be spending the rest of this weekend with my feet up playing the new Legend of Zelda game!
A big thank you to Guy for fixing me last year, but also to everyone at ELR who encouraged me whilst I was injured and kept my spirits up ❤️

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 13th May 2023

Wanstead Flats parkrun
29 26 Jonny SHAW East London Runners 00:21:54
46 41 Finbar SHEAHAN East London Runners 00:23:25
120 27 Suzanne TAYLOR East London Runners 00:27:31
121 92 Scott MCMILLAN East London Runners 00:27:32
169 54 Fiona DAY East London Runners 00:30:40
186 62 Sophie EDWARDS East London Runners 00:32:48
188 64 Caroline MOORE East London Runners 00:32:59
194 68 Morag CAMPBELL East London Runners 00:33:34
200 73 Jane SCOTT East London Runners 00:34:30
217 85 Catherine MCMILLAN East London Runners 00:36:17
221 88 Elizabeth O'DONNELL East London Runners 00:37:10
Roundshaw Downs parkrun
108 32 Katherine HARRIS 32:12
Finsbury parkrun
363 93 Catriona HOULT 00:27:59
Hackney Marshes parkrun
120 96 Samir YOUNSI 00:24:33
Valentines parkrun
12 11 Alan ARUL East London Runners 00:21:43
20 17 Calvin BOBIN East London Runners 00:22:27
54 42 John O'BRIEN East London Runners 00:24:49
62 48 Daniel O'DONOGHUE 00:25:27
64 12 Sandra PRESTON East London Runners 00:25:35
73 15 Bilkis ACHHA East London Runners 00:26:35
116 25 Molly PINKUS East London Runners 00:29:24
126 28 Kathy MORRISSEY East London Runners 00:30:15
184 50 May HAU 00:33:57
219 70 Angela DANIEL East London Runners 00:38:02
Raphael parkrun
16 15 Amit MARKS 00:20:11
48 40 Shahib ALI 00:22:58
175 40 Natasha HOWARD 00:29:31
Barking parkrun
80 18 Diana REXHEPAJ 00:29:41
Morecambe Prom parkrun
107 93 Paul MARSHALL 00:23:53
Hilly Fields parkrun
152 98 Martin QUINLAN 00:29:06
Walthamstow parkrun
82 15 Janet BYWATER 00:28:44
Castle Park parkrun
52 42 Neil GAGE 00:23:57

CSAA 10km, Battersea Park - Wednesday 10th May 2023

CSAA - Civil Service Athletics Association.

Victoria Park half marathon - Sunday 7th May 2023

Ironman 70.3, Marbella - Sunday 7th May 2023

Louis le Roux : swim 38.10, t1 8.14, bike 3.41.59, t2 7.34, half 1.52.53 = 6.28.48

Michael Bamford swim 54.55, t1 8.54, swim 4.42.43, t2 8.22, half 2.10.06 = 7.46.59

Sunderland City Half Marathon - Sunday 7th May 2023

863 finishers.

Run Through Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 6th May 2023

342 finishers.

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 6th May 2023

Valentines parkrun
25 19 Simon NASH 00:22:22
31 25 Matthew POWELL 00:22:55
63 41 George GEORGIOU 00:24:50
77 23 Sandra PRESTON 00:25:29
78 49 Richard CRAVITZ 00:25:31
90 29 Catriona HOULT 00:26:39
95 32 Bilkis ACHHA 00:26:44
94 31 Mary CONNOLLY 00:26:44
117 42 Patricia O'NEILL 00:28:49
198 71 May HAU 00:35:32
222 83 Angela DANIEL 00:38:50
239 96 Elizabeth O'DONNELL 00:42:41
Wanstead Flats parkrun
13 13 Andrew BAXTER 00:20:45
60 56 Stuart NORRIS 00:24:01
92 78 Finbar SHEAHAN 00:26:02
111 88 Scott MCMILLAN 00:27:21
171 50 Fiona DAY 00:30:30
189 58 Anna DINGLE 00:32:00
192 60 Morag CAMPBELL 00:32:47
Harleston Magpies parkrun
86 53 Don BENNETT 00:39:31
Finsbury parkrun
147 19 Sarah BURNS 00:24:43
392 138 Maya GOODWIN 00:31:41
Grovelands parkrun, Enfield
19 18 James NICHOLS 00:20:46
Hackney Marshes parkrun
55 49 Jonny SHAW 00:21:34
142 106 Tom WOODS 00:25:56
262 153 Kamol SAHA 00:32:36
Roding Valley parkrun
26 21 Calvin BOBIN 00:23:16
71 52 Tim AYLETT 00:27:58
89 21 Victoria CHARLESWORTH 00:29:38
110 32 Caroline MOORE 00:33:22
122 78 Jakub CZECZÓTKA 00:35:04
Mile End parkrun
152 126 Shahib ALI 00:25:13 buggy
Delamere parkrun
322 190 Arthur DIAZ East London Runners 00:39:18
Walthamstow parkrun
62 18 Janet BYWATER 00:28:38
Springburn parkrun, Glasgow
95 60 Frank BROWNLIE 00:31:39
Kesgrave parkrun
35 33 Steve SWAN 00:22:02
Harlow parkrun
35 33 Jimmy DALE 00:22:46 buggy
Stretford parkrun
344 100 Claire EMERY 00:29:06
Morecambe Prom parkrun
140 120 Paul MARSHALL 00:25:02
Porch Field parkrun
19 12 Viktor F SZABADI 00:27:34

Chase The Sun 10km, QEOP - Wednesday 3rd May 2023

212 FINISHERS.

Chase The Sun 5km, QEOP - Wednesday 3rd May 2023

Witham May Day 10 - Monday 1st May 2023

228 finishers.

Run Through Hyde Park 10km - Saturday 29th April 2023

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 29th April 2023

Roding Valley parkrun
49 40 Tim AYLETT 00:27:56
67 21 Caroline FRITH 00:31:14
70 22 Caroline MOORE 00:32:40
Thurrock parkrun, Orsett Heath
97 26 Rachel LE ROUX 00:39:25
Silksworth parkrun
8 5 Mark MOIR 00:20:38
Grovelands parkrun, Enfield
103 79 George GEORGIOU 00:25:55
Hackney Marshes parkrun
86 79 Shanavaz MALAYODU 00:23:34
134 110 Samir YOUNSI 00:25:41
Valentines parkrun
4 3 Billy RAYNER East London Runners 00:19:19
20 18 Jimmy DALE East London Runners 00:22:19
25 23 Matthew POWELL East London Runners 00:22:54
40 32 Imran MUSTAK East London Runners 00:24:06
44 8 Cindy KOON East London Runners 00:24:12
55 44 Darminder BHAMRA 00:24:49
76 55 John O'BRIEN East London Runners 00:26:03
78 20 Katrina BETTERIDGE 00:26:08
85 62 Nick HOULT East London Runners 00:26:29
104 27 Catriona HOULT East London Runners 00:27:06
111 78 Jason LEVY East London Runners 00:27:34
136 39 Alexandra RUTISHAUSER-PERERA 00:28:55
216 68 May HAU East London Runners 00:35:22
225 76 Elizabeth O'DONNELL 00:36:38
Wanstead Flats parkrun
14 14 Amit MARKS East London Runners 00:20:47
20 20 Ian MACKIE East London Runners 00:21:43
23 22 Paul WATKINS East London Runners 00:21:59
84 63 Andrew HOWARD East London Runners 00:26:13
102 74 Scott MCMILLAN East London Runners 00:27:29
154 44 Kathryn HERTZBERG East London Runners 00:30:10
209 76 Jane SCOTT East London Runners 00:35:46
Chester parkrun
225 155 Arthur DIAZ 00:31:17
Harrow Lodge parkrun
15 13 Clive STEPHENSON 00:24:04
Walthamstow parkrun
42 34 Andrew BAXTER 00:25:48
121 77 Steve BYWATER 00:36:59
Southwark parkrun
218 151 Martin QUINLAN 00:28:01
Springburn parkrun, Glasgow
104 64 Frank BROWNLIE 00:32:40
Great Notley parkrun
64 12 Fiona CRITCHLEY 00:25:43
Kesgrave parkrun
54 47 Steve SWAN 00:23:11
Littleport parkrun
49 38 Alex JAMESON 00:27:49
Porch Field parkrun
27 16 Viktor F SZABADI 00:27:28
Whakatane Gardens parkrun
11 6 Ciarán CANAVAN 00:27:59
12 7 Lance FULLER 00:28:04

Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5km - Friday 28th April 2023

TCS London Marathon 2023 (Virtual) - Sunday 23rd April 2023

Sherry Half Marathon, Jerez, Spain - Sunday 23rd April 2023

TCS London Marathon Volunteers - Sunday 23rd April 2023

Non-member volunteers:
Fiona Campbell
Gilda Cara
Marco Cara
Brian Felps
Jane Felps
Ella Hatley
Lucie Hatley

--- Additional Race Reports (too many to fit on main article) ---

Becky Evans: My marathon journey: (it's long)
As many of you know, it was on my 'bucket list' to complete one Marathon in my lifetime. Manchester in October 2021 (3.51) was it or so I thought.
Soon after I finished it, I received tons of messages congratulating me on a GFA and urging me to apply for Boston. I had no idea what a 'GFA' was and had to Google it to find out (Good For Age).
Whilst I ruled out travelling to the USA for a race, as I talked to more and more people, I eventually came round to the idea of running London. It's difficult to get into, in my home city, arguably the best in the world for support and I was highly likely to get a place, being 9 minutes under the threshold. I applied, I got the place!
Training was tough. Having overindulged over Christmas, I just couldn't stop eating junk (on top of my healthy meals). By January, I was carrying half a stone of extra weight and I could really feel it when I did my long training runs. Then (probably aided by excess weight) halfway through my 15 week plan, disaster struck. A pain in the sole of my foot which had been niggling in the background became extremely painful and I had to stop running. I was limping, realised my Marathon run was now likely to be over and, although pleased that I could stop the tough training, I also felt disappointed that I had got halfway through my training plan for nothing!

I hobbled my way to see Guy Jeneson-Watts (Sports Therapist) who told me that the injury was a repetitive strain issue underneath my toe joint. He treated it, taped it, and said that I needed to stop training, rest/ice my foot for at least a fortnight and then we could look at a gradual return to some gentle training, but no speed work, no hills, no races. He told me I should be able to reach the start line AND complete the Marathon, but that I would not be looking at a PB. From thinking I would no longer be able to run it, to be told I could was a great relief.
After total rest for a fortnight, I slowly returned to some training. HUGE thanks to every single person who did a long training run with me. On my last long training run (supposed to be 20 miles) I found it so tough that I had decided to finish at 18 miles as I was close to home. Fortuitously I bumped into another runner I vaguely knew through work, and basically 'gate crashed' her run, accompanying her towards HER home to complete the 20; I have never been so grateful for the company. I find those training runs gruelling.

Fast forward to yesterday. Miserable weather, but such wonderful company. I met Rachel from Devon as I arrived at Greenwich and, as women both in our 50's, we clicked immediately and stuck by each others sides all the way to the start and beyond.
I went off too fast (classic error) and and enjoyed the first half of the course. It was very emotional. I cried at Cutty Sark and again going over Tower Bridge - both iconic landmarks with overwhelming crowd support. By 16 miles my feet were getting sore. I took some paracetamol and gritted my teeth. I saw Scott McMillan, Grant Conway, Mark Durrant and Michael Wilson along the way - we said our hellos and some of us shared that we were struggling. I cannot tell you what a lift it gave me to then see John Paul Healy and Peter H around this point, completely unexpectedly (and again around 18 miles). Another completely unexpected boost was seeing Joseph Babatunde Osakue and his family at 19 miles. My family also came out to support at various points along the way.
After this, knowing that ELR would be at 20 miles was what kept me going - putting one foot in front of another until I could see them. Despite the smile on my face as I passed, inside I was grimacing, but sooo pleased to see everyone. I knew I couldn't stop as I would never get going again, but I tried to make eye contact with as many ELR's as I could as I ran past. It felt special that Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera ran alongside me and cheered me twice and I appreciate all your cheers and encouragement. I'm sure it got me through to 21 miles.
The last 5 miles were painful. Lots of calf cramps which I managed to run through, but mainly very sore burning feet. I did lots of counting to 100 in my head during these miles. I was mentally ticking off the distance until I could finish. I haven't received my 'official' photos yet, but I suspect there are few smiles and mainly grimaces. With 2 miles to go, I could see that I was on for another GFA (under 4.05) and I used that as my target.

How relieved I was to finally see the sign saying 385 yards to go. I managed to speed up to the finish arch, just because I couldn't wait to get it over and done with. I even managed to raise my arms and smile at the finish line and then when my husband came to meet me at the end, I had another short blub!
Getting 9 minutes under the GFA again is something I am really really proud of as an achievement. I am immensely grateful to ELR for helping me achieve this, BUT I really really do not want to run a Marathon again. Several people have suggested 'just enter and do one for fun', but that is not in my make-up. Social runs I LOVE as I do them 'for fun', but as soon as the word RACE is attached to a run, I just cannot stop myself from competing, and competing is painful.
I have huge admiration for everyone who runs Marathons/Ultras - particularly in older age. For me, today (recovery day) has been much more enjoyable - reading, relaxing and pottering. I look forward to some of the shorter runs ahead (ELVIS) and the social events such as Camino Blueways/Essex Way Relays. And hope to see many of you at the Bluebells on Wednesday evening (I will walk over).

Scott McMillan: My London 2023 race report begins at mile 26 of London 2022, when I totally b0rked my foot sprinting for a 2:48:33 PB. Despite a lot of rest and no racing (yet another XC season missed, sorry Michael and Karan) it never felt quite right when it all too soon became time to start a planned 16 week training block for this one. And so the foot failed on me again just three weeks in, which meant a whole six weeks off (by "off" I mean "furiously cycling my turbo bike", obviously), which meant me almost ruling out making it to the start line. I say "almost" as there was always a "what if?". I couldn't defer my Good For Age place, so I might as well use it, even if I couldn't get all the way round. But maybe I could? And if I could get round, could I get another Good For Age time and try again next year?
So, that left four weeks of training then a short taper. I couldn't build up gradually because there wasn't enough time left. So, after a couple of test runs, I went for a Hail Mary attempt at a 40/50/60/70 mile block. And inevitably I injured myself on week two of that (hamstring this time), resulting in the rest of my training being mainly slow and painful shuffle/hobbles, punctuated with a few long steady runs a 16, an 18 and a 20. Not how I'd usually train for a marathon, and heavily reliant on a very easy taper to work some magic. It was only the day before the marathon, after running an uncomfortable but not hugely painful 500th parkrun at the pace of a seven year old child that I decided I'd definitely give it a go!
Based on my limited training I set out on three hour pace, assuming my legs would die at some point and then I'd be praying to hang on for 3:09:59. It felt surprisingly comfortable initially, if you can call the feeling of being punched in the bum 100 times a minute comfortable. I gave a cheery hi to a runner whose photo I'd seen in the Daily Mail (Betty, haha), and another to Daniel spectating in Greenwich, and was halfway in a tidy 1:28, but my right calf, probably compensating for my left hamstring, was already cramping. I put on a big smile for my family at mile 14 and gave my annual high five to the elite water station at mile 15, but I was suffering. By mile 18, my calf was a horrible tight knot, my legs weren't functioning properly, and my heart rate was on the way up, this was getting really hard. I gritted my teeth and kept going, through the BEST WATER STATION IN THE WORLD at mile 20, seeing Becky (smiling) and Michael (not smiling) coming the other way on the course, and then on the sidelines seeing Daniel once more - "YOU AGAIN?" I shouted, confused.
Everything after that was a world of hurt. I was aware I was now being passed by those runners who had actually trained properly and were running negative splits, but also that I was passing so many who were hobbling and dropping out. Any minute now that would be me. Except it wasn't. 0.1 mile by 0.1 mile, the finish line kept coming closer, and somehow I was still going. 25.8, 25.9. 26.0, DON'T SPRINT FOR THE LINE THIS TIME IT ISN'T WORTH IT, 26.1, 26.2 and I was there, 2:57:38, still upright, no hilarious crashing into marshalls and barriers this year (sorry, BBC viewers!) and a long way inside the target I'd set for myself. Which means I have the chance to experience ALL OF THIS FUN again next year! Er, yippee, hooray, I can't wait, etc….

Juliet Lopez Real:London race report - my first marathon
I've only been running for five years and I thought I probably had it in me to do a marathon, but my plans to run Brighton in 2020 didn't happen because of the pandemic. Then home schooling plus work pressures meant I stopped running for a while and, although I had restarted and done a couple of half marathons, getting a volunteer ballot place really gave me the kick that I needed to get more serious about my running again.
I was really nervous at the start because of the rain and was paranoid about getting blisters, but actually it was nice and cooling (other peri-menopausal ELRs will agree!). My start time was quite late so I was glad to get going. I'd run the route with my brother so knew what to expect, and this really helped on the way round. Even the quiet bits weren't that quiet, which was great as I need distracting when I'm running.
Canary Wharf was less windy and more buzzing than expected, but by this point my knees were complaining loudly (I'd had some issues with them in training). Run Dem Crew at mile 21 were great! And even the smelly Blackfriars tunnel was fine, though it was quite a shock coming out into full on sunshine. From there, the noise of the crowd was unbelievable. I thought people I didn't know calling out my name could be annoying but actually it really helped. I only heard one Romeo joke ("Romeo went that way "), was expecting more of them!
I am a slow but steady runner and was really pleased to come in at 5 hours 25 having maintained a pretty even pace. My highlights: Cutty Sark, all the cheering, a man running in a disco ball playing some great tunes, spotting friends and family and, of course, the sense of achievement at the end. Not sure I'll do another one, though!
Thanks Joanna Qiu for taking some pics at the water station (they are nicer than most of the official ones) and to ELR for the opportunity to run it.

TCS London Marathon 2023 - Sunday 23rd April 2023

Caroline Frith: At some point I will get my head around today and everything leading up to it - but this photo sums it up beautifully. Jose offered to run with me a couple of weeks ago when we got our start colours, and I literally had my own personal pacer, photographer, videographer, water provider, support crew and friend the entire 26.2 miles. Even when all I could do is point and grunt for the last few miles, he kept me going.

Being on the other side of the water tables at mile 20 was every bit as good as I imagined it would be - I have no idea what the guy on the gantry said but I knew he was talking about me. I clocked Trish, Jacob, Calvin and Nicola - the rest of you were just a blurry wall of much appreciated noise.
And believe it or not - that was my first PB over any distance since joining ELR - it was a PB by 10 minutes.
I'm sorry I wasn't wearing red but orange is growing on me.

You guys are awesome and we are the best running club.

Jose Rodriquez: Best day ever! Yesterday it was a special day for different reasons. It was my second marathon in a week after Boston, then it's the London marathon so it's a huge party and having run just 6 days ago, my plan was to enjoy myself. Most important of all I run with an incredible person that I'm proud to call my friend. She is Caroline Frith. She has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and refused to stop doing the things that makes her happy, like running. She has been training hard between chemo treatments and yesterday we crossed the finish line hand by hand with a 10 min PB.
The best of all is that, she smiled (maybe not the last 5km), sang and dance during the race. And while doing all that she raised over £22000 for her chosen Charity Magie's. We met family and friends at the end to celebrate with a massage drinks and food. I will not use the word inspiring because she heard this word a million times lately. I'll call her simply Hero! .

Danny Lee: My little London Marathon report
I didn't even realise I had a place this year until just before Christmas. I'd originally qualified as Good For Age before Covid but my place was cancelled as my GFA time was under a thick layer of dust by the time the pandemic was over and I forgot all about it. But then they offered me a place in the Blue Start. How could I say no? I'd have to do without the posh toilets of the GFA pen with its cans of Lynx and free lolly pops, but that was fine - we're here to race, not shoot the breeze with toilet attendants about compression socks!.
As for the race, the rain was quite refreshing, the crowd as usual was amazing - once again, apologies to everyone around me not called Danny - and as ever I set off with no strategy whatsoever other than to run as fast as I could. So that's what I did.
First half was (almost) fun. The demons crept in on the Isle of Dogs, only to be blasted away (exorcised?👻) at mile 20 with a few well timed fist pumps - what a wall of sound?!🤯. Seeing Ava and the water station crew totally cheered me up for the final slog. And it really was a slog - certainly not pretty. But on the plus side, I wasn't rugby tackled to the ground by a Just Stop Oil protester at Parliament Square, as I'd been dreaming about for the past week. Result!
Talking of which, not bad - 2:50 - my first sub 3 marathon for over 5 years, and back in the GFA pen next year. Goodbye three and a half minute toilet queues and two ply bog roll, hello Issey Miyake eau de parfum and Chuppa Chups!!
Well done everyone who ran today!

Scott McMillan: Third consecutive London Marathon, and third consecutive sub 3 hour and Good For Age time. This one was by far the hardest though, my training had been hugely disrupted by injury, and as a result my legs were absolutely falling apart on me all the way round. Don’t know how I managed to finish that, never mind in a time of 2:57:38, but the cheers of so many friends, family members and club mates on the course definitely helped a lot!

Paul Thompson does Mo get a high five from the elite water station? No he does not! Does Kiptum get a high five from the elite water station? No he does not! Do I get a high five from the elite water station? HELL YES I DO.


Catriona Hoult:London Marathon - what an amazing event! So many highlights, but here are just a few:
1) It was my 9th marathon and I got a PB of 4.25.
2) The East London Runners water station was AMAZING and gave me such a boost.
3) Seeing friends and family who had come out in the rain to support - again a massive boost.
4) Hearing my name called by hundreds (thousands?) of strangers as if I was famous.
5) Tower Bridge. There were so many iconic sights along the way with amazing support, but I think that was my favourite (and unlike the last few miles, I wasn't too tired to appreciate it).
6) The finish line - it couldn't come soon enough and I pretty much collapsed over it.
And just a few downsides for balance:
1) The rain, especially heavy while we were waiting to start. Why didn't I think to bring a poncho like everyone else?
2) Being so excited to see everyone at the 20 mile water station that I forgot to take any water. The next one was a long way.
3) Blisters on the soles of my feet. Ouch!
4) I'm now walking downstairs like a toddler with two feet on every step.

Michael Wilson: It may of not had the outcome that I had hoped for, but yesterday I was very happy to have realised one of my ambitions and finally complete 20 London Marathons. Many thanks to Ashley Faria for your company before the start, John O'Brien and John Atkinson at the Ship and Shovell afterwards (John Atkinson coming directly from a visit to Derby!) and all our amazing volunteers at Mile 20 - East London Runners, the best feed station and greatest club of them all. (I tried to hang around and take it all in, whilst everyone was telling me to go!).
Thanks for giving me encouragement and a massive boost when I needed it the most!
Well done to every one of our runners. It was a great day out and one to remember for a long time.

Ashley Faria: London Marathon report:
After running in 2019 and finding the last six miles very challenging, I was determined to plan very carefully and train dilligently but within reason with the commitments I have.
I was fortunate to get a club ballot place in 2020 and deferred it to this year.
I followed a mixture of four plans: Bob Glover, Paula Ratcliffe, Rahana Islam and Hal Higdon. All respected athletes!
The meticulous planning was going so well until the morning of the marathon when I planned to meet Michael at the station. Half way there, I realised I'd forgotten my post marathon treats of a ham sandwich and bottle of coke. I was devastated!
Together with this news and Michael's calmness, it distracted me from the matter in hand. Before I knew it, the race had started.
I was able to keep to my race strategy and knew that I would decline in pace by a few seconds every mile but keep an average of 8:30. Funnily enough, my race pace got to 7:26 on the way to mile 20. I wonder why.
Past 20 was the nightmare last time but I managed to keep going to 23 when my body told me to walk a bit. I didn't feel bad so after a while so ran again and somehow managed to keep a reasonable pace until 26 miles when the dreaded cramp hit me. I didn't panic this time and a kind lady in the crown pushed the palm of my right hand which did the trick. I trudged on and somehow a smile hit my face and I knew it was about the finish. I even crossed the line without looking at my watch and not caring which I think was my biggest achievement of the whole thing!
The greatest joy of the race was running through the streets of London especially Tower Bridge, getting high fives, smiling at the crowd, the crowd smiling at me and shouting my name. A privilege and a humbling experience which I will never forget.
Thank you ELR for the ballot place and your wonderful support at Mile 20. Who'd have thought that I'd run a 7:26 mile at mile 19.
Obviously a big thank you to Becky and Rahana.

Paul Woodmansey: London race report: reflections on how not to run a marathon PB
My London Marathon 2023 journey began in Valencia last December where, for the first time in nearly 30 marathons, I finally ran a 'perfect race', almost even splits to 2:39 and qualification to join the Championship start - a life-long goal which always felt unachievable (and had to be adjusted when they dropped the target from 2:45 to 2:40 a few years ago!). It was worth it. Even though I had the worst possible build up in the preceding weeks (I've flown to Mumbai and Rome in the past three weeks for work events, and on Saturday night attending my best friend's 40th birthday party in Dulwich!), the Championship start was everything I hoped for - plenty of toilets, large area to warm up, friendly faces (hi Betty) and a clear start meant no weaving in and out from the gun. In fact, following the racing line meant I ran 26.27 miles on my watch, at least a third of a mile less than any other marathon I've run.
With such a hectic work schedule and the travel I didn't have much energy in the days before the race and was genuinely unsure of how I was going to feel at any given pace. I decided to aim for around 6 min miles and drop to 5:55s in the faster down hill early miles if it felt good, and potentially hold on at that pace if comfortable, but I knew I would also be happy to be at 6:05s and ultimately delighted to finish under 2:40 again on what is a much tougher course than Valencia.

So that didn't quite work out. I went out too fast. Classic.

Partly because of some dodgy GPS (my watch was bouncing between 5:50 and 6:00 so I thought I was fine, but then at the mile markers I was consistently splitting 5:50), but also because I found myself tucked into a group that offered some protection from the rain. I thought it was better to stick with the group then slow and try run solo in those conditions. But why I dropped a 5:30 at mile three is in-explainable, considering that's my threshold interval pace and I don't think I've ever run a mile that fast in an ELVIS race . My quads are still paying for it today.

I was okay until I hit Tower Bridge but, as was the case in October, I noticed I was suffering a bit on the incline. But coming off the bridge, and the boost of seeing family at mile 14, I found myself back in a rhythm and with the same group. We then hit Canary Wharf and the first drinks station split the group up, then the incline into the Wharf disrupted my rhythm. I knew when I saw the 16 mile marker and was shocked/disappointed it wasn't further that I was in trouble. And I remembered that I thought the exact same thing in October, do us marathon runners never learn?

So from here on in it was a grind that I don't remember too much about. Apart from the ELR drinks station which was genuinely the highlight of my race. The love, warmth, enthusiasm (and Alexandra shouting in my face) gave me a burst of energy that came from nowhere. I must have been running around 6:20-30 at this point, but coming out the back of the drinks station I looked at my watch and I was (very temporarily) back down to 5:45, running on sheer emotion. A massive THANK YOU to everyone who was there. It's hard to explain just how much of a boost it is to see you.

I didn't bother to look at my watch much after this point. I knew I just had to keep going as best I could and I thought I could still get in under 2:40 if I just didn't stop completely. Crossing the line and seeing 2:38:11 was a genuine surprise, and if I'd had the mental capacity in the last few miles to work out my timings I probably could've pushed to 2:37. But to achieve an almost 2 min PB on that course, in that fashion, in those conditions, still feels like a big win. I just wouldn't recommend that approach to anyone else.

The best thing about London is that you can share it so easily with so many friends and family, as well as the people you didn't expect to see out on the course. From the finish I headed to a pub where I enjoyed lunch and drinks with those that had come and enjoyed/endured standing out on the course to support me running by.
I remember that at mile 16 I had decided I won.t do London again as I just can.t seem to crack the course. But, with a champs qualification time for 2024, will I be back?...
Of course I will!

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 22nd April 2023

Roding Valley parkrun
79 24 Caroline MOORE 31:06
Finsbury parkrun
418 137 Maya GOODWIN 33:03
Hackney Marshes parkrun
150 119 Samir YOUNSI 25:53
158 124 Tom WOODS 26:20
Valentines parkrun
65 56 Darminder BHAMRA 25:00
77 65 Richard CRAVITZ 25:57
83 69 George GEORGIOU 26:39
88 72 David TAYLOR 27:21
107 86 Jason LEVY 28:28
202 57 Angela DANIEL 38:28
Wanstead Flats parkrun
17 16 Ian MACKIE 21:51
76 12 Suzanne BENCH 26:22
78 63 Andrew HOWARD 26:27
93 17 Suzanne TAYLOR 27:45
110 23 Kasia STACHOWIAK 28:26
113 25 Bernadett KALMAR 28:30
150 45 Fiona DAY 31:04
162 104 Robert SPREAD 32:19
180 59 Jane SCOTT 33:39
183 62 Morag CAMPBELL 33:41
205 79 Vivienne EKA 35:17
234 96 Elizabeth O'DONNELL 42:30
Chester parkrun
202 140 Arthur DIAZ 33.04
Bury St Edmunds parkrun
79 62 Derek WRIGHT 26:52
Harrow Lodge parkrun
12 12 Clive STEPHENSON 23:44
Walthamstow parkrun
18 16 Peter HATLEY 23:26
30 27 Alex PICKERING 25:44
65 14 Janet BYWATER 28:42
108 64 Steve BYWATER 36:42
Thurrock parkrun, Orsett Heath
34 32 Michael BAMFORD 26:32
Castle Park parkrun
148 117 Tom TIMSON 27:54

127th B.A.A. Boston Marathon - Monday 17th April 2023

10k 36.34, half 1.18.09, 30k 1.52.21,

What a few days in Boston! . This city really embraces the marathon spirit.
On Monday had to wake up very early to leave the gear bag at the finish
line and take a yellow bus 1h ride to the start line. The day was cloudy
and chill but bearable. Race started at 10am just after the elites.
Hard undulating course with the 3 Newton Hills between mile 15-20.
Pace felt great and survive the hills in one piece. Lots of support along
the course. I never heard people screaming so much!!
Manage PB by over 2 min. 2:38h, 495th over 27.000 Runners and 3rd Spanish I believe.
5 days to the London marathon which I'll use it as a recovery run.

Essex & Suffolk County Road Relay Championships, Colchester (4 x 4.8km) - Sunday 16th April 2023

East London Runners : 1.23.42 for 27th place of 31 teams, (Essex teams 21st of 25 teams).

A great day out at the Essex road relays! Nice sunny day in Colchester running a three lap course round a cycle track. I ran the first leg as part of a team of 4 followed by Paul Watkins in his first race for ELR, the legend Mike Wilson and the marathon man John O'Brien.
Karan Gadhia 17.36
Paul Watkins 20.32
Michael Wilson 21.21
John O'Brien 24.11

Essex & Suffolk County Road Relay Championships, Colchester (3 x 4.8km) - Sunday 16th April 2023

East London Runners : 1.08.53 for 37th place of 56 teams.(Essex & Open Category)

Adidas Manchester Marathon - Sunday 16th April 2023

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 15th April 2023

Roundshaw Downs parkrun
64 57 Martin QUINLAN 29:57
Roding Valley parkrun
51 17 Caroline MOORE 32:54
Valentines parkrun
22 19 Matthew POWELL 22:46
41 33 Imran MUSTAK 24:22
47 36 George GEORGIOU 24:50
58 12 Sandra PRESTON 25:13
65 48 Darminder BHAMRA 25:56
84 62 Jason LEVY 27:20
86 18 Mary CONNOLLY 27:24
91 21 Kathryn HERTZBERG 27:39
92 22 Katrina BETTERIDGE 27:40
131 37 Mary Frances O'BRIEN 30:49
134 38 Maya GOODWIN 31:23
191 70 Angela DANIEL 39:14
195 73 Elizabeth O'DONNELL 39:57
Wanstead Flats parkrun
13 13 Jonny SHAW 22:29
67 53 John HEALY 27:42
70 55 Andrew HOWARD 27:57
75 57 Scott MCMILLAN 28:07
114 30 Fiona DAY 31:39
148 50 Jane SCOTT 37:45
155 54 Vivienne EKA 38:34
Mile End parkrun
139 98 Liam DEMPSEY 25:39
169 51 Catriona HOULT 27:08
Walthamstow parkrun
24 22 Clive STEPHENSON 25:17
62 42 Steve BYWATER 32:22
94 51 Alex PICKERING 56:08
Worthing parkrun
291 68 Molly PINKUS 28:54
Whakatane Gardens parkrun
45 20 Ciarán CANAVAN 59:59 tailwalker
Porch Field parkrun
18 13 Viktor F SZABADI 27:43
Morecambe Promenade
40 31 Paul MARSHALL 21:43

London Easter 10K - Monday 10th April 2023

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 8th April 2023

Roundshaw Downs parkrun
67 50 Martin QUINLAN 28:03
Hackney Marshes parkrun
122 105 Tom WOODS 25:06
Roding Valley parkrun
49 36 Tim AYLETT 30:28
75 26 Caroline MOORE 39:48
Valentines parkrun
22 19 Stuart KELLY 21:58
25 22 Peter HATLEY 22:22
46 35 George GEORGIOU 24:13
64 48 Imran MUSTAK 25:27
82 61 John HEALY 26:47
86 63 Mark DURRANT 26:54
127 37 Mary Frances O'BRIEN 30:41
218 85 Angela DANIEL 42:33
Wanstead Flats parkrun
14 13 Ian MACKIE 21:43
90 65 Scott MCMILLAN 29:21
145 55 Vivienne EKA 35:49
169 90 Andrew HOWARD 47:28
Mile End parkrun
130 19 Catriona HOULT 26:41
190 49 Maya GOODWIN 32:00
Walthamstow parkrun
53 12 Janet BYWATER 29:29
62 43 Steve BYWATER 31:12
Hillsborough parkrun
282 84 Fiona DAY 29:57
Clare Castle parkrun
58 50 Stuart BARTON 26:37
Fountains Abbey parkrun
56 49 John HENRY 21:51
Hastings parkrun
301 100 Sophie EDWARDS 30:27
Castle Park parkrun
37 33 Neil GAGE 23:23
Littleport parkrun
50 31 Alex JAMESON 27:17
Porch Field parkrun
26 6 Bernadett KALMAR 28:03
Harleston Magpies parkrun
94 54 Don BENNETT 38:24
Whakatane Gardens parkrun
76 36 Lance FULLER 01:06:56
Worthing parkrun
302 70 Molly PINKUS 28:52

Run Through Victoria Park half marathon - Friday 7th April 2023

Run Through Victoria Park 10km - Friday 7th April 2023

Salford 10km - Friday 7th April 2023

Paris Marathon - Sunday 2 April 2023

London Landmarks Half Marathon - Sunday 2nd April 2023

Brighton Marathon - Sunday 2nd April 2023

St Clare Hospice 10K - Sunday 2nd April 2023

Run Through Battersea Park 10km - Saturday 1st April 2023

selected parkrun results - all venues - Saturday 1st April 2023

Richmond parkrun
267 87 Roselin BORAMAKOT 34:42
Hackney Marshes parkrun
107 70 Tom WOODS 25:50
183 60 Maya GOODWIN 31:58
Valentines parkrun
68 53 George GEORGIOU 25:09
71 15 Caroline FRITH 25:15
72 55 Michael BAMFORD 25:16
80 16 Sandra PRESTON 25:41
90 69 Imran MUSTAK 26:19
97 73 John HEALY 27:02
105 77 Chris SOHAIL 27:33
140 103 David TAYLOR 30:39
192 58 May HAU 36:02
243 86 Alice BARRETT 58:40
Wanstead Flats parkrun
66 42 Scott MCMILLAN 28:49
90 23 Fiona DAY 31:45
111 33 Sophie EDWARDS 36:51
122 39 Jane SCOTT 38:08
148 71 Andrew HOWARD 57:33
Riddlesdown parkrun
66 18 Katherine HARRIS 38:31
Raphael parkrun
33 27 Amit MARKS 22:40
49 39 Clive STEPHENSON 23:49
Mile End parkrun
33 31 Mark MOIR 20:41
34 32 Shahib ALI 20:46
156 114 Liam DEMPSEY 26:14
Dulwich parkrun
395 270 Andy BOLDERSTONE 28:59
Walthamstow parkrun
21 18 John HENRY 27:22
Southwark parkrun
227 137 Martin QUINLAN 30:51
Springburn parkrun, Glasgow
81 55 Frank BROWNLIE 32:37
Littleport parkrun
38 31 Alex JAMESON 28:56
Porch Field parkrun
29 17 Viktor F SZABADI 30:27
Whakatane Gardens parkrun
12 11 Ciarán CANAVAN 24:33

Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5km - Friday 31st March 2023

Conditions were foul. Great run from Alex after taking a heavy tumble in the usual melee at the start.

ATW Ashridge Duathlon (Standard) - Sunday 26th March 2023

Run Fest at Lee Valley 10K - Sunday 26th March 2023

Run Fest at Lee Valley Half Marathon - Sunday 26th March 2023

Oakley 20 - Sunday 26th March 2023

401 finishers.

Cat Hoult: Oakley 20 involved an early start (6am alarm new time = 5am old time), a long drive by myself and getting very wet. But it was well worth the journey. A very pretty undulating course through Bedfordshire villages. I felt good and even sped up towards the end. And it's given me a little more confidence I can get round a marathon (though I know the problem will be the last 6 miles, not the first 20!).

London Lea Valley Ultra 50K - Saturday 25th March 2023

Orion 15 - Saturday 25th March 2023

Battersea Run Fest - Saturday 25th March 2023

Ian Mackie:- One of those days where "all's well that ends well", no central line so booked an Uber who got lost in Seven Kings and didn't turn up. I eventually got to Blackhorse road for the Victoria line and decided to do my warm up run from Victoria to Battersea Park, but got lost at first. Got to the park and couldn't find the running track where I had to get my number. Got on the start line and looked down, noticing these square things on top of peoples' shoes, realised that they were the chip timers, sprinted back to the bag area, tunneled down through the pile of bags, found mine and then had to delve through it to find the envelope that I had thought was for charity donations, but contained the chip. Sprinted back to start line and attached the chip just in time to start. Adrenaline high, but thought that I was a bit slow, decided just to struggle through to the finish. Surprised to see my time and even more surprised to hear my name called out for the first over 60 male!