Club Runner of the Month
Club Runner of the Month
2024
October 2024 - Joshua Rees Davies
September 2024 - Paul Watkins
August 2024 - Emma Corbett
July 2024 - Maya Goodwin
June 2024 - Eren Ozkan
May 2024 - Imran Mustak
April 2024 - Nathaniel Dye
March 2024 - Fernando Espada
February 2024 - Simon Nash
January 2024 - Abdirahman Adan
2023
December 2023 - Tasnia Choudhury
November 2023 - Ryan Friel
October 2023 - Kasia Stachowiak
September 2023 - Joseph Osakue
August 2023 - Clare Stevens
July 2023 - Shahib Ali
June 2023 - Karan Gadhia
May 2023 - Ian Mackie
April 2023 - Ava Lee
March 2023 - Sandra Preston
February 2023 - Victoria Charlesworth
January 2023 - Darminder Bhamra
2022
December 2022 - Sarah Burns
November 2022 - Rachel Bailey
October 2022 - Daniel O'Donoghue
September 2022 - Joshua Rees Davies
August 2022 - Betty Bohane
July 2022 - Cindy Koon
June 2022 - John O'Brien
May 2022 - Debbie Shearing
April 2022 - James Nichols
March 2022 - David Kwakye
February 2022 - Antonio Martin Romero
January 2022 - Caroline Frith
2021
December 2021 - Joseph Gunn
November 2021 - Alex Pickering
October 2021 - Alice Barrett
September 2021 - Becky Evans
August 2021 - John Henry
July 2021 - Nathaniel Dye
June 2021 - Morag Campbell
May 2021 - Jose Rodriguez
April 2021 - Paul Woodmansey
Held in abeyance during Coronavirus restrictions - January to March 2021
2020
Held in abeyance during Coronavirus restrictions - November and December 2020
October 2020 - Paul Quinton
Held in abeyance during Coronavirus restrictions - April to September 2020
March 2020 - Stuart Kelly
February 2020 - Antonio Martin Romero
January 2020 - Jose Rodriguez
2019
December 2019 - Chloe Millan
November 2019 - Paul Thompson
October 2019 - John Henry
September 2019 - Catriona and Nick Hoult
August 2019 - Peter Craik
July 2019 - Nathaniel Dye
June 2019 - Euan Brown and Jose Rodriguez
May 2019 - Samia Choudhury
April 2019 - Antonio Martin Romero
March 2019 - Arthur Diaz
February 2019 - Scott McMillan
January 2019 - Becky Evans
2018
December 2018 - Terry Lewsey
November 2018 - Peter Hatley
October 2018 - Rachel Le Roux and Karan Gadhia
September 2018 - Antonio Martin Romero
August 2018 - Zoila Gilham-Fernandez
July 2018 - Caroline Frith
June 2018 - Louis Le Roux
May 2018 - Jimmy Dale
April 2018 - Ciaran Canavan and Jo Wood
March 2108 - Mark Moir
February 2018 - Ellie Wilkinson
January 2018 - Diana Rexhepaj
2017
December 2017 - Karen Levison
November 2017 - Roselin Boramakot and Kat Maskell
October 2017 - Michael Bamford
September 2017 - Andy Bolderstone and Stuart Norris
August 2017 - Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera
July 2017 - Jason Levy
June 2017 - Jennifer Ansell
May 2017 - Lucy Barron
April 2017 - Thomas Grimes and Antonio Martin Romero
March 2017 - Suzanne Bench
February 2017 - Emily Clarke and James Nichols
January 2017 - Maud Hodson
2016
January 2016 - Grant Conway
February 2016 - Aaron Browne
March 2016 - Judith Anna Vonberg
April 2016 - Bernadett Kalmar and Spencer Evans
May 2016 - Billy Rayner
June 2016 - Sandra Hiller and Robert Rayworth
July 2016 - Dan Slipper
August 2016 - Karen Levison
September 2016 - Ava Lee
October 2016 - Scott McMillan
November 2016 - Fiona Critchley and John Paul Healy
December 2016 - Paul Marshall
2015
January 2015 - Phillippa Walker
February 2015 - Roberto Bruni
March 2015 - The Brown Brothers (Euan Brown, Alex Day and Patrick Brown)
April 2015 - Russell Price
May 2015 - Maya Goodwin and Bozena Myslinska
June 2015 - Thomas Grimes
July 2015 - Trish Kelly
August 2015 - Jennifer Ansell
September 2015 - Sarah Burns
October 2015 - Maud Hodson
November 2015 - Carlton D'Souza
December 2015 - Jonathan Wooldridge
Club Runner of the Month - September 2024 - Paul Watkins
Congratulations to Paul Watkins - ELR Club Runner of the Month for September 2024.
Paul has had an incredible month of running, culminating in an impressive 3.33.31 in the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.
Paul joined the club in January last year and has quickly thrown himself into all aspects of club life, including regularly leading club runs.
He began the month by running two legs of the Essex Way relay followed by fish and chips by the sea in Harwich. Those fish and chips powered him on to run a 2-minute PB of 1.34.39 in the Great North Run a week later.
Over the summer, Paul was a regular throughout the Elvis series, including with a 5k PB of 20.09 at the Barking race on August bank holiday, a 5 mile PB of 33.41 at the Ilford Hilly 5 earlier in the season and volunteering at the ELR race in Valentines park.
In addition to all that, he's a great person to be around and always brings a laugh. Great to have you as part of the club, Paul.
Club Runner of the Month - August 2024 - Emma Corbett
Congratulations to Emma Corbett - ELR Club Runner of the Month for August 2024.
Emma has brought an injection of speed to the club since she joined us in February this year.
She has provided a great boost to the women's team throughout this summer's ELVIS series, finishing as 3rd woman at ELVIS 5 at Harold Wood in July and 6th in the ELVIS 7 at Barking with an amazing PB of 19.55. This incredible time took a further 44 seconds of her previous 5km PB of 20.39 at ELVIS 3 in the Olympic Park in June. That's some improvement and we think it's just a glimpse of much more to come.
In addition, Emma ran the Helsinki Marathon in a time of 3.32.57 in May. She's also a regular at Wanstead Flats parkrun, where she often finishes as first woman.
As well as being a great runner, Emma is friendly, humble and a wonderful person to be around. We're so glad she chose to join ELR. Here's to many more years of running to come!
Club Runner of the Month - July 2024 - Maya Goodwin
Congratulations to Maya Goodwin - ELR Club Runner of the Month for July 2024.
Maya has been a member of East London Runners for 10 years and has always been a very active club member. (She won Club Runner of the month a year later after starting up ELR’s first beginners group). She also served on the committee as media officer for several years and can certainly be crowned best race report writer!
Maya made her marathon debut at London in 2015 and then ran Brighton in 2017 ‘to prove she wasn’t a one hit wonder’, after which she remarked - ‘when you run two, you get to say marathon’s’…!
A few years ago, she expended her love of running to triathlons. East London triathletes love her too, but they never managed to completely steal her from us…! She is still highly involved in triathlon events, having competed in the Wind Rush Aquathlon, a 2 mile swim and a sprint triathlon in July.
Back in March, Maya had a great race at the Run Through Victoria Park 10K, smashing her PB by more than two minutes and recently turned out for ELR at the Orion Forest 5 series.
But, more importantly she completed her fifth marathon on 20th June, not on the most scenic route but definitely the best at samosas, as she completed the Sikhs in the City marathon in 5.35.31… She says she’s done with marathons…we will see about that! If this isn’t enough, what really makes her deserve this recognition is her full come back to ELVIS races as she has completed all 5 races in very good times…and she never fails to sparkle at the Olympic Park 5K! Maya also competes in many cross country/winter league races and has now completed more than 200 Parkruns!
Maya has a gritty determination and a ‘never give up’ attitude that makes her succeed. She says that ELR made her believe she was a runner… you certainly are, Maya!
Club Runner of the Month - June 2024 - Eren Ozkan
Congratulations to Eren Ozkan - ELR Club Runner of the Month for June 2024.
Eren had already been voted Club Runner of the Month when he added another incredible achievement to his crown - coming first place in the Sikhs in the City Summer Samosa Ultra Marathon on Sunday, running 50k and beating the second-place runner by 10 minutes.
Eren, who joined ELR in October 2022, had a smashing month with PBs at half marathon and 5km. He ran a 5km PB of 19.30 at third Elvis race in the Olympic Park on June 18 and a half marathon PB of 1.29.17 at the Southend Half Marathon on June 11 (9 minutes quicker than the same race last year!)
Not only that, Eren also run a marathon PB of 3.01.54 at the London Marathon in April, and the Amsterdam Marathon (3.08.18) last October. He has become an essential part of the ELR team at club races, taking part in all three Elvis races so far this year and a good smattering of Chingford League races over the winter.
As well as being a great runner, Eren is a friendly, humble and great person to have around, always quick to encourage others and help out when needed. Here’s to many more years of running with ELR and smashing PBs along the way!
Club Runner of the Month - May 2024 - Imran Mustak
Congratulations to Imran Mustak - ELR Club Runner of the Month for May 2024.
Imran has become an indispensable part of the club since joining almost five years ago. Not only that, his running has gone from strength to strength.
This month, Imran has run PBs in both half marathon and 5km. He ran the Hackney Half marathon in 1.48.14, not bad given that three years ago he was running half marathons in 2.30 or more. He has also run a 5km PB of 22.30 at Valentines parkrun, a massive improvement on 5km times of 29 minutes or more when he joined the club.
Imran has thrown himself into all aspects of the club and is well-liked by everyone. He is a regular volunteer - including at the London Marathon water station - and this year has become an enthusiastic ELVIS captain.
When Imran took over as ELVIS captain, he worried that he was following in the footsteps of some very fast runners, such as Jose Rodriguez and Scott McMillan. “I’m not sure I’m fast enough to be captain,†he worried. Of course, being ELVIS captain is more about organisation, enthusiasm and the ability to rally others than about speed. But on current form, Imran has all these qualities AND is becoming a speedy runner himself. You can even get a helping hand by arranging for all the faster runners to be sent the wrong way, Imran! (For those who don’t know, Imran was briefly the race leader in the first ELVIS race of this season following a marshalling error which sent everyone ahead of him the wrong way).
Club Runner of the Month - April 2024 - Nathaniel Dye
Congratulations to Nathaniel Dye - ELR Club Runner of the Month for April 2024.
Nat inspired not only the club, but most of the country, by running the London Marathon while playing his green trombone.
Nat, who has stage 4 bowel cancer, has raised £28,000 and counting for MacMillan Cancer Research through his London Marathon and other challenges. Nat completed the London Marathon in 5.49.52 despite playing his trombone most of the way, stopping at one point to jam with a jazz band and for a rousing chorus of Sweet Caroline at the ELR 20 mile water station. His quest was been featured in multiple news outlets from the BBC to the Daily Telegraph, The Times and Runner’s World.
The London Marathon was not the only item on Nat’s impressive Bowel Cancer Bucket list. Last year, he ran 100 miles from Harwich to London non-stop overnight. In doing so, he achieved an unofficial world record for miles run with a stoma. Before that, Nat took on one of the toughest races in the world, 171km UTMB although he didn’t make the cut-off to complete the race.
Since his diagnosis in 2022, Nat has been chronicling his treatment and challenges on an inspiring blog, On it he explained, “I may be dying but, for now, I choose to live and show the world through words and deeds that it’s possible to live a full life post-diagnosis. I owe it to everyone I love and who is supporting me along the way to keep going, keep running and stay as fit and active as possible in the hope that I can live that little bit longer. To raise awareness along the way in the hope that others – unlike me – can maybe catch cancer early enough to give them a hopeful prognosis.â€
Inspiring indeed, and we’re so proud to have you among us, Nat.
Club Runner of the Month - March 2024 - Fernando Espada
Congratulations to Fernando Espada - ELR Club Runner of the Month for March 2024.
Fernando has produced excellent performances on some very challenging courses over the past few weeks. He ran a time of 2.05.28 at the Benfleet 15 in January, to finish 155th out of 783 runners and at the recent Orion 15, he was the first ELR to finish on a notoriously hilly, wet and muddy course in Epping Forest. His time of 2.15.08 placed him 82nd out of 233 runners.
Fernando is also speedy on road surfaces, having run a PB of 32.35 at the Chingford League, Victoria Park 5 mile race in February.
Fernando competes regularly in the summer ELVIS series, winter league races and other club events. He was a scorer for ELR at the Barking Road Runners 5K (ELVIS 7) in a time of 19.15 and at the Hog Hill 5K (Chingford League 3), in 20.28. Fernando has also run for the club in the Essex Cross Country relays at Brentwood and the Chingford League relays at Wanstead Flats and took part in both summer and winter ELR handicap races.
Fernando has a quiet, unassuming manner and is a friendly face at the Wednesday evening run and at club socials, which he attends regularly. He joined us in March 2023, after completing a half marathon in the Olympic Park which went better than expected and has since become an active and popular member of the club. We are all glad you chose ELR, Fernando!
Club Runner of the Month - February 2024 - Simon Nash
Congratulations to Simon Nash - ELR Club Runner of the Month for February 2024.
Simon has quietly ticked off three Marathon Majors (London, New York, Tokyo) in the last 12 months. Oh - and a couple of non-major marathons (just as long, just as tough) as well.
Simons incredible marathon year started in April last year with the Brighton Marathon (3.44.56), followed three weeks later by the London Marathon (3.50.14). In November, he ran the New York Marathon (4.03.34), followed a month later by the Sikhs in the City Dawn til Dusk Marathon (4.02.57), no less glamorous than New York, as those who have run laps of the Woodford industrial estate know! Finally, on Sunday, Simon topped off an incredible year with a huge PB of 3.32.26 in the Tokyo Marathon.
When not running marathons, Simon keeps on getting faster at other distances. He has run three half marathon PBs in the past year, most recently 1.36.05 in the Victoria Park Half Marathon on February 11. He ran an amazing 2.10.39 at the tough Benfleet 15 cross country race on January 21.
Simon is also a regular at club races and events. He competed in many of the Chingford League races over the winter (including a 5 mile PB of 35.31 at Victoria Park on February 3) and Elvis races last summer. He came 6th in the ELR winter handicap on February 24 (as well as helping to set up the course) and has volunteered at many club events.
Simon has only been a member of ELR since November 2022. That's a lot of achievements in 15 months! As well as being a brilliant runner, Simon is a kind, welcoming, humble and friendly person and we’re delighted that he's decided to join us.
Club Runner of the Month - January 2024 - Abdirahman Adan
Congratulations to Abdirahman Adan - ELR Club Runner of the Month for January 2024.
Abdi has proved himself king of the long distance cross country in the last month, completing not one…not two, but three steep, muddy courses. He ran a PB of 2.23.27 in the recent Benfleet 15, shaving 13 minutes off last year's time. Just a week earlier, he ran the Mercury 10 in 1.37.19 and at the end of December, ran the boggy Ilford 10 in 1.29.51.
Abdi has also been a regular in this winters Chingford League and Sunday League races and in the summer Elvis season, always putting in a good performance for the club.
Abdi is a long-standing member of ELR for 13 years and has even brought his speedy son Hamza to the club
Not only does Abdi race amazingly, he's also a friendly, welcoming social runner. He is a familiar face at the Sunday social run, often leading a long run, whether it's in forest or road, and always happy to wait for others.
A little bird tells us that Abdi and his son Hamza have trained with Mo Farah - no wonder he's running so well. Now that's a story we need to hear more of!
Club Runner of the Month - December 2023 - Tasnia Choudhury
Congratulations to Club Runner of the Month for December, Tasnia Choudhury.
Tasnia has had an incredible few months with PBs in everything from 5km to Half Marathon since September. She has run four half marathons in the last four months, starting with a PB of 2.33.43 at the Big Half in September, only to take that down to 2.17.42 at the Cardiff Half Marathon less than a month later. Since then, she has produced two solid performances at half marathons in Victoria Park in November and December.
In December, Tasnia also ran a 10km PB of 59.10 in Battersea Park and in October ran a 5km PB of 28.14 in Chingford League Race 1 at Lee Valley Velopark. Tasnia, who joined the club in April 2019, is part of an ELR dynasty. She often runs with her sister Samia (CROTM May 2019) and brother in law Shahib Ali (CROTM July 2023).
She also gives back to the club in many ways, including as a marshal at our ELVIS race at Valentines Park and brought a snazzy home-made banner to the Valentines race. A wonderful person and an inspiration to many, we're so happy to have Tasnia as part of our club and to see her running going from strength to strength.
Club Runner of the Month - November 2023 - Ryan Friel
Congratulations to Ryan Friel - ELR Club Runner of the Month for October 2023.
Ryan has been a driving force among the fastest men in the club since joining in April 2022. This month, he ran an incredible 5km PB of 15.53 at the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month. Just a month earlier, he ran a 10km PB of 34.06 in the Fleet 10km.
Ryan is currently in fourth place in this year's Chingford League after amazing performances in two of the three races so far. He ran 16.07 in the Chingford League Race 1 at Lee Valley Velopark followed by 16.50 in the Chingford League Race 3 at Redbridge Cycle Circuit. He represented ELR at the London Cross Country Championship at Parliament Hill this month.
Over the summer, Ryan came first overall in the ELVIS series, with best scores in six out of the eight races, including being first senior man at ELR’s ELVIS 5km in Valentines Park (16.12) and first man in the Forest Five on Chingford Plain in August. Throughout the year, Ryan has also run PBs in the London Marathon (2.43 hours) and 5 miles (27.06).
Ryan is also a keen parkrunner, often as first finisher at Wanstead parkrun. Alongside all this running, Ryan still finds time to look after his young baby Rufus - hopefully a future East London Runner himself! Ryan is a fantastic club mate, an inspirational runner and a great addition to the club. Well done Ryan!
Club Runner of the Month - October 2023 - Kasia Stachowiak
Congratulations to Kasia Stachowiak - ELR Club Runner of the Month for October 2023.
Globe trotting Kasia has done more running in the last month - in more continents and with more PBs than most of us manage in many years. Kasia ran an incredible 2 minute PB of 3.46.45 in the Chicago Marathon, just a week after a 4 minute PB of 1.43.52 in the Cardiff Half Marathon. You would forgive her for having a rest after that, but just two weeks later, she popped over to Spain for the Valencia Half Marathon. Not only was her October mind boggling busy, but she knocked out a few races in September, including the Big Half (1.48.48) and the London Vitality 10km (47.40).
Kasia joined ELR in June 2018 and quickly became a friendly face and a regular scorer at club races. She scored for the club at most ELVIS races over the summer, including running an amazing 22.25 in the 5km Barking ELVIS 7 and 5 miles in 37.19 at ELVIS 2 in Havering earlier in the summer.
Kasia is also a keen parkrunner. Shes a regular at Wanstead but also enjoys some tourism and some trips to Las Aniolowski in her native Poland. Were delighted to have Kasia as part of the club and to catch up with her at races and parkruns. We cant wait to see how she follows this incredible month of PBs. Heres to many more to come.
Club Runner of the Month - September 2023 - Joseph Osakue
Congratulations to Joseph Osakue - ELR Club Runner of the Month for September 2023.
Joseph has been unstoppable this month with PBs in both half marathon and 10km. And just as we go to press, he has added an incredible marathon PB of 3.09.19 in the Kosice Peace Marathon in Slovakia. He was also the second V50 male in this summer's Elvis series.
Joseph has had a big impact since joining the club just over two years ago. He ran a PB of 37.31 (7th in his age category) in the Vitality London 10km on September 24 and a half marathon PB of 1.24.07 in the Big Half on September 3.
We can forgive Joseph for missing the ELR Elvis on September 24 for the Vitality London 10km because he did so incredibly well in the rest of the series, scoring for ELR in every race that he ran (6 of them). In Elvis 6 (Orion Forest 5) he ran 34.14 (3rd ELR), in Elvis 5 (5km, Harold Wood) 19.28 (3rd ELR again) and in Elvis 4 (Ilford Hilly 5) he ran 33.07. In the first half of the series, Joseph ran 18.35 in Elvis 3 (5km Olympic Park), a 5-mile PB of 30.53 at Elvis 2 (Raphael Park) and 31.19 at Elvis 1 (5 miles, Dagenham Central Park). These performances gave Joseph second place in his MV50 age category across the whole series.
Joseph is also a regular parkrunner, where he often finishes in the top 3 places with age grades of up to 80%. For example, he came first at Wanstead Flats in July (18.40) and scored an age grade of 80.16% (18.24) at Swansea Bay in June.
It is great that Joseph often brings his wife and two sons along to support club events, such as the ELR Summer handicap, where Joseph ran an incredible time but the nature of the handicap race gave some of the rest of us a chance to beat him!
Finally, it seems that all this success doesn't come without a jaw-dropping level of hard work and dedication. Joseph runs more or less every day, often at 5am or even 4am to fit it in a long "commute to work". Congratulations again, Joseph, an amazing runner and a wonderful club member!
Club Runner of the Month - August 2023 - Clare Stevens
Congratulations to Clare Stevens - ELR Club Runner of the Month for August 2023.
Clare has thrown herself wholeheartedly into club events and activities since joining ELR in January 2023 and is improving all the time. She has run in all this year's ELVIS races and was rewarded with a PB at Barking Road Runners Phipps 5K (ELVIS 7) on Bank Holiday Monday, clocking a time of 29.01 and beating her previous best by almost a minute! A couple of days previously, Clare ran a PB of 1.44.48 at the Run Though Lee Valley VeloPark 10 mile race. She said, 'great event; really enjoyed this and it was good because each lap was one mile and you could see how well you were doing - or not doing!'
Clare took part in her first Cross Country and Chingford League races in February and was part of an ELR relay team that competed in the Sikhs in the City, Summer Samosa Ultra in June. Clare is a parkrun tourist and still finds time to compete in many 5K, 10K and 10 mile races; ELR Grand Prix events in particular.
Clare is a regular at our club runs and socials and has been a great help in taking turns to lead the shorter run on a Wednesday evening. She is always happy to volunteer and recently assisted in clearing the first leg of the Essex Way Relay, which involved walking 8.5 miles from Epping to Ongar.
Vice-Chair, Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera commented, "I am amazed and so pleased to see how much Clare has become an integral part of the club in so many aspects in such a short time... Even when she can't join us, she would bake a cake and deliver it - her commitment is unbelievable. I am coaching Clare for her first half marathon in September and I can't wait to see how well she will do!"
Club Runner of the Month - July 2023 - Shahib Ali
Congratulations to Shahib Ali - ELR Club Runner of the Month for July 2023.
July has been a very successful month for Shahib. He has enjoyed a purple patch in form and succeeded in smashing three of his long standing PBs. First to go was at the ASICS London 10k, where he finished in a time of 39.14 - his first 10k under 40 minutes in 12 years! This was followed up just six days later at Bushy parkrun where he ran a PB of 18.50, dipping under 19 minutes for the first time and beating his previous best of 19.04 at Valentines Park back in 2011 - the same year he joined the club! The hat trick was completed on Saturday 29th July at the Battersea Park Half Marathon where Shahib recorded his fastest ever time for the distance, completing the race in 1.27.58 and knocking nearly a minute off his previous best of 1.28.50 at the Roding Valley Half Marathon in 2012! He has also been a regular at the ELVIS series and was a scorer for ELR at the recent Harold Wood 5K (ELVIS 5), finishing in 19.40.
Shahib is an avid parkrunner, rarely missing an event and is also a very keen marathon runner. He has been a regular competitor and supporter of the club at races and events over many years, often accompanied by his wife Samia and their children. Shahib is a talented runner and an important part of the team, as well as a very friendly face around the club. It is great to see him reaping the rewards for all his hard work in training.
Shahib summed up his achievements as follows: what an epic, unforgettable month of running, long-term targets at 5K, 10K and HM all met in one calendar month. It needed something of this magnitude to miss a parkrun for! Will now relax and enjoy the lead up to the Berlin Marathon.
Club Runner of the Month - June 2023 - Karan Gadhia
Congratulations to Karan Gadhia - ELR Club Runner of the Month for June 2023.
Karan has been smashing PBs left, right and centre since coming back from a long injury. Karan came first place in the Sikhs in the City 22km this month in an incredible time of 1.40.07 despite the 30C heat. He has also run PBs in both 10km and 5 miles in the last month: 5 miles in 29.52 at the second ELVIS race in Raphael Park and a 10km in 37.32 at a RunThrough event in Battersea Park.
In May, Karan ran an amazing half marathon PB of 1.20.39, also in Battersea Park. Afterwards, he said, "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 the (physio) therapy table last year and it's 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!"
This is an incredible comeback for Karan, who struggled with a hamstring injury for most of last year. Starting last October, he began running again from scratch, starting with run/walking, and building up to running cross country races through the winter.
Karan also gives back to the club in many ways. He is joint Winter League captain with Michael Wilson, volunteers whenever he isn't running and - most crucially - is an AMAZING baker. He brings cakes to die for to cross country fixtures, which - given that as a club we're known for our cake eating - makes him extremely popular! Finally, he's a lovely bloke who takes as much interest in everyone else's running as his own.
Well done again Karan - we love you (and not JUST for your baking)!
Club Runner of the Month - May 2023 - Ian Mackie
Congratulations to Ian Mackie - ELR Club Runner of the Month for May 2023.
Ian has made a huge impact – both as a runner and a committee member - since joining the club in July 2021.
His running has gone from strength to strength recently, with a great performance at the first Elvis race in Dagenham on May 24, followed two days later with a time of 21.24 (an amazing 80.7% age grade) at Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5km.
Earlier in the month, Ian ran a course PB of 1.41.56 at Hackney Half Marathon, making him 5th place in the 65-69 age category and a course PB of 21.17 at Wanstead Flat parkrun (age grade 81.91%) on 6th May.
Ian regularly scores very highly in the MV65 category. In March, he was 1st MV65 in the Mike Penman 5m and 1st MV60 in the Battersea Run Fest 10km (44.09).
Not only is Ian a great runner, but he gives back to the club in many ways. He recently joined the committee, volunteered at the water station for the London Marathon and paced 22 minutes at the ELR takeover at Walthamstow parkrun. He has become a huge asset to the club in a relatively short time and will no doubt continue to be so.
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Club Runner of the Month - April 2023 - Ava Lee
Congratulations to Ava Lee - ELR Club Runner of the Month for April 2023.
Ava ran an incredible 3.12.58 (10th VW45) at Manchester Marathon on her comeback from an aggressive form of breast cancer. It was her meeting with Zoila Fernandez at 41km in the marathon that gave us this wonderful picture.
Ava said of the meeting: “I so needed a boost and there she was! Somehow at 41km into a marathon Zoila can still take selfies.
The smiles on our faces say it all!â€
Ava, who has been a club member since 2011, is no stranger to success. She has previously competed for Team GB in her age group at triathlon. However, being diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago forced Ava to take a break from competing.
Now on the mend, Ava is showing us that she hasn’t lost her edge. In her training for Manchester, Ava ran 1.31.57 at a half marathon in Victoria Park in March and a parkrun in 20.31, giving her an amazing 78% age grade.
Not only is Ava Lee a phenomenal runner, swimmer and cyclist, she’s also a wonderful and unassuming person. She always has time to chat to club mates and you would never know from talking to her what an amazing athlete she is.
We’re very excited to have you back on form Ava. And what incredible form that is!
Club Runner of the Month - March 2023 - Sandra Preston
Congratulations to Sandra Preston - ELR Club Runner of the Month for March 2023.
Sandra has become an indispensable feature of the club since joining in 2019. Not only is her running going from strength to strength, but she has also become our much-loved and much-needed Race Secretary on the committee since 2021.
Sandra ran an incredible two PBs this month: 50.23 at Run Through Victoria Park 10km (1st VW50) on March 19 and 1.53.52 at Cambridge Half Marathon on March 5. Sandra’s improvement is not short-lived – she won Most Improved Female Runner at our Awards Night in December for her amazing progress throughout last year.
It is very rare for Sandra to miss any club race, competing in almost all the Chingford League and Sunday League races throughout the winter and Elvis races last summer. This amazing commitment, alongside some stellar performances, led to Sandra coming second place in the gold series in last year’s ELR Grand Prix and currently placing currently in first place of this year’s silver series and second place in this year’s gold series. In parkrun, she frequently scores an age grade of 70% plus.
With all that running, it’s hard to imagine how Sandra has time to do anything else, but she also manages to be a regular volunteer for the club. She helped to set up the course for the Chingford League relay before running in the women’s B team and also set up the course for the ELR winter handicap before competing.
Finally, how would the rest of us have our performances recorded if it wasn’t for Sandra keeping Race Entries up to date and deputising for Don Bennett in publishing results when needed? Congratulations again Sandra – you’re amazing and we all love you!
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Club Runner of the Month - February 2023 - Victoria Charlesworth
Congratulations to Victoria Charlesworth, Club Runner of the Month for February 2023.
Victoria ran the Seville Marathon in 4.52.59, an incredible PB of almost 100 minutes! Her previous PB from October 2017 was 6.31.35. Victoria also achieved a 5-mile PB of 44.42 at Chingford League 6 race in Victoria Park on February the 4th. What a month!
Victoria worked hard at lots of tough events in the run-up to her marathon. She competed in not one but two long distance cross country races, the Benfleet 15 and the Ilford 10, as well as the Loughton AC Ware Cup, the very hilly Chingford League 5 in Epping Forest and the SEAA Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill in November.
Last year, Victoria achieved a half marathon PB of 2.07.15 at the Hastings Half Marathon in March and also ran the extremely hilly Beachy Head Half Marathon in October. With all those hills and cross country running, no wonder she's been smashing PBs! Not only has she been running brilliantly, but Victoria gives back to the club through volunteering. She was a marshal at the ELR winter handicap race in February, joined the crew at the 20 mile water station at the London Marathon in October and volunteered at our ELVIS 8 race in Valentines Park in September.
On top of all that, she is also great company. After eight years at the club, it’s great to see Victoria still going from strength to strength in her running. Well done Victoria!
Club Runner of the Month - January 2023 - Darminder Bhamra
Congratulations to Darminder Bharma - ELR Club Runner of the Month for January 2023.
Darminder has been turning out for the club in all weathers and smashing PBs along the way since joining the club in September 2021.
He ran in the extremely windy Benfleet 15 in a time of 3.04.09 on January 15, the mega muddy Ilford 10 on December 27 in 1.29.27 and 22km in the frozen climes of Sikhs in the City in 2.05 on December 11.
In the Chingford League, Darminder has run in 4 of the 5 of the races so far with some great times. On Christmas Day, Darminder ran a course PB of 22.31 at Barking parkrun. Â He also smashed his 10km time with 46.06 in the Southend Classic on September 18.
Darminder runs in hot weather as well as cold. In the summer Elvis series, he was the 8th MV50 for the best 6 out of 8 races throughout the summer.
Not only does Darminder run fantastically, he joins the spirit of the club as a volunteer. He volunteered at the 20 mile water station at the London Marathon and also at the Elvis 8 in Valentine's Park. It's great to have you in the club and to see your progress, Darminder.
Club Runner of the Month - December 2022 - Sarah Burns
Congratulations to Sarah Burns - ELR Club Runner of the Month for December 2022.
Despite being mainly a cyclist, it turns out that Sarah is quite a nifty runner too. Sarah completed the Ilford 10 cross country in 1.24.59, winning the prize for first V40 as well as being part of the winning women's team. Afterwards, she said, "Super chuffed with my 1st cash prize in a running race. Not sure I can make a career out of it. 1st V40 and the team prize for East London Runners Women at the Ilford 10 mile mudfest. Not bad for a cyclist."
Sarah has also been a valuable member of the women's team in many club races. She scored for the ELR women's team at the Chingford League Cross Country at the Olympic Velopark in a time of 22.56, as well as in several Elvis races over the summer (22.40 at ELR's Elvis 8 in Valentine's Park, 22.41 at Elvis 7 in Barking Park and 43.21 for 5 hilly miles in Ilford's Newham Hilly 5.
A regular parkrunner, Sarah was first female finisher at Wanstead Flat parkrun on Christmas Day with an age grade of 70.07% (22.53). She was also 7th female finisher in 1.18.15 in the Torrington Christmas Caper, a nine-mile cross country in her hometown in Devon involving mud, hills, forest trails and rivers. Continuing with the theme of mud and hills, Sarah was 9th woman in the Loughton AC Vets Cross Country race in November in 38.22.
Although we are a running club, we can't talk about Sarah without mentioning her epic bike ride. In June, she spent 9 days cycling 1553 miles around the Atlantic coast of Ireland in the totally crazy Transatlantic Way. Afterwards she said, "My sense of direction may have let me down but my body and mind didn't. I'm super proud to have made it to the finish. What an epic adventure now it's time to sit in something soft!"
And if that isn't enough crazy cycling, ask her about her plans for an even longer, even more bonkers bike ride this year!
Club Runner of the Month - November 2022 - Rachel Bailey
Congratulations to Rachel Bailey - ELR Club Runner of the Month for November 2022.
Rachel has had a huge impact since joining the club in June this year. Most recently, she ran a stunning PB of 1.30.23 in the Olympic Park Half Marathon, finishing 7th woman in a field of almost 2000 runners. This came soon after her half marathon debut at the Royal Parks in October in a time of 1.31.38 (where she was 23rd senior woman in a field of thousands).
Rachel has given a huge boost to the women's team in our club league races, both this winter and in the summer, usually as first ELR home. In the current Chingford League, Rachel came 13th in a 5km time of 20.36 at race 3 at the Redbridge Cycling Centre, 11th in a time of 20.29 at race 2 at the Olympic Velopark and 4th place in the first Chingford League of the season at Eastbrookend Country Park.
In the current Sunday League, she came 9th in a 5-mile time of 32.21 in race 2 at Trent Park and 15th in a time of 35.14 in race 1 at Cheshunt.
In the summer's Elvis series, Rachel ran a brilliant 5km PB of 19.56 in the final race of the season, ELR's Valentines Park race, finishing in 7th place. She also finished 9th place (20.28) in Elvis 7 at Barking, 4th place in a 5-mile time of 35.20 in Elvis 6 Forest Five, 4th place in 36.10 in Elvis 5, Ilford's Newman Hilly 5, and 8th in her Elvis debut, race number 2 at Raphael Park.
Rachel is also a regular parkrunner, frequently finishing first woman at Wanstead Flats parkrun with a course PB of 20.17 (74.2% age grade).
Finally and perhaps mostly importantly, Rachel has thrown herself quickly into the spirit of ELR. She joined the team for the Essex Way relay, volunteered at the London Marathon 20 mile water station and is a regular friendly face at training. If she can achieve this much in six months in our club, we can only imagine the even greater things to come! She is also humble and great company, which makes us love her even more!
Club Runner of the Month - October 2022 - Daniel ODonoghue
Congratulations to Daniel O'Donoghue - ELR Club Runner of the Month for October 2022.
Daniel ran a stunning 15 minute PB at the Yorkshire Marathon in 2.59.36 on October 16. He even managed a negative split in that formidable feat!
A member of East London Runners for more than 5 years, Daniel has had a fantastic year of PBs. He was a valuable member of the men's team for this summer's Elvis series, running in five of the races, scoring for the club in almost all of them and getting PBs in four of them. In the 5km races, he ran a PB of 17.51 in Elvis 3 at the Olympic Park on June 21, followed by an even better PB of 17.42 in Elvis 7 at Barking on August 29 coming 17th place in both races. In the five mile races, he managed a PB of 30.42 in Elvis 1 at Dagenham on 25th July, followed by another PB of 30.37 at Elvis 2 at Raphael Park on 14th June. Finally, he managed a very respectable 15th place at the Newman Hilly 5 (the clue is in the name!) on 6th July in 32.09.
Daniel is also a regular parkrunner. He came first place at Valentines parkrun on October 8 in a course PB time of 18.13. He also ran Wimbledon Common half marathon on August 1 in a time of 1.31.49.
Congratulations again on the amazing performances, Daniel. A huge asset to the club and truly one of the elites.
Club Runner of the Month - September 2022 - Joshua Rees Davies
Congratulations to Joshua Rees Davies - ELR Club Runner of the Month for September 2022.
Joshua only joined the club in May and has just won the Individual Elvis series in his first season. In an incredible debut series, Joshua came first in three races and second in three races, putting him well clear as the series winner. In the final race, ELR's own Elvis 8 5km at Valentine’s Park, Joshua ran an amazing PB of 16.16, putting him in second place. His other Elvis 5km times were 16.29 (Olympic Park, 1st place) 16.43 (Barking) and 16.59 (Harold Wood). Add to that, 5 mile times of 27.33 (Dagenham) and 27.37 (Raphael Park).
Joshua ran the Big Half in September in an outstanding 1.15.39. He is also a regular parkrun tourist, usually coming in first or second place. The only time that the rest of us have had a chance to finish ahead of Joshua was in the ELR handicap race. Joshua ran the fastest time of 18.10, but it wasn't enough to overcome his handicap so he finished 34th out of 35. That's the beauty of a handicap race – there's no other way to finish ahead of Joshua!
As well as being an incredible runner, Joshua is also humble and friendly - a wonderful addition to our club.
Club Runner of the Month - August 2022 - Betty Bohane
Congratulations to Betty Bohane - ELR Club Runner of the Month for August 2022
Betty has become a hugely valuable and competitive member of the women's team since joining the club in January 2021. Already an accomplished runner, Betty initially joined the club for her Championship place in the London Marathon. However, in the last year, she has become more involved and integral to club races and activities.
Having attended all seven of the Elvis races so far this summer, Betty is currently leading the senior women's series (as of Elvis 6). She has scored for the club in every one of the races, with positions ranging to 4th woman (Elvis 1 at Dagenham, when she did the 5 miles in 34.44) to 15th woman. It is thanks in large part to Betty that our women's team is in second place in the Elvis series.
Betty is also a regular parkrunner, often coming first female with an age grade of 70% or more. On Saturday August 27, she ran 19.47 at University Parks, her best time this year and giving her an age grade of 75.32%
Betty has also done Manchester Marathon and several half marathons this year. She did Manchester Marathon in April in 3.10.46, and three half marathons, including one in Victoria Park in February in 1.29.46.
Betty has done a lot to make our women's team more competitive to which we are all hugely grateful. We love having her around for her company and her fast running!
Club Runner of the Month - July 2022 - Cindy Koon
Congratulations to Cindy Koon - ELR Club Runner of the Month for July 2022
Cindy has gone from strength to strength in the short time she has been a member of East London Runners. She was the winner out of all 33 runners at the ELR Summer Handicap 5km on Wanstead Flats with a time of 26.1, a whopping 1 min 5 seconds faster than her predicted time. She said afterwards: "Never thought it would be me coming through, I think my shocked face said it all."
Cindy joined ELR in November 2021 and quickly showed determination (as well as being a popular, friendly face) at track. More recently, she has also become a familiar face on Wednesday and Sunday runs.
Impressively, Cindy has run three 5km PBs this month. She achieved 25.55 at Valentines parkrun at the start of the month, took another second off to make 25.54 and finally beat it with 25.31 at Valentines on Saturday 30th July. Back in May, she also ran PB of 57.47 in the Vitality London 10km.
Cindy has also become a regular at Elvis races this summer. She achieved 48.01 at Elvis 4 (Ilford’s Hilly 5 miler) in Hainault Forest, 27.17 at Elvis 5 at Harold Wood (5km), 27.02 at Elvis 3 at the Olympic Park (5km) and 45.15 at Elvis 1 (5 miles) in Dagenham.
We're so glad to have you in the club, Cindy. Here's to many more years of successful running!
Club Runner of the Month - June 2022 - John O'Brien
Congratulations to John O'Brien - ELR Club Runner of the Month for June 2022.
John has made massive improvements to his running since joining the club just a year ago and has had a very busy month.
He ran his first half marathon at the Sikhs in the City Summer Samosas on Sunday June 26 in a time of 2.19.06, finishing third male.
John said afterwards: "First and last half marathon today, enjoyable but tough going up that hill 11 times. My aim was to do it without stopping which I just about managed to do."
This was particularly impressive coming only a few days after John ran a 5km PB of 23.40 in the East End Road Runners Midsummer Elvis 3 race in the Olympic Park on Tuesday June 21. John has raced in every Elvis race so far this season, finishing the 5 miles Elvis 2 in Raphael Park in 40.47 and Elvis 1 in Dagenham in 41.26.
John began the month with a time of 52.56 in the Hatfield Broad Oak 10km on Friday 3rd June.
This is all quite an achievement given that John's first 5km after he joined the club in June last year was in 30.10 at Dorney Lake. Almost seven minutes off your 5km time in one year is quite impressive, John. Can you take another seven minutes off next year?
Oh, and we don't believe that was your last half marathon. You'll be back for more!
Club Runner of the Month - May 2022 - Debbie Shearing
Congratulations to Debbie Shearing - ELR Club Runner of the Month for May 2022.
Debbie completed a three-day 97-mile Devil’s Challenge along on the South Downs Way at the start of the month. This was her first multi-day ultra and she did it in 22 hours 8 minutes, putting her in 36th position overall and 11th female finisher. The first day of 48.9km took her 6 hours 41 minutes, the second day of 55.2km took 8 hours 16 mins and she did the third day of 47.5km in 7 hours 10 minutes.
Debbie said: “I grew up in a village right at the bottom of the South Downs where my parents still live, so they were able to pop along and surprise me en route which was a much needed boost.â€
Debbie only took on her first ultramarathon last September when she did 100km also along the South Downs from Eastbourne to Arundel. She followed that soon afterwards with the 50km Camino Ultra in Epping Forest in October. Debbie has now proved herself to be an incredible ultra runner, one of the most determined in the club.
In addition, Debbie is a regular at club races. She competed in the first Elvis of the season at Dagenham this month and took part in many of the Chingford and Sunday league races throughout the winter.
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Club Runner of the Month - April 2022 - James Nichols
Congratulations to James Nichols - ELR Club Runner of the Month for April 2022.
James continued his impressive form on his recent travels overseas, which resulted in both a Marathon and 5k PB this month. He warmed up by taking part in the Aachener Weiher Parkrun in Cologne, then travelled to Switzerland to compete in the Zurich Marathon which he finished in a time of 3.13.44 - a PB by 20 seconds! The following week at the Milano Nord Parkrun, he set a 5k PB by 6 seconds to finish in 18.22. James’ preparation for the Marathon had gone well and he produced some very consistent results in the weeks leading up to the event. He completed the Essex 20 in a time of 2.26.48, followed by the Thames Riverside 20, in 2.26.09 and the Brentwood Half Marathon in 1.27.30.
James is a great asset to ELR and a regular in our Summer ELVIS and Winter League races. The Marathon was the icing on the cake and James commented; ‘Marathon PB by 20 seconds, bit too close for comfort but happy with that. A nice out and back route with a loop of the City centre at the start and finish.’ This is a great achievement a success that is very well deserved.
Club Runner of the Month - March 2022 - David Kwakye
Congratulations to David Kwakye - ELR Club Runner of the Month for March 2022.
A great month for David who has achieved PB’s in two consecutive Half Marathon’s during March. David joined the club last September and has run a number of Half Marathon’s in preparation for the Manchester Marathon, which takes place on 2nd April. He competed in the Run Through Kempton Park Half Marathon on 5th March finishing in 1.35.33, which beat his time of 1.36.59 at the Watford Half Marathon a month earlier. He then set another personal best time at the Battersea Park Half Marathon on 12th March, completing the course in 1.34.39. He trains hard at the Monday night track sessions, where he is always willing to assist and motivate the other runners. David ran a time of 3.31 at the Chelmsford Marathon in October and should be confident of ending the afternoon with another PB, following his Marathon on Sunday.
Club Runner of the Month - February 2022 - Antonio Martin Romero
Congratulations to Antonio Martin Romero - ELR Club Runner of the Month for February 2022.
A great result for Antonio at the Seville Marathon, as he set a new PB and club record to finish in a time of 2.24.33. With splits of 1.12.08 and 1.12.25, he paced the race excellently and was 57 seconds faster than his previous outing at this race in 2020, when his time was 2.25.24. He joined a group of runners at the start and felt very comfortable as he passed the first 5k in 17 minutes and 10k in 34.05. Antonio says he was enjoying the race and was confident at the half way point that he would get under 2 hours 25 minutes, barring a catastrophe! He overcame the psychological battle at 38km and with no fatigue setting in, completed the race comfortably to finish 12th Spaniard and 2nd Andaluz!
This was another record breaking double from Antonio, as he had already run the Seville Half Marathon on 30th January in preparation for the Marathon and broke his previous PB and club record, with a new time of 1.09.28. Antonio is a a great advertisement for ELR with his record breaking performances and we hope to see him soon, in his next visit to the club in 2022.
Club Runner of the Month - January 2022 - Caroline Frith
Congratulations to Caroline Frith - ELR Club Runner of the Month for January 2022.
A great run from Caroline at the Benfleet 15 this month, saw her take a minute off her PB to finish in a time of 2.03.30. She was placed 6th lady and 107th overall out of a field of 625 runners. She took part in the Essex Duathlon (10k run, 32k cycle, 5k run), where she was placed 4th lady (14th overall) to finish in 2.33.11 and was first female finisher for ELR in the recent Epping Forest 5 Mile event (Chingford League Race 5) finishing in 112th position out of 319 runners. She has also finished first lady at Parkrun, on a number of occasions. Her most challenging race was the ‘Plain Crazy’ (12.5 mile) event, taking place on Ministry of Defence land on Salisbury Plain. Described as hilly, cold, desolate and windy, she did well to complete the course in 1 hour, 43 minutes.
Caroline is a keen competitor and has been pivotal in the success of the ladies Chingford League team this season. She also shows great enthusiasm for cross country! Caroline performs consistently well in all her races for ELR and is a credit to the club.
Club Runner of the Month - December 2021 - Joseph Gunn
Congratulations to Joseph Gunn - ELR Club Runner of the Month for December 2021.
A great performance from Joe at the Valencia Marathon on 5th December, earned him a new personal best time of 2.50.33. In only his third road marathon he shattered his previous PB by nearly 6 minutes, set two month’s earlier at the Manchester Marathon. During a successful last few months, he achieved a PB at the Run Through Battersea Park 10k in a time of 36.37, a PB of 17.37 at the Barking Road Runners Phipps 5k ELVIS race and finished first in a number of Parkruns. He was also first finisher for ELR at the SEAA London cross country championships at Parliament Hill and the Sunday cross country league race at Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage.
Following his Valencia marathon triumph Joe said, ‘a great race, a flat course through a beautiful city with fantastic crowds. Not quite a sub 2.50 but that one can wait until the next marathon’. Joe is a valued competitor for ELR and with his level of commitment and improvement, it should not be long before he realises his goals and smashes some more personal records.
Club Runner of the Month - November 2021 - Alex Pickering
Congratulations to Alex Pickering - ELR Club Runner of the Month for November 2021.
Alex has made a big impact since joining the club in April, towards the end of lockdown. Earlier this month he was first ELR finisher in 11th position overall, at the Inter Vets cross country race held at Loughton AC. A couple of weeks later he recorded a time of 2 hours and 35 seconds for the Orion 15 cross country race in Epping Forest. Alex has been a regular and a scorer for the club at the Summer ELVIS series and also in the Winter League races. He has been first finisher for ELR in each of the four Chingford League races to date. The latest race being at blustery Trent Park on the afternoon of 27th November, after he had finished first overall at Walthamstow Parkrun early that morning, in a time of 20.32.
Men’s ELVIS captain Scott McMillan commented;“this is Alex's time of the year, being someone who comes into his own when the terrain gets properly tough. Strava's King of The Charter Road soars up the steepest of hills, and is one of the first names you'd want on your team sheet for the Hilly 5 or the Orion 15. A great club member and a very worthy Club Runner of the Month!"
Club Runner of the Month - October 2021 - Alice Barrett
Congratulations to Alice Barrett - ELR Club Runner of the Month for October 2021.
A very successful month for Alice, with two marathons completed in two weeks during October. She trained hard throughout the Summer and competed in a number of races, including some half marathons and the Bedford 20 Mile Running Festival, in preparation for the London Marathon. On the day despite carrying an injury, Alice battled bravely to the finish line and achieved her goal of completing the London Marathon. Determined to improve her time, two weeks later Alice took part in the Bedford Autodrome Marathon, where she succeeded in her mission and set a new PB by 30 minutes, to finish in 5.25.34. With her positive outlook when flying the flag for ELR, she has earned the respect of everyone and her rewards are fully deserved. The final words are from Alice who says, 'two marathons in two weeks was not my best idea, but I finished smiling!'
Club Runner of the Month - September 2021 - Becky Evans
Congratulations to Becky Evans - ELR Club Runner of the Month for September 2021.
Becky has had an outstanding month and she has established herself as one of the fastest female runners in our club. She completed the Havering Mind Half Marathon in a personal best time of 1.40.38 (50th of 456) and was the first FV50 finisher. She is a regular scorer for ELR in both the Chingford League and ELVIS races and helped the women's team get off to a good start at the Hog Hill 5k (Chingford League Race 1), finishing in a time of 22.47. Becky achieved a PB of 21.12 at Barking Road Runners Phipps 5k (ELVIS 6) and completed the ELR Valentines Park 5k (ELVIS 7) in 21.32 - picking up the first FV50 prize in both races. She was also a member of our Essex Way relay team earlier in the month, running in the final leg from Ramsay to Harwich, finishing with fish and chips at the end. Becky trains very hard week in week out at the club's track sessions and her continued improvement and success is well deserved.
Club Runner of the Month - August 2021 - John Henry
Congratulations to John Henry - ELR Club Runner of the Month for August 2021.
John has continued to improve his race performances with a number of personal bests. On 21st August he was 5th at the Orion Harriers Forest 5 Miles (ELVIS 5) on Chingford Plain, finishing in a time of 29.56. The following morning he achieved a PB competing in the Thorpe and Egham Half Marathon, lowering his time for this distance by over a minute to finish in 1.16.02. (11th place). At the Serpentine RC Last Friday of the Month 5k, he set a new PB of 16.39 (4th) and John beat his 5k time again two days later, at the Barking Road Runners Phipps 5k (ELVIS 6) to take 6th place in 16.30. His 5 mile PB of 28.31 was set at last month’s Havering 90 Joggers Midweek 5 (ELVIS 3), which saw him take the prize for 3rd place. I would like to say that John is an outstanding athlete and his times are very impressive! He competes at ELVIS, Winter League, Parkrun and other events, where he is a great ambassador for ELR.
Club Runner of the Month - July 2021 - Nathaniel Dye
Congratulations to Nathaniel Dye - ELR Club Runner of the Month for July 2021.
On 25th July, Nathaniel completed the Beacons Way Ultra 100; a National trail race that traverses the Brecon Beacons mountain range. After some 'easy' running for the first 20 miles, he encountered many difficult ascents and descents including some paths that were unrunnable. Despite getting lost a number of times, he navigated the course through each checkpoint and finished in a time of 34hrs, 45mins, 25 secs, for 12th place out of 64 finishers. Preparation was key to this race and his training included 5 days of running in the Highlands of Scotland; the Sikhs in the City Dawn to Dusk Ultra, where he ran more than 50 miles in 7.44.06 to finish in 1st place and also the Explorer Run Half Marathon (7th out of 56). Only three days after his achievement and sporting a very large blister, he competed for ELR in the Ilford AC Newman Hilly 5 (ELVIS 4). Nathaniel said 'The Beacons Way was without doubt the hardest race I've ever run. Thanks to those who followed and commented - that was quite an adventure'.
Club Runner of the Month - June 2021 - Morag Campbell
Congratulations to Morag Campbell - ELR Club Runner of the Month for June 2021.
A great few weeks for Morag as she achieved personal bests at 5k, 5 Miles and 10k distances. She ran a time of 27.50 at East End Road Runners Midsummer 5k (ELVIS 2) on 23rd June, beating her previous best by nearly 4 minutes. Morag preceded this with a PB of 6 mins 30 secs at Dagenham 88 Runners 5 (ELVIS 1) on 2nd June, to finish in 47.41. Her other PB was set at last month's Chase The Moon 10k, where she completed the course in 1.01.19. Vice-Chair, Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera said of the accomplishment; "Morag's training has been very consistent during lockdown; motivated by a place at the London marathon she continued training hard at ELR track sessions once it reopened, which contributed to the big improvement in her race performances".
Club Runner of the Month - May 2021 - Jose Rodriguez
Congratulations to Jose Rodriguez - ELR Club Runner of the Month for May 2021.
Jose won the Ultra X 125 Scotland Multi-Day Trail Running Series, held over the weekend of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May. His finishing times were 7.54.27 on Day One (75km) and 5.10.11 on Day Two (50km), to give him 1st position overall in 13.04.38. This was only Jose's third ultra-marathon and first multi-stage event. The race was held in the Highlands of Scotland around Loch Ness, with 3,363m of climbing and harsh terrain consisting of mud, snow, rocks, rivers and fences with barbed wire; although Jose admits 'it was kind of fun!' He says 'the plan was to try and stay with Carla (Molinaro - the GB international ultra runner and record breaker), but surprisingly I found myself leading and I was feeling comfortable'. Jose ended up winning with an overall margin of 4 minutes from Carla Molinaro and 1 hour 23 minutes ahead of the 2nd male runner. This was a breathtaking achievement by Jose, summed up by club treasurer Cavin Bobin: 'Incredible feat of speed and endurance. I think you've just become an ELR legend!
Club Runner of the Month - April 2021 - Paul Woodmansey
Congratulations to Paul Woodmansey - ELR Club Runner of the Month for April 2021
Paul has been quick to make an impression since joining East London Runners last month, by breaking two personal bests that had stood for around 12 years. On 25th April he completed the Run Through Goodwood Motor Circuit Marathon in 2.47.37, improving on his best Marathon time by two minutes. In tough windy conditions, he fulfilled his aim of a good for age qualifying time at next year's London Marathon. Only 7 days prior to this, he had tested himself at the Dorney Lake Half Marathon and beat his PB by nearly 3 minutes to finish in a time of 1.18.45. Paul commented; "if there's been one benefit to lockdown, it's that I've been able to train consistently and it seems to be paying dividend". Club Secretary Michael Wilson said, "this is a great achievement and a reward for Paul's dedication to training; we wish him continued success at ELR".
Club Runner of the Month - October 2020 - Paul Quinton
Congratulations to Paul Quinton - ELR Club Runner of the Month for October 2020.
Paul has been rewarded for his hard work in training, with a number of magnificent runs in recent weeks. He finished 5th overall and 1st V40, at the Run Through Olympic Park 10k on 10th October, with a personal best time of 33.30. He was also 1st V40 at the Chase The Moon 5k at the Olympic Park a few days later, in a time of 16.33. Paul has been improving his 5k times since the return to competition after the lockdown, with consecutive personal bests at the Milton Keynes 5k (16.16), Run Through Battersea Park 5k, (16.05) and again at the Milton Keynes 5k on 27th September (16.04). Paul competes to a very high standard at all distances up to the Marathon and is currently attempting to break 16 minutes for the 5k. It surely will not be very long before he achieves this accomplishment.
Club Runner of the Month - March 2020 - Stuart Kelly
Congratulations to Stuart Kelly - ELR Club Runner of the Month for March 2020.
This month Stuart set two personal best times, bringing his total to three in 2020. At the Vitality 'Big Half' he improved on his previous best by under a minute to finish in a time of 1.17.32. The following weekend Stuart ran in the Hillingdon 20 mile race and completed the undulating 4 lap course in 2.06.55. This accomplishment saw him beat his time from 2019 by almost 5 minutes and placed him in 17th position out of 367 finishers. His other PB was at last month's Run Through Victoria Park 10k, where he recorded a time of 35.20. Stuart is an athlete of outstanding quality and continues to improve his race performances from 5k up to Marathon distance.
Club Runner of the Month - February 2020 - Antonio Martin Romero
Congratulations to Antonio Martin Romero - ELR Club Runner of the Month for February 2020.
Antonio returned to his Spanish homeland to run the Seville Marathon on 23rd February and beat the old club record he had set the previous year at Manchester. With split times of 1:12:20 and 1:13:04 he overcame breezy conditions to finish in 2:25:24 and smash the record by more that 2 minutes. At 10k into the race and finding that his pacing group was slowing down, Antonio decided to break away and run alone into the headwind to the end. His outstanding time earned him a very impressive 74th place in the race overall. Antonio says 'I would like to thank my London club, East London Runners for having followed my career and hope to run with the club soon when I am back in London.
This completed a record breaking double and great start to the year for Antonio.
He also competed in the Seville Half Marathon at the end of January and succeeded in beating his PB and old club record by over a minute, to finish in a time of 1:09:30.
Club Runner of the Month - January 2020 - Jose Rodriguez
Congratulations to Jose Rodriguez - ELR Club Runner of the Month for January 2020.
A tale of two stunning race performances from Jose as he completed his first Ultra and then the Benfleet 15, on consecutive weeks in January. Taking inspiration from other club members, he decided to enter the Country to Capital Ultra 43 Miles. Starting in Buckinghamshire and finishing in Little Venice, he quickly found himself amongst the leading group. Putting his navigation skills to test, he battled on through varied terrain including Britains oldest road - The Ridgeway and finally along a 20 mile stretch of the Grand Union Canal, to complete the race in a time of 5.30.45 and a podium 3rd place finish.
The following week at the Benfleet 15; despite losing his shoes in the mud, getting lost and having to run the last two miles in his socks, he still achieved a remarkable time of 1.43.15 (PB), to finish in 19th place. Jose has proved to be an outstanding athlete at all race distances and a true inspiration to all at East London Runners.