Monday Night is Track Night (Occasional Hill Training/Speed session Night),. Every Wednesday night is Club Run Night (10k'sh, often with shorter options). Sunday Social runs of 10 miles approx at 10am, plus Marathon Training runs at the weekends, see below for full details. Non Members - Please come along and try us out.
On Wednesday evenings together with the main Club run we will be holding Beginner runs of up to 5k in distance. Meeting with other Club runners at 6.45pm for 7.00pm at Wanstead Leisure Centre, Redbridge Lane West, Wanstead, E11 2JZ, we will also be leading slower, Beginner Group runs, running or walk/jog up to 5k. We gladly welcome all abilities, and will cater for all paces. Face your fears and get a feel of how good running in a Group is and you will soon be up to 5k in no time. Come and try us out - it doesn't matter if you have to run/walk, everyone is welcome! Please come along and give us a try. If you are at all unsure, or have any questions, please contact Maya on beginners@eastlondonrunners.org.uk NOTE - We ask that for safety reasons you do not wear MP3's, IPod or any other type of music player whilst on Club runs.
NO CLUB RUN TONIGHT - WE will be at ELVIS 4 - The Ilford Hilly 5 - Hainalut Forest,Romford Road, Chigwell IG7 4QW .
Online Entries - NOW CLOSED - ENTRIES ON THE NIGHT UNTIL 7PM Essex's Premier Off Road Race organised by ILFORD ATHLETIC CLUB. Supporting St. Francis Hospice Havering-atte-Bower celebrating the life of Newman Sargent. This race is also Leg 4 of the Elvis Grand Prix. Please visit www.elvisraces.club for further details. 18th July 2018 - Start Time 7.30pm. Entries £7 affiliated. ***** Please Note ***** The road/trail race has a new start and finish for 2018. Hainault Forest, Romford Road, Chigwell IG7 4QW The course is substantially the same as always but the start and finish is now on the main roadway in Hainault Forest Country Park (post code IG7 4QN). Main entrance to the park off Romford Road, Hainault. Please note that there is plenty of car parking (free after 6.30) but if you park before 6.30 there is a £1 charge payable on mobile phone only to the Ringo parking service. Pay machines do not take cash or card. Also please beware the park gates will close at exactly 9.00. ***************** Entries will also be available on the day but will incur a £1 surcharge. Minimum Entry Age 15 years of age on race day. Prizes for minimum of first three senior men and women plus first M40, M50, M60, F35, F45 and F55. Confirmation of entry will be sent to you by email if supplied. Race numbers are to be collected on the day from race HQ so please arrive early to collect your number. Prizes will be presented on the day as soon as possible after the race has finished. Results will be posted on the Club website www.ilfordathleticclub.co.uk asap after the event.
FREE timed 5k runs/races starting at 9am at Wanstead Flats (Harrow Road), Valentines Park Ilford, Beckton, Barking, Hackney, Walthamstow and Mile End and at many other locations across London and the UK and abroad. www.parkrun.org.uk/
Meet Grant and others at 6.45pm at Ashton Playing Fields, Woodford Bridge, Essex, IG8 8AA . Note that there will be a cost of £4 (£1.50 concessions available for students and Over 35s) per person, payable locally. Annual season tickets are also available. See Vision website. It is the responsibility of each person attending to make payment and not the responsibility of the Club of East London Runners. Nearest tube Station is Woodford on the Central Line. www.vision-rcl.org.uk/ashtons_home.html Suitable for all levels including Beginners.
Meet at Wanstead Leisure Centre at 6.45pm for 7.00pm announcements. The run will commence at 7.15pm. Please be careful crossing roads and be aware of other pavement users and pedestrians. Remember to wear some hi-viz and note our policy of no headphones to be worn on club runs. 10k Route. Turn right out of Wanstead Leisure Centre, under the subway at Redbridge roundabout and out by Redbridge Station. Cross road by traffic lights into Roding Lane South, pass the Red House pub and turn left down the steps onto the tow path. Turn right onto the grass and follow the path with the River Roding on the left hand side, to Charlie Brown's roundabout. Turn left at the end, onto the pavement and then left at start of Chigwell Road back onto path with river again on left hand side, this time leading out to the A12 (Eastern Avenue). Turn left and cross under subway at Redbridge roundabout and left to the field by the River Roding. Follow the path (to the left of the fence) around the outside of the field and this joins up with a new made up path along the left hand side of the river, leading to Wanstead Park. Cross over the bridge straight ahead, turn right nto Wanstead Park and then left running clockwise around perimeter of park to exit at Northumberland Avenue. Turn right past the tea hut towards The Temple, then bear right down to The Glade. Left up The Glade to Warren Road and back to Wanstead Leisure Centre. www.mapometer.com/en/running/route_4361290.html 5k Route. Enter Wanstead Park via first path on left in Warren Road. Turn right at end and cross centre of park towards cafe. Bear right passing ponds to Blake Hall Road exit. Right into BHR, right into Overton Drive and back to WLC via Langley Drive. www.mapometer.com/en/running/route_4755518.html
Congratulations to Maud Hodson in winning another ULTRA RACE. The weather was hot and sunny! Maud Hodson- 9.48.01 - 1st Maud Tweeted - Ultra marathon wins are like buses - after my Last One Standing win, 1st at @ChallengeRunnin Essex 50. And this time I beat all the guys too! A fast flat 50 mile race covering 6 out and back loops along a flat disused old railway line which is now a country park called the Flitch Way. Starting in Felsted Essex its a perfect course for a 50 mile race (100 and 30 mile options), regular support every 4.3 miles and access to your drop bag every 8.6 miles and with no hills and an easy trail it will suit runners who want fast times and a first 30,50,100 under their belt. Maud's Essex 50 Mile (51.6 mile) race report: If you think Ive been a bit quiet about this race, well thats because I only entered it on Thursday. I had been planning to do a 50 mile training run this week, and I saw a FB post about this one, organised by Challenge Running, who put on the Last One Standing. I had now plans for Saturday so I signed up. It is primarily a 100 mile event, with 50 and 30 mile options, leaving me in the slightly unusual position of taking on a 50 mile race and feeling like a bit of a lightweight. You can read the rest of the report on our Results Page - www.eastlondonrunners.org.uk/results
London's only 24-hour trail race. If you've run TR24 or Endure 24 or the like, think that, but probably with better 3G signal and a flyby from an actual Spitfire! Ultra runners competing in the solo category receive priority camping space and dedicated fuel table near your own start/finish exit. Rest when you need to, run as much as you like. The course is just under 6 miles, a mixture of trail, grass, gravel and a little tarmac. There is one winding gradient near the finish and one short, sharp slope but no singificant hills other than those two. The male course record is 20 laps in 24 hours, with the female record standing at 18. Catering available, showers available, camping is free, parking is free. Spitfire Scramble Race Report Running is stupid Running in hot weather is stupid Running for 24 hours is stupid Camping out in a field with no shade is stupid loved it all I must be stupid, Thanks ELR #Amazing Stuart Barton Alexandra's race report for Spitfire Scramble : Take a group of people and put them into test with intense heat, no showers, mosquitoes, lack of sleep and strenuous activity,if they are still supportive of each other, smile and laugh after 24 hours, do keep them in your life forever! Thank you to all the ELRs who ran this weekend and to Sandra and Susannah for coming to support us (you both were smelling very good! Craig said - " This was by far one of the most surreal experiences I've ever been through. One being up since 05:30 on Saturday, to 15:00 the next day has had some repercussions, let alone the conditions and the course. Searing heat combined with the pace I was going at led to me retiring after the fourth stint, near 7am. I really wanted to go on for a 5th, but couldn't muster the strength to do so. As it was I was in tears at the end, the only other run to have ever broken me down that much can be traced back to early 2016, but arguably that was worse. I couldn't be more proud of my team, when I couldn't muster any more strength Catriona, Katherine, and Anthony Leckerman of Barking Road Runners put in the extra. Everyone well done, and the same goes to the other two ELR teams. I'll come back again for another round next year, as I have unfinished business. But for now, more sleep is required."
Well done to Sam Browne of East London Runners who was 1st in the Chse the Sun VeloPark Half Marathon this morning in a time of 1:20:10.
Congratulations to Euan Brown of East London Runners who was 3rd in Orion's Fast Friday 5k at Walthamstow Track last night in a time of 15:26!
Patrick Brown 2.49.25 3rd James Nichols 3.05.41 8th Louis Le Roux 3.09.16 10th Manjit Bedi 3.19.06 15th Michael Bamford 3.34.05 33rd Mike Brett 3.35.01 36th Paul Thompson 3.40.03 41st Grant Conway 3.40.53 45th Suzanne Bench 3.49.27 50th Stephen Swan 4.02.38 65th Jonathan Wooldridge 4.06.06 71st Fiona Critchley 4.09.49 80th Rachel Le Roux 4.10.21 81st Bernadett Kalmar 4.19.27 91st Frank Brownlie 4.23.56 95th Catherine Brett 4.31.17 106th Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera 4.32.49 107th Jayne Browne 4.56.34 128th Geoff Bench 4.56.41 129th Also Stuart Barton and Victor Szabadi Colworth Marathon Challenge 2018, Overall Results. Winner FV45 : Suzanne Bench 3rd Male - Patrick Brown Team Winners - East London Runners (Patrick, Thomas, James, Louis and Manjit)
Paul & Caroline: Well done to all you wonderful ELR finishers at ELVIS 3 this evening hosted by EERR in the Olympic Park. Another great turnout by the club & you should all be very proud! Some excellent individual runs saw Jennifer Ansell win the ladies race with Euan 1st and Paul Quinton 3rd I the mens race. We also saw Calvin Bobin collect the Vet60 prize. Both the Ladies and Mens Teams were FIRST in the ELVIS TEAM overall for this race.
270 Finishers with 54 from ELR TEAM RESULTS Men's Team - 1st Thomas Grimes, Mark Boulton & Paul Quinton Ladies Team - 1st Jenny Ansell,Ava Lee and Ellie Wilkinson Individual Results Ladies Jennifer Ansell - 1st Ava Lee - 3rd Men 1st - Thomas Grimes 3rd - Mark Boulton 1st VM40 - Ciaran Canavan 1st VM55 - Carlton D'Souza 1st VM 60 - Calvin Bobin
Congratulations to Maud in being the Last Lady Standing! Its a simple concept - 4.1 mile lap, starting on the hour every hour. The winner is the one who completes the most laps. Maud said "I called it a day at the end of lap 20 - 82 miles and a triple marathon in the bag. My form was going and my motivation was crumbling..... I had won my first ever race (I don't count the Essex Titles where there was no-one else running). The trophy is so large that my shelf isn't going to cope. The Last One Standing - race report (Full report on our Results Page) - www.eastlondonrunners.org.uk/results/ Its a simple concept - 4.1 mile lap, starting on the hour every hour. The winner is the one who completes the most laps...... The first few laps were straight-forward, and there were very few drop-outs before we got to night-time, but Dave was really suffering with a dodgy knee after only about three laps. He took some painkillers and kept going, because ultra-runners are tough cookies. He got to a double marathon before packing it in. We put our head torches on for lap 10 (9pm), as the forest sections would be getting gloomy by then.
Congratulations To John winning his first Race in East London Runners colours!
ELR travellers Stuart Barton, Fiona Critchley, Shaun DeSena and Jonathan Wooldridge have been travelling the globe to compete their parkrun alphabet challenge. Today this has been completed with a final trip to Zary in Poland. Furthermore the challenge has been taken to a whole new level by Fiona who has the ELR club record on each of the events in her alphabet. This is a fantastic and unique achievement. Travelling to eight countries, spanning three continents the globe trotters have gone to some extreme lengths of endurance, some might say of stupidity, to get to the events eg weekends away, holidays, honeymoon, and 18 hr road trips. Whilst parkrun tourism is becoming ever more popular, and with Andrew Howard conducting much of his tourism by bike, it wont be long before this pioneering group of four grows; but will he make it all the way to Zary on two wheels?
268 finishers with 79 East London Runners. Men's team - 1st Thomas, Mark & Billy. Ladies team - 1st Ava, Ellie & Caroline. Elvis team - Men - 1st (as above plus Dan Senior, Ciaran & Danny Lee.) Elvis team - Ladies - 1st (as above plus Emily Clarke.)
Antonio Martin Romero - 2.36.23pb -10th in the race overall and a NEW Club Record Time Mary Nisbet - 3.30.17 - 1037th - 18th V35. Robyn Turtle - 4.25.57 pb - 4145th Split times - Antonio 10k: 36m 45s Half: 1h 17m 18s 30k: 1h 50m 51s Gun Time:2h 36m 25s An extract from Antonio's Race Report (Full report can be read on the Results Page of this Website) We changed the direction to the west after 30K, just before mile 19. Finally, the wind had disappeared! I started pushing my pace and doing some miles at 5:51 pace, I checked my watch and thought, f*** a PB is very possible today. I wanted to catch another runner who was 200m in front of me, and that made me go faster as he increased his pace as well, people started to yell at me, top 10, top 10. All the miles after mile 19 were between 5:51-5:55 pace except the last one, that I relaxed a bit the pace in 6:02. I didn't know what time I was doing, with 200m to go, I could see the watch in the finish line, 2:35 something! I enjoyed those last 200m and finished with a time of 2:36:23. Definitely, 2:35 is not out of reach now. It is time to rest a little bit and focus on Berlin in September. As always, thank you very much to this club and all its runners to make me improve every year.
Congratulations Thomas, from all of your fellow runners at ELR! Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run (Marathon) - Sunday 6th May 2018 Thomas Grimes - 2.37.35pb -5th - NEW East London Runners Club Record beating his time in London 2017 of 2:38:01 Split times in Limerick 10k 35.33 20k 1.11.22 half 1.15.27 30k 1.49.53 40k 2.29.08 finish 2.37.35 5th place 2nd M 35-39 pace 6.01 Min Mile
Gutenburg Dan Gritton - 2.59.31 - 25th - Dan's 117 Marathon! Geneva Jennifer Ansell - 3.22.26 - 141st overall, 11th Female Eleanor Wilkinson - 3.26.16pb - 174th overall ,16th, Boston Qualifying time!
Full details - www.eastlondonrunners.org.uk/clubrunnerofthemonth
Mike Wilson - 3:42:57 - 2471st Mike's 30th Marathon!
Some of our Marathoners at the gates of Greenwich Park 54396 Michael Bamford - 4.07.14 PB 20269 Lucy Barron - 4.14.49 26369 Manjit Bedi - 3.29.55 29748 Suzanne Bench - 4.01.21 38362 Gemma Caitlin - 4.09.33 28880 Emily Clarke - 3.37.14 PB 16559 Jakub Czeczotka - 3.59.44 1476 Alex Day - 2.53.28 54139 Elizabeth Day - 5.24.43 debut? 45046 Colin Dryland - 3.51.33 PB 38388 James Eggleton - 4.26.33 40734 Kate Frost - 5.05.13 PB 46581 Sian Glover - 5.12.48 debut? 54400 David Hallybone - 4.36.03 debut 54395 Sandra Hiller - 6.11.13 54397 Maud Hodson - 4.27.33 22987 Nick Hoult - 4.26.23 32392 Stuart Kelly - 3.12.43 19684 Sheila Kennedy - 4.31.21 693 Ava Lee - 3.20.13 41113 Sharon Lincoln - 5.13.14 PB 17098 Caroline McGirr - 5.21.28 19075 Susannah McLaren - 5.38.11 19145 Abdirahman Mohammed - 5.06.10 54401 Ruel Ordonio - 4.36.06 debut 31437 Paul Quinton - 2.44.35 PB 20271 Maran Raju - 4.06.32 54398 Diana Rexhepaj - 4.46.09 1300 Antonio Martin Romero DNF Injury 53113 Alexandra Rutishauser Perera - 4.44.06 PB 3558 Jay Sangha - 4.59.15 debut 26006 Dan Senior - 3.13.05 43480 Rosie Shrimplin - 5.49.49 debut? 20270 Roger Stubbs - 4.06.14 PB 57582 Tom Timson 5.37.55 54399 Robyn Turtle - 4.32.32 PB 39752 Selina Vernal - 3.57.13 debut 8389 Andrea Waller - 4.58.36 43475 Ben Warry - 5.19.59 debut? EX ELR 31193 Russell Price. - 2.55.18 32980 William Pearce - 3.06.44
Dan Gritton - 3:00:54 - 136th - Dan's 116th Marathon
Ciaran Canavan - 3.11.52 - 3678th Tom Woods - 4.34.49 - 20927th Tom Woods - I think I will be shaking for the rest of my life , god that was the worst weather imaginable , it just never let up , not for a second.
Jo, Emma and Sarah Jose Rodriguez - 2.57.31 pb by 16 mins - 93rd Andrew Baxter - 3.11.51 - 313th Nathaniel Dye - 3.21.56 - 609th, pb by 28 mins Robert Rayworth - 3.25.12 - 702nd, 1 wk after Manchester Paula Bedford - 3.47.15 - 1980th, pb/gfa by 12 mins. Joanna Neville - 4.17.29 - 4741st, pb by 12 mins. Matthew Sharpe - 4.19.56 - 4954th Andy Bolderstone - 4.23.47 - 5286th, pb by 9 mins. Jimmy Dale - 4.31.40 6040th Amy Fontain - 4.41.40 debut - 6915th, Emma Wing - 4.47.07 - 7420th, Sarah Pascal - 5.26.16 debut- 9761st, Joanna Wood - 5.28.29 - 9846th, pb by 49 mins.
Rome Roselin Boramakot - 5.08.33 Paris James Nichols - 3.20.52 pb - 3232nd Chris Green - 3.23.36 - 3644th Rotterdam Daniel Lee - 3.01.01 - 528th Ava Lee 3.11.14 pb - 914th Manchester Mark Boulton - 2.43.49 pb by 2 mins - 74th Joseph Browne - 3.14.18 pb by 30 mins - 1004th Craig Livermore - 3.19.17 pb by 7 mins - 1269th Mark Moir - 3.20.08 debut - 1318th Shahib Miah Ali - 3.22.46 pb by 8 mins - 1443rd Regis Martin - 3.23.14- 1469th - 8 mins faster than London 2017 Robert Rayworth - 3.23.33 - 1485th Declan McDonagh - 3.31.16 - 1996th Peter Hatley - 3.31.25 - 2004th Nick Hoult - 3.34.07 pb by 16 mins - 2163rd Jimmy Dale - 3.55.12 pb by 18 mins - 3904th Paul Marshall - 4.05.00 pb by 10 mins - 4765th Georgie Hooper - 4.29.02 pb by 10 mins - 6404th Rachel Le Roux - 4.34.10 pb by 1hr 10 mins - 6724th Zuzana Urbanova - 4.42.12 debut - 155th, Jayne Browne - 4.57.26 pb by 18 mins - 7892nd Geoff Bench - 5.07.26 pb by 1 hr 20 mins - 8198th Jason Levy - 5.18.15 - 8464th Spencer Evans - 2.17.18 (20 miles) - dnf - injured in fall Geoff, Jason, Zuzana and Rachel proudly show off their medals!
Thomas Grimes - 1.39.12 - 5th Alex Day - 1.55.34 - 46th Andrew Baxter - 1.56.50 - 51st Patrick Brown - 1.57.59 - 56th Stuart Kelly - 1.58.22 - 61st Chris Green - 2.08.17 - 103rd Calvin Bobin - 2.10.02 -117th, 1st M60 Paul Thompson - 2.10.49 - 120th Robert Rayworth -2.11.50 - 130th Nick Hoult - 2.16.00 - 146th Caroline Frith - 2.19.58 - 175th Paul Marshall - 2.20.51 - 177th Jimmy Dale - 2.25.44 - 198th Andy Bolderstone - 2.26.20 - 201st Suzanne Bench - 2.27.02 - 208th Nathaniel Dye - 2.27.02 - 209th Grant Conway - 2.27.02 - 210th Maud Hodson - 2.28.50 - 220th David Hallybone - 2.30.02 227th Kat Maskell - 2.39.15 - 253rd John Healy - 2.48.54 - 275th Catherine Brett - 2.56.32 - 287th Diana Rexhepaj - 3.00.40 - 295th Gareth Davies - 3.00.41 - 296th Caroline Moore - 3.09.41 - 299th 300 finishers.
Cross Country Captain Mike Wilson reports With the Cross Country season drawing to a close, I would like to congratulate Thomas Grimes who was crowned overall winner of the Sunday League title. He achieved this with a top five finish at the final fixture at Royston. This is a great achievement with record attendances of over 500 runners at some of the races. I am pleased with the turnout from the club in both Leagues, with numbers increasing from last year. We had 10 enjoyable races in total on on a variation of surfaces and conditions, appealing to novices and experienced athletes alike. In the Chingford League we had a record 54 runners compete on a cold autumn evening at Hog Hill in October. The ladies and men's 'A' teams finished 4th and 5th in this League respectively. I would like to thank everyone who took part in 2017/18 and look forward to welcoming new and old members again, when the season starts again in October.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/athletics/2018/02/24/cross-country-new-battleground-women-step-bid-equality/
East London Runners winning team of Emily Clarke, Ellie Wilkinson and Antonio Martin-Romero being presented with the Team Cup! Results for all the ELR competitors can be found on the Results page of this Website. Many more Photos are in the Photos 2018 page!
Eleanor Wilkinson 39.54 453rd Chloe Millan 44.52 763rd Diana Rexhepaj 53.50 1033rd Thomas Grimes 50.50 677th Billy Rayner 51.56 794th Mark Moir 58.55 1492nd Paul Marshall 1.04.56 1934th Stuart Norris 1.11.28 2166th
Thomas Grimes 35.28 - 5th Judith Vonberg 53.22 - 238th Maud Hodson 54.12 - 252nd Katie Whitton 55.50 - 272nd Doug Mansell 59.03 - 304th Michael Wilson 61.58 - 319th Alex Jameson 68.07 - 337th Race Report - "Shout to the Top" This was the second race of a weekend double header, coming a day after the Chingford League fixture at Victoria Park. Compared to the weather in previous years, it felt that summer had almost arrived on Therfield Heath with the early morning frost and mist clearing to leave a mild and sunny day. The 5.5 mile course over two laps, was mainly hard and bumpy with continuous hills and valleys to contend with. Thankfully there was only a small breeze on this occasion! The mighty Thomas Grimes was first man home for the club in 5th position, leaving him in contention for an overall top 3 finish. Doug Mansell was second man to finish - a little way behind Thomas. Mike Wilson (damage limitation after a tough weekend!) and Alex Jameson (muscle strain), completed the men's team. Judith Vonberg was first for ELR ladies in 57th position, followed by super Maud Hodson - having also completed a weekend double ('I feel fine and will be at the track on Monday'), with Katie Whitton just behind. This was the last fixture of the season and the most challenging. I am pleased that our overall number of runners were up from last year. Thanks to Maud and Doug for the lift today and everyone who made an appearance in at least one of the races over the series. Ladies A Team 14th of 20, Vets 17th of 20. Mens A Team 18th of 20, Vets 19th of 20. Ladies Overall A Team 16th of 20, Vets Overall 19th of 20. Mens Overall A Team 14th 0f 20 Vets Overall 19th of 20.
Thomas Grimes 27.44 - 14th Paul Marshall 33.17 pb - 83rd Karen Levison 33.38 - 87th James Creed 33.47 - 89th Jimmy Dale 35.19 - 106th Michael Wilson 35.45 - 117th Maud Hodson 37.54 pb - 136th Stuart Norris 38.50 - 143rd Zuzana Urbanova 39.07 pb - 148th Tim Aylett 39.25 - 155th Kat Maskell 40.27 - 161st Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera 43.11 pb - 184th Claire Emery 44.16 - 190th Sheila Kennedy 45.35 - 202nd Helen McGuinness 46.48 - 209th Race Report - "A Hazy Shade of Winter". The sun shone down through the trees in Victoria Park this afternoon, for the 5th Chingford League fixture of the season. The course consisted of two figure of eight laps on the park's Tarmac paths, which were accurately measured to five miles by The Hosts, Victoria Park Harriers. Thomas Grimes and Karen Levison were first to finish from the men's and ladies teams, after a total of 16 East London Runners' started the race. Mixed fortunes for our two newcomers today: Mark Wiltshire ran 5.4 miles and missed the finish line, but was still happy with his run (a PB at the 5 Miles point) whilst Jimmy Dale finished with a respectable 35 Minutes. Well done to Maud and Alexandra who recorded PB's for the distance. Thanks to our photographers/supporters, Frank Brownlie, Don Bennett and Dave Levison, also the Marshals and race organisers. The league continues to offer athletes of all abilities a good mix of races on a variety of surfaces and conditions. This has been a good campaign from the club with an increase in numbers from 2016/17. Well done to everyone who has run and supported the team. The final fixture of the season is the Chingford League Relays on Saturday 10th March venue to be confirmed - hosted by East London Runners. Mike. Men A Team 7th, 6th overall. Men B Team 6th, 5th overall. Men Vets 10th, 6th overall. Ladies A Team 6th, 4th overall. Ladies Vets 6th, 5th overall.
News from the AGM The Club's Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 15th February, at Wanstead Leisure Centre. Minutes of the meeting will be circulated separately, but the club is pleased to be able to announce that the following officers were elected. Chair - Frank Brownlie Vice Chair - Jonathan Wooldridge Hon Secretary - Mike Wilson Hon Treasurer - Don Bennett Vice Treasurer - currently vacant Race Secretary - currently vacant Webmaster - Derek Wright Volunteer Co-ordinator - Ciarán Canavan Media and PR/Beginners - Maya Goodwin Social Secretary - Sonia Cheadle Committee Members - Lucy Barron, Sheetal Dandgey, Jason Levy, Paul Marshall and Jo Wood. The club expresses the greatest thanks to Jenny Ansell, Sarah Burns, Grant Conway, Dan Slipper,Ellie Wilkinson and Ava Lee for their hard work and dedication to the club. At the AGM members voted on three motions relating to subscriptions. The outcome of these are as follows. . That for the year 2018/19, first claim membership will be £22, including the English Athletics fee of £15. . That for new members the membership will be £25 in the first year, including EA Fee. . That for second claim members renewing or joining for the year 2018/19 will be £10.00.
Thomas Grimes 41.93 1st, 300m heats Thomas Grimes 41.28 pb 3rd, 300m final Maud Hodson 61.30 sb 3rd final Maud Hodson 6.35.91 (indoor pb) 1st, 1500m W35
Andrew Baxter 1.28.27 118th Peter Hatley 1.36.36 297th Paul Thompson 1.39.37 383rd Grant Conway 1.42.02 443rd Richard Guest 1.43.12 480th Jonathan Wooldridge 1.45.29 545th Carlton DSouza 2.00.55 912th Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera 2.06.01 123rd Helen McGuinness 2.21.37
Maud Hodson 9.57.24 123rd, 24th lady, 3rd W45 Race Report - www.eastlondonrunners.org.uk/results
East London Runners supports the movement to bring about Gender Equality in Cross Country Running at all ages and levels. We also recognise and respect the rights of Individual Club Members to choose to run in cross country races that do not currently have gender equality. By Maud Hodson - The #runequal campaign was started in December 2017 to lobby for gender equality in cross-country running. While men and women race over the same distances on the roads and on the track, in cross-country the women's races are often much shorter than the men's. It is common for men to race 50% further, and in some events nearly twice as far. This both downgrades the women's event compared to the men's, and sends an insidious message to girls that they are not expected to challenge themselves so much. Sport should empower girls and women, not keep them in their places. We would encourage anyone who would like to see greater parity in XC running to sign and share the petition, tweet your support using the #runequal hashtag, and write to national, regional and local governing bodies and event promoters. https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/equalise-cross-country-races-for-men-and-women-in-england The On-line Petition Maud Hodson being interviewed for Sky News on Wednesday 10th January 2018 - Video broadcast on TV on Sunday 14th January 2018 https://news.sky.com/video/women-bidding-for-cross-country-equality-11207357 Maud leads runners from Eton Maor AC, Woodford Green and Essex Ladies, Unaffiliated and East London Runners as part of the Sky News feature in Wanstead Park. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2018/jan/12/different-race-lengths-for-men-and-women-its-time-things-changed The Guardian Article - Friday 12th January 2018 https://www.fastrunning.com/opinion/comment/male-female-cross-country-races-distance/11107 fastrunning.com - by Robbie Britton January 10, 2018 - Should male and female cross country races be the same distance? http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-cross-country-gender-inequality-calls-athletes-petition-a8156481.html Independent article by Judith Vonberg - Saturday 13th January 2018 - UK athletes call for end to 'outdated' gender inequality in cross country races http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/15/cross-country-revolt-former-gb-medal-winner-jo-pavey-complains/ Article in Daily Telegraph on-line and print editions on Monday 15th Jan 2018 by Ben Farmer Twitter Chrissie Wellington @chrissiesmiles 100% behind you @maudhodson. Women & men can race the same distances in triathlon, so why should cross-country running be any different? Great to see @jopavey on @SkyNews supporting the #runequal campaign - helping to bring cross-country into the 21st century... Facebook Jo Pavey - Cross country running should be supporting equality. Sport should be about empowering women. It should not suggest that women are less capable of an event than men. https://t.co/LDTgagogOM The counter argument from Paula Radcliffe - Tuesday 16th Jan 2018 - Equality actually means Equal Rights and Respect for every person on this earth. It does not mean we must make everything we do exactly the same as men in the name of equality. Many things we already do better. Leave them be. #concentrateontherealissues #XCworksbest8k The races are muddy and hilly But if you are only a filly You run half as far As the gentlemen are And in this day and age that is silly.
Rachel Le Roux 51.17 328th Diana Rexhepaj 52.07 332nd Thomas Grimes 1.01.17 181st Spencer Evans 1.13.03 517th Paul Marshall 1.16.46 597th Mark Moir 1.24.16 686th
6th - Antonio Martin Romero - 1.35.17 44th - Jennifer Ansell - 1.48.15 (3rd lady) 60th - Joseph Browne - 1.51.42 68th - James Nichols - 1.52.22 123rd - Paul Thompson - 1.59.38 129th - Regis Martin - 2.00.16 168 - Paul Marshall - 2.04.26 182 - Calvin Bobin - 2.06.28 (5th V60) 186 - Nathaniel Dye - 2.06.52 202 - Peter Hatley - 2.08.38 233 - Jonathan Wooldridge - 2.12.43 265 Grant Conway 2.15.46 266 Shahib Ali 2.15.47 296 Andy Bolderstone 2.19.14 303 Kathryn Hertberg 2.19.43 343 Maud Hodson 2.23.24 (9th V45) 401 Kathryn Maskell 2.31.38 430 Sarah Burns 2.34.52 472 Kate Brett 2.40.11 474 Alexandra Rutishauser 2.40.50 488 Diana Rexhepaj 2.43.08 516 Roselin Boramakot 2.47.21 588 Helen McGuinness 3.04.13 589 Jayne Browne 3.04.10 590 Andrea Waller 3.04.10
Thomas Grimes 4th Antonio Martin Romero 11th Billy Rayner 20th James Nichols 78th Mark Moir 100th Michael Wilson 193rd Chloe Millan 252nd Judith Vonberg 264th Kathryn Hertzberg 288th Maud Hodson 302nd Doug Mansell 319th Katie Whitton 324th Alex Jameson 327th East London Runners at the Run Herts Sunday Cross Country League Race 4 at Cassiobury Park, Watford on Sunday 14th January 2018 where Women and Men ran the same distance. A mild, dry morning with little mud at leafy Cassiobury Park, made the conditions ideal for the 4th Cross Country League fixture of the season. The scenic 6 mile course started with a run down to the hilly woods, then two laps before returning back up to the finish. An enjoyable morning and it was great running this course again on a personal note, after being a spectator for the previous two years due to injury. Great support from the marshals as well. Well done to all who ran today. ELR fielded full Men's and Ladies teams, with Thomas Grimes (4th) and Chloe Millan (252nd overall) first back for the club. Judith Anna Vonberg, Kathryn Hertzberg and Katie Whitton all made their Sunday league debuts. Thanks to Alex and Maud for driving from Wanstead LC. We look forward to seeing everyone for the final race of the season at Royston on 18th February 2018. Michael Wilson
Name Time Position Dan Gritton 51.07 77th Spencer Evans 51.25 83rd James Nichols 52.28 98th Paul Thompson 56.40 140th Race report - Essex XC Senior Championships by Paul Thompson. This year's race was held at the Great Notley Country Park and hosted by Witham runners and for a change I only had a 15 minute journey to get to the venue from home. Fortunately I arrived in good time as due to a full car park I had to park in a Tesco's about a mile away & then a jog back to the venue ! I met up with Dan Gritton & Spencer Evans in the park café and we were able to keep warm ahead of the race start. James Nichols was waiting for us at the start & had to rapidly put his number on with about a minute to spare, sorry for keeping you waiting Jim ! Conditions were cold but sunny and the race involved 3 laps of the park of around 2.5 miles each. A very flat course with one hill to negotiate that although steep was only about 75m long, it was also very well marshalled with no chance of wrong turns. Underfoot was very wet with heavy, slippery mud in parts with either studs or spikes absolutely essential. For once, I decided to start a little slower & build up my pace which seemed to work and I was soon into a great rhythm and each mile around 7:30. I ended with a sprint finish to hold off another runner. I could have finished a few places higher, but I made an error by getting boxed in behind 2 slower runners towards the end and probably should have pushed my way through rather than being quite so polite ! Times still tbc, but I was the last ELR man home with Dan leading the way followed by Spencer & Jim. Well done guys, a very enjoyable race !
The Awards Committee met recently with the difficult task of producing a shortlist in each category for our Club's main Running Awards. There were many contenders and this year it was decided to list the top seven in each category from whom the winners will be selected and announced at the Party on December 14th at The Birds in Leytonstone. The Nominees are listed alphabetically by surname below. Female Runner of the Year 2017 Suzanne Bench Emily Clarke Fiona Critchley Rachel Le Roux Caroline Moore Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera Joanne Wood Male Runner of the Year 2017 Michael Bamford Stuart Barton Grant Conway Lance Fuller Antonio Martin Romero James Nicholls Dan Senior Most Improved Female Runner of the Year 2017 Lucy Barron Janet Bywater Emily Clarke Sheetal Dandgey Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera Eleanor Wilkinson Joanne Wood Most Improved Male Runner of the Year 2017 Michael Bamford John Booth Ashley Faria Scott McMillan Mark Moir James Nicholls Dan Senior Female Marathon Runner of the Year 2017 Jennifer Ansell Suzanne Bench Roselin Boramakot Sheetal Dandgey Rachel Le Roux Helen McGuinness Ellie Wilkinson Male Marathon Runner of the Year 2017 Andy Bolderstone Carlton D'Souza Thomas Grimes Antonio Martin Romero Dan Senior Tom Woods Jonathan Wooldridge
Thomas Grimes - 28.14 - 3rd Antonio Martin Romero - 28.46 - 7th James Nichols - 33.13 - 95th Mark Moir - 35.00 - 147th Michael Bamford - 35.31 - 161st Calvin Bobi - 36.12 - 181st Stuart Norris - 37.03 - 205th Gareth Davies - 37.51 - 231st Michael Wilson - 38.18 - 245th Tim Aylett - 40.34 - 311th Maud Hodson - 43.09 - 376th Doug Mansell - 44.01 - 390th Alex Jameson - 45.52 - 428th Dave Knight - 47.14 - 449th Kat Maskell - 47.20 - 451st Geoff Bench - 47.59 - 467th Roselin Boramakot - 49.03 - 482nd Roselin, Maud and Kat lokk happy after the event! 534 finishers, 326 men and 208 ladies. Men A team 12th of 20, 14th overall. Men Vets 16th of 20, 18th overall. Ladies A team 18th of 20, 17th overall. Ladies Vets 16th of 20, 16th overall. Michael Wilson reports:- Sunday Cross Country League Race 2 Results - Trent Park. A record attendance for the second meeting in a row; over 530 runners turned up to race, including 17 from East London Runners. The field gathered at the start for a minute silence at 10.30am and then the race commenced. The event was held over a two lap course taking in parts of the leafy forest and adjacent fields. The whole setting was very picturesque, however it was a cold morning with a biting wind and fallen leaves scattering everywhere. Heavy rain in the days leading up to the race, softened up the ground and made parts of the course slightly muddy. There were many good ELR performances. Stuart back running after a recent injury. Kat did well to catch up after arriving slightly late, having cycled around most of Trent Part looking for the pineapple area at the start! Stuart, Gareth, Michael, Mark, Geoff and Roselin all made their Sunday League debuts. First back for ELR were Thomas Grimes in 3rd position, Antonio Martin Romero (7th) and James Nichols (95th) overall. Maud returned first for the ladies, finishing in 376th overall. Thanks to everyone who turned up today. Don for the photo's and Mariana spectating. Also Alex for the tea at the end and Maud for driving. There was a lot of good banter on the way home! The next fixture is on Sunday 17th December at Willian. Geoff looking pleased!
Billy Rayner 31.54 25th Dan Senior 33.03 33rd Stuart Kelly 33.19 36th Neil Gage 37.29 71st Louis Le Roux 37.36 73rd Paul Marshall 37.59 76th Karen Levison 38.12 78th Peter Hatley 39.32 89th Michael Wilson 40.51 98th Chloe Millan 44.09 114th Maud Hodson 44.25 116th Lauren Aston 44.49 120th Doug Mansell 46.49 125th Claire Emery 49.20 129th Rachel Le Roux 50.27 132nd 142 finishers.91 men, 49 ladies. Mens A Team 5th, 5th overall. Mens B Team 5th, 5th overall Mens Vets - 6th, 5th overall. Ladies A Team 5th, 4th overall. Ladies Vets - 5th, 4th overall.
James Nichols 1.12.27 6th Andrew Baxter 1.12.29 7th Calvin Bobin 1.18.40 13th Nathaniel Dye 1.22.57 21st Grant Conway 1.23.36 23rd Jonathan Wooldridge 1.25.34 28th Sarah Burns 1.36.33 41st Frank Brownlie 1.39.15 45th Diana Rexhepaj 1.46.35 57th Caroline Moore 1.52.29 63rd Jayne Browne 1.52.29 64th 68 finishers. Calvin was 1st MV60, Andrew 1st MV40, Sarah 1st FV35. Also Sam Browne (now Clapham Chasers) 2nd in 1.04.33
The SITC Dawn to Dusk race in Redbridge is proving more popular wirh ELR members each year. Run on 2k laps of the "Fauja Singh Circuit" which takes in parts of Roding Lane South, Woodford Bridge Road and the Woodford Avenue it is a hilly route which becomes more challenging with each lap. Karen and Maud Karen Levison was the overall race winner running 36 laps totalling 45 miles/72km. Maud Hodson was second overalliwth 64 laps/64k/40 miles. Great performances by all our runners with Craig Livermore and Maran Raju second and third in the half marathon and Helen McGuinness 2nd in the 10k. Craig Livermore and Maran Raju, 2nd and 3rd in the Half Marathon Karen Levison 7.30.05 1st, 36 laps, 72km 1st Maud Hodson 7.17.37 2nd, 32 laps, 64km 2nd Kirk Johnson 7.52.04 8th, 26 laps, 52km Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera 6.01.53 12th, 25 laps, 50km Marc Akers 5.05.39 35th, 21 laps. marathon Katherine Harris 5.19.17 39th, 21 laps. marathon Maya Goodwin 5.38.23 42nd, 21 laps. marathon Joanna Wood 6.18.08 44th, 21 laps. marathon Manjit Singh 2.07.31 52nd, 12 laps Craig Livermore 1.42.01 55th, 11 laps, hm 2nd Maran Raju 1.48.36 57th, 11 laps hm 3rd Stuart Barton 2.30.51 67th, 11 laps. hm Anna Dingle 2.43.11 72nd, 11 laps. hm Helen McGuinness 1.02.49 2nd, 5 laps 10km.2nd Our ELR Race Competitors (Manjit singh missing)
Antonio Martin Romero 27.35 3rd James Nichols 31.26 70th Gareth Davies 35.25 166th Michael Wilson 39.21 259th Doug Mansell 42.25 310th 402 finishers, 251 men. Team : A Team 16th of 20. Masters 18th of 20 Overall 14th of 20 Overall Masters 18th of 20. Ladies Overall 18th of 20 Ladies Vets Overall 18th of 20. Michael Wilson:- Freezing conditions this morning with ice still on the course. At least we finished before the rain set in! Well done to the five ELR men who braved the journey and the weather. Antonio MartÃÂn Romero was the star of the show today, finishing in third place. A remarkable run! Next race is at Cassiobury Park, Watford on Sunday 14th January 2018.
Jonathan, Sally, Sonia (with the Roger Dixon Shield) and Frank Around 100 ELR Members and partners attended the Annual Christmas Party expertly organised by Social Secretary Sonia Cheadle and fellow Committee Member Jennifer Ansell with Don Bennett also involved on the ticketing and financial side. We also welcomed Sally Dixon, daughter of the late Roger Dixon, and her partner Adam to our event as guests of the Club. Sally very kindly presented the new Roger Dixon Shield to Sonia who was voted by the Club Members as the Club Person of the Year for 2017. This was in recognition of Sonia's sterling efforts throughout the year as our Social Secretary, particularly in establishing and organising our monthly social runs as well as the very successful 35th Anniversary Party in September. The winners of the other Awards, which were presented on the Club's behalf by Jonathan, Grant and Frank were:- Female Club Runner of the Year - Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera. Our winner is a woman who has an effervescent character to match her plethora of PBs that she achieved this year. Her enthusiasm for running appears unstoppable, and is equally motivating to others as she is to focusing on her own objectives. Club runner of the month for August, this person knocked 9 minutes off her half marathon PB, ran the beachy head marathon and continues to chip away at her shorter race times regularly achieving a new personal best. Male Club Runner of the Year - Michael Bamford. If there was a duathlon award this person would certainly be our winner. Always stepping up to help others, support the club in volunteering and assisting with organizing on club nights. He ran in the Essex way relay (and was so fast he did not get recorded), and loved it so much he's going to organize a team for 2018! This prize is so well deserved, already achieving CROTM in October 2017. He is really not bad. Most Improved Female Runner of the Year - Emily Clarke. Your winner started the year with a PB at Roding Valley, was a Colworth debutant in 2017, this person has now taken up running over obstacles too. They completed 2016 with an 5K age grade of 70.34%, and this year achieved, so far 74.29%. She's funny, bubbly, outrageously fun to be around. You have to go back to February to find this CROTM. Your most improved female runner of the year is Emily Clarke. Most Improved Male Runner of the Year - Dan Senior Exceeding his 2016 5K age grade way back in January and matching it again last month, he's been consistently improving throughout – scoring for the club at ELVIS. They completed a marathon debut this year in 3.07, not afraid of giving it everything at triathlon, duathlon and even obstacles. This person is described as articulate, talented, but better known to his friends with a different name of party Dan. Your most improved male runner is Party Dan, Dan Senior Female Marathon Runner of the Year - Suzanne Bench. This person has been a member of the club for 10 years. A friendly face at any event, she always has time to talk. Completed in 3 London marathons in that time. In preparation she took part in Benfleet 15 and Orion 15 races amongst others. Her marathon times were 2008 3.57, 2010 3.51, but 2017 3.44.57 and went on to a fourth marathon, The Robin Hood Marathon a few months later. A proud member and great ambassador for the Club, who was celebrated in March 2017 with CROTM. Your female marathon runner of the year Suzanne Bench. Male Marathon Runner of the Year - Andy Bolderstone. Competing in several marathons so far this year, this marathon man has PB'd in 3 out of four of them. A charming, consistent, and determined runner who enjoys his overseas marathons along with the family holidayw- achieving 4.40, 4.38, 4.56, 4.33 in each of them. Very humble and a quiet, unassuming man who every one hears, he was your CROTM in September 2017. And now he is male marathon runner of the year Andy Bolderstone. Track Stars of 2017 - Kathryn Hertzberg and Marc Akers. Kathryn, Dan, Emily, Michael, Alexandra,Sonia, Suzanne, Andy and Marc The Club Runners of the Month for 2017 were also recognised for their achievements throughout the Year and presented with a 2018 ELR Calendar displaying their photos for the relevant months of 2017. Our Calendar Girls and Boys with Jonathan! The ELVIS Captains Ava and Paul plus the Committee Members were also praised by Club Chair Frank who had commented in his opening remarks that 2017 had been another very successful year for the Club.
East London Runners met up with Barbara Windsor who was the Celebrity starting these Races on a very cold but dry morning in Vicky Park.
Chloe Millan - 29.16 - 185th Fiona Critchley - 29.51 - 200th Maud Hodson - 29.55 - 202nd Catherine Brett - 31.06 - 220th Catriona Hoult - 33.06 - 242nd Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera - 33.29 - 248th Sarah Burns - 34.56 - 258th Maya Goodwin - 39.48 - 272nd Antonio Martin Romero - 39.12 - 87th Spencer Evans - 43.16 - 231st Ciaran Canavan - 43.25 - 238th Paul Marshall - 47.47 - 372nd Paul Thompson - 48.23 - 390th Calvin Bobin - 49.00 - 404th Stuart Norris - 50.42 - 428th James Creed - 50.50 - 429th Gareth Davies - 50.51 - 430th Peter Hatley - 52.09 - 446th John Healy - 54.43 - 468th Lance Fuller - 55.56 - 475th The ELR Ladies at the start! Maya reports: Parliament Hill XC. Its a no messin kind of a race. Lots of skinny leggy women looking like they will be very speedy. And its always freezing cold. Often drizzling. And it starts at the bottom of a hill. You are excitedly anxious and the cow bells at the start remind you of a downhill slalom, except... we are going uphill. Fast. Right from the gun. BANG!! Anyway, like I said, no messin. I messed. I could not find my trail shoes. I could not find my trail socks. Oh! Found them, everyone stop looking! Oh. Turns out I have not washed them since the Dursley Dozen. Dried mud showers the kitchen floor. Get dressed quickly. Walk to the station in trail shoes in an effort to bend out the dried mud and wear them in. Get sore feet by the time I am at the station. Anyway. BANG. Run round, sore though. Must need a new sports bra. But get a PB by three minutes! Hurray! Get home. Realise I had not switched bras. Did not run in my sports bra. Classy. And then realise the course was 0.3 miles shorter than last time. So not really a PB. But I finished a no messin race, despite all the messin. So the pint in the pub was well deserved. Maya in action. Why is there always an Ice Cream Van in the background of Maya's photos at Parliament Hill? Cold, wet but happy!
Karen Levison- 20.24 - 12th Sheetal Dandgey - 23.27 - 36th Alexandra Brown - 23.37 - 40th Chloe Millan - 23.43 - 41st Maud Hodson - 24.32 - 51st Katherine Harris - 25.08 - 58th Annette Clark - 25.37 - 63rd Katie Whitton - 25.54 - 67th Zuzana Urbanova - 26.04 - 68th Rachel Le Roux - 27.09 - 74th Caroline Moore - 27.47 - 80th Claire Emery - 28.13 - 82nd Anna Dingle - 28.40 - 87th Roselin Boramakot - 29.10 - 90th Diana Rexhepaj - 30.13 - 95th Euan Brown - 16.13 - 1st Thomas Grimes - 16.45 - 5th Patrick Brown - 16.58 - 8th Dan Senior - 19.02 - 35th Thomas Burrard-Lucas- 20.09 - 59th Mark Moir - 20.40 - 68th Paul Marshall - 20.44 - 69th Neil Gage - 20.58 - 79th Gareth Davies - 21.52 - 91st Calvin Bobin - 21.58 - 93rd Peter Hatley - 22.51 - 105th Michael Wilson - 23.02 - 107th Tim Aylett - 25.07 - 123rd George Georgiou - 25.40 - 128th Men A 5th, 5th Overall Men B 5th, 5th Overall. Men Vets 5th, 5th Overall. Women 4th, 3rd Overall. Women Vets 4th, 4th Overall.
Dan Senior - 31.01 - 3rd Paul Thompson - 34.52 - 15th Calvin Bobin - 35.22 - 17th Nick Hoult - 36.15 - 24th Grant Conway - 36.30 - 25th John Healy - 39.4- 40th Sarah Burns - 41.11 - 46th David Hallybone - 41.47 - 48th Katherine Harris - 42.1 - 50th Zuzana Urbanova - 42.51 - 51st Doug Mansell - 43.35 - 52nd Andy Bolderstone - 44.09 - 54th Tina Bennett - 45.50 - 59th Caroline Moore - 46.47 - 63rd Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera - 48.08 - 67th Diana Rexhepaj - 48.16 - 68th Sheila Kennedy - 48.19 - 69th Maya Goodwin - 55.50 - 75th 78 finishers, Men's team 3rd 59pts, Women's team 4th 60pts. Well done to all our fabulous vets who ran for ELR this morning in the cross country vets cup at Loughton AC. Fortunately, the heavy rain held off and conditions were good for the 5 mile run. I will post up when our hosts forward the results but as usual the event was well organised, marshalled and hosted by Loughton AC. The course was slightly different to usual owing to cattle taking over part of the course! I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.
Thomas Grimes - 28.35 - 4th James Nichols - 32.24 - 70th James Creed - 36.22 - 173rd Calvin Bobin - 37.21 - 202nd Michael Wilson - 39.03 - 250th Tim Aylett - 41.15 - 306th Kat Maskell - 43.01 - 348th Alex Jameson - 43.53 - 364th Zuzana Urbanova - 43.58 - 369th Doug Mansell - 45.17 - 395th Catriona Hoult - 47.40 - 426th 491 finishers, 293 men and 198 ladies. Combined team 15th of 20. Ladies team 16th of 20. Vet ladies 15th of 20. Men's team 15th of 20.
Looking confident before the Race! Jennifer Ansell - 3.49.35 - 90th, 9th lady Regis Martin - 3.54.53 - 116th Nathaniel Dye - 4.10.21 - 238th Michael Bamford - 4.29.57 - 394th Louis Le Roux - 5.19.57 - 972nd Rachel Le Roux - 5.45.06 - 1264th Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera - 6.00.52 - 1428th Diana Rexhepaj - 6.00.58 - 1429th Roselin Boramakot - 6.05.07 - 1457th Helen McGuinness - 6.17.36 - 1594th Geoff Bench - 6.27.31 - 1650th Stuart Barton - 6.31.55 - 1704th Victoria Charlesworth - 6.31.35 - 1706th Sandra Hiller - 7.51.00 - 2015th Rachel reports: Beachy Head Marathon - 5 hours 45 mins, first ever Marathon and last ever Marathon. That was torture. I even cried at the end! I,m glad that I've done it and can now finally say I've run a Marathon but it's defo not for the faint hearted it is mentally and physically tough! What a great weekend I've had with great company, lovely food, nice weather lots of laughing and some tears to and some proper torture and that was just the Marathon, today I ache all over and can't move much haha but can happily say I'm glad I did it but just as glad it's all over but it's all thanks to ELR and the people in it who are all so supportive and amazing, honestly can't believe I've ran a Marathon. #ELR The Best!!
Michael Wilson reports:- Chingford League Report 2. Saturday 21st October 2017 - Jubilee Lodge, Leyton. Although it was a bright and mild day, the heavy wind conditions kept most of the Runners firmly inside the sports pavilion until minutes before the start of the race. The course consisted of laps around the field, onto paths and then larger circuits with a steep grass bank to climb or crawl up! Running into the wind was a challenge and penalised those who had set off too fast! In a close race for the top positions, Patrick Brown was first back for ELR in 7th place, just in front of his team mate Thomas Grimes in 10th. Karen Levison was First Lady to finish for ELR, followed by Emily Clarke. There was slight confusion close to the end with some Runners entering the finish funnel before completing the extra laps to complete the 5.2 mile course. Overall this was an enjoyable albeit windswept race. Maud, Fiona and Karen enjoyed the race! Thanks to Eton Manor for hosting, all the marshals, including our own vociferous Jan Webb and Morag Campbell, (stopping us from colliding with Runners in the opposite direction)! and our supporters Billy Rayner and Dave Levison. Last but not least, the 30+ from East London Runners, who turned up and raced for the club on the day. Regis, Jonathan and Mike stayed behind after for a well earned coffee/tea/cake in Eton Manor's cafe. (Thanks Regis). The next fixture in this series is on Tuesday 7th November 2017, back at Redbridge Cycle Circuit, Hog Hill, Hainault. See you there,
The ELVIS Clubs gathered together once again at The Duke, Wanstead for their Annual Awards Night. With ILFORD AC hosting the Race Series in 2017, Martin Clarke with the assistance of Barking Road Runners presented the awards. East London Runners were well represented both on the night, throughout the Series and especially winning many of the Awards. Ladies 1st Overall - Jennifer Ansell 3rd Overall - Eleanor Wilkinson 1st FV35 - Ava Lee Ladies Team Winners winning all 7 races - East London Runners Men's 1st Overall - Thomas Grimes 3rd Overall - Patrick Brown Men's Team Winners winning all 7 races - East London Runners
East London Runners turned out in force with six teams for the Essex Cross Country Relays held at Stubbers Adventure Centre, near Upminster. The course was fast and fairly flat, with just a couple of undulations, very twisty and a run through the trees. With no rain all week, the course was dry and great for spectators. Mixed team 5th place - 1.11.28 Women's teams 24th place 26th place Men's teams 28th - 1.11.48 37th - 1.17.52 41st - 1.21.45
Men's A Team 3rd 8pts B Team 4th 7pts Vets 5th 6pts Ladies Team 2nd 9th Ladies Vets 3rd 8th Mike Reports.ELR turned up in force for the first race in the Chingford League calendar, with a record 54 Runners taking part. The formidable Karen Levison was first for ELR in the ladies race with a time of 20.07 to take 3rd place. Ellie Wilkinson and Emily Clarke (9th and 10th place respectively) and Paula Bedford (12th) also impressed. Thomas Grimes looked to have taken 3rd position in the men's race in very close finish, but was ultimately placed 4th with both athletes given the same time of 16.29. Not far behind was Euan Brown in 4th place, whilst his brother Patrick was 15th and Billy Rayner 25th. There were many debuts and fine performances - too many to mention. Thanks to all our Runners, also our marshalls and spectators who turned up on the night.
Many ELR Members, some who had joined the Club in the 1980's and 1990's gathered together with current day members, partners, friends and guests from Leyton Sports Massage(Katherine), LFB (Narinder) and Colworth Striders (Trevor) to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the founding of East London Runners in May 1982. The Venue was the Wanstead Sports Club in Blake Hall Road and Social secretary Sonia together with her Party Planning team of Ciaran, Jenny, Ellie and Lance with on the day help from Don and Jonathan set about the transformation of the grounds and Hall. Inside the hall the giant 1982 letters featured and together with the red and white balloons the glittering backdrop and subdued lighting all was set for a great night. Outside the ELR Gazebo and two windflags were added to great effect. Guests enjoyed Paella which was cooked on site in a pop up restaurant just outside the front door by Spanish Labs and later in the evening with ice creams. Chair Frank Brownlie said a few words of greeting to all who attended and remarked that it was due to the loyalty and dedication of many members during the past 35 years that we were today thriving successfully. Frank also spoke in fond memory of Roger Dixon, Life Member and Treasurer of ELR who had many, many friends within the Club over the past 30 years but who had tragically passed away while on holiday on 13th September 2017. Following Awards for those members who had completed races in the past year in a time of 35 minutes approx and a very successful raffle the music was turned up and the party really started and with the Bar open until 12.30am a good time was had by all!
We've been struck with some really sad news this month, and this year's race run in beautiful Valentines Park, on a magnificently glorious early autumn day in Roger's honour was a fitting tribute. The whole club, whether present as a runner, as one of team or supporting from a far came together to deliver a brilliant race - the best of the 2017 season by far! Some special thank yous to start with: Geoof Bench (Defib), Carlton D'Souza, Jan Webb, Louis Le Roux, Susannah Maclaren, Morag Campbell, Doug Mansell, Maya Goodwin, Ella Hatley, Peter Craik, Maud Hodson, Stuart Hodson, Sarah Bhatt, Fiona Critchley, Mike Wilson, Sonia Cheadle, Rihanna-Clare Jarvis, Jo Bull, Calvin Bobin, Shaun DeSena, Stuart Barton, Steve Swann, Jay Sangha, Pam Bennett, Don Bennett, Miranda Thompson, Ciaran Canavan, Lance Fuller, Antonio Martin-Romero, Sophie Edwards, Liz O'Donnell, Michael Bamford, Josh Bhatt, Trisha O'Neill, John Atkinson, Sarah Burns, Dave Knight, Juno, Akville and John from ELHAP who helped with marshalling, Martin and Ken from The Race Organiser, everyone who baked, everyone who entered the race, and everyone who bought cake or a raffle ticket. Thank you for making the day very special indeed. There are also many unnamed heroes and heroins who stayed behind to clear up - thank you too. We've tried to remember everyone that played a part, but there are so many of you, we do hope not to have missed anyone off. We hope you agree that it was an amazingly successful day. The club is very proud of all the hard work put in on the day and in advance by so many of you. And that was before any of the racing started.... The race was won by Liviu Ionita, of Barking in 16:36, followed by the first home for ELR Thomas Grimes in 16:52. The Women's race was won by an unaffiliated runner, Morgan Campbell in 19:08, with first for ELR Jenny Ansell in 19:20 close behind her. Men's Captain, Paul Thompson said "Based on the provisional results I have both the ELR Women & Men winning the ELVIS 7 team result! Scorers for the women's team were Jennifer, Karen, Ava & Ellie Scorers for the men's team were Thomas, Patrick, John, Dan, Danny & Ciaran. Well done all!" Prizes were presented by the ELVIS captains - Ava Lee and Paul Thompson Women 1st Place - 19:08 - Morgan Campbell - Unaffiliated 2nd Place - 19:20 - Jennifer Ansell - East London Runners 3rd Place - 19:44 - Ella Wilson - Orion Harriers 1st FV35 - 20:06 - Ava Lee - East London Runners 1st FV45 - 19:58 - Karen Levison - East London Runners 1st FV55 - 23:08 - Gail Hennessy - Eton Manor AC 1st FV65 - 31:21 - Pam Jones - Ilford AC Team Winners - East London Runners Jennifer Ansell, Karen Levison and Ava Lee (pictured left, with Frank) Men 1st Place - 16:36 - Liviu Ionita - Barking Road Runners 2nd Place - 16:52 - Thomas Grimes - East London Runners 3rd Place - 17:26 - Patrick Brown - East London Runners 1st MV40 - 17:22 - Carl Partis - Unaffiliated (was 3rd Male overall but MV40 was a higher prize) 1st MV50 - 18:05 - Colin Read - Orion Harriers 1st MV60 - 20:24 - Martin Page - Barking Road Runners 1st MV70 - 26:18 - Brian Slade - Havering 90 Joggers Team Winners - East London Runners Thomas Grimes, Patrick Brown and John Booth (Pictured right, Frank didn't waste anytime jumping in for a photo as Patrick Brown-lie) A copy of the full results can be accessed here. Having spent the last few days updating them, they are now finalised. The ELVIS standings are also now complete and these can be viewed here. The 5K race was followed by a children's race - which was approximately 2km. Maybe it was a tad short, and Jonathan made a hasty retreat from the discussion as to whether 1.74km was roughly 2km or not. The disappointment of the young athletes, was somewhat quelled by the ELR medal they all received. As you may know the race was sponsored by Leyton Sports Massage, and those of you who entered will have a discount coupon to redeem, on top of your usual ELR discount. The club is extremely grateful to LSM's founder Katherine Creighton-Crook for her continued support of the club and its members. Katherine and her team offered their services to the runners and some volunteers on the day, providing mini massages and other treatments. The club is equally thankful to Physicals Fitness Club, for its donation towards the water and fruit refreshments we offered after the race. These were very well received on such a warm day. Trisha O'Neill once again set The Great ELR Bake Off Challenge to the club members - and so many of you rose to the occasion, icing and piping your way to the top. There were no soggy bottoms in that tent! Trisha said "They are all amazing and it's going to be so difficult to choose the top three. I will reel in some assistance to help me make the decision. I want to say a big thank you for all the effort you made, it made a great day fabulous! The best of all the ELVIS races I'd say." Come along to the club night this Wednesday to find out who the star bakers are. The grand total raised by the cake sale was a mouth-watering £260! We have yet to complete a final reckoning, but when complete, the Club Committee to will decide how to distribute the proceeds. More details on that in a subsequent newsletter. One of the beneficiaries of the club's charity race is ELHAP, the magical adventure playground for disabled children. We've supported this children's playground for a few years now, and again they had much anticipated raffle at the end of the prizes giving ceremony. The charity raised £243 towards the cost of their activities, and send grateful thanks to all that bought raffle tickets on the day. until next year.... Best wishes Frank and Jonathan Now where are those mud claws?
Ava Lee - ITU Age Group World Championships, Rotterdam, Ava Lee 2:25, 28th out of 89 in age category - triathletes from all over the World! Amazing! Jennifer Ansell - 1st Lady in the Purbeck Marathon, 10th Overall in a time of 3:49:10. Thomas Grimes - Winner of the Enfield Mayor's Charity 10k in a time of 35:20. Robert Rayworth - Personal best in the Reigate half Marathon in a time of 1:29:23.
Following the Club runs approximately 40 Club Members gathered in John's back garden at his home which is close to our base of Wanstead Leisure Centre. John hosted a similar event in 2012 on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Once again Club Members were treated to lots of food and drink. It was also an occasion to get together with each other and meet some new faces from the Club. There was also a very special Birthday cake expertly made by Club Member Jo Wood. Don, John, Ava and an old friend at the party.
Congratulations to Euan Brown of East London Runners in finishing second in a fantastic time of 4:38 despite running in unorthodox running gear!
Report by Peter Hatley Essex Way: Epping to Harwich: 82 miles Assembling before 8am at the carpark of Epping Station on a Sunday morning Running Clubs from all over Essex and beyond prepared to take on the Essex Way relay from Epping to Harwich ~82 miles. A relay but every leg had a start time so no worrying about dropping the baton. Leg 1 was Epping to Ongar. ELR had two runners in Aaron and Stuart. As was to become customary, photos were taken at a suitable landmark and in this case the start of the Essex Way sign and they were off. Although Stuart nearly missed the start while Aaron was fully prepared at the front of the pack and determined to get on to the footbridge over the railway line and on to the path the other side at the front of the pack. On to Ongar they ran to be greeted by the best finish line place marshals of the day (our Chair and The Don). Then it was over to Maud to run to Good Easter only 9.5 miles so Maud ran back too. Although this was a massive plus on the logistics front. At Good Easter, Grant was waiting and must have considered that with a name like that there would be no car thieves around so he left his car door open. Luckily the ELR support service spotted this. While Grant also had to give out Essex Way etiquette lessons to participants advising them if someone had saved you from getting lost a few times in is not really in the spirit of things to race past them in the last ten metres. No such lessons needed for Dave Knight an Essex Way veteran who was running the Little Leighs to Cressing Church stage. Dave had a great run and made some friends from Essex Casuals and his only disappointment was that Juno was not there. To give support Ciarán and Lance and their dogs Flash and Jinx had turned up at this point. Elvis Captain Tommo was next up running from Cressing Church to Great Tey. By all accounts Tommo had an excellent run and was very well placed on the stage. Unfortunately for him, he was upstaged by Jinx making off with someones sausage sandwich at the pub by the finish line. Replacement sausage sandwich was purchased and ELR continued along the Essex Way with Fiona taking the non existent baton from Great Tey to West Bergholt. Each stage had a starter, with very basic send off such as 3, 2, 1 GO, The Stage 7 West Bergholt to Dedham one used a very deadpan “when I say go, go (very short pause) go. Peter running this leg. Then there was the case of the missing leg, Michael running from Dedham to Bradfield but unfortunately in the eyes (blind) of the finishing marshals not making it. Bigger numbers needed next year. Jonathan took the penultimate stage from Bradfield to Ramsey having been driving all day it must have been a relief to be running. Finally starting at 6pm Carlton bringing it all to end with the leg from Ramsey into Harwich. Then it was time for more photos and enjoying the specially commissioned ELR ale. Athletes food of fish and chips followed and on to the pub for a few pints. Everyone who ran had such a fun day out, and anyone fearing getting lost, being unsupported or other worry, need not. No one gets left behind and the camaraderie from both ELR and other clubs is second to none. At the end of leg 3, we met a lady who we recalled was in tears at the start of her leg, fearing that it was going to be a horrible run, into the wilderness and beyond. But as we greeted her at her finish, she was beaming and the quote of the day goes to her where she casually said “Well I didn’t get murdered or lost!â€. What was going on in her mind before the race?
Gaz was happy to make an appearance in the hot sunshine In recent years this popular race held on August Bank Holiday Monday has been hit by cool and wet weather. Not this year as the whole weekend was warm/hot and sunny. With over 300 entrants (293 finishers) and with East London Runners supplying almost 25% of both it was once again a very friendly and sociable event. Suzanne, Chloe and Kiaran looking determined Our Ladies were the stars again with Jennifer Ansell in 1st place overall and Karen Levison and Ava Lee also collecting awards for 1st FV45 and FV35 respectively. A strong finish from Jenny The 3 Ladies named above won the Race Team event for ELR and Thomas Grimes, Patrick Brown and Euan Brown won the Mens Team race event. In terms of the ELVIS Team Results for this race The Ladies Team of Jennifer, Karen, Ava and Sheetal Dandgey were the scorers and winners making it 6 out of 6 wins for our Ladies in ELVIS 2017. Similarly the ELR Men were 1st ELVIS Team for this race and again for all 6 races in 2017. The scorers for the Men were Thomas. Patrick, Euan, Dan Senior, Danny Lee and Scott McMillan. Geoff Bench and Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera look happy" Jo is happy too!
On a calm and warmish morning over 300 runners gathered on the Chingford Plain to run the third and last race in the Orion Forest 5 Summer Series 2017. East London Runners once again had the most Club entries with 58 members completing the off road route in Epping Forest. It was the ELR Ladies who took the honours this time with Jennifer Ansell being the first Lady to finish in a time of 31:40 which gave her 24th position overall in the Race. Jennifer won all 3 races in the Series and was awarded a further prize for the Leading Lady! Karen Levison who has been nursing an injury for the last few months ran a great race finishing first Female Vet 45 in a time of 34:38. It was good to see Karen back racing again. The ELR Men had 4 top 10 finishers with Thomas Grimes finishing 4th in 28:33 being first to finish for our Club. Both Ladies and Mens Team were narrowly beaten to the Race Team Prizes by very strong teams from Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets. New Club Members Anna Dingle and Jess Traylor-Moore made their race debuts for ELR and many other members raced at Orion for the first time. In terms of the ELVIS 2017 standing both the Ladies and Mens Teams were winners (VP&TH are not in ELVIS and look certain to win the Team Prizes for the Series.
Another great Hilly 5 hosted by Ilford AC. On a two lap hilly course in Hainault Forest mainly on good forest paths with a short distance on tarmac. Conditions were good as the heavy rain of the previous day/night had little effect on the ground. ELR had 78 of the 287 finishers. 1st Lady - Jenny Ansell 2nd Lady - Ava Lee 1st FV35 - Paula Bedford Ladies Team 1st - Jenny, Ava & Emily Clarke. 2nd man - Thomas Grimes Men's team 1st Thomas, Antonio Martin Romero and Mark Boulton. 1st Elvis Team Men - ELR - Thomas, Antonio, Mark, James Wilson, Danny Lee & Scott Mc Millan - 67pts. 1st Elvis Team Ladies - 1st ELR - Jenny, Ava, Emily & Paula Bedford - 12pts.
More than 40 ELR members, families, dogs Flash, Jinx and Harvey, drove the 70 or so miles from East London to the pretty Bedfordshire countryside around Sharnbrook and Colworth. With everyone camping, except Chairman Frank, the weather was fine, cool and dry, but with a strongish breeze! We even saw some sun during the weekend. Friday night at 7pm was the start of the 5m race and with ELR winning both Team Prizes and Jennifer Ansell and Thomas Grimes being race winners with Patrick Brown in second place. Our other prize winners on the night were Fiona Day first FV55 It was a great start for ELR for the weekend.. These winning results were replicated on both the 8.1m race on the Saturday and the Half Marathon on the Sunday with the addition of Suzanne Bench winning the FV45 category in one race. Overall Thomas completed and won the event in 2:34:21, Patrick was 2nd overall in 2:41:12. Jennifer was 9th overall and 1st Lady in 2:58:32. Suzanne was to win FV45 overall as was Fiona in the FV55 category. East London Runners were the top Team overall having won all of the Team events in the three races. However it was not so much about the winning but in the taking part as someone once said. Therefore we must congratulate all who took part in what is a very tough event. Although the underfoot conditions were very dry compared to previous years there was still some very rutted, undulating and tricky terrain to conquer. A great achievment by all who took part. A special thanks to ELR's Manjit Bedi who pioneered this event to ELR encouraging fellow Club members to participate over the previous years.
On a very hot evening more than 100 ELR Members took part in the second running of the East End Road Runners 5k in the Olympic Park in Stratford. A very well organised race again this year. 101 ELR's of 364 finishers. 1st Man - Euan Brown 3rd Man - Thomas Grimes 1st Lady - Jenny Ansell 1st Vet35 Lady - Ava Lee. No Team prizes were awarded for this race BUT in the ELVIS SERIES results ELR again won both the Ladies and Mens categories to maintain our overall lead in the 2017 Series.
"Why the long face?" Man v Horse, Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales. Take amateur camping, a flooded camp site, stupid amount of rain, mud, bogs, hills, river crossings, repeat for 23 or so miles, with 60 horses, 648 runners, 150 relay teams and you're close a 24 hrs trip to Wales for the Man vs Horse race 2017. Like many races, I loved it and hated it. This one was about 20 miles too long, 1300m elevation gain (not forgetting the descent) too high. The Welsh countryside didn't disappoint though. It was truly a very special race and although I didn't look up as much as I should have, the course was meandering through beautiful Welsh scenery along some road sections, (quite a relief) but mainly bumpy grass and mountain trails, and knee deep bog land. I probably didn't appreciate the elevation involved here. Walthamstow needs more hills to be able to train for this (or just attend coach Conway's sessions) but this race wasn't about running. Having twisted my ankle on a descent at 8 miles, I was cautious not to do it again. Although that only lasted two miles. Now I was hobbling a bit. I told myself I had to finish, at least ahead of one horse, I pressed on albeit now more accepting of the reality - walk the ascents, gingerly negotiate the descents, and try and run the flats and road sections. It paid off, but I lost so much time. I'm not sure I've ever run for that duration before. So I'm now going to learn from this - I must add more time to my training runs. Highlights- the terrain, running along side horses and racing ahead of them on the descents. Camaraderie of fellow runners - it was Man v Horse, not man v man after all. Being given a Moam at 20 miles and not being beaten by all the horses. Lowlights- camping in the rain. Yes that's all. I suppose I loved it really. All in all, £30 for the race, £10 for the T-shirt. A wonderful experience and lots of memories. I usually like to enter my races twice, but I may make an exception for this one. Hwyl fawr Cymru!
On a very blustery and showery evening 67 members of East London Runners completed the second race in the ELVIS 2017 Series in Raphaels Park, Romford. 67 ELR,271 finishers. 1st Mens Team , Thomas, Euan & Patrick. 1st Lady - Ava Lee 1st V35 - Paula Bedford, 1st V60 - Calvin Bobin. Elvis Scores MEN 1st ELR 1pt, 75pts, - 2nd Ilford AC 2pts, 107pts - 3rd Havering 90 3pts, 159pts. LADIES 1st ELR 1pt, 20pts - 2nd Orion 2pts, 36pts - 3rd EERR 3pts, 54pts.
Congratulations to Patrick Brown of East London Runners who won the White Peak Half Marathon in a new personal best time of 1:13:41.
East London Runners scoop both of the Team Prizes in the Dagenham 88 5 miler! Men - Paul Thompson (for Patrick Brown), Billy Rayner and Paul Quinton. Ladies - Ellie Wilkinson, Emily Clarke, Julia King
Well done Antonio MartÃn Romero, first overall in the Essex Cross Country Series at Hylands House, Chelmsford.
Hi John, a little bird tells me that you are stepping down from the Club Committee at the AGM on the 9th February 2017. Tell me it's not true! It's true and it's a huge step for me. I've been on the Committee since about 1986, when a small group of renegades, led by Steve Knott, ousted the original committee, which was controlled by Roger Mills, and took the club into the control of the members. Key to this was that Roger had always wanted the club to be a local, informal jogging group and completely opposed affiliation to the national body (through the Southern Counties AA, then). We wanted a fully-legitimate and affiliated running club. What were your duties in the early years? I became the Newsletter Editor, taking over a 2-page news-sheet and eventually editing a 24/36 page Club Magazine called Runaround. I also became the Treasurer, growing the club-finances from about £500 to about £2/3k. I resigned these posts in about 94/95/96. Under what was effectively a triumvirate of Steve Knott, Trevor Cornell and myself, the club grew to a (then) staggering 180+ members in the mid-90s, and was winning stuff! Notably, many Essex County women's championships. What about your running during this period, how was that progressing? I had a a staggering training and racing programme, 90 to 120 miles per week for many years. Thanks to the Club I progressed from someone who ran about a bit in cut-down jeans, hence I was called -Johnny Cut-downs - and I've still got them! To someone who achieved significant stuff in ultra-running, gold and silver medals in the Southern Counties AA 100km championships, 2nd Brit to the legendary multi-world-record-holder Don Ritchie, in the AAA 100km international race, coming 4th, won the Ultra-Distance British Championship series, won the 1st Trail Runners Association Championship series, won races (Otter High Peak 40, Punchbowl Marathon (33 miles), Fat-Ass 54, Mendip Way Trail Race and others) set course records (3 Forests Way, Punchbowl Marathon, Fat-Ass 54 and others). I won prizes in many other events, and for a while held the club's marathon best time (2.43.49, chip-equivalent time). Perhaps my greatest achievements were in coming 5th in the 1st “World Championship Trail Race†in the South Downs Way 80 in a time of 10.40, and coming 9th in the RRC's London to Brighton race, a famous and prestigious race which always attracted a strong international field. None of this would have been possible without the club. I owe it so much. I believe that some of your ideas and innovations are still with the Club today? I am glad that I have had the opportunity to pay back a little to the Club of which I owe, though I have contributed very little in the recent years that most of you have known me. Many of my past initiatives are now regular activities, e.g. the re-introduction of Sunday runs, after an absence of many years, switching from road to off-road running when possible (we never used to run off-road, but you will have noticed my emphasis on trail-running races. In the early days of the club trying this, I was the only one who could lead the club throughout our beautiful and plentiful local countryside), the first-mile running as a club (it used to be a race from before the end of the notices and new/slow runners never stood a chance, and so we lost them. I remember so well the first time, people were actually talking to each other! Also, the Bluebell run and the Midsummer Mystery Run which seems to have dropped out now. Back in the day, just to enter the Forest was a mystery to everyone. Now, people know it well enough for the Mystery Run to no longer be a mystery, killed off by the success of switching to off-road! You also played a big part in stopping the Club from disappearing? I did take the lead in the horrible period when WLC tried to evict and extinguish us. I wasn't going to let my dear club collapse into oblivion! Just sorry that I couldn't stop the bar at WLC from disappearing...! You will still be running with the Club in future but are we likely to see less of you? I have taken early-retirement from work and am spending much time in my other house in the South of France (cruel running country!). In 2016 I spent most of the year there and I anticipate spending some 9 months of 2017 there. Life has changed direction for me and I must now accept that I shall be (even more) useless as a committee-member. So, I must let go, and let the club and myself go in our separate directions. It is a massive change-of-life for me and very much a wrench from a club/activity/inspiration that has shaped half of my life. How do you view the Club today and in the immediate future? The club continues to face challenges and will continue to do so in the future, but I am so heartened to see that there are many energetic and committed people who are taking on the many responsibilities to guide it successfully. It is in excellent hands and I could wish no better for it. I am so pleased. I know that it will survive very well for a long time. Just a little word, always continue to focus the large majority of the attention on the ordinary runners, average runners, slow runners, new runners, novices, not much on the more elite runners, they can and do look after themselves. On Wednesdays they are just another club-member at a club-meeting. By nurturing the grass-roots, the future's plush pastures are assured. This is how the club has always been. And how it has got to today, the only one of a myriad of the 80s-boom-clubs for many miles around that survived. Thank you John, for the past, the present and best wishes for your future.
Please check the What's On page of this website or our Group page on Facebook a few days before each activity/run to check that it is on/full details etc. Monday - Track night. 6.45pm to 8pm approx. See Track Section of this website. Suitable for all levels from Beginners to experienced runners. Tuesday - Marathon training runs (6/7 miles) at 7pm from Wanstead Leisure Centre - ad hoc - typically from January to April, check each week. Wednesday - Club Night run from WLC at 7pm, typically 10k in distance with a 5 mile option. Suitable for those comfortable running 4 miles plus. Saturday morning parkrun. At 9am FREE timed 5k runs/races at Wanstead Flats (Harrow Road), Valentines Park, Ilford and many other venues across London, the UK and other Countries. Suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced runners. First timers register at www.parkrun.com Sunday mornings Social run at 10am - 10 mile'sh Forest runs/ occasional road run. Most often in Epping Forest but sometimes in Hainault Forest. We meet at different locations each week as published on this website and our Group page on Facebook 3 or 4 days in advance. Saturday/Sunday Morning Marathon Training runs typically from January to April. Distances progress from 10/12 miles to 22/24 miles over time. We normally have around 50 members training for Spring Marathons. Training runs are either organised and publicised by the Club on our News Page and Facebook Group Page. Also Club Members of a similar pace organise ad hoc runs with each other. In addition we Race in the local Chingford League and also in the Sunday Cross Country League from October to March. Full details are on the relevant pages of this Website. Members can also compete in the County, Regional and National Cross Country Championship races during this period.
Please check the What's On page of this website or our Group page on Facebook a few days before each activity/run to check that it is on/full details etc. Monday - Track night. See Track Section of this website. Suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced runners. Wednesday - Club Night run from WLC at 7pm, typically 10k in distance. Suitable for those comfortable running 5 miles plus. Also May to September (inc) Beginners run of up to 5k and 5 miles approx. Saturday morning parkrun. At 9am FREE timed 5k runs/races at Wanstead Flats (Harrow Road), Valentines Park, Ilford and many other venues across London, the UK and other Countries. Suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced runners. First timers register at www.parkrun.com Sunday mornings Social run- 10 mile'sh Forest runs/ occasional road run. Most often in Epping Forest but sometimes in Hainault Forest. We meet at different locations each week as published on this website and our Group page on Facebook 3 or 4 days in advance. In addition we Race in the ELVIS Grand Prix Series from May to September. ELVIS is a 8 race series of 5k and 5 mile races. Full details on our ELVIS page. Note there is a separate entry fee payable individually for each of the ELVIS Races.