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Results

Beachy Head Half Marathon - Sunday 18th October 2020

694 finishers

Mornington Chasers Velopark 10m - Saturday 17th October 2020

VeloPark 10 Mile by Mornington Chasers - Saturday 17 October 2020

First chip timed race since before the spring lockdown in March 2020 and my first ever 10 mile race. It was really inspiring to be racing again. Even though London has moved to Tier 2 as of today, it felt very covid-19 secure. I've been carrying a leg injury since the virtual London Marathon and been largely swimming to maintain fitness so didn't know whether I would be able to run today. The race was in staggered starts and once I set off I can only say the racing environment and competitiveness took over. Felt great to be racing even if the injury held me back a bit, especially on the downhills. Thank you for popping by Mark to see me at the finish from a distance.Shahib Ali

Chase The Moon 10km, QEOP - Wednesday 14th October 2020

Chase The Moon 5km, QEOP - Wednesday 14th October 2020

Scott; Not sure I enjoy running races in the dark, but the photos
look pretty cool. New official 5k PB of 17:26 in the Olympic Park last night
(14 seconds faster than my previous best), and first finisher in my old man
age category.

Moor Park 10km - Sunday 11th October 2020

Run Through Olympic Park 5km - Saturday 10th October 2020

Run Through Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 10th October 2020

Paul Quinton; V40 10km best. 5th overall and first old man.
We go for the half marathon next. Thanks coach.

Isle of Wight Marathon - Sunday 4th October 2020

172 finishers

Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon 2020 - Sunday 4th October 2020

Michael Wilson; This was my 19th London Marathon and the first one since 2017. When I heard that the Sikhs in the City were holding an organised event around their measured course in Ilford, it was an easy decision for me: 1) The course is less than 5 minutes drive from my house 2) I had unfinished business from December, when I entered the Dawn to Dusk marathon but only managed to complete 11 laps (22k).
The marathon was 21 laps with each lap Approx 1.25 Miles, or just over 2k. I felt good despite the wind and rain and had no niggles on the day, but the hill up Roding Lane South was a struggle eventually and the last few laps were slow! I finished in a time of 4.15.49 which is not very fast for me, but I was quite chuffed because I know I ran the best I could on a very difficult course. My London Marathon App notified me that I had finished exactly at the end of my 21st lap, so that was very impressive.
There were plenty of refreshments by the side of the course and I even had a McDonalds at the end. Thanks to Harmander Singh and his family for their hospitality and Fiona Day for taking the photos. I even received a SITC medal at the finish. Also running from ELR were Patrick Brown, Manjit Bedi and Manjit Singh, who are in a different league altogether! Well done to everyone that ran the Marathon yesterday.

Imran Mustak; Last year when I joined ELR I could hardly run 2 laps around track without needing to take a break. Since joining I have met loads of supportive members who have encouraged me to continue to develop. Some great coaches who are very supportive and have helped to develop my running style and technic. Today I completed the London Marathon. The last 5k or so were really tough.

Tom Houworth; 15 x Laps of Battersea Park - very wet but great to see so many runners also running their virtual marathons! Amazing and unexpected support from people throughout the park made the day so much more enjoyable, even managed to catch Alex and Stuart cheering me on that last mile! I finished in 2:53:47 which is a 25min improvement on New York last year. Thanks to those at the club who've helped me to be a better runner this year but more importantly, made me enjoy running enough to do 15 laps of Battersea.

Jason Levy; Virtual London Marathon finished in 5 hours and 18 minutes. This was my 26th marathon. I only decided to do this yesterday morning, even though I had a place. I followed the zero to marathon training plan, never getting quite off of zero. Not a plan I can really recommend. My chosen route was 30+ laps of Clayhall Park. It was nice seeing other marathon runners out this morning and being able to support each other from a safe distance.

James Nichols Virtual (east) London marathon completed today. My twelfth marathon (does it count? Yeah it counts!). Plotted a local route that took in some of my favourite places but kept the repetition of laps to a minimum, really enjoyed it as a different experience despite the constant rain. Went through 26.2 miles in about 3:36, the official app didn't believe that though so had to run an extra mile for the official time of 3:45 - almost an ultra! Good to be able to get a race in this year, seen some cracking efforts from friends as well.

Mark Moir; This morning I completed my second marathon, albeit a virtual one, around Victoria Park in 3:23:25. Big thanks to east london runners and my family for supporting me through my training and for coming to cheer us on despite the persistent rain.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 3rd October 2020

MK 5km PB, Milton Keynes - Sunday 27th September 2020

Bradwell Don't Hit The Wall Trail 14 miles (with Essex Trail Events) - Sunday 27th September 2020

Andrew Baxter Return to (semi) competitive running for me today.
Bradwell Don't Hit the Wall self- navigating trail run.
Was hard going: far too windy out by estuary; crossing ploughed fields and;
lots of stop/start, trying to follow and work out the instructions
....but bloomin great fun.
Ended up doing 14.2m rather than the 13.7m 'official distance' going wrong
in 1st mile (!) and tracking back to check route a couple of times when was
actually right in first place.
2.04.14 for 14th place

Run Through Goodwood Half Marathon - Sunday 27th September 2020

Hever Castle Triathlon (Olympic Distance) - Sunday 27th September 2020

800m swim/ 40km cycle / 10.5km run
475 finishers.
Caroline reports: A real live race report!
Hever Castle Triathlon Olympic distance. Apologies for the photos of my kids but as well as racing this weekend I got to be a proud mummy spectator too.
To say I was dreading it was putting it mildly - I just wanted it over, especially when I saw the weather forecast. I am a warm weather person and would never voluntarily jump into a lake at the best of times, so the swim always takes me far out of my comfort zone. The water temperature was so cold at 12.5c they reduced everyone's swim distances by half, so mine was 800m instead of 1500m - I was not sorry! The start was rolling, 1 competitor every 10 seconds. I took advice from my 8 yr old son who raced yesterday to jump in as far as possible - and my goggles promptly filled up with water. Not a great start. Anna Dingle kindly lent me booties, gloves and a warm hat but the water was so cold it hurt to put your head under. I did the swim in 18 minutes which I was happy with and hauled myself up the hill to transition at which point I realised I hadn't really registered where I'd put my bike. Thankfully the turquoise beast stands out from the crowd, but that is a mistake I won't make again. I was anticipating the bike course to be tough because I had been forewarned how hilly it was, I think I was the only person on the course with a heavy hybrid bike instead of a road bike and I don't clip in. However it wasn't as bad as I was expecting and I completed the 40k in 1.50 which I was perfectly fine with, given the route had almost 2000 feet of ascent.
The run was obviously going to be my thing and I loved it. It was mostly off road on trails and winding woodland paths with no mud, and I was like a kid in a candy shop, tearing past everyone who had zoomed past me on the bike. The course finishes by going through the pretty grounds of Hever Castle and I did the 10.5k in 49 minutes.
So despite saying this morning I was never going to do a September triathlon ever again both kids and I loved it and aim to be back next year.

Run Fest Lee Valley 10km - Sunday 27th September 2020

Sallyann reports: It was a great race but bloody tough. The wind was
unbelievable. I was aiming for a PB and didn’t get it good to be racing though.

Run Through Velopark 10km - Saturday 26th September 2020

Maverick Peak District Trail Marathon - Saturday 26th September 2020

Cheshire Half Marathon - Sunday 20th September 2020

New Forest Trail Half Marathon - Sunday 20th September 2020

First medal of 2020. Nick Hoult and I ran the New Forest Half Marathon.
First trail half and I was pleased with time of 2.01.33 given how traily
(hard!!) it was.
Really pretty route around a private estate (Lord Salisbury's or something)
just outside the New Forest with staggered starts, no spectators but very
enthusiastic marshals to make up for it. Really glad they managed to put it
on in these times.
Thanks to Nick for pacing me (I think he was actually quite pleased of the
excuse to go slowly!)

Run Through Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 19th September 2020

Scott reports: Great to finally be able to put all this
summer’s training to good use in an actual race - new 10k PB of
36:11 (an improvement of nearly 90 seconds!) in the Olympic Park
this morning.

Fox Ultra (62km) , Surrey - Saturday 19th September 2020

Joe Gunn: Thanks all! Much appreciated. Was incredibly tough
- certainly learnt a lot from my debut ultra!

Kew Gardens 10km Races - Sunday 13th September 2020

Duxford Dash 5km - Sunday 13th September 2020

Susan reports: Duxford Dash today, choice of 5k or 10k( I did the 5k which was
one lap . If you want a run and a day out for the price of a race entry this is great.
The course goes round the runways passing so many interesting planes ,so its flat but
also windy in parts. It was well organised and well marshalled today , lots of parking,
no mass start ,runners let go in twos at 5 second intervals, chip timing, lots of
portaloos, lots of hand sanitisers . And afterwards you could spend the rest of the
day at the Museum.
I loved it .

Orion Harriers Chingford League Tester Race - 5.2 Miles - Saturday 12th September 2020

Running for Orion Harriers:
John Henry - 7th (30.47)
Spencer Evans - 18th (33.13)
Stephen Taylor - 38th (36.29)

95 Finishers.

Run Through Battersea Park 5km - Sunday 6th September 2020

Paul Quinton: I did the 5km (16:05 chip time). Good to see so many
people out racing again. In the 5km we were "let go" 4 runners at a time with
about 5sec gaps and kept 2 meters apart while waiting to start using cones,
all seemed to work relatively well. Its not racing how we knew it pre Covid
but its so good to be able to race again.

Box End Sprint Triathlon, Bedford - Sunday 6th September 2020

750m swim/ t1/18.7km cycle/t2/5km run
Danny 16.27 / 2.45/ 38.16/1.06/ 21.28 = 1.20.06
Caroline 15.14/3.31/49.01/0.48/24.12 = 1.32.48
Anna 15.46 / 2.11/ 42.27/ 1.10 /31.23 = 1.33.00
Maya 21.39/ 4.26/ 53.34/ = 1.59.53
Alice 20.38/3.43/ 58.58/ = 2.01.46

Caroline reports: Box End Sprint Tri - my first triathlon in 2 years, my
first race of any kind in 6 months and my first "socially distanced" race ever.
Really well organised, my fears of becoming hypothermic either waiting for the
swim, during the swim or on the bike whilst still wet from the swim didn't come
to fruition, the company was fantastic and I knocked 5 mins off my time from 2
years ago - well worth getting up at 3.45am for!

Maya reports: My first triathlon was:
Complicated:
lots of rules and equipment to co ordinate and remember. (Or forget - I locked my swim hat in Anna's car. Oops)
Cold:
waiting in the gloom to get in the water.
Scary: 'the really high weeds and rushes in the lake coming so close to my face made me jump, it's quite an experience, being startled underwater!
Pretty:
thatched cottages, pretty streams, fields of horses and cows on the bike ride.
Worrying:
two roundabouts without a marshal had me concerned I may have gone the wrong way in case Dick Dastardly had been there before me and switched the arrows.
Hard:
the run. That's all. The run was hard.
And that just leaves fantastic, exciting, brilliant and fun. It was all these too. I loved it, I really did.

Run Through Battersea Park 10km - Sunday 6th September 2020

Run Through Velopark Half Marathon - Saturday 29th August 2020

Run Through Velopark 10km - Saturday 29th August 2020

The Dave Knight Memorial Run - Sunday 23rd August 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

St Albans Summer 10km - Sunday 23rd August 2020

MK 5km PB, Milton Keynes - Friday 21st August 2020

Paul comments: Great to be back racing again. There were 28 races
with up to 10 people in each race going off in 5min waves. Very well
organised. We had a great group of 7/8 guys through 3km together. Hopefully
we will slowly get back to racing, all be it a slightly different Covid 19
compliant form of racing.

Chelmsford AC Miles Of Miles - Sunday 9th August 2020

The first EA authorised event since the lockdown began. 52 races with 6 per race ran round a set course.

Vanguard Way Full Marathon - Sunday 2nd August 2020

Non Sweet Caroline Aquathlon (750m/5km) - Saturday 25th July 2020

750m swim: 24.52 / t1 2.56 / 5km run 35.30 = 1.03.20

The Lockdown Relays - Friday 8th May 2020

Vegetable Relays Each runner ran 2 miles (3.2kms)
1. Broccoli Total time: 75.11 - Arthur 16.55 Kate Brett 17.44 Annette Clark 15.24 Caroline F 13.20 John Henry 11.48
2. Parsnip 76.04 - Sonia 21.26 Alex Jameson 16.27 Maud Hodson 14.40 Andrew Baxter 12.21 Joe Gunn 11.10
3. Cucumber 77.23 - Shaun DeSena 20.03 Amo Wilson 16.26 Suzanne Bench 15.09 Terry Lewsey 13.30 Peter Craik 12.15
4. Potato 77.40 - Jane Clapton 18.10 Helen McGuinness 18.27 Andrea 15.47 Jimmy Dale 13.02 James Nichols 12.14
5. Carrot 77.56 - Grace Turner 17.49 Suzanne Taylor 18.30 Paul Clarke 14.46 Fiona Critchley 14.59 Mark Moir 12.16 Sarah 15.12
6. Spinach 78.00 - Vivienne Eka 19.55 Jayne Browne 17.51 Janet Byw 15.19 Grant Conway 14.29 Jose Rodriguez 10.26
7. Onion 78.02 - Don 22.07 Gail Edwards 16.44 Becky 14.04 Jacob Stevens 13.03 Warren Ibrahim 12.04
8. Courgette 79.01 - Liz O'Donnell 23.09 Isabella Allan 16.23 Stuart B 15.13 Manjit Bedi 12.36 Tom Howourth 11.40
9. Lettuce 80.17 - Alice 18.43 Lauren Stevenson 18.34 Steve Byw 15.26 Jonathan 14.10 Paula Bedford 14.01 Catriona Hoult 15.26
10. Asparagus 81.21 - Anna D 17.27 Susannah McLaren 17.33 Kasia 14.41 Debbie Shearing 16.51 Ashley Faria 12.39 Lydia Merrett 18.26
11. Cabbage 81.47 - Jo Wood 19.39 Imran Mustak 21.04 Maran Raju 13.30 Sandra Preston 16.01 Fabrizio Stefanoni 11.33

Cake Relays How far in 15 mins (11/5 - 17/5)
1 Apple Crumble 10.15 miles Fabrizio 2.58 Don 1.43 Jimmy Dale 2.40 Sandra Preston 1.89 Jo Neville 1.85
2 Scone 10.13 Paul Thompson 2.33 Helen McGuinness 1.70 Jacob 2.40 Mark Durrant 1.83 Amo Wilson 1.87
3 Flapjack 10.09 James Nichols 2.36 Jo Wood 1.67 Caroline Frith 2.28 Cathal Lynch 1.82 Denys Vulka 1.96.
4 Lemon Drizzle 9.98 Scott 2.65 Morag 1.37 Ellie 2.21 Damon L 1.95 Arthur 1.80
5 Cheesecake 9.97 Ashley F 2.30 Suzanne T 1.68 Maran Raju 2.24 Steve By 2.00 Jayne B 1.75
6 Victoria Sponge 9.96 Andrew Baxter 2.40 Alexandra RP 1.70 Karen L 2.06 Kasia 1.99 Grace Turner 1.81
7 Battenburg 9.95 John Henry 2.57 Imran M 1.43 Emily 2.22 Andrea 2.03 Kate Brett 1.70
8 Fruitcake 9.91 Warren 2.38 Susan E 1.73 Jonathan 2.03 Fiona Critchley 2.04 Gail Edwards 1.73
9 Mill Shortbread 9.90 Manjit B 2.44 Lauren Stevenson 1.68 Becky 2.06 Sheetal 1.95 Debbie Shearing 1.77
10 Meringue 9.89 Peter C 2.44 Frank 1.61 Terry 2.27 Annette Clarke 1.92 Jane Clapton 1.65
11 Brownie 9.89 Joe Gunn 2.71 Liz O'D 1.28 Nat Dye 2.27 Janet Bywater1.87 Sallyann Eyles 1.76
12 Jam Donut 9.69 Rhys Edwards 2.66 Shaun DeSena 1.52 Stuart H 1.92 Sarah B 1.89 S McLaren 1.70
13 Red Velvet 9.65 Tom Howourth 2.61 Sonia 1.31 Jamie X 1.99 Catriona 1.96 Roselin B 1.78
14 Bakewell Tart 9.63 Jose R 2.61 Sue Bushnell 1.42 Maud 2.03 Stuart B 1.8 Danny Wong 1.68
15 Profiteroles 9.40 Mark Moir 1.80 Fiona Day 1.73 Grant 2.13 Paul Clarke 2.03 Anna Dingle 1.71
16 Choc Fudge (4) 7.58 Nick Clarke 2.36 Alice 1.4 Paula B X Suzanne Bench 2.10 Alex Jameson 1.63

All races & events cancelled till further notice. - Monday 16th March 2020

Corona virus
It started mainly in China, by mid February the Tokyo Marathon mass race was cancelled with only the elite able to compete. After that races around the world were cancelled or postponed, Rotterdam & Paris marathons amongst those to be affected. parkun started closing it's runs around the world with all closed by this weekend except Australia , New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Italy & Spain were put into lockdown and calls were put out to cancel events in the UK. Fleet half cancelled but the large Bath half went ahead. The large marathon's planned for April including London, Brighton and Manchester were postponed and moved to September & October. On the 16th March England Athletics called for all events & club activities to be cancelled or postponed. Tuesday 17th, Australia & New Zealand parkruns were closed with the UK 18th following next morning.

All mass events were affected, Ideal Home Exhibition , Chelsea Flower Show, 50th Glastonbury Festival and all CAMRA beer festivals. Some events are trying to hold out till later, Hackney Half Marathon, Vitality 10km & Comrades Marathon were all postponed in the end.

24th March - Olympics postponed to 2021, parkrun cancelled to at least end of May, England Athletics cancel to end of June.
30th March - Olympics scheduled for 23rd July to 8th August, Athletics World Championship moved to 2022 same year Birmingham have Commonwealth games.
1st April - Wimbledon cancelled.
15th April - Tour de France moved to Aug 29th to Sept 20th.
21st April - German government cancel all events above 5000 people until 26th October, meaning Berlin Marathon is cancelled.

Brentwood Fun Run 5km - Sunday 15th March 2020

Essex Road Relays, (3x 5km) Ladies Vet 40 teams - Sunday 15th March 2020

VW40 3 X 5km road relays : ELR 5th of 11 teams.

Croydon Half Marathon - Sunday 15th March 2020

Run Through Victoria Park 10km - Sunday 15th March 2020

Sportstik's Brentwood Half Marathon - Sunday 15th March 2020

MK Run Fest Half Marathon - Sunday 15th March 2020

Hampton Court Half Marathon - Sunday 15th March 2020

Run Through Victoria Park Half Marathon - Sunday 15th March 2020

Alice Barrett: This time last year I completed my first half marathon
and really struggled and thought that anything longer than 5k was stupid.
Fast forward a year and today I met Katherine Harris for the Victoria park
half where I got a pb by 6 minutes and improved by 23 minutes over the year
......now I need to learn to enjoy the 20 milers as have only just recovered
from Essex 20

Endurance Life Surrey Ultra (34.1 miles) - Saturday 14th March 2020

Writing this about 40km in I think. This is without a doubt the hilliest,
windiest, steepest run that I’ve ever done. There was plenty of really
sticky , sloppy mud too. It was an excellent event and they made fantastic
changes so there was no contact necessary. From getting our numbers, to
water only stations with watering cans to refill our bottles (they excluded
any food) to Putting medals well spaced on tables they kept it really safe
for competitor and volunteers. Paula

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 14th March 2020

Phoenix Running: Track Wars III - Friday 13th March 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Maud Hodson reports: Twelve marathons in a year - might as well try to enter a range of different types of race. I don't think otherwise it would have crossed my mind to enter a track marathon.
This was a six hour timed event - i.e. you could run for six hours and see you many laps you could do, or you could run 53 laps for a half or 106 for a full marathon (actually 26.4 miles).
It was a small event with an entry limit of 70 runners, with very comfortable indoor registration in the trackside building, including plenty of loos and a cafe.
So, how to avoid losing my mind while running round in circles for four hours odd? I didn't really have any plan for that.
There was a prize on offer for the fastest lap, and sure enough one guy took off like a headless chicken - his reward was an easter egg and a toilet roll. Another diversion was a man going for the world record for the fastest HM in a full suit of armour, which he duly achieved in a time of 3.26.
I didn't think about the number of laps, just watched the miles add up. I was hoping for my quickest time of the year, ideally sub-4, so decided to be disciplined about keeping stops to a minimum. Track etiquette was that you should generally run on the outside of lane one, in order to let faster runners pass inside, and for the most part everyone stuck with that. When I got close to 26 miles by my watch, I asked the timing guy how many laps I had still to do, expecting the answer to be two or three. Six?????
That was a dark moment. Until then my legs had been going round quite nicely, but that required some serious mental re-calibration. But the sub-4 was still there to be had, so on I went, finishing with just over 27 miles on the watch. I guess the extra is a combination of GPS not being precise, plus running on the outside of the lane, and crossing to the feed station a few times. 3.57.25 official time - my third best marathon. And while the final few miles were tough, I had to tell myself to slow down several times in the middle bit of the race, so I hope there is more to come. Back up to the cafe afterwards for a cup of tea and my spare pain au raisins while watching the remaining runners still going round and round - that felt good.
Very pleased with my splits - only half a minute between slowest mile (#1) and fastest (#24). And my fastest lap was #106.
Who knows when/where the next marathon is going to be, so I was pleased to get that one under my belt.

Chase The Moon 10km, Olympic Park - Wednesday 11th March 2020

March Madness Duathlon, Olympic Velopark - Sunday 8th March 2020

2 mile run / 10 mile bike / 1 mile run
Jason 18.09 / 37.21 / 8.14
Samir 16.37 / 45.56 / 7.53 inc extra lap on cycle.

Run London Epping Forest Trail 5km - Sunday 8th March 2020

Hillingdon 20m - Sunday 8th March 2020

Chester 10km - Sunday 8th March 2020

Roding Valley Half Marathon - Sunday 8th March 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

240 Finishers.

Run London Epping Forest Trail 10km - Sunday 8th March 2020

91 finishers

QEOP 10km - Saturday 7th March 2020

Run Through Victoria Park Half Marathon - Saturday 7th March 2020

Chingford League relays, Volunteers - Saturday 7th March 2020

Chingford League relays, Wanstead Flats - Saturday 7th March 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

2nd 45.46,
8th 50.45,
16th 54.26,
25th 59.34,
32nd 63.25,
39th 65.55,
44th 69.59.
58 teams

End of Season Team Results
Men A Team 2nd in relays, 3rd overall.
Men B Team 2nd relays, 3rd overall.
Men Vets 4th relays, 4th overall.
Ladies A Team 7th in relays, 4th overall.
Ladies Vets 4th in relays, 4th overall.

parkrun - all venues (International Womens Day) - Saturday 7th March 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

parkrun this week celebrated International Women's Day. Wanstead had an all
female volunteer team including ELR members Vicky Allen, Julie Creffield,
Sallyann Eyles, Maud Hodson, Bernadett Kalmar & Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera.

Cambridge Classic Sportive Cycle Ride - Sunday 1st March 2020

Essex 20m Road Race, Rochford - Sunday 1st March 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Finishing positions above indicate position overall first and in Essex Championship second.

Maud Hodson: I entered the Essex 20 long before I hatched my plan of running a marathon every month. Having run February's marathon only four days earlier, I was not at all sure I would run it at all. But I reckoned that if I could walk the dog on Thursday then I would probably be able to run again by Sunday.
Last year at this race I got a hard-fought PB by less than a minute. This time I turned up with no expectations, totally relaxed. And somehow the hills didn't seem as steep as they were last year. And while I was a good bit slower than last year, if I kept up today's pace for another six miles I would get a marathon PB. Which was way better than I expected to be able to run, so I went home very happy. The post-race bacon sandwich was nice too.

Caroline Frith: Falling over on a Wednesday night club run and bashing myself up quite badly 3 days before was not part of my training plan..... however I was still determined to make the start of the Essex 20 and see how I felt. It was always going to be a marathon training run, not a race and my plan was to increase the pace every 5 miles. It is a 3 lap course - the first lap was undulating, the second hilly and the 3rd mountainous. The wind was relentless and the last lap had a hurricane force headwind for the entire 7 miles. However I enjoyed 75% of it and really gave the last 5 miles everything I had and came in 51 seconds faster than my goal time of 2.45.

Catriona Hoult: Essex 20: I loved everything about this race - it was a lovely course through pretty Essex countryside, perfect weather (for once), great company, well-organised and best of all, I got a PB by 13 minutes. I ran way faster than I thought I could without it really seeming hard at all. If only all running could be like that!

The Vitality Big Half Volunteers - Sunday 1st March 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

The Vitality Big Half - Sunday 1st March 2020

Jacob Stevens: I enjoyed the inaugural Big Half two years ago, so decided to do it again this year. Seeing the huge crowds file out of London Bridge station to the start reminded me what a huge event this is - over 17,000 runners - and very well organised it is too, thanks to the vast army of volunteers, including our own ELR crew! I felt quite well-prepared, so hoped to beat my PB from 18 months ago, having failed to do that at Hackney last spring. The first half of the course is quite varied, including a stretch through the Limehouse Link road tunnel - quite an odd feeling running with hundreds of others down there - a tour of Canary Wharf, and cobblestones through Wapping. It was great to see Jonathan and several other ELR volunteers as I came back towards Tower Bridge, and then it was the long drag through Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Deptford towards Greenwich. By 10 miles I was beginning to think I had paced it too fast, but I managed to push through and ended up with a PB of over a minute, which I'm very happy with. After a coffee and cake I went to cheer Joanna and our son Peter in the Little Half, a fun run over the last 2.3 miles of the course. A great day out for all the family!

Andrea Waller: My first time at the Big Half. Start well organised but lots of hanging around. Unfortunately no ELR volunteers in my pen. I was a bit ambitious With my estimated finish time, so when I entered my pen and saw lots of fast looking whippet type people, and a 1.40 pacer, I skulked off back to the pen behind. I followed the 2 hour pacer, kept with him til about 10 miles then really started to struggle, but I kept him in sight. When I saw him get to the line, I was gutted as still had about 100m to go and thought I'd blown it. But he obviously was still under 2 hours, so didn't cross the line and hung back to shout us all over the line. I was very happy to finish in 1.59.22, only my 2nd sub 2 hours in 8 years. I really think without having him in sight I would have ended up walking and missed the 2 hours. The race was good. Well supported including a steel band from the primary school I was running for, Manorfield. Nice medal, rubbish t shirt. I was put off doing it again by the huge queues afterwards to get t shirts baggage and get on train. But buzzing with my time. Will be joining the volunteers for this one next year I think. And I saw the legend that is Frank Bruno on the course too and we shared a thumbs up. Now to hobble to work . Ouch.

Kate Brett:The Big Half Race Report
I would count myself a lifelong runner, however my focus has been on orienteering and trail running, partly through preference but also due to knee problems in my 20s. Now retired I am running more, and injured less (touch wood) so I entered the Big Half late as my first ever half marathon. Used to small events, where pitching upmore than half an hour before is considered early, I was a bit dismayed to find just how much hanging around was required prior to the start, and the stormy weather right up until race did not encourage. As it turned out the weather on the day was almost perfect, the travel there with Andrea Waller and Jayne Browne straight-forward and fun and Wave E well organised by Michael Bamford and the ELR volunteers (thanks volunteers).
The race itself was really enjoyable. Lots of support along the way, including the Manorfield Primary School Steel band at mile 3ish, the charity I supported. I was pleased to maintain a pretty steady pace of 9.15-9.30 throughout and of course it being my only half was also a PB which can't be bad. Strava agrees to a point although bizzarely seems to think I ran mile 5 at 8.08, which I do not think is likely. But I am a premium user, so maybe that is their gift to me!!
Came in at 2.04.53, well under my 2.15 prediction and comfortably away from the 2 hours barrier so it means I don't feel that I should have pushed a little harder , perfect.
So far so good. Met up with Andrea, Jayne, Jane and Annette for tea, cake and analysis, still good. Only then did the wheels sort of come off as it became apparent that 13,000 or so people trying to manoeuvre around Greenwich market doesn't really work. Our escape involved a lot (and I mean a lot) of queuing, a walk under the foot bridge to the Isle of Dogs and a taxi home.
In summary, I enjoyed my taste of "competitive" road running.... which is lucky as I have also entered the Hackney Half. See more ELR-ers there.

Run Through Velopark Half Marathon - Saturday 29th February 2020

Run Through Velopark 10km - Saturday 29th February 2020

parkrun - all venues (Don't Dis The Don) - Saturday 29th February 2020

Serpentine Last Friday of the Month - Friday 28th February 2020

Marathon Day Marathon - Wednesday 26th February 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Marathon Day Marathon - race report
As many of you know, I plan to run a marathon every month in 2020. When my scheduled February event fell victim to Storm Dennis I had a bit of a panic, as everything for the rest of Feb seemed to be sold out. And then I happened on this midweek event - who knew that Marathon Day (26/2) was a thing? It's in Deal, Kent, and given the 8.30am start I treated myself to a simple room above a pub a few miles from the start.
It was a bitterly cold morning according to my car 2 degrees as I drove to the start, but bright and breezy. The nice thing about running frequent marathons is being able to have a much more relaxed approach than when it's a big target race. So I collected my number, took a few pics, chatted to a couple of other runners. Then suddenly it was time for the race briefing and I realised I wouldn't have time to go to the loo before the start. Oops. I hate stopping for a wee during races - wondered if i could tough it out.
The course was five out-and-back laps along the seafront from one end of Deal to the other, starting near Walmer Castle, passing Deal Castle in the middle and turning round at Sandown Castle. They're not really castles, but artillery forts built for Henry VIII - Deal & Walmer are pretty much intact while Sandown is a ruin. Deal is a handsome, rather genteel seaside town, with many attractive old buildings, including a lovely old lifeboat station, to help the miles pass. And the constantly changing light on the sea and the cliffs in the distance was lovely. The only downside of running by the sea is obviously the wind, which was mostly in our faces on the outward half of the lap - the turnaround was always a welcome sight. And as always with an out-an-back course, lots of camaraderie between runners, especially on the last lap. Also lots and lots of dogs, including about half a dozen sausage dogs.
I wasn't going for a time in this one - would have been happy enough with anything under 4.30 - so very happy to come home in 4.07, which is actually my third best marathon time, and my best outside of a standard road race. Nice medal, and a goody bag which I will have to hide from Stuart - chocolate and crisps and not a chia seed to be seen.
By the way, in case any of you think I'm nuts. I ran a bit with a guy who had done 50 marathons in 50 weeks, and was on his way to 100 in 100. (I asked him if he had a family - no, he was single).

Baldock Beast Half Marathon - Sunday 23rd February 2020

Grand Brighton Half Marathon - Sunday 23rd February 2020

Wokingham Half Marathon - Sunday 23rd February 2020

Quicksilver Hampton Court Half Marathon - Sunday 23rd February 2020

Seville Marathon - Sunday 23rd February 2020

Antonio Martin Romero: Thanks everyone. It was a bit windy. Had to take the risk and leave the group after 10k as it was slowing down. Had to stay positive and be strong with the headwind. Next target 2h24. Hope to run with the club soon when I am back in London

5km 17.10 - 10k 34.18 - 15k 51.36 - 20k 1.08.37 - half 1.12.18
25k 1.25.41 - 30k 1.42.45 - 35k 2.00.13 - 40k 2.17.50 - Fin 2.25.24

Antonio's report: (translation by facebook)
First of all I would like to thank the a. D marathon jerez., for all your encouragement and support for so many years, to tetrasod, for supporting amateur athletes and helping me a lot with the recovery of training, and my London Club, East London runners, for having followed my career From the distance.

A few months ago, in Berlin, I had to make a difficult decision, punish my body finishing the marathon making a while that I was not in line with workouts, or stand up to the 21 kms where my father was, meaning we had gone to Berlin to do a half and make us eat. I did what I thought was better for me, and I stopped. If I came to finish it, 100 % I wouldn't run yesterday. A marathon takes a long time to recover. That day I said I took a break from marathons, the next day, just woke up, I sent an email to my coach and I told him that if I was aiming for the Seville Marathon, I think it didn't take long to change my mind haha.

The preparation could not go better, all training taken with note, without injuries, without colds, with very good career, but with many dawn. If something I liked about London, I was going out to run at 5 in the morning and it was day, yes, with a cold fuck! The race of ecija and the half marathon of Seville gave me confidence to try to make a good mark, and the workouts were reflecting it. Only once I ran 32 kms, the other long filming were between 20 and 30 kms, one hour and something, no palizones. Better quality than quantity.

As for the day of the race, I woke up three hours before to have breakfast forever. I tell my father I have the perfect legs, so as long as I don't belittle the marathon, I should take a personal brand. I look at the weather forecast, and it looks like it's going to do some wind and about 13-16 degrees. Warm up a little and go to the drawer 15 minutes before to take a good position and try to move as much as possible not to cold. Kick-off and start with controlled rhythm and trying to find a group that was at my pace. There I was until km 10, but when I saw the rhythm went down, I got to throw myself. The group accelerated a little and let me get caught to get in the middle and not eat the wind. Before km 12, as it looks in the video, I look at the clock and I see that the rhythm is slow, so i decide to risk despite the wind, get out and start running I alone, and so it was until I arrived To the finish. As soon as I passed the triana bridge and turn to the left, I start to notice the wind against, in calle tournament the thing gets worse, without any group to protect me, I was just taking bodies. In fact, one of the slowest kilometers of the carrear is 14, 15. As we make another turn to the right, the thing gets worse, when the wind of the east comes, but I try not to leave A lot of miles, so i spend some strength trying to keep up. With a group would have been perfect, but there was a world between a front group and the back of mine, so we had to fight without help. The wind gives me a truce by changing sense, and having been pushing against him, he came with the inertia caught and I do 2 kms to 3:20, 20 and 21, but I control and return At the target pace. Arrived at km 22, I keep taking dead bodies and back to fight the wind for two kms, which although it is not strong, pushes enough to encourage you. Every time it changed sense to the north or east, we had to make greater effort. I start to remember the Edinburgh marathon, which were 30 kms against a wind of almost 40 mph, this however, they are small gusts, so i decide to do the same tactic, run with a comfortable feeling and try to keep A good posture running to be as efficient as possible, after all, those who were really suffering were the bodies I was taking. Thought of myself, on the worst stage, finishing this race, you take a personal brand home. I stopped looking at the clock, I just dedicated myself to running efficiently and for sensations. Here I start visualizing workouts, 20 kms left, like that training you did, 18 kms left, like that other you made to rhythm faster. The people of the public and friends who were on the circuit took me with energy, drank in almost 100 % of the refreshments and wet my head. I arrived in plaza de España, indescribable, you have to live it, people screaming give me all the confidence I need, come on Martin that you are already there, and it was true, only 10 kms left, I keep hunting athletes, walking, standing, psychologically It doesn't help, people start to cheer me up: come on! What a rhythm! I get to km 38 and I receive the best news in the world, it tells me a volunteer, let's go it's all downhill!! Thank you pisha, but the downhill didn't last long, but it was appreciated I'm still very focused thinking that I have it done, I look with strength and I think that when I get to 41 change of rhythm, and so I do, supported by the whole public I do the last 1.195 kms to 3:19. I enter Goal with a net time of 2 H25' 24 ", happy, knowing that the brand had been winning it week after week, that's why I was so confident, the marathon was the icing on the cake. Just before leaving the runners of the runners, the speaker starts to announce the first andalusians, and for my surprise, I hear my name, third andalusian. In the marathon of Seville with more level of history I didn't even pass through my head, and to round it, the 17 Spanish. I have no doubts, I did the right thing in Berlin, if not, I would never have lived yesterday. With Seville has been a love at first sight, I'll be back in 2021, but running faster, that's clear. Thank you for all the hundreds of messages you sent me, your support means a lot.

Dorney Lake 10km - Sunday 23rd February 2020

Run London Victoria Park Half Marathon - Sunday 23rd February 2020

Birmingham Running Festival Half Marathon - Saturday 22nd February 2020

Birmingham Running Festival 10km - Saturday 22nd February 2020

Run Through Hyde Park 10km - Saturday 22nd February 2020

National Cross Country Championships, Nottingham - Saturday 22nd February 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 22nd February 2020

Harrow on the Hill 10km - Sunday 16th February 2020

Run The Vines #14 10km, Ayama, South Africa - Saturday 15th February 2020

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 15th February 2020

Run Through Chase The Moon 10km, QEOP - Wednesday 12th February 2020

Run Through Chase The Moon 5km, QEOP - Wednesday 12th February 2020

VI Carrera Don Bosco 8km, Jerez - Sunday 9th February 2020

Start Fitness Metropolitan League, Trent Park XC - Saturday 8th February 2020

Orion Mercury 10 - Saturday 8th February 2020

Arthur Diaz Love running this one for the first time. Great club and runners as well

Catriona Hoult I loved it too. Hills, mud, more hills, more mud, blue skies, beautiful views and I didn't get lost (thanks Alex). What's not to love?

Run Through Victoria Park Half Marathon - Saturday 8th February 2020

Run Through Victoria Park 10km - Saturday 8th February 2020

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 8th February 2020

Mornington Chasers Regents Park 10km - Sunday 2nd February 2020

410 finishers

Dash For The Splash 10km - Sunday 2nd February 2020

The Dash for the Splash is an all-terrain race over the best of Wimbledon Common -
mud, hills and did we say a splash?
The varied course will take runners through all the Common has to offer, from the trying hills of the Toast Rack and the Alps, past the Windmill, on to the muddy delights of the the Butts, and finishing with a bracing wade through Beverley Brook watersplash!

We guarantee you'll have a great morning out, you'll get to parts of the Common you never knew, and you'll be smiling all afternoon.

Watford Half Marathon - Sunday 2nd February 2020

Great Bentley Half Marathon - Sunday 2nd February 2020

QEOP 10km - Saturday 1st February 2020

Chingford League - Event 6 - Victoria Park 5m - Saturday 1st February 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

186 men & 111 ladies,
Team Results:
Men A Team : 4th, 3rd overall
Men B Team : 4th, 3rd overall
Men Vets: 4th, 4th overall
Ladies A Team: 4th, 4th overall
Ladies Vets: 4th, 4th overall

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 1st February 2020

Stuart: My second parkrun in Italy, this one was Mura di Lucca,
the whole run is on the old city wall. A one lap all on tarmac and almost
pizza flat. The weather was a little wet but perfect for running.
After the run coffee and cake in a local cafe.
We spent the afternoon walking around Lucca then eating pizza in the
walled city centre square.

Serpentine Last Friday 5km, Hyde Park - Friday 31st January 2020

Go Tri Duathlon 84, Velopark - Sunday 26th January 2020

2m run/10 m bike/2m run
13.54 / 31.01 / 14.27 = 59.22

also Simon Morgan 17th 1.06.01
16.01 / 35.14 / 14.45

Phoenix Running - Hercules Labour One - Marathon - Sunday 26th January 2020

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Maud reports: Phoenix Running - Hercules Labour One (six hour timed event, marathon & HM) - mini race report
My main running goal this year is to run a marathon every month - taking a leaf out of Jimmy’s book. Having looked at all my XC and other commitments, today was the only day I could fit one in. So I was very pleased to find this event in Sawbridgeworth, only half an hour’s drive away.
It’s a lapped, trail event, on both sides of the river Stort. Each lap is 5.3k, so eight laps is a marathon. At the end of each lap you collect a wristband to show how many you’ve done, and you ring a bell when you finish. There was also a PB gong, but I was never going to be needing that. This was my sixth race of the month (plus three parkruns), so I had to be realistic. Decent selection of snacks including vegan stuff to keep Nathaniel happy.
It was a really friendly, relaxed event on an attractive route, with not much climbing but muddy in places. Anyway, I got round my 8 laps - lost a bit of pace in the second half but nothing dramatic. And the medal - it is ridiculously large - easily the biggest I’ve ever got (until July…).
It’s not the sort of event that has winners’ trophies, but it was a nice little bonus to see that I was the first female finisher for the marathon distance. Now for a nice long break from racing until, er, Chingford League on Saturday.

Royal Parks Winter Series 10km, QEOP - Sunday 26th January 2020

Run Through Brixton 10km - Sunday 26th January 2020

Khon Kaen Marathon - Sunday 26th January 2020

Crossing the finish line at the Khon Kaen International Marathon (4:24:50 on the video) ,
should have got under 4 hours , but suffered a stitch at around 37km and that put paid to
that target , as I couldn't get my pace back up after having to stop. However not too
disgruntled, as I still got my Qualifier for the Comrades Marathon later this year.

25th EDP Medio Maraton De Sevilla 2020 - Sunday 26th January 2020

Run Through Velopark Half Marathon - Saturday 25th January 2020

Run Through Velopark 10m - Saturday 25th January 2020

Run Through Velopark 10km - Saturday 25th January 2020

Southern Cross Country Champs, Parliament Hill (15kms) - Saturday 25th January 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Mike Reports.
This prestigious event produces a grand spectacle at the start, with the sight of hundreds of competitors running to the top of a very long, steep hill, before disappearing out of view. Chloe Millan 414th (out of 694) and Janet Bywater (541st) competed for the Women, who were two runners short of a full team. Thomas Grimes 258th (out of 1172), Billy Rayner (577th), Mark Moir (774th), Andrew Jackson (848th), Jacob Stevens (932nd), Regis Martin (1016th) and Peter Hatley (1135th) competed for the Men, with the first six scoring for the club.

Southern Cross Country Champs, Parliament Hill (8km) - Saturday 25th January 2020

Maverick West Sussex Trail (23kms) - Saturday 25th January 2020

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 25th January 2020

Victoria Park 10km - Sunday 19th January 2020

322 finishers

Benfleet 15m - Sunday 19th January 2020

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Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera: Nothing better for the mind before
a work trip that a 15 miles XC !
Yesterday was my 3rd Benfleet 15 and probably the one I enjoyed the most
having no expectation for a time ( nevermind running in the mud in socks
as I was trying to pull my shoes from it and getting caught in barbewire
300 meters later.

Calvin Bobin: I started to fade 2/3s of the way round, and I admit
to walking up the last hill, so I'm heartened to see it described on the
B15 FB page as "the most challenging ground conditions in the Benfleet 15's
30 year history"

Alexandra Brown: Great day for Miss Jennifer Ansell hen do run ..
she casually said there's a hill at the end but flat otherwise. I think we
have different ideas of flat.

James Nichols: Completed the mud, puddles and hills of the Benfleet
15 this morning for the 5th time in 1 hour 56 minutes.

Nacho Aguirre Rodríguez: Benfleet 15!. 15 miles of hills and pure mud.
Felt great considering the Ultra last weekend. I could have done with not
loosing my shoes in the mud, get lost and having to run the last 2 miles in
my socks..

Gloucester Marathon - Sunday 19th January 2020

Chingford League - Event 5 - Hackney Marshes - Saturday 18th January 2020

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239 finishers
Mens A Team : 4th, 3rd overall
Mens B Team : 4th, 3rd overall
Mens Vets: 4th, 5th overall
Ladies A Team: 4th, 4th overall
Ladies Vets: 4th, 4th overall.

Mike Reports.
The bright sunny morning of Saturday 18th January, saw the Chingford League return to Hackney Marshes for the first time since 2014, for the fifth fixture of the season. Although the course of just under five miles did not contain any hills, it was nonetheless very wet and muddy. The race was one small lap of the field, followed by two large laps which included a muddy trail alongside the River Lee.
ELR fielded 33 runners for this event, which saw the winter league debut of Anne-Marie Kennedy and the return of Edward Barnard for his first race in a few years. The first three ELR finishers were, Euan Brown who was second overall, followed by Billy Rayner (32nd) and very closely behind, John Henry (33rd). Becky Evans had a great run for the Women to finish in 20th place, a few seconds behind her was Paula Bedford (22nd), followed by Chloe Millan (33rd). There were 150 Men and 87 Women finishers.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 18th January 2020

XXVIII Carlos III - Ciudad Del Sol (26kms) - Sunday 12th January 2020

Today was time to compete in Ecija, Seville, in a 26k race with very competitive
runners. I felt very good increasing the pace as the kilometres passed.
The first 13K in 44:00 and the last 13K in 42:18 at 3:15/km pace finishing 5th
overall after some guys with 2:12-2:14 in a marathon. Great weekend with friends
and good recovery with quality food after the race

Walt Disney World Half Marathon - Sunday 12th January 2020

Run Through Finsbury Park 10km - Sunday 12th January 2020

Sunday XC League - Event 4 - Watford - Sunday 12th January 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

472 runners, 179 ladies & 293 men.
Team results:
Combined teams 9th of 19,
Ladies A Team 10th, 11th overall,
Ladies Vets: 11th, 11th overall,
Men A Team: 7th, 7th overall,
Men B Team: 8th, 8th overall,
Men Vets: 10th, 8th overall.

Mike Reports.
We had a large turnout of 24 runners for the fourth Sunday League fixture, held at Cassiobury Park, Watford on 12th January. The six mile course comprised of a run down to the woodlands, where two laps were completed before returning back up to the finish area. The woods in particular were very hilly and one part involved running up some steep leafy ridged steps! Thomas Grimes was first Man to finish for ELR in 13th place, followed by John Henry (23rd) and Billy Rayner (58th). For the Women, Kasia Stachowiak ran well to finish in 36th place, with Chloe Millan not far behind (41st), followed by Maud Hodson (55th).

Mince Pies Revenge Duathlon, Velopark - Sunday 12th January 2020

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Splits above are for the 2 mile run, 10 mile cycle and 1 mile run.

Met League Race 3 - Ally Pally - Saturday 11th January 2020

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 11th January 2020

Run Through QEOP 10km - Saturday 11th January 2020

Country to Capital Ultra 43 miles (69.2 km) - Saturday 11th January 2020

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I finally got time to sit down and write the report. Sorry, very long...but also was the race.
First, I want to explain why and how I enter the race. I've been just over 2 years in the club and I never ever have thought about running an Ultra...when you join a club like ELR you quickly get inspired by others. I could see the amazing achievements that people like Maud, Nath, Karen were doing...and I really admired their craziness. I started thinking about running an ultra, but it wasn't until a read a book a friend of mine gave me (The rise of the ultra runners ,from Adharanan Finn) that I made the decision. Months went buy and the idea of an Ultra was still in my head. I had a couple of problems: my husband will kill me and...which one?you need lots of preparation and I didn't want to plan anything close to spring marathons (already Boston and London. 6 days apart seemed crazy enough ). It was mid November and I found Country to Capital, was in January and we were going away in hot Australia 3 weeks during Christmas. I thought... perfect!, I have no time to prepare it properly so my husband can not complain I'm doing too much running...and to make sure he did not complain I simply mentioned "a race" and forgot the word ultra.. He finally found out just before Christmas...and we are still together..
I was still feeling quiet fit since Chicago Marathon and I had just done PB in 10k. My plan was to increase a bit the mileage but don't get too crazy as I didn't have much time and didn't want to get injured.
I started doubling some long runs on Wednesday and increasing a bit the long run on Sunday. The rest no much changes apart for few sessions at the gym for strength.
Australia was very hot indeed, but even like that I manage to do some good training. I had a warning with my R Achilles tendon and R metatarsals for around a week but manage to solve it relatively quick and I just stopped running for 3-4 days. The metatarsals still hurting a bit until race day but didn't seem serious enough.
Race day approaching anf I'm getting really nervous. Reminded me to when I run my first marathon. I was worried to get lost, I couldn't download the map to my watch so I finally manage to do it in an running app 2 days before. On Friday night I took a train to Wendover. I manage to find an Airbnb to spend the night...5km away. Arrived to the station and decided to walk to the place, a nice way to relax a bit your legs before the race...I thought... obviously not thinking straight. I arrive to the Airbnb around 22:45, had a shower, prepared everything and went to sleep. I was tired and slept like a baby until 6am. I had bough lots of bars, gels, gummies, dry fruit.. like I was going to war...I had to do a big selection and carry just few things with me.
In the morning I took my heavy bag and walk another 5 km to the Start. Yes!, I just walk 5km before an ultra...i should probably add it on Strava . lesson learned: next time book things earlier so I can be close to the start.
I arrived to the Shoulder of Mouton, a lovely pub that was getting full already with runners. Grab my BIB number, my Geo tracker and had to go back as they had put female. When I told them they had already changed it. Good to know I don't look like a woman ;).
Had a coffee and went to the porta loos they put at the carpark. In the queue I notice the woman in front of me placing a kind of tracker on her wrist...I asked her what was that. She looked at me a bit surprised and said that was the tracker and I that I needed one. I though with the Geotracker was enough tracking!, But not!, I needed that one on my wrist to tap (like an oyster card) at each aid station. I thank her and we had a lovely chat while in the queue. I felt lost and very inexperienced but she reassured me and gave me few tips and wished me luck.
Race starts from the pub and follows the high street downhill until you find a gate and everyone has to stop and queue to get through. I started around the middle of the 385 runners and got a bit stuck at the gate there but not for long. Gradually I started passing runners. I wasn't counting, I was trying to find my pace and kept passing groups until we arrive to a hill. I was with a group of 8-10 runners and other groups not far behind. At the top of the hill I couldn't see anyone in front so I asked one of the runners how many people they were in front and how far...he said we are the lead.that was Sage who won the race. I got a bit panicky thinking that maybe I should have gone much slower, but I was feeling great at that pace. We were chatting a bit and it was less caos than at the back, also these guys knew the course as they had run it before. Carla Molinaro was the only female in our group. She mentioned she also knew the trails part of the course because she had been there preparing the race few weeks before.
The first half of the race is mostly trails, part of the Ridgeway, Britain's oldest road. Lots of gates that slow you down a bit (not a bad thing), as we were a small group we didn't have to wait more than a few seconds. I struggle to open few so after that I step back and let the others do it to don't slow us down. Why there are so many different types?... navigation was harder than I thought and I felt so lucky to have those really experience people around me. Plan: stuck with them until the Canal where navigation is easy.
Suddenly 1st aid station. There is a big group of people waiting. Tap the tracker on the monitor. Lots of clapping, quick drink and I have a mixture of feelings. On one hand excitement for being in the leading group and in the other I feel I don't belong there. What the hell I'm doing?. But I erase that from my head. Let's stick to the plan. I'm feeling good, love the pace we are running at, and I just need to stick with them until the Canal. Jon, James, Sage,me and Marocain guy that join us before the 2nd aid station (casually mentioned he had done the Marathon du Sable...), Amazing views, lots and lots of mud. Happy I had my new trail shoes and they behave brilliantly until my shoe laces came undone. Had to stop and sort it out. The group took around 200 meters advantage, but that's the good thing about this races... there's time to chase them down. It took me around 15 Min to rejoin the group. Maybe due to that extra effort my quads started complaining a bit like cramps were on their way...that worried me a bit. We arrive to a little town and after crossing another trail section we finally arrive to the M25. After confirming, Jon shouts, you are in London!that's was exciting!!:):)but it will still take us a while to get to the Canal. At the beginning of the canal Sage and James push a little bit more and take some advantage overJon and I that stick together. I know if I try to increase the pace I will start having cramps and there is still a long way to go. 5km into the canal is the next aid station. We've done a marathon and from here I'm an Ultra-runner...I think for myself yeayyy. Jon quickly grabed something to drink and carry on. I spend a bit longer as I need to fuel properly if I wanna make it to the end. He takes few hundred meters. Now I'm on my own. The canal is very very very long. I had been eating little and often, same with drinking and taking my salt capsules every 10k aprox. Somewhere halfway between station 3 and 4 I nearly tripped while looking for the signs to Paddington(only place in the canal where you can really get lost)and my leg started cramping. Stop for stretching and seemed to ease eventually. I need to be careful if I wanna make it to Little Venice. From here I got into a trance...my legs seemed better and my pace is not bad at all. I pass James that is struggling with some cramps. I feel his suffering and I'm glad I did not follow them. I'm 3rd now!! I can see shadows, runners giving me chase but when I look properly no one is there...my mind playing tricks...Aid station 4. I can't believe I'm still going and still on 3rd position!.
I ran out of water and I ask the volunteers to help me fill up the bag I've got in my back. In the meantime I eat, drink...I'm exhausted, broken, my legs feel like 2 pieces of hard wood. Suddenly in the distance I can see Carla coming strong. I've been taking too much time in the last 2 stations, I need to harry up if I don't wanna loose the podium. The volunteer says 4 miles until next station and then 6 to the end.
I just keep going, putting one foot after another. This part of the race is very monotonous, the little bridges are very hard on the legs at this stage. I get to the aid station 5 and I'm still 3rd. Carla still chasing me not far behind...I can't see how far so it seems I took more advantage. To help me keep going I promise myself some walking in the last 2-3 km if I don't stop until then.
The final 2 km they are 2 of the slowest as after looking back and making sure no one was following close enough I treat myself with a bit of walking. A bit more running an before I expect it, the finish line was there!..I nearly miss it as I was running on the parallel path to avoid people.
I was given my medal, trophy and some vouchers. Sage and Jon were already relaxing. I congratulate them and thank them for the navigation skills. I couldn't believe I had finished 3rd, it seemed a bit surreal. At the finish line they have a tent with more snacks, bars, hot drinks...I had a coffee that was heaven and sat and got change. Funny enough I didn't wanted to be seating. I needed to walk!! Why?..not sure but my legs needed to keep moving to easy the pain.
After a walk and a hot chocolate we went home were I had a 2 hours hot bath with salts+ some nexflix. :)Since then I've been recovering much quicker than expected, but still hurts.
Will I run another one??...probably yes but not for a while...

East Hanningfield Trail Marathon - Sunday 5th January 2020

Organiser's Description
The East Hanningfield Trail Marathon is a narrative trail race (there are no marshals or arrows, you follow written instructions) following a circular route around the village of Danbury. The route is 95% off road on a wide variety of terrain. The race starts and finishes at The East Hanningfield Village Hall. There will be 3 well stocked checkpoints at approximately every 6.5miles. When you reach the finish you will receive a well earned medal and hot food.

Run Through Battersea Park 10km - Sunday 5th January 2020

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 4th January 2020

Essex Cross Country Championships, Basildon (Men) - Saturday 4th January 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Team scores: 226 men
19th ELR A Team 745 pts
Mike Reports.
This prestigious event produces a grand spectacle at the start, with the sight of hundreds of competitors running to the top of a very long, steep hill, before disappearing out of view. Chloe Millan 414th (out of 694) and Janet Bywater (541st) competed for the Women, who were two runners short of a full team. Thomas Grimes 258th (out of 1172), Billy Rayner (577th), Mark Moir (774th), Andrew Jackson (848th), Jacob Stevens (932nd), Regis Martin (1016th) and Peter Hatley (1135th) competed for the Men, with the first six scoring for the club.

Essex Cross Country Championships, Basildon (Ladies) - Saturday 4th January 2020

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Teams positions: 129 runners
9th ELR A Team
19th ELR B Team
24th ELR C Team

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 4th January 2020

Serpentine New Year 10km - Wednesday 1st January 2020

parkrun - all venues (except Wanstead & Valentines) - Wednesday 1st January 2020