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Results

Detroit Marathon, Michigan USA - Sunday 20th October 2019

Chiswick Half Marathon - Sunday 20th October 2019

Great South Run - Sunday 20th October 2019

Amsterdam Marathon - Sunday 20th October 2019

Sunday XC League - Event 1 - Cheshunt - Sunday 20th October 2019

Royal Parks 10km Series - Greenwich Park - Sunday 20th October 2019

Andrea Waller Race report. It was hilly. It hurt. We finished. We ate cake & got bling.

Herts Riverside Half Marathon - Sunday 20th October 2019

266 finishers
Race report: Herts Riverside half marathon (and 10k)
This is a wonderfully green and scenic race starting next to the white water rafting centre near Waltham Abbey. It's quite a small race and most people seemed to go for the 10k option, so it was quiet on the second lap with not much cheering (though the marshals were very encouraging). But the race made up for this with the river, beautiful willow trees, swans and even a fox running into the forest.
I wasn't that pleased with my time (ELR ladies will know it's uncomfortable running with period/lower back pain) but my friend Richard ran with me, which helped. (He's not yet an ELR member, but I'm working on it...). I was amused to see the other ELR running today was a whole hour quicker than us - well done Joe Gunn!

Amsterdam Half Marathon - Sunday 20th October 2019

Chelmsford Marathon - Sunday 20th October 2019

Asda Foundation Yorkshire Marathon - Sunday 20th October 2019

Yorkshire Marathon. Soooo tough - nothing to do with the course itself which was perfectly lovely, but after a bobbing along happily with the 4.30 pacer for the first 14 miles (well, that's the easy bit isn't it), I slowed down from there and really started to struggle. Maybe because I've not been well for the last couple of weeks (but thought I was over it) or maybe because I'd forgotten just how long marathons are. Big hats off to anyone who can do one without slowing down - that's unthinkable for me.
I was hoping for 4.30 or at least a PB (under 4.37), but missed both and made it in 4.41. Only 3 mins quicker than Chester last year even though the training had gone so much better.
Oh and to top it off, there was a huge downpour just after I crossed the line, meaning we arrived back at our friends' house thoroughly cold and wet. I've now had a bath and hot chocolate and am slowly starting to feel human again.
I guess I'll have to do another marathon to get that elusive PB, but certainly can't think about that today.

Sri Chimnoy 10km (Golden Leaf) - Saturday 19th October 2019

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 19th October 2019

Supernova 5m, QEOP - Friday 18th October 2019

Hatfield House 10km - Sunday 13th October 2019

Roman River Trails Marathon - Sunday 13th October 2019

Maud: Roman River Trails Marathon (Hare & Tortoise Running)
It isn't ideal to run a marathon the day after an XC race. But I'd already signed up for this one before the Met League equalised their races - and then I really wanted to run their first race too. I didn't feel I could take it too easy yesterday as I was represented my 2nd claim club, Woodford Green with Essex Ladies, for the first time, and wanted to give a decent account of myself.
So I was a bit apprehensive about todays marathon. I haven't run 26 miles since July, and had struggled on my (solitary) training run.
The race starts and finishes by the Layer Marney Tower, described on Wikipedia as the 'apotheosis of the Tudor gatehouse'.
The terrain was a bit of everything - some proper mud, massive puddles, grass, gravel & a few short bits of road. And hills, of course. Trail races are rarely flat. The marathon course is two laps the HM, which presents the considerable psychological challenge of crossing the finish line, watching other runners getting their medals, and then heading out for another two hours plus.
As soon as I started I could feel yesterday's effort in my legs - the uphills were a real struggle. It was going to be a tough day in the office. I had slowed down by the middle of the race, but I just had to accept that that was how things were. And once I stopped worrying about my pace the miles started to pass more quickly. And then I started to feel stronger again. And began to overtake a few people. I enjoyed the second half of the race much more than the first even the the conditions were tougher - the wind was brutal at times, the rain came in and the trails were getting more churned up.
I finished in 4.31.55, 9th overall & 3rd woman out of 38 finishers (I had been 15th/4th at halfway). That's a time I'm very pleased with for a tough, muddy, hilly marathon with not much training and Claybury Park in my legs. I can still do it.
The medal is massive - way bigger than the ones the HM runners got. Worth going round again for. And for only the third time ever in all the many races I've done - a women's fit T shirt. Well played, Hare & Tortoise.

Eindhoven Marathon - Sunday 13th October 2019

Mike's Eindhoven Marathon Weekend Report.

This was my 4th year running the Eindhoven Marathon and this year I was accompanied by Mr Kirk Johnson. We flew out very early on the Saturday Morning and had arrived at the hotel by around 10.00am. As the Manageress and some of the staff know me by now, we were allowed to check in to our room straight away instead of waiting until 3.00pm. We had the remainder of the day to collect our race numbers, eat and then try to get some rest. After a mostly sleepless night, (do not ask). we rose and had a hearty breakfast. The forecast for the race day was a sunny 22c so it was definitely a vest and not tee shirt weather. We left the hotel at around 8 minutes before the start of the race - Kirk in a panic as he did not realise that the start was 2 minutes around the corner! (Where have you been - you know the start time!) We wished each other Luck and went to our start pens. I began at a fairly relaxed pace, but very early on started to cough up phlegm. I had a chesty cold and cough after a week and a half and it still had not gone away. (I tried cough sweets, medicine, paracetamol in the days before)! At 5k I was feeling uncomfortable and aching and at 10k I was very fatigued. It was not a case of starting off too fast because even if I had, it would not have affected my body so badly at only 5k and 10k distance. It then went through my mind - do I stop and pull out now and save myself from the physical suffering later on? No, I cannot give up, I must carry on and see how I feel at half way. Another runner approached me and asked if I was ok, after another coughing episode. I said I'm fine and carried on. At half way I was feeling absolutely shattered and would have gladly stopped there and then! However I said to myself, you have already run half, try and keep going for another 13 or so miles. At this stage I was determined to finish just to collect a medal and record a time, even if it was 5 or 6 hours! Somehow I managed to keep to a very slow jog (and I mean SLOW) and did not walk except briefly a couple of times at water stations. The aching pains in my legs were almost unbearable and counting down from 21k - well it felt like an eternity. I was disappointed when the pacemakers overtook me (what would have happened if I had started with the pacemakers? - I don't think it would have made much difference on Sunday). After much sweat and toil I made it to the town centre where the crowds gather with around a mile to the finish and start calling out your name, for encouragement. I crossed the finish line in sub 4.20 still in disbelief at what had happened. I then collected my medal and went to get it engraved. If it had been a smaller Marathon event in England, say Halstead or similar, then I would have pulled out half way. But I could not let myself down and give up in Eindhoven! I had googled running with colds and it said it's fine if the cold is above the shoulders, but not if it is on the chest. In hindsight I probably should not have run. I walked back to the Hotel and eventually Kirk returned. He was completely shattered as well and suffered badly with the heat. It did not affect me too much - it was hotter in Eindhoven last year. Kirk was pleased with his time, as he had targeted 5.15 and we later found his chip time to be 5.22.

Monday morning we came down from breakfast. The girl in reception handed me my finish certificate that they had printed out - amazing! Kirk then asked for one, so they printed his out as well. As our flight back to Stansted was late (9.00pm) the Manageress let us keep our room until we went home in the evening. We spent the afternoon taking a 20 minute bus ride to Nuenen, which is a small picturesque village where Vincent Van Gogh lived for a couple of years. Although the museum was closed on a Monday, we were able to walk around a part of the Van Gogh trail. This involved boards and listening posts in the streets. We saw some of the sights, including the small church that Van Gogh painted where his father was parson of the church. Also the house that he painted where his parents lived. We returned to the hotel room to listen to 'Vincent' by Don McLean! A nice end to a weekend away, even though the race was a big let down for me. Finally, as the noted Mr Johnson - a man of wise words - remarked; " you did your best on the day and that's enough! Here's Looking forward as always to the next one!

Eindhoven Jumbo 10km - Sunday 13th October 2019

Run The River 10km, Edmonton - Sunday 13th October 2019

Victoria Park 10km - Sunday 13th October 2019

Virgin Sport Oxford Half Marathon - Sunday 13th October 2019

Royal Parks Half Marathon - Sunday 13th October 2019

Anna Dingle: Royal Parks Half completed. Really enjoyed this half despite the very muddy conditions in the event village. Lots of twists and turns but I like running in Hyde Park so I enjoyed that very much. Fortunately the rain held off too. Super chuffed with my time today. I have not had the best of running year's this year for a multitude of reasons. I set myself a target of 2hrs 30 mins today after running Bristol Half a month ago. Surprised myself to finish in 2.23:48. I am over the moon. Still a fair way off my best but it's progress and I ran all the way.
My favourite sign of the day at 5km was 'Kipchoge is already in the pub!' And thank you Jimmy Dale for meeting up in the morning. It was nice to chat and dust off the pre race nerves.

Bank Of America Chicago Marathon - Sunday 13th October 2019

Ciaran Canavan - A day that deserves a race report.
Chicago 2019 was always going to be different. My injury woes for the last 18 months have been stubborn, ongoing, recurrent, persistent and non resolving. Plantar Fasciitis that required physio, an air boot, offloading on crutches, shockwave therapy, cortisone injections, surgery and more physio. At the start of May I was staring down the barrel of the gun in the aftermath of the surgery and I honestly believed the chance of lining up at the starting line of the Chicago marathon today was somewhere between zero and none!
Then came August, and I had just started running, so I decided to embark on a 9 week "nought" to "marathon" plan. I was realistic that this was little less from perfect, but this my reality and so times were second to my primary goal. Chicago would mark my 6th Marathon Major, and I'd achieve the accolade of joining the illustrious six star marathon majors finishers club. Yet 6 days into this 9 week plan my life turned upside down through a dramatic and unexpected twist, being the sudden loss of my mum. My rose tinted Chicago Marathon glasses turned a very dark grey, and the world as I knew it crumbled apart.
So, my 9 week plan turned to 6, and thereafter Chicago here I come. I somehow managed to get from Naught to 35k in training, but no smart training in the form of hill, speedwork, fartkek or tempo. As I lined up today in pen A, I felt like a fraud, like I was chancing my arm, and that I didn't belong in the corral I had been assigned. But here I was, and this was my day to shine.
I've been on this 6 star finishers challenge since I completed the London marathon for the first time in 2009 (when it was just 5 Stars), and it accelerated thereafter when I ran New York, Berlin and Tokyo in 2013, 2014 and 2017. Now I had only Boston and Chicago to go. Entry for these a breeze, as I had guaranteed time entry, so I planed these for 2018, and 2019.
Those who recall, Boston was horrendous weather wise in 2018, and thereafter my injuries exploded, bringing me back to the start of this report.
For today, Sub 3.30 was my "A" goal. 3.30 to 4 hours was my "B" goal, and a walking finish in under 6.5 hours was my "C" goal. To my surprise, I managed keep on target of the sub 3.30 pace up to 30k, but thereafter the lack of base training, speedwork and endurance training raised its ugly head. Things began hurting, and hurting bad. My plan was to reach 40k and to walk the last 2.2k. That didn't work. I got to 38k and I gave in. Time to walk. Then I got a shout from behind, "come on London" 6 stars, Congratulations, and about my 100th fist pump of the day, as I had a bib on my back declaring to the world my 6 Star goal for today. And so I began to run again. SLOW, sore, reminiscing, sobbing, asking mum to help me. These 4K were a painful challenge both mentally and phyically. I continued to get slower, though not as slow as walking and I crossed the line in 3.35.36. An aggregate 6 World Marathon Majors time of just under 18 hours and 6 minutes. Average marathon time across the majors, 3:01. I'm sore, I'm gobsmacked at what I achieved today, and I'm elated with my World Marathon Majors achievement. In the face of adversity I did as best as I could today, and I was pretty chuffed with that. Oh, and the bragging rights with my 6 finishers medal is pretty cool stuff.
One last thought, as I lined up at the start of corral A today someone I was chatting too suggested I needed a new challenge now, before continuing to tell me how they had just completed "Comrades" this year. Hm, I thought to myself, I've never been to South Africa. But please don't hold me to this though! Next on the agenda is a little more recovery.


Jose : Chicago marathon race report:(sorry a bit long..)
Chicago was my 7th marathon and my 3rd major! I did not manage to follow any training plans and my overall weekly mileage didn't increased as I wanted due to work, holidays,etc but the positive is that I still manage to avoid injuries.
My main problem during the marathons is always the cramps and I've been trying to find the cause. I sweat a lot and loose lots of salts and I believe that's the main reason, together with the relative low weekly mileage.
I didn't manage to sort out the second so for this race I was ready to take more salt tablets!.
I met Ciaran and Lance at the expo on Friday where Ciaran had to take a group photo for completing the 6th major marathon.
Saturday morning went for a run that turned out a bit longer than desire as I got a bit lost, but I took it easy. I got a bit shock with the temperature drop..3C, and windy...a little bit of panic regarding possible finish time but mostly what to wear...
Went to the centre for a bit of tourism, buy a warmer jacket and met Ciaran and Lance for lunch/dinner at an Italian restaurant...I end up going back to the apartment with a sore throat due to the cold and wind(hate that combination)...and I started taking cold tablets(something that I hate specially before races). I did not sleep much blowing my nose for the whole night +nerves...woke up had my porridge and head to the train.
Not as many people as in London, where the trains are packet with runners, and few people with mental health issues causing trouble in the train (very common here I found....), I arrive to Grant Park for the race. From here, bag drop, toilet visit, a little warm up...all nice and easy.(the scanned you with metal detectors for fear to terrorism). I was in wave 1, A which is after the disable and elite runners. I took me few km to feel comfortable the the pace ( impossible to take as GPS doesn't work well in between the big buildings, tunnels...then I found myself with a nice group of runners. I realized we were going a bit too fast (3:45 average), but I was feeling comfortable and decided to forget about perfect race with negative splits and stay with them thinking that if cramps start at the end (as in every marathon I run),I will have some extra Min. I made sure that I was taking my salt tablets and drinking in nearly every water station as is all in paper cups and I end up spilling gatored in my own face few times.if you mix that with the salt accumulating in my face...I end up having something similar to a expoliating mask .Around km 35 again my legs started wanting to cramp but I manage to keep it under control slowing down a bit the pace. I was shock to see so many women still running around me at that pace( women here are very fast!!). Then at just 1 km from the finish line my right quad started cramping and made me stop, twice, not for long and with some stretching it allow me to run again. I arrive to the 400m to go mark and looking at my watch I realized I will have to do the last 400m in 1 min...so it did not happen, but I'm very happy with my 2:45:35 and nearly 6 Min PB again...so I can not feel disappointed because.. that's the best I've ever done.
Now relax few days in Canada visiting friends.

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 12th October 2019

Morag : Did Lyme Park parkrun in Cheshire, it’s a beautiful course but
VERY hilly! I started walking not even 100 m in as it starts you have to run up
a steep hill, my slowest parkrun ever but so good after a tough few days to just
concentrate on where to put my feet and not fall!

Run Through Victoria Park 10km - Saturday 12th October 2019

Met League series - Event 1 Claybury Park - Saturday 12th October 2019

Maud: You wouldn't necessarily think of running up and down hills
in the rain and the mud as a joyful occasion, but this afternoon I really
felt that it was.
I ran for the first time in the Met League, representing my new 2nd claim
club, Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies.
Until this season this was one of those events where the women's race was
shorter than the men’s. The member clubs voted to equalise the races for
a trial season, and as we stood on the start and the race director told
us that we would be running three laps, a cheer went up.
Just like at the Essex champs back in January, it is such a pleasure to
take part in events which have made the switch to equality.

Autumn 100 (Centurion) - Saturday 12th October 2019

Earth, Sea & Fire Triathlon, Dubrovnik (Olympic Distance) - Saturday 12th October 2019

Run Through Chase The Moon 10km, QEOP - Wednesday 9th October 2019

Ironman Barcelona - Sunday 6th October 2019

Swim 1.03.53
T 1 8.32
Cycle 5.38.10
T 2 9.50
Run 4.46.20

Giffordtown 5km, Fife - Sunday 6th October 2019

MBNA Chester Marathon - Sunday 6th October 2019

SPLITS SCOTT 10K 42.24 20K 1.24.54/42.30 30K 2.07.41/42.46 40K 2.52.07/44.26
SPLITS Lawrence 10k 52.53 20k 1.44.56/52.03 30k 2.37.51/52.54 40k 3.27.00/59.08

Scott McMillan: Chester Marathon: 3:01:55, a PB by well over 5 minutes and a
“Good For Age” time. Was on for sub 3 hours at 20 miles, but the last 10k was hard, hilly,
windy and rainy - I’m really happy to have hung on for this time.
You can see from the splits where they put the hills on this course (and, today, the wind
and the rain!). Very happy to be taking a big PB home with me.

Lawrence: Very happy to achieve a 3:51:13 debut time wearing ELR top & in memory
of my recently departed auntie Helen. Sadly couldn't find Scott at start, but did see him
flying in the opposite direction at the turnaround.
He did an amazing time on a TOUGH course. Donato's 3:08 was also outstanding

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon - Sunday 6th October 2019

Halfway: Arthur 2.10.45 , Alexandra 2.15.11

Loch Ness marathon race report (I don't know how to make them short):
So so much relief, The preparation for this marathon has been more than sub-optimal, Having lost a lot of my running form after Manchester (still no real idea why), I continued running as frequently as I could but with only a few runs over 14-15 miles only a part from Spitfire and the Essex way relay, Adding the lack of sleep of the 3 last weeks and having been sick with food poisoning last week (starting to be an Autumn marathon tradition), this could only go wrong ,Despite coach Grant repeating me that I will be OK!
I had no expectations about a time, I was merely hoping I could finish, I kept avoiding thinking about it, focusing on the fact that I would be in lovely Scotland and that this in itself would be fantastic,
Start of the race, my friend Diarmuid from Ilford and I met Arthur at 7.00am to take a bus to the end of the Loch Ness, gorgeous drive, but got in idea of the elevation . We arrived at 8.45am , it was terribly windy and rainy up there with no shelter, The queue to the loos was so insane that I only manage to reach it at 9.57am for a start at 10.00am (they seemed to have been overwhelmed by the increased number of runners), running to the start, I just managed to find Arthur for a selfie start.
We started together, trying to make sure that we wouldn't go too fast from the start which was tempting with all the long downhills and sharp uphills , Not too give too many details, but my stomach was starting to behave badly at around mile 6 and I knew I would have to stop soon, Arthur was already going a bit too fast for me so I let him go' After a toilet stop, I felt better but I was only mile 9 and so anxious that I would break at some points After mile 10, the route was a bit flatter and I kept steady' I did the half in 2h13, I knew that the second part was more hilly and that I would slow down
The landscape was absolutely stunning, the weather got better and better as we were running and twice, I could hear the waves on the border of the lake, I closed my eyes and tried to calm my anxiety.
Mile 16: 10 miles to go, I was starting to be more confident , Just a Sunday social to go,Then, mile 19, sharp pain in my quadriceps, almost like I had something moving under my muscle, never felt something like that, could it be an injury? no,no,no, can't be an injury that's it , I will have to give up and DNF my first marathon, no, no, this can't be I am massaging it on the side of the road and it seems to have gone away I am restarting, it feels ok, catching up with 3 German runners who passed me earlier, there are so many nationalities around, apparently 45 in total this year Mile 20, 21 , not long to go, my pace is getting slower and slower but still reasonable, under 5 hours which wouldn't be too bad, really !
Then, stomach pain again really, this is getting ridiculous, Another stop, get it together ,so many voices in my head, but I see a lot of people struggling even more than I do, mostly young people You need a lot of life experience to be able to handle the pain and the doubts of a marathon.
But, I am getting there 'miles after miles, the sharp pain again mile 24, I massage it while running, now pretty sure it's just a cramp' It goes away again and finally, it's there: Mile 25 , we are on the other side of the river I can see the other runners on the other side of the bridge, trying to see if Arthur is among them' the cramp comes back just before the bridge, last walk, oh what's that restaurant? Could be nice for tonight, totally random thoughts! Finally, the last 500 yards, a row of spectators encouraging the runners, shouting my name as they see it on my vest and I see the finish line as the speaker mentions ELR. As you can see on the picture, I felt a huge relief and joy to finish my 5th marathon in 2 years in 4h49 mins which felt great…
The next 30 mins were all of a blur, got my unisex t-shirt , my medal, my goody bag, then stopped and cried for 10 mins , completely lost till someone picked me up and brought me to the food place Diarmuid and Arthur found me there and it was joy all over again.
Despite, the loos issues at the start, I would recommend this marathon to anyone who want to run an absolutely gorgeous course and is not ready yet for a trail one, It was extremely well organised and everyone has been extremely friendly and supportive. I will come back one day, better prepared
I guess at least I can say I did my long run for the Beachy Head marathon in

Wimpole Estate Half Marathon - Sunday 6th October 2019

A quite hilly off road route and I managed about 1 1/2 mins quicker
than last year despite a lot more mud & wet conditions.

Mornington Chasers Regents Park 10km - Sunday 6th October 2019

Southend 10km Classic inc Essex Championships - Sunday 6th October 2019

Royal Borough of Kingston Half - Sunday 6th October 2019

Cadiz XC League, Spain (8.5k approx) - Sunday 6th October 2019

Today was time to do something completely different to the type of races
I have been done recently, taking part in the first fixture of the XC league
in Cadiz. Berlin is already forgotten, and with my eyes on the Seville
Marathon in February, it was a good change to test if my legs were recovered
from the marathon training, with a very good level of athletes and an great
course. In the end, first overall, with the first 5K at 3:27/km and doing the
last 3.5K at 3:17/km. I felt very good today, but nothing like running at home
with friends from all the clubs.
Now time to recover some speed lost during the marathon training.

Livingstone XC (3.7km) - Saturday 5th October 2019

Saltmarsh 75m (Relay team) Spice Girls - Saturday 5th October 2019

The Spice Girls with Sonya Hurtado & Minna Orsimo 1st team , 4th overall in 8.28.40

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 5th October 2019

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 5th October 2019

Chingford League - Event 1 Hog Hill 5km, Redbridge Cycling Centre - Tuesday 1st October 2019

Team scores: Men A Team 3rd , B Team 3rd, Vets 5th,,Ladies A Team 4th, Vets 4th

Mike Reports. A total of 38 East London Runners' gathered at the top of Hog Hill, for the first of two Chingford League races around Redbridge Cycling Centre track. In driving rain and strong head wind conditions, the runners produced some fine performances around a very challenging hilly course. The Brown Brothers lead the club home in style in the Men's race; Euan finishing in 1st place with a time of 16.40, followed by Patrick whose time of 17.14 saw him take 4th place. Billy Rayner was 33rd in a time of 19.16. In the Women's competition, Ellie Wilkinson was first back for the club in 21.52 which was good enough for a top ten finish; closely followed by Caroline Frith in 15th (22.15) and Becky Evans in 23rd (22.43). There were a lot of other very good individual times recorded, with some runners making their Chingford League debuts. Thanks to everyone who ran today, just two days after the Valentines Park 5k and also to Frank who turned up to support and take photographs on a dismal evening.

Jacob Reports. As mentioned in the last newsletter, we have a new ELR Winter League competition, based on both participation and performance. Here are the rankings after the first Chingford League race. Since there has only been one race so far, everyone has a participation score of 100%, so it is essentially an age-graded performance ranking at the moment. Things will get more interesting after the next race.

ELR Winter League Rankings After 1 Event.

**Women**

*Name - Part. Perf. Score*

1. Becky Evans - 100 131 112

2. Caroline Frith - 100 121 108

3. Fiona Day - 100 119 108

4. Ellie Wilkinson - 100 118 107

5. Maud Hodson - 100 114 106

6= Lauren Kelly - 100 107 103

6= Chloe Millan - 100 107 103

8. Kasia Stachowiak - 100 106 103

9. Katie Whitton - 100 105 102

10. Sarah Burns - 100 103 101

11. Filipa Soares - 100 102 101

12. Claire Emery - 100 101 100

13. Cat Hoult - 100 100 100

14. Carolyn Edwards - 100 99 100

15. Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera - 100 91 97

16. Anna Dingle - 100 85 94

17. Maya Goodwin - 100 83 93

**Men**

*Name - Part. Perf. Score*

1. Euan Brown - 100 136 115

2. Calvin Bobin - 100 132 113

3. Patrick Brown - 100 132 113

4. Warren Ibrahim - 100 124 110

5. Billy Rayner - 100 118 107

6. Jacob Stevens - 100 116 106

7. Peter Hatley - 100 112 105

8. Michael Wilson - 100 111 104

9. Nick Clarke - 100 110 104

10. Mark Moir - 100 109 104

11. Lance Fuller - 100 109 104

12. Andrew Howard - 100 106 102

13. Ciaran Canavan - 100 104 102

14. Emmet Fitzgibbon - 100 102 101

15. Karan Gadhia - 100 101 101

16. Ford Cadiogan - 100 100 100

17. Mounir Dahbi - 100 99 100

18. Alex Jameson - 100 97 99

19. Arthur Diaz - 100 94 98

20. Cathal Lynch - 100 92 97

21. Mark Durrant - 100 89 95

**Scoring Method - Summary**

For each runner, we calculate a participation score and a performance score. The participation score is the percentage of Chingford and Sunday XC League races that the runner has taken part in. The performance score is calculated by taking the runner’s time for each race, applying a gender/age adjustment (similar to parkrun age grading) and then comparing that to the median time of all runners in the race (24:15 for this Hog Hill race); this is then averaged over the races they took part in. The overall score is a weighted average of the two scores: 60% of participation score plus 40% of performance score.

**Scoring Method - Details**

For anyone interested in the details, the scores are calculated as follows:

*Time *= Runner's race time

*CatFactor *= Conversion factor from gender/age category standard to mid-point between SM & SF standards - see below.

*AdjTime *= *Time ** *CatFactor*

*MedianTime* = Median time of all runners in race (all clubs, all categories)

*RacePerfScore *= *MedianTime */ *AdjTime ** 100

*PerfScore *= Mean *RacePerfScore *for runner over season

*PartScore *= (Number of races attended by runner) / (Total number of races) * 100

*Score *= *PerfScore ** 40% + *PartScore ** 60%

Category factors are calculated using WMA age factors and male/female 5 mile road race records (similar to the data used for parkrun age grading). The factors used for the 5y Chingford League categories are as follows:

SM 1.0676 SW 0.9404

M40 1.0076 W40 0.9017

M45 0.9690 W45 0.8630

M50 0.9304 W50 0.8156

M55 0.8917 W55 0.7674

M60 0.8531 W60 0.7192

Folkstone Half Marathon - Sunday 29th September 2019

Bishops Stortford 10m - Sunday 29th September 2019

Yes was quite brutal battling against the elements. Run mostly over
farm land so was quite exposed and very muddy. Good fun though!

Supersports 10m, International Race Series, Race 4 of 5, Korat, Thailand - Sunday 29th September 2019

Start time: 4am local time.

Elvis 8 - East London Runners Valentines Charity 5km - Sunday 29th September 2019

Race Awards for ELR
3rd lady : Ava Lee
1st FV50 : Karen Levison
2nd man : Liviu Ionita
Ladies Team: 1st (Ava, Karen & Caroline Frith)

Elvis teams: SCORERS
Men: Liviu, Jose Rodriquez, Stuart Kelly, Scott McMillan, Fabrizio Stefanoni and James Wilson. 2nd place
Ladies: Ava, Karen, Caroline, Becky Evans, Lauren Kelly and Katie Whitton. 1st place.

Elvis Series final placings
Ladies:
2nd place overall: Karen Levison
1st V50 award: Becky Evans
Ladies Team: 1st place - East London Runners.
Men:
3rd man: Liviu Ionita

Ladies: (* all 8 events)
2nd Karen Levison 1st V5O 26pts
7th Becky Evans 2nd V50 95pts
10th Katie Whitton* 129pts
12th Maud Hodson* 3rd V40 144pts
14th Andrea Waller* 5th V40 200pts
21st Catriona Hoult 7th V40 282pts
22nd Carolyn Edwards 283pts
27th Bernadett Kalmar 9th V40 344pts
28th Mary Connolly 9th V50 349pts
33rd Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera* 11th V40 409pts
35th Caroline Moore* 11th V50 422pts
38th Helen McGuinness* 13th V40 444pts
46th Diana Rexhepaj 12th V50 521pts
50th Maya Goodwin 21st V40 650pts
51st Kathy Morrissey 22nd V40 663pts
55th Alice Barrett 722pts

Men:
3rd Liviu Ionita 20pts
4th Jose Rodriquez 22pts
9th Scott McMillan 3rd V40 112pts
10th John Booth 118 pts
15th Danny Lee 5th V40 177pts
21st James Nichols 217pts
23rd Mark Moir 245pts
25th Peter Craik* 7th V40 278pts
32nd Warren Ibrahim 8th V40 324pts
34th Craig Livermore 329pts
35th Jacob Stevens* 10th V40 331pts
38th Michael Bamford* 5th V50 379pts
39th Jimmy Dale 383pts
51st Grant Conway* 8th V50 519pts
68th Stuart Barton 22nd V40 732pts

57 Ladies completed the 6 of 8 races (16 ELR) and 16 did all 8 events (5 ELR).
88 Men completed the 6 of 8 races (15 ELR) and 19 did all 8 events (4 ELR).

Elvis 8 - East London Runners Valentines Volunteers - Sunday 29th September 2019

Pam Bennett & Miranda Thompson - Entries on the day
Pam Bennett also Cake Stall
Rebecca (tailwalker from val parkrun) - Fun run
Ian Liardet - marshall

BMW Berlin Marathon - Sunday 29th September 2019

Shahib Ali reports: Berlin Marathon 2019 - initially dry but cloudy then gave way to a persistent light drizzle, which progressively got heavier, otherwise unblemished running conditions; no congestion of note, flat course and wide roads, so no excuses at all. 3.34:20 - on the positive course record for me and my fastest autumn marathon time. However, like the Great North Run 3 weeks ago, left with more questions than answers. In isolation happy enough with the times, amongst my fastest over HM and marathons, however, during both races could not sustain the early pace and withered towards the end. Had lots of cramps today, multiple stops to do stretches, scratching my mind for reasons. Likely a combination of setting off too fast, overestimating my fitness, lack of mileage in the legs, inadequate lifestyle behaviour in relation to diet and rest and simple not good enough on the day. I've had previous scars with marathons, which I have well and truly addressed, and in a way it's great to have more challenges to attempt to find answers to going forward. I will likely take a sabbatical from marathons, allow Samia Choudhury to train for her spring marathon, difficult with two young kids for both parents to be training, and focus myself on shorter distances and try and get certain times over those disciplines before thinking of embarking on marathons again.
Well done to all the East London Runners who took part in Elvis, Berlin, Warsaw and all the other races.

James Nichols Berlin race report (the long read...)
Marathon number ten for me and Berlin had been on the to-do list for a while so I had been looking forward to it ever since completing number nine in Rotterdam six months ago.
That race in April had been a huge personal breakthrough over the marathon distance with the seven minute personal best of 3:14 being above expectation. I had struggled in previous Autumn marathons but I now had a training plan that proved it could deliver results.
Over the summer I was a bit slow to get going with it, perhaps over concentrating on shorter distance races, but the last 6-7 weeks went swimmingly and I nailed some quality long runs so I arrived in Berlin perhaps slightly undercooked but feeling confident that I could go close to that PB.
The Saturday morning parkrun felt necessary to loosen the limbs and ease any nerves while catching up with club mates and I was we rested by race day morning, although woke up a lot earlier than planned. It was the most relaxed I had ever felt on a marathon morning and I was careful to resist many of the temptations on offer at the hotel breakfast buffet.
I met up with Carlton, Jonathan and Andy to walk the couple of miles to the start, and (for then at least) conditions felt great for running - cool and slightly spitting but a downpour was forecast for later in the morning. My start time was 10 minutes later than the gun and walking over to the pen I bumped into Shahib. I climbed the barrier as those early starters cleared the space, took my jacket off and despite expecting to be held back was able to nonchalantly stroll over the starting mat, so no time to get nervous!
I eased through the first 20k or so - perhaps too easy. Despite some frustration at other runners cutting into corners or across me to get to the magic blue "fastest route" line that was marked on to the road, I was happy enough with the start but even at that stage I didn't feel quite right. No panic though and I started to speed up slightly from 10 miles onwards for the business part of the race, getting to halfway in 1:38. This was a minute down on target but with that sub-3:14 still a possibility. They were my best miles, I passed Carlton but was struggling. It was too early to feel tired and another 80 minutes at that pace felt a long way off.
Sure enough from about mile 16 onwards my pace slowed by 20 seconds a mile, then 30 seconds a mile, then 40. I adjusted expectations - a PB was now out of the question but a very respectable 2nd fastest marathon of sub-3:20 was a possibility if I could keep the nagging doubts and increasing tiredness away and chug along at the current pace. By now the weather had turned and it was throwing it down. My race number was disintegrating and despite knowing Berlin well I wasn't taking in the sights and the crowd as I usually do at marathons. In short, I simply wasn't enjoying it.
Through 20 miles and my pace slowed further. I had nothing left and Carlton came past me this time. I started reaching for anything that would get me through and have race over and done with; There were some strange drink offerings on the refreshment stands and having avoided them all race I now sampled all sorts! At 40k, with even sub 3:20 now gone, having battled away I finally cracked and slowed to a walk only for a runner to shout at me "zwei kilometer, come on!" He was right and so immediately I resumed the slow but steady jog instead, all the way to the Brandenburg Gate (the only sight I did take in and savour) and the extra 400m (1 lap of the track! That was my distance measurement of choice throughout that painful last 5k) to the finish line.
Completed in just over 3:24. Relief rather than the sense of euphoria usually felt in the finish area, instead I was soaking and shivering and just wanted to get out of there into somewhere warm and dry. Perhaps 15 minutes of sulking until I got talking to others - known and unknown - and soon perked up. Any marathon is an achievement and I learned a lot in this one.
What went wrong? It's difficult to say for sure but the shortened training block probably did catch up with me in the end, and my form throughout the summer has generally been slightly below par. Perhaps I didn't allow enough recovery from the busy and successful spring. I don't think I've quite nailed a taper yet either, and on race day itself I might revisit my race nutrition strategy for next time.
There are positives though as well. My best time in an autumn marathon, when I have always struggled, and the fastest of the 3 majors I have done (just 3 stars left to get!). I also battled really well through adversity at the end there which I can hopefully draw upon next time in the closing stages when I hope to be more positive and less tired. Overall a great weekend, congratulations to all the other ELRs who competed and shared the experience with me.

Warsaw Marathon - Sunday 29th September 2019

Ealing Half Marathon - Sunday 29th September 2019

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 28th September 2019

Ragnar White Cliffs Relay - Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd September 2019

Ragnar White Cliffs Relay race report (21-22 Sep):

Arthur Diaz, Cathal Lynch and I, along with five other friends and colleagues, took part in this 170-mile day & night relay around the coast from North Kent to Brighton. This is the third year I've done this event, but the first time with other ELR members. The course consists of 30 legs, ranging from 3 to 9 miles. In a standard team of 10 everyone runs 3 legs each, but since we were two runners short, three people (including Arthur and Cathal) did 4 legs, and I did 6 (39 miles total).

After preparations including allocating legs, hiring a couple of minibuses (nice to have the space), and a run+pub team get-together, we were on our way to Sittingbourne on Saturday for our 11am start. The weather was perfect, and after a couple of inland legs we were running along the coastal paths of North Kent - leg 4 (my second) had some lovely scenery near Herne Bay. At Margate, the four of us in the first minibus had a couple of hours for a pub dinner while the other half of the team did their bit, and then we were back running again. By this time it was close to dusk, which meant two things: mandatory night safety gear (head torch, reflective vest etc.) and insects. Huge swarms of tiny black flies surrounded the marshes south of Sandwich: luckily they didn't bite, but I swallowed a fair few and got loads in my eyes; I wondered why the locals in the next town of Deal were giving me strange looks until I realised my face was covered with the dead critters. Soon we were looking out over the cliffs down to the port of Dover - much more attractive at night - where a little twist was to have one runner go down the steep and narrow tunnel to the Samphire Hoe nature reserve (on artificial land left over from the Channel Tunnel construction), only to have the next person run all the way back up again; thankfully I had the 'down' leg.

Ragnar White Cliffs Relay - Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd September 2019

Ragnar White Cliffs Relay race report (21-22 Sep):

Once we'd handed over the baton to the other half of the team again, it was time to catch some sleep at Camber. Some of us put down our sleeping bags in the marquee while others slept in the minibus; while I think we all got a little kip, it could hardly be described as a good night's sleep. For a start, it was less than 3 hours before we had to get ready to run again. My next leg - past the town of Rye where I grew up - was at 3am and a challenge (it was flat, but I think anything would be challenging at that time of night). Arthur did the one after that, which was one of the toughest - nearly 9 miles along a track, then a narrow sea wall that's awkward for running, and finally up a steep hill to Fairlight. While Cathal was running the next leg along the Hastings seafront (another long one), the rest of us had a nice view of the sunrise at Bexhill, and after a few more legs we were in Eastbourne. By this time the weather had turned, but it was only showers - much better than the continuous downpours we had last year.

The final ELR run was Arthur's extra leg up to Beachy Head - this could have turned into a much longer run for him had we not noticed on the tracking app that he'd gone the wrong way! The runners in the other minibus had the last bit over the Seven Sisters - a stunning leg which I ran last year - and then on to Brighton, so we drove ahead and had plenty of time for a proper breakfast at a lovely cafe: scrambled eggs and sausages on toast never tasted so good! We waited at the finish for our final runner to arrive, and the whole team ran the last 100m together for a group finish. The official results haven't yet been published, but we finished in about 26.5 hours, which hopefully places us in the top third.

All in all, a really good event: well-organised, with the right balance of running and logistics, long enough to be a challenge but not so demanding that you want to give up - and most importantly, suitable for a wide range of abilities due to the different leg lengths. I might organise a team again next year if there is sufficient interest, and I'd like to try their new trail relay in the Forest of Dean in June (expect a post from me about that event soon).

Results are out, we finished in 26.36.51, and came 40th team out of 109.

Arthur Diaz: Great race report Captain! You've done a tremendous effort in
not just running double legs but also organising and planning the whole team event.
Plus, driving us everywhere too when you are not running. Kudos to you mate!
Thanks again for inviting me join such an unforgettable experience.
Proud to be an ELR Ragnarian and Feet of Endurance member!

Muslim Charity 5km, Victoria Park - Sunday 22nd September 2019

436 finishers

Weymouth Half Ironman 70.3 - Sunday 22nd September 2019

Our Danny Wong completed his first Half Ironman 70.3 at Weymouth today in 7 hrs 13 mins!
Incredible! Swim was cut short to 950m due to horrendous conditions!
Who's up for the next 70.3 ELR trip?

35.08 , 9.05, 3.44.49, 7.30, 2.37.27 = 7.13.57

Loire Valley 20km - Sunday 22nd September 2019

Loire Valley 10km - Sunday 22nd September 2019

Llyn Alwen Trail (11.5km) - Sunday 22nd September 2019

A few pics from the Llyn Alwen Trail race I did this morning. A lovely, low-key event of around 7 miles in stunning scenery - just what I needed after a few disappointing runs recently. I thought it might be reasonably flat as it was a loop around the lake, but in fact there was over 700ft of ascent, although the panoramic views at the top of the biggest climb made it feel worthwhile. We totally lucked out with the weather too - after a warm sunny day yesterday (even in Snowdonia) it was forecast to rain all morning today, but it had stopped before we set off for the race, and didn't start again until we were back in the car (when it tipped it down). There was also a canicross race starting 10 minutes after the main race, so lots of gorgeous doggos for me to schmooze.

Simplyhealth Great East Run - Sunday 22nd September 2019

Run Through Goodwood 20m - Sunday 22nd September 2019

Catriona reports: Nick Hoult and I got very wet and rather dizzy
this morning doing a 20 miler (8 and a bit laps) of Goodwood Motor Circuit
in the rain.
It's a long way to go, but a well-organised Run Through race and there
aren't that many 20 mile races in at this time of year. The main positives
I'm feeling now are: Nick only lapped me once, I was 13 minutes quicker
than last year and we've definitely deserved roast potatoes and apple crumble
for dinner.
Oh and according to Don Bennett, I was second in my age category, but that
might have been out of two, so I won't get too excited!

Scottish Half Marathon - Sunday 22nd September 2019

Scottish Half - 1:36:52 pb
Really enjoyed my first trip to Scotland - did sightseeing in Edinburgh
yesterday and had a great race today!
I spent most of the race wondering where the support was (even the
marshals weren't cheering!) until I got to the finish in Musselburgh
racecourse in front of a packed stand of spectators. It's a flat course
Really happy with my time - a PB of 4:29 from the Big Half in March this
year and 11:24 quicker than the Ealing half this time last year.
Well done to everyone else who ran/swam this weekend!

Run Through Olympic Park 5km - Saturday 21st September 2019

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 21st September 2019

Run Through Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 21st September 2019

Children with Cancer UK Swim Serpentine 1 mile - - Saturday 21st September 2019

Children with Cancer UK Swim Serpentine 2 mile - - Saturday 21st September 2019

Richmond Half Marathon - Sunday 15th September 2019

Jessica reports: It's all about the scenery. That has been my mantra all week. Because - other than the flat, pretty route - things weren't looking good for me and the Richmond half.
The first problem was transport. With the overground and west London tubes out of action, I struggled to find a sensible route from E11. The second thing was the 26°C forecast. Don't get me wrong, I love sunny days. But they're for Pimms and gardens and bbqs. Not long runs.
Thankfully, there are yins to these yangs. NO HILLS is the big one (the Richmond half advertises itself as London's flattest course). It's also absolutely friggin' beautiful. I mean proper stunning. The course goes through Kew Gardens, past the palm house and the temple. It runs along the canal tow path, by Richmond bridge and Teddington lock, through Richmond deer park, and past Ham House. That's a whole lotta pretty.
It's not always easy though. The tow paths are narrow. A stretch through woodland gave shade glorious shade - but also unstable paths. I saw a few people tumble.
I got distracted by T-shirts. At one point I found myself staring at a group wearing a logo of the soles of two shoes - one with ears to look like a cat and the other with a halo. I decided they must be fundraising for a cat rescue centre. I later found out the 'cat' was a devil and the runners belonged to 'heaven and hell running club'.
All-in-all, the Richmond half was a smaller, friendly event. It started with a shaky voice nervously asking 'GO?' to the general confusion (and then laughter) of the crowd. There weren't many pacers - and the ones I did see had an A6 card on a stick indicating their time; you had to be right on top of them to read it. The route was really well-marshalled and signposted though. So despite the heat, my lack of training and my initial grumpiness, the route was so beautiful I was quickly won round.
Like I say, this one was all about the scenery.

Richmond Marathon - Sunday 15th September 2019

Great Bristol Half Marathon - Sunday 15th September 2019

Maya reports: Bristol Half. Right, so I still loved it. But SO much slower. I was going great guns till 8 miles, but I was thirstier than the Sahara and at 8 miles I downed a bottle of water. Rookie mistake that I paid for immediately, as it sloshed about inside me making me feel sick as soon as I started running again.
So I ran walked from then on to come in at 2:38. Not the best time, but the sun shone all its Bristol Love right into me. And then I ate the best ice cream in the WORLD.

Anna reports: Bristol Half all week I had been saying I wasn't going to run and I would support Maya Goodwin, Nicky and Emma. But all week in the back of my mind there was part of me that felt that my various injuries would hold up. So on Saturday morning I packed my running stuff and decided to try and run it. I have never started a race not knowing if I would finish. I had some good advice from Louise Taylor too on run walk ratios which helped to convince me I could do it.
Bristol didn't disappoint. It's a lovely race with flat bits, ups and down. It is well supported by the folks of the city. I smiled a lot and I laughed going round and I cried as I was finishing. There was a wall of sound from supporters on the last mile which made it all the more easier. Also having my brother there to support me was a lovely thing too. He loved shouting 'come on East
London' in the way that we would all shout it!
Time wise - I had only set myself the bronze target, which was to start and see if I could finish. And I managed it! 30 mins off my best but it's progress and has given me back a little self belief.
As for Bristol, I will hopefully be back next year as you were great!

Mao 5m, Menorca - Sunday 15th September 2019

'5/10 milles Mao'. Opted for the 5 when I saw the hills!!! Did it in
48.34 official time, 48.28 chip time. Also managed to be second in my
category i.e. F 45-55. Next year I might win some cheese as the prize
for the 5 miles was 5 kg Menorca cheese but 10 kg for 10 mile winners!
It'd be really good if a few more ELRs did it and we could do the
10miles next year . It's the first time I've been here hoping for bad
weather and got it. Though it was something like 25-28 degrees still.

Harvest Trail, Royston - Sunday 15th September 2019

126 finishers.

Pleshey & Essex Half Marathon - Sunday 15th September 2019

Jubilee Hall Trust Run For Life Trail 5km - Saturday 14th September 2019

Season Finale Sprint Triathlon - Lake Dorney - Saturday 14th September 2019

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

750m swim , t1, 21.1k cycle, t2, 5k run
17.58, 3.35, 37.03, 2.01, 19.56 = 1.20.32

28th overall (of 105)
8th vet (of 46)
2nd VM45 (of 9)
2nd overall on the run leg (of 105)

For a few years I'd been thinking about trying a triathlon. The first obvious issue was that I'm far from being a good swimmer, although I can probably swim long distances without stopping, but certainly not at fast pace. So as soon as I targeted a September debut I also signed up to a set of one-to-one swimming lessons to improve technique and, ultimately, time. Everything else, I thought, was good enough for me to have a good go - apart from having to purchase a lot of gear (gosh, this sport is expensive!!!).
The choice fell onto the Dorney Lake Season Finale, organised by Human Race - a sort of RunThrough for running and non-running events. Because of the long swim leg I was reluctant to try the olympic distance, therefore I opted for the sprint: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run. Apart from making sure the bike fitted in my puny car, I didn't need any special preparation for the day - unless you consider two different outfits and footwear, towel, gels, flip flops, food, ELR top (for the photos), swimming gear, water, ....
Being my first time I had no reference point to say whether or not I was doing good: 106 started in two separate waves - kids and semi-vets (35+) - only one DNF. Proper vets (40+) were 46. During the race I gave everything I had in each leg: the swim was not as fast as I had expected it, but not as slow as my last training sessions - just OK; I was 35th vet when I made my way on the saddle. On the bike I lost the two gels I had in my back pockets and started to consider the sad prospect of getting to the end with no extra sugars. However I pushed super hard, and gained positions.
By the time I was off on my trainers I had risen to 22nd vet position, but trying to switch to what should be a familiar running exercise proved hard, after the bike my legs were confused about the right thing to do. A couple of minutes later I was running fine: my watch reassured me about pace and I closed with a nice progression to close 8th vet and overall second on the run leg, behind the overall winner - a boy of 16.
Will I do it again? Most definitely, probably a couple of times a year, and maybe try the olympic distance once my swim becomes more decent. I reckon I can gain a few minutes on swim and bike, and cut time off the transitions too (almost 6 minutes in total, only 10 did worse).
I would recommend anyone to try tri: if you can't swim, it's a good opportunity to learn (it's an amazing cross-training activity), and most events in summer don't require a wetsuit; a Halfords bike works as good as a 3 grand carbon fibre model. It can be as expensive or cheap as you're prepared to make it.
I feel I should thank Danny and Jimmy for the useful tips, and everyone else who encouraged me on the way: another good story in this great 2019. Now back to more familiar territory: the last ELVIS is just around the corner, and a good performance - not just from me - is needed to complete our year with another smile.

Essex XC 10km Series - Weald Country Park - Saturday 14th September 2019

James Nichols: Did all 5 of this series and put a consistent set
of top 10 finishes together which was enough to receive the trophy for
2nd male overall.
Nice medal when you put all 5 together! Highly recommend these races even
if you can't make the full series, they take part in a lovely set of parks
which each offer their own challenges

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 14th September 2019

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Runthrough Chase the Sun Olympic Park 5K - Wednesday 11th September 2019

Runthrough Chase the Sun Olympic Park 10K - Wednesday 11th September 2019

Runthrough Grand Prix - Mercedes Benz World - 5K - Sunday 8th September 2019

New Forest Half Marathon - Sunday 8th September 2019

Langham 10km - Sunday 8th September 2019

Wandsworth 10km (not really 10k) - Sunday 8th September 2019

117 finishers. Course measured about 9.5k.

Bacchus Half Marathon - Sunday 8th September 2019

My second wine run! Gorgeous route, HORRID hills and lovely wine.

Great North Run Half Marathon - Sunday 8th September 2019

Ellie reports Awesome run up north today ! Such a great event ,
sorry not to be running in red today as we were supporting the National
Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) - we were representing at heart!
Lovely to see Shahib Ali at the start! Well done everyone X

Mark Moir The race plan came together at the #greatnorthrun
today and I did it in 1:27:15, an 80 second PB! I'm happy with the PB
and thank you to all of the runners and training partners at
#eastlondonrunners as well as my family and friends who've kept me
focussed on this race even during injury. Big shout out to @lvmoir too
on completing his first half marathon in 1:44. @ Great North Run

Jose reports: North Great Run half marathon this morning.
I wasn't expecting too much after indulging too much during the holidays
but I still manage around 2'20" Min PB in a non flat course. 10 km PB too
with 35'34". Very happy with results, doing last km in 3'16"!
And hand shake with the great Mo Farah at the end( he obviously finished
over 15 min before me)

Koblenz Marathon - Sunday 8th September 2019

New Forest Marathon - Sunday 8th September 2019

Woburn Abbey Tri - Woburner (Middle Distance) - Saturday 7th September 2019

1.9km swim, t1, 90km cycle, t2, 21.1km run
38.31 , 5.41, 3.25.49, 3.16, 1.54.11 = 6.07.47

Run Through Victoria Park Half Marathon - Saturday 7th September 2019

Run Through Victoria Park 10km - Saturday 7th September 2019

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10km - Saturday 7th September 2019

Valentines parkrun - ELR takeover - Saturday 7th September 2019

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

We are very grateful to the volunteers who made this event happen: Robert BATEY, Suzanne BENCH, Don BENNETT, Frank BROWNLIE, Grant CONWAY, Ed HOOKE, Sophia HOULT, Catriona HOULT, Bernadett KALMAR, Craig LIVERMORE, Juliet LOPEZ-REAL, Bella LOPEZ-REAL, Elizabeth O'DONNELL, Patricia O'NEILL, Lee RAND, Alexandra RUTISHAUSER-PERERA, Jacob STEVENS, Oliver SZABADI, Viktor F SZABADI, Anna SZABADI

parkrun - all venues (except Valentines) - Saturday 7th September 2019

Crown To Crown 5km, Basildon - Wednesday 4th September 2019

WG&EL Open Meeting - Tuesday 3rd September 2019

Essex Way 2019 - Sunday 1st September 2019

Results shown for Team-Leg Position (eg 17-1 45th)
STAGE 1 EPPING - CHIPPING ONGAR 7.5 miles 8am
STAGE 2 CHIPPING ONGAR - GOOD EASTER 9.5 miles 9am
STAGE 3 GOOD EASTER - LITTLE LEIGHS 9.5 miles 10.15am
STAGE 4 LITTLE LEIGHS - CRESSING 10.1 miles 11.30am
STAGE 5 CRESSING - GREAT TEY 9.4 miles 12.45pm
STAGE 6 GREAT TEY - WEST BERGHOLT 5.7 miles 2pm
STAGE 7 WEST BERGHOLT - DEDHAM 11.2 miles 2.40pm
STAGE 8 DEDHAM - BRADFIELD 8.0 miles 4.15pm
STAGE 9 BRADFIELD - RAMSAY 5.3 miles 5.15pm
STAGE 10 RAMSAY - HARWICH LIGHTHOUSE 5.5 miles 6pm

81 teams, 53 mixed, 18 ladies, 10 vets
ELR 1 - Team 17 - 27th mixed, 43rd overall
ELR 2 - Team 18 - 29th mixed, 45th overall
ELR 3 - Team 19 - 33rd mixed, 51st overall

Grant : Good morning. Well done to everyone with their running and racing over the weekend.
Many thanks to Jonathan and all those who were involved with the organisation, helped with driving, logistics, numbers etc etc for the Essex Way yesterday. I was delighted to see that we fielded 3 teams. It really is a great event. I had lots of fun with Tricia and Susannah on leg 1!
Thanks to Frank for doing the scoring on leg 1 and getting us back to Epping.
I will try and do all the different legs on the Essex Way over the years to come as the ones I have done have all been really enjoyable to do so far. If you haven’t done it yet, it’s a great event which you can run at a pace you are comfortable with.

Alexandra: It has been 2 years since I wanted to participate to the Essex Way relay. A relay race of 82 miles from Epping to Harwich
divided in 10 legs across public footpaths offering a variety of landscape across the forest, rivers, cute British villages and the seaside...
I finally did, this year and it didn't disappoint...
I managed to run 2 legs ( 10.1 + 5.2 miles) with the best running club in the world and ended the day with Fish & Chips ...
Now I need to make sure I keep my first Sundays of September free from travels for the rest of my life...I am hooked !

Bedford Half Marathon - Sunday 1st September 2019

Race report:
At the start of July I saw that if you ran 2 races at the Bedford running festival you were eligible for a gold medal. I am partial to a medal and thought this would be my only chance of a gold, so signed up to the Saturday 5k and the half marathon on the Sunday. I planned to really train for this as it would only be my third half. This would also be my first race running solo with no supporters out there.
My social life, birthday and holidays then really got in the way of my training and summer celebrations took priority. I have then spent the last week debating whether to run or not as I wasn't feeling very confident or motivated.
I was up at 6am to drive to Bedford to complete the 5k yesterday. When my alarm went off I admired Stuart for doing this weekly for a parkrun. I took the 5k at a steady pace and took in the beautiful views, at the end I struggled and became extremely nervous for today.
I hardly slept and was very tempted to drop out this morning due to my nerves and make believe injuries. I got myself to the start line and was greeted by some East End Road Runners, they asked if I wanted to walk up to their 1 hour and a half wave with them but as I realised I would be an hour slower I politely declined. Seeing a local vest gave me the boost I needed.
The first 7 miles were actually enjoyable, with a flat course and lovely weather. The other runners were so friendly. After 7 miles I started to struggle so for the first time ever I tried a gel, it was supposed to be vanilla cupcake flavour but I don't believe the person who made it had ever tried a vanilla cup cake.
I made it to 10 miles and knew I just needed to complete a park run distance and was feeling ok. The aim was just to finish but I looked at my watch and was surprised I was running faster the normal. When I got to 11.5 miles I felt very lonely and as it was the furthest part away from the running festival the support was minimal, one runner asked me how I was doing and if I was a professional as I had a club top on? I explained I was most definitely not a pro and signed up for 2 races all for a stupid medal, after chatting and running to 12 miles he pointed out I could get a PB, he offered to pace me as long as I got him a pint at the end which seemed a very good deal to me.
I really pushed the last mile and managed my PB as well as my gold medal. Although it was a challenge running with no familiar faces I am over the moon that I did and highly recommend the course.

Switzerland Marathon Light (Half) - Sunday 1st September 2019

Switzerland Marathon Light (half a marathon!)
Damn what a beautiful race! It had everything, except the bling, where was the bling?!
Beautiful mountains, lakes, buzzing atmosphere with some great people coming out to
cheer. The most deafening sound of cow bells through one section too. 2 hours zoomed
by so quickly, I never wanted a race to last longer than I did this much today! Pleased
with my time given my photo stops, crocked knee, walking breaks and little hills!
Sorry I didn't get a snap in my vest!

ITU World Triathlon Championships, Lausanne, Switzerland - Sunday 1st September 2019

Standard distance 1500m swim, t1, 40k cycle, t2, 10k run =
Ava - 33.41 , 2.43, 1.15.27, 2.00, 45.04 = 2.38.57
Sarah - 33.26, 3.06, 1.15.21, 2.37, 57.41 = 2.52.13

Sarah : Great day's racing with friends, fellow countrywomen/men and the
rest of the world. Time to lay off the running until the foots better but
it got me round today. As Team USA would say AWESOME!

South Cheshire 20m - Sunday 1st September 2019

South Cheshire 20 - 2:28:43. Good prep for Berlin, route passing through a
set of villages on country roads with a fair few hills thrown in.
Nice local running clubs vibe to it and a decent goody bag provided at the end

Takeley 10km - Sunday 1st September 2019

Regents Park 10km Summer Series - Sunday 1st September 2019

Thank you Steve Bywater for giving me your place in the Race Organiser Summer Series 10k in Regents Park!
I met Jayne Browne and Andrea Waller at 8am to travel in together.
'So is it two or three laps?'
'It was three last time we did it'
'Yeah, me too. Did you see the camels?'
'Er. No. There aren't camels in Hyde Park'
Wait. WHAT?? And now we are underground Frantic Googling at every tube stop showed there were two identical races today, in two different parks! A selfie on the tube and we split at Holborn.
I ran this race back in 2014 with Jo Bull and I hated it. Today I wasn't feeling it. But meeting Victoria Charlesworth before the start cheered us both up (despite our gloomy State of the Nation discussion walking to the start line)
Three laps looping round the park, a couple of nice Downs, and the corresponding Ups were gentle, which was nice. Joyful marshals and camels to look at as you ran past London Zoo. On the second lap the speedsters started lapping me. I yelled 'I know Susie Stannard!' to the back of a Spa Strider. I got a thumbs up On the third lap there was a right old hulabaloo at the zoo. It must have been feeding time.
1:05:12. Not a super speedy time, but I worked hard and didn't walk. (And I *am* still carrying holiday weight ) I was reminded of you all the way round Jo . Annie and Sheonaidh too. It seems so long ago. Jo, please can we do it again? Despite not feeling it, I found my groove and really enjoyed this morning. I'd love to run it with you again please, I promise not to moan this time

Royal Parks 10km Series - Hyde Park - Sunday 1st September 2019

Bedford Run Fest 5km - Saturday 31st August 2019

GRAWE Nocni Maraton, Zagreb - Saturday 31st August 2019

No PB to report but no injuries post run either. Although running in
32 degree heat and lack of sleep could easily been my excuse, I'm glad
I did this one with friends I've met last year during first marathon
in Lochness. The course was fairly flat, running in clay gravel with
two loops around Lake Bundek. Great marshaling, water stops, goodie bags,
entertainment and free beer at the finish makes it all worth it.
Next day was sightseeing on foot at the beautiful Old Town of Zagreb.
Official HM time 2:13:45
Finished 6th in my age group

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 31st August 2019

Phoenix Excalibur 8 - Saturday 31st August 2019

(Run as many 5.3 mile laps in 6 hours)

5k On The Rides : Week 3 - Wednesday 28th August 2019

95 finishers.

Go Tri Duathlon 87 - Tuesday 27th August 2019

2 mile run, 10 mile cycle, 2 mile run
14.05 = 28.45 = 14.01 = 56.52

Elvis 7 - Barking Road Runners 5km, Barking Park - Monday 26th August 2019

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

66 ELR's
Elvis teams:
Men: John Booth, Scott McMillan, Dan Senior, Fabrizio Stefanoni, Spencer Evans & Nathan Jones.= 3rd place
Women: Karen Levison, Caroline Frith, Becky Evans, Kasia Stachowiak, Maud Hodson & Alexandra Brown.= 3rd place.
ELR Women win the trophy for 2019. Men will be decided at Valentines.

Langostino Trail 17km - Sunday 25th August 2019

Today was time to compete in a very tough 17K-race on the beach in Sanlucar,
with high tide, which made it even harder. A lot of fast runner at the start,
in the middle of the build-up to Berlin, I didn't know how it would go.
It was very hard to run on the dried sand, and there was a lot of holes in
the wet one. Somehow I managed to keep the pace and after 12K could take the
lead and finish with a course record. Second win in 11 days, which makes me
feel confident for the marathon. The last test will be the Ciudad Real half
marathon before the Berlin marathon on 29th September.

Run Through Velopark 5km - Sunday 25th August 2019

Ridgeway Challenge 86 miles - Saturday 24th August 2019

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Ridgeway 86 Race Report
After the Spitfire Scramble, it all seemed like a such a good idea.
Following 9 months of solid training, I had the miles in my legs. Following a 100 miler, I knew I had the mental strength to doggedly keep going. 'May as well sign up for another ultra' I thought. 'A really pretty one!'
So I did.
Almost immediately following this decision, my form dropped dramatically.
Maybe I hadn't recovered. Maybe I was overtrained. Maybe a slight loss of focus or simply the hot and humid summer we're having. Whatever the cause, over the past month or so, I gained about a minute a mile relative to effort and couldn't keep my heart rate down.
So the thought of a hilly ultra out of form was pretty daunting, but then I saw the weather forecast. 28 degrees is hotter than most would choose to run in!
With all this in mind, I set off at 10am at the start of the Ridgeway, near Tring. The scenery was stunning, which in practical terms meant that there were a few hills to contend with. Initially it was a case but of energy preservation and not going off like an idiot. This wasn't easy to judge as my heart rate was through the roof and I was running at a speed that felt almost embarrassingly slow.
Initially, I found a few runners who were going at the same speed and stuck with them through checkpoint 1 (Tring running club - amazing cookies and brownies!) and felt ok considering the midday sun was high in the sky. Rehydration became the main priority and into checkpoint 2, I started struggling to keep up. Clearly a litre of water wasn't enough for 9 miles!
At around marathon distance (checkpoint 3) the group kept going as I was refilling bottles and I didn't mind the lack of company or hive mind navigation. It became apparent that I wasn't the only one struggling in the heat and as a I went on my way, another runner retired. I slowed down and tried to enjoy the scenery as best I could.
As the sun started to noticeably lower in the sky by checkpoint 4 (c.35 miles) running became more pleasant and I started to feel almost comfortable. Sure the front runners (who had set off two hours later) were streaming past, but I was running my own race. I made it to checkpoint 5 at half way in just under 10 hours and tucked into what felt like the best pasta I've ever had.At this point, I met Dan and Ali, who had pushed ahead earlier. With the prospect of a long night ahead of us, we agreed to go for safety in numbers and run together.
It is no underestimation to say that we got each other through the following 12 or so hours. Having others around broke up the monotony and although I felt like there were times I could have pushed on as others slowed, we all took turns at the front.
Through the night, we pushed straight on for mile after unrelenting mile up hill and down dale on some badly kept paths that were about as wide as a car tyre impossible to run along with a proper gait. We all stuck to the policy of walking up hill to save energy and it was amazing as time wore on through the small hours how small an incline had to be for us to walk up it. As time wore on, the walking passages became longer and towards the end we didn't get much change from 20 minutes per mile. If I'd wanted to dig further into the hurt locker, I perhaps could have shaved a little time, but not a great deal.
As the sun came up at around 6am, the expected euphoria didn't come this time. Perhaps the prospect of heat was enough of a worry not to feel the need to celebrate. Around half an hour later, I became grateful that the night had ended as the views around ten miles from the finish were spectacular and I didn't even begrudge the steep climb.
As expected, the last ten miles felt interminably slow as we shuffled along, unable to pick up the pace and get it over with.
As I crossed the line just after 9am in a little over 23 hours, I was hit with the realisation that with a lack of form and in ferocious heat on a really hilly trail, I could still grind out a distance to be proud of. Many didn't and I was told that there had been 67 retirement out of around 170 starters. The heat really was brutal.
Once I got home, I slept for a long time - so long that I missed England's cricketing heroics. I'd jokingly told Maud that I'd be at ELVIS in Barking Park on Monday morning and ended up turning up to see if I could actually run. Over that 5k, I managed a pace 2 minutes faster than my fastest ridgeway mile. I'm not sure which is the more remarkable achievement, all things considered!

I Cross Nocturna La Fuentecita - Saturday 24th August 2019

Racing in Andulacia: Note to myself:
Be very careful when super Antonio advise you a local race in Andalucia!!! You will end up running the hilliest, hottest, windiest race you have ever done and there will be kick ass runners all over you!
But it will also be within an amazing landscape with extremely supportive participants and excited organisers to see people from London!
Some of you know that my running has been quite off in the last few months... No idea why... And there was a time when it really affected me till I accepted that even if my (relative) speed would never come back; I was so lucky to be able to simply run as many of my friends don't have that chance right now...
That doesn't prevent me to continue trying so Antonio advised me some local races during my stay in the Cádiz region.
Luckily, Richard who is wandering around Spain for a few months was planning to visit me during that weekend so it was ideal to get a mini #ELRonTour event!
Stress was building up for both of us before the race as we knew how hilly it might be and also seeing about a 100 runners who looked as fit as Antonio on the start line...
All I wanted was trying to not be last if I could... Hearing the news about Dave a few hours before gave me the mental I needed to push thinking of him and how angry I am about cancer who keeps taking away from me and others some marvellous men who were making this world a better place!
So, off we went and the hills kept on giving but gosh was it beautiful... I ended up running with a group of 4 people for a while who were extremely supportive (including at walking the hills with me so I wouldn't feel bad ) ...but, well trained by Grant, i finally left them in my dust after 7 kilometers in one of the longest, steepest downhill I have ever ran in! #NoFear
It started to be really hard to run as I didn't have a head torch and it was now really dark. .. So a guy on a bicycle with his lamp followed me up and down till I reached the village back to make sure I had some lights... This was the sweetest thing ever...
As expected, my time was not what I would have liked but I enjoyed the race and that was the most important...
Richard loved the race as well and did a much better time considering the terrain, however due to the competition in his age category, he hasn't been as lucky as I have been with my 3rd place in my age category ( out of 4 but who is counting!)...
Now really looking forward to my next Spanish race in the North with Maud in November ( trying to gently encourage Richard to join us )!
#GotToBeInItToWinIt

The Great Escape 15.5m, Dartmoor - Saturday 24th August 2019

Run Through Greenwich Park 10km - Saturday 24th August 2019

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 24th August 2019

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

24/08/19
23:37 my fastest in a while,
Sloughbottom in Norwich although they say slow bottom, anyway, saying bottom is
always funny in my opinion. Plenty of parking and clean toilets. A very nice one
lap course starting at the pavilion you run around the football pitch then behind
the BMX track, then over a little bridge where you then run up and back along a
narrow path so you get to see all the fast people. A loop at the far end then back
past the BMX track and football pitch to the finish,
I was blessed with the weather today and I ran the 1st 1k with my friend Sharon.
This is my favorite Norwich one so far, only 4 left in Norfolk now.
Anyway, bottoms up. Stuart

5k On The Rides : Week 2 - Wednesday 21st August 2019

Phoenix Striders 5km Summer Series, One Tree Hill - Tuesday 20th August 2019

Bath Two Tunnels Marathon - Sunday 18th August 2019

Two Tunnels

A truly special race that not only takes in many of Bath's beautiful attractions but also has the longest underground sections of any running race in the UK!

Cutting right under the city of Bath, the two tunnels offer a truly unique running experience. The Somerset & Dorset Railway closed in 1966 and until April 2013 the tunnels have been sealed and inaccessible. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Two Tunnels Group and Sustrans over 7 years, the two tunnels now have a new lease of life as a shared use path. The first tunnel; The Devonshire Tunnel is 408m long and the second Combe Down Tunnel is 1672m long. Both tunnels are well lit and well surfaced, and have recently been converted into a shared use path for the enjoyments of runners, walkers and cyclists looking to make the most of the city whilst remaining a flatter ground.

Isle of Wight Half Marathon - Sunday 18th August 2019

Regents Park 10km - Sunday 18th August 2019

Maud Hodson Sometimes I frustrate the hell out of myself. Was feeling so down on myself I nearly walked off the course after one lap. Managed to keep going, but thought any chance of a decent time was out of the window. But in fact was a few seconds quicker than last week. I guess on the plus side, I've shown myself that I can run 49 on an off day. I'll get there - more to come if I can get my head in the right place. Nice little bonus was to finish as 3rd FV40.

Peter Craik Glad to do a better time in this park, after struggling to find energy last outing. A PB for me, and a big PB for Amit. Tricky three-lap course, with a lot of slow runners and walkers.



Amit Marks Good run this morning, lashing rain helped to get a PB. Well done Maud for sticking with it.
Closing in on that under 40 mins Peter, we're talking seconds.
Roll on next 10km.

Clacton Half Marathon - Sunday 18th August 2019

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

Clacton Half Marathon race report.
I should start off by saying I'm absolutely convinced I am having a mid-life crisis. Honest! Dr Google says I am. Over the last month or so I've felt incredibly down at times, my approach to swimming (which had been going really well) has been lack-lustre to say the least, even good news is short-lived. Running has also failed to fill a void I feel growing and whilst chuffed with my track work I'm down again by the time I get home from the session.
This has all really been since my birthday. It wasn't a significant one - 45 - but I've googled various sites and seem to have the majority of what they list, some sites have the top 10 symptoms of a mid-life crisis, one had 40 and I have the majority of them - one of them being "googling symptoms"!! I should point out I haven't made a ridiculous impulsive purchase yet nor do I have a ridiculously young boyfriend....yet.
So with this in mind my approach to this race had, well, been non-existent. I booked it a few months ago on the back of PB-euphoria for both 5 & 10ks. I then promptly forgot about it til last week. I'd done no training, my effort to cram in a 10 mile run a week ago really was pointless (although it was a really good time) and being uncharacteristically indecisive of late I thought I'd decide on the day if I'd run - all the makings of a good race plan obviously!!!
Up at 0530am I got ready really with little thought about the race - can you see the theme that I'm not really bothered?! Eventually I decided my plan would just be to run and finish. Simple. I felt settled about that. However my Zen was broken on the A12 when a pigeon decided to fly into my windscreen as I was driving at 70mph. Needless to say there was an explosion, him not me, guts and feathers everywhere but luckily my windscreen was in one piece. Although shaken I carried on however noticed the passenger of the van behind me now filming me on his phone. I had 100mph thoughts it was an animal rights activist going to hunt me down and do to me what I'd done to the bird! The van then pulled alongside me, window down the passenger took great delight in shouting at me that the carcass was stuck on my roof!! Now I felt sick! I eventually pulled over to the hard shoulder, dreading having to deal with the exploded mess but luckily as I slowed down in rolled off down my windscreen onto the floor - getting his own back by smearing the mess he'd already made! The roof bars had prevented it going over the top of my car. I checked for damage, nothing, but it did look just like I'd killed something. Having plenty of time I was able to stop at a petrol stn and hose the car down - I can only imagine the humiliation if the van occupants hadn't told me and I'd arrived at the race parading my kill to everyone!
So, having now set the scene for you I'll get onto the race report.
I arrived with over an hour to kill and managed to park on the promenade right at the finishline. I mean RIGHT at the finishline! No bag drop for me! I had time to visit the loo twice - you can tell it's a small event when you hear the announcement come blaring over the speakers that they've put a new batch of toilet rolls in the portaloos!! Brilliant.
I left all my paraphernalia in the car and lined up 5mins before the race. The day saw the 10km and half marathon taking place at the same time, I think with about 500 runners in total, so a small event. There had also been a kids race prior to this. I looked for Mark Boulton knowing he was running. I thought it would be easy as he's so tall but today must have been national tall runners day and I failed, along with feeling very short!
The race started promptly at 0930am and we were off. This really was a race of two halves.
First half; Not a cloud in the sky and soon into the race I'm struggling to see due to the sweat stinging my eyes. With the10km and half marathon races starting at the same time, no pacers or waves as it's a relatively small event, it means everyone is mixed up which was a little frustrating for some runners. The pathway was very narrow, lots of argy-bargy and someone got knocked down soon into the run. As the footpath opens up running is easier with the first 1.5miles being along the upper promenade. It's hot, very hot. And stuffy.
We then descend to the lower promenade....
to be met with a very strong headwind and piles of sand! The promenade was covered in places in about a foot depth of sand which stretched for quite some distance. Running was almost impossible for a lot of us and walking early on wasn't a great start to the race. Once the sand subsided (obviously it was all in our trainers by now) we had about another 3 miles along the front all head-on into the wind, which made it tough. We ran just past the pier, along the way we had lots of locals at various coffee huts cheering us on.
Beach yoga seemed to be popular - they were all facing the sea for a particular pose, which was rather unfortunate for us being greeted by a bunch of arses up in the air!!! I managed to see Mark Boulten as this was a 2 lap course - we shouted at each other as we ran in opposite directions- the hill from the lower to upper promenade at the turnaround point was a killer, short but STEEP!
Once back up top there was no wind at all and still hot and stuffy. We made our way past the start/finish to begin the 2nd lap. Up to this point, despite the headwind and sand dunes I was bang on for hitting my PB time of 2hrs12mins set 5 years ago. It felt good and I hoped it would continue. It didn't. Soon into the 2nd lap I stopped to stay with a runner for a few mins who was struggling to use her asthma inhaler due to coughing so much. We chatted a little, agreeing the heat wasn't good for either of us with our breathing and I made sure she was ok before I set off again.
As we descended onto the lower promenade for the 2nd time the race changed, The sky turned dark and completely grey and the heavens opened!! Competing with the sand dunes and headwind which was now stronger it was a tough run to the next turnaround point. I'd taken my wireless headphones anticipating a bit of a dull run but hadn't worn them...until now. I had to put them on to stop them from getting blown off my neck!
The rain lashed down heavier and it seemed forever to get to the turnaround, which for the 2nd lap was a lot further along the front by a Toby Carvery. The asthma lady obviously made a full recovery legging it past me, I'm sure she kicked up some sand on purpose!
At the turnaround point you know you've only got about 2 miles to go, but it seemed a looooong 2 miles with heavier rain and wind and I got cramp in my left calf - the same side as my Achilles problem. I've never had this before and it set me back on time. At this point my legs were tight and I'd known ages ago a PB was no longer on the cards, but to be honest I hadn't done the work and didn't deserve one. And surprisingly I was ok with that (see I'm really not myself!). What I was chuffed with was doing my good deed with the asthma-lady rather than being PB-focused and leaving her and also that I've been able to run 13miles with no training. Ordinarily I've have binned this race off with no prep and had a lie-in instead. Things are definately on the turn!
Upon approaching the home stretch it was clear any spectators had gone home or to the pub, with only the guy on the mic, 2 marshalls and the goody bag volunteers on the course to see us in. It was freezing, wet and desolate. Rather a whimper of a race-ending.
I obviously had the luxury of my car being at the finishline and it was a welcomed relief to get into the warm and dry.
The drive home was long due to traffic but I managed not to slaughter any more wildlife which is a bonus!
To sum up this race it was well organised but knowing there was an event I do think the local authority should have cleared the sand off the promenade before the race to make it easier.
It was mentally challenging for me, I struggle with laps and having a straight out and back route was also tough and a little uninspiring (see my Garmin pic). Two lots of this was hard. However with some prep and consistent good weather I'd say it's a PB course for anyone.
The wind and rain were extremely unfortunate and I didn't think anyone would believe me about the dramatic change in the 2 halves. I bet Mark was home and in the pub by the time it started raining and won't even know what I'm on about! Trying to explain why I'm sunburnt to my nephew was hard!
The medal is nice, goody bag not so. I can't remember what the entry fee was but it felt nice to support a smaller non-commercial event for once.
I've only got Beachy Head 10k to go in October and then nothing til Manchester Marathon in April. I've got some exciting times ahead with my swimming which I'm sure I'll get my mojo back for and I'm trying to come to terms with the fact I'm now middle-aged. However I'm in the market for a red convertible sports car and a boyfriend 15 years my junior. If you think you fit the bill for either or BOTH (save me having to do too much looking around!) You know where I am!!

Run The Lights 10km, Blackpool - Saturday 17th August 2019

Race The Train - Quarry - 10km, Tywyn, Wales - Saturday 17th August 2019

409 finishers, train time was 55.00.
Rotary Challenge (14 miles) 1.48.00.
Quarry Challenge (10k)
Dolgoch Challenge (5.5 miles)
Tynllwynhen Challenge (3.5 miles)

London Aquathlon Sprint - Saturday 17th August 2019

Dan 8.46, 2.21, 20.31 = 31.40
Kat 12.12, 1.48, 25.43 = 39.43
Isabella 8.11, 2.57, 31.17 = 42.27

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 17th August 2019

5k On The Rides : Week 1 - Wednesday 14th August 2019

Running Night Torunas 9km, Puerto de Santa Maraa - Wednesday 14th August 2019

Rock n Roll Dublin Half Marathon - Sunday 11th August 2019

Pictures available in Photo Gallery

(582nd of 5495 finishers, 15th of 314 M55 - 59)

Dublin Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon Weekend Report.
Dublin is such an amazing City with so much activity going on and plenty to see. I spent most of Saturday afternoon at the expo buying merchandise and then in the evening went to see Riverdance. Sunday Morning was quite cold but at least it was not raining. I had to leave the Hotel just after 7.00am as it was more than a mile to the event which started at 8.00am! I was too early for the main breakfast, but the hotel were kind enough to let me have some cereal at 6.30am in the morning!
At the race start there were once again pacers for 1.30 and 1.45 finish. At Hamburg I could not stay with the 1.45 pacer because of the heat. No problem this time, so I just went off at my own comfortable pace and eased into a 7.35 first mile. I seemed to be fighting a constant head wind all the time and hoped that this would not wear me down. I felt stronger as the race went on and I was averaging between 7.25 and 7.30 a mile. (Yes I had my phone in my hand Gareth!) The course was undulating to say the least, with Mile 8 and 12 being particularly difficult because of hills. However I felt strangely good right to the finish and managed a 7.26 last mile. The course was good (notwithstanding the hills) because there was plenty of space to run along the roads or the park paths, with only a few twists and turns. The finish was at Phoenix Park which was a long way from my Hotel; therefore I had to get a shuttle bus back to Heuston station and then a tram to O'Connell Street. My official time was 1.38.59 and it has been another successful and enjoyable weekend away.

Midnight Man/Woman Half Aquabike - Saturday 10th August 2019

750m swim, T1, 45k cycle, T2, 10km run
39.05, 1.37, - , - , 1.18.36 = 3.25.06

Stour Valley Path 100km - Saturday 10th August 2019

Phoenix One Run To Find Them Marathon - Saturday 10th August 2019

Thames Meander Marathon (trail) - Saturday 10th August 2019

Thames Meander Half Marathon (trail) - Saturday 10th August 2019

Essex XC 10km Series - Hadleigh Park - Saturday 10th August 2019

James Nichols: Anyone that has done the parkrun there or the
Benfleet 15 will know that what goes down must come up again. Brutal
enough without throwing the windy conditions into the mix as well

Pride Run 10km, Victoria Park - Saturday 10th August 2019

parkrun - all venues - Saturday 10th August 2019

Yateley 10km - Wednesday 7th August 2019

Chase The Sun 10km, QEOP - Wednesday 7th August 2019

dlr Bay 10km, Dublin - Monday 5th August 2019