Saturday February 19, 2011
Moonlight Challenge 2011
It rained all day and was still pouring down when the intrepid 82 started from an entry of 97. They set off into a cold, dark night for 32.75 miles of mud and puddles, lit only by their head torches and glowsticks.
The course, although relatively flat, was treacherous underfoot and just staying on ones feet was difficult and only got worse as the night wore on and there were a few tumbles but luckily, no injuries to talk off.
The Challenge (it’s not a race) was completed first by Chuck Cosman of Canada in a very good time, given the conditions, of 4hrs 39mins. He was followed by Harley Inder in 4hrs 47mins and then Olly Scott (the local boy) in 4hrs 55mins.
The ladies were led home by a second Canadian, Stephanie Case in 5hrs 14mins very closely followed by Scottish doctor Alison Campbell in 4hrs 20mins. The third lady home was Emiko Kawakami of Japan in 6hrs 45mins. A truly international field.
Dr Ed Coats who had accompanied Ben Fogle and James Cracknell on their Antarctic adventure (which was a featured TV documentary) also completed the challenge as part of his ‘30 at 30’ fund raising efforts. Well done everyone who took part. Maybe see you all next year.’
Photo: Chuck Cosman and Stephanie Case
Hope Rising Cross Country Run
The inaugural Hope Rising Cross Country run was held at the Avon Tyrell Youth Centre in Hampshire. The day started rainy and wet but by 8 o’clock the rain had stopped and although the sun did not appear, the weather was mild and an ideal day for this scenic run. Over 80 runners arrived and ran a track that was very wet, but this only added to the fun for some!!
The feedback from the runners was very positive. Comments were that the track was challenging, hard, very good, a real cross country course, and a real pleasure to run.
There were a few areas where the marshalling could have been better and these areas will be addressed for next year. The run was well organised and all runners received a medal as a memento and over 30 spot prizes were given away to those who remained for the presentation.
Many thanks to Chris Potter and his team for their invaluable advice, and help. Thanks to Avon Tyrell for a very good venue
Men's 5km results
| 1 |
John Sullivan |
31m 20s |
| 2 |
Mike Christopher |
|
| 3 |
Raphael Granisson |
|
Women's 5km results
| 1 |
Abi Cleary |
31m 51s |
| 2 |
Paula Kirk |
|
| 3 |
Sam McKenzie |
|
The 10 km race winners were as follows:
Men's 10km results
| 1 |
Judd Kirk |
45m57s |
| 2 |
Adam Basham |
|
| 3 |
Stuart Kershaw |
|
Women's 10km results
| 1 |
Caroline Horder |
62m11s |
| 2 |
Diane Buckley |
|
| 3 |
Marilyn Hunt |
|
Brueton Parkrun
In his 24th appearance, Andy MONEY (VM45-49) of Centurion RC won for the 2nd time in a time of 18:23. Andy LANE (VM40-44) took second by 14 seconds recording 18:37. Gavin DAVIES (VM45-49) of Centurion RC placed third in a time of 18:45.
Photo: Andy Money
In her 2nd appearance, Riina KUUSELO (SW30-34) won in a time of 19:53 for the 2nd time. Riina KUUSELO beat Amanda O'LEARY (VW40-44) representing Windle Valley Runners by just 6 seconds recording 19:59 in the process. Alison Jane TAYLOR, (VW40-44) placed third in a time of 23:06.
In today's Age Graded competition, Amanda O'LEARY recorded a performance of 77.23%
In the points competition Andy MONEY has a lead of 139 points over second placed Brett Daniel PATTEN. Hollie ROBERTS leads Vicky VOOGD by 49 in the ladies competition.
This week there were 4 first timers. 20 runners recorded PBs, bringing the total number since the Brueton started to 452. In this time, 507 runners from 47 different clubs have completed the race 1770 times covering a distance of 8850 kilometers. The male course record is held by Warren FREY who ran 15:11 on 30/10/10, event #15. The female equivalent is held by Rebecca L SMITH who ran 18:50 on 04/09/10, event #7.
Men's results
| 1 |
Andy MONEY |
Centurion RC |
18:23 |
| 2 |
Andy LANE |
Unattached |
18:37 |
| 3 |
Gavin DAVIES |
Centurion RC |
18:45 |
Women's results
| 1 |
Riina KUUSELO |
Unattached |
19:53 |
| 2 |
Amanda O'LEARY |
Windle Valley Runners |
19:59 |
| 3 |
Alison Jane TAYLOR |
Unattached |
23:06 |
Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series Stage 6 - South Devon
Now in its eighth year, the well established South Devon venue saw well over 800 people take on one of the four distances on offer 10km, Half, Marathon plus a new Ultra category.
Following a very wet week, Saturday was a blue sky and sunshine affair and the trails were buzzing all day long. The South West coastline always provides both breath taking views and climbs. The mud was also present with some challenging conditions underfoot. The 34 mile Ultra category proved very popular and demonstrated there is a growing appetite to go even further.
Endurancelife are grateful to the support from the residents of Beesands, also the CTS 2010-11 sponsors: Inov-8, Clif, and For Goodness Shakes.
The South Devon full results and photos are just a click away.
Coastal Trail Series Stage 7 - Pembrokeshire is 12.3.11
Men's 10k results
| 1 |
Anthony Vangasse |
00:54:13 |
| 2 |
Edward Johnston (MV40) |
00:56:29 |
| 3 |
Schalk Herselman |
00:57:17 |
Women's 10k results
| 1 |
Rosie Crowther |
01:02:06 |
| 2 |
Annie Parker |
01:05:27 |
| 3 |
Holly Duggan |
01:08:53 |
Men's Half Marathon results
| 1 |
Nick Malynn (MV40) |
01:39:48 |
| 2 |
Chris Gill |
01:43:19 |
| 3 |
Constandinos Michalakis |
01:45:09 |
Women's Half Marathon results
| 1 |
Jo Starr |
02:08:19 |
| 2 |
Catriona Archer (FV45) |
02:15:07 |
| 3 |
Angela Banks (FV45) |
02:15:19 |
Men's Marathon results
| 1 |
Andrew Siggers |
03:41:14 |
| 2 |
Vaughan Lindsay (MV45) |
03:59:44 |
| 3 |
Luke Sturgess-Durden |
04:01:11 |
Women's Marathon results
| 1 |
Jay Hairsine |
04:37:16 |
| 2 |
Annie Baumber |
04:44:07 |
| 3 |
Lizzie Bradshaw |
04:53:45 |
Men's Ultra results
| 1 |
Terry Conway |
04:43:23 |
| 2 |
Rob Burnham |
04:47:47 |
| 3 |
Tobias Mews |
05:13:53 |
Women's Ultra results
| 1 |
Diane Roy |
06:20:45 |
| 2 |
Sophie Gaskell |
06:26:17 |
| 3 |
Helen Bennet |
06:32:44 |
Sunday February 20, 2011
21st Brighton Half Marathon
The 21st edition of the Brighton Half Marathon proved to be a huge success, and the new flatter, faster route, mostly along the seafront, was a hit with all the runners. Thousands of spectators were lining the streets of Brighton & Hove to show their support and cheer on the runners, creating a real buzz and a great atmosphere. Lots of runners and spectators commented on how well organised and friendly the race was, which was completely sold out with 8,000 entries.
Photo:'Brighton Half 2011 start. Winner David Wardle with - very appropriately - race number 1
Both winners from last year, David Wardle, 35, from Hertfordshire and Fiona Powell, 29, from Brighton, were back to successfully defend their titles. Wardle finished in an impressive 1:06:22 with more than 2 minutes to spare over Ian Leitch from Brighton’s Phoenix AC. Ben Shearer from Cambridge Harriers was third in 1:10:10, closely followed by triathlete Todd Leckie in fourth place.
Powell from Brighton & Hove City AC crossed the finish line in 1:20:57, runner-up Helen Ewing finished in 1:22:45 with Samatha Alvarez from Hailsham Harriers coming third in 1:24:49 and Helen Buller fourth in 1:26:14. Powell, as well as hundreds of other runners, achieved a new personal best in Sunday’s race and were full of praise for the route and organisation.
Abdifatah Dhuhulow, a 29 year old amputee distance runner from London, also attracted lots of attention and respect from fellow runners and spectators alike after finishing in 66th position in 1:23:18.
Hundreds of young runners took part in the 1 mile Youth Races along Madeira Drive, with the Youth Race titles being taken by Issac Wright (5:02) and Nancy Jones (5:12) in the 8-11 age category and by Lucien Christofin (4:39) and Holly Beaton (5:11) in the 12-16 age category.
The Brighton Half Marathon organisers would like to say a big thank you to all the sponsors, partners, supporters, volunteers and everyone who took part and contributed to making the race such a fantastic and enjoyable event.
Men's results
| 1 |
David Wardle |
Woodford Green with Essex Ladies |
01:06:22 |
| 2 |
Ian Leitch |
Phoenix AC |
01:08:30 |
| 3 |
Ben Shearer |
Cambridge Harriers |
01:10:10 |
Women's results
| 1 |
Fioma Powell |
Brighton & Hove City AC |
01:20:58 |
| 2 |
Helen Ewing |
|
01:23:05 |
| 3 |
Samantha Alvarez |
Hailsham Harriers |
01:24:53 |
Please go to www.brightonhalfmarathon for the full results, photos and to register your interest for the 2012 race.
Central Lancashire 5K at Leverhulme Park
Bolton United Harriers & A.C. hosted the first race of the Central Lancashire Grand Prix series with a new 5K event. With nearly 300 entries, the race featured good representation from local clubs Burnden Road Runners, Horwich RMI and Astley & Tyldesley.
The race started on the athletics track at Leverhulme Park, Bolton, in bright but cold conditions. Taking in parkland trails and roads, the route featured a steep downhill section in the first kilometre, paid for with a tough uphill slog in the second. Bolton United Harriers’ Tony Valentine set a strong early pace, closely watched by his junior teammate, Tom Carson. The second half’s flattish terrain led to a dramatic turnabout in the race, as Bolton’s Marc Tillotson, returning after injury, took the lead with 400m to go. In the Grandstand setting of the athletics track, he powered to the finish line, winning in an impressive 15m 47s. Tony Valentine finished second in 16m 03s and Tom Carson third in 16m 19s. With Ian Bowles (4), Jonothan Kay (6) and Seamus Walker (8), Bolton had six finishers in the first 10 and won the men’s team prize. Astley & Tyldesley were second and Horwich RMI third.
In the women’s race, Astley & Tyldesley’s Bolton-based Maria Lowe led unchallenged from the start. Her winning time of 18m 57s was followed by Jo Goorney’s 19m 25s and Horwich RMI’s Suzanne Budgett in third (20m 05s). Astley & Tyldesley won the women’s team prize, with a strong performance by Burnden Road Runners placing them second to Bolton’s third.
The championship is already off to a flyer and the competing clubs will be looking ahead to series’ next race at Smithills Coaching House. The Trotters Five is being staged by Burnden Road Runners on Sunday 6th March.
Organiser Nick Howarth was pleased with morning’s events, adding “BUH&AC only joined the Grand Prix this season, so to have a turnout as high as this exceeded all our expectations. It bodes well for our Bolton 10K road race in April, which incorporates part of the 5K route.” The Bolton 10K takes place on Sunday 17th April and with 310 runners already entered, anyone interested in running is encouraged to enter early.
More information can be found at: www.bolton10k.co.uk.
Men's results
| 1 |
Marc Tillotson |
Bolton United Harriers |
00:15:47 |
| 2 |
Anthony Valentine |
Bolton United Harriers |
00:16:03 |
| 3 |
Tom Corson |
Bolton United Harriers |
00:16:19 |
Women's results
| 1 |
Maria Lowe |
Astley & Tyldesley RC |
00:18:57 |
| 2 |
Joanna Goorney |
Wesham Road Runners |
00:19:25 |
| 3 |
Suzanne Budgett |
Horwich RMI Harriers |
00:20:05 |
Men's age group results
|
MV 40
|
Paul Mannion |
A & T |
16.52 |
| MV45 |
Pater Chan |
A & T |
17.24 |
| MV 50 |
Steve Nolan |
Burnden RR |
17.34 |
| MV55 |
Ken Fowler |
Bolton UH |
19.46 |
| MV60 |
Evan Cook |
Blackburn H |
19.14 |
| MV 65+ |
Dave Waywell |
Wesham RR |
22.00 |
| MJ (U20) |
Tom Carson |
Bolton UH |
16.19 |
Women's age group results
|
FV35
|
Caroline Scholes |
Bolton UH |
20.26 |
| FV40 |
Joanna Goorney |
Wesham RR |
19.25 |
| FV45 |
Suzanne Budgett |
Horwich RMI |
20.05 |
| FV50 |
Anne Ferguson |
Burnden RR |
22.08 |
| FV55 |
Susan Catterall |
Northern Vets |
23.05 |
| FV60 |
Eileen Royle |
Radcliffe RC |
25.38 |
| FJ (U20) |
Emma Holden |
Unattached |
27.14 |
Full results online at www.ukresults.net
The Lactic Acid Test
On a cold & grey February morning 170+ runners lined up for the first event to be run by the newly formed ‘Kiwi Classic Events’ organisation, The Lactic Acid Test.
This is a new eight mile off road event with two significant climbs totalling 366mtrs & some outstanding views of the countryside & local towns. Towards the end there is a devilish drop before a more gentle descent back to the finish.
Staring in the Brushes Valley which is part of the Stalybridge Country Park, next to the race venue the Royal Oak pub, the runners start a steady climb along the well kept paths & out into the surrounding countryside passing through farms & woods, skirting the local reservoirs. After crossing a local access country lane the first real climb starts up towards the Harridge / Swineshaw Moor. This is a well trodden bridleway with the climb & descent taking the runners from the two mile point to half way. A drinks station awaits them as they descend and start to cross the dam between the higher & lower Swineshaw Reservoir.
Once over the dam the climbing begins again over Hollingworthall Moor. The climbing is a little more sedate but relentless, with many stiles & gates to pass through and quite boggy land in places. The reward is the trig point at the 6 mile mark and the views of the surrounding towns on three sides. They then need all their wits about them as the descent begins off the Trig point, which is marked with a ‘Triple X’ warning sign. Not for the faint hearted.
Once at the bottom they turn right and meet up with the path which they first set out on, back towards the farm & then the final 400mtrs back through the Country Park.
First Male Home was Gareth Raven of Sale Harriers in 54:21 from Rob Grantham, of Ellesmere Port RC in 55:42. The Ladies race was a very close affair with Kirsty Johnson(74:53) piping Jude Stansfield by two seconds, both from Glossopdale Harriers.
First Male team prize went to Glossopdale Harriers (Mark Ollerenshaw, Tom Jackson & Julien Minshull) who beat Pennine Fell Runners into second place. The Ladies prize went to Saddleworth Runners Club. (Nicky Snook, Jane Gleeson & Monica Gartside)
Men's results
| 1 |
Gareth Raven |
Sale Harriers Manchester |
00:54:21 |
| 2 |
Rob Grantham |
Ellesmere Port RC |
00:55:42 |
| 3 |
Vincent Van Woerkom |
Chester Triathlon Club |
00:56:11 |
Women's results
| 1 |
Kirsty Johnson |
Glossopdale Harriers |
01:14:53 |
| 2 |
Jude Stansfield |
Glossopdale Harriers |
01:14:55 |
| 3 |
Catherine Butler |
Unattached |
01:15:58 |
The full results can be found on the website; https://sites.google.com/site/kiwiclassicevents/
Hardwick X-Stream
Thomas Beedell proved the class of the field at Sunday’s Hardwick X-Stream cross-country race, held in the village of Hardwick, Buckinghamshire.
The annual 6-mile event is organised by Aylesbury’s Bearbrook Joggers and is considered a true cross country test as the course takes competitors through four water crossings, across ploughed fields, over grassland and along farm tracks.
Beedell, runner-up at last year’s corresponding fixture, went one better in 2011 as he controlled the race from start to finish. The Chiltern Harrier’s time of 35:17 was good enough to beat local challenger Charlie May into second place (35:34), while 2010 winner, Eddie O’Gorman was third in a time of 36:32.
In the battle for ladies honours, Connie MacMillan of Banbury Harriers beat her closet rival by almost a minute as she finished 32nd overall in a time of 43:35. MG Spalton put in a spirited performance to finish second in the ladies category and 40th overall. Her time of 44:32 was nearly two minutes faster than Tring Running Club’s Sarah Hill could manage in 59th place and third overall.
Sunday’s race marked the first time the 18th Hardwick X-Stream race had ever exceeded its 300-competitor limit. Of the 328 entries that were received, 307 competitors battled through the thick mud and icy water to cross the finish line.
Men's results
| 1 |
Thomas Beedell |
Chiltern Harriers |
35:17 |
| 2 |
Charlie May |
Vale of Aylesbury AC |
35:34 |
| 3 |
Eddie O’Gorman |
Chiltern Harriers |
36:32 |
Women's results
| 1 |
Connie MacMillan |
Banbury Harriers |
43:35 |
| 2 |
MG Spalton |
Belgrave |
44:32 |
| 3 |
Sarah Hill |
Tring Running Club |
46:24 |
The London Ultra 50k
Over 280 runners signed up for the 50km (31miles) ‘9bar London ULTRA’ - the third round of the ’9bar UK ULTRArace Championship’. In perfect running conditions (9°C), the field set off from Streatham Common on the Capital Ring trail that circumnavigates the Capital using a network of footpaths, parks and canals.
Race favourite, Martin Rea from Northern Ireland, and Craig Stewart quickly set the pace and led the elite runners from start to finish smashing the course record by 5 minutes. At Wembley it was great to see them finish side by side sharing the finishing glory. Third place went to Johannes Erixon from Sweden who had been up with the leaders until the last of the four checkpoints at 40km.
Our Ladies’ race went to Claire Walton who finished comfortably and looks to be a name to watch in future running events in the UK. Second place went to our great friend Penny Matkin who had a great run surpassing her own expectations to finish in front of the current Championship Ladies’ leader, Claire Shelley.
The rest of the finishers enjoyed the mud and their own glory of navigating their way around London, many running an ULTRA-marathon for the first time. The race was preceded by an Expo at The Quality Hotel in Wembley where the runners were able to meet running experts, professionals and inspirational speakers to encourage them to go that extra mile.
Focus now turns to rounds 4 and 5 of the Championship in Grantham next month to see if Men’s leader, Steve Smith, can maintain pole position in the table. The double 29.3 miler will provide a good fast race to challenge the runners on 5th and 6th March. Race entries are online at www.ultrarace.co.uk and we look forward to seeing you there.
Men's results
| 1 |
Craig Stewart |
03:42:01 |
| 2 |
Martin Rea |
03:42:01 |
| 3 |
Johannes Erixon |
03:52:01 |
Women's results
| 1 |
Claire Walton |
4:34:51 |
| 2 |
Penny Matkin |
4:46:54 |
| 3 |
Claire Shelley |
4:51:33 |
Full results online at www.ultrarace.co.uk
