June 2014

 

For a complete results
listing view the
Results Index

Featured events this month:

• Hadrian's Wall Half-Marathon
• Coombe Abbey Running Festival Marathon
• Stratford Summer 6
• Giants Head Marathon
• Weedon 10k - East Midlands Grand Prix Race 7
• Nuneation Aquathlon
• Arden 9
• Broad Town 5
• Buff Back to Front Enigma Marathons
• Trail Half-Marathon
• Sphinx Summer 5
• Harborough 5 - East Midlands Grand Prix Race 6
• Lanzarote Wine Run
• Humph's Hilly Half
• The Holly Challenge Marathon
• Banbury 5 - East Midlands Grand Prix Race 5
• Two Castles Run
• Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Run
• Corby 5 - East Midlands Grand Prix Race 4
• Phoenix Sprint Open Water Triathlon

Hadrian's Wall Half-Marathon - 29 June

Another week another Trail Half. Wales last week, Northumberland this week. A beautiful, undulating course, some road, some tracks, some grass, some mud and only 500 runners. 3rd Lady in my age category this week. Feeling very proud of my time too.

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Coombe Abbey Running Festival Marathon - 29 June

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Stratford Summer 6 - 28 June

Good turn out for Northbrook on a wet and dreary Saturday evening.  Fortunately the rain stopped just as the race started and, once under way, it was very warm with barely any wind to cool us down.  However, we all dug deep and put in a valiant effort to finish in what appears to be a very popular race within the Warwickshire Road Race League.  Several PB's were duly celebrated at the pub across the road from the finish line before heading home.

Big thanks to our support crew who cheered us on (from their bar-stools) - Kevin, Mark, Craig and Corinna, we all appreciated your cheers and dodgy photos - Sarah

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Giants Head Marathon - 28 June

Trail marathon in the beautiful chalk hills and valleys of deepest Dorset, taking in the  hill-carved club bearing Cerne Abbas Giant.  Sister race of the Ox Marathon run in May.  Highlights included freshly baked cakes on route served up by the Women's Institute and a specially minted Giant (in running shoes) medal.

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Weedon 10k - East Midlands Grand Prix Race 7 - 24 June

Pos		Cat			M/F	Cat Pos
172	Chris Jones	SM	47:51		149	65
180	Charles Jones	M60	48:18		157	3

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Nuneaton Aquathlon - 22 June

This is the second year that this event has been held and it was just as good this year as last.  However, the event had probably doubled in size as there was a childrens aquathlon that preceded the adults event.  This did not take the edge of our day at all as it appeared that a lot of parents that had entered had also got their children involved, and it was good to see so many of them out enjoying themselves.  Jude O'Connor, Jenna Bottomley and Rachel Hodge, all children of Northbrook members, certainly gave us a hard act to follow........but follow we did.
Our swim was 400m followed by a 5k run on grass.  Nothing too taxing but we all put in a fabulous effort none the less.  Damien managed to secure first in his age group as did I.  A bottle of wine and a box of chocolates each were gratefully received on top of a rather nice medal.   Very good event.  Well marashalled and supported, well worth making a note for any budding aquathletes (?) for next year - Sarah

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Arden 9 - 22 June

20	Trevor Knight		0:55:12
81	Peter Fellows		1:02:10
85	Stephen Mason		1:02:22
86	Tony Hughes		1:02:23	PB
88	Joe Kelly		1:02:48	PB
115	Tommy Dempsey		1:05:32
147	Bob Adams		1:08:13
165	Chris Jones		1:09;27
174	Spencer Davies		1:10:03
179	Damian Pharoah		1:10:20
239	Andrew Houston		1:15:55
271	Anne Hughes		1:19:48
285	Bernard Blundell		1:21:13
286	Martin Gavin		1:21:13
292	Katy Davies		1:21:55
306	Rich Cawley		1:24:36
319	Chris Perkins		1:27:52
320	Linda Richards		1:27:52
324	Clare Weston		1:28:39
325	Lee Hill		1:28:39
335	Tony Bowe		1:37:44

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Broad Town 5 - 21 June

35

Sarah Booker

33:58

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Buff Back to Front Enigma Marathons - 21 June

8.30am - Marathon 1

Tony Bowe

4:17:28

3pm - Marathon 2

Tony Bowe

5:16:56

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Trail Half-Marathon - 20 June

I was second in my age group so very pleased. Was totally covered in midges though, and the hill they call the B*****d at mile 11, certainly is.

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Sphinx Summer 5 - 18 June

18	Stuart Lumsden		29:58
24	John Wilson		30:42
44	Richard Hodge		31:48
48	Amanda Deavy		31:53	3rd lady
67	Jonathan Seed		32:51
79	Mark Baker		33:30
82	Peter Fellows		33:45
88	Scott Shepherd		34:05
91	Tony Forde		34:13
96	Steve Galvin		34:33
100	Joe Kelly		34:49
101	Tommy Dempsey		34:52
103	Steve Handy		34:59
120	Paul Robbins		35:33
125	Peter Kirkhope		35:45
131	Jill Pittard		35:54
137	Damian Pharoah		36:13
140	Spencer Davies		36:19	PB
143	Bob Adams		36:25
146	Tom Miller		36:36
149	Andrew Ralph		36:48
159	Chris Jones		37:17
166	Kevin Coughlan		37:39	PB
173	Nigel McCann		37:54
175	Sally Eason		37:58
193	Adrian Powell		38:49
194	Corinna O'Connor		38:51
198	Kieran Prescott		38:56
205	Claudie Combelas		39:11
217	Robert Dimbelby		40:01
223	Richard Wise		40:16
224	Alex McBain		40:16
231	Joanne Stacey		40:30
232	Mark Dalton		40:33
234	Andrew Houston		40:53
239	Keith Burdett		41:16
246	Martin Gavin		42:06
247	Tony Bowe		42:06
274	Clare Weston		45:48
275	Lee Hill		45:48
287	Jason Brannigan		47:16
290	Martin Turrall		47:33

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Harborough 5 - East Midlands Grand Prix Race 6 - 17 June

Pos		Cat			M/F	Cat Pos
206	Charles Jones	M60	38:15		169	6

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Lanzarote Wine Run - 15 June

Once again the islanders certainly know how to host a run.  The event started in the Saturday when you had to register and were given your race pack containing various goodies and a t-shirt.  You were then able to wander round their (small) expo and see what the local area is all about (mostly wine making and excellent restaurants). 
Sunday saw us head out to the running village/expo where we were transported by buses to the start line which was in the heart of the wine making region.  From there, we had to attempt to get back to the finishing line in one piece via the most amazing trails through some stunning scenery.  I'd say this was a race but I don't think any of us fully realised what the terrain would be like, so we set off with the intention of enjoying the event rather than trying to get an unbelievably good time.  The ground was extremely uneven and in most places was covered in the remains of the black lava from the volcanoes, so you had to watch your footing (or not in my case as I took a tumble and cut my leg and elbow!).  And there were hills.......I thought leg 4 of the hilly 100 was steep, but one or two of their ascents were even steeper!!!   However, terrain aside, the course was superb and full of supporters to cheer us on.  Water stations were plentiful and contained water and of course wine should you wish to sample the local delights!!
The finish came round very quickly and we we were handed a medal, another t-shirt, fruit, energy drinks and water.  Once I had my cuts cleaned up by the paremedics, we focused on the next bit of the event.....free food and wine!!!  An hour and a half of mixing with the locals sampling their local delicacies (and wine) was a nice end to the day.
Would we do this again.......hell yes!!!! - Sarah

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Humph's Hilly Half - 14 June

Humph's hilly half is an evening half-marathon in the not very flat Bourton-on-the-Water. Should have guessed it from the name really. Bernard Blundell and I were the only Northbrookers brave (or probably stupid) enough to tackle this course. The event was very friendly, very well organised and all the marshalls were friendly and encouraging.
As for me, I struggled going backwards after mile 6. Bern just kept coming back at me, then got stronger and stayed ahead till the end. I can recommend it as a race, but be prepared for some rather large lumpy sections to contend with - Spencer

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The Holly Challenge Marathon - 14 June

I won a place in this marathon through a raffle on Facebook. To be honest I never would have entered a marathon that consisted of 31.5 laps. However, this event is brilliant. The 0.84 mile loop was very nice, albeit hilly. The other runners were very friendly and the support team were fantastic. I’m still having trouble with coping with my IBS, hence the time, but that being said I thoroughly enjoyed this race and will be back next year!!! - Lee

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Banbury 5 - East Midlands Grand Prix Race 5 - 10 June

Pos		Cat			M/F	Cat Pos
224	Richard Hands	M40	36:52		189	27
250	Charles Jones	M60	38:20		205	7
316	Mick Duggan	M70	42:07		238	2
388	Angela Hands	F45	50:58		119	18

Full results at www.mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/the_emgp

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Two Castles Run - 8 June

56	Stuart Lumsden		38:52
75	John Wilson		39:30
79	Martin Winch		39:38
98	Amanda Deavy		40:25
197	Tony Hughes		42:44	PB
261	Joe Kelly		44:34
270	Clive Horton		44:30
273	Tom Miller		45:08
278	Sarah Booker		43:47
306	Tony Mackness		45:27
310	Andrew Ralph		45:36
329	Tommy Dempsey		45:49
344	Steve Bottomley		44:55
358	Bob Adams		46:25
371	Richard French		43:04
394	Spencer Davies		46:46
410	Sarah McNaney		46:41
421	Alex McBain		44:46
468	Damian Pharoah		47:48
491	Clare Rowntree		48:17
510	Kevin Coughlan		48:23
515	Paul McGurk		48:28
523	Peter Kirkhope		48:54
524	Richard Hands		48:58
533	Paul Robbins		47:34
538	Corinna O'Connor		48:52
556	Claudie Combelas		49:00
609	Adrian Powell		49:33
680	Charles Jones		49:37
806	Aaron Dreelan		49:46
888	Simon Davies		49:49
1006	Mark Dalton		54:06
1018	Richard Wise		51:28
1046	Anne Hughes		54:31
1071	Robert Dimbelby		51:44
1083	Gemma Ross		54:59
1137	Helen Morris		54:30
1557	Chris Perkins		59:22
1704	Linda Richards		60:48
1712	Martin Gavin		55:58
1796	Clare Weston		60:50	PB
1797	Lee Hill		60:50
2125	Angela Hands		65:29
2178	Brian Hewetson		61:16
2264	Helen Hodge		65:58	PB
2490	Jason Brannigan		63:55
2779	Tony Bowe		71:25

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Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Run, 32.4 miles - 7 June

The Dartmoor Discovery is advertised as follows – “You'll experience everything Dartmoor can offer, from stunning views, beautiful scenery, wild ponies, unpredictable weather and of course those infamous hills! Make no mistake, the course is not easy, it's a great way to test you both mentally and physically!” 
So, this 32.4 miles ultra-run, on the narrow roads of Dartmoor, is one of the most difficult road races in the country, with brutal climbs and descents throughout the route.
The race starts in Princetown, high in the moor, not far from Dartmoor Prison. The first part of the race features most of the descents to Ashburton at 13 miles, where the challenge is to keep control on the sharp bends while flying down the hills. The descents are split by the first big climb at 6 miles where cyclists were struggling to keep moving.
Leaving Ashburton, is the longest continuous climb of 2 miles, and the rest of the course has regular climbs on a big loop back up to Princetown. The climbs are relentless, but there is a lot of support on the course. The weather was generally reasonable this year, and favoured the runners, with only a few heavy showers.
Despite the difficult route, I reached the marathon point here, a minute quicker than in Boston. I was then pleased to hang on for 30th place, out of 200 finishers. Dave did well to get round in 86th place.
At the finish there was lots of free food, followed by the presentations and evening party. This is one event where lots of the runners stay on to socialise at the ‘Plume of Feathers’ pub, as it’s a very remote location. There’s also the local Jail Ale, with the tagline ‘always found here behind bars’. A few well deserved pints were sampled on Saturday evening, to finish a satisfying day - Mark

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Corby 5 - East Midlands Grand Prix Race 4 - 4 June

Pos		Cat			M/F	Cat Pos
268	Mick Duggan	M70	44:04		203	2

Full results at www.mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/the_emgp

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Phoenix Sprint Open Water Triathlon - 1 June

This was my first attempt at an open water triathlon, although I have been swimming in open water venues for some time now, and it certainly won't be my last. The setting was picture perfect - Ragley Hall, and the weather was just as we ordered, blue sky and a light breeze. Our swim was in the lake in front of Ragley Hall and was one full lap in the reasonably warm water. We were set off in 3 waves to save congestion. The fastest going off first (that would be Keith!) and myself and Linda were set off in the last wave. We managed to see most of the first wave complete their lap before we started and were amazed to see Keith bounding out of the water in 2nd place looking very comfortable. Once we were sent off there was the usual tussle with arms and legs flying everywhere, but we soon found our rhythm and the swim passed quite quickly. On getting out of the water we had a fairly long run to transition where I tried to pull my wetsuit off as elegantly as possible. No such luck as I ended up fighting with one leg that refused to come off, costing me vital seconds but making me giggle at the same time! The bike course was fantastic. One lap through the countryside on reasonably good roads. A few little inclines to test our legs but on the whole, a very enjoyable ride (or should I say race). The run however was quite testing. Once off the bike, you were immediately directed through a gate into the fields next to the big house. Having to cope with the usual 'jelly legs' after the cycle, running through an uneven field with long grass was not going to be good. But it got worse......we had to go through some muddy woods and up a couple of steep inclines. At one point I did wonder if spikes would have been more appropriate to run in. To top it all, we had to do 2 laps. But.....the sun was shining and the marshals were so cheery that, to be honest, I quite enjoyed the run. Coming into the finishing strait was exhilarating as there were plenty of people around to cheer us on, and it was good to hear Keith shouting words of encouragement at me on the last 100m (at least I think they were words of encouragement!!). All in all, a great event and a good one to do for a first open water triathlon. Highly recommendable and will pencil this in again for next year - Sarah