results 2202

Northbrook Results

For a complete listing visit the Results Index

February 2022

• Wokingham Half-Marathon
• Bourton 10k
• Bedworth Park 5k
• Carsington Water Half-Marathon
• Northumberland Coastal Marathon
• English Cross-Country National Champs
• Winter Wychaven Way
• Gato Sports Head Torch 10K
• Ilmington 10k
• Birmingham Running Festival 10k
• Birmingham & District Invitation Cross-Country League Race 4
• Midland Women’s Cross-Country League Race 4
• Leicester City 5k Winter Series Race 4
• Bedworth Park 5k
• Exeter Half-Marathon
• Draycote Water 10k
• Draycote Water 10 Miles
• Star Wars Mad Dog 10k
• Dorney Lake Half-Marathon
• Mayhill Massacre 2
• Mayhill Massacre 1
• Enigma Quadzilla Marathon 4
• Enigma Quadzilla Marathon 3
• Enigma Quadzilla Marathon 2
• Enigma Quadzilla Marathon 1

Wokingham Half-Marathon – 27 FebruaryHM

Tom Miller

1:43:42

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Bourton 10k – 27 February10K

	Simon Abbott	0:43:08	PB
	Jill Pittard	0:45:22
	Lisa Abbott	0:49:23
	Collette O’Keefe	0:52:55
	Graeme Smith	0:53:31
	Victoria Hand	1:11:24

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Bedworth Park 5k – 27 February5K

A compact and bijou field of 9 athletes lined up for this week’s race in the beautiful Bedduff sunshine. I tagged onto a slightly quicker chap who pulled me round for my fastest 5k in quite some time. The pacing on Thursday from Caroline Hughes and on Saturday from Tracey Williams obviously paid off. Thank you ladies – Chris

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Carsington Water Half-Marathon – 27 February HM

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Northumberland Coastal Marathon – 26 February M

David Tittle

5:12:21

A multi-terrain coastal run from Alnwick to Bamburgh, Northumberland covering 53.58km, so a bit more than a marathon.

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English Cross-Country National Championships – 26 February OTH

	Rory Anderson	0:59:40
	Terry Moynihan	1:01:49
	Tommy Dempsey	1:05:16
	Damian Pharoah	1:06:07
	Tom Miller	1:10:52
	David Mills	1:14:34
	Francis Mason	1:16:59
	Spencer Davies	1:19:50
	Adrian Lowe	1:29:46

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Winter Wychaven Way – 26 February 10K

When I arrived at the start in Lido Park, Droitwich, it was a beautiful day for running; clear blue skies but a chilly wait for Claudie Columbas and those people that had arrived an hour earlier using the shuttle service from Broadway. We set off at 8.30 onto the canal and proceeded the 40 odd miles along the Wychavon Way. The route was a mixture of farmland, my least favourite terrain, particularly where cattle had churned up the ground into something akin to a school rugby pitch. There were some nice woodland trails (which included a few fallen trees as added obstacles), farm tracks, roads, and the very lovely Breedon Hill; just under 1000ft offering beautiful views of the Worcestershire countryside.

A good map or GPX device was essential as it’s pretty much self-navigation relying on the Footpath signs (which were good) but I saw more than a few runners backtracking or disappearing off in odd directions. I was saved by two fellow runners from running back down the wrong side of Breedon Hill, a mistake that at 30 miles would have been a bit of a blow to morale.

I got to the finish at Broadway Football club in 8hrs 33mins, finishing 4th in my age category and 30th place overall, covering 40.7 miles. All in all an enjoyable route (although I had definitely seen enough mud by the time I finished) with super friendly volunteers.

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Gato Sports Head Torch 10k, Salcey Forest – 24 February 10K

A lovely slightly chilly evening for the last of the Winter Headtorch series in the Salcey Forest. Tim Hughes dishing out the numbers and marshalling at the finish to see Matt return first, wondering whether he’d quite done enough to win the series. A little bit more muddy underfoot (or on face, Chris) than previous races, this is a great little series if you like running around in the dark on fairly even paths. I’m sure we will return – Chris

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Ilmington 10k, Tempo Winter Series Race 5 – 20 February 10K

61	Spencer Davies	0:50:39
66	Sarah Duffy	0:51:06
89	Sarah Booker	0:53:31
93	Cliff Evans	0:54:30
98	Victoria Boyle	0:54:55
110	Claudie Combelas	0:56:10
111	Rich Cawley	0:56:11
116	Natalie Williamson	1:10:29
119	Richard Hands	0:57:26
124	Joanne Evans	0:58:24
161	Pete Marshall	1:02:48
182	Cath Fenn	1:05:25
183	Sara Phipps	1:05:27
227	Chris Archer	1:12:02
247	Angela Hands	1:19:26
249	Tracey Cox	1:20:34

Sixteen Northbrookers headed to the windiest and highest point in Warwickshire, all in search of that fabled hoodie and 4 sausages for dinner. Some the worse for wear (Tori) after another heavy night out knew they had to take it easy, some with diy injuries braving the run for the hoody, 1 with a broken collar bone and 1 recovering from a broken leg.

Hill first for the last in the series and the wind was in your face all the way up. I had people side by side using me as a windbreak but I was determined to not race up the hill. Hitting the 3k mark I started to pick up the pace as the wind tried to blow us of the top of the hill. Turning to run downhill was like someone had turned the volume off, though the expected tailwind push never came as the high hedges protected us. Plummeting down into the village I was aware that Sarah was trying to keep me in reach for her strong finish. Just before the 7km mark I passed the two recovering from breaks who set off 30 mins before us. Now running in fear I took the support from marshall Yvonne to buoy me as I turned (back into another head wind) for the last climb back through the village.

As the finish got closer I was aware that the gap I needed to hold Sarah off was there but there was no way I could ease off. A finish, then turn round to start cheering the other 15 across the line.

Series complete and burgundy hoodies claimed to go with dinner. Young Tori winning her age group in the series took home a nice award as the rest of us settled in front of the open fire in the local pub.

The hill will still be there in October and I’m sure we will be back – Spencer

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Birmingham Running Festival 10k – 20 February 10K

	Darren James	0:53:39
	Lee Miller	0:58:02

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Birmingham & District Invitation Cross-Country League Div 3 Race 4 at Walsall Arboretum – 19 February OTH

Men’s ‘A’ Team 9th – 427 points, Overall 8th – 1518 points
Men’s ‘B’ Team 6th – 986 points, Overall 5th – 3502 points

Fifteen Northbrookers formed the small and reduced “band of brothers” in the last league race of the season. Walsall arboretum was the venue and the course was on its 3rd choice due to flooding and downed trees. Not that you would believe it as the men bearing down on the “1st lake” scared the geese that were enjoying their serene paddle.

The course was a small lap and 3 large laps, the small lap taking in the might of the new lake and showing how muddy the field was. You looked like you had been following a muck spreader for the 1st 800 mtrs as the kick-up and spray went everywhere. The bigger laps took in the lake everytime and had a lot of out and backs so we were able to encourage each other on the course.

Stu was doing his best to leave the Northbrook colours on a high and led us home (Stu you will be missed) as the rest of the team started to filter through their own battles. Great running in proper wet, windy and muddy conditions on another fairly flat course. Well organised and well run. This is what team competition is all about, pushing and encouraging your fellow vest through to claim the valuable points.

Fifteen men finished, all covered in mud but bursting with pride for representing their club. League over and done with – Spencer

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Midland Women’s Cross-Country League Race 4 at Arrow Valley Country Park, Redditch – 19 February OTH

The final cross-country league race of the season and it did not disappoint. A combination of the rain all morning and Storm Eunice ensured proper cross-country conditions: lots of mud, deep puddles, a hill and generally tricky terrain . Our 13 strong team were amazing, taking the conditions in their stride and keeping a steady pace throughout.

Debbie Campbell led the team home, closely followed by Emily Drage, Jessica Barry and Jo Evans. All our runners sprinted up the home straight to grab valuable points off our competitors. It was great team effort throughout the season with the nucleus of a strong team to build on for next season.

Northbrook finished 12th in Division 2, out of 19 who completed all four races – there were 10 teams who did not place as they did not manage to field teams for all four races. The Masters team finished 10/19 – Sally

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Leicester City 5k Winter Series Race 4 – 17 February 5K

Two Northbrookers headed to Victoria Park for Race 4 of the Leicester Winter Series 5k. The field was smaller than last time so the fast pace at the start soon stretched the field far and wide. I picked my battle craftily using the headtorch of the guy behind me to light the dark patches. Despite panicking at the first mile pace I managed to keep the effort going resulting in my fastest 5k time this year.

Claudie and I both managed 2nd in our age categories – Spencer

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Bedworth Park 5k – 13 February5K

3	Lee Newark	0:23:24
5	Spencer Davies	0:23:56

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Exeter Half-Marathon – 13 FebruaryHM

This was a damp one. It reminded me of the conditions for the Coventry Half last year, it poured down from start to finish and beyond. Windy in places as we negotiated the largely flat half around the parklands and commercial estates of Exeter. Two laps and places where we met runners coming the other way, which gave a welcome boost. I pitied the marshals as they guided us round.

Claude finished in under two hours, a welcome result in the conditions. A warm drink and a shower were never so welcome – Chris

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Draycote Water 10k – 13 February10K

Allison Smith

0:54:00

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Draycote Water 10 Miles – 13 February10M

3	Terry Moynihan	1:05:33	1st MV50
26	Tom Miller	1:15:38
42	Cliff Evans	1:19:29
53	Steve Turvey	1:21:58
59	Adrian Powell	1:24:22
75	Joanne Evans	1:28:54
132	Tracy Jefferson	1:44:09
143	Liane Powell	1:50:25
144	Marianne Rutter	1:50:25

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‘Star Wars’ Mad Dog 10k, Southport – 6 February10K

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Dorney Lake Half-Marathon – 6 FebruaryHM

A wet and windy journey to Dorney Lake gave us all an idea of what to expect once we arrived. Grey clouds and wind greeted us at the start line and once we started on the full course, a 1.5 mile wind tunnel of hell was waiting and had to be fought against 4 times on this lapped course. The second half of the lap was calmer and sheltered which gave an opportunity to claw some time back from the wind tunnel.

Tony and Debbie won their age categories and grabbed PBs in really tough conditions so great performances all round – Sean

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Mayhill Massacre – 6 FebruaryOTH

The route was shortened to just under 13 rather than 15 miles due to conditions. A twisty route in the Forrest of Dean taking runners up and down May Hill several times. Very windy at the top but sheltered for a lot of the route. Quite steep and technical in places with loads of ankle deep mud so it was a case of run where you can, slide where you must, and wade through the rest.

Loved it and extremely happy with my time all things considered. Would definitely recommend if you like mud – Cliff

I ran 8.01 miles. It was extremely muddy and very hilly, loved it – Joanne
 

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Mayhill Massacre – 5 FebruaryOTH

4 Northbrookers headed down to the massacre for the Saturday event. The weather was cold but we knew we would soon warm up as we climbed and climbed. We were hoping for better organisation this year than the previous years debacle.

We lined up and Matt took the lead. The first mile of this is uphill, steep, muddy and very traily. When we came to the first aid station I questioned why we were being directed against the signage. Matt was being caught in the lead at this point, soon to be taken for a battle for 3rd overall. Yes, you guessed it right, for the 2nd year in a row the marshalls sent the race the wrong way. Guessing it was going to be a couple of miles short from the deviation I started the 5th mile climb that’s on the usual route. Back to the misdirecting marshall and the organiser had “on the cuff” made the route up, putting us back onto the original climb. This made the 5th mile over 400ft of climb. While those around me walked I slogged my way to the top. The rain had started and despite a hardy bunch of supporters and 4 fluffy cows grazing it was just the runners out in the rain. Back past the mis- directing marshall for a 3rd time (I was glad to see the back of him) and we headed down the hill for the final slog up to the last drop.

Chris discovered the signs were slightly confusing at this point as he was shouted back 200 mtrs after misreading a direction. This year, the last drop was on a full-on mountain bike track with banked corners and jumps. I can imagine on a bike it’s good, running and slipping through greasy mud it was more hair raising than smiling. The wooden bridges were like ice rinks. Having negotiated the drop a quick rise to the drop to the end. The race came in short due to the mis-directions but it’s one of the best areas to run. We churned it up nicely for Jo and Cliff to follow us on the Sunday – Spencer

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Enigma Quadzilla Marathon 4 – 6 FebruaryM

Marathon no 101 – the hungover run. The morning after the night before. Great to run with Charlie, Karen and Gemma

Enigma Quadzilla Marathon 3 – 5 FebruaryM

Marathon no 100 – the big day. Absolutely amazing day, lots of beer, cheeky Vimto and maybe a little running. So proud to share the day with a lot of friends and to become a member of the 100 Marathon Club.

Enigma Quadzilla Marathon 2 – 4 FebruaryM

Crazy weather for the start, rain that moved on to snow, then perfect sunshine to finish.

Enigma Quadzilla Marathon 1 – 3 FebruaryM

Duncan Gordon

4:55:07