results 2306

Northbrook Results

For a complete listing visit the Results Index

June 2023

• Hitchin Hard Half-Marathon
• Hitchin Hard 10k
• Leamington Half-Marathon
• Cannock 50k
• Rutland Water 10k
• Good, Bad & Ugly Relays
• Arden 9
• Giants Head Bell Race
• Giants Head Marathon
• Giants Head Sydling Hill Race
• Two Castles 10k
• Big Bear Swan Challenge
• Big Bear Summer 10k, Race 1
• Sphinx Summer 5
• Cotswold 113 Middle Distance Triathlon
• Tysoe Windmill 10k

Hitchin Hard Half-Marathon – 25 JuneHM

Had originally planned to do the Round Sheffield Run but my friend, who I was running as a pair with, became ill and unable to run. A last minute scramble for an alternative on Friday morning brought us to pastures new – Hitchin.

We parked up the van for the night in the Orange Tree pub, which turns out to be Darren James’ mum’s local.
It was a very hot and humid night and after little sleep we set off for the 4 minute drive to the start. It is a very small event for the benefit of local charities and many of the runners were local and had brought their families for support. There was a lovely atmosphere but the temperature was climbing rapidly.

This was in the park at the back of Hitchin Priory, in fields where they were setting up a local music festival. The course promised hills and did not disappoint. It was very hot and humid but there were 5 water stations on the course and lovely marshal at each one. The countryside lanes were narrow and very pretty with hardly any traffic. After a run out into the countryside south of Hitchin, Chilterns way we looped back to the park for a very welcome from a very enthusiastick master of ceremonies to receive our medals. An ice cream van was conveniently parked near some shaddy trees and we settled there to watch the rest of the runners.

Had a lovely time. First in age category for me was lovely too – Claudie

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Leamington Half-Marathon – 25 JuneHM

53	Pete Stafford	01:29:41
81	Rob Richardson	01:33:46
83	Michael Landon	01:33:58
290	Craig Slyde	01:46:38
603	Alan Smith	02:00:52
620	Stuart Clements	02:01:15
650	Dave Halford	02:03:43
858	Rhys Robbins	02:12:51

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Cannock 50k – 24 JuneOTH

	Damien Dear	5:36:44
	Matthew Hathrell	5:43:43

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Rutland Water 10k – 24 June10K/span>

155

Steve Simpson

0:53:21

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Good, Bad & Ugly Relays – 21 JuneOTH

Pos	Leg 1		Leg 2		Leg 3		Time
1	Stuart Clements	24:04	Malc Copland	23:01	Austin Wade	23:05	01:10:10
2	Angela Hands	35:05	Pete Stafford	18:58	Adrian McBride	18:06	01:12:09
3	Lisa Bragg	25:01	Natalia Greenhill	25:11	David Giles	22:44	01:12:56
4	Allison Smith	27:24	Ben Smith	23:22	Spencer Davies	22:22	01:13:08
5	Michael Landon	20:19	Catherine Dear	29:11	Richard French	24:48	01:14:18
6	Cliff Evans	24:22	Dave Halford	27:32	Megan Youden	22:35	01:14:29
7	Rhys Robbins	24:51	Joanne Evans	26:52	Paul Robbins	22:50	01:14:33
8	Steve Turvey	21:26	Nigel Markey	28:58	David Mills	24:21	01:14:45
9	Albert McCosker	23:52	Martin Gavin	29:14	Craig Slyde	22:03	01:15:09
10	Damian Pharoah	20:16	Tracy Jefferson	31:27	Greg Wallam	24:06	01:15:49
11	Jennifer Ennis	28:44	Simon Aldridge	25:01	Tommy Dempsey	22:09	01:15:54
12	Ruth Hallett	31:41	Debbie Campbell	24:01	Rob Richardson	20:14	01:15:56
13	Kelly Parker	32:54	Lee Newark	22:00	Amanda Deavy	21:05	01:15:59
14	Michelle Edwards	26:57	Karen Brewster	28:36	Martin Winch	20:36	01:16:09
15	Lee Miller	27:07	Mark Baker	23:54	Paul McGurk	25:27	01:16:28

There are more photos in the GBU gallery.

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Arden 9 – 18 JuneOTH

First time attempting this race and what a cracking race it is. After a last-minute entry the undulating roads around Arden provided a welcome distraction from the heat on the day.

Fabulous to see plenty of sunbursts on the course and a welcome shout of support from Chairman Bob before the final climb – Tim

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Giants Head Bell Race, Sydling – 18 JuneOTH

Giants head weekend came round with loud alarm bells ringing everywhere because of the heat in the build up. The organisers were already planning extra water stations, extending the cut off and warning against going for any times. It was going to be hot.
As we all filtered onto site from our various approaches the campsite and the bar started to fill with sunbursts, all nervous about the following day’s exertions.

Saturday morning and a light fall of rain did not quell the temperatures, instead raising the humidity to unbearable levels. I was sweating before we even started. The 1st half of the course was under cloud cover, with high temperatures and very high humidity, but the glaring sun had not broken through. From Concrete hill, to the view of the Cerne Abbas, we tackled the unrelenting hills and descents while watching footfall on flint white paths and thigh high grass fields.

Just before half way I took the opportunity to soak the feet in the stream. The food plan was on target with my picnic slowly disappearing, as were my water levels between each station, but I was maintaining what felt like an easyish pace. Damien and Craig had already disappeared while I awaited Claudie to inevitably catch me up.
continued below…

A very hot and hilly run for marathon no 151.

It was great to see so many Club runners over the weekend for a pint and a catch up – Duncan

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Two Castles 10k – 11 June10K

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Big Bear Swan Challenge – 9 June OTH

I completed 8 laps which according to Big Bear is 26.4 miles (my Garmin says 27 miles). I came 25th out of 86 runners and was the 7th female – Jan

I completed my first official half-marathon. Strava time was much quicker than lap time. After each lap you were allowed food from the snack table, drinks were also supplied. Felt weak during the third lap so stopped for food.

I really enjoyed this race and found it ideal for running my half-marathon. I haven’t run so far for a few years. I know the location felt safe and there was food, drink, toilets, bag drop all to hand. Plus there were other Northbrookers there.

Have to mention the amazing Jan Watson. She came running past me (her fifth lap my fourth) looking fresh and determined. I wasn’t surprised to hear later that she had run a marathon. Well done Jan! It was such a hot day. Also well done to Katie Davies and Paul Stead – Yvonne

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Big Bear Summer 10k, Race 1 – 9 June10K

Great evening out running the trails at Coombe Abbey – Matthew

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Sphinx Summer 5 – 7 June5M

7.45pm feels like quite a late start to this race so there was some debate in the Evans house about what/when to eat (to be fair there’s always debate about food in the Evans house) and I opted for a 5pm yoghurt and fruit. A nice sunny evening, not too hot, a bit of a breeze but all in all pretty good conditions.

I "wasn’t feeling it" before the race, clicky hip, achy legs, and generally a bit low on energy so decided to go for 8min/mile pace which is a below my full-on race pace. A mile in and my running started to feel a bit more relaxed, I started picking off a few places and actually ended up taking 20 seconds off my best 5 mile time. Once again the running gods (or maybe pre-race doubts and sensible pacing) suprised me with a PB.

I now go into the Two Castles at the weekend hoping I might PB my 10k and will likely have a shocker. At least I’ll be able to eat breakfast in the morning this time – Cliff

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Cotswold 113 Middle Distance Triathlon – 4 JuneOTH

I arrived at Cotswold Water Park at 1pm on Saturday to pick up my number. It was very hot already. I went to get myself some dinner and then pitched up the van in the car park with the alarm set for 4.30am. Cars started arriving at about 3.30am so the alarm was not needed. I got myself ready, trying to make sure everything was in my bag for transitions and checking numbers on the bike, etc. then went to rack up bike. I got ready for swim, sadly in the last wave which meant that I was 1.5 hours behind the mass start. I then realised I couldn’t find my goggles. 15 minutes to go. I raced back to van. No goggles. Raced back to registration. Bought goggles. Put goggles on with help of stand staff. Got into water.

Swim going OK. I could see the yellow tall buoys. Good. Turn left and aim for Pink buoy. Can’t see it anywhere. Darn short sightedness. Stop swimming and look around. No one in front of me. Where to go? Stop again. Aim for something that looks pink in the distance. Phew. Get dragged out of water and walk into transition (too tired to run). Wrestle with wetsuit, get top and arm warmers on. It’s freezing! A north/north easterly win will be with us on the whole ride and I couldn’t feel my feet or fingers for the first hour and a half. Potholes galore and the lack of bike training is showing. Happy with 15.7 mph everything considered – why have they made the course harder? Passed someone who had come off on a gravelly bend and someone with a burst tyre!

Back into transition. Finds goggles on the floor. Someone else’s stuff on top of mine. Kick that to the side! Can’t get into my shoes, where is my cap? Got it all and off I trot. Pace like a snail but not feeling too bad. First time today I think that I’m doing OK, quite enjoing the run and then – the inevitable. One fall and then, darn stomach, toilet stop required. Get back running, feeling proud I have not walked and wham, fall number two. That one hurt. Nice tourists helped me up and I got on with the third lap. Temperature by this time is 23.5 so thank goodness for the tree cover on part of the route.

Finally, the end was in sight. I was feeling good and even managed a sprint. Ok well not quite a sprint.
It was strange not knowing anyone but it did take the pressure off. After a visit to the first aid tent, I drove myself home trying not to fall asleep along the way. I got 3rd place in the 60-64 which really surprised me.

Roll on Outlaw Holkham.

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Tysoe Windmill 10k – 3 June10K

After a flurry of late entries, previous competitors assembled on the playing fields beneath the windmill. The weather was hot and the numbers were low (a sign of the times), and the windmill towered over us as we set off.

After 1 mile the climb to the top started, being steep and on concrete-like rutted ploughed fields meant the sun bearing down on us was taking its toll. After passing the windmill in all its glory it’s a matter of taking the steps down the other side of the hill. Then the second climb starts, this time on road. The sun was unforgiving as was the climb. Just at the end of the long road climb you turn back into the fields dappled with shade which was cooling and refreshing.

The return through the private estate back to the windmill was undulating with knee high grass, before passing the windmill for the 2nd time and a full-on drop down to the concrete-like ploughed field. The last mile was all road back to the finish with the sun making itself known by bearing down.

A really well organised event in beautiful surroundings. Well done all – Spencer

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continuation of Spencer’s Giant’s Head weekend report

Then at mile 14 the clouds broke and the humidity with the temperature ramped up. The half-litre of water between aid stations was not enough and my warning signs were rising. Walking more than running and stopping sweating were all the red flags I needed to change game plan for the day to survival. At 16 miles Claudie caught me up, we ran together through the only shaded bit in the last half of the marathon. Then we exited into the field and the glare and the heat stopped me dead. I knew I was in trouble as I watched her disappear off. This was survival now, a finish might have been possible but I was aware I was going downhill fast. Trying to work out the time of the day was hard (yes I have a watch but I could not understand what it meant).

I was aware that the Sydling Hill race was happening but not able to compute when my emergency contact would be available. Then at mile 19, with more side steps than forward ones, a slow slow walk was hard and fellow runners were helping me up the hill, cajoling me on to the next aid station in a mile. A mile, every step felt like a mile. Into the long grass and the humidity ramped up again. Just as the world went into slow motion and spun I called for help, no answer on the phone as she was still running, the blade of corn I thought was solid was no suppost and I went down into the corn field. A thud and more runners helping me back to my feet, asking what they could do, one was heading as fast as they could to the marshals. I reasuured them it was footing issues, but full on panic now as I called all the non runners I knew. Catherine at this point was dealing with Damien who was in a bad place was needing his support by phone, Craig knowing walking the last 6 miles across the hills was too far ahead as was Claudie.
I reassured my help I was ok, carried on phoning and tried walking. Another big thud as I again went down.

The world was black and white, it was spinning and the voices around me were all muted.
Two big hefty marshalls pulled me out of the corn and dragged me unceremoniously to the shade of their truck. Their words of “you are about our 5th today” gave me no understanding of what they meant. As we tried all the phones again Mark answered. The word had got to the finish I was down. Tracey rushing from the end of her race to get to her phone, there was panic.
After 15 minutes, cold water they supported me into the aid station as they were needed again. I joined the queue of collapsed runners. The news of air ambulances back down the course for a fractured skull, of blues and twos broken wrists and a meteoric dnf rate was beginning to dawn. I was sat in a chair, given more water but I’d lost the ability to hold it. The checkpoint were stripping my bags off me now, soaking me in water. I was given cola which I promptly threw straight back up. They moved me into the cool of the barn as the cars were called for.

Then Tracey, having broken all speed records to get to her phone got to call me. I was apologising for not being able to finish, not sure that I could understand what was going on. The medic checked me over, signed me off as not the most urgent and that If I said so they would get me back to camp where I could recover.
The air con car ride back was the longest 3 miles ever. As we pulled up, Mark was waiting I staggered and stumbled as I lay down the blackness came again and I was faintly aware that Tracey was there. Game over, sun stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration I was shutting down. Between them they dragged me back to our tent where the club gazebo was giving the cooling shade I needed. More water and salted crisps in small amounts starting to bring me back around. Claudie finished with spinning colours and Craig was not with it, ridiculously sunburnt, he was in shock. The experienced Flash with Gemma rolled in at original cut off time with over 100 finishers behind them.

Morale of the story, don’t take heat and humidity lightly. I was very lucky, this could have gone very, very wrong and I was close. Theirs no embaressment in a DNF if it’s just a race, don’t let it become a DNF to life.
The following day, as my temperature fluctuations started to even out I was determined to get just one finish. The traditional Bell race, 1 mile up the biggest hill and a mile-ish down. it was not going to be quick, this was going to be a finish and I needed to get back into trainers.
Despite the health scare, a great weekend on one of the toughest marathon courses around. Weather was great for camping but not for running. Glad to say Giants Head is done for a while, there may be unfinished business but I’d rather live to run another day – Spencer