Race Report W/E 24 March
Spring is in the air, the blossom is out on the trees, the sun has ventured out for entire days at a time, the clocks are about to change, and meaningful vote 3 (presumably the worst of the trilogy) is days, months, years, or even days away.
In this balmy climate of détente, we had 5 races and 6 racers out and about at the weekend. It feels as if we are in the death throws of the half marathon season. There is the imminent prospect of the marathon season. And, ignoring those who travel to alternative hemispheres, the impish face of the Triathlon season is starting to peek around the door jamb of parliamentary discord.
1. Northburn 100 – Katie Wright
Ultra-distance club member, ran another ultra-distance running race – a truly leg crumbling 100 mile event on South Island, New Zealand. We’re starting to suspect that she is finding it hard to get away from us and everyone else – I believe they also do Antarctic marathons.
The results aren’t quite online just yet – though just finishing that beast is an accomplishment in itself. To help put it in perspective, Katie took slightly over 25 hours to finish. Given the mountainous lump on the course that is some stubborn, speedy running. Awesome!
2. South of England Athletic Association (SEAA) Southern 12/6 Stage Road Relays
James Ellis was back in familiar territory yet again this weekend, running the Southern Road Relays – 6 stages of 4.8km and 6 of 7.2km in / near Milton Keynes track. As you can imagine this was a team event, with James competing for one of his two other alternate homes: Thames Valley Harriers (TVH). Despite him putting in a traditionally pacey performance, TVH could only manage 23rd of the 43 teams – although we suspect that this was just a rest weekend for James.
3. London Landmarks Half Marathon
Helen Fagan and Faye Sanders took on this relatively new half marathon course. It’s a race, in its second year, that follows firmly in the footsteps of the Royal Parks Half, providing a route incorporating lots of photogenic London scenery. This year, over 13,000 runners took part. Within the mix, our two club runners did rather well. Helen finished nicely under the 2hr mark in 1hr 51 min – a personal best for her! Then, coming 9th in her race category, Faye also finished in a personal best of just under 1hr 37min. Well done both!!
4. The Tough 10k: Crystal Palace
Well, apparently The Fix Events organisers claim “it’s only a little bit tough but a load of fun”. Relatively fresh club member Katie Devlin took on the 10k route around Crystal Palace’s undulating park, finishing in just under 48min, and coming 4th Female overall!
5. Hyde Park 10k
Running in the idyllic central London setting of Hyde Park, our very own Will Manns was taking on this weekend’s Hyde Park 10k. Storming to a personal best of just over 38min, Will also took second in his race category and 9th overall. He even remembered to register as Ful-on-Tri – showing it is possible to do!! Fantastic stuff.
Nearly Finally…
In a last minute spot, Clumber Park Duathlon also happened this weekend. Ruth Purbrook took part in this scenic Standard distance race (10k run, 40k bike, 5k run), continuing her great form, coming 1st in her race category and 1st woman overall.
And, Nick de Bouillane allegedly also ran the Landmarks Half – however does not seem to be in the results (at least not under his own name).
And Finally…
That’s a wrap for this weekend.
Don’t forget that the Race Calendar exists if you want others to know you are racing – a great alternative to Facebook and a good way to support our own excellent Club Website (where things are always in the right chronological order and finding them merely requires membership rather than knowing the right people).
As usual, if you feel left out (and you’ve been very clandestine if so), or if you have some entertaining race news, or if you want to let me know of a race that isn’t yet on the Race Calendar, do email me on fixtures@fulontri.com