2016 Club Championship #4: Belvoir Half Marathon

BelvoirHalfMarathon2016

Last Sunday’s weather was nigh on perfect with a beautiful, bright Spring morning being the back-drop for this year’s Belvoir Half Marathon. There were 10 club mates taking to the roads around Hose Village in the Vale of Belvoir for this race.

First home for the club was Helen Pape with Chris Jones hot on her heels with a strong performance. Club President Paul Rogerson was next home in a very good time “fresh” from his 50k Canalathon a couple of weeks ago. Clare Dorman smashed her HM PB by a whopping 14 minutes(!) showing that her current London Marathon training is really paying dividends.

However the stars of the day awards go to Helen Duncan, Jenny Pearson, Jo Smith and Tracey Poole. This was their very first experience at stepping up to the 13.1 mile distance in race conditions, and all 4 ladies successfully finished and had a fantastic time in the process

The final club results were:

Name Time
Helen Pape 1:40:09
Chris Jones 1:40:58
Paul Rogerson 1:46:06
David Summers 1:46:29
Helen Duncan 1:53:18
Andrea Gordon-Kerr 1:56:18
Clare Dorman 1:59:21
Jenny Pearson 2:04:53
Jo Smith 2:23:34
Tracey Poole 2:32:34

After the race, Jenny stated that she hadn’t told anyone and only decided on the day to enter and was “so so chuffed” to have completed. Tracey too had the following to say afterwards:

“With the support of Rutland Running & Triathlon Club, … I have just experienced the most amazing achievement of completing my first half marathon. My deepest gratitude goes to [my club mates]. …. my next goal of joining the “puddle club’ and running around Rutland Water (15 miles) this summer.”

Well done everyone on some excellent running and well deserved results 🙂

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2016 Club Championship #3: Bradgate Park Run

Judging from the feedback on Facebook, the consensus seems to be that last Sunday’s race was a very very tough challenge for some of you. This was the first time that the race organisers, Racetime Events, have staged this run and therefore a new addition to the Club Championship calendar. Held in the stunning grounds of Bradgate Park in Leicestershire there were 3 race options: 5k, 10k or 15k involving 1,2 or 3 laps of a very hilly course. To count towards the Championship, club mates had to enter either the 10k or 15k.

In the 10k event we had 5 runners amongst a field of 107 running the double lap course. First to finish for the club was Kate Howes in a time of 1:08:52. Congratulations Kate. Next home were Megg Humphrey and Simon Murton who were obviously running together. It appears that Megg took a “spectacular” fall during the run resulting in a sore hip to add a very hurt right knee. Hope you recover quickly Megg and you are not in too much pain. The final results for the 10k were:

10k Results

Name Time
Megg Humphrey 1:15:36
Simon Murton 1:15:37
Jo Smith 1:18:30
Tracey Poole 1:27:16

Meanwhile we had 3 club mates running in the 15k race. Congratulations to Chris Jones finishing in a time of 1:25:45 and 13th overall. Next to finish was Helen Duncan with a time 1:32:49 of in 20th position but more notably she was 2nd lady home. Emma Potter finished a few minutes later in 1:35:44.

15k Results

Name Time
Chris Jones 1:25:45
Helen Duncan 1:32:49 [2nd lady overall]
Emma Potter 1:35:44

After the race, Helen’s reaction after receiving her 2nd place female trophy is brilliant:
“Can’t believe it. I’ve only ever won one trophy for running before in 2009 thanks to [the club] when I got most improved female. Today I got my second, yet again thanks to the club … Get In!!!”

Congratulations Helen and everyone else that took part. If anyone fancies doing it again and don’t want to wait until next year, Racetime Events are staging another XC run at Bradgate Park on the 12.June. See Club Calendar for details.

By my reckoning Helen Duncan will now be leading the Ladies Championship followed by Megg Humphrey in 2nd spot and Tracey Poole in 3rd. Meanwhile in the Men’s Championship I believe Simon Murton now leads the way having completed all 3 races so far this year.

The next Championship Race is the Belvoir Half Marathon on 10. April. Another club favourite and I can promise that it will not be so hilly. Details in the Club Calendar but I can confirm that there are only a few days left before online entries close at the end of this week. It may be possible to enter on the day if entry numbers permit and at an extra charge … so get in quick 🙂

2016 Club Championship #2: Belvoir Challenge

BelvourChallenge2016

Challenges can come in many forms and in the case of the Belvoir Challenge this is especially true. The annual 15 or 26 mile trail race around the Vale of Belvoir is organised by Hareby village to raise funds for the local primary school is always one event that many of our club members look forward to. This year the event was held last Saturday (27th February) and attracted its largest ever entry with around 1300 entrants to either run or walk the picturesque cross-country course that includes the delights of Knipton Reservoir and some stiff climbs on and off Belvoir Escarpment with stunning view across the Vale of Belvoir.

In previous years the challenge has included dealing with not only the distance but also the weather and especially the mud. This year the conditions could not have been better with the weather gods providing a gorgeous sunny if initially chilly day and with little rainfall in the lead up to the event there was noticeably less mud to deal with and much firmer ground.

Hence this year the challenge was more to do with resisting the temptation at the various feed stations along the course as well as completing the distance. The good people in the surrounding villages always provide a good spread that involves plenty of cakes and assortment of other delicacies for the entrants to enjoy.

However it does seem that the healthy turnout from the club managed to resist the food temptation and record some very good times this year comparing to previous years. Most members opted for the 15 mile race although it was actually nearer to 16 miles in distance. First home for the club was Helen Pape who was 3rd lady who as it turned out was a mere 23 seconds ahead of Richard Evans.

The final club results were:

Pos Name Time
47 Helen Pape 2:12:59 [3rd lady]
50 Richard Evans 2:13:22
62 Saya Sheridan 2:16:15
80 Martin Gordon-Kerr 2:22:54
92 Chris Jones 2:25:21
145 Paul Rogerson 2:41:07
150 Emma Potter 2:42:22
162 Helen Duncan 2:45:18
171 Sue Fulbrook 2:47:46
208 Steve Griffiths 2:58:13
259 Claire Adams 3:07:21
376 Megg Humphrey 3:38:00
377 Simon Murton 3:38:01
438 Tracey Poole 4:16:30

Dawn Morris and Damian Wilkins were not really competing but instead opted to walk and enjoy the scenery of the 15 mile route and completed the course in 4:49:30

Special mention goes to Bryan Clary who was the sole club representative in the 26 mile option finishing in a fantastic time of 3hours 48minutes.

Fantastic results everyone and despite the weary legs I think everyone had a great time.

This was the second race in the Club Championship and after age grading, Helen Pape is leading the Ladies Championship followed by Helen Duncan and then Megg Humphrey. In the Men’s Championship, club president Paul Rogerson leads the way followed by Martin Gordon-Kerr with Simon Murton in third spot

2016 Club Championship #1: Brass Monkey 10k

Wet weather tyres would have been more appropriate than running shoes last Sunday at Rockingham Speedway Circuit, Corby for the Brass Monkey 10k. The annual race in support of Lakelands Hospice is held at the end of the January and as the name suggests, the Weather Gods can be unkind for the competitors. This year may not have been as bad as previous years, but there was still a fine misty rain, a stiff breeze and cold temperatures to provide the runners (and spectators) with challenging conditions.

Before the main event there was a 1.5 mile Family Fun Run which comprises a single lap of the circuit. Andrea & Martin’s son, 11-year old Samuel Gordon-Kerr, from Ketton Panthers Triathlon Club was the first to cross the line in this event. So an excellent Rutland start to the morning’s racing.

There was a healthy turnout from our club for the main 10k event with 15 members pounding round just over 4 laps of the race circuit. There was certainly a strong female contingent from the club. Hopefully this bodes well for another year of friendly rivalry within the ranks. Lara Kristiansen was first home for the club and 8th lady in a time of 43:18. Helen Pape was next to finish in 44:45 with the first gent home in the form of Martin Gordon-Kerr not far behind in 45:05. The final club standings were:

Pos Name Time
59 Lara Kristiansen 43:18
77 Helen Pape 44:45
81 Martin Gordon-Kerr 45:05
144 Paul Rogerson 49:26
166 Helen Duncan 50:49
176 Megg Humphrey 51:26
205 Andrea Gordon-Kerr 52:50
223 Simon Murton 53:55
275 Jenny Pearson 57:20
287 Felicity Crotty 57:53
316 Jo Smith 60:00
325 Celia Bloor 60:57
341 Kate Howes 62:21
405 Tracey Poole 70:43
406 Amanda McPherson 70:43

Congratulations everyone – you were all awesome!

This was the first race in the annual Club Championship and after age grading Lara Kristiansen is leading the Ladies Championship with Paul Rogerson heading up the Men’s