BA 5K - Waterside 2008

The event which is organised by BA is to raise money for charity, a field of approx 900 were treated to a welcoming speech by BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh who pledged that he would give £1 for every finisher in front and £2 for those behind.

After an organised warm up the race got under way, it is a downhill start followed by a sharp curve, once you have successfully negotiated that the race settles down around the lake before a steep hill between 3 and 4K. I was quite concerned when having gone through the first k quite quickly I heard a marshal shout "come on Superman" and steeling a glance behind I saw this masked figure in full outfit. This spurred me on for the rest of the race, At the finish we were presented with our medals by GB runner Marlon Devonish and Nancy Dell'Olio.

Our times were:

Gary Nisbet - 19.49

Jack Nisbet - 20.12

Peter Furness - 20.36 

We all finished in the top 30 

BA put on a really nice event, apart from the race there is live music on a stage, a number of stalls ( while I was running Kay bought some BA crockery) and some food stalls, we had a vegetarian curry after the race. 

The race caters for all, with good quality club runners, the top of the field were well under 20m , fun runners and walkers. (Peter Furness)

 

Silverstone Half Marathon

9th March 2008

  After 3 days of not running due to a painful left knee, I decided that I would take the chance and do the Silverstone Half marathon as a warm-up for the on coming London Marathon. I  left home early taking 1 ½ hrs to get to Silverstone, arriving at 09:40. With the race starting at 12:00 I got an hour’s sleep in the car before heading over to the start of the race. 

            This is one of the biggest half marathons in the country, but Silverstone is so big you have plenty of space to change, with free water and Lucozade before the race. I bumped into Jaz from the running club and met Brian Tillier who used to run with the club over 10 years ago – he has had a few years off – but started running again in the last couple of years, running last years London and is in this years as well. 

            The race had nearly 5 thousand people in it, running around the race track and support roads, you could see the runners streaking out in-front and behind. The race was well marshalled and had mile markers at every mile. There were 4 water stations and 2 Lucozade stations.  The weather was just right except for the wind, with the twisting course, every corner either slowed you down with the wind in your face – or made the running easy with the wind behind you.  

   The race went well, I started off at a reasonable pace, and managed to keep the pace going through the course, towards the end people started to slow down and I managed to overtake about 10 people in the last mile, coming In with a time of 1:27:37 which I  was very pleased with.  

  On checking the result web site I found my position was 118 out of 5000 and came in 4^th in my age category 45-50 years old. Just missing out on a trophy!!! It looks like I will have to try again when I am 50 years old. (Jack Nisbet) 

 

Bushy Park Trail Run

Sunday 2^nd Mar 08 

I never would have thought that sun-cream might be a consideration for this race (trail shoes - definitely, extra t-shirt - maybe, long trousers – ok, for the wimps!), but it really was warm this year!  

Definitely the mildest Trail Run I’ve ever participated in; there was a bit of wind (strangely, always against us, even though it’s two laps and we must have changed direction) but it was unseasonably warm. 

There didn’t seem to be as many entrants as in previous years, perhaps everyone was at the Reading Half, or enjoying a Mother’s Day breakfast rather than trundling around Bushy Park. Talking of breakfast – Ian’s review of the refreshments was that they were rather over-priced (again) and he’s enjoyed better at other events! 

I’ve always enjoyed this race and loyally run it every year but, I must admit, I might try something different in 2009. I quite fancy the Brooklands 10k and, if they’re on the same day again next year, then I might give that a try. Much as I enjoy trying to spot the Bushy Park deer (no sign of them again this year!), it would be nice to participate in an event with some fellow HHRR runners. (Michelle Sampson 36:50)

 

Chiltern Pools Charity Indoor Triathlon

                This was the first triathlon that I had ever done, and when I heard about it I thought that it was going to be the easiest chance I would ever get to try a triathlon so I thought I'd give it a go. It was a sprint triathlon which was a 500m swim, 15km cycle and a 5km run. The way it was set-up was that it was done in a leisure complex, so the swim was in a pool; the run and the cycle were on machines in the gym. I hadn't done any training for the swim or cycle; I was just hoping my base fitness would get me through. How wrong I was the swim was really painful, after 4 of the 20 lengths my arms were dead so I just swam with my legs, and then I took a little rest on the cycling machine just pushing along slowly to regain my strength, finishing off with the run which wasn't too bad. It was just a case of pushing until I finished. All in all a very good event, good value for money and a suitable entry into anyone wishing to try a triathlon.

 

Horsendon Hill Cross Country

19th January 2008
    The start of the day wasn't too great, me and Dad completely messed up the times for the start of the Under 17's race which started at 1:30 but we got there just as it pulled out, so we took the decision that I would try my first go at a full adult cross country.
    And this cross country was a real one, not any of these jog round football fields, or through one puddle. This was a course that went all over the place, up down, then up again. A real tough course, this wasn't helped by the fact that mother nature had been watering the course for us all week and we had to deal with mud inches deep and even running through deep boggy puddles. The whole course was a trawl through the muddy remnants of the 5 races prior to it.
    So we got under way, I was not convinced that I would be able to do the course as I'd never run anything like it before, but thought I'd give it a go. I thought I'd just go nice and easy round the first of 3 laps and see how I felt. Dad was going at a steady pace so I just kept with him for a while, I felt good after the first lap so I continued on at his pace, I managed to keep up at it due to the downhill’s, I exhausted myself on the uphill’s but rested on the downhill’s which was quite nice as the course undulated a lot. After the 2nd lap, I was feeling pretty good but didn't want to go early, so I stayed at a fair pace, but this was a little increased on normal so I overtook dad after about 6k. I then continued working my way through the pack, not over-doing myself, to come home happy and beating my Dad in a full race for the first time ever.
Gary Nisbet 41:36 - 187
Jack Nisbet 42:08 - 198
    Hopefully, the next cross country will feature a few more friendly faces. It's on Saturday 9th February; and it's St Albans.
Gary Nisbet

 

Perivale 5

Sunday 9th December 2007

I was there today, in the pouring rain!
So the family plans never materialised and it was off to Perivale I drove. This could be my last race of 2007. Arrived with just 15 minutes to spare and paid my fee and quickly changed into my 745's. As I tied the first lace the race was called so I quickly fastened both sets and rushed out to join the throng.
The start was slow as per usual as I was starting at the back. but the course was really good. Apart from the first few hundred metres in the road outside the stadium, it was all pavement or tarmac. Level at that too, fantastic. Unfortunately it was apparent that I was still wearing yesterdays legs but I hoped to do the best I could. Hoped upon hope that I would cruise and finish under 40 minutes. that was my dream for the day. Unfortunately the rain hammered down nearly all the race and after 2 miles was quite hard. Also with it being quite windy as well, it was not a pretty morning in dullest west London. But you do what you do. The first mile (7.51) was a settling in process. slow start due to numbers but I tried to keep a nice pace. Picked off a few struggler's. Mile 2 (16.04) showed me that my time was not going to be great but around 50-52. Son I soldiered on. 3rd mile (24.34) sjowed I was slowing down just a tad more and also some of the struggler's were over taking me! By now I was onto the second lap of the course and I was trailing a late 30's female runner and I decided that was the pace I was going to stay at. I overtook her and a mile later (4 - 33.13) she overtook me. But as the stadium came intro view in the park I found and extra wind and opened my stride and when I looked at my watch it showed 37 minutes and I thought wow, I may just pull of the sub 40 minute that is my target so as I entered the stadium track I pushed on and was fast but no extra life in my legs for any kind of sprint and hoped I would do it. But 100 metres from the end I glanced at my watch, 41+, damn, I missed but I kept going to complete teh race in 41.34, a personal best. In reality I cannot grumble.
Well done Perivale, great marshalling and preparation. Great race! (Jason Bannister)

 

Marlow Half Marathon

Sunday 4th November 2007

This has to be the best place to run a first Half Marathon race. what a beautiful place. I knew Marlow from the 5 earlier in the year but this half exceeded that by miles! OK excuse the pun but the scenic setting of this fabulous town and the surrounding villages was sensational. Add to this the glorious autumn sunshine and it was near perfect.
The race itself was a pretty constant from me all the way round. The first five miles were cracking with a great 1 in 5 downhill section that ran for about half a mile, I tried to make it a measured descent because as I said to a fellow runner. "what goes down often has to come up”. That is my basic rule of running physics. Only at the hill at 9 did i struggle. That was the uphill 1 in 5! 'kin hell what a hill that was. All around me were walking and i stopped for a couple of seconds and I thought, hell I am not walking after all the running I've done and off I went again. No further stopping from then on. The final mile into Marlow again was a lovely constant downhill but being me, I didn't let go because I didn't know what was coming but I needn't have worried. Running over the finish line was a great feeling. I have an official race under my belt.
A big well done to the organisers and the marshals, you did a fantastic job. I hope to return next year.
Now for a marathon. watch this space.
Oh and one final point this run mad my total mileage for 2007 over 1,000 miles and I am so pleased with that. (Jason Bannister)

Cabbage Patch 10

Sunday 14th October 2007

I think I must’ve been a Straggler in a previous running life – I just love their events!!! I started the year with the Bushey Park Trail Run, then there was the Wedding Day 7k, one of my few summer races, and now I’ve just completed the Cabbage Patch 10 miler. 

All 3 events are always well-organised, with lots of friendly marshals and, although not exclusively within Bushey Park like the other two, the Cabbage Patch still has a lot of traffic-free sections. 

It was great to see some ‘new’ faces this year, even if Sue was running for her home Club rather than us! Quite a good turnout for HHRR, and the ladies section outnumbered the men for a change. That must be a first for us?!!? 

The injured Joneses put in a good performance - Ryan set a new PB to lead the Club home in 1:09, despite his damaged ribs, and Mel wasn’t far behind in spite of her injured leg. I finished just 6 seconds slower than my PB, but about 5 mins quicker than I was hoping after my recent holiday. 

I had to dash off for my birthday lunch, so I didn’t collect everyone’s actual finishing times, but here’s the official results. (Priya and Julie, I hope I’ve got your details right as I couldn’t find you listed under HHRR!) 

Official finishing times:

Ryan Jones 1:09:04 (221^st overall)

Martin Keegan 1:18:07 (540^th overall)

Michelle Sampson 1:25:03 (810^th overall)

Brian Skinner 1:25:46 (835^th overall)

Mel Jones 1:29:02 (944^th overall)

Priya Kudhail 1:39:17 (1245^th overall)

Julie Ward 1:48:11 (1373^rd overall)

Sue Ford 1:48:13 (1374^th overall, running for her first claim club, Werrington Joggers)

84^th Mens Team (out of 113)

1447 finishers

 

Manuden 10K

Sunday 7th October 2007

Back at the start of the summer, Ian’s brother suggested we enter this race. I must’ve been in a particularly enthusiastic mood as I went straight home and entered (so enthusiastic, in fact, that my race number was 3!) He didn’t and, by the time I’d reached the 1k marker, I was starting to think he had the right idea! 

I really didn’t know what to expect as I hadn’t seen a map or even a description of the course but, in hindsight, I think that’s probably just as well! I was almost sick by the time I reached the top of the first hill just after 1k and the entire course was up and down hill. They were like mountains! Give me a nice flat London route any day! 

It’s actually a good course – not really PB material, but great training. As well as the ‘main’ 10k, there’s also a 5k event and a 1k fun run for the kids. The 10k is an out and back route along a country lane, through a bit of a village, onto a field and back the same way. Two water stations and friendly marshals. As you approach the halfway point you can see the leaders on their way back, so it’s nice to know you’re not too far behind! (The 5k and 1k courses start the same way but turn back earlier.) 

Disappointingly for Ian, breakfast finished at 10am, so he only managed to get a cup of coffee before the race and then we went for lunch in a local pub, so he can’t really provide his usual review of the refreshments! They were still trying to light the post-race barbecue as we left but, as there were goodie bags, medals and t-shirts to all finishers, you could enjoy the juice and cereal bar if you didn’t want to wait for a burger! 

Unfortunately, they don’t record the official results, so I had to rely on Ian’s Dad who told me I was 16th lady.  They have published approximate times and finishing order on the website, it looks like I was 17^th lady, 83^rd overall out of 233 finishers. 

As for Ian’s brother, he and Ian entered the 1k with his 3 year old daughter! She put in a great effort, so I may have some competition from at least one of the Trapmore’s next year, although it might not be one of the boys!

 

 

Wedding Day 7k

 Friday 27th July 2007

 I finally saw the deer, and lots of them! I also spotted Sonia O’Sullivan (even if I did think she was a man – oops!) 

As always, this was a well-organised, enjoyable event. The weather was about as perfect as it could be for a summer evening run, it was cooler than previous years and I think that showed in our finishing times. I knocked about 2 minutes off my PB, something I probably couldn’t have managed in the heat! 

It’s great to be away from the traffic and it can be a nice evening out – there’s a barbecue (Ian recommends the home-made burgers!), bar and, of course, the fish and chip shop for afterwards! The weather really was good to us this year and the rain held off until we had finished running and we had to take shelter in the fish and chip shop! 

Although there were 493 finishers, only 3 of them were from HHRR, I don’t know if it’s the ‘odd’ distance, or perhaps the thought of giving up a Friday night’s drinking, that puts people off, but I’d definitely recommend this race for next year. There’s a prize for the most entrants from one Club, any takers for 2008, or am I being too optimistic?!?!?

 

Harry Hawkes 8

Sunday 1^st July 2007 

Lulled into a false sense of security by the unseasonably wet weather (and the fact that it was still raining minutes before the start), I set off a little too fast and was soon struggling in the heat! 

However, having subjected myself to a drinking ban and a curfew at Bill’s party the previous night, I was determined to finish in my target time of 70 minutes! I suffered in the heat and, although it was lovely to have some sunshine for the post-race barbecue, I really wish it had stayed cool and wet for the race itself!  

This is actually quite a nice course – a lap of the cricket field to start, followed by a length of busy main road, but then much of the race is along towpaths and pleasantly traffic-free. I hadn’t seen a map of the course, so I didn’t quite know what to expect. I found myself in Kingston town centre at one point, outside Hampton Court Palace at another – it was quite an adventure! (Especially when it nearly became a contact sport as a car pulled out of a side road and almost took three of us out towards the end of the race!) 

The main reason I entered this race was that Ian has traced his family back to 18^th century Thames Ditton. He jumped at the chance to let me suffer an 8-mile run whilst he sought out local historians, but I’d recommend it even if you’re not into the Trapmore family tree! This was an enjoyable event, only half an hour or so from home, and it would be nice to see a few more HHRR runners there next year. 

For those of you who like to keep up with Ian’s quest for the perfect burger – he limited himself to just one whilst I was running (and more when I’d finished, of course!). There’s a licensed bar, snacks and a barbecue at the Cricket Club and the local Junior School held its Summer Fete in the afternoon so we managed to squeeze in a cream tea as well! (Michelle)

 

 

BA Speedbirds Ladies 5k

Wednesday 13th June 2007

Another bottle of BA wine for Jacqui’s collection, as Sharon, Jacqui and I won the 2^nd team prize at this year’s Speedbirds! 

Sharon led the team home in 22 mins 20 secs, a couple of minutes quicker than last year, to take 1^st Vet and 3^rd place overall. 

I finished 7^th in 23.50, 3^rd Senior Lady, with Jacqui achieving her target in 30 minutes exactly. 

An impressive performance from Sharon’s daughter, Jade, saw her finish in 6^th place overall, taking the 1^st Junior prize in a time of 23.26. 

As always, this was an enjoyable (apart from the humidity!), well-organised event. Lots of very friendly marshals, although one told me off for smiling too much – apparently I should use the energy for running! 

It’s a good course – quite challenging as there are a couple of tough hills, including a very steep one just before the half-way point, but really suitable for all ages and abilities. It’s also totally traffic-free, apart from the 2 male runners who strayed onto the course and nearly got trampled in a sprint finish! 

This is a lovely local event. I’m always surprised that it’s such a small turnout – usually only around 20 entrants – but perhaps that’s because of the early start time. Although I found it very tough at the time, I decided that I enjoyed it once I’d had some refreshments (Mars bars and Roses chocolates were handed round, along with the usual water and squash).  

All in all, a great evening, I just wish the rain had arrived a couple of hours earlier as it really was very hot out there!

 

Henham 10k

Sunday 10th June 2007

Michelle’s Ugley! That’s the title that Ian suggested for my report on the Henham 10k, in aid of Henham and Ugley School.  

I’m actually proud to say that I won the Ugley contest! Well, I was first lady in the 16-35 category and, despite the heat, I managed a time just 30 seconds slower than my PB, sixth lady overall. 

This was a great event, quite a challenging run as the majority of the course was cross-country, so the ground was fairly hilly and quite uneven in places. The course was described as ‘undulating’ – someone commented that he thought the hill just before 7k would never end! The note on the 7k marker promised no more hills though, which was a definite relief! 

It was a very warm day (not my favourite weather for running, as most of you know!) and much of the course was across open fields, so I tried to enjoy the shadier parts as much as possible. A very nice man at 9k offered to spray us with lovely cold water – I think it came from the village pond but, by that point, I was so hot I really didn’t care! 

A great day out for all ages – the race was followed by a BBQ on the school field and drinks and other snacks were also available. The refreshments got full marks from Ian as he enjoyed a burger whilst I was running, and was even able to help me celebrate with a nice cold shandy after the race! 

I must just mention the children’s race – they completed the full 10k and there were some great performances from all age groups. One to watch out for in the Under-11s category – the winning boy finished in 43 minutes! 

I’d recommend this event to anyone who finds themselves in the Bishops Stortford area in 2009 – they’re planning to hold it every 2 years, alternating with Stansted, so I might give that a try next year.

 

Concorde 10K & Fun Run

Sunday 13th May 2007

Local events are always popular and this one is a particular favourite with HHRR. Unfortunately, it clashed with a number of other races again this year and this, combined with the wet weather, meant there was a slightly lower turnout than usual.  

However, this didn’t stop Peter Furness returning from injury to complete his 10^th consecutive Concorde and add another commemorative horse-brass to his collection. The Men’s team took third place in the team event and the Club’s only female entrant this year, Michelle Sampson, also made the most of the unexpected weather to set a new PB. 

Official Times:

Mick McGuigan - 43:17

Clive Bonner – 43:54

Tony Kent – 45:14

Peter Furness – 45:20

Keith Morris – 45:24

Michelle Sampson – 47:54

Brian Skinner – 49:56

Tom Waugh – 50:12

 

Maidenhead Easter 10

Friday 6th April 2007

This was the 54th running of the Easter 10 which has taken place over a number of different courses down the year’s, by my reckoning it was the 4th different course I have run.

This years race  was based around the Maidenhead Business Park with three laps in total around the park together with countryside paths and roads in the surrounding area. 

Overall I felt the venue had a lot going for it with spectators being able to see the runners on a number of occasions, car parking near the start and finish and ample room for the race headquarters, but there were a shortage of toilets. 

We had a good turnout with most of our runners being pleased with their performances, Sharon ran a PB and promptly announced she was going to race a 10k the next day, Tony Kent ran much faster than he predicted but was still concerned that someone had out sprinted him to the line, Michelle was pleased with her performance which, is probably more then other runners were with her support group who were seen to be openly eating bacon rolls in front of there faces just before the start, whilst Jacqui was concerned that a recently moved relative had spotted her effort on a particularly difficult part of the course. 

 

Our final race placings:

Peter Furness 183

Tony Kent 315

Sharon Netteton 322

John Shaw 577

Brian Skinner 578

Michelle Sampson 591

Jacqui Howell 910

Nicola Dowling 925

 

Silverstone Half Marathon

Sunday 18th March 2007

The Silverstone Half Marathon is known by a few names – the Adidas Half, London Half and the warm up to the London Marathon – but, after this year, I think it should be renamed the ‘Four Seasons’! Or, as Ian suggested, ‘Shiverstone’!

There was a strong, biting wind from the moment we arrived. In fact, I was so cold that my toes were numb and I couldn’t feel them properly until about 4 miles into the race! We also experienced glorious summer sunshine, a few flakes of snow, rain, sleet, and the worst hailstones that I have ever been hit by!!! 

However, this shouldn’t detract from the event itself. Very well-organised, excellent facilities, free Lucozade and Vittel before, during and after the race, an excellent goody-bag (t-shirt and medal, more Lucozade and Vittel, snacks and Vaseline) and, at one point, a longer queue for the men’s toilets than the ladies! It was almost worth the entry fee just to see that!!! Mum and Ian tested one of the many refreshment vans, but they complained that the wind was so strong that their coffees were cold by the time they’d finished their bacon rolls!  

My only, small, complaint is that it took nearly an hour to get out of the car park – almost as long as it took the first man to run the whole race! However, as I finished at a time when there were around 6 finishers per second, I was bound to meet some of them on the way out. 

The course itself starts with a 3 mile lap around the racetrack and this is repeated in the opposite direction at the end. It’s quite nice knowing that you’ll see the spectators again so soon and the 3 mile sections don’t seem so bad. (It’s just the 7 mile loop in between that makes it a bit more difficult!) However, thoughts of the lovely picnic lunch that was waiting for me and the curry I’d be enjoying that evening kept me going. I was also looking forward to being able to tell everyone that I’d raced against Nigel Mansell at Silverstone! 

It’s a fantastic feeling to be part of such a massive event - over 6000 finishers, not as many as previous years, but still a huge turnout. So many runners, some raising money for charity, a few famous names, plus people like me who were just proud to take part and happy with a new PB. I briefly saw Mel and Ryan – another good performance from them and we all beat Nigel Mansell! 

All in all, a good day out – it was a shame about the wind, but don’t let that put you off – ‘Shiverstone’ is definitely one to try and, although it didn’t exactly warm me up, it did make me think about London…one day! 

Chip times

Ryan Jones 1:38:13

Michelle Sampson 1:55:40

Mel Jones 1:57:46

 

Paris Half Marathon 2007

Sunday 11th March

Ideal race conditions sunny and no wind for the 15th running of this event, This was the 7th time I have run it and the field gets bigger each year, with this time the race selling out after Xmas with 23.000 runners.  The race is very well organised, I had a preferential bid by virtue of my time being under 1.35 last year and the start is well marshalled to ensure that only those qualified get into this starting pen. this makes a big difference as it took me 24secs to cross the line ( Kay said that it was 20mins before all the field had left).  I was hoping to run under 1.35  and having not done the training I had hoped this winter, I decided to start conservatively however I was feeling quite good with 5k to go and managed to run 1.32 for my second fastest time on the course and a finishing position of 1639.( Maybe it was the fact I was wearing the Mizuno shoes that Greg donated when I won target zero a couple of years ago for the first time in a race that made the difference!)  As is the case with French races there was plenty of food and fruit available at the finish as well as on route and 11 bands playing different types of music gives the race a Great North feel.  The conditions led to the winning Kenyan running a time just over the hour for the fastest half marathon on French soil.  (Pete Furness)

 

Bushy Park Trail Run 2007

Sunday 25th February

I’m beginning to think that the Bushy Park deer are simply a myth – another year, another trail run and, once again, no sign of them!

As always, the Stragglers organised a great event. A slightly smaller turnout than usual (hardly any queues for the toilets though!), perhaps the weather put people off, or it might have been the mud. Not quite as bad as the Perivale cross country course, but I heard a few people saying that they wished they had worn trail shoes. I did, and it really helped, as I was able to go through the puddles rather than round them! 

Ian provided his usual review of the refreshment facilities – very nice, but he thought they were a bit pricey (so pricey, in fact, that he had a sausage roll and then went back for a bacon one just to be sure!) 

I don’t know what happened to the clock – it’s quite nice to check your official time as you go past on the first lap and, of course, at the finish – perhaps the deer ran off with it because it wasn’t there when I ran past! My watch told me it was another PB for this course though (35.29), and the official results list me as 8^th lady (3^rd in my actual category), so I’m happy with that.(Michelle Sampson)

 

Lakeside Canal Run 12 km

Sunday 21 St January 2007

 

This was my first race of the year and I was really looking forward to running this new race for 2007. Organised by Mike Gratton and his 2:09 events team, at the world famous Lakeside Centre at Frimley - Home of the World Darts Championships.  The race was described as a different type of event and of an unusual distance.   

With the first half of the run being on a hilly road through wooded countryside, and at halfway the route takes a sharp left, to joins the Basingstoke canal and then heading back to the finish line at the Lakeside centre. 

The location was ideal as a multi terrain race, and was different  than just a normal road race. The course was well marshalled with beautiful scenery and it was great to get away from the traffic. 

The only draw back to the race apart from the cold weather and strong winds, was that due to the heavy winds a few days before the race which blew down trees and blocked the towpath.  The course was diverted off the towpath up a country lane and then back onto the towpath, turning the race into a 8.5 mile race instead of the advertised 12 km.  But most of the runners just saw it as extra miles for the build up to the London Marathon. 

My finishing place was 201 in just over 400 runners.  I received a nice big shiny gold medal and bottle of water at the finish line.  well worth a good morning's exercise, once I got my hands on that medal. (Peter Ford)

Over 400 runners gathered on the first morning of the New Year for the 25th running of the years first race. 

A dry but windy morning greeted the competitors with loose water on parts of the three lap circuit. 

In the conditions I was pleased with my time of 42.18 which was faster then a year ago so the Xmas excesses obviously did not take too much of a toll. 

All finishers received an insulated mug to mark the 25th anniversary with an inscription that said 3 laps, 10K, 1 mug, I think that says it all. 

Peter Furness