Adam Kirk-Smith: another week, another record....

Another week, another record for our Adam Kirk-Smith. He made a guest appearance in the 3000m steeplechase at the British Athletics League Division 1 match at the Linford Christie Stadium and took second place in a time of 9:19.13 (14 seconds speedier than his previous club record, set a fortnight earlier). What next Adam? Watch this space….

The Garrett’s in Watford

Meanwhile, one of the most intriguing club rivalries had its latest chapter at the Watford Open on Wednesday. In race 13 young Liam Garrett came in at 10th place in the 1500 in a time of 4:29:44. Then in the next race his V40 dad, Edward Garrett, came in at 10th place at 4:25.11.  So the gap is now down to four seconds. It won’t be long….

Here’s Edward’s report:  ‘Hoping for a family showdown, we put down exactly the same overambitious time, as one does at Watford. Doing so wasn't enough to put us in the same race, though; they have to draw the line somewhere. In the event, we both finished 10th out of 16 runners, with confidence-boosting season's bests.’

Marathons in Stockholm and Liverpool

Ash Abrha made a welcome return to competitive running after several years out through a series of debilitating knee and other injuries. In typical Ash style, he chose a full marathon for his comeback – this time in Liverpool on Sunday May 29. His plan was to use it as a starter pack to get a Good for Age qualification for London, which meant he needed to come in under 3:20. But anyone who has run with our Ash knows better. At his best, he was a 2:44:37 man (back in 2008), so he wasn’t about to scrape in with a few minutes to spare. His time of 3:02.42 will no doubt spur him on to another sub-3 marathon in London 2017. Two other club members joined him: Jakub Kozel in 3:26.31 and Katerina Firstova in 4:57.56.

Six days later Luke Leighfield and Madeleine Minson ran the Stockholm Marathon, with Luke finishing in 3:38 and Madeleine in a debut time of 3:50. Luke, who was aiming at 3:15, wrote his report on where it all went wrong. Well worth a read: https://medium.com/@lukeleighfield/when-it-all-goes-wrong-6de67a489692#.grngo6feh –

Here’s Madeleine’s rather shorter report: ‘My 3:50.21 was nigh on exactly the time I'd aimed for and a PB by default, it being my first attempt at the distance. It was the most beautiful, largely waterside course and a really fun, well organised event, I can thoroughly recommend it. Only drawbacks were a killer uphill bridge you've got to conquer twice, and temperatures that were far hotter in parts than the 18C the organisers claimed. But a spectator's placard saying 'F*** the bridge' and loads of mist showers along the route helped immensely with these hurdles.’

Three go to Forest Five

Philip Duggan reports that he was among three Heathsiders who took part in the first Forest Five of the summer on Saturday. Philip was the first Heathsider home in 20th place (out of 147) in 32:24. One place and two seconds behind him was Lee Connor while V50 Marco Maserati came 52nd in 36:33.

Philip writes: ‘It was a muggy day in the forest with the Orion Harriers, as usual, taking everyone across pitted fields, tracks and into the woods following piles of sawdust.  All of us will be back for the second one hoping to improve our places, if anyone wants to join us and keep up their cross country running over the summer break.’

Regent’s Park 10k

Six Heathsiders raced around the three laps of the Regent’s Park 10k, with Gareth Marshall taking 10th place (out of 748) in a time of 37:44. Matthew Cockerill was the first V40 in 38:32 and Carl Heap was the first V60 in 43:08.

Andy Conway, one of the six, reports: ‘Fantastic weather albeit warmish at the end, beautiful venue of course, flat route, 3 laps, well organised, chipped, a little light on loos for 750 participants, good water provision for a 10K, water, medal, banana in good nick plus flapjack at the finish, £15.00.’

World Duathlon Championships, Aviles, Northern Spain (10.3km/41km/5.4km)

John Driscoll represented his country in the World Duathlon Championships this weekend, and came 17th out of 43. Here is his report:

‘After taking part in the European Duathlon Champs in Germany in April, I was in Aviles in Northern Spain for the World Championships this weekend. My hope was for a top half finish and although I had no illusions as to the depth of talent in the field, it was still daunting to see the lead group set off at 5 min 30 mile pace for the first 10km.  I stuck to 6 min miles on a flat breezy course and hoped people would start to blow up as the temperature was around 20 degrees and getting warmer.  

‘Coming in 8th off the first run, T1 went well as an hour's practise the day before with a few zillion elastic bands paid off as I ran holding the bike one handed along the carpet and pulled off my first flying mount.

‘Despite a PB on the bike leg, I dropped probably 20 places against my age group. The predominantly flat course had a few hillocks and hairpins to make it interesting but like many competitors started to suffer twinges of calf cramp in the heat.

‘The final run started well passing a few guys on the run in and out of T2 and although quads were screaming I was suffering less than most. Every water point I poured 2 bottles over myself and in the end was 5th fastest on the final 5.4km run and ended up 17/43 overall and 6/11 of the Brits catching the last guy 40m from the finish.

‘My heart rate hit new highs on the run in and I was so shattered that I couldn't speak for about 2 mins - a rare event. All in a great way to end the season and thanks as always to all for the help and advice/company on bike and run training.’

European Masters Swimming Championships, London Aquatic Centre, May 25-29

Luka Melon competed in the 35 – 39-year-old age group in the  European Masters’ Swimming Championships at the London Aquatic Centre last week, taking part in three races and coming in the top one third of all of them including 48th out of 232 in the 100m freestyle in a time of 59.85 seconds.. Here is his report:

‘This happens to be about 20 years since my last proper swimming competition. I took part in a 4x50m freestyle relay for a team from my native Slovenia, 100m and 50m freestyle. I am particularly chuffed with my result at 100m where I have nipped under the minute. There was fierce competition in the freestyle sprints but I am delighted with the results.’

Skyrace Vallibierna 21k, near Barcelona, Spain, Sunday June 5

Phil Hogg reports:  ‘Audi Andruskeviciute (trained at the track with us before her Boston marathon) was 3rd woman in the Skyrace Vallibierna 21 km mountain trail race in the Pyrenes near Barcelona despite running through shin injury.’ No times available yet.

Park Runs

Fifty of our members took part in 20 parkruns on Saturday with five first places (including three under 17-minutes). Star of the day was Andrew Brooker whose first place in Nonsuch came in 16.10. In hilly Finsbury Park Tom Aldred was first in 16:16 while Leigh James was the first woman in 20:12. In Grovelands Rich Macaulay (a 400m specialist) was first in 16:52, while in Northala it was good see Clare Miller back – and, as usual in first place – in 19:27. Here are the full Heathside results: http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=2017&eventdate=2016-06-04

British Athletics League, Linford Christie Stadium, Saturday June 4

2 Adam Kirk-Smith 9:19.13 (PB, club record)

Watford Open, Wednesday June 1

1500m Race 13

10th Liam Garrett U17M 04:29.44

1500m Race 14

10th Edward Garrett M40 04:25.41

Liverpool Marathon, Sunday May 29

Ash Abrha (V50) - 3:02.42

Jakub Kozel in 3:26.31

Katerina Firstova in 4:57.56.

Stockholm Marathon, Saturday June 4

Luke Leighfield – 3:38.00

Madeleine Minson - 3:50.21

Forest Five, Saturday June 4

20th Philip Duggan – 32:24

21st Lee Connor – 32:26

52. Marco Maserati – 36:33

Regent’s Park 10k, Sunday June 5

Gareth Marshall – 37:44 (10th overall)

Matthew Corkerill – 38:32 (1st V40)

Carl Heap – 43:08 (1st V60)

Jennifer Wing – 44:24

Anthony Chin – 48:30

Andy Conway – 50:13

World Duathlon Championships, Aviles, Northern Spain (10.3km/41km/5.4km)

John Driscoll - 17th out of 43 (in 45-49 age group)
2.16.20 (38.04  / 2.04 / 1.13.27 / 2.00  /20.43)

European Masters Swimming Championships, London Aquatic Centre, May 25-29

Luka Melon (35-39 age group):

4x50m freestyle

1:44,95 (23rd place out of 82)

100m freestyle

0:59,85 (48th place out of 232)

50m freestyle

0:27,19 (67th place out of 204)