GOLDEN OLDIES storm the Charts!

It was a fairly quiet week for results, possibly due to it being the “lull” between the end of the Summer race season and the beginning of the pre-London Marathon preparers, plus there were no Cross-Country fixtures either. For those who did run, especially on Sunday morning, it was in very wet and windy, though still quite mild, weather conditions (in the London area, at any rate). Any results that have come to light seem to be dominated by our Veteran runners, especially at the Stevenage Marathon. Guess it was the younger members turn to have a lie-in!

PARKRUNS (Saturday 1.11.14): 

Heathsiders were out in force at a number of runs, not only across North, East, South (but not, it would seem, West) London - but also further afield such as in Brighton, Sheringham (Norfolk), Bramhall (nr. Stockport), Lisburn (NI), Waterstown (Eire) and even “down-under” in Sydney! All LH Parkrun results can be found at: “http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=2017&eventdate=2014-11-1”

NEW YORK MARATHON (2.11.14)

On a very windy day (gusts of 20mph-plus were recorded), Heathsider Rosaire Gray took part; she finished in 4h15m31s - well ahead of the average finishing time of 4h34m45s (placing 20182nd overall out of 50564 finishers, 5438th woman, and 357th V50-54)

STEVENAGE MARATHON (2.11.14)

Excellent results from our squad, who came away with several prizes - some photos have already been posted to the Club Facebook page. Gavin Evans writes: “Seven Heathsiders rose above the rain, late nights and lethargy to traipse their way around the 13.1 perpetually undulating miles of the brave new Stevenage Half. It’s now been joined by a marathon (but none of us was quite insane enough to pick that option!), with the result that the course has changed – it was its usual rainy, puddly self, but definitely felt hillier than before (though that might well have had something to do with the late nights, lethargy etc). Anyway, the race started early (a first, for me) with the weakest of whimper’s from the starter’s squeaky toy (seriously). Off we went, through the mud, and then up and down hill after hill. Chris Shipley and I ran shoulder-to-shoulder the whole way, occasionally chatting/grumbling, pulling each other along, until we reached mile 13, at which point Chris (who, sadly, lost his chip in a puddle along the way) changed gear and I...well I tried to change gear, but instead slipped in the mud and fell face-first, before splodging myself upright again for a bashful trot to the line! Next home was Dominic Jackson, who, feeling a bit on the wobbly side after a late night, had said he hoped for 1:26 but cantered in two minutes quicker, while Joe McKeown was third, followed by Rob Bowler, who pulled off a big PB (by two minutes 40) . Our first woman home was Bridget Napleton followed by Louisa Pointon. We came home with four awards: first and second V50 (yes, it’s hard to believe that Dom is 50, but it’s true!), second V45 woman and third male team.”

Results:

9th Chris Shipley – 1:22.47 (approx. – no chip time)

11th Gavin Evans – 1:23.00 (first V50)

14th Dominic Jackson – 1:24.27 (second V50)

31st Joseph McKeown – 1:30.28

68th Bridget Napleton – 1:37.43 (second V45 woman)

77th Robert Bowler – 1:38.44 (PB)

107th Louisa Pointon – 1:42.20

LAKELAND TRAILS (1-2.11.14)

Our intrepid Laura Boothman pushed her endurance to the limits by taking part in two stamina-sapping races on consecutive days over the weekend. She writes: “Referred to as the “Dirty Double”, the Helvellyn and Ullswater races in this year's Lakeland Trails series (“http://www.lakelandtrails.org/”) took place over the weekend. I should have realised that mandatory emergency kit + ferry to the start of the Ullswater race (due to no other means of access) = TOUGH! Nevertheless, these trails are well worth the effort due to stunning scenery and solid, no fuss organisation. Any tips for running over rough terrain (i.e. up stream beds, through bog, over tree roots!) would be totally appreciated to help speed me up next year.”

Times (by Laura’s Garmin, as official times not yet available) were:

Helvellyn (approx. 14km): 1:32:33

Ullswater (approx. 13km): 1:39:54

REGENT’S PARK Winter Series 10km (2.11.14)

13th       Jonathan Litchfield  39m14s (chip time)

66th    Roger Wagland       44m11s

155th Paul Belkin              49m16s

174th  Alun Nash               51m03s

179th  Valeria Rodriguez    51m24s

Yours truly had also entered, but was a DNS due to having had a cold and not feeling race-fit (I managed to potter gently round the club’s 11am Hampstead Heath run though...)

Next race in the series (1st Sunday of every month to March) is on December 7th, visit: “http://www.nice-work.org.uk/events.php?id=134” for details.