Kirk-Smith takes bronze in Belfast

A bitty report this week. Highlights include Adam Kirk-Smith’s bronze medal in the Belfast Half (in a huge PB time of 69.13), Rebecca Bunting winning the off-road Royston Runners half, Heathside’s men’s fourth place in the Middlesex Road Relays and Gaby Johnson and Ciara Owens competing in the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Mexico.

Meanwhile Amy Jane and Nick De Suusmarez kicked off the autumn marathon season in Richmond, Dan McKeown and Peter Ward were in fine form in the Reigate Half, Tammela Platt, Sandra Buckton and John Driscoll ran the Jubilee Hall Trust ‘’Run for life’ 10k on the Heath and Simon Hazel competed in the half-Iron’man’ in Weymouth.

Kirk-Smith takes bronze in Belfast Half

Another outing for Adam, another PB. His time of 69.13 was his best yet by 4:57 in an event that is about 11 miles longer than he usually prefers. Piet Jacobs’s 65.42 might be out of reach for a while but Adam has many years in his sprightly 25-year-old legs to close the gap if that’s what he desires. He said he was ‘delighted to have made it onto the littlest step of the podium’ but also noted in a Facebook feed: ‘The half isn't really my distance, so the main focus is steeplechase and the Commonwealth games in 2018 - I'm not sure it's the sky, but it certainly is a long way up!’ Adam’s performance gave him the bronze medal, along with a blue sash and a bottle of champers.

Bunting wins Royston half

Rebecca Bunting was the first woman and eighth overall in the rough-and-ready Royston Runners half marathon in a time of 1:35.01 on Sunday 18th. Her bloke, the multi-marathon man Henry Hamilton, trailed in her wake in a still-impressive 14th place – 1:44.02. Here’s Rebecca’s report:

‘An off-road, technical, trail/xc half marathon where after three miles I was thinking: oops I've paced this as though it were a Met League. The course took us through fields, woodland, past grazing livestock and gave stunning views of rural Hertfordshire. It was a low key event (with a quarter marathon option also available) hosted by Royston Runners with no mile markers or medals but plenty of friendly marshals. A great opener to the off-road season - bring on xc.’

Barnes, Armstrong & Litchfield fourth in Middlesex Road Relays

Three of our Tuesday track stalwarts, Andy Barnes, Steve Armstrong and Jonathan Litchfield, put in a solid shift in Hayes, in the inaugural Middlesex Road Relays on Sunday 11th, coming fourth out of 11 teams. Here’s Jonathan’s report:

‘It might have been the far-flung location (Hayes) or the unconventional race time (4:15 on a Sunday evening), but Heathside were one of just 11 Senior Men's teams in the inaugural Middlesex Road Relays on 11 September.  Of the others, five were from Hillingdon AC and three from Ealing, Southall & Middlesex AC.

‘In true Great Britain Davis Cup style, Heathside's 3-man team consisted of Andy Barnes in the Andy Murray role, and Steve Armstrong and I as the lesser talents the public has never heard of. Each 5k leg (actually 5.4k) involved 2 laps around a course of approximately two-thirds cycle track and the remainder over grass and trail.  A handful of short, sharp hills made things interesting. I ran the first leg in 19:37, putting us in 6th place.  Andy then took over, with an 18:10 leg taking us into 4th position, which Steve consolidated and secured in 19:35.  We finished behind two Hillingdon teams and one from Barnet & District AC.’

Nick & Amy run Richmond Runfest marathon

These two launched the autumn marathon spree on Sunday 18th by romping around leafy Richmond, both finishing in 3:47-ish. Here’s Nick’s report:

‘It was a beautiful route starting inside Kew Gardens and snaking along the river to Hampton Court. The weather was perfect and it could be one to put in your diaries. Only drawbacks are that it is an unusual time of year for a marathon and that you get stuck at the finish in a huge, end of the world, running gear sale with Richmond prices and from which there seemed no escape. Anyway Amy caught me up in the last half mile (having paced the race correctly unlike myself) and we finished together in 3:47:27.’

Sandra, John and Tammela run for their lives on the Heath

Sandra Buckton, John Driscoll and Tammela Platt were on familiar cross-country territory in the Jubilee Hall Trust ‘Run for your life’ 10k on the Heath on Saturday 17th. Here’s Tammela’s report:

‘This was a proper trail race, consisting of two laps of the Parliament Hill area and quite reminiscent of certain cross country races that may be coming up in early 2017... Despite the recent rainstorm, the trails were remarkably dry, and the grey skies and breeze, despite making for a chilly start, ended up being perfect once we were running. As many of you know, the Heath is a beautiful but not very forgiving place to run. I was knackered by about 7k but managed to finish in a respectable (in my mind!) just over 50:00, while Sandra blistered the female pack and ran somewhere in the 45-minute range. Despite not receiving our race packs in the post as promised, the race was well-organised, the group warmup fun, and the course very well marked. I would certainly recommend it as some good pre-season cross country training!’

To which John, who finished in 38:15, added: ‘We reckoned it was actually about 9.3km –lovely slightly soft trail running that kind of followed the cross country route so 2 '5' k laps. No mud: hooray!’

Dan and Peter run Reigate Half

Dan McKeown cruised under the 1:20 mark in the twisty, one-big-hill Run Reigate Half in preparation for a marathon (1:19.46), while Peter Ward, who was the 1:40 pacer got it right in a time of 1:39.45. Here’s Dan's short report:

‘I was ninth at the Run Reigate Half, squeaking inside 80 minutes after a combination of a nasty hill and a jelly baby going down the wrong way at mile 11. Peter Ward was pacing 1:40 and finished bang on schedule, hopefully earning himself a few free drinks for his troubles.’

And Peter’s longer report:

‘Fourth time this year pacing with Xempo, this time at 1hr:40 at Reigate Half. Flat (bar mile 12 hill which had a lot of fellow runners doubting themselves), scenic course winding and twisting to the south of Reigate, well organised and supported by the local community. With some solid mileage in the legs this year, felt comfortable and considering my PB was only four minutes faster, job well done, finishing 1:39:45. If I was in club colours and proper race mode, no doubt would have been in new PB territory.  Instead others got theirs.’

Jonathan and Andrew in Battersea

Along with his relay leg and winning a parkrun, Jonathan Litchfield came 12th in the Battersea Park 10k in a time of 37:44. on Wednesday September 14, while Andrew Dunderdale came 14th in the 5k event, in a time of 19:36.

Gabi and Ciara at ITU World Triathlon Champs in Mexico

Gabi Johnson travelled to Cozumel to compete for Britain in the ITU World Triathlon champs in the V45-49 sprint event, where she was joined by fellow club member Ciara Owens, representing Ireland in the V35-39 group at the standard distance. Here’s Gabi’s report:

‘On arrival all the GB athletes were hit by the climate - temperatures were in the 30s and worse still the humidity was over 80%. Sweating was uncontrollable and we all realised packing light for such a climate was a mistake.  A pre-race swim from the team GB hotel confirmed a water temperature of 30 degrees. You were no cooler in the water than out. 

‘Race day was a nerve racking time for everyone. Even seasoned age groupers who had been competing in such events for decades looked vaguely terrified at breakfast. After all, so much can go wrong in triathlon. I arrived at transition in pitch darkness at 5:30 am to find my tyres were completely deflated, I had no idea why. Some competitors' tyres had exploded the previous day after racking.

‘With all the build-up it was a relief to finally get in the sea for the start of the swim. Mine went smoothly, considering it is my weak discipline and I have almost zero sea swimming experience. I was only caught in the last few metres by a freak swell which caused people in the next waves (just a few minutes later) to be pulled out for safety reasons. Out of the water, I jumped on the bike and had an uneventful bike split with unfortunately few drafting opportunities. The less said about my run the better - let me say that I did finish and I was not stretchered off with heat stroke like many others. No amount of training would have helped me get round faster in that humidity. It is the first time I have raced where the aid stations were handing out ice for you to put wherever you think is best. 

‘On Sunday fellow Heathsider Ciara Owens competed in the standard distance race. Again the heat was horrendous on the run. I only just managed to tolerate spectating. Ciara had a fantastic bike split (on a retro style rented bike) and an excellent run for the conditions. She reported that the best part was sitting in the ice bath at the end.

‘Being part of the age group competition was quite an experience and I was so impressed at the number of 'older' fit people who took part. They make the Heathside vets look like a bunch of kids! There were several competitors well into their 80s, and I saw the iron nun competing in the standard distance race.  https://youtu.be/SEf7MoQYgzE’

Simon’s 70.3 in Weymouth

Simon Hazel is well on his way to meeting the GB qualifying time after his 70.3 in Weymouth on September 11. Here’s his report:

‘Perfect race conditions for this end of season middle distance race. The flat sea and new rolling start made for a pleasant swim. The rolling hills, rising temperature and lack of breeze made the bike easier than the course recce a few weeks before in non-stop drizzle and strong headwind. The run was almost pancake flat but the lack of shade meant it felt quite hot by the last lap. Missed a GB age group qualifying time by about 10 mins but something to work on for next season.’

Greg gets back on his rollerskis

We don’t usually feature rollerskiing reports (come to think of it, we don’t usually have rollerski racers), but here’s the first of what may, or may not, be many. Greg Bell, a veteran of the sport, made a comeback after several years of merely running. Here’s his report on the 10k Hillingdon Time Trial on Sunday 18th:

‘My first time back on rollerskis in over five years, so technique pretty rusty, but a good hour's practise beforehand helped me get my "ski legs" back. Racers set off at 10 secs intervals and had to complete 7 laps of the cycle circuit - luckily it didn't rain (wet tarmac is dangerously slippery!), but it was quite humid and warm when the sun came out. Rollerskiing is a great sport, working the upper body as well as the legs - although falling over can be...painful. Anyone intrigued with what's involved can get a quick taster in this short Youtube video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v19WZSons_g’

Parkrun wins for Cartwright-Finch, Litchfield, Vinluan, Swan & Wagstaff

At least 57 of our runners competed in 17 parkruns on Saturday 17th. The standout performance came from Ula Cartwright-Finch who was the first woman in Hackney Marshes in an impressive time of 18:48. The same event saw our former cross-country captain, in her eighth month of pregnancy, trotting home in 27:41. Meanwhile in Pymmes the husband and wife team of Jonathan Litchfield and Jessica Vinluan both took firsts places – he in 18:35 and she in 22:01. Fifteen of our lot competed in Ally Pally. The first woman (without a barcode) was Sarah Swan in 20:57 and the first with a barcode was Elidh Wagstaff in 21:56.

And a big welcome back to our Claire Sliwerski who ran a 29:04 in Oak Hill, her first race after years of injury. Here are the consolidated club result: http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=2017&eventdate=2016-09-17

Results

Deep River Rock Belfast Half Marathon, Sunday 18th

3rd Adam Kirk-Smith – 69:13

Royston Runners Half Marathon, Sunday 18th

8th Rebecca Bunting 1.35.01 (1st F)

14th 1.44.02 Henry Hamilton 

Run Reigate Half Marathon, Sunday 18th

9th Dan McKeown 1:19:46

288th Peter Ward 1:39:45 (1:40 pacer)

Richmond Runfest Marathon, Sunday 18th

3.47:27 Amy Jane

3:47.27 Nick Sausmarez

Jubilee Hall Trust Run for your life 10k, Hampstead Heath, Saturday 17th

John Driscoll – 38:15 (approx. – no official times yet)

Sandra Buckton – 45.00 (approx.)

Tammela Platt – 50.00 (approx.)

Chase the Sun 10k & 5k, Battersea Park, Wednesday 14th

10k:

12th Jonathan Litchfield – 37:44

5k:

14th Andrew Dunderdale – 19:46

Middlesex Road Relays, Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, Minet Park, Sunday 11th

4th (out of 11 senior teams): London Heathside (Jonathan Litchfield – 19:37; Andy Barnes – 18:10; Steve Armstrong – 19:35). Each leg 5.4km.

Sprint Distance World Championships, Cozumel, Mexico – Thursday 15th

59th (V45-49) Gabrielle Johnson GBR 1:37

ITU Standard Distance World Championships, Cozumel, Mexico, Sunday 18th

32nd (V35-39) Ciara Owens IRL 2:32

Weymouth Ironman 70.3, Sunday 11th

347th Simon Hazel – 5:40.12 (44th V44-49) - 1.9k swim - 34:18 (T1 7:43); 90k bike - 3:06:15 (T2 4:03); 21.1k run - 1:47:53

GB Rollerski Race Series #9 - 10km Time Trial (Hillingdon Cycle Circuit)

20th Greg Bell   32'53 (35 finishers)