Lenny conquers Mont Blanc, monthly 10ks, Lee Valley Aquathon

It was pretty slim pickings in terms of reports sent in this week, which obviously means there’s even less excuse than normal for them being so tardy, but here goes:

Lenny Martin was over the Channel in France and here’s his account of an insanely gruelling effort: “I was in Chamonix last week for the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc series of races, and raced the OCC (Orsieres - Champex Lac - Chamonix). Although the shortest of the 5 races that make up the UTMB week, the OCC still packs a severe punch with 3,500m of ascent in 56km.

Unfortunately the pleasant weather that had preceded the races disappeared on the day, and we were greeted with cold, rain, and low visibility which lasted throughout. Despite the resulting treacherous conditions, and some minor mishaps along the way (pro-tip: always check a coat hood hasn't filled up with water before putting it up) I made it to the finish in 8 hours and 43 minutes, which was almost exactly my target time, and good enough for 317th place from 1,468 finishers.”

Meanwhile, Sue Eedle needlessly apologises for bigging up her efforts a little closer to home at Lee Valley: "First, the boasting bit -- I took gold in the 2017 aquathon series at Lee Valley White Water Centre, with a 24'15" final performance (8'19" swim/transition + 15'56" run) on Tuesday night, September 5, the fifth monthly event in the series.  Second, the reality/modesty check (it goes downhill from here) -- this was in the women's over-50s category for the short course event (250m + 2.954k), not a crowded or hugely competitive field.  But a medal is a medal!  Except that in this case it wasn't even a medal -- winners were awarded commemorative swim caps, so I have a fine gold latex hat with "1st, 50+ Category" on one side and the White Water Centre branding on the other.  And we all got cakes." Which is the main thing. 

A couple of 10ks and parkruns

Last Saturday, Andrew Tobin was the sole Heathsider at the monthly Olympic Park 10k Series in Stratford, finishing in a season’s best, while the following day Carlos Casal Perez finished 3rd in September’s edition of the Regent’s Park 10k Series in a speedy 35:03. Isobel Rae was 2nd female in 39:35 and Marianne Gibson also took part.

First finishers at last week’s parkruns: Stuart Meiklejohn at Oak Hill, Emilia Vynnycky at Westmill, Rebecca Bunting at Maldon Prom, Doug Rendle at Ally Pally and David Browne at Comber. Full results here: http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=2017&eventdate=2017-09-02

Full Results

Ultra Trail Mont Blanc Series (56km), Thursday 31st August

317 Lenny Martin 8 hours 43 mins

QEOP 10k Series, Saturday 2nd September

39 Andrew Tobin 43:22

Regent’s Park 10k Series, Sunday 3rd September

3 Carlos Casal Perez 35:03

24 Isobel Rae 39:35

252 Marianne Gibson 53:36