OMM! Swinhoe flies around Beachy Head, extreme events and pork pies
It was a week of extreme and (sometimes) eclectic events, with Heathsiders preparing for the next Met League race in many ways. Sarah Swinhoe continued to amaze with her return to form by winning the second hardest marathon in Britain in style, a few Heathsiders practised their cross-country pacing at the North of the Thames cross-country race, which Heathside’s under-17 boys dominated, Andy Barthorpe tackled a two day mountain marathon Scotland, whilst the McKeown brothers went their separate ways in pursuit of pork pies and chutney (and hopefully finished with a picnic)…
Those are just the highlights. We begin the report with Chris Hartley’s (unedited) write-up from Kingsbury, arguably the most scenic cross country race in the season so far.
CROSS COUNTRY
North of the Thames Cross-Country Championships, Saturday 24th October, Fryent Park, Kingsbury [by Chris Hartley]
The rain just about held off for the staging of the long-standing North of the Thames Champs on Saturday, and the beautiful old course made for some strong running, despite the obstacles of dog poo and a dead squirrel.
The Under-17 Men’s race (3 miles) was held alongside the Senior Women’s race. There were only three entrants, of whom all were Heathside, guaranteeing a 1-2-3 for the club. Congratulations to William Griffiths, Myles Calderazzo, and Luke Gray.
In the Senior Women’s race (3 miles), Emilia Vynnycky was the only Heathsider in a field of 55. Emilia showed that she is in good form already this season, with a 19th place finish. Serpentine won the North of the Thames trophy (four to score), and Ealing won the Liddiard trophy (three to score).
Eleven Heathsiders were among the 136 runners in the Senior Men’s race (5 miles). Rob O’Grady, finding his way back towards full fitness, led the men home in 14th place. Jacob Phillips demonstrated the ease with which he has joined the Seniors this season with a 26th place finish (first - and only - Under 20). A cracking run from John Flahive (29th) suggested that his injury problems are finally a thing of the past. Newcomer Nick Haward kicked off his cross-country career with a tidy run to finish 55th. Finally, a big welcome back to cross-country to Bob Gould, who took Steve Armstrong’s number to make his return with 121st place, complete with a sprint finish. Good to see you back in a Heathside vest, Bob!
In the North of the Thames trophy (four to score) Heathside finished 4th, behind Serpentine. In the Liddiard Trophy (8 to score), Heathside were 3rd, behind winners H*ghgate.
Many thanks, and congratulations to all who took part.
MARATHONS
Road marathons
Congratulations are due to Patrick Waldron who had a great run in the Frankfurt marathon last Sunday, finishing in just over 3 hours (3:01:08), marginally slower than his PB, according to Power of Ten.
Belated congratulations are also due to Jim Connell, Tom Ashby and Jake Spencer who ran well in the Amsterdam marathon last week-end, with Jim narrowly missing the 3 hour mark by 31 seconds, Tom finishing in 3:14:27 and Jake securing a PB (3:25:51). Jim comments: “We all started and ran some of the race together. The conditions were a little cold, grey and rainy but there was a good atmosphere on course and the beers flowed later.”
Trail marathons: Beachy head marathon, Sunday 26th October 2015
Three Heathsiders (Sarah Swinhoe, Paul Jarman and Benjamin Jenks) participated in one of the most extreme events of the week, the Beachy Head marathon. Paul Jarman sends in the following report (with light editing from Gavin):
“We lined up at the start of the Beachy head marathon at 9am feeling rather nervous at the sight of the horrendously steep half mile hill-start looming above us. Billed as the second hardest marathon in the UK, it lived up to its reputation (Wow what must the hardest one be like?). The first 11 miles were either steep up or steep down with not much in-between . The last 7 miles were much worse. I nearly wept at mile 23 when a marshall called out 'two mile ascent to the top of Beachy head'. This was followed by the super steep start run in reverse to the finish line. It was all off-road on trails and bridleways and very beautiful, over the Sussex downs and white calk sea cliffs, although I must admit the views were lost on me after about 17 miles. A great atmosphere and a well organised race.
Sarah was first woman by a considerable margin and 12th overall with an amazingly impressive and strong run, cutting through the elite male field over the last 6 miles. Marshals were overheard discussing the fact that she was the only person running up the steep hills over the last few miles. I limped in more dead than alive 10 mins later and did it as an independent trail run without a number as I couldn't get a place in the oversubscribed race.
Despite the brutal hills it was a really enjoyable event and helps put the suffering of XC into perspective. A big Heathside presence next year perhaps? Or perhaps not..”
Benjamin Jenks also ran well, finishing in 4:12.
OMM - Tweedsmuir Hills, Scotland, 25th& 26th October 2015
Rivalling the Beachy Head trio, Andy Barthorpe went to Scotland, to run in a different extreme event, the OMM. Not to be confused with the abbreviation used in text messages, OMM stands for “Original Mountain Marathon". The event spans 2 days and, perhaps reflecting its risky nature, participants run in pairs through streams, up mountains, also making sure that they don’t damage the peat bogs or the ecosystem. Andy was justifiably pleased with his result: “We finished 14th in the D Class (a big improvement on last year's 42nd place). Total time of 11:36:37 for the 2 days.”
TEN MILES
Five Heathsiders (Rob Bowler, Daniel Wrapson, Catherine Doherty, Louisa Pointon and Hannah Carmichael). travelled to north Hertfordshire for the 10 mile Ricky Road road race. Clearly focussed on next year’s road race championship, Rob sent in the following report: “The race is a 10 mile race around the rolling hills of the Hertfordshire town Rickmansworth. Tough hills with a fast down slope for the last mile. Good preparation for Fred Hughes in January.” Rob led the contingent home in 1:14:07, followed by Daniel (1:16:09), Catherine (1:16:24), Louisa (1:17:57) and Hannah (1:18:51).
Meanwhile, Steve Woolf continued with his welcome running comeback with a great day at the Great South Run. He comments: “”A beautiful sunny day with a very light wind and a flat course so ideal for PB-hunters. Loads of crowd support all the way round, with the first part going around the Historic Dockyard and the last 2 miles hugging the shore. A bit pricey though (£41), like many of the Great Run/Great Swim series, although they are exceptionally well organised. My time wasn't a PB by the way!”
10K
Three Heathsiders (Dan Madam, Richard Macualay and Noelle O’Regan) had great runs in Battersea last Saturday led by Dan (34:59), followed by Richard, who improved on his PB by 11 seconds (35:12), and then by Noele (45:06). Dan reports: “A few of us got up at the crack of dawn (8am start!!!) to race the Sri Chinmoy 10k at Battersea Park. I believe Richard got a PB, and I was pretty pleased with going sub 35min with marathon training in my legs and still being half sleep.”
Dan McKeown travelled north to combine his love of running with pursuing pork pies and setting course records. He reports: “I was in Yorkshire over the weekend at the inaugural Whixley 10k: a scenic multiterrain race with a bloke on a scrambler for the lead runner to follow and a rather magnificent pork pie for first place. There was a good turnout of local club runners who clearly had their eyes on a celebratory ploughman's lunch. However, I was first back to the village hall and, a quick lap of the playing field later, I had a pork pie to take home with me. Now I just need to win some chutney or something.”
Perhaps seeking chutney for his brother, Dan’s brother, Joe, travelled in the opposite direction from Dan to the Endurance Coastal trail race in Suffolk. This is advertised as being of moderate difficulty, but Joe quickly found some obstacles en route: “I didn't get off to the best of starts - missing the train connection at Ipswich. A tree on the track stalled me further. Having missed the start of the half in which I had entered, I ran the 10k instead.” He was rewarded for his efforts by coming third in 42:23, but doesn’t say if the prize involved chutney.
Either way, we hope that the brothers enjoyed their celebratory pork pie picnic later.
PARKRUNS
Many Heathsiders ran in various parkruns. Congratulations are particularly due to the following first place finishers: Ulla Cartwright-Finch, Leigh James and Olivier LePolain.
RESULTS
North of the Thames Cross-Country Championships, Saturday 24th October, Fryent Park, Kingsbury.
U-17 Men (3 miles, 3 finished)
1. William Griffiths 16.42
2. Myles Calderazzo 16.58
3. Luke Gray 17.14
Senior Women (3 miles, 55 finished)
19. Emilia Vynnycky 20.34
Senior Men (5 miles, 136 finished)
14. Rob O’Grady 27.29
26. Jacob Phillips 28.13
28. Ryan McCrickerd 28.28
29. John Flahive 28.30
42. Jonathan Hopkin 29.33
43. Chris Hartley 29.37
48. Jonathan Litchfield 30.01
51. Nick Haward 30.14
53. Lee Connor 30.29
102. Nick de Sausmarez 34.58
121. Bob Gould 39.46
Beach Head marathon, Saturday 24th October 2015
12 Sarah Swinhoe 3:23:44.00 (1st F, 12th Overall)
?? Paul Jarman ~3:30:00 (unofficial)
197Benjamin Jenks 4:12:02.85 (163rd M)
Frankfurt marathon, Sunday 26th October 2015
1070 Patrick Waldron 3:01:08
Amsterdam marathon, Sunday 18th October 2015
615: Jim Connell 3.00.31
1187: Tom Ashby 3:14:27
1884: Jake Spencer 3.25.51 (PB)
OMM. Tweedsmuir Hills, Scotland, 25th-26th October 2015
Saturday 25th October, LENGTH 19.3KM, CLIMB 1700M,
8 Peter Leonard & Andy Barthorpe 6:03:09
Sunday 26th October, LENGTH 15.8KM, CLIMB 1390M,
19 Peter Leonard & Andy Barthorpe 5:33:28
Combined:
14 Peter Leonard & Andy Barthorpe 11:36:37
Ricky Road Run, 10 miles
83 Robert Bowler 1:14:07
102 Daniel Wrapson 1:16:09
108 Catherine Doherty 1:16:24
125 Louisa Pointon 1:17:57
134 Hannah Carmichael 1:18:51
Great South Run, 10 miles, 25/10/15, Portsmouth
5444 Steve Woolf 1:31:15
(13953 finishers)
Battersea Park, 10K, Saturday 24th October 2015
4 Dan Madams 34.59
7 Richard Macaulay 35.12
70 Noelle O'Regan 45.06
Whixley 10k, Yorkshire, 25 October
1 Dan McKeown 36:40
Endurance life coastal trail series, Suffolk, Saturday. 24th October
3 Joseph McKeown 42:23
Parkruns
http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=2017&eventdate=2015-10-24