Wow oh wow!! What a weekend for racing!! With so many races taking place, Halstead roadrunners were here, there and everywhere at the weekend. Some were chasing PBs, some were in training and some were running to enjoy!

CHAPPEL ALE TRAIL
Kick starting the weekend of running were Treena Carder, Caroliena Cameron and Lisa Rodbourn taking part in the Chappel Ale Trail. A 5.2 mile self navigating trail run around the wonderful wilds of Chappel and Wakes Colne. Treena finished in 52:09 and was 2nd female out of 39, pipped to first place by 9 seconds! Caroliena finished in 53:21 taking 3rd female position and Lisa in 53:23 taking 4th. They were 8th, 9th and 10th overall out of 62 runners. Strong running from the ladies!

CHELMSFORD HALF MARATHON
We had five roadrunners at the Chelmsford half marathon on Sunday. Starting and finishing on the iconic campus of Anglia Ruskin University, the course passed some of the major landmarks in Chelmsford and roads were closed to allow a traffic free course. First to cross the line for HRR was Joe Slee. Having been training so hard for this race, Joe was in exceptional form and got himself an incredible 9 minute PB of 1:28.52. Gareth Dyball has also been putting in the training hours and it’s clearly paid off with Gareth getting himself a 4:02 PB of 1:40.23. This race was a long time coming for Emma Healy and ladies captain Victoria Metson. Due to covid and injury it had been deferred and deferred again. This was not about racing, not about getting a PB , it was about getting back out there, getting it done and enjoying it. That’s precisely what they did running together and finishing with a sub 2 hour half, Victoria in 1:58.23 and Emma in 1:58.30. Emma Tanner was using it as a training run for her end goal, Brighton marathon. Having run a 17 mile run in the week she was running on tired legs and finished in a brilliant time of 2:03.59.

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE HALF MARATHON
This flat, fast and friendly race had a fabulous finish with a lap inside the local running track and PB potential.
Ian Sutcliffe did a fantastic job representing HRR crossing the line in 1:40.21.

CAMBRIDGE HALF MARATHON
Four roadrunners were in Cambridge on Sunday for the Cambridge half marathon. Another fast, flat course and ideal for PBs. The course takes runners past a number of historic landmarks, into beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside and into the grounds of two iconic Colleges.
Ian Wingrove using the half as part of his training for Manchester marathon was first to cross the line for Halstead in an exceptional time of 1:18.06 getting himself a PB. Jacob Page was making his debut into the world of racing having just turned 17 years old last month. Jacob has been training hard and is certainly one to look out for in the future finishing in a superb time of 1:27.45. Looking forward to hearing much more from Jacob in the up and coming months. Katie Martin was our third and final member of the team at Cambridge. Currently in training for her London marathon club place she also had a tremendous run finishing in 2:32.46, getting a PB and taking 6 minutes off last years time.

ESSEX 20
The Essex 20 was at Debden Airfield on Sunday. This disused airfield has a fast, flat, tarmac course with PB potential. This was the first Essex championship race of the season and ideal for many as a training run for spring marathons. First home for Halstead was Stephen Metson using it as part of his ongoing training for Manchester marathon. He crossed the line in an incredible time of 2:12.13 which was a PB of 4:43. In top form at the moment and using the race as part of his Boston UK marathon training, Reece Hearn was close behind finishing with a PB of 2:12.21. Also training hard for Manchester marathon, Mike Smith was pleased to get an impressive PB of 5:48 crossing the line next in 2:12.45. Our first lady home was Karen Pickering in 2:17.39. Not only did she get herself a new PB she also placed 4th lady in her age category V40-44 and got herself a shiny new Essex gold medal. Superstar! Chris Lloyd currently training for London marathon was next to finish in 2:20.24 securing himself a PB. Second lady home for Halstead was Keely Jordan. After running an epic 43 mile trail race last weekend Keely finished in a superb time of 2:23.11. Men’s captain Ross Kemble is running exceptionally well at the moment. The Manchester training miles are paying off and Ross secured a PB of over 1 minute crossing the line in 2:45.55. Perry James, also training for Manchester marathon, had a great run and was 6 minutes faster than last year crossing the line with a PB of 2:56.19. It was great to see Mike Grealy in excellent form. Finishing in 2:59.29 Mike got himself a silver medal in the M65-69 age category. Alan Fancy is currently training for London marathon and felt strong until 13 miles when he developed a calf niggle. Nevertheless Alan took 19 minutes off last years time finishing in 3:00.46. Running together and pulling each other round were Anoushka Springett, Sam Wolton and Mandy Humm. All of them in training for Manchester marathon they worked as a team. Noush had an incredible race and was feeling strong throughout. She crossed the line in 3:03.08 knocking a whopping 27:19 seconds off her previous 20 mile training run times back in 2019.
Sam Wolton finished strong in 3:03.09. Mandy found it tough from mile 17 having been unwell in the lead up to the race. Digging deep she crossed the line in 3:04.48. This was the furthest John Warne had run since November. Aiming for 10 minute miles, John was almost spot on with his pacing finishing in 3:22.40 and coming 4th in the M70 age category. Bringing Halstead home were Jenny Smith and Jody Smith running together and using it as a training run for Halstead marathon. Success all round as both ladies achieved PBs at this distance. Jody finished in 3:27.57 and Jenny in 3:28.34 which was a 4:30 PB on last year.

Incredible results and inspirational running from all this weekend.