A bumper batch of results to report this weekend…. With so many races on and so many roadrunners rising to the challenge.
MAN VERSUS MOUNTAIN
First up this weekend was Man vs Mountain, a mountain adventure run in Snowdonia which returned on Saturday for its final outing.
This legendary mountain adventure run starts at sea level in the stunning UNESCO Caernarfon Castle and weaves its way to the summit of Snowdon and down the other side. From there, participants enter the old slate quarries of Dinorwic, where participants then tackle an array of exciting obstacles, including the infamous Vertical Kilometre, a kayak stage, a ‘walk-the-plank’ and an exhilarating water slide into Lake Padarn. Matt Hutley was ready for the challenge completing the EPIC 23 mile event in 5:47 and finishing in the top 100 in 98th position. What an incredible achievement!
THE BIG HALF
Ben Ryder, Ian Wingrove and Alan Fancy joined the other 15,000 runners on Sunday, rubbing shoulders with Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah as he made this the last London race of his career. The Big Half course winds its way from mighty Tower Bridge to the finish line at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. Ian Wingrove finished just shy of a new PB in an incredible 1:18.45.Ben Ryder, on top form at the moment took 3 minutes 22 seconds of his previous half marathon PB finishing in 1:20.51. Alan Fancy running with wife Liz, finished in 2:13.53.
COLNE ENGAINE 5 and 10 MILE RACE
A lovely race supporting local charities and community groups and organised by our very own Jane Roach, the Colne Engaine 5 and 10 mile race took place on Sunday. The race started on the village Green and followed the course through the gorgeous leafy lanes in a figure of eight – with those undertaking 10 miles running two laps of the course. HRR had 11 roadrunners flying the flag for Halstead.
Running the 5 mile and first home for Halstead was Phil Jeffries in 38.05 finishing in 11th place overall. Sarah Waddington (running her first race of the day) crossed the line next in 43:16 coming 3rd in her age category. Treena Carder finished 2nd in her age category in 44:06. Jo Norris is going from strength to strength at the moment and she had an incredible run crossing the line in 47:09. In only her second outing in club colours and making her official race debut for HRR was Mary Veater finishing in 47:15. Katie Martin finished in 59:13 and Mick Purkiss completed the line up in 1:09.12 finishing 2nd in his age category. First to cross the line for Halstead in the 10 mile race was Charlotte King finishing 10th overall and 2nd lady in 1:21.58. Fully recovered from her last race, Bec Gilroy had a brilliant run finishing 5th lady in 1:32.05. John Warne completed in 1:51.10 and Sandy Maloy was close behind in 1:51.58.
BEDFORD 20 MILES
Taking place as part of the Bedford running festival, this 20 mile race is pitched as flat, fast and traffic free.
Tracy English took it on as part of her ongoing marathon training and what an incredible run she had. She finished in 16th place overall, coming in 2nd lady and 1st in her age category.
ESSEX WAY RELAY
Finally, the infamous Essex way relay took place on Sunday. This race covers the 82 miles of the Essex way from Epping Station to Harwich Old Lighthouse in 10 stages. The route is mostly cross country and can be tough going in places.
HRR fielded 4 teams to cover the 82 miles. In true Essex Way style there were a few obstacles to overcome on the day with last minute changes and unfortunately some casualties. Sending well wishes to those who suffered injury and hoping recovery is super quick!
Superb teamwork from HRR as usual and a huge shout out and thank you to Keely, Tracy and Sam who stepped up to fill in some last minute gaps. Both Keely and Sam had already run 9.5 miles at leg 2 and Tracy bolted back from Bedford after running in the Bedford 20 mile race. They then all ran a further 11 miles in leg 7.
Running stage 1:
7.5 miles
Tom Pease, Maryann Sycamore, Lee Prowse
Stage 2:
9.5 miles
Steve May, keely Jordan, Sam Wolton.
Stage 3:
9.5 miles
Tom Puncher, Caroliena Cameron, Don Wilson
Stage 4:
10.1 miles
Ross Kemble, Hayley Lamkin, Steve Fellowes, Darren Powell
Stage 5:
9.4 miles
Gav Ripton, Penny Clarke, Andy Carter
Stage 6:
5.7 miles
Wendy Carter, Victoria Metson, Keith Thorogood, Emma Healy
Stage 7:
11.2 miles
Keely Jordan, Tracy English, Sam Wolton, Paul Hinsley
Stage 8:
8 miles
Joe Slee, Mandy Humm, Perry James, Aidan Kelly
Stage 9:
5.3 miles
James North, Sarah Waddington, Jenny Smith, Jody Smith
Stage 10:
5.5 miles
Mike Smith, Noush Springett, Stephen Metson
With the WhatsApp buzzing all day with pictures and results it was, as usual an absolute pleasure to be part of the HRR team. Well done to all!
