Week 1
Our global results service brings you news of a 1.31.15 half marathon in Achill on the Emerald Isle, by a certain ‘Michael O’Cummins’ (23rd out of 579). With no one else racing, we did have plenty of parkrunners out and Gurtej Garcha led the way with another shiny PB. On the milestone front, Nigel celebrated his 50th.
On Tuesday, a select group of Hoggs took on the Watermead Challenge, a 5 mile road race on the paths of the park. Blake (34.36), Neil (35.04), Chris (40.14) and Sarah V (48.50) all took advantage of the nice flat course. Harry was on Dad duties, pacing Kate to an excellent time (48.57). Chris had the bonus that his time was good enough to upgrade his 2023 County Standard to Bronze.
On Wednesday we had a bumper turnout for the Club 10k Handicap (including several of those who’d run on Tuesday). Although conditions were good, the course represents a proper challenge and there were some great results. However, one runner stood head and shoulders above everyone else. In 2022 Hilary Buckley ran 63.04 to beat her handicap by 56s. Yesterday, she ran 59.25, beating her handicap of 63.00 by a fantastic 3.35. Second lady and second overall was Geraldine with -1.34. First man and third overall was Neil with -1.14. Harry (-0.11), Ian (-0.01) and Amy L (1.49) rounded out the respective top threes.
Week 2
As most of you know Brian has always been drawn to ultra-distance events. Although his previous club no longer lists his accomplishments on their website, I know he holds several club records. In recent years, he has been forced to pull out of a couple of 100km events halfway through due to injury. Yesterday, at the age of 76, he took care of unfinished business by completing day 2 (kilometers 51-100) of the Race to the Stones ultra in 10.22.36.
Yesterday also saw the Steve Morris 5, race 9 in the 2023 Leicestershire Road Running League. The course was slightly changed from previous years, but still included all of the hills! Mo had a super run and recorded his 4th victory of the season in 25.20. Dave P was second Hogg and upgraded his 2023 County Standard to Diamond. One of our other diamonds, Katherine, led the way for the ladies. There were PBs for John D, Charlotte and Sam J, who also upgraded his standard to Silver. Adele completed a Copper standard, Charlotte Tungsten, Tim Bronze and Mo Diamond (both Tim and Mo will hope to upgrade by the end of the year).
Gurmit was off on a medal hunt in Finland at the European Masters Games and will be returning with a pair of V40 golds (1500m and 5000m) in his luggage. He also lowered his 5000m PB by 48 100ths to 16.47.18.
Week 3
Sam J finished an excellent 8th in the Thump Half Marathon trail race at the Run Rabbit Trail Festival on Sunday.
There were parkrun PBs for Imran (at Leicester Victoria) and Ashveer (at Abbey Park).
Week 4
It’s been a bit of a quiet week on the running front; I don’t think anyone has been racing anywhere. On Saturday, Gary was one of a few Hoggs trying out the fast new parkrun at Abbey Park and was rewarded with a 25 second PB. Marcus was also on form, working so hard that he had nothing left for his trademark finishing sprint. Anyway, it must have been worth it because he recorded his fastest parkrun for 6 years!
Week 5
On Thursday Fiona and I headed off to the Peak District for the Stoney Middleton Fell Race; a really nice low key (even if it was won by a GB international) evening ‘up the hill and down again’ fun. Fiona got caught in a jam at the start but still managed a great result, finishing 1st V50 and only missing out on being 1st vet outright by 1 second. She followed this up yesterday by finishing second lady and 6th overall in the Peak District Marathon. This was in spite of adding an extra 5km because of poor signage (I think she’s missing those ultras!). On slightly flatter terrain, Tim took on the multi-terrain Garendon Gallop 10k, finishing 15th in 41.30.
On Saturday, Mo added the Abbey Park parkrun course record to his list of achievements (15.09). Gurmit was also on form with 17.06. Elsewhere, Dan made his comeback at Leicester Victoria and we had the big guns out at Braunstone with Dave P, Sam J, Tim, Rambo and James all coming out to play.
