Week 1

There was plenty of action yesterday. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting for the results of our 9 entrants in the Shepshed 7, but we do know that Mat Horrocks picked up an excellent 2nd place in his debut for the club. Jason was at Prestwold, completing the 10-miler in 1.08.42 (11th, 2nd V50). Sally did the Bideford 10 in 1,21,54 and Mark Ramsden chased the train in Norfolk (8.9 miles of MT in 1,03.45). Kathryn backed up last week’s Marine Corp Marathon with the New York one in 3.49.46.

There were a couple of scorching parkrun times on Saturday with Geraldine recording a 20.18 PB at Leicester Victoria and John D taking advantage of a club trip to the super-quick Rutland Water event to break the 20-minute barrier (19.48).

Bagworth Heath

The sun was shining down over Bagworth Heath as the Cross Country season got kicked off last Sunday.  Usually this race falls a little later in the calendar and is always a bit of a torrid affair. This year though,  with a string of warmer dry days the going was pretty good.

The course is a 2 lapper with a testing hill at the start and end of each lap. Predominantly on grass with a bit of trail it is quite a sapping course.  We had great numbers to kick off the season with 4 debutants coming to give Cross country a try.  We had 12 men and 11 women,  so a fantastic start to the season.

Gurmit led us in for the men finishing the first lap in 3rd and overall finishing 4th. Next for the men was James B in 48th. Packing in closely together were Dave P (69) and Ashveer⁩ (71).  Not too far behind was our fifth finisher John D in 88th. Our male debut was Ben Whitaker who finished in a very respectable 120th, Marcus S was next in 163rd and finishing off the male scorers and nipping at Marcus’s heels was Adrian J in 164th. We also had Dave L in 175th, Harry S 225th and Clinton B in 272nd. Nick Trim unfortunately had to pull out after the first lap due to pulling a muscle. Hopefully he’ll be all recovered for the next one.

For the ladies we had first timer Katie B leading the way in a very impressive 24th.  Returning back to the mud next was Leah B in 34th, Captain Anna was 3rd in 39th and finishing off the scoring for the ladies was Helen W in 49th. We also had Sally T in 57th, first timers Kriszta Keresztes (72) and Nicola Greenwood (124).  Xiaoye finished in 157th, Helen A 171st, Cath B 181st and Sandra R 202nd.

Brilliant running from everyone with very good packing in the middle. A great start to the season. Hopefully the first timers will become regulars and we’ll get some more trying out Cross country for the first time.

Week 2

Blake likes to challenge himself and this week, following his solo at Equinox, he took a further step into the world of ultrarunning. He racked up three 10 mile (2,000ft) laps of the Wendover Woods 50 miler. Whilst he didn’t complete, it must have been a great day spending time in such beautiful autumnal scenery (and 30 miles IS an ultra!).

We now have full results from the Shepshed 7. Mat Horrocks, 2nd, 39.25; Steve W 85th, 53.46; Nicole 86th, 53.45; Sophie 156th, 59.03; Chris W, 217th, 1,03.08; Lee 284th, 1.11.15; Cath 295th, 1.12.29; Sandra 332nd, 1.25.10; Brian 349th, 1.48.18. Well done to Nicole for completing her Bronze County Standard.

Week 3

Four members completed the Derby 10 mile race yesterday. John D (1.10.50) completed a Bronze Distinction, Leah (1.15.13) picked up a Silver Standard, Jackie got her first Platinum and Sally (1.19.55) set a PB. David and Kathryn spent the weekend at Alton Towers doing the 10k on Saturday and the Half on Sunday. David’s times were 46.21 and 1.45.13, and Kathryn’s 47.35 (1st V50) and 1.47.18. Martin W recorded 59.33 in the Coventry 10k which upgrades his 2024 Standard to Copper.

Once again, Gelly was our parkrun star on Saturday; 20.05 and 1st female.

Week 4

The cross country was cancelled, due to the dangers of running through woodland in high winds (not to mention dodging low flying tents), but Aimee (1.52.45) and Jude (1.59.17) toughed it out at the Silverstone HM. Congratulations to Jude on her first sub-2.

At parkrun, Gelly paced Nicole and Steve to a 21.22 clocking. That’s a big PB for Nicole and a first Silver Standard. For Steve, it was his fastest since 2016 and his first Gold Standard. We also celebrated some milestones; Martin C 100, Caroline and Nicole 25.

We had a fantastic Annual Dinner on Saturday. A big thank you to Alison for organising the event and making sure that everything went smoothly. Twenty six members received County Standards certificates and, with the help of our brilliant captains, Anna and Dave P, we honoured some of our high achievers. A fuller report is attached.