What is the biggest indicator that another lockdown is coming our way?

Some claim it’s the restarting of Zoom quizzes, others will argue that it’s when their Instagram feed is filled with pictures of banana bread. But, true Harriers will know it’s when #HarriersChallenge returns.

And not to disappoint, #HarriersChallenge is back this week with a bang (pun intended!) This week, we want to see your best Bonfire/Fireworks night themed entries.

In the past, we’ve had Strava art, poems, baked goods, fancy dress and even dance routines – so get creative and don’t be afraid to try something a bit different/potentially very silly (as long as it’s safe!).  We all need a good laugh right now.

Post your entries on the Facebook group, on the Slack channel or on Twitter and Instagram too. Use the hashtag #HarriersChallenge and tag us in your posts/stories so we definitely see them.

Do get involved- it  would be great to see as many entries as possible and it should be good fun for everyone.

Entries are open until 11:59pm on Saturday (7th November) and the results will be announced on Sunday.
​
As always, please follow all government guidelines and adhere to social distancing rules while taking part. 

Pending guidance from England  Athletics, please see training options for Tuesday 3 November, below. If we are able to run a group session on Thursday 5 November, we will update accordingly.

Tuesday 03 November: Session 1, Speed endurance with Mike Shrive. Limited to 22 athletes
Meet in Star Yard, Chesham, ready to run at 7pm to Chessmount Rise/Pheasants Rise area.
Please ensure you are wearing hi viz clothing, and use a torch with care if you need to.
Keep the ‘safe’ 2 metre minimum distance at all times.
 
Tuesday 03 November: Session 2:  Speed Endurance road run with Steve Field limited to 22 athletes
Meet at ‘The Elgiva Theatre’ Car Park, Chesham just off St Mary’s Way, ready to run at *7.30pm*
Please ensure you are wearing hi viz clothing, and use a torch with care if you need to.
Keep the ‘safe’ 2 metre minimum distance at all times.

A great turnout of fifty-four Chiltern Harriers athletes made the trip to Merchant Taylor’s School in Northwood on Saturday for the first of the Active Training World Cross Country Race Series.
 
This was a very welcome introduction of cross country locally from a company that regularly hosts triathlon and duathlon events. The races were based around athletes starting in small waves of six around ten seconds apart. Immaculately kept grounds made for a good surface in very wet conditions that brightened up for the seniors later on.
 
Chiltern athletes had a good deal of success in the day, especially in the first age group toeing the line, the U11s. First across the line on the 2k circuit was Tom Ford who won the boys race in 7.41. George Mawby had a great run to be sixth in 8.12 and Charlie Quantrill was tenth in 8.20. Kit Dixon was 13th in 8.31, Jacob McCall 20th in 8.43, Isaac McCall 24th in 8.54, and Luke Coultate 26th in 8.59.
 
Ellie Danner matched Tom’s win with first place in the U11 girls race. Ellie logged 8.14 with Kara Gorman second in 8.21. Nia Clarke also ran well for seventh in 8.38.
 
The U13s also did well on a 3k route that was the first to feature a stream-crossing that caused problems with its depth. On the boys side Daniel Munn was second in 11.48, Alex Hughes fifth in 12.05 and Callum Powell ninth in 12.23. Debutants James Holdsworth and Rex Considine did well to be 26th and 43rd respectively in 13.13 and 15.08.
 
The U15 boys race showed just how well this age group could be achieving for Chiltern in a normal season. Thomas Redmond had a storming run to win in 14.13 over a 4k course. Alden Collier was third in 14.44, Euan Pinder ninth in 15.15 and Archie Pinder tenth in 15.17. Max Baxter was 20th in 15.45, Isaac Jessop-Tranter 22nd in 15.59, Ethan McCall 23rd in 16.03, Sammy Whibley 28th in 16.34, and Sammy Bennetts 33rd in 16.50.
 
The U15 girls race was loaded with talent. Frankie Baxter was fifth in 16.36, Maddie Hughes tenth in 16.56, Lesedi Nkoane 12th in 17.02, Ellie Shield 17th in 17.20, Hannah Ashby 34th in 18.50 and Amber Galley 43rd in 20.35.
 
Chiltern’s U17s did well in high quality races over an increasingly churned-up 5k. On the men’s side the Chiltern contingent packed well with James Palmer fifth in 18.47, Thomas Askey sixth in 18.51, Luke Martin eighth in 19.00, Angus Stoneham 12th in 19.17, Will Shield 17th in 19.49, and debutant Henry Webb 26th in 22.35.
 
The women’s race was another top level race, featuring at least two National champions and the Chiltern foursome ran well. Holly Henderson was eighth in 21.29, Abbie Henderson tenth in 21.44, Alice Brown 13th in 23.13, and Alicia Bushell 15th in 23.37.
 
Aran Davidson led home the Chiltern senior men, tenth in 27.23 on an 8k route. Also contributing were Cory Dyck 90th in 34.30, Mike Worsfold 93rd in 34.44, Glen Martin 113th in 37.32, Nigel Dickenson 145th in 48.40, and Trevor Brawn 147th in 49.57.
 
On the women’s side Lean Chiobhain was 8th in 32.44, Ali Young 23rd in 35.37, Cath Holloway 30th in 36.37, Katie Royals 31st in 36.47, Miriam Kempson 54th in 41.49, Joanna Hampson 68th in 44.47, Claire Dickenson  72nd in 46.53, Joanne Murray 78th in 50.15, and Harriet Lemon 79th in 50.20. Harriet was amongst the athletes that ran an extra half mile or so due to a marshalling glitch.
 
Other than that, the organisation was good and everyone enjoyed being back in competition. The chip timing meant that results were available very soon after the end of each race. The second race in the series is due on December 19th. Hopefully the tough lockdown will relax enough by then to allow it to take place.

 To make things easier over the winter, there is a change to how you book onto senior training sessions. Hopefully this is reasonably easy to understand and will make the coaches’ lives easier. 

If you have any problems, please contact Katie Royals or Neil Bates for support or to book you on. 

1. Athletes should go to this link and check to see if the session they want to book is full (i.e check the number - not percentage - of people opted to attend). If you are the first person you will not see any responses.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTOba8z--9m6x6YBBPhjtDJXOJT7kSObIklCn5-GpcoLB8cQ/viewanalytics

2. Athletes will then need to go to this link to then register their intention and ensure that they have read the COVID19 Risk Assessment.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTOba8z--9m6x6YBBPhjtDJXOJT7kSObIklCn5-GpcoLB8cQ/viewform

PLEASE NOTE: the COVID-19 risk assessment has been amended for current guidance and change in location so please have a quick look at it again here. 

The available sessions for next week can be seen below:

Session 1: 
Tuesday 20th October at 7pm with Mike Shrive. 
Speed endurance session
Meeting at Berkley Avenue, Chesham.
Limited to 25 athletes 

Session 2: 
Tuesday 20th October at 7pm with Steve Field 
Endurance session
​Meet at Severalls Avenue Chip Shop, Chesham
Limited to 25 athletes

Session 3: 
Thursday 22nd October at 5pm with Trevor Brawn
Off-road endurance session
Meet at Westwood Park, Little Chalfont.
Limited to 25 athletes.

Session 4:
Thursday 22nd October at 7pm with Mike Shrive
Speed endurance session
Meet at Rickmansworth Road car park, Amersham
​Limited to 20 athletes.

​After a rather long, Covid-induced, hiatus Race Report is returning. And what better way to kick it off than with a marathon special.

With the London Marathon becoming a virtual affair for 2020, the Chiltern roads were full of Harriers braving the elements to complete their own 26.2 mile course. Others descended on Dorney Lake to take part in a socially distant marathon, battling rain and wind throughout.

Firstly, I’m sure you will all join me in congratulating David Walker who remains an ‘ever present’, having completed his 40th London Marathon today. Daughter-in-law Lisa also completed her 10th London Marathon, running with David.

Another special mention must go to Barbara Ralph, who completed her 30th London Marathon in a very impressive time of 4:33:19. Not only has she secured a ‘good for age’ place for next year, she has now completed more London Marathons than any other women – an impressive feat!

Vanessa Morley completed her first marathon in 4:31:44, a great solo effort! Other London Marathon finishes include: Amber and Lia Stubbings, Michael Bailey (4:10:00), Tamsin Finch (4:58:13 including an extra mile for good luck!) and Peter Gregory (3:47:20).

Over at Dorney Lake, Aran Davidson ran a very impressive 2:29:30 and finished in 10th place overall. Adam Shute completed the tough course in 3:08:25, while Philip Lovelace ran 3:23:40 and Matt Lawrence finished in 4:08:35.

A special mention should also go to all the Harriers who turned out at various places on the courses to show their support, othering water, snacks, encouragement and even running with the marathoners when the going got really tough. The support and community within the club never ceases to amaze me. 

Chiltern Harriers junior athletes were in action at the first of a three-race series of cross country meetings organised by Peta Bee of Cookham Running Club.
 
The venue was Beeching Grove Wood near Maidenhead and the course was a tough, undulating circuit around farmers fields. The weather featured very heavy rain which made for tough conditions for the athletes. Some of those Chiltern Harriers taking part had run on the track at Harrow on Thursday and found competing again so soon a tough ask.
 
Each age group featured two waves, two minutes apart. This allowed for adherence to the England Athletics guidance and meant a maximum of 24 per race. U13s and U15s ran 3k, older age groups 4.5k.    RESULTS
 
U13 Girls
Wave 1 saw Olivia Clarke come in fourth of eight in 13.16. Olivia was seventh overall. The remaining Chiltern girls were in Wave 2 and in-form Emily Ford had a good run to win in 12.33, the fastest run across the two waves. Ellie Danner (13.14) was third in the wave (sixth overall), and Marlie Nkoane (13.30) was fourth (tenth overall).
 
U13 Boys
In Wave 1 Daniel Munn was a convincing winner in 11.13 with Alex Hughes second in 11.49 and Callum Powell fourth in 12.00. In Wave 2 Tom Ford was fifth in 12.15 and Felix Danielli sixth in 12.19. Overall Daniel won (one second ahead of the winner of Wave 2), Alex was equal third, Callum sixth, Tom tenth and Felix eleventh. There were 23 boys in total.
 
U15 Girls
Maddie Hughes was third (12.00), Frankie Baxter fourth (12.08) and Ellie Shield sixth (12.18) in the stronger first wave and held those positions overall. In Wave 2 Rosa Williams ran 12.48 to be third (ninth overall). Seventeen ran in total.
 
U15 Boys
Wave 1 saw great performances from the Chiltern contingent with Alden Collier first in 10.21, Thomas Redmond second in 10.22,  Oakley Denson sixth in 11.06, and Isaac Jessop-Tranter tenth in 11.57. In Wave 2 Ethan McCall went the wrong way near the finish but still managed third in 11.15. Alden and Thomas were 1-2 overall with Oakley seventh, Ethan ninth and Isaac fifteenth. There were twenty finishers.
 
U17/U20 Women
Holly Henderson was third in Wave 1 in 18.44, with Abbie Henderson fourth in 18.54 and Alice Brown ninth in 20.06. In Wave 2 Under 20s Millie Hughes (22.09) and Soraya Lockwood (22.51) were fifth and sixth in their age group. Overall in the U17s Holly was fourth, Abbie fifth and Alice eleventh.
 
U17 Men
In Wave 1 James Palmer was fourth in 16.40 and Luke Martin fifth in 16.43. Wave 2 saw Thomas Askey run 16.56 to be sixth and Will Shield 17.42 to be ninth. Thomas and Will had both run hard at Harrow on Thursday. Overall James was eighth, Luke ninth, Thomas eleventh and Will eighteenth.
 
U20 Men
Max McGarvie ran well for sixth in 16.59 and Alex Johnson, another Thursday competitor, ran 17.23 for eighth.

A number of Harriers are currently making their last minute race preparations as they get ready to take on the 40th London Marathon tomorrow (04/10/20), albeit virtually.

Although they are all running their own routes, you can still support them by tracking them on the London Marathon app or heading out onto the course if they’re running locally to you.

Conditions are not looking good currently (will this rain ever stop?!), so I’m sure all runners will appreciate any and all support.

To follow along virtually, download the London Marathon app. Here you’ll be able to track all our athletes running.
Here’s a list of those running:  

David Walker

David is one of the few remaining ‘ever presents’, having run every London Marathon to date. He will be running his 40th London Marathon on Sunday morning, but his first in Chesham.

Setting off at 8am, he will run a couple of laps around Berkeley Avenue, then a long loop out to Swan Bottom cross roads, before running back through Lee Common to home. He should be back at Chartridge Lane between 10:30 and 10:45. He will then run another lap of Berkeley Avenue and another Swan Bottom lap.

This comes to 20 miles and the final 6.2 miles will be decided "on the day".

Barbara Ralph

Barbara is completing her 30th London Marathon and has run more marathons than any other woman – a great achievement!

She is starting at 8am at Berkeley Avenue and will complete 8 laps of a 3.3 mile circuit. Her possible run time is about 4 hours 40, but anything under 5 hours will secure her a ‘good for age’ place for 2021 in her age category.

Vanessa Morley

Vanessa is kicking off her race at 7:30, running around Croxley Green and Rickmansworth before heading over to Amersham and back to Chorleywood to make up the full distance. She is aiming for 10 minute mile pace.

You can view her route here.

Matt Lawrence

Matt is doubling up by running the Dorney Lake Marathon as his virtual London Marathon route. Sadly, no spectators are allowed to ensure social distancing is maintained, but you can track him through the app and support virtually!  

Amber Stubbings (and sister Lia!)

Running to raise money for Rennie Grove Hospice, the Stubbings sisters are describing their race as a “run, walk, die effort”.

Certainly selling themselves short, the pair will be running around Chalfont St Giles, Gerrards Cross and Denham. They are setting off at 8am.

You can check out their route here.

Tamsin Finch

Tamsin will be tackling the 26.2 miles round Chesham. Always willing to help others out on their challenges, I’m sure she’ll appreciate it your support.
 
Good luck everyone!
If anyone else is running please get in touch with me (Katie Royals) via Facebook or Slack and I’ll add you to the list. 

A final track open meeting was added to the schedule at Harrow on Thursday and again a strong turnout of 21 Chiltern athletes ran very well.
 
There were one mile and 3000m races available and there was, again, a high proportion of PBs.
 
One Mile
 
With one mile rarely run, all Chiltern athletes ran PBs.
 
Race 2
New recruit U13 James Holdsworth ran well on debut to record 6.22.52.
 
Race 3
U13 Emily Ford continued her excellent competitive form to log a strong time of 5.46.69. Also in Race 3 were U17 Charlotte Docwra (6.01.27), U15 Savarnah Pandya (6.04.07), and U15 Beth Togneri (6.23.22).
 
Race 4
Lily Jessop-Tranter (U13) ran well for 5.38.40.
 
Race 5
U13 Daniel Munn had a good run to be second in 5.21.43.
 
Race 6
U15 Euan Pinder won this one comfortably in an impressive time of 4.55.36. Further Chiltern interest came from U15 Frankie Baxter (5.21.12), U15 Maddie Hughes (5.23.25), and U13 Alex Hughes (5.24.67).
 
Race 7
U17 Thomas Askey logged another Chiltern win with 4.35.00. U15 Oakley Denson was third in 4.46.24 with U15 Archie Pinder also running well for 4.49.56. U15 Isaac Jessop-Tranter completed the Chiltern presence in Race 7 with 4.58.97.
  
3000m
 
Race 1
U20 Millie Hughes put her recent good training form into practice with a PB of 11.54.89.
 
Race 2
Ellie Shield has recorded PBs in 800m and 1500m this season, and added 3000m with a race win in 11.08.6, her debut at the event.

Race 3
U15 Sammy Bennetts was fourth in 10.35.44
 
Race 4
U17 Will Shield recorded another Chiltern win with 9.58.65. U15 Max Baxter ran well for 10.11.48.
 
Race 5
Vet 50 Nick Hughes ran well for 9.47.59, just behind his time from a few weeks ago.
 
Race 8
With a PB of 9.05 set a couple of weeks ago, U20 Alex Johnson was targetting sub-9, but had to settle for 9.11.09 in a very fast race.