With covid restrictions in place, the Bran Tub Relay could not be held as normal just before Christmas. Instead the club held a virtual event and 75 athletes across 15 teams took part.
 
Athletes had a window from December 21st to December 30th to complete their laps and there were some excellent times from runners across the age groups. Each runner entered via google and logged an estimated time – this led to seeding which made for fairly evenly matched teams.
 
The circuit is around 1400 metres and is based around the rectangle leading from the bollards at the end of Devonshire Avenue, along the main Chesham Road and up Hervines Road to finish back at the bollards. Most athletes utilised Strava or other GPS functionality to record their times.
 
The winning team was Santa’s Strollers featuring runs from Sam Howell (3.55), Christine Burroughs (5.34), Nick Hughes (4.25), Callum Powell (5.07), and Lean Ni Chiobhain (4.57). In second place came Merry Milers – Cameron Reid (3.51), Miriam Kempson (6.49), Adam Shute (4.36), Alicia Bushell (5.01), and Archie Pinder (4.25); and third were Reindeer Runners – Aran Davidson (4.21), Jacob McCall (5.40), Jonny Slade (4.34), Richard Quantrill (5.16), and Alex Hughes (5.00).
 
Fastest lap was a new course record from Will Perkin – 3.46. Cameron Reid was second in 3.51 and Sam Howell third in 3.55. Other lads to dip under four minutes were Richard Slade (3.58) and Angus Williams (3.59). On the female side Frankie Baxter was fastest with 4.46. Next came Maddie Hughes (4.48) with Abbie Henderson third (4.52). Lean Ni Chiobhain (4.57) and Holly Henderson (4.59) also went under five minutes.
 
Several seniors ran the lap for the first time and many were pleasantly surprised with their speed over a short distance.
 
Hopefully next year the Bran Tub can go back to a being a real race

There was another good turnout of Chiltern Harriers on Saturday at Merchant Taylor’s School in the second of the Active Training World Cross Country Series.
 
On a tough undulating parkland course there were some good efforts from the Chiltern contingent including wins for Ellie Danner, Thomas Ford, Zoe Gilbody and Thomas Redmond.
 
The Under 11s were first off on a  2k circuit. The waves consisted of around 20 runners, distanced on the start line formula 1 style, with mixed genders in the age group races. For the girls Ellie Danner added to her win at the first event with another victory in a good time of 8.51. Kara Gorman was again second in 8.55 and there were good runs from Nia Clarke (8th in 9.15), Evelyn Wildman (22nd in 10.02) and Madi Ifill (30th in 10.21). There were 58 finishers.
 
Tom Ford also gained a second U11 win, crossing the line in 8.11. There was good packing from other Chiltern runners with Felix Danielli (7th in 8.39), Jack Martin (8th in 8.39), Hugo Mundy (9th in 8.45), George Mawby (11th in 8.42), Charlie Quantrill (12th in 8.54), Jacob McCall (18th in 9.19), Lochlann Murray (25th in 9.35), Luke Coultate (27th in 9.40), Kit Dixon (30th in 9.44), and Isaac McCall (31st in 9.46).
 
The U13 girls were on a tough 3k circuit with several draining climbs. Emily Ford led home the Chiltern team, (5th in 14.12). Also running well were Lily Jessop-Tranter (7th in 14.29), Olivia Clarke (15th in 14.51), Marlie Nkoane (21st in 15.12), Jocelyn Davies (27th in 15.36), Issy Robinson (45th in 16.29), Anna Stoneham (46th in 16.29)  Lydia Cross (49th in 16.39), Katie Allsop (52nd in 16.56), Beth Togneri (54th in 17.14), and Rebecca Lawson (56th in 17.32).
 
Daniel Munn was third in a high quality U13 boys race in 12.28. Alex Hughes was fifth in 13.28, Callum Powell 12th in 13.59, Kody Gilbody 20th in 14.03,  Max Roughton 29th in 14.32, and James Holdsworth 38th in 14.46.
 
There was another strong showing from the Chiltern 15s. The girls featured good runs from National U13 Champ Zoe Gilbody, winning in 16.23 on a hard 4k route. Also running strongly were Frankie Baxter fifth in 17.22, Maddie Hughes sixth in 17.32, Lesedi Nkoane 13th in 18.00, Ellie Shield, 18th in 18.42, Hannah Ashby 30th in 19.52, and Amber Galley 48th in 24.08.
 
The U15 boys looked strong again with in-form Thomas Redmond winning in 14.43. Alden Collier was second in 15.13, and Archie Pinder 10th in 16.12. Completing the Chiltern presence were Sammy Bennetts 13th in 16.27, Max Baxter 15th in 16.28, Isaac Jessop-Tranter 17th in 16.38, Ethan McCall 19th in 16.50, Euan Pinder 21st in 17.11, Jerry Anderson 29th in 17.40,  Sammy Whibley 31st in 17.51, and Alfie Clifford, 40th in 18.39.
 
Chiltern’s U17 women were out in force. Abbie Henderson led the way in fourth on a longer 5k route round the lake in 21.53. The other Chilterns to toe the line were Holly Henderson, 7th in 22.06, Orla Williams 12th in 23.24, Charlotte Docwra 16th in 23.58, Alice Brown 18th in 24.05, Olivia Edwards 20th in 24.19, Jinaan Lockwood 22nd in 26.32, and Ella Watson 26th in 29.00.
 
James Palmer had a great run to lead home the Chiltern U17 men in 19.03. Packing well were Thomas Askey 18th in 20.12, Ben Jackson 19th in 20.15, Luke Martin 20th in 20.16, Angus Stoneham 21st in 20.28, Will Shield, 26th in 20.56, Charlie Stone, 29th in 21.11, and Henry Webb, 37th in 22.55.
 
The third race in the series is due on Sunday 10th January. Hopefully restrictions will allow it to take place.

Details of this week's training are below. But first, don't forget to enter the virtual Bran Tub relay. You only have till 18th December to enter.  Enter via this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdp8kxbzByfjwY8iCqXHwLoYkPhLJiTX7IhJ9IHvya8WqTQlQ/viewform?usp=sf_link    

Here are the details of this week’s training and a reminder of how to book your spot. Please contact Neil Bates if there are any problems. 


Tuesday 15 December: Session 1, Speed Endurance Session with Mike Shrive.
Limited to 20 athletes
Meet in Star Yard, Chesham, ready to run at 7pm, initially over to Lowndes Park, before a 4.5km tempo run to see the Christmas Lights up Hivings Hill to Greenway and back along Berkhampstead Road.
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 15 December: Session 2, Speed Endurance Session with Steve Field.
Limited to 20 athletes
Meet at Anglo Business Park, Asheridge Road, Chesham ready to run at 7pm using the Business Park and other local circuits.
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.


Thursday 17 December: Session 3:  Speed endurance with Mike Shrive and Judith Or.
Limited to 20 athletes. 
Meet in Rickmansworth Rd car park, Amersham, ready to run at 7pm to Lincoln Park for a speed endurance interval session.
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.
 
Thursday 17 December: Session 4: Speed endurance road run with Trevor Brawn. Limited to 20 athletes
Meet at Chalfont Av, Little Chalfont, opposite the Methodist Church, ready to start at 7.00pm.
Parking in Chalfont Av, Russell Close, Amersham Road or nearby.
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 reminder on how to book into your sessions. 

1: Athletes must go to this link and check to see if the event they want is full - check the number, NOT the 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 you must have another look at it. 

The second of the Junior Performance Cross Country Series races took place at Lower Mount Farm, Cookham on Saturday. The race was organised by Peta Bee and her team at Cookham Running Club. Unlike the first event in October which had hideous weather, Saturday saw sunshine and clear skies.
 
The course featured out and back runs along the rows of orchard trees plus some gentle climbs and descents. It was an interesting and unusual course which was good for spectators. U13s and U15s ran 2.7k, and U17s and U20s 5.4k.
 
The race format was waves of six athletes, fifteen seconds apart. Thirty-two Chiltern youngsters took part.
 
There was a great Chiltern result in the U13 girls race. Izzy Martin started in Wave 3 but made great progress to end up with the fastest time of 11.34. In the first wave Emily Ford and Ellie Danner recorded 11.35 and 11.42 to be second and third overall. Other good Chiltern performances came from Katie Allsop (9th in 12.03), Olivia Clarke (10th in 12.06), and Marlie Nkoane (11th in 12.07). There were twenty finishers.
 
The U13 boys featured a good battle between Chiltern’s Daniel Munn and Barnet’s Luke Baughan-Withington, with Daniel just second by a couple of seconds (10.20). Alex Hughes ran well for third in 10.28 and there were good runs from Felix Danielli, fifth in 10.56 and Tom Ford, sixth in 11.01. There were twenty finishers.
 
The U15 girls also featured twenty runners, and Chiltern’s girls were Maddie Hughes (5th in 10.40), Frankie Baxter (6th in 10.48),  Lesedi Nkoane (8th in 11.00), and Rosa Williams (17th in 12.02).
 
Chiltern’s U15 boys again looked good with Thomas Redmond making short work of the course to win in 9.15. Archie Pinder ran strongly from Wave 3 to be fourth in 9.41 and Alden Collier was fifth in 9.44. Other good Chiltern runs came from Max Baxter (8th in 10.01), Oakley Denson (9th in 10.06), Isaac Jessop-Tranter (11th in 10.10), Leon Doran (16th in 10.29), Ethan McCall (17th in 10.34), and Euan Pinder, struggling with a knee injury (18th in 10.35).
 
The U17 and U20 women ran together. In the U17s Holly Henderson was fifth in 21.49, Abbie Henderson seventh in 22.11, and Alice Brown 12th in 24.02. In the U20s Soraya Lockwood was fourth in 25.01 and Millie Hughes fifth in 25.15.
 
There were three U17 men in action. In a high class field James Palmer was sixth in 19.13, Luke Martin tenth in 20.03, and Will Shield 17th in 20.55.
 
Just five U20 men toed the line, with Max Mcgarvie third in 20.15.

Senior training is back!

​While I'm sure you're all very excited to get going again, we should first take a moment to thank the coaches for their hard work in putting this together and for keeping us occupied with their training plans for the past four weeks! 

Here are the details of this week’s training and a reminder of how to book your spot. Please do contact Neil Bates if there are any problems. 

Tuesday 08 December:
Session 1, Hill Endurance Session with Mike Shrive. Limited to 20 athletes.
Meet in Star Yard, Chesham, ready to run at 7pm to Alma Road/Hivings Hill 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 08 December:
Session 2, Speed Endurance Session with Steve Field. Limited to 20 athletes.
​Meet at Elgiva Car Park, Chesham ready to run at 7pm using circuits around the Town Centre.
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.


Thursday 10 December:
Session 3:  Speed endurance with Mike Shrive and Judith Or. Limited to 20 athletes. 
Meet in Rickmansworth Rd car park, Amersham, ready to run at 7pm to Railway Loop.
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.
 
Thursday 10 December:
Session 4: Speed endurance road run with Trevor Brawn. Limited to 20 athletes
Meet at Chalfont Av, Little Chalfont, ready to start at 7.00pm.
Parking in Chalfont Av, Russell Close, Amersham Road or nearby.
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 reminder on how to book into your sessions:

1: Athletes must go to this link and check to see if the event they want is full (check the number - not percentage - of people opted to attend). If you happen to be 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 athletes must look at it again. 

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.