Race and News Report: Wendover 50, Remembrance Half, Liverpool Cross Challenge and the Quiz

Good evening, Race Report fans. I hope you’ve had a great couple of weeks. If you’ve not yet read Steve’s report from the second Chiltern League cross-country match of 2025, check it out here.
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Tonight is a nice mix of running and news. We’ll do the running first. On 8 November, Ben Hannen completed the Remembrance Day Half Marathon from local timed-event organiser, Phoenix Running, covering the 13.1 distance in a creditable 1.38.16.

​Moving to the following Saturday, 15 November, the hill of Horspath (in Oxford) was the least of worries for Alistair Melville-Smith and Hywel Thomas, who took on the absolutely brutal Wendover Woods 50 (mile) by Centurion events. Unlike the majority of Centurion’s point-to-point ultra marathons, the Wendover event takes in five 10-mile laps, each featuring 2000ft of ascent (that clocks up to over 3km of ascent and descent over the event). It’s a properly gruelling test (and one I would love to have a go at some day). Both men did brilliantly. Alistair finished in 10.46.40 and Hywel in 11.49.49.

And finally, yesterday – 22 November - saw three Harriers in action in the Liverpool Cross Challenge. More than 900 finished the senior men’s race. That number boggles my brain. An even more boggling number is that Richard Slade finished 3rd. Yes – you did read that right. That was good enough to earn Richard his first ever Team GB vest. He’ll be heading off to the European cross challenge champs in Faro, Portugal. But Richard was not alone. Chiltern were also represented by Simon Bossi (49th – 26.48) and Alex Johnson (276th– 32.06). Well done to all three of you – what an amazing event to be a part of! ​

On Saturday 14th November, 9 teams battled it out at CHAC's inaugural quiz.  It was a very successful evening of quizzing, testing everyone's general knowledge, athletics, Parkrun, nutrition, films, the underground, Amersham, Chesham and Geography along with a bit of creativity with some playdough, yes, playdough. This was all washed down with a drink or two and a sprinkle of crisps and sweeties.
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 The Wooden Spoon was enthusiastically received by Team "One Man Down" which was Ade, Heidi, Mel, Chris, Stuart. (Mark was poorly, hence the team name.) The winners, "Team Rabbits", (Ben, Rachel, Tim, Alan, Sue, Brian.) received an amazing gold 'oscar-styled' trophy each. Hooray!

​And finally, if you are interested in a Club London Marathon place, don’t miss your chance to apply! Entries will close on 2 December. More details here.

COMING UP LOCALLY: Last Friday of the Month 5k, the next Chiltern League match, the Perivale 5 and the Pednor 10. For these events and more, check out the calendar.

Want to let Race Report know you’ve done an event (or someone else has)? Or you want to make sure a top local event is added to the Club Calendar? If so, email [email protected]