Race Report hits the trails

Good Evening, Race Report fans, and welcome to Summer!

​You find me relaxing after a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon spent track-side (well, in an equipment shed) at the Lower Age Group of the Youth Development League. Chiltern Harriers hosted the meet, to great applause, at Little Marlow. Well done to Alan Hewson and his band of volunteers for a really well-run event. The bar has been set high for Wycombe Phoenix, who will be hosting at the same venue at the end of the month. [Top Tip: you always need more sausage rolls.]

And with that, it’s a very trail-focussed Report this week. The Club was well-represented at the Ridge Off Roader half marathon on 18 May, a tough, but wonderfully community-oriented event. Hot off the marathon, Mairead O’Rourke led the Club home in 1.57.17, joined swiftly by Cath Holloway (1st in age category). Jonathan Coutts finished in 2.06.21 and Lauren Mayot in 2.08.11.
Upping the distance a fraction (?!) Ali Young was in action yesterday, 31 May, in the Beat the Sunset 50k - a circular route along the Thames Valley. Ali was 1st woman in 4.26.02. Ali is in preparation for the notorious Badwater 135 Ultramarathon in early July.
Tim Dutfield took on the Ridgeway challenge this weekend. While sadly not able to finish the event, he still toughed out 123 of the 139 kilometers, in a time of 24.07.54, and finishing up in Ogbourne.

And finally, Hywel Thomas was also in ultramarathon mode: taking on the infamous Hardmoors 110. The route follows the Cleveland Heritage coastline, starting in Filey, and taking in Whitby, Scarborough and Robin Hood’s Bay, before passing over the North York Moors and finishing in Helmsley. Hywel did brilliantly, finishing well within the cut-off in a time of 31.41.46.

Look out for results from today’s Coombe Hill Fell Race in a  future edition of Race Report :-)

SOME VERY IMPORTANT NOTICES:

1. We need coaches. Full stop. More specifically, we need:
   
   i. people who are willing to assist in running a new beginners-intermediate group for adults. The Club will pay for you to gain the necessary entry-level qualification Leadership in Running Fitness, which can be completed remotely and at your convenience. Help us to make our Club more inclusive! The more qualified facilitators we have, the lesser the burden on any individuals.
   
   ii. a qualified coach to lead a group of enthusiastic, mixed ability juniors on a Sunday morning. Creative suggestions, eg. recommendations of professional coaches are welcomed. Email [email protected] . Let’s not lose the talent of the future!

2) Circuits. Did you know the Club has a Monday evening circuit training session? Check out the Club calendar to see when it’s on

COMING UP LOCALLY: Penn 7, Second Sunday 5, St Alban’s Half Marathon, Cliveden Classic 10k, Misbourne 5 and 10k, Trust 10k run, Last Friday of the Month, Thame 10k, SEAA U20 / Senior Champs and the next Youth Development League match. Check out the Club Calendar for more.

A NOTE ABOUT RACE REPORT: If you have done an event, or know that someone else has, ping a quick email to [email protected] to make sure it is included in a future iteration of Race Report.