Race Report: UTS 50k, Jurassic Coast 100k, Compton Challenge, parkrun and Bristol and Hackney half marathons

Good Evening, Race Report fans from a sunny Sunday evening. I hope you all managed to enjoy some time outdoors today. First of all, a big thank you to those who came along to the social last night and to those who helped with organisation: both in advance and on the night (shout out to Katie Royals, Harriet Lemon, Sue Ellerby, Neil Bates, Mike Shrive and Hywel Thomas!) ​

And with that, let’s turn to racing. First of all, a huge (and belated) well done to Nathan Taylor who completed the Ultra Trail Snowdonia (UTS) 50k last weekend, in a brilliant time of 11.56.41 on a huge gruelling course. Sticking with the ultra running theme, Giles Greenhalgh completed over 7000ft of climb during the course of the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge 100k yesterday. Giles completed the event in 13.14.56 (strava time). He is also just shy of his fundraising target for Watford-Based charity, New Hope, which supports those experiencing homelessness in the town. Support the cause here.
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Returning to something a little ‘tamer’, there were course PBs for a number of Harriers at parkrun events yesterday: Julius Fawcett (23.31 at South Manchester); Matt Robins (26.30 at Gadebridge), Ed Wright (23.08 at Jersey Farm); and Isaac McCormack and Richard Moss (21.42 and 22.47, respectively at Church Mead). Meanwhile James Malin earned an all-time PB of 20.13 at Rickmansworth.  There were first placed finishes for Ali Young (19.55 at Rickmansworth) and Neil Turner (18.58 at Wycombe Rye). Finally, massive congratulations to Becs Nkoane, who completed her 50th ever parkrun (20.21 at Rickmansworth) and Kate Loach, for number 250 (21.55 at Cassiobury).

Want to improve upon your 5k running? Roger Ellerby is once again running his popular summer series of sessions aimed at improving 5k performance. It will kick off with fitness testing during seniors’ Tuesday night training on 28 May. Join the WhatsApp Group attached the Chiltern Harriers community to learn more. ​

Back to the trails, and this time to the Compton Challenge, where - barely a fortnight since her marathon debut - Abi Askey finished as 3rd woman and first in her age category over the 16 mile course in the South Downs in a time of 2.22.40 yesterday. Meanwhile, in the Ridge Off Roader half marathon, Lauren Mayot survived the hills and heat to come home in 2.14.31 (strava time), joined by John Brereton (result not yet known).

And finally, in road running news, Lindsay Turner completed the Great Bristol Half Marathon today in 2.03.23 (again, barely two weeks after a marathon), while David Saul finished the Hackney Half in 2.51.20.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: a couple of important pieces of news.
First of all: the Club is, once again, consulting members ahead of updating its Development Plan. This is an important requirement of Clubmark, but - more importantly - is your opportunity to share your views of the Club and how the offering can be better shaped to meet your needs. Please complete the short survey, which you’ll find here by 16 June.

And secondly, last week I shared that the Chiltern League is in need of volunteers to maintain its survival. As the Club with the largest number of runners, we clearly benefit from it and it would be a shame to lose this opportunity to compete. Please find more info on how you can help, and why, here.

COMING UP LOCALLY: graded open track meets at Watford and Oxford, Youth Development League, the Ridge Off-roader, Last Friday of the Month 5k, BMC PB Classic, the Coombe Hill Fell Race, SEAA U20 / Senior Track & Field Champs, Bucks Schools’ Trade & Field Champs, the Cliveden Classic 10k, Souther Athletics League and St Albans Half.
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More events, and details of training on the Club Calendar (click on a calendar entry to find full details of the event, including location and relevant links).