Cross-Country Results
                    2010/2011

Sun 27 Mar 2011

Forest Of Dean Trail Half

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 26 Mar 2011

Roundshaw Downs 5k parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Lorraine and Karen on new PBs.

Sat 26 Mar 2011

Banstead Woods 5k parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 20 Mar 2011

Heart Of The Cotswold Marathon

Results Index  Full Results

Steve reports: "........I then did the Cotswold Marathon on 20th March. Quite a tough and hilly course. I finished in 3 hours 43mins 13 secs (27th place) Dave Freborne also did it and finished in 4 hours 28 mins 21 secs (88th place)."

Sun 20 Mar 2011

Sevenoaks Circular

Results Index

Allan reports: "Collingwood was well represented today at the Sevenoaks with myself, Andy & Mel all running. Starting at 8am the race is described as a 30mile circular route starting at Knole Park & finishing at Sevenoaks Rugby Club. Stunning scenery & a tough course make this race quite a pleasurable experience, although not so good if you’re carrying an injury, which it seems all three of us were suffering with today. Andy with Gilmours Groin, Mel still stiff & sore from last weekend’s efforts in Wales & myself still carrying the injury from Abingdon. (Really need to get it looked at).
Still not too bad a day as I came 3rd with a time of 5hrs 39mins, Mel came in with a time of 6hrs 50mins. I’m still waiting for Andy to confirm his time atm."

Sat 19 Mar 2011

Brutal 10

Results Index  Full Results

Steve reports: "I did the "Brutal 10" which was an off road 10k race on Deepcut Army Barracks. There were lots of very steep hills and we were expecting mud and water just like the Run Rampage but there was not as much. I finished in 55th place in a time of 51 mins 47 secs."

Sat 19 Mar 2011

Banstead Woods 5k parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 19 Mar 2011

Roundshaw Downs 5k parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Nigel and Aimee on new PBs, and welcome to new member Karen.

Sun 13 Mar 2011

Bedford Clanger

Results Index

2nd Bedford Clanger

Andy reports: "I travelled up to Bedfordshire for the second Bedford Clanger at Box End Park Watersports Centre, just south of Bedford, unfortunately cutting it fine because of road works on the M1. So I was a little late off, two minutes behind the mass start, which included dozens of the usual 100 Marathon Club faces. This was the second step back on my road to recovery and I was passed fit to run on Friday by my own Physio, having aggravated my injury over the last two weeks. Ok, she actually said that she could not stop me running, which means the same as you can run; doesn’t it?

This was a mixed terrain marathon, where the route was a 26.7 mile circular course around Bedford. It was mostly off-road following footpaths and where possible stayed in open countryside. The number of new build houses in the area was amazing, three big new estates, lots of smaller developments as well, none with any great character though.

Highlight of the day; local yob showing off to his mates on his motorbike on the grass near an estate. His spectacular crash and resultant damage to his new bike was really a sight to see. Judging by the comments from his mates, it was his own bike which he only just bought!

Anyway, a very different run from the Chiltern Kanter two weeks ago, no rain, no wind, no mud and much warmer. Add to that I remembered the route from last year and had prepared my route narrative in advance meant that this was an uneventful run in that respect. Actually it was excellent conditions for running a marathon. The route is basically flat, taking in woodlands and fields, running around the giant airship hangars at Cardington.

I was aiming for a slow jog/walk to finish in anything under five and a half hours, but ideally in under five. I started slowly and maintained that steady pace through halfway, just feeling the bruising from the Physio treatment from Friday.

However, the injury became progressively tighter in the second half, so having run through 20 miles, I took several walks until the finish. After the fifth checkpoint with just 3.3 miles to go, I really locked up. I was still able to make progress, but only very slowly and not easily. I finished in 4 hours and 33 minutes, which was much better that I could have expected. However, I was pretty much locked tight at the finish, so getting showered and changed was a bit of a challenge. Officially 52nd out of 143 finishers, which was not too bad.

The Bedford Clanger is a local savoury pie, which was provided at the finish, along with some very nice fruit cake. However, it was a completely different Bedford Clanger to last year’s, so I’m not actually sure what a Clanger is exactly."

Sat 12 Mar 2011

Wye Valley 50

Results Index

On Saturday 12, Mel Ross ran the tough Wye Valley 50 mile race. This was a one day ultra trail race starting close to the source of the River Wye. Mel finished in a hardcore 11 hours and 10 minutes.

Sat 12 Mar 2011

Banstead Woods 5k parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 12 Mar 2011

Roundshaw Downs 5k parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 6 Mar 2011

Steyning Stinger

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Nigel on his debut marathon. Picked a nice easy one!

Sat 5 Mar

Croydon Harriers Invitation 10k XC

Results Index  Full Results

Collingwood was 8th of 10 teams.

Sat 5 Mar

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 5 Mar

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Doug on a new PB.

Sun 27 Feb

The Terminator

Results Index

Bob reports: "Ran The Terminator on Sunday, a XC race through the usual mud, bogs ,hills etc. To make the day better rain as well, slower than the last time I done it but I am putting that down to old age and the weather."

Sun 27 Feb

Chiltern Kanter

Results Index

Andy reports: "On Sunday, 27th February 2011, I travelled up to the Tring British Red Cross Hall to complete the 16th Chiltern Kanter, organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association, Beds, Bucks & Northants Group.

This was a new event for me and the aim was to complete the course on foot by a route of your own choosing, passing through a number of control points. There were three official distances of 26, 18 and 13 miles. Each entrant was given a question sheet, with answer to be found at each of the control points, of which there were 29 for the marathon. If you answered all the questions correctly you were awarded a certificate.

I knew that this was a map reading exercise and not the usual LDWA route narrative, but I assumed they would supply a map; they did not! So after a plea for help to the organiser, I was lent an old map. It was quite dated; so buildings, field boundaries and woodlands had changed. It was also the wrong scale (far too small) for this type of event and marked up with dozens of control points from previous events. All of which made navigation a bit more of a challenge. All the sensible LDWA members had prepared their maps having entered in advance; I had to make it up on route.

I was given permission to run by the hospital physio, as long as I took it really gently. So I had planned to jog and walk, taking it easy. Not straining myself or pushing on especially towards the end.

The weather forecast on Saturday was for 10 degrees and dry; when I got up that had changed to 7 degrees and showers. In reality it was 4 degrees and dry for 12 miles, then rain and wind for the next 12. Anyone remember the 2007 Steyning Stinger? This was as bad!

The route was mixed, mostly footpaths through farmland, woods, hills and the odd village. Some lovely views and some great houses to be seen. Most increasing was a ‘keeping up with the Jones’ battle between two neighbours, their fight was over tree houses; you could live in both of them! We had a good stretch down the Grand Union Canal towpath, which was very muddy; up and back down several very muddy hills.

I was fine until it rained. Two miles later, I was soaked to the skin and frozen. Two miles later and I was shivering so badly that I could not read the map! Navigating was tricky with the map I had, but in those conditions it was so difficult. Add to that that the three routes share some parts, cross over in places and go in the opposite direction in others, so there are walkers and runners going in every direction. I managed to find all 29 points and answer all the questions, but on a couple of occasions I took a slightly longer route than needed. A number went off route adding miles to their distance.

I finished in 7 hours and 12 minutes, covering 28.38 miles. I lost a lot of time stopping to read the map and by going via some interesting routes. Once I picked a footpath that had obviously gone into disuse years ago, so progress through that wood was fun! Conditions under foot were muddy and slippery in the morning, but after the rain they were really dodgy. I saw several fallers and many others pulled out due to the difficulty of map reading, mud, rain and cold. The worst four miles took 84 minutes!

I was delighted to still be jogging at the finish, slow, but still moving. My legs were fine afterwards and my injury was a little stiff, but nowhere near as bad as I expected, maybe all the shivering kept me loose? Great fun, I think, but even better to be back after over four months out. Marathon 140 in the bank!

A warm meal at the finish was very welcome and I got my certificate too. £6 entry on the day, proving great value. The next Kanter is in 2013 and I’ll be back. But, I’ll enter in advance, buy a map and prep it properly, laminate it and practice map reading.

PS - Gill says my socks are beyond hope!"

Sat 26 Feb

East Surrey League - Wimbledon Common XC Relay

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 26 Feb

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 26 Feb

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 19 Feb

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 19 Feb

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 13 Feb

Punchbowl Marathon

Results Index

Mel reports: "The Punchbowl didn't let me down, every year I run it the weather is awful, at least it didn't snow this year. The rain didn't give up the whole day, making conditions difficult and very very wet. I managed to finish in 6 hours 32."

Richard reports: "The Punchbowl Marathon on the 13th February was run by Mel Ross, Richard Fox and Bill Walsh from Collingwood. The race was organised by the Surrey LDWA and was 30miles-ish, set in the spectacular rolling countryside on the Surrey borders going towards Hampshire.

Before I get into a full race report, I’d have to sum up this event in a few words and they would be:
“Rain, lost, mud, rain, sand, up hills, rain, puddles, down hill, rain, tea, biscuits”.

Right, where to start...
The event set off from Chichester village hall in Witley. The instructions said it was just the other side of the Hogs Back in Guilford. So we took what we thought was the turning and then looked for signs to Witley, none…look at map from the back of the car…page missing…bugger…we can’t be lost before we have even started. Right, needs must, time to break out the ordnance survey map. Found where we are, where we need to go, turn round and go a bit further down the A3. Lets hope this is not going to spoil an auspicious start to the days running.

Got to the village hall and saw all the rest of the runners getting ready to start their long day ahead. The walkers had already left for the day, setting off at something like 7.30. Time to get all of the kit ready and strap the dog up ready for the day ahead. Left the village hall across the green following the instructions to the letter as we had lost sight of the early runners and wanted to get a feel for the instructions. Came out of the field and turned left, up the hill looking for a kissing gate. We have gone more than 300 yards and still not seen the blooming kissing gate, we have to be wrong as the instructions say, “After 170 yds TR at K gate & up trk”. Well if we knew what we were looking for it would help, let's turn round and see if we can see a kissing gate, ah there it is tucked in the trees. Right this day has to start getting better.

The next section of the route was fairly uneventful apart from muddy fields, cows and rain plus we followed a few people who looked like they knew how to read a map and run. Four miles in and those lovely LDWA people have put on a spread in a cattle lean-to with juice, cakes and biscuits. This is readying us the next big section, which was across the Devil's Punchbowl.
The Legend behind the formation is that the devil spent his time tormenting the god Thor by pelting him with enormous handfuls of earth, leaving the great bowl. In reality it was created by erosion as water worked away at the sandy soil until it hit an impervious layer of clay.

Right geography lesson over, back to the running blog. The climb was spectacular and steep which did result in a few stumbles but we got to the top without too much trauma. Our next misunderstanding with the instructions was at the other end of the Punchbowl when the main path went in 4 directions and we had to decide which way to go, decisions, decisions. Ok the instructions say go 30 degrees to the main route, well this is where the compass would have come in handy, again. The good thing about not knowing where to go is you hang around a spot long enough you discover that there are loads of other people in the same boat. Let's all talk about how to interpret the instructions. Right, route found and everyone heads off in the same direction to go down a gully and then climb up to the trig point at Kettlebury Hill.

The running got easier from here as we got out onto the Kettlebury Ridge, which had great long straights to get into a rhythm and also not have to read instructions every five minutes, but boy I didn’t realise Surrey had this much sand! This is where we discovered the majority of the walkers had got to. So lots of people for the dog to run past and scare, or for me to be told I was cheating or people to ask if they could borrow the dog…

The run past the golf course at mile 10, the other side of the ridge, we did get some strange looks. But then again people hitting a white ball across grass in this weather is not my idea of fun either. Yeah, checkpoint two. Again the LDWA people sorted out the runners and walkers to a treat by laying on really hot tea, coffee and sandwiches, even for the dog.

The 20 milers turned off at this point and we found it really hard to get running again as we had got comfy at this checkpoint and the weather hadn’t cheered up at all, so the wet clothes had got cold and sticky. Nothing for it but to push on as we had another 17miles to go. I didn’t need to tell the dog this though.

Ran over the River Wey which was interesting as I knew it had to flow into the Thames from somewhere but just not this part of Surrey.The next section was a mixture of trail, road and field until we had the joyous climb up to Crooksbury Hill. The instructions did say “stepped path to the summit of Crooksbury Hill”. What they didn’t say was it was 50 degree climb to the summit of the hill, but worth it. No real time to enjoy the view as it was straight back down to the bottom of the hill on the other side.

The rest of the run to Puttenham Common was reasonably flat and involved a lot of thought about how to read and interpret the instructions. Met up with Dave Thompson from the Hundred Club and chatted away to him, which was a mistake as the Collingwood anti-direction gene rubbed off on him a bit as we got him off route (don’t like to say lost anymore). The problem with this was that we had all missed the overhead wires. We were supposed to turn right at these but we had our heads down and the lovely people at National Grid had disguised the electricity posts as trees, but in a wood! Well that is our reason for missing this landmark.

Right, checkpoint three coming up, more tea, yippee. When leaving this checkpoint you could tell we were getting more discerning about our check points, as we did comment that the tea wasn’t quite a hot as the previous one. Can’t believe I was critiquing a free cuppa, fussy bugger. Ten miles to go, yes.

Passed some really great houses tucked away and off the beaten track and had the usual “When I win the lottery” conversation. Getting mentally ready for the next section thinking Ockley Common would be like Kettlebury Ridge as it was wide open spaces and heathland. Well it would have been, except that someone had let the MOD play on it, plus they had either raised the water level or lowered the ground. There was water everywhere and it was not like you could run around it. Right, flippers on and go through the middle of it. The only one loving this was Leka. We did think there would be a bit of respite as the instructions said we crossed a “boardwalk”. Well the “boardwalk” was more like a relic from the World War 1 trenches and as effective as a bikini stopping the sun. The closest thing that we had come to this was doing the Grim a couple of years ago. But guess what, last checkpoint was up ahead which can only mean one thing, more biscuits.

5 miles to go. Out across the waterlogged common again, thankfully this route went out across the sandier part of the common. Even though it was sandier there were still a few puddles disguised as lakes. You know this is quite an untouched part of the countryside when a fallen decaying tree is used as a landmark and the point at which we turn left. The rest of the run was more a slog but easier because we had hooked up with a number of other runners who were keeping the pace going and pulling us along on the basis that we couldn’t be arsed to get the instructions out again to read and run.

Witley Common, almost there. Few more houses, main road, I recognise this now, Chichester Hall, yeah done.

The struggle was getting the wet claggy shoes off before getting into the hall. On examining them, we realised that we had been running with a beach in our shoes, great if you’re five and at the seaside in summer. At least the dog could just shake and in the process get everyone wetter and muddier. Register, hand over running numbers, presumably to count the bodies in, find a table, sit down and get a nice cup of tea. This is where we looked at each other and agreed, “that hurt, but what a great run!”

To summarise the event, if you ever want to see what Surrey has to offer in terms of its spectacular scenery, do this race. We were talking to some walkers from Norfolk who had come down especially for this event and they couldn’t believe how few roads, cars or houses they had come across on the whole route.

Right, time for one last thanks again to the LDWA volunteers as the hospitality they offered at all the checkpoints was unrivalled. And to be fed at four checkpoints for £2.50 and be offered tea, coffee, beans on toast and soup at the end for free is unmatched by very few events. This is a must for next year as the route should remain unchanged which means less looking at the route and more running. Note to self, take compass, Vaseline up properly and buy running gators for next time."

Richard, Bill and Leka.

Sat 12 Feb

Jim Mundy's 60th Birthday Marathon

Results Index

Mel reports: "Steve and I both took part in a special invitational marathon to celebrate fellow 100 club member Jim Mundy's 60th birthday. The marathon consisted of three and a half times around Richmond Park. There were 40 runners who took part altogether and it was an enjoyable day. Unfortunately we were running round clockwise which to me seems the harder way, meaning we had to run up Richmond Hill 3 times. Steve finished in 3 hours 56 and I finished in 4 hours 23 min being the first lady. We were both running fairly easy to save some energy for the following day's races, Steve doing the Valentine's 10k and myself the 30 mile Punchbowl."

Sat 12 Feb

Ladies' Surrey League XC - Fixture 4 - Wimbledon Common

Results Index  Full Results

Collingwood was 19th of 38 on the day and finished the league season with teams in 21st and 45th of 46. Thanks and well done to all the ladies who turned out for one or more fixtures during the season.

Sat 12 Feb

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 12 Feb

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Aimee on another new pb.

Sat 5 / Sun 6 Feb

Pilgrim Challenge

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 5 Feb 2011

Men's Surrey League XC - Fixture 4 - Wimbledon Common

Results Index  Full Results

Thanks to all those who managed to turn out for the final event in the 2010/2011 league, despite the mere 2 days notice that the fixture date had been rearranged. Thanks also to all those who supported the club in one or more of the other fixtures.

It was blustery weather but not a very muddy course, with just the one big patch that couldn't be avoided, unless you took a short-cut like some runners from other clubs did. The Collingwood-ers were far too honest to do that though.

Collingwood were 5th on the day with 510pts, and 5th overall in the division with 1827pts. Sutton Runners finished 1st, and Tadworth 2nd in Div 4, both being promoted to Div 3. Holland Sports and Vets AC were 8th and 9th in Div 3 so will be relegated.

Sat 5 Feb

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 5 Feb

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Aimee on a new pb.

Sat 29 Jan

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 29 Jan

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 23 Jan

Benfleet 15

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 22 Jan

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 22 Jan

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 16 Jan

Run Rampage

Results Index

Steve reports: "On 16th January 2011 I decided to go on the Rampage. To be exact, I entered the Run Rampage which was a new 10k extreme cross country/multi-terrrain event held on the D1 and D2 Alpine sites of Bagshot army barracks. We were warned that because of the word "Alpine" we should expect plenty of steep hills!

Along with the grade 1 and grade 2 hills, there were also several waist high thick muddy bogs so the runners were covered in mud from the waist below. Fortunately we also had to run through the same height in water which washed all the mud off!

I finished the event in 49th place and a time of 55 minutes and 33 seconds."

Sun 16 Jan

The Perch

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 15 Jan

Grim 8

Results Index  Full Results

Alison reports: "The build up to the Grim 8 was great - did some fab long runs, was well prepared and looking forward to it. Then the snow hit (I was supposed to be running the 4 December one) and they postponed it to this weekend! :-)

Preparation mark 2 was sporadic to say the least! The snow and ice got a bit in the way, Christmas and New Year celebrations didn't help and so by yesterday my longest training run was a little under 6 and a half miles and all on-road and not particularly hilly! :-O

No doubt my rowing and other cross-training has really helped because the following morning I woke up just a bit achy after yesterday's exertions, but otherwise I felt fine. And when I took Leka out for her walk first thing, we walk-ran for a couple of miles in around half an hour.

The Grim 8 is really the Grim 9 - the 7 mile marker gave us all a false sense of security that the end of the race was close and a couple of people commented that their Garmins had registered just short of 9 miles at the finish! It wasn't cold, until the wind started to blow!
But of course you get running and arctic winds turn to a refreshing and welcome breeze!

Loads of puddles (anything from over your trainers to above your knees was standard fare), shale and sand and then random cargo nets, slopes and then the Bog of Doom! :-) We had to queue for 6 minutes to get down into the Bog of Doom ravine beneath the head-height cargo nets, where we found ourselves waist-deep in bright orange mud, mud glorious mud! Waded through with the side of the ravine to my right and managed to keep myself upright!

Then on to numerous hills (two of which were glute-achingly hard!), loads of at least knee-high puddles to go through, cattle-grids, mud, slippery downs...you name it, we all ran it! At the end, just as you're drying out, you're put through a waist-high lake just for a laugh!

I finished in 1:52:30 around expected, grinning from ear-to-ear. I ran with my neighbours Carol and Denise. We collected our pretty decent goody bags with water, t-shirt, sports bottle, mini shower gel, carb bar and carb drink and went to get changed, looking like we'd had a spray-tan! I would definitely recommend this - it's a giggle!"

Sat 15 Jan

Country To Capital 45

Results Index

Mel reports: "On Sat 15th I took part in the Country to Capital 45 mile race.

It started in the village of Wendover, and we had to map read our way for the first 23 miles until we reached the Grand Union Canal. I am not a map reader so I followed a group of people who seemed to know what they were doing. We took a few wrong turnings but nothing too bad, only did an extra 1.5 miles.

On reaching the Grand Union Canal it was then easy as you simply ran along it to the end in Little Venice. The first part of the course was extremely muddy in places and quite undulating, but the second half was dead flat along the canal. I felt quite comfortable this week and finished in 8 hours 26 mins. Quite a good event, medal and long sleeve wicking top for finishing. Looking forward to Gloucester 50k next week."

Sat 15 Jan

Ladies' Surrey League XC - Fixture 3 - Ham

Results Index  Full Results   Table

Annette reports: "Nicky, Ruth and Annette were the three ladies who represented Collingwood AC at this slightly short cross-country at Ham. The conditions were muddy and fairly windy but the course which ran along the Thames was relatively flat. Fortunately we had been warned about conditions and all had our trail shoes on!

Martin had accompanied us partly I think to make sure I did not forget to declare us! but mainly to be on funnel duty! We all went straight from Roundshaw and managed to nab one of the last parking spaces at the centre. The queues for the toilets were of course already hugely long! We had been told to come early to collect chips but then for some reason we were told there were none! this despite the evidence of some chips on other peoples feet!

Since there were no chips I gave in the declaration form and then joined the toilet queue. Luckily a little later on a nice bloke came and told us where some other toilets were! Once we got to the the start we hijacked space in the Striders tent and dumped our stuff and shivered for a while at the start when suddenly we were off! It was a frying pan with a double loop and really not too bad since we were expecting the mud and knew from Roundshaw that it was quite windy. At the finish Nicky, Ruth and I met up with Steve who treated us to a coffee whilst we waited for Martin to finish his duty. Luckily he was released after the next race and after a quick chat we headed back."

Collingwood was 25th of 38 on the day, and are now 22nd of 45 overall.

Sat 15 Jan

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 15 Jan

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 9 Jan

Winter Tanners 30

Results Index

Bill reports: "Richard (and Leka), Mel and myself ran the Tanners 30M on Sunday. Results are not out yet, but I timed Richard, Leka and myself at 6.06. unofficial.

We saw Mel coming into the car-park as we were starting but do not know Mel's time."

Sat 8 Jan

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 8 Jan

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 1 Jan

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 1 Jan

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 25 Dec

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 18 Dec

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 18 Dec

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 11 Dec

Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon

Results Index

Steve reports: "On Saturday 11th December, Collingwood AC Runners, Mel Ross, Bill Walsh and Steve Cooney travelled to a chilly South Coast for the first ever Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon.

The race started from Southsea and although the route was fairly flat, the terrain was mixed, consisting of pavement, road, grass, footpaths and even a stretch of shingle beach. The route took the runners 13 miles to Hayling Island where they turned around and followed the same route back to Southsea, finishing a few hundred metres further on from where they started to make the mileage up to 26.2 miles.

Bill had a fast start and was ahead of Steve until just before mile 23 when Steve passed him, finishing in a time of 3 hours 31 mins 3 seconds. Bill was not that far behind and finished in 3 hours 33 minutes. Both were pleased with their times considering the marathon was advertised as "very multi-terrain". Mel struggled a bit but still finished in a good time of 4 hours 23 minutes."

Sat 11 Dec

Men's Surrey League XC - Fixture 3 - Lightwater Park

Results Index  Full Results   Team Results

Official provisional times and places. Collingwood was 6th on the day and remains in 4th overall.

Sat 11 Dec

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 11 Dec

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Cat leads the ladies points table once again.

Sat 4 Dec

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 27 Nov

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 27 Nov

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Doug on a new pb in the frosty conditions

Sun 21 Nov

Morden Park 10k

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Cat, who was 3rd lady.

Sat 20 Nov

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 20 Nov

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Rupert on a pb by 1s, despite the muddy conditions.

Alison's second beginners group completed the parkrun, with 9 of the final 11 ladies finishing in times ranging from 31 minutes to 46 minutes. Everyone celebrated their achievement with Bucks Fizz and blueberry muffins afterwards!

Sun 14 Nov

Druids Challenge - Day 3 - 26.2 Miles

Results Index  Full Results

Annette reports: "Nicky and I had a mixed start to our adventure when we had to struggle to get on the train at Carshalton and then we couldn’t get off very easily at Clapham Junction! My rucksack got stuck and the person behind us had to push me off! The next train was not quite so easy and as the doors opened for the Milton Keynes train we could see straight away there was no way we were going to fit on! Bad news was that the next train was an hour later! We were then spotted on the platform by another couple looking equally laden down (well not quite so laden!). Next train, one whole hour! So we asked and were given a very complicated route which involved two more changes but getting there only 30 minutes after we had hoped to get there! So it was Wilsden Junction then Harrow and then eventually Tring! Where the minibus and various other people were looking nervous and carrying large bags! Finally we got to pick up the race numbers and completely missed the race briefing!

The view was great and the weather alright although quite windy! We were walked up to Ivenhoe Beacon before turning around and then running back the way we came! The camber was quite tough and it was muddy and slippy! This was very much the rest of the day except it got wetter and muddier and darker and colder! Nicky and I stuck together and we followed along with a largish pack of people. Not always a good idea and we promptly got lost! Lucky someone spotted we were on the wrong road after 1km and so added only about a mile to our 30 mile day! Progress was slow but fairly steady at this point but it got much slower as the rain came down, we met the hills and the mud got worse! Nicky had a very close shave with a large dog which looked very fierce and not at all friendly!

At the last checkpoint we decided it was time to put our head torches on and prepare for the sun to go down. The guys at the checkpoint were great apart from the lies they told us about how much better the track was getting! Instead it got muddier and muddier and colder and darker, there was little point in trying to run any longer so we concentrated on a brisk walk which went well and we continued to overtake other runners who had given up and decided to walk! Finally we met the tarmac road and luckily Nicky spotted the sign away from the Ridgeway that was directing us down to the village and the end of day one! Six hours and 50 mins into our day we reached the school and some hot food and warm-ish showers! We got our stuff out and prepared for the night, which was better than expected although in hindsight I didn’t eat anything like enough for dinner!

Day two started with porridge, always good! And no rain! Even better! We set off at 8am and made a good start, but the lack of food started to tell and the muddy bits by the Thames were really hard work. Nicky was feeling stronger and made better progress but I decided my main concern was to get to the end of the day and one way of trying to ensure this was to walk up any hill and through any muddy slippy bits! This did not stop me falling over and getting very muddy but it did mean that I got to the end of the day speed-walking up hills and covered the 27 miles in just over 6 hours and Nicky in 5 hours 26 mins. We were however dry! And bussed down to the leisure centre where we got to know the resident physios even better! Being at the leisure centre meant we could have a sauna before eating our rather meagre meal, however having learnt from the previous night I continued to eat anything I could find. Lucky Nicky had made and packed some flapjack! Again we had our bedrolls on the floor surrounded by dozens and dozens of other loonies most of whom seemed to be doing terrible things to their feet, that included bandages, needles and various dressings. The results were up on the board before bed and we were both a bit put out to see that we had an hour added to our times and that as a consequence I was due out with the 7am walkers! No thanks! So we managed to find Neil and persuaded him that I really had not taken 7 hours to cover the day's 27 miles.

Having self-medicated with two brufen and a glass of wine I slept quite well until the walkers started to get up, unfortunately this was at 5AM! We dozed on and off until getting up for breakfast at 6am! Our breakfast was not porridge! But we managed to eat enough to get us going and started to pack our rucksacks for the last time! Anna then came with the news that heavy rain was expected! Cue unpacking the raincoat! Damn phone had said that it would be sunny all day! We left on the 7.45 minibus back up to the Ridgeway for the last day and half way up the road we left the mist and fog behind and found ourselves in a lovely blue sky and crisp morning. As a result of my constant eating I felt much better and Nicky was looking forwards to stretching her legs so we set out with renewed life in our legs!

The day passed quite well and it was not long before we passed the first walkers but then a while later I was overtaken by the eventual winner of the whole event who looked amazingly strong. The first 23 miles went pretty well although there were some very muddy bits again! And I started to get some pains in the back of my left knee and we hit the last very steep and really muddy hill which slowed me down again to a walk. Half way up a runner came the other way and told me it was less than a mile to go! At that point I realised that my leg hurt just as much walking as running so started to run again finally crossing the line at 5.36. Nicky was already there and so thankfully was food and hot drinks. We had a medal and tee-shirt for completing and John was there to help get the bags into the car and we headed home, tired but really high on our achievement! And to those who wanted to know would we do it again the answer is a definite yes!

The final results were Nicky 45th in 16 hours 56 mins and myself 70th in 18 hours 29 mins."

Sun 14 Nov

Steppingley Step

Results Index

Steve reports: "On 14th November Rob Wilson, Doug White, Mel Ross and Steve Cooney all participated in the 10th Steppingley Step Marathon while Tom Wilkie entered the 12 mile walk. The run started in the village of Barton Le Clay in Bedfordshire. The runners had to read a route narrative and follow directions around the Bedfordshire countryside passing through checkpoints in the correct order.

As the village name suggests, many of the surrounding fields were clay so that meant it was extremely difficult to run through these since the recent rain caused the clay to stick to the runners' shoes.

Tom Wilkie finished the 12 mile walk in a time of 4 hours 56 minutes after taking a few wrong turnings.

Steve Cooney finished the marathon distance in 4 hours 37 minutes and Mel Ross came back in 5 hours 22 minutes. Doug White and Rob Wilson had not finished when the rest left but were expected to finish in around 7 and a half hours.

All the runners were rewarded with a dinner consisting of quiche, potatoes and vegetables and a choice of desserts including mince pies/fruit pies and custard. Unlimited filled rolls were also available as well as squash and as many cups of tea or coffee as the runners wanted. All the checkpoints also supplied food and drinks. The fee of £4.75 (or £6 for entries on the day) included all the food and a certificate so was well worth the money."

Sat 13 Nov

Druids Challenge - Day 2 - 26.8 Miles

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 13 Nov

Men's Surrey League XC - Fixture 2 - Lloyd Park

Results Index  Full Results

Official provisional times and places. Collingwood was 4th team again.

The full official results are on their 2nd revision. All seems correct now apart from a Richard Adams who's listed as Collingwood in the individual results. Points are correctly allocated in the team table though and the organiser doesn't seem inclined to make any more changes even after a couple of email reminders.

Sat 13 Nov

Ladies' Surrey League XC - Fixture 2 - Denbies

Results Index  Full Results

Provisional official times and places. Collingwood teams are now in 21st and 43rd places.

Sat 13 Nov

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 13 Nov

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Fri 12 Nov

Druids Challenge - Day 1 - 29 Miles

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 6 Nov

Pine Ridge 10k

Results Index   Full Results

Bob reports: "Karen and I ran the Pine Ridge 10km on Sat. A xc race on Wisley Common on trail of sand, mud and pine forest. It turned out to be a bit longer than 10km but still a very enjoyable run. My time 50.05 chip time 49.55."

Sat 6 Nov

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 6 Nov

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Dom on a new pb, and that despite a break at the end of lap 1.

Sat 30 Oct

East Surrey League - Fixture 1 - Lloyd Park XC - 5 Miles

Results Index   Full Results

Collingwood teams were 14th and 26th of 27.

Sat 30 Oct

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done Stuart on a new pb.

Sat 30 Oct

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Alison - 1st lady.

Sat 23 Oct

Beachy Head Marathon

Results Index

Andy reports: "When I got up and looked out at the pouring rain, I thought, “Why am I doing this?” Two miles away Steve was also thinking, “Why am I doing this?” As we drove down to Eastbourne, through the flooded Purley, literally flooded across the whole road and above doorsteps into houses, we both still thought, “Why am I doing this?” However, apart from a two minute shower just before the start, which I missed as I managed to take a while to get ready and only got on to the start with 10 seconds to spare, the weather was good.

Anyway, Steve and I were joined by Rob and Mel in the 30th edition of the Beachy Head Marathon, formerlly known as the Seven Sisters Marathon. This is Britain’s biggest off-road marathon, with over 1750 entries accepted and which is always sold out months in advance.

The course starts with a big hill in the first 30 yards and continues to climb out on to the South Downs and Willingdon Hill. It then rises and falls repeatedly through Westdean Forest, Long Man Windover Hill, the village of Alfriston, Bostal Hill, Cradle Hill, the village of Littington, back through Westdean Forest until reaching the estuary of the River Cuckmere. Then you climb the Seven Sisters, seven chalk cliff hills leading to Birling Gap. Then the last long climb up to Beachy Head.

Conditions underfoot were excellent and clearly they had not had the same rain in Sussex as we had in Surrey. The weather was also excellent, a little breezy at times on the exposed downs, but generally warm and sunny.

Steve was first home in 4:12, having had a slow first half before picking up to pass me at around 23½ miles and disappearing steadily up the hill towards Beachy Head. I had run a good first 20 miles only to suffer from the cramps that have been causing me problems recently. The last five miles were painful, but I still finished in 4:19.

Next home was Mel in 5:12, like me, she was suffering from an injury than has been causing her problems recently. She also had a painful and disappointing run, but typically still finished.

Rob was aiming to break six hours, which was the cut-off time for the results, with the majority of the finishers not appearing in the results.

Whilst I made my way to the canteen for the jacket potato, beans and sausage, with pudding; Steve had a massage (by a young blond! And apparently, she liked his legs!). Not sure which one of us got that right?

Results due out on Tuesday."

Sat 23 Oct

Military 10k

Results Index

Bob reports: "Me and the Mrs. ran the Military 10km on Sat 23rd. Located in Nutfield, Redhill. Muddy, hilly, water, with a few obstacles. A good laugh - 1hr 34."

Sat 23 Oct

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 23 Oct

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 17 Oct

Greensand Marathon

Results Index   Full Results

Bob reports: "Being ill the night before was not sure whether I was going to run it. Got to the start on a fresh but bright morning and set off. I struggled to get to the turn-round point where Mel saw me sitting under a tree knackered. I eventually got my arse in gear and managed to catch Mel up on one of the many hills. Mel then helped and listened to me talk crap till 24 miles or so where she escaped. I finished in 5hrs14, Mel 5hrs 10. A very tough race but the scenery was lovely and a nice cooked breakfast at the end. (cheers for the help Mel)"

Sat 16 Oct

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Alison on a new pb. Cat is leading the ladies points table, with Annette in third.

Sat 16 Oct

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 9 Oct

Men's Surrey League XC - Fixture 1 - Nork Park

Results Index  Full Results

A great turn-out for the first fixture, including local MP Tom Brake. Around 5.3 to 5.4 miles, with 2 laps of the recreation ground plus 3 laps of the long downhill and long uphill of the park itself. Thanks to all who ran, including Joe who did his first race for the club and Dave, Richard and Rupert on their XC initiation.

Official results amended 13/10/10. This gives us a few more points but brings us slightly closer to 3rd position as they gained points as well.

Collingwood was 4th of 8 teams, with 389 pts, 33 pts behind 3rd.

Sat 9 Oct

Ladies' Surrey League XC - Fixture 1 - Richmond Park

Results Index  Results   Team Results

Alison reports: "5 of us turned up. Annette did about 38 minutes, Ruth did about 37 minutes, I did about 42, Nicky - not sure, think about 32ish and Kate was over the hour. We ran 4.18 miles by Annette's Garmin and had a great time. Socialised with the Striders ladies (for cake and a chat) and then went and had bacon/sausage baguettes and cups of tea at the Richmond Gate cafe!"

Collingwood was 20th of 38, with 521 pts.

Sat 9 Oct

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Congratulations to Richard on his win, and to Jenny on a pb.

Sat 9 Oct

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 3 Oct

Hampton Court Cancer Research 10k

Results Index

Rupert reports: "Dave Freeborn and I both ran in the rain in the Cancer Research 10K yesterday, at Hampton Court. Results are not published, but my unofficial time from the start line was 59:26. Much of the course was grass, particularly in the first half, and very soggy in places.

Jean also did it, and said she enjoyed it, having never previously run anything like that distance in her life."

Sun 3 Oct

Flower Of Suffolk Marathon

Results Index

Andy reports: “I made the 272 mile round trip to Walberswick, on the Suffolk coast, to run the ‘Flower of Suffolk’ Marathon today. The event is organised by the Norfolk & Suffolk LDWA and is the third event in the ‘Tri-Anglian Challenge’, with the ‘Daffodil Dawdle’ (March 2010) and ‘The Poppyline’ (June 2010). I was in third place after the first two events, having finished third overall last year.

As expected, many ‘100 Marathon Club’ runners were present and the Village Hall was full of club vests before the start, but the car park was far less crowded than last year. Maybe yesterday’s weather forecast that predicted rain all day, mostly heavy, had put people off. However, it was warm, sunny and dry all day, although there was a strong wind off the sea. Conditions underfoot were relatively good given recent rain, some claggy fields and puddles everywhere; which mostly could be passed safely, if it did involve going through the odd bush or hedge.

This was a really flat course, following an estuary and rivers; going through forests, reed beds, moorland, nature reserves, fields and a few nice villages. It did involve a 2½ mile section of shingle beach inside the first 5 miles, into the teeth of a gale, which was really hard work. The biggest hill on the course was described on the route narrative as ‘steep’, but was the same as the hill at Banstead Woods.

There were four excellent checkpoints, with a good selection of cakes, biscuits, fruit, sandwiches and rice pudding with jelly and fruit cocktail. The homemade biscuits at the second and third were excellent.

Instead of the official 26.8 mile distance, the organisers said the course was short and included an extra section of narrative to top up the distance. However, the narrative was very misleading and most runners missed a section out before the first checkpoint, which we believe was the shortness that was described. I finished a distance of exactly 26.00 miles on my garmin, compared with the revised official distance of 26.1 miles. My time was 4:23 and I was fifth back.

I managed to take a nice detour across the reed beds inside the last couple of miles, have mistakenly turned right at the wrong pillbox. The correct turn was dry, the one I took was under water; never mind it did clear the shoes.

Certificate awarded at the finish, with a hot meal and drink. The vegetable curry soup was excellent. All of this for the silly price of £5.”

Sun 3 Oct

Great Clarendon Marathon

Results Index

Steve reports: "On 3/10/10, Nicky Stevenson and Steve Cooney from Collingwood AC took part in the Great Clarendon Marathon, a tough trail marathon between the Two Cathedral cities of Salisbury and Winchester. The torrential rain during the last few days and on the day itself made the course even muddier and very slippery in places.

Nicky was very grateful to Steve for persuading her to use this marathon as training for her Druid Challenge next month which involves 3 marathons in 3 days.

There was also a half marathon which started 1 hour 45 minutes after the full marathon so Steve caught the backmarkers at about 15 miles then saw a constant flow of half marathoners all the way to the finish which helped him finish his 124th marathon in 3 hours 57 minutes. Nicky finished her 5th marathon in a time of 4 hours 35 minutes, just 4 minutes behind her time at the Nottingham Marathon despite a lot tougher course and a lot tougher conditions. Don't believe a word Nicky says...she absolutely loved the marathon today!"

Sat 2 Oct

Gibb 5

Results Index

Sat 2 Oct

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 26 Sep

Switchback 5

Results Index   Full Results

Alison reports: "On Sunday 7 Collingwood members competed in the Croydon Striders Switchback 5; a 5 mile off-road race around Lloyd Park and the Addiscombe Hills (three of whom had competed in the JW Ultra relay race the day before!)".

Martin was 1st M50.

Sun 26 Sep

New Forest Half

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 26 Sep

New Forest Marathon

Results Index  Full Results

Steve reports: "On 26th September 2010 several Collingwood runners took part in the 28th New Forest Marathon. Nigel Pointer also entered the marathon but transferred the entry to the Half due to injuries and so not enough training.

The marathon started and finished in New Milton, on the edge of the New Forest National Park, and passed through Bashley, Wooten, Burley, Sway and Tiptoe. The conditions were sunny and cold so ideal for marathon running. Three miles of the marathon were on gravel tracks within the Forest itself so this was classified as a trail marathon.

The views were quite scenic and several wild ponies were seen including one which was running against the hundreds of runners on the other side of the road.

Bill Walsh and Steve Cooney swapped places a couple of times and Andy Stalley was just a few yards behind the pair. Steve eventually overtook Bill after about 16 miles and continued ahead. Bill then saw Andy just 20 yards behind him after the 20 mile point. This was all the encouragement Bill needed and he pushed on to the finish.

Steve Cooney finished in 62nd place in 3 hours 28 minutes 25 seconds with Bill Walsh just under 5 minutes behind in 3 hours 33 minutes 10 seconds. Andy unfortunately developed cramp in both legs just after Bill saw him and he struggled to the finish in 169th place and a time of 3 hours 50 minutes 58 seconds. Mel Ross had a cold all week and probably should not have run. She still managed to finish in 394th place with 4 hours 38minutes 39 seconds.

Nigel Pointer finished the Half Marathon in 1 hour 45 minutes 17 seconds and 364th place out of 1763 finishers."

Sat 25 Sep

JW Ultra Relay

Results Index

On Saturday 25th four Collingwood members ran in two relay teams to complete the JW Ultramarathon, running 30 miles in 3 stages from Stratford-Upon-Avon, finishing at Bournville.

Alison reports: "After being asked whether I'd like to join Ruth, Annette and Nicky at the JW Ultra to run the first 10 mile leg as one of our relay teams, at our last Come Dine with Me meal, Friday evening found us all on the drive up to Birmingham and the Etap Hotel - which was clean, functional and comfortable, not the den of iniquity Allan had suggested it potentially was!
We arrived, checked in and dumped our bags in our rooms ready to go out and grab supper - carb-loading with fish and chips washed down with a bottle of Cava and followed with some Galaxy choc for pudding! :-)
We sorted out arrangements for the morning and went to bed.
Up early at 6.30ish and after showering and packing up our bags again, we headed for breakfast and filled up on toast and cereals ready for the day.
Annette was driving and so off we went to load up her car with overnight bags and dry bags with our dry kit for the end of our races.
We'd to get to Bournville by 8.15 to catch the race coach to Stratford. Under pressure time-wise, we turned right too early and ended up a bit muddled as to where we needed to be. After ringing the race director (fortunately a good friend of Annette's :-)) we were back on course and the coach had kindly waited for us. We hauled ourselves on feeling like you do if you're the person they're chasing on the last call to get on a plane!
Off we went to the start.
Ruth and I were running Leg 1 - 10 miles from Stratford-Upon-Avon, starting on the Greenway, to a pub 10 miles along the tow path. Nicky and Annette hopped back on the coach and were taken to CP1 to meet us, where they'd carry on and run the remaining 20 miles.

At the start it was sunny but cold and nerves kicked in and Ruth and I had to find a spot with some sunshine and stood listening to the race briefing.
Next thing we knew we were lined up and were off along the Greenway and then directed left onto a route that took us along fields, up and down steps in some woods and out towards Stratford. Ruth was off - I'd decided to take things nice and easy and ran along with a similarly-paced lady called Bridget who then put up with my company for the full 10 miles!
I really enjoyed the course - so pretty and friendly. The tow path which we mostly ran along for the first leg was well kept and there was lots to look at. There was a shoulder-height aquaduct at around 8 miles, which was very interesting. And then the last couple of miles whizzed by and suddenly the first checkpoint was there and Ruth and Nicky were shouting my name. Had a bit of a muddled changeover for Nicky to take up the reins and swap over (I was too busy wishing Bridget all the best for her next 20 miles and saying hi to Ruth)! We did a handover and off Nicky went. Annette was some 20 minutes ahead of her and she thought she was going to have a bit of catching up to do.

After grabbing a lovely lump of flapjack Ruth and I compared notes on our races - she'd had a lovely run but caught a tree root and pavement surfed along the canalside fairly close to CP1. Luckily she fell to the left of the path and not into the canal (which is pretty close to your right!). We went off and caught the coach to to CP2 (another pub - there's a theme here!) to get changed and to have some lunch.
At the pub Ruth and I opted for liver, bacon and mash and a glass of red for lunch. We chatted and relaxed and then glancing up to see if the coach was still there (they told us they'd come and get us when they were going back to the end) I was a bit concerned to see it was missing! :-)
It had gone and after panicking - Nicky and Annette's gear was on the coach without us, and trying to cadge a lift from a random runner (who said he had a car-full, when in fact it was empty - were we that scary?!), we were reassured by a couple of the race organisers that we'd get a lift back to Bournville with them.
Next thing we see the coach coming back up to the pub - they'd realised we weren't there and kindly returned to collect us!
Once back safely on the coach and heading back to Bournville, it suddenly occurred to us that we'd not bought a promised cheese and ham baquette for Nicky for her post-race refuelling! Oops!
We swung between guilt and childish giggling at our error and all the other day's incidents.
The journey back to the finish was hilarious!
Back at HQ we sorted out the baguette issue with a beautiful home made cheese and ham (off the bone!) sarnie for Nicky. Plus a coffee and cake for us!
3.15ish and we decided to walk down to the finish *proper* which was on the platform at Bournville train station (randomly!) and met Nicky and Annette walking up the road towards the race HQ having finished already!
Both were pleased with their times and had enjoyed their races. And both want to do the full Ultra next year, despite Nicky having to help a cyclist fish his bike out of the canal as he and a mate tried to cycle round her as she ran towards them and the cyclist canal-side coming a cropper as he was way to close to the edge - in he went! Nice of Nicky to give him a hand, if you ask me!

So, we can honestly say we loved the JW Ultra! Lovely, pretty course, very friendly people, fab goody bag and brilliant organisation.
30 next year for Nicky and Annette. Ruth and I fancy 20!"

Sat 25/Sun 26 Sep

Hardmoors 114 Mile Ultra

Results Index

Collingwood's Allan Rumbles ran the Hardmoors 114 mile Ultramarathon over the course of this weekend starting at 5pm on Saturday 25th running overnight along the dramatic Cleveland Way National Trail encircling the North Yorkshire Moors and the Cleveland Heritage coastline.
Commencing in the North Yorkshire Market town of Helmsley competitors had a time limit of 36 hours to complete this trail race finishing in Filey.
Allan finished the race in 28 hours and 58 minutes in 3rd place (25 started, 11 finished). He won £20 for his efforts!

Sat 25 Sep

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 25 Sep

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Doug on a new course best.

Sun 19 Sep

Farnham Pilgrims Marathon

Results Index

Mel reports: Today I ran the Farnham Pilgrims marathon. It started at Sands recreation ground near Farnham, from there the route followed through the village of Runcon, onto the North Downs Way. We followed that for a while leading to the village of Seale, passing the church of St Laurence, then onto to the village of Puttenham passing the famous Good Intent pub. After Puttenham we left the NDW for a while, taking footpaths past Loseley park and Orange Grove, crossing the river at St Catherine lock. We then followed along the river to arrive at St Mary's Church, where we turned onto the dows link pathway and climbed up and up and up to the summit of St Marthas hill with beautiful views and the half way point. We then picked up the Pilgrims Way, crossing the River Wey over a lovely bridge. The next section was up and around the ruins of St Catherine's Chapel to return to the NDW. Th return was in reverse until the Good Intent pub where the course lead us through Britty wood, then climbing onto Puttenham common, back into the village of Seale and the NDW all the way back to Farnham golf club, and the final 1/3 mile along tarmac uphill to the finish.

This was a gorgeous race, very well organised by Hillary Carter, who decided to organise his own marathon to run as his 100th. The local Rotary Club helped and the route markers and marshalls were plentiful, as were the water stations. The route was tough as the terrain had a lot of loose sandy paths, steep paths and woodland paths with loads of roots underfoot. I finished in 4h 52 mins in 161 position, found it a hard race as still suffering with bum numbness, so quite happy with that. I got a nice medal and goodie bag for my efforts, all in all a very scenic race and definitely one I would do again."

Sun 19 Sep

Green Chain Marathon

Results Index  Full Results

Steve reports: "On 19th September 2010 I took part in the third Green Chain Marathon, a 27 mile multi-terrain scenic race organised by the New Eltham Joggers. The course was well marked by permanent Green Chain route markers so it was very easy to follow the route. I was the only Collingwood member but there was a large number of fellow 100 Marathon Club members since Dave Lewis, a New Eltham Jogger, was competing in his 100th marathon.

The start was in Avery Hill Park and followed the Green Chain path to the River Thames at Thamesmead then along the Thames to Erith. The route then went past Plumstead Common, Mottingham, Chiselhurst then back to New Eltham.

Several sites of historical interest were passed including Lesnes Abbey ruins in Abbey Wood, originally built in 1178, the Crossness engine Pump, built in 1858 and also Eltham Palace, built in 1475 for Edward IV.

I managed to finish the 27 mile marathon in 6th place in a time of 3 hours 50 minutes 50 seconds, which was about 4 minutes quicker than last year's time."

Sat 18 Sep

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Andy is currently leading the men's points table, with Steve in 2nd and Shaun in 4th.

Sat 18 Sep

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Tom on a new cb, and Alison on a new pb. The jury's out whether Alison's was dog assisted or dog hindered. Also, welcome to new member Cat in her first run for the club.

Cat is currently leading the ladies points table, with Annette in 3rd.

Sat 11 Sep

Two 2 Go Marathon

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 11 Sep

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 11 Sep

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sun 5 Sep

Surrey Badger Half

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 4 Sep

Kingston 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Sat 4 Sep

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Well done to Stuart on a new pb.

Sat 4 Sep

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

Results Index  Full Results

Mon 30 Aug

Pathfinder Marathon

Results Index

Andy reports: "13th Pathfinder Marathon

Only two Collingwood members made their way this year to Conington in Cambridgeshire for the 13th Pathfinder Marathon. The event is named after the 2nd World War Pathfinder Bomber Squadrons which flew from airfields in the area and provided routes of 42km, 32km, 23km & 14km, for runners and walkers. The route passed several sites of airfields around a gently undulating course with no real hills to speak of.

This is a scenic off-roader crossing many fields, down by-ways and bridle paths, through a few woods and passing some lovely villages, with mostly a good set of route narrative instructions. One thatched cottage, by a stream and ford, was a perfect country cottage.

Steve Cooney and I started together in bright sunshine with barely a cloud in the sky. However, it was very cold and with a biting wind, meaning that as I stood and sun-creamed myself before the start I was shivering; and I don’t feel the cold! The wind did ease and the cloud came up, but the temperature was still only about twelve degrees by the finish. Not bad conditions to run in really.

I lead for the first eight miles or so, before gradually losing energy and getting slower and slower. The last three miles or so were really hard work. No incidents and never off-route for a change, just a poor day at the office. I was 5th back in 3:47, but it was not a good or comfortable run.

Steve started with Lisa Barry, another 100 Marathon Club member, before she pushed on, passing me to be first back. Steve only had the slightest of detours, which was a relief after last week’s unofficial ultra. He finished comfortably in 4:23 in around 10th place, having had an uneventful run.

Medals, mugs and a cloth patch were all available at the finish, along with cheap teas & coffees; and very tasty bacon rolls. The mugs, certificates and cloth patches had an image of a Wellington Bomber on them this year; after a Mosquito and a Lancaster for the last two years. We have to run again for the next two years to get the full set of five bombers."

Sat 28 Aug

Speyside Way Race

Results Index

Mel reports: "Dave and I travelled to my homeland Bonnie Scotland to take part in the Speyside way ultra race. This race has not taken place since 2005 when it was a 50k race. The new version for 2010 was estimated to be 35.5 miles.

It was a very early start as we had to register at 6.30am and it was a 2 hour drive from my Dad's. We arrived in plenty time, without any detours!! After we registered we had to travel by bus, which was laid on by the race, to Ballindalloch, which was to be the start point. The start point was actually Ballindalloch's old railway station, where the trainlines used to supply goods and workers to the distilleries along the Speyside Way. There was also a piper at the start and he just happened to play our special song. Later I learned Dave had asked him to - was a nice touch!!

We started at 9am to the sound of the pipes and made our way along the old railway line, over suspension bridges and winding along the banks of the Spey, all the way to Craigellachie, it was gorgeous!! And at some points you could even smell the whisky. The weather was unpredictable. One minute it was hot and sunny then there would be torrential rain, so was difficult adjusting all the time, just as I put on my rain coat, it would stop and warm up.

After Craigellachie the route suddenly became very hilly as we had to follow forestry tracks up and over Ben Aigen, then through woodland paths and a very long road section (which was hard on the feet as we were wearing trail shoes) to Fochabers. From there we followed the river Spey to SpeyBay. Unfortunately we had to be diverted off the course due to parts of the path being washed away by the river. The diversion proved to be very tricky underfoot as it was a very narrow path with huge tree roots and overgrown grass and almost head height nettles. Dave manged to take a tumble this week.

The last section to Buckie was a mix of shoreline paths, old railway line, beautiful woodland paths and some road as we came into the town itself. The organisers had collected special messages from runners loved ones/parents and displayed these under the running numbers so you could easily read these as you went past with about 6 miles to go. This was a great motivation to continue running even though the legs were tiring, and hurting due to I think yet another pulled muscle!

The course actually turned out to be 36.7 miles. Our finish times (not offical yet) were Dave - 4hrs 50 in 8th position and Mel in 6hrs 43. This race is part of the Scottish Ultra series and there were a great deal of very good runners taking part, including Grant the Scottish 100k Champion who only finished 3rd.

We were awarded a really nice medal, shortbread, miniature bottle of whisky and a shopping bag for our efforts. Sandwiches, tea/coffee were provided afterwards by a local charity and the changing facilities were excellent within Buckie high school.

All in all a very very pretty race, well worth it, but not an easy one!

We rounded off the day by visiting the local chipper and I treated Dave to a battered King Rib, which he had never heard of, or tried before. He really enjoyed it as we ate it with chips overlooking the harbour, until it started to rain again. So we headed back to my Dad's where he and his wife spoilt us for the rest of the evening!"

Sat 28/Sun 29 Aug

Ridgeway Challenge 85 Mile Trail Ultra

Results Index

Starting on Saturday 28th August and finishing the next day, Allan ran the Ridgeway Challenge 85 Mile Trail Ultra. The route was along a 5000 year old trackway through the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs. Despite suffering from food poisoning Allan finished 7th overall, and 1st Male Vet 40 in a time of 17 hours 58 minutes.

Sat 28 Aug

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 28 Aug

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Sun 22 Aug

Seaford Marathon

Results Index

Andy reports: "Four Collingwood members travelled to Seaford for the 3rd Seaford Marathon which started at 9am today. However, the competition for Collingwood positions started at 7.45am on the A23. Mel driven by Dave overtook Steve driven by me. Not having that, I retook the lead, only for Dave to glide back into the lead at the A27 roundabout; unfortunately he committed to the wrong slip road and head off for Hove, while Steve and I headed for the start, in the opposite direction. Our progress was slowed by a tractor, so we arrived at the start with Mel and Dave directly behind us and parking next to us. Was that a taste of things to come? Yes!

The race started from the Seaford Fire Station, heading up on to the South Downs, then dropping through Alfriston, to run an out and back section along the banks of the river Cuckmere. Back through Alfriston to climb up the downs again to Firle; this was just before the only nasty climb on the route. Then a wide loop close to the sea back to the Fire Station.

The weather forecast was poor and so it proved to be. Drizzle and rain for the first hour or so, and with rain for a long period at the end, including thunder and lightning directly above the runners. Some nice lower views, but over a third of the course was run in low clouds, which ruined all the high views. Some slippery sections and as the race progressed more standing water. The result was a reasonably challenging course in reasonably challenging conditions; not a PB day.

Dave flew past me early on and disappeared into the clouds; he might have only been fifty yards in front, but there was no chance of seeing him. He wanted to bury a ghost from the previous Seaford Marathon two years ago, when he had a bit of a personal nightmare. Sadly, this was not going to be his year either! Just before the four mile point the course moved over to the left and a path carried on, down to the right, dropping down to near the one mile point. Due to the very restricted visibility Dave and four others missed the red and white marker tape and took the wrong path. So, from being in 8th, I was suddenly in 3rd, as I had fortunately just, and I mean just, seen it myself. Behind me, Steve missed the turn, but Mel saw it. It is possible that half the field went one way and the other half then invented a whole variety of ways of getting back on route. Dave chose the two extra miles, field with a bull and electric fence version, while Steve preferred the golf course circular route and an extra four miles. Most did either one or three miles extra.

Apart from that one point, the course was excellently marked by signs, tape, painted arrows on the ground and marshals. There were six well- stocked checkpoints, with friendly volunteers, one of whom had the entry list and greeted everyone by name.

I stayed in 3rd for a couple of miles, dropping to 5th by about nine miles. By then, no one seemed to be behind me and I decided that the weather made this a long training run event, rather than a race. I knew that I was well clear of the field behind me, so took a very wet run to the finish in 3:43:05 officially. I nearly got to 4th, but left it just too late to close him down.

Dave decided after his detour, like me, to treat it as a training run and finished in 11th in 4:07:06. Seaford is just not his marathon, but there is always next year?

Mel was next back in 4:57 for 60th place, sporting mud over her kit and face. She had taken a tumble, but thankfully was dirtied, rather than blooded. She ran a steady race, feeling better than at Salisbury.

Steve came in 67th place in 5:05, having got to the first six mile checkpoint having done a very soggy ten miles. He had progressed nicely through the field, from pretty close to the back.

£20 for a really friendly and well organised event. Without the clouds, there would not have been any problems. Excellent goody bag and a golden trainer, rather than a medal."

Sun 22 Aug

Henfield Half

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Sat 21 Aug

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 21 Aug

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Sat 14 Aug

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 14 Aug

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Sun 8 Aug

Salisbury 54321

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Dave reports: "A Collingwood group today ran the Salisbury 54321 marathon with Tom Wilkie running the half. Nicky decided after gentle persuasion to run the marathon. Weather conditions were quite warm with very little breeze, the scenery was very inspiring as the course took in old sarum, an iron age roman fortress, lovely castle, name unknown, stately homes, 5 rivers, 4 hills, 3 country estates, 2 castles and 1 cathedral, hence the name.
Dave ran with the Brathay world record holder, Adam Holland but only for the first mile, when Adam raced off into the distance, and it took Dave the next 20 miles to catch him up again. Dave finally came home in 2nd place in a time of 3.24.43 followed by Andy Stalley, who had a very good run finishing 8th in a time of 3.36.36.
Next was Steve Cooney who enjoyed his run finishing in 3.53. Bill and Richard ran together and their true comaradie prevailed as they crossed the line in 4.16. Nicky competing in her third marathon ran with Mel until about 17 miles when Mel no longer could keep up as her fitness was not up to scratch after her recent op. Nicky ran strong, having not run much distance since London, and finished in 4.41. With Mel trailing in behind in 5.04 but happy to have finished her first marathon post-op with no pain.
Tom enjoyed his 20k run as it was his first run for quite some time (2:26). Rob wilson added another marathon to his hundreds and the most amount of marathons by a collingwood member (5:51). And Gill Stalley ran the 10k in 1:08.
In all it was one of the most scenic but challenging trail courses, which provides versatile running scenery and definitely one to do again. Also the drive home was rewarding seeing Stonehenge as we passed it very slowly, being caught in the traffic.
We will be back!!"

Sat 7 Aug

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 7 Aug

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Annette and Tom on new bests. Annette is now only 1s outside the course record for W50.

Sun 1 Aug

Milland Valley Trail Half

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Steve reports: "I actually did a half marathon today since I was planning to do a marathon in Faversham but did not get in. I was third reserve since it was full, but not enough runners dropped out.

There were about 4-500 runners including 6 Sutton Runners. I was the lone Collingwood Runner who travelled to Liss in Hampshire for the Milland Valley Trail Half Marathon. This half marathon was a 13 mile race over tracks, paths and quiet lanes taking in the countryside on the Sussex/Surrey/Hampshire borders around the village of Milland, near Liss.

The terrain was very hilly and it was a tough race with lots of sharp climbs, steep drops and narrow paths with a sheer drop making me concentrate fully on my footing.

This was only my second ever half marathon and my first trail half marathon since I usually concentrate on the full marathon distance. I finished in a time of 1 hour 42 minutes."

Sat 31 Jul

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Ray on a new pb.

Sat 31 Jul

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Maja on a new pb.

Thur 29 Jul

Near As Damn It 10k

Results Index

Sun 25 Jul

Downland Running Festival

Results Index

Steve reports: "On 25th July 2010, five Collingwood AC Runners travelled to sunny Sussex for the Downland Running Festival.

Gill Stalley entered the 5 mile Jack and Jill Challenge whilst husband Andy Stalley, Dave Ross, Allan Rumbles and Steve Cooney entered the 30 mile Downland Ultra Marathon.

Both races started in Clayton near the bottom of Ditchling Beacon and shortly after the starts, both sets of runners had to climb the massive Beacon. The Ultra Marathon runners had to keep mainly on the South Downs Way for 15 miles, turn around at one of the (only)three water stations and then run 15 miles back to Clayton.

There were some great views of the Sussex countryside but unfortunately some not so great views...mainly a male naturist who decided today would be a good day for a completely naked walk on the South Downs!

All the runners were a bit slower than usual. Gill Stalley was first back in a time of 1 hour 08 mins in the tough 5 mile race. Andy Stalley was next back in 4 hours 43 minutes followed by Steve Cooney in a time of 5 hours 02 minutes. Dave Ross had left his hydropack containing his usual electrolyte drinks on the kitchen table and suffered a bit finishing in 5 hours 30 minutes. Dave has vowed never to leave his hydropack behind again! Allan Rumbles, fresh from his marathon he did yesterday, took it steady and managed a fine time of 5 hours 44 minutes, just inside his target time of 5 hours 45 minutes. He even managed to fall over during the race and had the dirt marks on his white shirt as evidence. Allan will now rest for a few days before flying to Switzerland for the 78km Ultra Marathon."

106 finishers in the 30 miler and 131 in the 5.5.

Sat 24 Jul

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Shaun and Stuart on PBs.

Sat 24 Jul

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Andy and Annette on new PBs.

Sun 18 Jul

Fairlands Valley Challenge

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Andy reports: "Six Collingwood members travelled to Stevenage for the Fairlands Valley Challenge. Same routes as last year except the start and finish had moved to a school a little further on from the old Scout Hall. Better facilities, with more space, better toilets, with showers, etc, but still with the BBQ at the finish.

Mel and Dave started together at 10am on different routes. Mel chose the 12 mile route as her first race back after her operation. She got round safely in 2:07. Dave finished in 3:49:50 on his Garmin for the official 26.4 mile marathon route.

I started with Steve, in the marathon at 10.30am, with Kate Langley escorted by her personal trainer, Annette, on the 18.7 mile route, which was a surprise to both of them as the on-line entry was for 18 miles. Both ran a nice steady race, only once straying from the official route. Both finished in 3:47, which was a big improvement on last week and Kate’s longest ever run.

I ran a much better run than last week to finish in 3:49:13 on my Garmin. Steve completed his 115th marathon in 4:24, again a much better time than last week. We both had uneventful runs around the gently undulating and scenic course. Certificate and medal to all finishers."

Sat 17 Jul

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 17 Jul

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Andy and Maja on new PBs.

Sun 11 Jul

Heart Of The Weald Challenge

Results Index

Steve reports: "On 11th July four Collingwood AC Runners travelled to a very hot and sunny Wadhurst on the Sussex/Kent border for the "Heart of the Weald Challenge". The route was a different route to the routes Andy Stalley and Steve Cooney did in 2008 and 2009.

Andy and Steve entered the 26.5 mile route while Kate Langley, accompanied by her personal trainer, Annette Helliwell both entered the 15 mile route as preparation for Kate's first marathon in September.

Both challenges involved following written instructions navigating around the Sussex countryside crossing numerous fields, stiless, gates and wooden bridges (one of which was marked "in need of repair...use alternative"!).

All 4 members managed to add a bit extra onto the route but they all expected this since this is the Collingwood tradition.

Kate and Annette finished the 15 mile route in a time of 4 hours 12 minutes. Andy was next and finished the marathon in 5 hours 2 minutes followed by Steve who did 5 hours 35 minutes."

Sun 11 Jul

Chichester Marathon

Results Index

Sat 10 Jul

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 10 Jul

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Keith and Tom on new CBs.

Sun 4 Jul

Tanners Hatch Marathon

Results Index

Also running were:
Andy Southern
Rob Wilson
Doug White
.

Sat 3 Jul

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Stuart on a new pb.

Sat 3 Jul

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Sun 27 Jun

Herts Hobble

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Andy reports: "Allan Rumbles and I ran the Herts Hobble today, an Essex and Herts LDWA event starting and finishing at the W.I. Hall in Wheathampstead, near St. Albans.

This was Allan’s first marathon after his stress fracture and he was due to take two friends round for their first marathon. He finished in a safe 6:10.

Conditions were hot, very hot. Twenty-two degrees at the start and getting up to twenty-nine at the finish. Combine that with clear skies and a strong sun, meant that this was a bit taxing. Thankfully the lovely route entered many woods and went down many enclosed footpaths that did offer some cover. No real hills, on a gently undulating route, which went through farms, across fields and visited some nice villages.

I started off with Lisa Barry, a 100 Marathon Club member, and we shared the lead for the first few miles, before I pushed on. There were three checkpoints that offered good food and welcome drinks. There were two additional drinks stops that were very necessary.

I stayed comfortably in the lead until within the last mile, when Lisa closed the gap. Typical of her sportsmanship she shouted encouragement for me to finish first, as she felt that I had been stronger. It was only at the finish that I saw the blood on her. She asked if I had seen the low branch at about 24 miles, I hadn’t and unfortunately nor did she. Thankfully, despite a lot of blood, the injury is not too bad.

I was first home in 4:03. Another typical LDWA event, with a ploughman’s lunch with strawberries and cream at the finish. Certificate to all finishers."

Sat 26 Jun

South Manchester 5k Parkrun

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Sat 26 Jun

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 26 Jun

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Janet on a new pb.

Thur 24 Jun

Near As Damn It 10k

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Tue 22 Jun

Horton Country Park Relay

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42 teams took part.

Fri 18 Jun

Marston Forest 5k

Results Index 

Paul reports: "Friday night is race night for the Beds/Bucks duo for the next three weeks. First up the Marston Forest 5K, organised by Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers, at the Marston Vale Millenium Country Park. The course is described as fast, flat and scenic, accurately measured on private driveways and footpaths - a fair description !!!

Gordon was pleased to go sub 20'00 but I was disappointed to achieve 23'01 again."

Sun 13 Jun

Barton 10k

Results Index 

Paul reports: "The Beds/Bucks duo travelled to the Bedfordshire village of Barton-Le-Clay for their first event in June. The 10K, organised by the Friends of Arnold School Association featured the Barton Hills with the course described as 'scenic, predominantly off road on well made footpaths with a few hundred metres being on road.' Immediately after the start the course was uphill all the way to the 1km marker - clocked 6'40 for the first km - before flattening out to 2.5km, ........ then another hill, ......... and another hill, ........then yet another hill, .......... the last km was downhill to the finish in the recreation ground. Might take some persuading to enter this event again !!! Gordon loved the event and was disappointed that the going wasn't very soft !!!"

Sat 12 Jun

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 12 Jun

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Sun 6 Jun

Poppyline Marathon

Results Index

Andy reports: “I ran the Poppyline Marathon on Sunday, starting in Sheringham, on the North Norfolk coast. The event is organised by the Norfolk & Suffolk LDWA and was the second event in the TriAnglian Challenge, with the Daffodil Dawdle (March 2010) and the Flower of Suffolk (October 2010). I completed all three runs last year and was third overall, so I am trying to better that this year.

Last year it rained heavily and was very windy, so it took the edge of a good route. This year seemed much better until about sixteen miles, when there was a very nasty downpour which only lasted five minutes, but completely soaked me.

The route is gently undulating, going through lovely woods, heaths, fields, country lanes and following in part the North Norfolk Railway Line (the Poppyline) and the Coastal footpath. There were some lovely views over the fields, the railway and the coast. At one point, I was running along the path next to a steam train. On one of the heaths, a footpath marker was a nice picture of a squirrel, another part of the route used a picture of a butterfly.

There were four excellent checkpoints, including the last one on a station platform, with a good selection of cakes: I again recommend the sponge cake. I took it steady to finish in 4:08 for a distance of 27.31 miles on my garmin; which was 36 minutes better than last year, which was pleasing.

Typical LDWA event; Certificate awarded at the finished, with a hot meal and drink and a fantastic selection of puddings; the fruit crumble was excellent again, with apples and blackberries from the garden of the cook. All of this for the silly price of £5.”

Sat 5 Jun

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Andy on another pb.

Sat 5 Jun

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Dom on a new pb.

Sun 30 May

Grand Union Canal 145 Miles

Results Index

Allan reports: GUCR or how to wing a 145miler on next to no notice.

So, how do you prepare yourself for a 145 mile race in the space of a week? That was the question I was asking myself a week last Friday following a flurry of emails between myself, the RD & a certain fetchie. You wing it, that’s how.
The Grand Union Canal Race is one of those races that you hear about in hushed tones amongst the ultra running community, it’s just too far & relentlessly tough, physically & mentally for most people & it’s certainly one that when I first heard of it thought to myself that that was just mental. 145 miles along a canal path can & does destroy the souls of many of the entrants, with an average of about a 60% attrition rate it makes no bones about how tough it actually is.
Let’s start at the beginning. November 2009, normally the entrants in this race are selected purely on a first come, first served basis. Knowing this & failing to get into the event the previous year by missing the deadline only by a day, I was determined to not miss out on this years by actually driving my application over to the RD’s house on the evening that the forms were emailed out to us. However, this was not to be as due to the postal strikes the RD decided that this year the entrants would be selected in an email ballot. Bugger!! Those of you that know me know that I’m the most unlucky person in the world when it comes to things like that. I was proven right when just about every other person I know who applied was accepted apart from myself.
Fast forward onto May 2010, when I receive an email from the RD Dick Kearn on the 20th of May saying that a couple of people had dropped out & would I like a place. I told him no, then posted about it on the ultra thread, I then got an email saying that I’d be mad to even contemplate it at such short notice, **BUT** if I did then they would help out as much as possible. Yes or no, yes or no?? It was only about 6 weeks ago that I’d injured my knee & that still hadn’t healed properly so my training up to that point was pretty poor. Only a few people know why I wanted to do this race & so I grabbed it reasoning that even if I DNF’d it was worth the gamble. A quick email to Dick to confirm my entry & I was in! OMFG!!
Cue Nx, my Crew Captain for this race. I have to say that she as awesome in helping me prepare, I say helping, she actually did all the work & was amazing when I was having my doubts about actually getting everything ready in time. A new thread was started asking for help from fetcheveryone & it was answered fantastically well by the team I came to call Ogees Angels (Sorry Rob, but you were an angel as well).
Friday & registration, Lurker picked me up from the train station & we went off for some very tasty Fish & Chips before heading to get my number. We missed Anna & Mx Hornet by about 10mins but I bumped into Binks at the bar & Harnser who was having dinner with his crew. I sat with them & chatted for about 10 mins trying to pluck up the courage to actually collect my number. A pint of beer later & No 52 was fluttering in my hand. Feeling very drained, Lurks dropped me back into town & off to bed I went.
Saturday, Race Day.
Early start at 4.30 with a quick breakfast of coffee & a banana, couldn’t quite face anything else to eat although I knew that I should eat as much as possible. Showered, dressed & on my way to Gas Street Basin for the start. Saw quite a few familiar faces at the start of the race & plenty of new ones as well. We all wandered down to the start line by the canal & Dick pointed us in the right direction.
A short countdown & we were off, finally all my hard work & preparation was about to come into play. NO HANG ON!! This is where I was going to start winging it. Let’s do an hours running before I have a walk & so that’s what I did. After my hour I had a 5 min walk and then settled into a 25/5 routine which I was going to try to maintain for the rest of the race. (I didn’t)
I kept up the pace all the way to Hatton Locks & the first meeting point for my crew (22 miles) arriving about 30mins ahead of schedule, had a cup of coffee & scoffed a pot noodle (it’s the only way to eat them). Had a quick chat to my crew & I was on my way, spending only 15 mins at the crew point.
Next meeting point was at Birdingbury Bridge 14 miles away which was going to be a proper food stop. I was still feeling strong & running very well keeping to my 25/5 routine. The next 14 miles passed uneventfully & I arrived at the checkpoint 45 mins early. Had another pot noodle & a coffee, keeping myself wrapped up in a blanket whilst Ruth fussed over me like a mother hen. When she was satisfied that I had eaten & drunk enough she let me on my way, another 15 min checkpoint. Keeping these to a minimum was the only way I wasn’t going to get too cold or stiff. Total miles run was now 36.
My next target was 12 miles away at Buckby top lock where I was due to meet my crew again, I was still going strong but the rain had been coming down for several hours now & it was beginning to wear me down a bit, I still kept up my 25/5 routine but having been running for so long, I wasn’t able to digest any food properly & so my stomach was starting to bloat out & I was starting to feel a little sick. A couple of times I had to go to the side & see if I could throw up but nothing was coming out & I really didn’t feel like forcing myself to be sick as I figured that I’d be needing as much calorie intake as I could get over the next 24 hrs or so & didn’t really want to lose any. 30 mins away from the checkpoint & I sent a message to the crew that I needed new socks & a sandwich. I couldn’t face any more noodles at that moment. I stormed into the checkpoint & waiting for me was my sandwich & a complete change of clothes if I needed them, I decided against a full change as although it had stopped raining the clouds were still very dark & threatening. Sitting me down & wrapping me up in a blanket the crew went to work on me, one of them taking off my sodden trainers & socks & drying off my feet while another was making me eat & drink, you may think this a little odd but when you’re worn out you really do need someone to bark orders at you & make sure you’re still doing the right things. New socks on & I was on my way, another quick checkpoint, total mileage 48.5.
Leaving this checkpoint I had to say goodbye to one of my crew members as they had to go, I knew that due to the last minute prep that they all had other things to do & that they were really putting themselves out for me in helping out. This didn’t make it any easier & I was a little upset at them going. This must’ve of come across as they never told me again when one of them were leaving, I’d just turn up at a checkpoint & they’d be gone, I’d ask where they were and was told not to worry as they’d gone & to concentrate on the job in hand. The longer the race went on the more upsetting this actually got for me as I never had the chance to say goodbye to them.
My decision not to change my clothes was justified as within 20 mins of leaving the checkpoint the heavens opened again & it really tipped it down, the rain was almost biblical at times but at least it wasn’t too windy & so I just plodded on. Next crew point was 12 miles away & that was what I was looking forward to. I was feeling quite revitalised by my cheese & pickle sarnie & upped my pace a little. The 25/5 just disappeared for a while as I was feeling very strong & I kept up a good pace for about an hour or so. I flew through the Heart of England checkpoint & never stopped, just shouted a quick hello to Sharon & James who were marshalling & carried on. This running high did come to an end & a running low soon followed. When the low hit I went back into my 25/5 routine & mixed it up with a couple of 10min walks as well. I was still well ahead of schedule & feeling tired but very confident, James caught up with me just before my next crew point when I was having quite a low point & I was complaining about how far away the bridge was that I was supposed to be meeting my crew, having done this race a couple of times before he knew what I was going through & I think he just agreed with everything I was saying at that point knowing that I wasn’t even halfway & things weren’t going to get any easier.
The bridge soon came into view & we crossed it together to arrive at my crew point, again they were awesome, tending to my every need. James also sampled the Angels hospitality along with Vinnie’s crew who had turned up at the same place. There was quite a crowd of us at one point & we were having a good laugh about the absurdity of it all, I spent a bit longer at this checkpoint than I wanted to & it was an effort to get going again as I my legs had stiffened up quite a bit by then. It probably took me about 2 or 3 mins just to be able to get running properly again. Total mileage 60.6
Just 10miles to go to Navigation Bridge, where I was due to change into my night running gear. Knowing how low I felt after my last “high” I made sure that I didn’t fly off again & stuck to my 25/5 routine, time passed very quickly & I made it to Navigation Bridge 2 hrs ahead of schedule, met up with Nicole, my crew captain but sadly lost another crew member without saying goodbye. Goodbye Tess. Into the pub car park where my crew again fussed over me, feeding me & sorting to my every needs, my night time running gear was all ready for me & they were going to hold up some towels so I could change but at that point I couldn’t care less & told them I was just going to change “Au Natural”, they looked away while I changed my shorts & before I could say ok you can turn around, Sarah said “Right he’s done”. “Ha ha ha”, I said “Sarah were you peeking?” “Only a little bit” she replied laughing her head off. Made us all chuckle for a little while. I was force fed another sandwich & drinks & I was on my way. This time it really was hard to get going again & although Navigation Bridge is commonly thought of as halfway you still actually have 75 miles to go. Total mileage 70
My crew arranged to pop up at various locations during the next couple of hrs so that I wouldn’t be too long on my own when night descended. I just agreed with whatever they were saying as I knew they had my best interests at heart.
Night time & so much for the promised clear skies but cold weather we were promised, it was overcast & I struggled to see anything, a quick text to the crew saying that I needed my hand torch as well as the head torch I was already using & up they popped within 3 miles with my torch. My next proper checkpoint was 15 miles past Navigation Bridge but my Angels kept popping up at all these different locations over the next 3hrs just shouting encouragement at me & generally keeping me sane.
I don’t know about other runners but I have the ability to be able to switch off during really long runs & so I never get bored & this ability was worth its weight in gold during the night as you couldn’t see a damn thing anyway.
Next checkpoint & I was still ahead of schedule, more food & drink & away I went again. Feeling very pleased as this was the furthest I’d ever run before. Total mileage 85.
This routine went on all night; I tried just to shut off completely as it is mind numbingly boring trotting along next to a canal in the dark. I tried keeping to my 25/5 routine but as I was very tired now it more or less changed to a 20/10 as I was just keeping going, forcing one foot in front of the other & making sure that I never stopped.
More checkpoints, more food & drink & more TLC from my Angels. The crew were great as they were just popping up in various locations throughout the night which helped a lot in breaking the monotony of the event. At about 3am I saw my first Elephant, I knew from speaking to others that you do experience a few oddities from running non-stop for such a long time & in the dark I could’ve sworn that the tree across the canal was a bloody Elephant. I had to look several times just to make sure it wasn’t, this however was nothing compared to the evil looking Pixie who was staring at me from the fence of a lockkeepers cottage about 30mins later. It scared me so much that if I wasn’t actually running a race I would’ve turned around & gone the other way! Drawing level with it I was preparing for it to pounce out on me but was relieved when I saw that the Pixie was just a clump of weeds, I could’ve sworn he was staring at me seconds earlier. Nasty looking f**ker he was as well!!
Day break & I was one relieved fella, no more elephants or pixies please. I was still going but not feeling very strong anymore, my body had started to complain about the abuse it was under & things were starting to go wrong, another checkpoint & another crew change. More food, more coffee & more complaining from my body, I was starting to get a few issues now but my crew responded to them all, painkillers, gels & a quick massage on my shoulders all helped to get me on my way again. I never told them about the Elephant or the pixie in case they thought I was losing it & wanted to pull me from the race. Total mileage 108.5
Starting off from this checkpoint took me ages, my legs were so stiff that the crew had to physically push me just to get me moving. Only 37 miles to go & all of them were going to be in beautiful sunshine, perfect. I kept moving at a steady pace now but again feeling very tired my 25/5 routine had gone out of the window by now & I was just running for as long as I could before walking, although I did try to keep some sort of timing strategy so that I could keep my mind a little active & not fall asleep. At 8.30 I sent out a text to a few of my mates who were following my progress saying that I’d just passed the 115 mile mark. I’d been doing this for the whole of the race & read the replies from them during my walking sessions. To my surprise most of them were very concerned that I hadn’t texted them during the night & kept them up to date with my progress, however reading all the replies kind of made me quite emotional, with even getting a text from my Godfather in Ireland. I’d kept it quiet from most of my family as it was such short notice & I didn’t want them to worry about me. Into the next checkpoint & I told the crew about the pain in my leg which had started a while earlier, they sprayed it up & gave it a massage, fed & watered me, changed my shirt & socks & sent me on my way again. Total mileage 120.3
About this time I was really starting to have some serious concerns, my body was rebelling about the enormous strain I was putting it under & I’d started to pee blood, this didn’t concern me & so I never mentioned it to my crew as it’s something that happens to long distance runners, something to do with your bladder wall rubbing. However what was concerning me was the pain in my leg that had developed a bit earlier & was getting steadily worse, added to that I’d started to cough up blood. Lots of things were going through my head now & although I wasn’t panicking I knew that I could be in trouble & a DNF was becoming a possibility. SHIT!! All that way & to DNF would’ve killed me at that point. I came into the next crew point & poured out my concerns to Nicole, I was probably very emotional at that point & told her that she wasn’t to let me quit no matter what happened. She was great, sprayed up my leg & gave it a quick rub down but also told me that she was going to buddy run me in just to keep her eye on me so that if I did get in trouble there was someone there to get help. I readily agreed to this as I just wanted to keep going, my poor crew didn’t know what was happening at that point as I’d pulled Nicole to one side to tell her my woes. Total mileage now 127.5
Just moving my body was now a huge effort & even though I was still “running” I was probably only going about 3mph & every part of my body was now screaming at me to stop, sometimes I’m glad I’m deaf as I just ignored it & kept going, my mind had taken over a long time ago & I wasn’t going to stop as long as I could just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Nicole caught me up just after I’d gone a mile from the checkpoint & bless her she ran about 20 ft in front of me as she knew I needed as much space as possible, then the nosebleeds started. “Christ” I thought “Can anything else go wrong?” Luckily it was over quite quickly & only happened a couple more times on the run.
Into the last checkpoint where I saw a face I know I knew but just couldn’t put a name to it until she bounced up to me, it was Claire from Serpentine runners, She’d promised me a Mars bar at that point but I was in no state to eat it, everything was just going wrong now & all I could do was keep down water, however my crew sat me down & fussed over me making sure that I ate something & just gave me water & a quick rub down. They emptied my back pack & just gave me a bottle of water to carry for the last few miles, the sun was now beating down & I was starting to suffer from that as well. Knowing that I’d stiffen up the longer I stayed there but also knowing that I needed to rest they timed it perfectly & got me on my way by dragging me out of my chair & push starting me again. Total mileage 133
12 miles to go, I have to say that they were the hardest 12 miles of my life, less than a half marathon & I thought about 3.5 hrs to finish it. Head down & just go for it as best as we can. James now joined us as there was a diversion just ahead & he showed us the way. At that point the last thing you need are any inclines & just going up the road it seemed like I was climbing a mountain, my quads had been shot by the monotony of the canal by about mile 60 so 75 miles later this was just pure agony for me, going up or down the pain was just intense. Thank god for painkillers.
Through the diversion & James left us to go back & help others through it, back on the canal now & back into some sort of routine, although completely shattered my body now stopped complaining as it probably realised that I wasn’t going to stop, the leg kept getting worse though but I wasn’t listening to it now. The sun was really beating down now & I’d drunk most of the water from my bottle, Nicole came back & topped my bottle from hers & said that we only had a couple of miles to go until we met up with the crew again for a water top up, goody! There was no shade along this stretch & after over 32hrs on my feet I was just shattered.
We met up with Rob & Mel with 6 miles to go, topped up the water bottles & we were on our way again. Total mileage 139
Head down & just finish now, that’s all I kept telling myself, ignore the leg, the blood, all the pain & get to the damn finish. 6 miles is nothing when you’ve already run 139, but they can be the most emotional of your life. I allowed my mind to wander & thought about how much everybody on my crew had done for me, not just over the last day or so but over the last week & so I felt a duty to them to get to the end & cross the line. I have to admit that a couple of tears may have dripped down my face in the last couple of hours. Nics jogged back to me & said that Ruth, one of my crew from the Saturday was waiting for me at the finish along with Terry & wife. Well that gave me a lump in my throat as Terry is my running mentor & he helped me along so much during my early days of running. Got to finish now FFS! Head down, keep going just keep going. 1 mile down, 5 to go although the signs were telling us that the course was longer, Nicole was telling me that they were reading long & after all she had already done for me I wouldn’t doubt her now. Another mile down & 4 to go. I kept telling myself to “Keep going Allan, just put one foot in front of the other & repeat you’ll get there”.
4 long miles to go, suddenly it’s 3 & I could taste the finish line, just moving at a snails pace but I’m still moving & thats all that counts. Just following the path & I could see a couple walking towards me up the canal path. The man took his sunglasses off & had a real hard look at me before bursting into a great big smile saying “Bloody hell it is you Allan”, it was Terry & his wife Kath who had come up to see me finish, I gave Kath a kiss hello & went to shake Terrys hand but he just grabbed me & gave me a big hug saying “well done mate, you’ve done brilliantly”. Well that nearly did me completely & I had to use nearly all the strength I had left to stop from bursting into tears there & then. I said thanks but couldn’t really say too much as I had a huge lump in my throat, I took this opportunity to have a 5 min walk with them as they asked me a few questions about the race, I answered as best as I could but I was also starting to stiffen up as well.
I asked “How long to the finish” & was told about 30 mins run, I said cheerio to them & jogged off as quick as I could, Nicole in the meantime had shot off to see how far away the finish was & came back to me saying that she couldn’t find it, bugger!! Didn’t want to get lost now but her fears were unfounded as we jogged & walked together for about another 20 mins & then she left me again when I was having another walk, a couple of mins later my mobile went off & it was my Captain giving her final orders to me, “When you get to the next corner I want you to run in, everybody is there waiting for you”
Well, you can’t disobey an order like that now can you & so when I was about 10 yards from the next corner I started to run, probably faster than I had in the last 4 or 5 hours as well, I rounded the corner & started to see a few familiar faces, members of my crew, race entrants who had pulled out & other support crews who I had seen throughout the last day or so, steeling myself so that I wouldn’t cry I ran on waving at people who were waving at me & then I saw it. A big white banner with the word FINISH on it, my god I was here, only 100 yards to go & it would be all over!
30 seconds later & that was that I’d crossed the line to the sound of clapping & shouts of “Well done Allan”. First thing was to give Nicole a huge hug & say thanks & second was to get my humongous medal from Dick Kearn. He shook my hand as he put the medal over my neck & congratulated, me on finishing with only having a weeks’ notice. I told him there & then to put my entry in for the next year as I wanted to see what I could do if I actually trained for the event. He just grinned. Total mileage 145: Time taken 34hrs 42mins: Position 10th.
So, that’s how to wing a 145 miler, how would I describe the race? 145 miles of pain, hope & even more pain.
Did I learn anything from this race? Yes, I learned loads from this race; the most valuable thing it taught me was the importance of having a good crew. Given that Nicole & I only had a week to put this together we didn’t end up with a good crew, we ended up with an AWESOME crew, they were fabulous. I couldn’t have asked for any more from them & I am truly in their debt. I know that without them this race would’ve been near impossible to finish given the lack of preparation time. I also learned the importance of a good crew Captain & Nicole absolutely shone in that Dept, she organised everything for me when I needed it, set out the crew timescale & just told me to turn up to the start as everything else was sorted out. She was my rock when I needed someone to talk to about my concerns & she made sure that she kept her promise to me in not letting me fail.
I made it to the finish with a body that was broken & in pieces, I’d suffered a stress fracture in my leg, been peeing blood, coughing up blood, suffered nosebleeds & more than likely had a mild case of sunstroke. As someone once told me, all I’d done was put one foot in front of the other until someone said stop, my crew had done all of the hard work in making sure that I got there, alive & maybe not so well but the alive bit was all that mattered.
Ogee’s Angels were: Ruth, Tess, Sarah, Paula, Mel, Rob & last but not least the captain Nicole
I was very lucky to have them & it showed in the following conversation I had with another racers crew who were buddy running him on the Sunday morning “Are you Allan?” Yes. “You’re the one with all the sexy chicks as your crew aren’t you?” Yes if you want to call them that. “You lucky bastard!!” Yes, yes I am.

Sat 29 May

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Sat 29 May

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Keith on a new cb, and Annette on a new pb.

Thur 27 May

Near As Damn It 10k

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Sat 22 May

Gorleston Cliffs 5k Parkrun

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Sat 22 May

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Another new pb for Andy.

Sat 22 May

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Annette on a new pb.

Sat 15 May

Swindon 5k Parkrun

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Sat 15 May

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Andy on a new pb.

Sat 15 May

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Rob, Rupert, and Anne on new bests.

Sun 9 May

Hogsmill 5

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Gill reports: "Ruth, Kate Langley and I ran the Hogsmill Ladies 5 mile race today. Ruth came 43rd in a time of 41:44, Kate was close behind in 45th place in 41:48. I was 76th in a time of 45:01. There were 184 finishers. This was a nice little race based in Ewell, starting and finishing on the track at the Harrier Centre. It was an out and back course with a loop of about 2 miles in the middle. The route was multi-terrain over footpaths, grass and trail. Before the race started there was a mass aerobic based warm up session which was a bit of a laugh as everyone was so co-ordinated. Ruth and Kate ran most of the race together. My knee was hurting before the race, so I decided to start at the back. Once it settled down I picked up speed trying to catch up some runners I know. I nearly caught one. She finished 9 seconds ahead of me. The whole event was well organised and there were plenty of refreshments available."

Sat 8 May

Ridgeway 40

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Allan reports: "I ran the Ridgeway 40 yesterday. A 40 mile route from Overton Hill in Wiltshire to Streatley in Berkshire. Despite a headwind all the way & loads of rain plus a slight detour which added 3 miles to the course & a devil of a time to find the actual finish (they'd moved it, because of the weather!) I still managed to finish in 2nd place with a time of 7.03. It would've been about 6.50 if they'd kept the same finish line!!"

Sat 8 May

Bedfont Lakes 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Richard on not only a pb but a victory

Sat 8 May

Banstead Woods 5k Parkrun

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Well done to Gill on yet another pb.

Sat 8 May

Roundshaw Downs 5k Parkrun

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Mon 3 May

Esher School 10k

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Andy reports: "Gill and I went across this morning to run the Esher School 10km, an event recommended by John Allen. It was a friendly fund-raiser that was run mostly on tracks and paths, with about 3km on roads. Good conditions underfoot and a gently undulating route meant that it was a good day for PBs. I ran a steady race to finish 10th of 187 runners in an official time of 41:03, which is a PB for an off-road 10km for me by 1:49. Gill fresh from another 39 second PB down the Woods on Saturday cruised round to beat her previous PB by a massive 6:34 in a time of 57:54. In fact she beat her road PB by 2:05! A good little event which we will return to next year."