results 2205

Northbrook Results

For a complete listing visit the Results Index

May 2022

• Bedworth Park 5k
• Alcester 10k
• Trent 5 Mile
• Banbury 5, EMGP Race 2
• Coventry 5K Sprint Triathlon
• Cader Idris Race
• White Peaks Trail 10k
• North Downs 50
• Ryton Pools 5 Mile
• Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Civil Service 10k
• Cotswold Hilly 100
• SRC Kirtling Marathon
• SRC Kirtling Marathon
• Coombe Abbey 10k
• Silverstone 10k, EMGP Race 1
• Market Drayton 10k
• Ox Races
• Miami KORC 5k
• Weston-Super-Mare 5 Miles
• Great Lakeland 3-Day
• Milton Keynes Marathon
• Birmingham Festival of Running Half-Marathon
• Kenilworth Mayday 10k

Bedworth Park 5k – 29 May5K

	Lee Newark	0:22:44
	Spencer Davies	0:24:46
	Sally-Anne Tully	0:41:36

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Alcester 10k – 29 May10K

Great road race, perfect conditions. Tried to keep with Allison for as long as possible but had to slow the pace at 4k, managed to catch back up with her on the main hill but I was soon looking at the back of her getting further and further away. Struggled with the last half of the race and had to hope I had ran the first half quick enough for a PB. The finish line was a welcome sight. Lovely to catch up with other Northbrookers before and after the race, then home for a quick shower to celebrate 53.31 taking over 2mins of my 10k time – Joanne

This is my favorite 10k and one that I have run well in the past. It’s twisty-turny and pretty lumpy with a decent bit of climbing at miles 1 and 4 but the finish is a gentle mile-long descent with a sharp right turn and sprint onto the high st to finish. My legs were feeling pretty good and I was hoping for a sub-50 minute 10k PB. It was a bit congested at the start but I managed to keep below my 8min mile target pace. As the miles ticked off I was averaging a steady 7:25 min mile pace (practically sprinting for me!) and I knew a PB was on. I was expecting to slow up in the last mile or so but managed to hang on and ended up taking over 6 minutes off my previous time to record a new PB of 46.14 seconds. A few celebratory pints in the Turk’s Head followed – Cliff

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Trent 5 Mile, Beeston, Staffs – 25 May5M

	Jill Pittard	0:35:22
	Lisa Abbott	0:40:16

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Banbury 5, EMGP Race 2 – 24 May5M

Perfect conditions for the second event of the East Midlands Grand Prix series. The Banbury 5 mile event comprised a one lap course predominantly on open rural roads. The Northbrook contingent, along with a couple of running friends, all fared well in the Banbury Harriers AC hosted event, achieving good times on an interesting undulating course.

Amanda landed an age group category finishing position to round off an enjoyable evening – Terry

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Coventry 5K Sprint Triathlon – 22 May5K

7	Natasha White	0:21:00
26	Mark Parker	0:25:03
32	Lisa Abbott	0:27:36
34	Jill Pittard	0:25:04
54	Spencer Davies	0:29:20
65	Simon Abbott	0:25:28
78	Sarah Duffy*	0:25:44

Positions are triathlon finishing positions
Times are run times
*Sarah ran the run leg of Graeme’s triathlon

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Cader Idris Race – 21 MayOTH

David Tittle

2:47:13

A multi-terrain 18.1km, 927m ascent gain race around Dolgellau.

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White Peaks Trail 10k, Matlock – 21 May10K

8

Peter Kirkhope

0:43:49

1st MV50

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North Downs 50 – 21 MayOTH

On Saturday Claudie Combelas, Pete Marshall and I set off to complete the North Downs 50 in sunny Surrey. After selfies with the North Downs Way sign we were off through rolling countryside with the runners spreading out after a brief bottleneck over a stile. The scenery was varied and undulating through lots of woodland, which was much appreciated as the weather was hot and humid. We passed many groups of Duke of Edinburgh kids who wished us “Well done” while weighted down by their enormous rucksacks. Twenty miles in and everything was starting to hurt. However, we were cheered up buy wonderful home baking at the checkpoint before the infamous Box Hill, and by Chris and Tim’s cheerful support. Paul the RD had arranged for some gluten-free home baking for Claudie, which was much appreciated.

The Box Hill steps were having some work done so the race organisers had kindly arranged for the route to pass up some steps on the opposite side. Allegedly this was easier but it did not seem so. However, after the Lakeland 3 day a few weeks ago we said, “You call this a hill?” and pressed on.

Unfortunately Pete dropped out at nearly 27 miles after struggling with dizziness due to the heat and the many trees that we had to climb over. Well done Pete – it was a great achievement in tough conditions. No doubt Pete will be back down south for the remainder of the 4 Centurion 50 mile races later in the year. How can you do more than one of these in a year?

Box Hill marked the halfway point and the start of the “tough half” as hill followed hill after hill. We briefly ran through suburbs and received comments on our exciting shorts before heading back into woodland. The scenery was truly spectacular, however everything was becoming painful – we were struggling to eat and had been on our feet for several hours by this point.

At the second to last checkpoint we were told we were only 40 minutes before the cut-off and needed to get a move on to make it to the final checkpoint. We split up and completed the final 12 miles of the race separately, but eachof us reached the final checkpoint with plenty of time to spare and were assured that the rest of the course was “flat”. This was a lie.

Crossing open fields over very stony rutted ground on top of the hills meant that the final few miles were extremely tough. There were also death cows.
After passing a few runners I finally saw the finish and heard the crowds cheering. At this point I started hyperventilating, as I was so glad that it was nearly over. Despite this I managed to put on a spurt into the village and over the finish line where the photographers kindly took lots of pictures of me sobbing on the floor while hugging Tim. I really hope they do not end up on any promotional material but I think it is unlikely. Chris and Pete were also cheering at the finish line after a hard day of supporting, eating lunch at the pub and watching cricket. I then laid down on the field which felt the most comfortable, softest patch of grass ever; I have to say that it was better than a 5-star hotel. After a few minutes Claudie crossed the finish line looking ridiculously strong after her second 50-miler in 2 weeks, and enjoyed some Prosecco.

An amazing achievement – Claudie now has a couple of weeks rest until her next marathon. I have smashed my fundraising target for Kairos Women’s Aid and it will not be long before Pete is back down south on another Centurion 50-mile start line – Caroline Hughes

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Ryton Pools 5 Mile – 19 May5M

38 Northbrookers descended on Ryton Pools for the 2nd race in the WRRL. Conditions turned warm, with past participants wary of how hot this event could be, most with weary legs from the previous weekend, but all wearing sunbursts to show the club of to its best. We made up an 8th of the total field. Well done Northbrook.

I enjoy this route and settled down to my spot towards the back, gingerly testing the weary legs and knocks. The plan was to start slowly and see how it went. Our speedier ones at the front led us home to a good team score and with finishers generally coming in 2 by 2 we worked together to keep the sunburst flood swamping the finish line.

A hot and dusty evening at Ryton finished off with a cold beer in the pub. Well done all – Spencer

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Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Civil Service 10k – 18 May10K

This was a 10km race for Civil Service runners staged in Battersea Park. It started at 3pm on a very hot afternoon and there were 4 laps of the park, with a finish on the track. It was good to see Tim Wright spectating and managing a team. There was a small medal to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee.

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Cotswold Hilly 100, 10-stage Road Relay – 15 MayOTH

Times are not indicative of pace as leg distances vary

Hilly 100 fever started back in February when the date was announced. The call for entrants went out and we ended up with over 60 on the initial shouts. With excitement and anticipation the entry forms came out but with a restriction of 4 teams per club it looked and felt like the hills had fallen out of the hilly. I stepped up and all of my influence and favours were called into play as I sought to enter at least one more team.

With concerns over the cost of the total entries the committee pushed through a request for entrants to contribute towards the cost of the race fees. This also helped to reduce the interest by one or two, and the non-membership issues shortened the list further which left us with entries of 58 for 50 places. The curse of the drop-outs and injuries shrunk us to 50 with 1 super-sub on course on the day and a reserve list of 8 still desperate to run. With numbers settled teams were announced 2 weeks in advance to the selected captains.

The cunning plan was for the Mixed A title and the new Mixed B team shield to be in our sights; we certainly had the ability in the target teams. To ensure our target teams worked hard enough we had 30 more entrants in 3 teams to chase and to be chased. The support from our teams on course numbered at least another 10.

Club Northbrook were ready, the last-minute stand-ins being issued maps at 8pm the night before. The alarms were set for 3am and for every hour after that as each entrant had their destinations and scheduled times of arrival set. 4am and the trip to Stratford began. It was cool, dark and misty with rain. The bunting and balloons were set on the cars to identify us. The disco ball on the tailgate and the mannequin serving the refreshments were ready. They lined up, three experienced and one new to the event. Don’t underestimate new, this man was hand picked to scare the opponents.

5am and the gun went off. Matt took the lead and pushed, Mark threw everything he had to get as close as he could. By half way, Matt had a 2 minute lead and was looking strong, Mark was pushing for 5th. Fern was trying to stay with Carolyn. Northbrook were powering along. Matt finished too strong for Tommy who had to catch him up, Mark passing to Mickey, almost collapsing from the effort. The women gave everything they had. The climb to the summit started. Mickey knew this leg, Tommy working his hardest he ever had to. Sphinx (our main competition) were pushing hard taking the lead with Kenilworth. Now our greyhounds were unleashed, Natasha eating miles up on a subsonic pace to release Terry. This man flattens the hills and at the summit he had caught our 3rd mixed team and the Women’s team. It was up to our Men’s and 2nd Mixed teams to keep the charge going.

Leg 3 is long and it felt like a furnace across the top of the Cotswolds, Kevin stretching a lead over the Women’s team. The gap at the front of the Northbrook teams was closing.

Leg 4 and Robin was released as Enya put her fell running into practise to scale the mountains, Pete slogging his way up to keep that lead going. The Men’s teams at this point were pushing so hard they were throwing up as they carved their way through us. The weather turned and the heavens opened. Rivers running down the leg 4 mountain meant not only did you have to fight the climb but you had to wade your way up it as well.

Further back, as the legs finished Northbrookers were left on knees or on their backs in the cool grass gasping for the much needed oxygen, having given everything to hand the baton on knowing the next runner was going to give their all, knowing that runners were leaving Coventry with the faith that our teams were pushing everything they had, knowing that each and everyone was key to the mission to achieving what we set out to do. But as they staggered back to their feet a broad smile started, they had done their bit. The greatest days story was unfolding and we were all going to be written in the books for our parts.

On Leg 5 further up the course, Pete flew past Mike giving us the fastest Northbrook leg of the day and Tom was pushing to get to the next Tom on Leg 6. Our teams were still pushing on, everyone desperate to get their baton around.

Leg 6 The Slaughters. The clue is in the name, this leg is gruesome. It may take in the pretty Bourton-on-the-Water but it finishes slaughtering the legs and leaving more on their knees, every Northbrooker reduced to the floor as they finished. From Dan to Adrian and Collette the effect was the same, complete exhaustion as they handed the baton to the next runner as they skipped off down the monster hill they had just ascended.

Leg 7 and it was Damian and Damion. They were now giving everything they had to get our teams back to chasing the now advanced teams of the mass starts, the 3 teams needing their Leg 7s to finish to be complete teams. The chase was back on for our target teams and we were now closing in on a Sphinx team who were being watched.
Kathryn and Sarah were next up, but the mass starters had worked hard. The chase was still on. This time over the top of Ilmington. Captain Amanda taking one for the team while Richard back on the hilly course worked hard to make her catch him. The chase was working.

Leg 10. Now Craig, being hunted by our very own lakes-dweller, the ginger Ninja pushed Craig to his limits. With cramp setting in the last thing Craig wanted was Pete appearing to pace/sprint him through. But we needed Craig to give everything, Amanda updating the times and pushing Craig for everything he could give. As he rounded the final corner, the legs were on fire, Craig was grey. But the Sphinx faces were distraught. We had the time, as Craig collapsed over the finish, Rory not far behind needing a lie down as he finished. Now let the real heroes arrive. These 3 had worked hard making the chase possible. Jo, Cliff and Kyle arrived making 50 runners back.

Nervousness was everywhere. Then it was confirmed. The Mixed A team trophy was ours in 11hrs 18 mins. After the closest battle in years we took the title by 13 minutes. The Mixed B team’s fate was kept secret until the presentation.

The turn up of Northbrookers at the end continued, making their way from Leg 7, from Coventry they returned. We had the biggest numbers at the presentation and our roars of success showed it. Two awards won, 50 sets of lungs pushed as hard as they could be. Tales of legs won, hills conquered and the excruciating recovery required. Each one was a hero, each one wearing their sunburst with pride. Ask any of these 50 and you will get the story of their victory on their leg. Each story is different, each story told with pride and a smile of success.

Northbrook were commended for their spirit, their presence and their abilities. Victorious again but it’s getting closer. There are more targets on backs now and don’t we know it – Spencer

 

Another great day for Northbrook AC as we held off 24 other mixed teams, several clubs of which had fielded strong contingents, to retain the Mixed Team trophy for another year. A trophy for the Mixed B team and 3rd place for Northbrook women capped off a brilliant day and was just reward for everyone’s hard effort.

It was not easy, as several of us were carrying minor injuries and the ability of those Cotswold hills to mess with your mind was ever present. It was great to receive and give support to the 50 Northbrookers charging around the lanes of the Cotswolds with at least an equal number there to provide much needed guidance, encouragement and sustenance to the runners.

What a day. What an outcome. It served to further embed it being my favourite event of the year – Terry

Photo credits: Spencer Davies, Terry Moynihan

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SRC Kirtling Marathon, Barrow, Suffolk – 15 MayM

Fantastic run with Gem, lots or great views, a lot cooler today, perfect running weather.

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SRC Kirtling Marathon, Barrow, Suffolk – 14 MayM

Very warm day, helped Rob get under 7hrs for the marathon.

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Coombe Abbey 10k – 13 May10K

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Silverstone 10k, EMGP Race 1 – 9 May10K

It was my first occasion at Silverstone in any capacity and I felt quite privileged to have the opportunity to run on the race track that has captivated a global audience for so many Formula 1 events. While the TV cameras were absent and the stands were empty, the atmosphere was still evident as 600 mainly club runners including five Northbrook runners spun round two laps of the track. While the wind was evident in this evening event, it was ideally positioned as it was head on for the first half and then pushed us along for much of the second half.

Good times were achieved by all, despite being approximately 135 mph slower than the F1 superstars! A really well organised event that formed the first of the East Midlands Grand Prix race series – Terry

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Market Drayton 10k – 8 May10K

Four Northbrookers travelled up to Market Drayton for a great 10k course and an even better goody bag. This is also Ellie’s home town and the race started and finished at her old school – Simon

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Ox Races 2022, Tollard Royal 6 – 8 May ?

As the weekend drew closer a few mentally unstable individuals gathered their collective together. The Ox was on and we were ready. Preparation had not been the best for the whole group with mojo’s disappearing, stress fractures and trapped nerves all meaning training for what was possibly going to be one of the hardest ever was missing.

Step up the heroes, Matt casually laying out his tent for the best and comfiest spot, we all knowing what this man was capable of and supporting him to the best of our ability; Claudie, pole gate happened but this did not deter our female mile eater; Caroline, ready for miles to eat and a marathon distance frolic in her sights; Tracey, the party girl who ensured the Northbrook name would not be forgotten (also my rock in more ways than one) and the conga leader; Kelly, the party coordinator ensuring the bearded wonder was fuelled fully for his challenge while ready to chow down on half an Ox; Mark, the bearded wonder, his first 50 challenge in sight; Chris, the assassin, 2 races and Claudie’s rock for her glory leg; Tim, stress fractures would not hold this hero back and me, more injured than fit and with the epic in mind and a 1st ever 50 would the couch to 50 mile training plan in 3 weeks work?

The estate is beautiful, and we camped on the top of the biggest hill around. This did give some worries as it was also the windiest spot around and being top of a big hill meant there was going to be some elevation involved. With deer a plenty in the woods and the aroma of wild garlic we were in for a treat and a weekend of EPIC proportions.

As the Dark Ox was first up the 6 of us made our way nervously to the start, the girls with Mark spinning the disco ball of loooove for the participants would cheer us as we headed off. With it being the first race everyone was a bit keen and an large influx of day visitors made for a busy start line for a popular distance. It was dark once we left the flintstone ridden start field, to find boulder-filled potholes challenges in their own right. My challenge to walk every hill was in motion and I soon had a spot to myself. Tracey’s woo woos took effect as a quick tree inspection was required, then the love station half way came into view. Schnapps for a halfway drink and the bartender was generous, another wink and with my 3rd schnapps downed I headed off into the dark. Again the woo woo curse meant more trees were watered, but this time as I appeared leaping out of the dark with my headtorch switched on a poor startled Caroline nearly beat me with a stick assuming I was a rabid deer out to attack her. I apologised and sped away after Claudie. Then, the cardinal mistake that a rookie makes. In pitch black with only a headtorch to guide me, I stopped watching my feet and watched Claudie’s. From the description given by Tim who was behind it looked like I was trying to take her out with a rugby tackle. The ground shook, a cloud of dust went up as I skidded along on my knees, hips and chin. But I got up and finished. Matt took 4th place and the next 4 of us coming in together, with Chris bringing up the rear after having to navigate a Spencer sized hole in the hill. We were jubilant – the weekend had started well. But we all nervously knew what the next day would bring.

Step up the Ox 50, 10 laps of 5 miles with effectively 2 aid stations per lap, perfect. With 3 of us attempting our first 50 we were nervous. Chris had his instructions, buy poles by any means possible. Matt was checking out the opposition. I had a bag of toys to help me cope mentally, Mark had hope and the knowledge he was trained for distance and Claudie had the experience.

The 50 passed by, our brave supporters and crew shovelling food into us, re-topping fluids, changing shoes reapplying suncream/deep heat and administering prescription meds. We kept knocking laps off, 1 by 1. The footing was awful, the stones tearing at the feet and the ground as hard as concrete. Mark and I opted for road shoes after the first few laps to try to ease the foot pain. Matt, was flying but the sun was rising. Matt had a wobble about half way and a walking lap sorted him out before he reverted to his normal form. Claudie, with pace like a metronome, not phased, no pace change just persevered. Mark left me on lap 5 as I was slowing too much for him. On lap 8 our support offered to come and do our victory lap with us,and this offer was greatly received, though I’m not sure Chris could speak much at Claudie’s pace. Kelly’s cider exploits kept Mark entertained though his lack of food was a worry. Then my rock for me. Lap 9 for me had dwindled to a walk for the last 3rd, I had refused schnapps and my head was going. Tracey was a welcome sight. It would be dark by the time I finished. As she strapped the poles to me I had managed to keep my decay hidden from everyone. But as we hit the garlic road, Tracey was shocked by my walking pace. My poles more used to keep me upright than to aid forward motion. But she was there for me and she got me to the aid station. The love station crew were ace, schnapps and a cocktail, water over my sunburnt neck, topping every bottle up I had for the last 2.5 miles. They filled my mouth with Percy Pigs and pushed me on, shouting their encouraging words of "hurry up you fat b**ard we want to go to sleep ". I disappeared into the gloom. Tracey sobering up very quickly as she realised how bad I was.

The last climb on this loop is horrible. At this point Tracey was holding me upright by my shorts on the left, my right side collapsing as the medication had worn off 4 hours earlier. Half a mile to go and I had to try to use the poles to get me up. Tracey had to walk behind me, holding me vertical while trying to keep me left. The top of the hill was pitch black, but I knew it like the back of my hand now. The rest was a mere incline to the finish. A headtorch coming out to check for the last few out. The line was in sight and the tears were in full flow, my emotions matching the right side of my body, completely broken down. As I crossed the line to the biggest Northbrook cheer ever, Mark realised how much support Tracey was having to give me and stepped in to be my right side. That was me done, finished, down and out for the weekend. Sunstroke finished me off as I lay sweating and shivering in the caravan covered in 2 duvets and every item of clothing I had.

During the day, the frolic happened on the same course, Tim nursed his leg round a lap while Caroline, always looking chirpy every time I saw her, completed the marathon distance. The pairs romped home to 7th place overall.

The following morning and the Light Ox was first up. Matt rose again to the challenge, though the previous 2 races were now taking their toll on his legs and his pace. It was all about the finish now and Matt stormed home followed shortly by Caroline, both finishing their 3rd races of the weekend.

Then it was the half, Tim not sure he could make it to the start. Matt, having been refuelled, spun around and lined up again. Chris, Tracey and Kelly showed the conga at the rear was the place to be. It was hot, baking hot. Just sat waiting was hard work as we burnt in the day sun. I had plenty of well-wishers checking I was OK as we waited. We were rewarded by a jubilant Matt finishing. He had done it, the epic challenge completed and overall 3rd place secured, this man is truly a hero amongst heroes. Then we witnessed the conga train as it appeared, the 4 of them working together, burnt from the sun but keeping each other going right to the end.

Ox completed, the Northbrook name shown at its best and we are getting a reputation down on the south coast for our determination, for our competing, for the fun we bring and for bringing the best of everyone we can. Will we be back, of course we will. Better padded footwear, no injuries and having trained for whatever Ox challenge next takes our fancies. Northbrook rocked the Ox – Spencer

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Miami KORC 5k – 7 May5K

Andy Scruton

0:27:07

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Weston-Super-Mare 5 Miles – 5 May5M

Tommy Dempsey

0:34:18

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Great Lakeland 3-Day, Keswick – 30 April to 2 MayM

Five Northbrookers made their way up to the sunny delights of Keswick for the May Day Bank Holiday weekend to take on some of the Wainwrights. With all their gear for 3 nights of camping stuffed into a 13kg dry bag each (Including tent) clothes were few, but spirits and determination were high.

Setting off from a frosty Base Camp on Day 1 Joanne Evans (fresh off her HM PB) Caroline and I took on the Café course which included an early ascent of Catbells stopping for an obligatory café stop in Grange before getting to the overnight camp, a lovely 12 miles done, with everybody taking it in turns with the navigation. Meanwhile Cliff Evans and Claudie battled the Wainwrights short course, 15 miles with over 2000 metres of elevation taking in Grisedale Pike, Whiteless Pike, Robinson and Fleetwith Pike before arriving at the overnight camp at the edge of Buttermere. We all made it to the overnight camp before the rain started. After all the tents where erected there were lots of discussions all over the camp about which routes they would take on the next day whilst drinks flowed.

Day 2 and the rain had cleared but the early morning mist had not. Claudie joined Joanne, Caroline and me on the Café course which saw us trekking up Mellbreak. However, visibility was shocking, a wrong turn fed us down a former stream bed rather than a recognised path. Eventually we found our way to the next Café stop before returning to camp via Rannerdale Knotts. Meanwhile Cliff again took on the Wainwrights short course which at 19 miles and over 2000 metres of elevation is a considerable task. However, after climbing up Brandreth the early morning mist did not give way and he was unable to find his route through to the next check point. Being the warrior he is he carried on walking and somehow managed to find a route to meet up with the rest of us as we descended to Buttermere, making sure that we all had suitable hydration in the Bridge pub on the way back to camp. Kit checks when finishing the day did see a few competitors excluded from results, fortunately not Northbrookers, but some of our friends.

Day 3 and all tents were packed up and belongings put back into dry bags as everybody made their way back to Base Camp on the Café course. By distance it was the shortest day but by elevation, the highest of weekend. It started off with a steep climb up Robinson then on to the summit of Barrow before taking a steep descent and a comfortable run into base camp for a well-deserved hot meal and cake.

 

A fantastic weekend was had by all. The event is a great 3-day challenge, all self-guided and self-sustained whilst out on the mountains. A strict kit list and weight requirements made packing an interesting challenge. The ability to choose routes from the shorter Café course through to long expert courses makes it an ideal event for all mixtures of abilities – Tim

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Milton Keynes Marathon – 2 MayM

First time as a pacer for the MK Marathon, 12min miles to bring people in at 5:15.

Was a fantastic route, well organised & marshalled throughout with great crowds of people.

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Birmingham Festival of Running Half-Marathon – 1 MayHM

After 6 months struggling with ankle and back problems great to fit and to get a PB was great – Lee

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My first half-marathon in 3 years and the nerves were definitely kicking in on race day.

It was a great day made even more special as I was running to raise money for Mesothelioma UK.

There was lots of support to keep me going, especially in the last few miles. Overall I was pleased with my time –Julie

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Kenilworth Mayday 10k – 1 May10K

58	Rich Cawley	0:54:30
62	Spencer Davies	0:55:28
75	Gavin Crockwell	0:58:52