results 2206

Northbrook Results

For a complete listing visit the Results Index

June 2022

• Gato 10k Summer Series Race 2
• Great Barrow Challenge
• Corby 5 Miles, EMGP Race 5
• Good, Bad & Ugly
• Giants Head Marathon
• Giants Head Half-Marathon
• Sydling 10K Hill Race
• Leamington Spa Half-Marathon
• Redditch Half-Marathon
• Cannock 50K
• Run for Beer Relays
• Leicester Summer Series 5K
• Weedon 10k, EMGP Race 4
• Run Northumberland 10k
• Arden 9
• Trail Marathon Wales
• Phoenix Centaur 100 Miles
• Two Castles 10k
• Hull 10k
• Leicestershire Chase the Sun 10 Mile
• Sphinx Summer 5
• Harborough 5, EMGP Race 3
• Gato 10k Summer Series Race 1
• Moreton 10 Miles
• Moreton Marathon
• Twilight Unicorn 5 Miles
• Stockholm Marathon

Gato 10k Summer Series, Race 2 – 30 June 10K

It was cool and drizzly, but we got on with the job . Two races down, one to go.

Matt is currently 1st Male overall, Spencer is 7th Male and Lisa is 5th Female – Lisa

---

Great Barrow Challenge – 23 June to 2 July

Day 10, Risby – 2 July – M

Day 10 complete
Fantastic to be able to run all 10 with Gem, she has done amazing.
Multi-terrain route, lots of sand in the middle of the course.

Day 9, Chevington Chase – 1 July – M

Day nine done, long first lap with a slightly shorter second. Multi terrain, nice route.
Lovely run again with Gem, she is doing amazing.

Day 8, Clover – 30 June – M

Another lovely run with Gem, weather didn’t look like it was going to be amazing but turned out good.
Day 8 done, both of our legs are tired now but we’ll get it done.

Day 7, Dalham Kiln + Golding Hills – 29 June – M

One lap of Dalham Kiln route, then the road was closed mid-way. Gem & I decided to run past the pub on lap 2 then come back to do a lap of Golding Hills.
Lovely run again with Gem, No7 of 10 done.

Day 6, Windmill Way – 28 June – M

Took a while to warm up today, legs weren’t feeling as strong as normal.
Still, a lovely run with Gem.

Day 5, Mount Barrow – 27 June – M

Really nice undulating out & back route. Walked the ups ran the flat & downs.
Great run with Gem.

Day 4, The Gallops – 26 June – M

Really nice multi terrain out & back.
Lovely run with Gem & the gang past all of the stud farms & Newmarket racecourse.
Looking forward to Sunday dinner.

Day 3, Kirtling – 25 June – M

Legs felt good, still really like this route.
Lovely to run with Gem & the gang again.

Day 2, Wickhambrook – 24 June – M

Felt very long today, multi terrain with some great views.
Lovely run with Gem. Time to relax ready for tomorrow.

Day 1, Denham Flats – 23 June – M

Nice out and back course and a lovely start to the 10in10. Legs feeling good, slow & steady for the remainder.

---

Corby 5 Miles, EMGP Race 5 – 29 June10K

56	Damian Pharoah	0:32:54
126	Robert Richardson	0:37:11

---

Good, Bad & Ugly – 29 June OTH

The infamous Northbrook GBU has been run another year. According to chairman Bob it has been going for 10 years and he is still quick to remind everybody that Steve got lost on the first event. This year 14 brave teams lined up to battle the Hawkes Mill Lane hill. Some runners are seasoned veterans, for others this was their first attempt and some have just joined the club.

The teams went off in small groups as a handicap had been apllied to try and get everybody round in a magic 1 hour 15 minutes and 30 seconds.
In the first Leg for ‘The Golden Guys’ team Albert McCosker had a cracking first run of the GBU course hotly followed by The Good Hawks with Mark Parker and Sarah Mac finished in 3rd for The Spirit Express. All the teams had differing strategies which was fantastic to see.

The top 3 quickly changed for the 2nd leg as Kyle Beddoe came home first for iRobots, followed by Spencer and Mark Dalton as the Good Hawks and Spirit Express swapped places.

The final leg saw Mark Parker out for his second leg as he overtook Spirit express’s Kevin Erne to finish in 3rd place. Glen Guyver-Fletcher blitzed his own expectations as he beat his 5km time by a massive 3 minutes to bring home iRobots into 2nd place. Meanwhile, out of nowhere the Smoking Secret Agents blitzed the field with Chris Archer putting in a huge season’s best 5km time in the 1st leg and Pete Stafford putting a monstrous performance to finish in under 18 minutes around this notorously tough GBU course.

Congratulations to Glen Guyver-Fletcher, Albert McCosker, Jan Watson, Tom Cox and Amy Peters all completing the GBU course for the very first time.
Huge well done to everybody taking part, plus Cliff & Jo Evans, Tracey Cox, Alex Darragh for Marshalling and Results tracking, plus Roger for his photography skills – Tim Hughes

 

Pos	Team				Time
1	Smokin Secret Agents	Chris Archer	Rob Cox	Pete Stafford	01:10:57
2	iRobots	Sally Eason	Kyle Beddoe	Glen Guyver-Fletcher	01:11:36
3	Good Hawks	Mark Parker	Mark Dalton	Mark Parker	01:12:25
4	Black Blasters	Claudie Combelas	Lousie Myers	Lee Newark	01:14:29
5	Blue Sonics	Jan Watson	Steve Turvey	Matthew Hathrell	01:14:54
6	Spirit Xpress	Sarah McNaney	Spencer Davies	Kevin Erne	01:15:04
7	Yellow Blazers	Richard Arnold	Amy Peters	Tom Cox	01:15:13
8	Rockin Crushers	Julie Cozens	Allison Smith	Ben Smith	01:16:40
9	Ugly Wasps	Martin Gavin	Rich Cawley	Alan Smith	01:15:57
10	Bad Reapers	Caroline Hughes	Kevin Coughlan	Austin Wade	01:16:04
11	Free Thinkers	Tracy Jefferson	Andrew Ralph	Tommy Dempsey	01:17:25
12	Dream Planets	Lisa Bragg	Karen Brewster	Mark Baker	01:18:48
13	Green Assassins	Bob Adams	Lee Miller	Tom McNamara	01:19:12
14	Golden Guys	Albert McCosker	Fraser Barrett	Terry Moynihan	01:19:46

---

Giants Head Weekend – 25 to 26 June

Giants Head Marathon M

3 years ago, before COVID, a White Star event, the Giants Head head reared its head. The medal was sparkling and had a spinning willya, and interest was high for an event that sells out in minutes. The target distance was the marathon. What a trip this was about to be.
Read more …

---

---

Leamington Spa Half-Marathon – 26 June HM

	Dan Stevens	1:24:20
	Kathryn Adams	1:35:49
	Tommy Dempsey	1:36:08
	Michael Pearson	1:44:21
	Stewart Pearman	1:49:13
	Phil Hyde	1:51:54
	David Halford	1:56:11
	Alan Smith	1:58:18
	Katy Davies	2:11:47

---

Redditch Half-Marathon – 26 June HM

Inaugural running of this half-marathon so a small and select group of runners! It’s not a PB course at all due to the mountains we had to climb on the route but it was well organised with lots of support and marshals, with the added bonus of me being first in my age category – Sarah

---

Cannock 50K – 25 June OTH

Originally, I entered the 50 mile race, but with a 50k race happening as well, there was always the option to drop out and be timed in that instead, which I was very happy to take by that point.

The course was 10-mile laps, each with at least 1000ft of elevation change, including the incorrectly named ‘switchbacks’, which was actually a rollercoaster of 6 steep climbs and descents. After 2 laps I was actually still 1st Male, 2nd overall, but then everything caught up with me, and I struggled through the 3rd lap and took the early exit.

Overall it was actually a very fun course to run. Hard work, but good paths and great scenery, and, as always, excellent support from the Big Bear team. Thoroughly recommend for next year.

---

Run for Beer Relays, Stratford – 24 June OTH

A fun evening was had by all running round the 2 mile loops on a pleasant evening in Stratford.

The Super Vets (200+) team finished first and the Men’s team finished 2nd overall.

Two of the the women’s teams finished in the top 3 and the Veterans Team (160+) finished a creditable 3rd with only 3 runners (well done Simon Abbott for running twice) – Rob

---

Leicester Summer Series 5K – 23 June 5K

Owen Drage

0:18:58

---

Weedon 10k, EMGP Race 4 – 21 June10K

48	Amanda Deavy	0:40:58	1st FV45
51	Damian Pharoah	0:41:09
125	Robert Richardson	0:47:06
166	Charles Jones	0:50:28	1st MV70

---

Run Northumberland 10k, Ouston Airfield, Stamforden – 19 June 10K

“Run on an airfield- it’s flat” said Lisa as her nose got longer and longer. It was a beautiful sunny drive to the location, then we got out of the car and the biggest, greyest cloud landed right above us. And it was windy but that’s par for the course up north.

The surface was interesting. It’s a good job it’s a disused airfield- passengers would be getting whiplash with the bumptedy ground, but there were some very pretty weeds dotted on the course. Great big ones that really needed warning cones around them.

That said, we did it and got 2nd and 3rd place in age category (wonder which one of us was 2nd) and the sun was shining at the end – Sara

---

Arden 9 – 19 June OTH

24	Pete Stafford	0:55:36
37	Matthew Hathrell	0:59:05
64	Sean Duffy	1:02:43
65	Tommy Dempsey	1:02:58
71	Tom Miller	1:04:19
91	Kyle Beddoe	1:06:59
123	Tim Ottley	1:10:42
127	Spencer Davies	1:11:08
130	Peter Kirkhope	1:11:19
133	Debbie Campbell	1:11:41
144	Stewart Pearman	1:13:09
155	Adrian Lowe	1:14:10
158	Simon  Aldridge	1:14:30
166	Rich Cawley	1:15:10
174	Cliff Evans	1:15:48
183	Alan Smith	1:16:28
196	Kevin Erne	1:18:50
197	Allison Smith	1:18:55
220	Ellie Aldridge	1:24:08
224	Julie Liggett	1:26:03

---

Trail Marathon Wales, Snowdonia – 18 June M

Katy Davies

5:53:49

---

Phoenix Centaur 100 Miles, Dorking – 18 June OTH

That was beyond hard, I went out strong to bank as many miles as I could before the heat of the day took its toll. 1 mile loops is a killer, not a lot of shade to make it warmer. My crew Gemma Baker & Libby selflessly worked in the aid station helping all of the runners from all 6 events that were being held.

I managed to finish the 50-miler in around 10:40:00ish. Gem arrived back and got ready to run a marathon through the night with me starting at mile 60. I found the night to be the hardest time of all. At the end of our run together Gem had worked out the spilts that I would need to do to get me in at a good time. I misunderstood the 20-22min miles and went for it. I know that my legs are going to hate me tomorrow.

This was a well organised event, but my only ever 100-miler. Time to rest now, 10 marathons in 10 days starts in 4 days.

---

Two Castles 10k – 12 June 10K

60	Craig Holmes	0:38:36
67	Chris Goodman	0:39:12
86	Terry Moynihan	0:40:17
122	Owen Drage	0:41:48
160	Megan Miller	0:43:10
169	Kathryn Adams	0:43:27
170	Colin Piper	0:40:57
206	Andrew McConville	0:43:50
254	Craig Slyde	0:45:41
313	Kyle Beddoe	0:47:11
321	Craig Murray	0:47:12
327	Sarah Duffy	0:47:25
330	Sean Duffy	0:47:23
362	Peter Kirkhope	0:48:03
373	Dave Mills	0:48:13
393	Debbie Campbell	0:48:35
405	Ian Paterson	0:48:21
426	Kevin Coughlan	0:49:02
510	Spencer Davies	0:50:12
516	Malcolm Copeland	0:50:13
542	Stewart Pearman	0:49:50
546	Phil Hyde	0:50:47
550	Simon Aldridge	0:51:02
568	Alan Smith	0:51:02
569	Gemma Nash	0:51:24
570	Richard Hands	0:51:29
604	Mark Dalton	0:51:51
643	David Tittle	0:52:07
695	Adrian Powell	0:53:02
722	Tony Mackness	0:53:39
733	Claudie Combelas	0:53:31
737	Lee Miller	0:53:34
858	Mike Duggan	0:54:25
863	Victoria Boyle	0:54:34
871	Lisa Bragg	0:55:11
913	David Giles	0:56:01
926	Becky Colbourne	0:53:52
927	Kirstie Murray	0:56:00
998	Joanne Evans	0:56:39
1054	Lisa Abbott	0:57:03
1055	Simon Abbott	0:57:04
1058	Katherine Plunkett	0:56:50
1093	Martin Gavin	0:57:24
1095	Ellie Aldridge	0:58:16
1115	Julie Cozens	0:58:40
1248	Carolyn Hadley	0:59:04
1249	David Hadley	0:59:04
1322	Amy Peters	1:00:47
1399	Dawn Webb	1:00:57
1448	Fern Kenny	0:59:10
1528	Melissa Murray	1:02:48
1612	Emily Drage	1:00:17
1889	Kelly Parker	1:06:58
1944	Tony Bowe	1:05:26
2005	Marianne Rutter	1:08:34
2016	Liane Powell	1:08:45
2041	Tracey Williams	1:08:42
2685	Jane Ward	1:23:36
2708	Chris Archer	1:26:32
2787	Yvonne Boyle	1:30:36

---

Hull 10k – 12 June 10K

Andy Scruton

0:54:13

---

Leicestershire Chase the Sun 10 Mile – 9 June 10M

Thursday evening and Claudie and I arrived at a disused airfield in the middle of nowhere. A 6 lap course made up 10 miles. Billed as flat (it wasn’t pancake flat, there were definite long ups and downs and total ascent was 183m). What they also missed was that ‘flat’ and open generally means windy (it was very). We both had tired legs (in the previous five days Claudie had run two parkruns, Stockholm marathon and Sphinx 5, and I’d run one parkrun, Ryton Pools 10k and Sphinx 5) so it was a battle but we saw it through.

Well rewarded as despite running overload we both came 2nd female in our respective age categories – Lisa

---

Sphinx Summer 5 – 8 June 5M

62 – yes 62 – Northbrookers descended upon the Memorial Park for the Sphinx 5 mile race. Some excellent performances with particular mentions to our top 3 category finishers – Chris

---

Harborough 5, EMGP Race 3 – 7 June5M

69	Amanda Deavy	0:32:03	2nd FV45
79	Damian Pharoah	0:32:43
133	Robert Richardson	0:36:53
165	Charles Jones	0:39:23	2nd MV70

---

Gato 10k Summer Series, Race 1 – 7 June 10K

A warm and humid evening that threatened a huge storm saw 3 Northbrookers arrive at Ryton pools for the summer 10k series, al three fielding excuses beforehand. Excuses were not needed. Matt led the field home comfortably while I battled up to 10th place with Lisa refusing to let me go and hanging onto my tail.

A small field but still plenty of challenges out there – Spencer

---

Weekend-at-the-Races, Moreton 2 – 5 June

A chance to improve the Northbrook reputation down on the south coast with another multi-run weekend. As we were not sure what this was going to bring only a few solitary vans went this time. Moreton is a quiet little village north of Weymouth. It’s mostly owned by the lord of the manor who lets his land out once a year to the events company for their Weekend at the Races. With 5 milers, marathons and 10 milers on the cards we were excited. The prospect of a cooling ford on the marathon and the 10 was all our talk was about.

On arri9val on Thursday the weather was hot, hot, hot and Tracey and Kelly lined up for the 5 miler. I was rewarded with patience 3 minutes before the go with a quick change into running gear for the start to join them. I started mid pack and slowly filtered my way forward, Tracey and Kelly determined to have fun at their own pace. The course was challenging; hills, soft dry sand, soft dry mud, hidden roots and stone trails with plenty of hills thrown in. For my first half I was isolated, off the front pack but slowly catching. After the “love” station I picked my battles as I progressed up the field, finishing in a not fast but very well achieved time. As I collected a beer I noticed Tracey back already. Unbeknown to me, 0.25 miles in she stumbled on a badger hole and pulled her ankle. Kelly was concerned till 2 very burly men carried Tracey away and threw them in their truck. The lengths Tracey will go to to get out of a race and be manhandled by burly men.
Kelly, revitalised and in her own woodland wonderland picked the field apart as she battled her way up the field. This did spell the end of Tracey’s participation in any running for the weekend, but it did boost the takings at the gin bar.

Friday morning came and Mark and I lined up in a small field of marathon runners. With aid stations every 3 miles we decided against carrying fluids and relied on the organisers. It was hot, and on the first half of the first lap we were decieved by the flat, rock hard ankle twisting footing, electric fences and the long swaying grass. As we headed back towards the previous night’s course for the 2nd part of the 1st lap, we were buoyed by our supporters. At about 11 miles, the distance started to tell. My pace was dropping and Mark’s distance training was showing. But it was hot. We could not envisage the route so we missed the supporters as we headed out again, and most importantly, I had my carry bag of goodies and fluids. A mile into the 2nd lap and the ice cold ford was a welcome relief, bringing some freshness to the legs. But I was begininng to crash. The energy had gone, and most important I had stopped sweating. The sun was beating down and dehydration was becoming an issue. As I dragged myself into the 1st aid station I took handfuls of sweets and crisps and numerous cups, but the damage was done. The next 3 miles were a walk. all energy gone and Mark trying to lift my spirits. In the end it was Tracey’s call that got Kelly out there to support me back towards the camp. We pushed Mark off to finish as it came clear that sunstroke was adding to the energy defficiency and the ability to walk in a straight line had gone. A dnf on the start of the last quarter as Mark headed out. The organisers looking after me in a cool tent reassured Tracey and Kelly it was fine.

Now the heat hit Mark, his pace had gone and cramping hadstarted. He dragged out the last quarter to a fine finish just missing 6 hrs, on a tough course in baking conditions a worthy time. Friday evening saw the kids showing us adults how to run on the mini unicorn race, the winner storming 3km in under 10 mins.

Saturday we took as recharge time and a trip to the sea before hitting the ford, the gin bar and the barn dance put on. Sunday was the last race with the 10 miler. Again the same lap with a small cut out as the marathon half lap. I had demons to bury and water bottles in each pocket. I was going to make amends. Kelly set off without her trusty Tracey who could only limp to the cheer points not far behind me. Half-way and I charged past Mark and Tracey, I was not going to fail on this one. Kelly 15 mins behind me at this point was going strong.
Knowing the course I already had the 2 walking hills in my head, but instead of soft sinking sand/mud this had turned into slipping sinking mud. A great new challenge on tired legs.

But the finish was achieved and to the organisers’ delight I had done really well. Kelly brought us home as I celebrated a weekend of running with the worlds biggest ice cream. A great weekend with a great set up that will entice us back next year. We represented Northbrook again as we always do, supporting, helping and cheering on everyone. They know us on the south coast and the fun we bring – Spencer

---

Stockholm Marathon – 4 June M

While there were a number of Northbrookers in Stockholm – and Denmark and Sweden more generally – for the double parkrun weekend, there are some hardy souls for whom 2 x 5k is simply not enough. Step up Steven, Claudie and Amy. Sensibly Amy determined not to start in order to recover from injury sustained in a multi-day event earlier in the month. Claudie was hoping for a better experience than her last Stockholm marathon, which had the worst weather they had seen for years. But today was a sunny day, possibly a bit too warm for the participants but excellent for those of us supporting – Chris Archer

---

 

Giants Head, continued
Step up our entrants:
Sara, training for her half Iron man, having ran a marathon before with Catherine.
Kelly, Chris and Tracey never ran over a half marathon before
Claudie, experienced and eats and spits out miles for fun.
Craig, loves trail marathons.
The entries opened and places secured. Robin was consulted for the biggest challenge he ever faced, A marathon with over 3000 ft of climb for novices who were looking at 7+ hours. Robin was scared. 3 were enthused for their challenge. As their training started, covid reared its head and 2020 was cancelled.
Indications stepped up that 2021 would run, training restarted. Then disaster struck, Sara was knocked off her bike. Hers would be a long road back. 2021 was cancelled after the training had started again. The enthusiasm wained and the thought of training for a 3rd year was destroying them. Craig suffered an injury that lasted a year, his mojo went and injury free running was taking its time to come back
2022 the race was on, Catherine fell pregnant with Edward, her chances of running were slim. But what a year she was in for. Birth and a wedding, far better than a marathon.
The girls and Chris, struggling for motivation, but their distances were increasing. A change in the clubs training hours scuppered them for any speed work but they carried on pushing out the distances. There were wobbles, Chris not able to commit to distances was wobbling and suffering with his confidence. We all never doubted him. Tracey, Chris and Kelly destroying the OX half and then the girls finishing a LDW walk for 21 miles. The start line was in sight.
Step up Moreton “the weekend at the races”. 2 races each for Kelly and Tracey was perfect training. But then disaster, quarter of a mile in Tracey went down a badger hole, her ankle swelled to a balloon. She had to finish her weekend then. Kelly then having to complete the weekend runs on her own.
3 weeks later, the ankle was taped heavily. A dnf for Spencer at Moreton meant he switched up to the marathon distance, much to Traceys displeasure. Pete in the middle of a centurion year knew the marathon would be a good way to keep the distance in his legs.
It was on, the Northbrook and KORC crew headed to a little village called Sydling. This was it.
Sydling is a village of about 100 people. Once a year, over a 1000 runners descend on it and its fantastic. The village welcomes us (and our walletts) with open arms. A pop-up bar and BBQ on the village green, the start and the finish in proud position on the green for everyone to see. Food pre-bookable cooked by the villagers to feed us. The vibe was unreal and the smiles matched it.
Making up the Northbrookers were:
Verity – In the middle of her TRI year, Sydling 10K
Mark – Hot of his IRONman distance, Sydling 10K, GHM half marathon, chaos bell race
Pete and Spencer – marathon and chaos bell race
Sara – chaos bell race
Rich, Caroline and TIM – GHM half marathon
Graeme – 10K but could not start due to injury.
Friday night was messy, the beer flowed, the singing was raucus and we were loud. We like to make our presence know.
Saturday morning – marathon day. The nerves were high. Everyone was on edge or hungover. Spencer carrying more fluids than the local reservoir and a picnic basket on him. The weather was not going to defeat him. It was warming up with a steady and gusty wind due on the tops. Race briefing, 5 mins to go. Tracey had forgot her watch, spencer did the quickest half mile for the weekend to save her just before the off.
The first few miles of this were narrow and boxed in, quite a bit of walking with 2 hills involved. Craig, Claudie and Spencer being our leaders. The conga towards the back of Pete, Kelly, Chris and Tracey keeping their spirits high. The footing was tough, large cobbles and ploughed and rutted fields, this was trail at its best. 4.5 miles in, the first aid station. The 3 out towards the front were grouped and staying together. Pete had separated, denying he had a hangover pushing on. Tracey was struggling with her breathing and on poles from the word go to help her ankle and the footing. About 8 miles in, traceys breathing had not come back. The tail walker had caught the 3 up and were assessing. The question was “what do you want to do?” Traceys answer with no pause was – finish. The decision was clear, Kelly and Chris were shoo’d off as tracey was welcomed to the party at the back. She was in safe hands and the tail walkers were about to go through 16 miles of Tracey highs and lows.
At this point we need to mention. We all know how strong a woman Tracey is. At this point White Star found out how strong she is. The tail walkers shocked by her resilience, her ability to keep positive even on some of the biggest hills around. What white star did not foresee was the 2 marathon legends they just released in Chris and Kelly.
Chris , we all know suffers in the heat, this did not stop this man as he beat both the heat , the hills and both the tail walkers in, not even looking destroyed. Mojo was clearly riding Chris down the last hill (or was it the pimms). Coming in a whole half hour before the official cut off was Kelly. Released, Kelly reverted to the running tactic she uses to destroy people and she loves. She hunts them down, takes over them and theres no coming back after that. Once you have been KP’d you are a gonna.
About 9 miles in and a false hill meant I was taking my snack break, Claudie had pushed on when Craig was waiting for me. He had rolled an Ankle. Giving it a chance to see if we could get going we walked the next 4 miles. But it was clear, Craig would have to walk it in if he was to finish, and the pain was getting worse. The strongest decision was made as he released me and called it quits at the next aid station. Sometimes that decision has to be made.
I knew Claudie was out of reach for me to have company so I chatted to anyone that would chat when I could. Walking every hill while eating, fluids on every mile and at every aid station I was in a good place for a tough marathon.
Mile 19, Mark was waiting and had a chat and a walk, feeding me the info from the back to calm my worries. They were safe and doing well. I could push on. The next aid station was Schnapps and Cider. I had my fill and refilled the bottles on my quads. I was going to enjoy this last bit at this rate. There was still relentless hill after relentless hill, but my picnic basket was still filling me up, spirits were high. We were tipped off that the last aid station was a pop up pimms “love” station. If ever I needed anything to run for, it was this. 3 pimms later and I was pushed out the barn for the final stretch to the finish. The obligitary “400m to go” sign – at a mile to go, got the usual swearing and kick as I passed it. The last climb and then it was a quad destroying drop to the valley floor to the finish. My feet were destroyed, the unrelenting cobbles/flint causing pain. But the finish was a welcome sight. Claudie had finished and was safe. The organisers hugged me, relieved I was in after my moreton disaster.
Then the wait. Pete was next in, making it look effortless, though not as happy till the coldest pint ever was forced on him. Happy Pete returned.
Then we had the watchers. We had the tail feed, Tracey had drained all the cider and schnapps and was singing. Oh how that tail walker must have been working as a happy Tracey is contagious. The big hills still taking the wind out of her sails did not stop her. Then we heard, the pimms station had been put on alert. She was on the way, was there enough glasses?
Our watchers reported a flying KP heading towards the finish. The northbrook cheer squad were up and loud, we made sure she was guided in by our cheers, and she stormed in. 7 hours, beating the official cut off by half an hour and her own expectations with a really strong run. Competitors left in her wake and a smile bigger than ever. KP was a GHM marathoner.
We were quickly turned back round, Chris had been sighted, descending like a lunatic, heading to the finish in his usual strong sprint style. Chris finished, like Kelly, flying and now a GHM marathoner. This man was awesome and smiling like a Cheshire cat.
Now we all looked back up the hill waiting for every morsel fed back by radio from the tail, we still had a Northbrooker out there and she was happy and singing. One tail walker had pushed on and he got a huge Northbrook reception as we falsely thought tracey was with him. Nope, she was still on “pimms O clock” and the aid station could not get her out. 1.5 miles to go. They were descending. The sweeps broom appeared as silhouette on the hill top, we knew they were coming. The order from the tail was simple. Ensure her Northbrook were there for her, give her the run in she deserves. The guard of honour was installed. Those of us injured, those of us marathon weary, everyone who had witnessed this story, the marshalls, the organisers, non northbrook a line of 30 on each side. She had no idea what was coming. The nod was given, she come round the last corner to a deafening roar and that was before she saw the guard of honour. She was moving well, the tail dropping back to cojole the last injured runner in.

Tracey had the run in on her own. As she approached the guard of honour, her tears started. She did it, they did it, we did it, white star did it, robin did it, everyone they all trained with did it. Her prize, her only goal for doing this, was to have the sparkling medal with a spinning willy. What a day, what a race.
During the marathon distance the 10K (actually 12k) Sydling hill race was on. Step up Mark and Verity. Taking in some of the not so nice hills the marathoners did, the 10k was famed for being long and hilly. Mark and Verity were not put off. Marks first run post ironman and his legs worked well. Verity going well till a nasty fall that skinned both her knees, but she was never not going to finish. And she now had the war wounds to tell us all.
That evening the party was long and loud. Sydling was loving the Northbrook name.
Sunday morning saw the chaos bell race . This is a 2.5 miles race with “activities thrown in”. the warm up including group situps, push ups and squats (great on battered marathon legs). Then a conga to the start line, its always nice to make new friends as Tracey felt sorry for the lady gripping my waist in the conga.
1.5 miles up hill to the pimms station. Would our legs work? The legs did work, I started to climb, Claudie using me for pace as Mark was being dragged up by the kids. Then the gradient increased and my walking pace came on. Claudie pushed on as I could do nothing about it, I was worried about the quads on the decent. As I summitted I was greeted by my activity. Hula hooping!!! As the marshall tried to squeeze me into a hula hoop, “Breath in then” he instructed me, I was!! We both gave up. My punishment was 10 push ups , then on to the aid station. Where our CowBells were awaiting. Wrapped around your neck, 10 squats to ensure the quads were damaged, I grabbed 3 jelly beans and made the decision. Its all or nothing. I plummeted down the hill like a crazy. Pain, as every step hammered the quads. What sounded like 100 cowbells chasing me down the hill. This was amazing. Pain or no pain, I was moving. I cleared the cobbly painful path as quick as I could before I flew into the finish. Holly was next in, before a free Brook almost wiped out a sprinting Chris who managed to avoid child and tree. Mark and Heath next home, before one of the best sights ever. Sara rounding the corner the finish in her first official race since the accident, but she was supporting Pete who had slipped on the way up. What a sound all the bells made on the descent, we were a Northbrook “Sound of Music”.
We saved our best to last, Step up Caroline, Tim, Rich(Mr Smooth) and Mark(ironman).
The half set out. We knew we would have a while. Then we got the news. Tim’s pain from his injuries was too much to push on. He took the bravest decision and stopped at the aid station(had they started “pimms o clock” early?) We were fed the news, Rich and Mark were together chatting, as the miles ticked off. We knew Caroline would not be far behind.
Then the finish, Rich smooth as ever, gliding to the finish still chatting to Mark. Followed closely by Caroline who appeared to be floating she was not touching the floor she was going that fast.
All back, all safe. Every distance covered in Northbrook glory and stories. Legends created to match the stature of the Cerne Abbas. The Northbrook name associated with great running, great camaraderie, and great support. And numerous medals gathered. A pretty successful weekend all in all – Spencer