results 2210

Northbrook Results

For a complete listing visit the Results Index

October 2022

• Pumpkin Plod
• Warwick University Cross-Country Relays
• Apocalypse Run
• Fen 10 Miles
• Ilmington 10k – Tempo Winter Series, Race 1
• Midlands Cross-Country Relays
• York 10 Miles
• Great South Run
• Great Eastern Half-Marathon
• Yorkshire Marathon
• Tamworth 10k
• Daventry 10k
• Ladybower 50k
• Civil Service Cross-Country Championships
• Carsington Water Half-Marathon
• Manchester Half-Marathon
• Alcester 10k
• Rugby 10 Miles
• Isle of Wight Marathon
• London Marathon
• Loch Ness Marathon
• River Ness 10k
• Goyt Valley Challenge

Pumpkin Plod – 30 October

Damien and I joined erstwhile Northbrook member Amy for a “big birthday” run; multiple 5.3km laps of Hinchingbrook Country Park, cambridgeshire in a Zig Zag running event.

Amy and I ran the first lap together, and I completed my 10k while Amy, proudly wearing her recently acquired 100 Marathon Club vest, secured her 103rd marathon distance. Damien completed 11 laps to run the furthest of all runners on the day.

An excellent day out, a lovely, largely flat countryside course, supportive marshalling and event team and a great base of operations with coffee and cake in abundance – Chris

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Warwick University Cross-Country Relays – 30 October OTH

Women’s teams

Men’s teams

39 Northbrookers, 1 paparazzi, and sooo many supporters turned up on a Sunday (who does cross-country on a Sunday?) afternoon for the Warwick University cross-country relays. We were greeted with the heavens opening to top up the large puddle that is the annual splash/screamfest. With it being halloween time of the year, we were the only club to embrace the theme (well done to Lisa and Alan – by far the best runners out there). It’s our annual chance to race the youngsters from the universities and the last chance we get to race and practise cross-country before the all important leagues start.

10 teams ensured there was always a Northbrooker heading round the next corner and always one to cheer on. David led us off and through leg 1 before the teams started relaying. With great performances all round, some on their very first time on cros-country, some old hardened and wise cross-country dwellers and with enthusiasm abound we left our mark. Even more pleasing was the women coming away with 3rd placed team, and our men’s team beating the Dodiva mixed fast team.

Plenty of positives to take away from another great turnout and performance. Now apply that to the League Northbrook – Spencer

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Apocalypse Run – 30 October 10M

A hilly 10m trail run in the Cotswolds. With some niggling injuries, I was planning a steady run, but somehow found myself in the lead through most of the first 3 miles. Two wrong turns (not the fault of the organisers this time, someone moved the signs) and a rolled ankle later, I limped home in the lower half of the finishers.

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Fen 10 miles, Wisbech – 30 October 10M

Mark Baker

1:25:59

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Ilmington 10k – Tempo Winter Series, Race 1 – 23 October 10k

Nine Northbrookers started the 10k winter series at Ilmington with welcome returns to a start line for both Sara Phipps and for Cath Fenn.

Race 1 is hill first, and there is still that fear that washes over you as you turn left and look up to see those ahead climbing. The descent is still as scary as ever on the 14% hill. It’s good to be back.

Our 2 brave support teams were out there to encourage/abuse us and drive us on to the end. With the roaring fire in the Red Lion afterwards to warm back up, what’s not to like.

Roll on village first in November – Spencer

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Midlands Cross-Country Relays, Aldersley Stadium – 22 October OTH

With the cross-country drum having been beating louder and louder the first event of the season descended on us, the Midlands Cross-Country Relays at Aldersley Leisure village. The weather was unseasonably warm and despite downpours the ground was firm underfoot.

32 Northbrookers, 1 reserve and 3 supporters arrived on the day, with only 1 drop out on the run in. This was new ground for the 2 captains but a nice place to be in. The men managed for the first time ever to field a true seniors team and the women were almost a true seniors team too, though the ever youthfull Ellie easily passed as a senior. We had big numbers, we were the biggest club there by a distance and our supporters/runners ensured our noise level matched our numbers.

The start is always fast and with 9 toeing the line we had plenty to cheer. Tom led them out trying to keep with the leaders, till the pace came to warn him to slow down. Each starter got their teams off to flying starts. Then the relaying started and as spectators we could only stand and watch as tracking everyone was difficult, though we all did spot Claudie who forgot to take the turn for her 2nd lap and had to stop Debbie’s false start as she ducked out of the finish tunnel to complete her second lap. Overall a great performance with 3 of the men’s teams on the mass start pushing each other all the way.

What a great atmosphere and event and a good turn out at the pub afterwards. Roll on the Warwick Relays on Sunday where we are expecting big numbers again – Spencer

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York 10 Miles – 16 October HM

	Lisa Abbott	1:28:46
	Jill Pittard	1:34:39

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Great South Run – 16 October 10M

	Mark Dalton	1:27:34
	Paul Carberry	1:29:42

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Great Eastern Half-Marathon – 16 October HM

	Terry Moynihan	1:26:24
	Tommy Dempsey	1:32:13
	Tom Miller	1:33:38

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Yorkshire Marathon – 16 October M

I booked this one after being rejected for London for the nth time, and Ieven managed to get one long run in as training.
My game plan was to stick at the around 10 minute mile pace for as long as I could, and I managed that until the 30k mark, clocking it a 3h6m.
At this point my feet really started to hurt. I thought it was my socks irritating me, and stopped to readjust them, but this didn’t help much.
At the 20 mile mark I actually saw 2 large Compeeds on the road which someone must have dropped. Clearly this was a gift from the Gods of Running, but as I only had 6 miles to go, I just carried on.
I wished now I’d stopped to pick them up.

Upon removing my socks at the end of the run, I found I had 2 large blisters on the insides of both heels, bunny ears lacing next time I think. The last 10k was slower than the others, but I managed to finish in 4h39m, knocking 31 minutes off my previous marathon PB.

The course was fantastic, mostly flat, and the organisation was superb; it was just a great day out. I’ll be doing it again next year.

Lessons learned:
1. Do more longer runs during training
2. 13 miles is not far enough to break in new running shoes
3. Carry Compeeds

4. Magnesium oil spray and magnesium bath flakes are a miracle cure for aching legs. Legs are totally fine the day after the race.

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Tamworth 10k – 16 October 10K

In lovely running conditions team Cox/Eason headed off to Tamworth to check out the 4th best 10K in the country (me neither). Tamworth 10K is a very flat 2 lap course much of it along river and canal paths, there are some sections which are unpaved but give or take the odd puddle conditions underfoot were pretty good.

Tom led the way home with a 2022 best 10K time and Sally completed her first 10K race since the 2019 Northbrook 10K. A celebratory beer was enjoyed in the nearby excellent Tamworth Tap – Rob

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Daventry 10k – 16 October 10K

David Hartopp

0:40:51

PB

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Ladybower 50k – 15 October OTH

I was supposed to be running the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Ultra today, but, unfortunately, that was cancelled due to risk of lightning. Instead, I was able to get a last minute entry into the inaugural Ladybower 50k (actual distance 33.16 miles). There was even a handy campsite next door, so I didn’t have to leave at 4am for the early 7am start.

The course starts with a 1000ft climb up Win Hill, before descending back down to the banks of the reservoir. Whilst the weather thankfully held during the race, heavy rain overnight had made the paths here somewhat sketchy. I have no idea how I managed to avoid colliding with people on some of the steep descents. Around the reservoir was a lot more solid underfoot, with the trail gently undulating, and, unusually, I actually found myself gaining places throughout the race. I hit the 10 miles to go mark at 3:25, so potentially looking at a sub 5-hour time, but the climb up to Stanadge Edge was fairly brutal.

Well over 1000ft of elevation in 5 miles on poor terrain, and with tired legs I was struggling to even run the flat parts. Those 5 miles took well over an hour, and the 5 hour goal was very much gone. At the top of the climb, however, I knew the last 5 miles were flat to steep down, so I decided to grit my teeth and push to the finish, gaining back most of the places I’d lost up the hill (and passing Sarah from The Running Channel who must have been doing the Half; she said ‘well done’ – my brain said ‘Thanks Sarah’, but my mouth mumbled ‘oh, it’s you’). I even managed a ‘sprint’ finish to pip someone on the line.

All in all, a very enjoyable race. The field was actually far bigger and stronger than I expected for a first time event, but with very generous cut-offs, this is also a great race for all comers, even to try as your first Ultra. Unfortunately, with the deferred entry to 3 Peaks, I won’t be able to do this again next year; but it’s one to look out for in the future.

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Civil Service Cross-Country Championships – 12 October OTH

32	Damian Pharoah	0:46:56	3rd MV45
33	Robert Richardson	0:48:08
48	Mark Baker	0:58:11

A nominally 10k event held at Parliament Hill Fields

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Carsington Water Half-Marathon – 9 October HM

7	Tom Mitchell	1:42:08
68	Steve Simpson	2:06:55

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Manchester Half-Marathon – 9 October HM

	Lee Miller	1:53:57
	Andy Scruton	2:01:48

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Alcester 10k – 9 October 10K

73	Sean Duffy	00:42:36
75	Tommy Dempsey	00:42:48
166	Glen Guyver-Fletcher	00:47:48
226	Simon Aldridge	00:50:33
250	Cliff Evans	00:51:31
270	Mark Dalton	00:51:55
316	Allison Smith	00:54:06
319	Stuart Clements	00:54:00
424	Martin Gavin	00:57:24
425	Joanne Evans	00:57:26
569	Tracy Jefferson	01:02:42

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Rugby 10 Miles – 9 October 10M

16	Craig Holmes	01:02:05
31	Matthew Hathrell	01:06:11
39	Steve Turvey	01:08:34
47	David Hartopp	01:10:43
81	Spencer Davies	01:19:00
82	Francis Mason	01:19:01
94	Peter Kirkhope	01:20:56
101	Tim Hughes	01:21:50
105	Kevin Coughlan	01:23:49
114	Lee Newark	01:27:07
126	Debbie Campbell	01:32:39
135	Caroline Hughes	01:38:02
143	Jo Arden	01:41:58

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Isle of Wight – 2 October M

32

Dave Halford

4:12:34

1st MV60

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London Marathon – 2 October M

My second London Marathon, but this was the best. Gemma’s 99th (Flake Run). The atmosphere was fantastic, managed to get lots of pictures and soak it up a bit more.
The event organisation and all the volunteers were amazing – Duncan

My first event in a Northbrook top and what a way to do it. The London Marathon has got to be one of the best events in the world. Absolutely fantastic day. The crowd support was truly amazing, 10 people deep in some places all screaming at you. If you have not done a marathon before, I suggest you pick this one. I enjoyed my race immensely and had a wonderful time.

I dragged myself over the line in just over five hours, but the time didn’t matter to me. Thank you to the person who screamed ‘Go Northbrook’ at about mile 22, it helped me a lot. Also, the fellow runner in the Northbrook top who sprinted past me about mile 20 (I tried to keep up!).

The photo taken at the end of the race tells the story, the tree is holding me up – Craig

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Loch Ness Marathon – 2 October M

The views from the coach on the way to the start of the marathon were just stunning. The weather was perfect – cloudy and cool, but no rain and no headwind. I started with no finish time in mind, as my training had not gone entirely to plan, and I just wanted to enjoy it and take in the views. Definitely one I would do again. Very happy with my time.

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River Ness 10k – 2 October 10K

Having not been able to run or train since August, the aim was try to finish around the 40 min mark. So I’m happy to be just under that.

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Goyt Valley Challenge, Buxton – 1 October M

David Tittle

5:57:51