Northbrook Results

For a complete listing visit the Results Index

August 2024

UTMB CCC, Chamonix-Mont Blanc – 30 AugustOTH

  Tony Bowe 26:37:58

TONY BOWE

The CCC is the 100k category final of the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc World Series. An incredible race in the Alps with almost 20,000 feet of elevation. It starts in Courmayeur (Italy), taking in Champex (Switzerland) and finishing in Chamonix (France). As well as the brutal climbs, temperatures of 30 degrees made the conditions more difficult.

I didn’t make the podium, so I clearly need to do more training on Staircase Lane.
I was incredibly grateful to have my daughter, Enya, crewing for me through the night and for the encouragement from my family. Thank you for all the messages of support from the Northbrook community and those who were tracking me. It really helped me to keep going during the difficult times.

Derby Running Festival 10k – 25 August10K

  Amelia Bassnett 0:53:15

Derby Half-Marathon – 25 AugustHM

  Cameron Roantree 2:02:20

Scottish 10k, Musselburgh – 18 August10K

  Amy Peters 1:09:14

Race the Train – Tywyn, Tal-y-Llyn – 17 AugustOTH

  Train 1:48:00
  Andy Clay 1:51:54
  Rob Richardson 1:56:22

Andy Clay and I rocked up to the 39th running of the Rotary Challenge, confident we could beat the Tal-y-Llyn train. A time of 1:48:00 over a 14 mile off-road course was required and although this correspondent beat that in 2013, both runners were now the wrong side of 50. Nevertheless our opponent was a 150 year old steam train, albeit with a support crew of 300,000 (members of the Tal-y-Llyn Association). Would coal and water be a match for fish and chips and beer?

The race starts on the bridge over the Tywyn Station with a whistle from the train. The train goes to Abergynolwyn and back stopping at 5 stations out and back and for water on a smooth gently slopping track. The runners have a mile of road, before farmers’ fields, moorland and a bog to navigate. The first half is fairly straightforward, the few hills were easy enough and the surface was firm with enough space to overtake.

At mile 7 I was feeling strong and a minute up on the train. However, despite running this race twice before I hadnt fully taken into account the challenging second half with a two mile section of steep ascents and single sheep track that on which it is impossible to overtake. I now paid for my relatively conservative start and was held up by slower runners not used to the technical stuff. I lost 5 mins to the train, but didn’t panic as I knew the last 4 miles would be easier terrain and I’d hopefully get the time back.

After the steep climb out of Dolgoch falls and successfully negotiated bog I concentrated on putting my foot down to see if I could chase the train down. When I got to the easier section I put the pedal to the metal, but there was nothing there. The train came past with 3 miles to go with cheers from passengers and a cheerful whistle and I knew I’d be defeated by some classic Victorian engineering. I was able to pass a few runners on the way in and finished in the top 100, but 8 minutes behind the train and 4 minutes behind Andy who’d had a great race, but still not enough for the train.

After a quick swim in the Irish Sea to cool off, we had a couple of pints at the after race party that featured an 80’s themed disco and fancy dress. Happy Days.
This is a classic race and one regularly attended by Northbrook in the past. It was good to see half a dozen Sphinx runners who’d made the journey too – Rob

Stratford Summer 6 – 16 AugustOTH

107 Malc Copeland 00:44:19  
112 Chris Smith 00:44:28  
131 Robert Halford 00:46:08 PB
137 Jamie Gould 00:46:53  
140 Ainsley Wileman 00:47:03  
164 Simon Aldridge 00:48:40  
173 Peter Kirkhope 00:49:53  
196 Michelle Edwards 00:51:36  
201 Cameron Roantree 00:52:06  
211 Jennifer Ennis 00:53:36  
217 Stuart Clements 00:54:28  
223 Ellie Aldridge 00:55:21  
224 Spencer Davies 00:55:25  
248 Nigel Markey 00:58:35  
252 Tony Bowe 00:59:05  
263 Nicola Glaze 01:01:48  
280 Jan Watson 01:15:21  
281 Jane Ward 01:17:13  

This was my first 6 mile race. Tough run – Robert

Birmingham Canal Canter – 12 AugustM

  Claudie Combelas 6:00:00

I thought I would give this a go as the time limit was 8 hours and if the worst came to the worst I could walk. Starting and finishing at Moseley Rugby Club, it was a very very hot day along the many Birmingham canals and the horrid horse footbridges. Not a fan of canals especially miles on end but the shade on some of them was welcome. Went off too fast – I should know better.

After the first 15 miles there was quite a bit of walk 50 steps, run 200 steps, etc. I made it, very sweaty and hot in 6 hours, and hot-footed it home for a shower and a walk into town to see Chris’s band Re:Offenders hosting an open mike. Sadly, I missed guest appearances from Northbrook stars: Tracey Cox, Kelly Parker, Cliff Evans, Paul Robbins and Mark Parker/Spencer Davies (although not sure their act was actually singing!).

A long and tiring day from which I am still recovering.

Solihull Half-Marathon – 11 AugustHM

  Adrian McBride 1:42:52
  Natalia Greenhill 1:50:15
  Ainsley Wileman 1:52:22
  Joanne Evans 2:13:09
  Cliff Evans 2:20:11

Darlington 10k – 4 August10K

  Rob Richardson 0:41:55
  Ruth Hallett 1:03:07

The 2024 edition of the Darlington 10k was again a great event. A flatish 2 lap course around the town; well organised and fantastic support all the way round makes this a must-do for North Easterners like me. I always enjoy this race – Rob