Sunday 13th March - One day 28 runners and 435 miles

What a weekend of running that was.

28 club members have totalled a staggering 435 miles of racing between them at venues around the country.

There were some fantastic performances at all levels as marathon training is reaching its peak period.

The Milton Keynes Festival of Running was well attended with good runs from Richard Franks and Claire Spokes who keeps on improving, at the 10K distance.  Richard completed the distance in 44:09 and Claire completed her first ever 10K race in 1:14:45.

Claire's partner Peter Moor was one of seven members who all broke the two hour barrier at the half marathon distance.  Peter finished in 1:48:10, one of the real stars was John Fleming with a storming 1:36:37 time.  Rob Donovan also clocked an impressive 1:45:47 and Jocelyn Granger came home in 1:52:11.  Close behind was Bob Bateman 1:53:24 and Colin Bracham 1:55:40 with Jim Anderson completing back to back halfs in 1:56:29.

Further away at the Ashby-de-la-Zouch 20 miler another eight were running.  Everyone deserves congratulations however pride of place must go to Steph Russell who was 2nd Lady in a very good field, her time was 2:16:20. 
Andy Blaize was first to finish for the club in 2:14:22 and Andy Thomas is in good shape for his marathon debut with an impressive 2:28:26.  Mark Kennedy also gave himself a good confidence boost with a strong finish (3:11:47).  Mary Kingsnorth continued her preparation for the Paris Marathon 3:15:51 and Claire McDaid did likewise for her London Debut finishing in 3:21:47.  Pauline Horne grabbed a PB with 3:27:51 and Helen Blackburn was delighted to break four hours with 3:54:39.
Eleven more of us (if we include Rich the Ambulance who met us there) made a weekend of it at The Grizzly in Seaton Devon.  Five competed in The Cub run, a very tough 8.5 mile mountaineering course is worth it if only for the sea views.

Karen and Sally had a great laugh all the way round. Jo and Alan were happy to stick to the cub.

Maree’s bike training forced her to drop in distance down to the cub which she duly went and won. She is still in great shape.

So down to the final six, these fools did the full Grizzly a 20 mile hilly, boggy, endurance test of survival.  Mark Nightingale on his first event of this kind showed us how to do it with a top effort.  Fish and chips on the beach after a paddle in the sea rounded off a great trip.

Congratulations to all who have ran. Hopefully we can all stay injury free for a little while.

Milton Keynes 10k
Richard Franks 44:09
Claire Spokes 1:14:45

Milton Keynes Half Marathon
John Fleming 1:36:37
Rob Donovan 1:45:47
Peter Moor 1:48:10
Jocelyn Granger 1:52:11
Bob Bateman 1:53:24
Colin Bracham 1:55:40
Jim Anderson 1:56:29

Ashby 20 Miles
Andy Blaize 2:14:22
Steph Russell 2:16:20 2nd lady
Andy Thomas 2:28:26
Mark Kennedy 3:11:47
Mary Kingsnorth 3:15:51
Claire McDaid 3:21:47
Pauline Horne 3:27:51
Helen Blackburn 3:54:39

Grizzly Cub Run
Maree Jesson 1:12:56 1st lady
Jo Smith 1:39:25
Alan Hackett 2:16:28
Sally Garrett 2:18:12
Karen Townsend 2:18:14

The Grizzly 20 Mile
Mark Nightingale 3:18:49
Mark Garrett 3:57:28
Rich House 4:09:37
Geoff Smith 4:12:15
Ronnie Ambrose 4:23:38
Mick Clarke 4:56:32 - 1st in age catagory