“You must be mad” is a phrase heard in the ears of thirteen keen Northampton Road Runners at the weekend. These crazy individuals made the long trip to Devon to take part in the iconic Grizzly, a 20 mile challenge starting from the pretty seaside town of Seaton. The route, which adds new surprises every year, headed along a half mile stretch of shingle beach before up and over a cliff into the neighbouring village of Beer. There was no time to stop for any liquid refreshment as more hills and cliff climbs greeted runners to sap the energy from the legs and you haven’t even reached mile three by this point.
The rest of the course includes a knee deep river crossing, the famous “Bog Of Doom”, also knee deep and the “Stairway to Heaven”, a cliff climb that is near impossible to walk up, let alone run. At the peak of the aforementioned stairway, the marshals take great delight in telling runners that they have completed the last climb only for two more to lay in waiting.
Despite the mental toughness required to complete this crazy challenge, the Grizzly is one of the best events on the running calendar. The Cub Run is a nine mile option and Jo Smith completed the challenge in 1:33:24.
Onto the Grizzly and Mark Nightingale flew around the course in an impressive 3:12:11. Former club member Rich (The Ambulance) House took advantage of training in his home surroundings of Dorset and finished in 3:28:55. John Fleming drove down to Devon on the morning and probably was awake enough to feel any pain as his was one of the stars of the show with a 3:36:38 finish. Seasoned off-roader Mark Garrettt also broke four hours in 3:48:37.
Debutants Jocelyn Granger (4:13:50), Mark Kennedy (4:13:53) and Darren Baldwin (4:15:37) shared a journey around the course before Jocelyn’s sprint finish to the line.
Suzanne Baldwin also had plenty of energy for a quick finish crossing the line in 4:18:32 just ahead of Jim Anderson in 4:19:35. Wendy Parker survived an early fall to finish with Ronnie Ambrose in 4:20:02. Another off road long distance veteran Mick Clarke completed the challenge in 4:30:55 and Jan Brawn completed the line up with a fantastic 5:05:19 finish.
Everyone who participated said this was pretty much the best event they have ever entered. NRR would encourage club members to try it out next year and you too can survive the Grizzly. Every hill has a silver lining!
Cub Run
Jo Smiff 1:33:24
Grizzly
Mark Nightingale 3:12:11
Rich (the ambulance) House 3:28:55
John Fleming 3:36:38
Mark Garrettt 3:48:37
Jocelyn Granger 4:13:50
Mark Kennedy 4:13:53
Darren Baldwin 4:15:37
Suzanne Baldwin4:18:32
Jim Anderson 4:19:35
Wendy Parker 4:20:02
Ronnie Ambrose4:20:02
Mick Clarke4:30:55
Jan Brawn 5:05:19
Thursday 15 March 2012
Silverstone Half, Home Of Grand Prix Legends
Whilst others were climbing hills, Martin Andrews decided on a more sensible approach completing the Silverstone Half Marathon in a great time of 1:42:30.
Martin Andrews 1:42:30
Friends Of Mick n Phil...
Steve Prior entered his first half marathon for around twenty five years and proved that he “still has it”. Steve completed the Friends of Mick'N'Phil Half Marathon around Draycote Water in a time of 1:39:22. Beautiful sunny morning and light winds made it a very pleasant run, with friendly fellow competitors.
Steve Prior 1:39:22
Tuesday 6 March 2012
2012 Berkhamsted Half Marathon
Whilst many runners were enjoying the flatter Milton Keynes course, a trio of Northampton Road Runners carried on a little further south to Berkhamsted to take on the contracting Berkhamsted Half. The course takes in some rolling hills (one lasting for a mile) and beautiful countryside and woodland views.
Mark Kennedy took advantage of the fast down hill finish to clock a pleasing 1:40:10. Tom Sullivan also enjoyed a good run in 1:45:47 and Mary Kingsnorth was delighted to break the two-hour barrier in 1:59:43.
Results
308th Mark Kennedy 1:40:10
549th Tom Sullivan 1:45:47
958th Mary Kingsnorth 1:59:43
Mark Kennedy took advantage of the fast down hill finish to clock a pleasing 1:40:10. Tom Sullivan also enjoyed a good run in 1:45:47 and Mary Kingsnorth was delighted to break the two-hour barrier in 1:59:43.
Results
308th Mark Kennedy 1:40:10
549th Tom Sullivan 1:45:47
958th Mary Kingsnorth 1:59:43
MK Half - Debuts and PBs
| Northampton Road Runners were well represented at the Milton Keynes Half Marathon on Sunday 4th March as many left their comfortable beds for a soggy Sunday morning in the rain. Peter Moor enjoyed a great run and was first home for the club in 1:37:48. Rob Donovan continues to go from strength to strength and crossed the line in1:42:39. Adrian Tuck bagged a respectable 1:45:24 in his first ever half marathon and Charlotte Yarker was all smiles with a PB of 1:46:19. Next to finish was Bob Bateman 1:52:10 just ahead of Mary Davies who also grabbed a PB in 1:58:17. Jo Lee equalled her PB too in 1:58:33 and then a clutch more half marathon debutants followed, Debbie Holmes in 1:58:56, Paul Gray in 2:05:47, Miles Billingham in 2:06:04 and Ann Dickson in 2:11:25. Emily Ringrose and Nicola Hollowell completed the line up in 2:21:57 and 2:25:26 respectively. Results
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