Latest Results 24/02/14 – Mike Gulis

RUNNING

Parkrun Junior 2K
Our Juniors were in action at 2 venues, namely Cambridge (2nd place for Jack Scott) & Jubilee Park (George Jenner & Alexander Eason with both finishing in the top 8).

Parkrun 5K
Several local Parkrun venues were again cancelled by the weather conditions, including Huntingdon. Other venues were luckier so BRJ’ers returned to Bedford, Brighton & Hove (5th place for Alex Mitton), Conwy (Course PB for Richard Braddick), Letchworth, Luton Wardown, Market Rasen Racecourse, Rutland Water (Course PB’s for Claire Ashton & Andrew Stevenson + Parkrun #350 for Melanie Gearing), Soham Village College, University of Northampton, Wendover Woods, Whittlesey & Wimpole. At Storeys Field, Jim Greenley secured a new Club 5K PB by a 15 Sec margin & Kerry Surkitt achieved a Course PB.

4 BRJ’ers made overseas Club Debuts at Claisebrook Cove (Perth, Australia) by Nigel Maggs, Paradise Point by Phil Pearsons (Gold Coast, Australia), Riemer (Munich, Germany) by Mark Jackman & Western Springs (Auckland, New Zealand) by Alice Noyes

Nick Beer Llandudno 10K (Report by Richard Braddick)
I can best describe this course as the “Beauty and the Beast”. The run starts on the promenade in Llandudno and heads out pass the pier and onto the Great Orme. The scenery is spectacular as you climb up the Orme, views out to sea and across to Anglesey. However, the 1,325 foot climb over 5K is a beast with very few respites, and was coupled with a strong headwind all the way up. The longest and steepest stretch is about 2.5K long, but when you get to the top the beautiful views make it totally worthwhile.

Then the fun part, 2K of steep downhill. Unfortunately my brain and legs thought this is fun and took over thinking downhill to the finish. But no, another steep climb awaited, which my brain said “no way” and the fast downhill sprint quickly turned into a slow painful jog until the top of the incline until you reach the pier and then the crowds help you on to the finish. I completed in a time of 00:50;14 in overall position 191 / 627. For my efforts, I was rewarded with a nice Welsh slate coaster momento and other goodies at the finish. I was later told by some of the elite athletes that this race course was the equivalent of 12.5K flat terrain & can well believe them. Despite the challenges, I thoroughly recommend this race if you are ever in North Wales. It is certainly testing but very rewarding & possibly the most scenic 10K I’ve ever run. I have already entered for 2025.

Welwyn Garden City 10K
Following her Course PB at Saturday’s Storeys Field Parkrun, Kerry Surkitt completed the Welwyn GC 10K in position 82 / 313 in a chip time of 00:50:32. Kerry secured runners-up position in her age category.

Stamford 30K
This was the 30th edition of this 18.75 Mile undulating course that tours several rural areas North of Stamford & was run in the best weather conditions for many years. The event is widely used as a part of a pre-spring Marathon training campaign & in most cases even a successful finish convinces you that additional long distance endurance training is required! The event is also the “Nominated” event for February in the 2024 BRJ Senior Running Championships.

In 2024, just 3 BRJ’ers, Jon Daulton, Jonathan Harding & Paul Mitton were among the 630 finishers. Our squad was led home by Jonathan in his Club Debut over the distance. His impressive finish time places him as 9th fastest BRJ Man over the distance. Next home, Paul Mitton, had to dig deep over the 2nd half & his determination was rewarded wth a new Club 30K PB by a 24 Sec margin compared to his time in 2023. Jon Daulton also made is Club 30K Debut. The full suite of results, including the Age / Gender Graded scores counting towards the Club Championships are

The next “Nominated” event in the 2024 Senior Running Championships is the Oakley (Bedford) 20M taking place on the 24 March. Sadly, the race is now sold out.