Majorca Half Marathon

 

On a rainy Friday in October, 6 members of Grantham Running Club got on a plane and travelled nearly a thousand miles to take part in the half marathon and 10k in Palma, Majorca.  This was the first time any of the group had taken part in a foreign race.

Their Balearic adventure began the day before with a brilliant expo where runners were treated to a pasta party and collected their numbers which displayed their national flags.  7,000 runners from all over the world were present as well lots from Europe and during the race all manner accents could be heard (including erm..Newark).

The race itself started early on the Sunday morning with a beautiful stretch along the coast, starting in front of the spectacular and enormous Santa Maria Cathedral.  Runners worked their way from the start along the sea front for around 7 miles before hitting the hill that took them into the stunning historical city of Palma.  The out and back nature of the start was particularly special as it meant club mates were able to see and shout encouragement to one another as they passed on opposite sides of the road.

The route then snaked around the narrow, cobbled streets and shopping areas where the crowd support was phenomenal, with DJs playing music, brass bands and drumming troupes making for an amazing soundtrack to the race.

Despite the early start, the heat soon climbed, making for a challenging race.  The comparative cool of the narrow shaded streets offered a little respite (while offering the challenge of hills) before the course headed back into full exposure to the sun as runners headed towards the finish back on the sea front.

First back for GRC was Richard Payne in a season’s best of 1:34:39 as he continues to improve race on race.  Happy running in the heat, he finished strongly with the last 3 miles being his fastest.

Hot on his heels was Sam Dodwell in 1:35:27 who also set a personal best at the local karaoke bar that night.  Not only was this his first race abroad, it was his first time travelling outside of the UK. Sam suffered with the fast pace at the start but was happy to keep a consistent pace then on till the end. Kudos also to the Palma police  who marshalled the whole of the route"

For Naomi Rivers this was the furthest she had run all year and was thrilled to bits to come over the line in 2:01:33. This was also the biggest event she had ever taken part in and she loved the support shown on the course.  The lead up to the race (including the food and the weather), the atmosphere on the day and the post run swim in the sea contributed to this being her favourite race to date.

Sylv Hull flagged in the heat somewhat but loved the atmosphere and experience of running round such a beautiful city and posted a time of 2:07:32.

Zoe Wragg ran an excellent 2:08:30 despite feeling a little off-colour during the latter stages of the race and was pleased to complete in sub 2:10 in the Spanish heat.  She enjoyed the unique route and experience of racing abroad and even had a chat with some ladies from Newark Striders on the way round!

Julia Hallam took part in the 10k that never was.  Due to a last-minute route change, the course was shortened to 9k.  Julia certainly didn’t complain and enjoyed every minute of her race with a huge smile on her face.  She also gained a PB for a whole new distance of 1:00:09.

West Pinchbeck 10k

A sunny Sunday morning saw the Green Army descend on West Pinchbeck for the 10k event that nearly didn’t go ahead due to low numbers.   Thankfully Halmer Harriers Running Club did a sterling marketing job and attracted a healthy number of entries and everyone who ran was impressed with the organisation and enthusiasm of everyone involved. The energy of the marshals keeping everyone going on the course was commended by everyone who took part. A teasing barbecue on the go prior to the race certainly encouraged people to get round quickly and sample it and there was a rare surprise of a photo booth which Sylv and Wayne gave a test drive before the remaining members squeezed in way too excitedly! Who doesn’t love a photo booth?!

Next it was down to the serious stuff, 211 people stood on the start line including 14 from GRC. There was a gentle breeze flowing around the course, which became a slightly unwelcome headwind midway round the race) which was a nice flat route around the outskirts of West Pinchbeck.

First home for the club was Richard Payne in P25 and a season’s best of 42:37, taking over a minute off his previous best this year. Next back in P60 was the in-form Dale Towning who romped home to a 4-minute PB, joining the sub 50 club in an impressive time of 49:22.

Next home and first lady for the club was Naomi Rivers (P76) in a speedy 51:36, continuing her great return to fitness.   Sylv Hull (P87) followed in 53:35 and despite competing in a lot of races recently is showing some amazing consistency over a variety of distances. Next home was Paula Ebbins with arguably the performance of the day smashing a 9-minute PB in a fantastic 54:19.

These superb performances led to GRC winning the ladies team event, with top 10 finishes in their categories for all 3 them. Naomi and Sylv finished a very commendable 4^th and 9^th in their category and Paula finished in an impressive 6^th place in her category.

Finishing in P105 was Wayne Baxter with a solid time of 55:21 despite a couple of niggles over the last few weeks which has affected his training.  Shortly after was Emma Duncan who gave a mention to the splendid atmosphere and enjoyed the course which helped her put our a progressive run, finishing in 57:55 and a return to the sub 60 enclosure which she was very pleased with on the day.

Emma Weighill, in her first 10k race since April, crossed the line in 1:01:6 and was noted by the photographer to be the most smiley runner of the day, tackling the course with her usual cheery attitude.

Catherine Wallace was thrilled to finish in 1:02:18, as her return to fitness continues after a self-confessed custard habit derailed her training.

Next home was Natalie Hardwick in a time of 1:04:23 giving her a place of 21^st in her category and she was closely followed by Yvonne Buckley in a time of 1:04:46 who also loved the event and said the organisation and flat course ensures she will return in the future.

The next member over the line was our very own parkrun enthusiast Julia Hallam. Her love of parkrun tourism has spurred her on to competing on a regular basis and her time of 1:07:42 was a big step in the right direction.  Not normally one for race bling, Julia was quick to give a special mention with the words “Oooh look, a pretty medal” which was a just reward for another good run.

Saving the very best for last was the impressive Brendon Buckley who just continues to perform race on race. He finished in a time of 1:12:26 and also paid tribute to the well-run local event with brilliant enthusiastic support for all runners with a good turnout from the Green Army.

Race winner was Alan Oliver from Sleaford Striders in a time of 33:49 and the female race winner was Rachel Doherty of Higham harriers in a time of 38:24.

Female team winners were Grantham Running Club.

 

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻

 

Grantham Running Club member, Tommy Napier being the sole entrant from the club, travelled to Inverness for the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon on 2nd October. This was his first ever marathon and had been on his bucket list for some time. Proper training started 1st July with a gradual increase in mileage from his normal 12 mile a week to an average of 26 miles a week over the 12 week training cycle.

The route is arguably the most appealing of any marathon as well as the organisation. The 26-mile experience takes in the beautiful Highland scenery along the shores of Loch Ness, before crossing the River Ness and reaching the finish line in Bught Park in Inverness.

The 2500+ runners are transported by coach to the start line between Fort Augustus and Foyers. They then follow the route (B852) down to the edge of the loch at Foyers. Participants then follow Loch Ness’s south-eastern shore, making their way north-eastwards towards Dores at the northern edge of the loch. After Dores, the runners head into the Centre of Inverness, following the River Ness for the last mile to the finish line at Bught Park.

Tommy's race strategy basically went out the window from the start, having gone off to fast for the first 13 miles in 02:01. Tommy had to dig deep into his reserves as he found the course challenging from 18 miles onward with the onset of leg cramps. He was satisfied to eventually complete the race in a time of 4:50:52.

He enjoyed chatting to fellow runners from the international field and the 900-mile round road trip over 5 days was well worth the effort .

The weather was ideal on the day starting at 10am. Being led to the start line with a pipe band playing was a nice touch by the organizers. Runners received a T shirt, and a medal with a welcome cup of Baxters soup at the finish

The race was won by Dougie Selman of Corstorphine AAC in a time of 2:23:53, and the first female was Jemima Farley in a time of 2:48:15.

Tissington Trail Half Marathon

 

The Tissington Trail Half Marathon is held over two dates across one weekend and has established itself as a real favourite with runners, often selling out months in advance and regularly featuring in the Runner's World top 10 UK trail races. The race features chip timing, a quality bespoke medal plus well-stocked aid stations throughout.

Running along a 13-mile route from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne in Derbyshire, surrounded by beautiful countryside with a slightly downhill profile, it makes for an ideal half marathon race, with gravity on your side!

Grantham Running Club had a presence on both days over the weekend and all agreed it was a great race with the weather luckily on their side. Runners were bussed from Ashbourne to the start line in Parsley Hay ready to undertake the 13.1 mile run back.

The Saturday saw 364 runners taking part and first home for GRC and placing 28^th overall was Sam Dodwell in a time of 01:35:00. Sam was pleased that his progressive tactic to start steady and pick up speed as the miles went by paid off and gave him this great time.

Next over the finish line was Dale Towning who was delighted to gain an “unofficial” PB of 01:42:38 which is 26 minutes and 22 seconds quicker than his last half marathon time back in 2019 – a  massive improvement. Dale felt the event was well organised and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

First lady back for GRC was Sylv Hull who also gained a new “unofficial” PB coming home in a time of 01.56.58. Sylv acknowledged that the downhill profile helped her get this time but also found the gradual decline tough on the legs for such a period.  Sylv hopes to improve on her 2019 PB of 02:05:21 in a road race at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Next home and placing 5^th in her age category was Zoe Wragg in a time of 01:58:00. Zoe was pleased with this 5-minute improvement on her Great North Run time 2 weeks prior and was happy to enter sub-2-hour territory.

 

Alison Clark was next to cross the line in a time of 02:04:07, which gave her a 20-minute improvement on her previous PB time from October 2019. Alison found it different to run a point-to-point race and enjoyed the open paths and scenery along the way.

Coming in, in a respectable time of 02.24.10, was Yvonne Buckley. Yvonne appreciated the friendly marshals along the route but found the downhill running harder work on the legs than anticipated.

Next was the Sunday race, which included 4 of our GRC runners amongst a field of 303.

First home was Kevin Kettle who came 36^th overall in a great time of 01:38:25.

Nicola Cottam was next in for the club, coming 6^th in her category, in a great time of 01:56:09.  Nicola commented on how lovely and scenic the route was.

Kate Marshall crossed the line in a time of 02:12:13. Kate enjoyed the trail route despite not feeling on top form on the day and was pleased the sun made an appearance once the race began.

The final GRC runner was Tracy Webb who finished in a respectable time of 02:16:29.

The 2023 race date has already been announced as Sunday 24th September 2023 for those wanting to secure their place early!

 

Robin Hood Half Marathon.

Four members of Grantham Running Club made the journey to Nottingham on the 25th September to take part in the Robin Hood half marathon.

Nearly 4,000 runners runners were cheered on by crowds as the annual race returned to Nottingham. Starting on the Victoria Embankment, the single lap traffic-free course took a picturesque route along the the River Trent, past Nottingham Castle and through The Park Estate and Wollaton Park (home of Wayne Manor Batman fans). The course returned to the Victoria Embankment Recreation ground next to the River Trent where the finish line lined with supporters awaited.

First home for GRC was Piers Pye-watson in an impressive 1:23:34. Next home, completing his third half marathon in 3 weeks Robin Atter 1:33:58, closely followed by Matthew Atter (no relation) 1:34:24. Cameron Hoggan completed the return home for GRC with a time of 1:58:17.

The race was won by Kadar Omar of Birchfield Harriers in 1:05:37. Sarah Lowery of Rotherham Harriers and AC was the first woman to cross the finish line, ending the route with a time 1:23:46.