Grace's Gallop 10k Race

 

The UK Chasers Cross Country course at Great Ponton was the venue for this memorial race that attracted most of the greats from Grantham running over the past 40 years to pay tribute to Grace Plant, a popular runner and coach who passed away this autumn.

 

Despite being organised at short notice the event attracted just under 200 entries with a starting line-up including the legendary Ian Fisher putting on a Grantham Vest for the first time in 15 years for this run. Also coaxed out of retirement were Jan Anderson, one of the best veteran female runners the town has ever seen and Dave Madge who wasn’t that far off the pace.  For those who no longer ran such as Chris Cant and Sue Britain there was the option of the walk whilst teammates who were injured or caught up in the organisation such as Tony, Madge, Paul Davidson, John Bainbridge and John Ellerby had to be content with cheering on from the side of the course.

 

As you would expect many of Grace’s close friends finished at the sharp end of the field with Vicki Greenhall finishing as first lady and Sarah Walker as first Female Veteran. Local ladies Emma Johnston and Penny Hodges finished second and third. In the men’s race we saw the promising Junior, Jake Richardson superbly represent the next generation of local runners with an outright win, Matthew Kingston-Lee was runner up and first senior with the evergreen Arthur Short in third place as first veteran. Steve Gould, now representing Wigan Phoenix was first MV50 just a few paces in front of Grace’s brother, Dave Philp, representing East Cornwall Harriers. In 13^th place overall and first MV60 was Steve “Bunny” Bunn now running for Harborough A C. Also running were 1980’s marathon star Phil Hall, Grace’s training partner Caryn Garner and Marathon de Sable finisher Adam Foyster.

 

Race Director, Gordon Geach, commented that he was astounded by the quality of the field and thanked those track and road runners for risking their fitness in a hard cross country event.

 

The photo is (Left to right) Matthew Kingston-Lee, Jake Richardson, and Arthur Short.

 

 

 

 

Pins Out for John

John is hoping to have one of the pins removed from his ankle on Wednesday
27th November; it is hope that this stabilising bolt's removal will let him
move more freely as he continues his rehabilitation.

Newark Parkrun #26, Sconce and Devon Park, Newark, Nottinghamshire, Saturday 23 November 2013.

Four members of Grantham Running Club finished in the top ten of Newark parkrun #26 on Saturday 23 November with Matthew Kingston-Lee taking first position and Lucy Roberts second lady on her parkrun debut at the free-to-enter 5km timed run at Sconce and Devon Park.

Third after the opening half kilometer, Matthew moved into second halfway round the first of three laps and shortly thereafter took the lead and eased out a gap on the chasing runners. Running comfortably to the finish, Matthew equalled his course PB of 18:16, eighteen seconds clear of second placed Tomas Tresnak.

He was followed by fellow members of Grantham Running Club in the top ten. Kevin Baker, making his parkrun debut, was somewhat surprised to find himself fourth in the opening stages of the run. He slipped to sixth by the finish, but after a typically spirited run, was pleased to clock 21:54. He was followed in tenth position by Rob McArdle, who celebrated his second highest finish at Newark parkrun and his third fastest time with 22:59.

Lucy Roberts ran excellently to finish second lady and 26th overall, clocking 26:19 and just 21 seconds behind first lady Janet Davies. The fifth Grantham Running Club runner to finish was Jane Mihill, who finished 53rd overall and fifteenth lady on her parkrun debut, clocking 31:03.

Graces Gallop 2013

	Graces Gallop 2013 » You can also view all 391 items as a slideshow Grace's Gallop Photo's

The 29th Christmas Eve Run 2013 : The Scandinavian Connection

 

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There is no doubt that the Scandinavians were in these parts in the past.  Even before ABBA and Bjorn Borg!  They swept through various settlements including Lincolnshire and  Leicestershire.  Many village names emanate from them.

Ones ending in  ‘...by’  or   ‘...thorpe’ for example i.e. Ingleby, Oadby, Harby,  Woolsthorpe. 

There are rumours of them raping and pillaging as they went, with great horns in their hats.  This is not true, of course, they did not have horns, at least not on their hats.  Anyway I am sure they would have taken their hats off first.

We intend to go to the village of Stathern which has been visited before but this time it is the Plough which is the pub of choice.

We have a guest runner from Sweden participating.  Gustaf Eriksson is staying with us to sample a British Christmas, so the Christmas Eve Run is a good introduction.  He is far too polite to pillage.   He informs me that The Swedish Father Christmas is called Tomten and delivers everyone’s presents for Christmas Eve.  Tomten can, I believe, take many forms and there are various pictures of Tomten from the usual large fat man in red to the one I prefer in which he looks rather like a small yeti with a blue rinse beard. 

He does come in a sleigh, probably made by Volvo  but the pulling power will vary depending on which animals are around.  Usually reindeer but I have seen a picture of him with a large horned goat.  It would make sense, at other times, if moose did the pulling, as they are damn great leggy things and bound to speed up the journey.  There are plenty around in Scandinavia.  

 

Gimme Gimme Gimme the Christmas Eve Run

(with apologies To Benny Anderson of ABBA)

Its Half past ten

24^th December and I hope they have remembered

That this is the day they have trained for

Hail, rain, snow

And the wind is blowing harder,

We have emptied out the larder

But the pub will have good ale and food and more

Are there  real fires there

And a comfy chair.....

Gimme gimme gimme a run every Christmas

Across fields and through hedges and over a ditch

Gimme gimme gimme a run every Christmas

Though I am limping and keep getting a stitch  .....etc..

 

Other ABBA songs which didn’t quite make it that could be sung while running across the fields

Running Running Running,  The Winner Buys The Round,  Waterlogged

Running Queen,   Knowing Feet Knowing Shoe,  Thank You For The Mud Track

 

Meet at Bjorn Fishersson’s house,  37 Hurst Crescent, Barrowby  for refreshment at about 9.30ish  and be ready to run at about 10.30ish.  Bring dry clothes in a bag to change into in pub.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR MENU CHOICES BEFORE THE DAY

 

CHRISTMAS EVE RUN 2013 - THE PLOUGH INN, STATHERN, LE14 4HW

 

 

FOOD ORDER for Grantham Runners

NAME
email

 

PRICE	ITEM	QUANTITY REQUIRED
STARTERS
£5.50	Whitebait
£5.95	Prawn Cocktail
£4.95	Chicken liver paté
£4.75	Fresh soup of the day
£4.75	Garlic mushrooms
£3.25	Garlic bread
£3.75	Garlic bread and cheese
	MAINS
£8.25	Lasagne
£8.25	Chilli con carne
£8.50	Home cooked ham, egg and chips
£9.95	Chicken supreme
£8.50	Sausage and mash
£8.50	Steak and ale pie
£7.95	Chef’s curry of the day
	VEGETARIAN
£8.25	Vegetable lasagne
£8.50	The Plough Inn cheese tart
£7.95	Spicy beanburger

The Landlord says we can have the lounge for the afternoon.  It is primed with a good real fire and is really comfy. 

He wants 50% deposit though, so I am suggesting that folks put at least £5 deposit each, or whatever.  OK?

Let me know as soon as possible with menu choices if you are coming, through the usual people. Or email me iandjfisher37@gmail.com

About 9.30 at 37 Hurst Crescent, Barrowby, with bag of dry clothes, to be exchanged for mince pies etc....

 

ASICS Target 26.2 Boot Camp

We are delighted to announce that Paul “Rushie” Rushworth has been chosen to attend this year’s ASICS Target 26.2 Boot camp out of over 2.600 applicants this year with only 50 are making it through for the selection day.

The judging panel was made up of 6 running experts including members of the Runner’s World editorial team, the ASICS Pro Team and the 2 running coaches who will be taking our finalists through to Paris next year. Reading his application they felt that he could bring a lot to the table and that Paul had the credentials to break that 3 hour barrier!

The Boot camp day is a selection day for our 5 finalists and will be held on Friday November 29^th

 

Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, Leeds, Yorkshire, Sunday 17 November 2013.

Matthew Kingston-Lee set a new Grantham RC club record and smashed a thirteen year old personal best when he clocked 34:34 at the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, held on Sunday 17 November 2013. Matthew, who is enjoying the form of his life after an injury affected first half of the year,  was delighted to better his old 10k best of 35:06, set at Chelmsley Wood in 2000.

The Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, hosted for the 29th time, is primarily held to race funds for Age UK and this year saw a record 12,500 entrants. Its reputation as a fast, flat, out-and-back end of year 10k has meant it has become the final round of the runbritain Grand Prix and also acts as the England 10k Championships. Conditions were perfect for the race, cool, with leaden skies, and the merest wisp of a breeze.

The course had altered slightly this year to accommodate the extra entrants, meaning a slightly unwelcome climb in the final kilometer. Nevertheless, runners would be hard pushed to find a quicker course on the British Isles.

Matthew, reveling in being surrounded by a mass peloton of fast runners, went through the opening  5k in 17:30. Following the sharp U-turn at halfway, he picked up and maintained the pace, running the second half of the race in 17:04 to clock 34:34 and earn himself his first 80%+ WAVA age graded result (80.98%).

Such was the quality of the field - the men's race was won by Matthew Hynes of North York Moors in 29:23 and the women's race by GB international Louise Damen of Winchester in 33:04 - Matthew found himself finishing in a relatively lowly 245th position. This though was of little concern for Matthew, who now focuses his attention on attempting to break his 10 mile PB at the forthcoming Nene Valley 10 on December 1st.

123 for GRC

At this week’s Newark Parkrun Grantham Running Club’s ladies finished first second and third in a clean sweep of the places. There was a top ten finish for Chris Massingham with Stephanie also making an impressive debut scoring over 50% on this tough course. Rebecca Jones’ rehabilitation from long term injury continued with her completing the run. Paul Durham’s effort makes him strong favourite for the 2013 Ian Fisher Trophy.

 

Cross Country

Hi everyone

 

The third Cross Country fixture in the Lincolnshire League takes place this Sunday (17 November) at Riseholme College, Lincoln, LN2 2LG.  The distance is approx 5K for the ladies and 10K for the men.  Please let me know asap if you are interested in taking part and I can then give you further details (although I am still awaiting confirmation of the timings for the races from the organizers at the moment 

For your information the remaining cross country dates for the diary are:

 

Match 4 – Sunday 8 December – venue tba but probably near Louth

Sunday 5 January 2014 – Lincolnshire Cross Country Championships at PGL Caythorpe

 

Thank you.

 

Sarah High

 

 

New Members

 

 

Welcome to the club Katy Francis and Grace Morton and good luck with your first races. Wendy (pictured right) has upgraded her membership to UKA in order to compete in this year's Cross Country Series, we are sure your new trail shoes will be required for Sunday unless she would prefer waders!

Member of the Month - November:

Our member of the month for November has been awarded to Chris England for his hard work in training and completing his first ever half marathon at Peterborough. Chris will be a popular choice with all those who have followed his progress this year.
Read how he does it on www.granthamrunningclub

 

24th December Christmas Eve Run

 : Preparations are well under way for this fabulous event, it starts at half ten from Barrowby and is cross country to the either the Plough at Stathern or The Durham Ox at Orston. The route will be approximately ten miles of track and looks certain to be very, very muddy.  Don't worry if that sounds a bit extreme for you as we also have a short course of around four and a half miles. There is transport to get your kit bag from the start to the finish. If you are working that morning and can't get there for the run we would love to accommodate you either for the meal or a cosy fireside drink in the afternoon.  For the menu and more information please see our Christmas 2013 page or if you want to book the seat beside the real fire e-mail us.

Sports Massage & Injury Clinic

 

 

We would like to make you aware of our new clinic that has now opened at Hough on the hill.

 

We are currently offering a discounted appointment price for all those interested.

 

If you wish to make a booking simply email or contact me via my mobile listed below.

 

Please be aware mobile network coverage is not great here at Hough on the hill so if you cant get through please send a text messages.

 

Kind regards

 

Dan Murray
Managing Director & Founder
PURO-NUTRITION™ & PURO-MOTION™

Email: Dan@puro-nutrition.com
Tel: +44 (0) 7969757020
Web: www.puro-nutrition.com

 

Remembrance 11k race Dave Kay

 

Seagrave Wolds Challenge

Seagrave Wolds Challenge, Seagrave, Leicestershire

Four members of Grantham Running Club made the short journey to Seagrave to take part in the Seagrave Wolds Challenge on Saturday 9 November 2013. The 15.7 mile course utilises footpaths, bridleways, farmland, private estates, canal paths, quiet country lanes and some sections on road as runners and walkers headed over mostly gently rolling countryside from Seagrave to the outskirts of Loughborough before heading back to Seagrave via Barrow-upon-Soar.  
The event, now in its seventh year, draws inspiration from similar walk / run / cycle events such as the Belvoir Challenge, Viking Challenge, Waltham Winder and Sherrard Stride. Recent heavy rainfall made the going tough on the off-road sections, with even trail shoe clad runners struggling for traction on sections of the course. Conditions were cloudy and cool but thankfully stayed dry with barely a breeze.
First home for Grantham was Matthew Kingston-Lee. Not renowned for his fondness of, or prowess on, muddy off-road conditions, Matthew made hay on the road and canal path sections whilst coping as best he could on the slippery stuff. He survived a late race stumble over a stile and a marauding herd of cattle to come home in a creditable tenth position, clocking 1:47:51. The winner of an event which saw over 500 entrants was Jake Harrison, who clocked 1:41:00.
Matthew was followed by Ben Hatherley, who had a strong run to finish 33rd in 2:01:58. Paul Reeves was next to cross the finish line, clocking 2:03:12 to claim 38th position. Ben Mason came home muddied but pleased to finish 82nd in 2:15:38.
In addition to feeding stations on course, the finish was awash with cakes, hot puddings, and soup for those who fancied something a little savoury. With a free T-Shirt and printed finish certificate, the event represented very good money for a well marshalled and signposted event