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.

 

City of Sheffield 10k

On the 25^th September, three members of Grantham Running Club made the journey to Sheffield to take part in the Jane Tomlinson Run for All Sheffield 10k.

2317 runners took part in this seamlessly well organised road event, including supportive marshals and lots of enthusiastic local support along most of the route.

It is a race of two halves. It starts with challenging long uphill sections for the first 5k as you move away from Sheffield City Centre, including one short steep hill in the middle of the race, but luckily there is a water station at this point! The good part is what goes up must come down; the second half of the race is downhill the majority of the way home.

Clive George was first home in a superb time of 46:53. Next home was Julia Hallam in 1:07:03, followed by Brendon Buckley in 01:09:01.

Clive could only mutter the word ‘hilly’ to describe the course afterwards, however smashed out the first 5k in a ridiculous time of 22.32 which was uphill!

Julia paid the price of running in the GRC Grand Prix series the prior day, however very much enjoyed the fast downhill sections of the course, and listening to the brass band play the can-can on route put a smile on her face.

Brendon kept his eye on the 1:10 pacing team the organisers put on as part of the event and was delighted with overtaking them and bringing in a seasons’ best time by 2 minutes 34 seconds.

Overall, all three runners enjoyed the challenging route and received a medal, t-shirt and bag of goodies at the end of the race.

City of Lincoln Half Marathon

On the 18th of September, three members of Grantham Running Club made the journey along with 1,200 runners to Lincoln, to take part in the first Lincoln City Half Marathon, organised by Curly’s Athletes, in partnership with Lincoln City Foundation.

Despite a last-minute change to the location of the finish line and event village, the half marathon was a great success with people turning up in large numbers to cheer on their friends and family taking part.

Flags celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II accompanied runners on Sunday and 2 minutes silence was held before the race started as a mark of respect, on the eve of Her Majesty’s funeral.

The race, which spanned streets across central and south Lincoln, had been postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and was welcomed by athletes of all experience levels, many raising money for charity.

Dean Riggall was first home in an outstanding time of 1:23:33, earning him a fantastic new PB, winning his age category and finishing in 14th place overall.

Next home was Robin Atter in 1:42:12 followed by Tracy Webb 2:24:21.

All three runners enjoyed the route and received a medal and a cake at the end of the race.

 

Equinox24

On the 17^th September, Equinox24 returned to the grounds of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.  The 24-hour takes place around the beautiful grounds of the estate on a mixed terrain loop of 10k and played host to huge numbers of runners over the weekend.

Competitors have 24 hours to cover as many laps as possible, as part of a team, solo or in pairs.  For those of a more sensible disposition there are also the stand-alone day and night-time 10k races over the same course.

The main event kicked off just before noon with a minute’s applause to honour Her Majesty the Queen.  The after the countdown, the daytime 10k and 24 hour race runners all set off to loud cheers as they ran through the camp before setting out on the main course.  The route wound its way around a large field full of ruts which claimed many an ankle before a slight respite on tarmac before a long drag uphill, taking runners to the very top of the village of Woolsthorpe. They then began to descend a very steep hill where skis might have been more appropriate, only to then be faced with ‘That Hill’, the notoriously precipitous climb where crawling is a legitimate approach. 

Once runners reach the summit, they then had the chance to gallop as fast as they dare over the uneven ground to get back to the finish line which involved nearly a full lap of the camp where the support from fellow runners was amazing.

In the day 10k, the first GRC runner to cross the line was Gav Meadows in an impressive 45:06, putting him just outside the podium in 4^th place.  He was especially pleased as the course was ‘brutal”, but he was 45 seconds faster than his last try in 2018.

Next back for GRC was Paul Davis in a time of 51:44, putting him in 24^th place in a field of 212, improving on his time and position from 2021 by a huge margin.

Sylv Hull and Zoe Wragg also ran the daytime 10k but made the mistake of starting too far back in the pack so spent the first mile weaving round walkers.  However, once they got free, they both enjoyed their races, spending most of the time within a whisker of one another.  First timer Zoe had no idea what to expect but loved seeing other club mates out on the course and was very pleased with her time of 56:36, especially given the steep inclines and terrain.  She commented that ‘That Hill’ was even worse than advertised. 

Sylv was thrilled to get a course PB and a time of 56:03.  She and Zoe were 10^th and 12^th females respectively, both their highest positions ever in a race.

GRC also fielded two solo runners who set out to test their mental and physical fitness.  Andrew Macallister put in a real shift to complete an amazing 15 laps, putting him 2^nd in his age category and 28^th out of 291 solo runners.

Jason Walker was looking to do as much as he could after coming back from injury and produced a brilliant 9 laps.

The club had one small team, Nathan’s Runners and Walkers who run in memory of a much-missed club member.  Martin Carter was first out in the mass start and went on to run 4 consistent laps.  Sarah High was next and provided the team not only with 4 very speedy laps, but the fastest time up ‘That Hill’.

Penny Hodges ran a fantastically swift lap but unfortunately had to pull up injured during her second lap so retired.

Dale Towning stormed round to get a huge course PB and was honoured to run in memory of Nathan Walker.  He also ran a double lap to get the team up the rankings.

CJ Walker applied her usual grit and determination to run two laps but sadly also had to pull up injured.  Overall the team ran 15 laps between them, coming 58^th out of 91 teams.  Not shabby at all given the injuries.

The night 10k kicked off at 8pm, necessitating the use of head torches which could be seen twinkling along the route from miles away.  Sam Dodwell was first across the finish for GRC in a fantastic time of 44:10, earning him a place on the podium for second, a trophy and goody bag which included the glow in the dark medal.

Russell Maksymiw ran a fantastic race, storming round in 47:23, obtaining a new course PB and 5^th place overall which he was thrilled with.

Paul Davis in his second race in 8 hours came over the line in 55:58, putting him at 28^th out of 221.

Sylv Hull was next in 56:20 having enjoyed the cold conditions and the experience of running in the dark.  Not long after was Zoe Wragg in 58:34,, another great run.  Sylv and Zoe crossed the finish line as 7^th and 11^th female respectively.

Next back for GRC were new members Debbs Jones and Emma Clackson, who are recent graduates of the club’s Beginning To Run scheme.  To say they picked a challenging debut race would be an understatement, contending with dark, hills and rough ground.  Both absolutely rose to the challenge with Debbs putting in a time of 1:03:55 (17^th female out of 105) and Emma crossing the line in 1:12:40, both fantastic times.

Catherine Wallace also competed in the night 10k, on her journey back to fitness and put in a great time of 1:12:43 and 40^th female.

The event had an amazing atmosphere and being on the doorstep meant that friends and family including clubmates could come and spend the day supporting and making the most of the excellent food available (plus the bus bar).  The donuts were a particular highlight and runners were treated to free event photos.