| Duck Pond Waddle
- Sunday 4 December It's wet, it's muddy,
it's 15k of hard work but it's a fantastic run -
the aptly named Worthing Duck Pond Waddle. The
facilities are also terrific, as the Worthing
club shares a clubhouse with the Tennis Club. A
shower was certainly a must after this one. Helen
dutifully kept up the tradition of losing a shoe,
if not two, in the heaviest of the mud - but did
manage a retrieval exercise before they sank
without trace!
Beachy
Head - Saturday 29 October
Mike Aboussalem 4.07 (100th)
Sarah Ratcliffe 4.07 (101st)
Bridgit Weekes 4.37 (247th)
Mike Turner 4.44 (307th)
Adrian Walters 4.54 (364th)
Colin Poole 5.02 (409th)
Chris Young 5.03 (414th)
Alison Jelly 5.17 (499th)
Ron Gadd 5.23 (530th) - aka John Soper (as Ron
took his place at last minute)
Walkers included Phil and
Jane Greenfield (and while not strictly a BV,
Charlie, Chris Young's husband who beat his
effort in doing so last year).
It took some years for the
persuasive powers of Colin Poole to get me to
take part in this event after hearing the many
conflicting stories of cold, wind, rain & MUD
with scenic South Downs views & food!
My first venture in 2004
resulted in a 5hr 15min finish time, cuts,
bruises, a twisted ankle & a jarred back. But
there I was on the start line with fitness levels
only enough to complete a half Marathon.
My tactics were to walk up
the hills, run the flat bits & down the
hills.
The maroon went off bang on
9 o’clock, literally, & I saw the
leaders disappear running up the first hill.
The first point of interest
was “the loan Piper” in full regalia
after a mile or so. This coincided soon after
with the only bit of sun I saw all day, shining
on Sovereign Harbour at the far end of
Eastbourne. Some of the paths earlier on need
total concentration as I learned to my cost last
year. This time with no incident.
I reached the first
checkpoint at 8.8 miles in 91 mins. Quite a long
stint without a drink. Colin & Chris both
passed me while I was re-hydrating & munching
my way through 3 or 4 milky ways/mars bars.
Alfriston was a further mile away followed by a
muddy slippery climb back up to the top of the
ridge & the 2 miles to the 2nd
checkpoint at Bo Peep (2hrs 9 min). I had felt
quite comfortable up until this stage but after
leaving the stop you turn towards the coast are
hit by a side wind which made me put my jacket
back on.
The sign “You are about
half way” (2hrs 25 mins) on a gate post on
top of a ridge in the middle of nowhere did not
encourage me but a comment that it was mostly
down hill to the next checkpoint at Litlington
did which I reached at 2hrs 53mins. The paths had
also improved by this stage. Having downed
half a cup of hot coffee, 3 or 4 cups of fruit
juice & a sausage roll, (I passed on the
current bun) I left 4 mins later just as Colin
was arriving. You now head towards Westdean woods
and “The Steps” all 218 of them! There
was a bit of a queue & some wag at the back
said “who’s not running at the
front”. At the top you climb over the
wall & run down to the A259 crossing at
Exceat (3hrs 20 mins). There were a large number
of spectators at this point encouraging everyone
to run past. 100 yards further on everyone broke
into a walk!
At this point I calculated 1
hour 40 mins to beat the 5hr mark & only The
7 Sisters to go. “No problem”!
The legs were beginning to
find going down hill a struggle anything up was a
major slog. The Coast Guards provided a welcomed
intermediate stop at the top of one of the
climbs.
Birling Gap (4hrs 14 mins),
4 miles’ish to go. The tactics have to
change. Try & run for a minute & walk for
a minute. That didn’t work. Pick points to
run too & from, more successful.
The final climb to the top
of Beachy Head was tough but get past the pub
& on down the hill all the way to the finish.
The sight looking down onto
the Beaches at Eastbourne from the top was far
better than I had imagined.
A familiar voice of Shirley
welcomed me to the finish. (4 hrs 54 mins)
No accidents, a couple of
blisters, a tremendous event.
I’m hooked. I’ll
be back next year. (Ed: better get your diary out - the
event will be held on 28 October 2006.)
Adrian
Orpington
10K - Sunday 26 June
Jane Greenfield
56.48 (310th)
Phil Greenfield 45.02 (79th)
Les Humphrey 59.14 (349th)
John Bennett 47.04 (111th)
Mike Aboussalem 42.15 (40th)
Chris Young 51.41 (202nd - 2nd FV45)
John Soper 57.11 (318th)
Mike Martineau 54.23 (267th)
Beth Wilkinson 61.22 (372nd)
Tony Unseld 61.18 (371st)
Anne Unseld 61.57 (382nd)
Geoff Hill 62.46 (394th)
The Orpington
10K saw a number of BVAC runners taking up their
places on the start line (and some even took part
in the aerobic warm-up!). There were 458
finishers in the adult run. It's quite a
challenging race with some steep climbs through
forest land and a long haul up the A21 to finish.
On home turf, Mike Aboussalem led home the BVAC
contingent and Chris Young second in the Female
O45 section. For more results, click here.
Seaford
Half - Sunday 5 June
Jane Greenfield
Phil Greenfield
Matthew Greenfield
This would have
been a really challenging run - so we walked!
Times irrelevant, especially since we stopped for
a drink in the local hostelry three quarters of
the way around! It was not quite the beautiful
weather we wanted but the scenery is fantastic.
It starts and finishes on the seafront and takes
in a long stretch of the river bank. You pass
through some quaint little villages before going
across the fields and onto the South Downs Way.
Then after dropping down into Alfriston (where we
had our wedding reception but this time stopped
for a quick bite in the local deli) you follow
the river, and then it's up and over the cliffs
and back down to the finish.
London Marathon -
Sunday 17 April
Dee Patel 3.06.25
Mike Abousselam 3.23.49
Dave King 3.24.25
Bridgit Weekes 3.58.20
Chris Young 3.59.49
Ron Gadd 4.11.52 (pb)
Jane Greenfield 4.31.13
John Soper 5.16.41
Congratulations to all
finishers
Lincoln
10k - Sunday 3 April
Jane Greenfield 52.38
Phil Greenfield 43.23
On Sunday 3 April 2005, Phil and I ran
the Lincoln 10K. This was the second time
that we had run the event, last year being the
first. The race is into its 9th year
and was much better organized this year than last
year. The start is about a 10 minute walk from
the baggage tents and toilets and the finish is a
25 minute walk away from the baggage point, so it
is not a user friendly race in that respect!
However, the route takes you through the centre
of Lincoln, around the Cathedral and finishes in
the Castle grounds – so it is a very
picturesque event and the sights are very
historic.
The route is partly uphill but otherwise
flat and includes a few sections on cobbles. The
crowd support is excellent and there is water at
two locations en route. The finishers’
medals are very good quality and the entry price
includes free admission to the Castle for family
and friends afterwards. The event is well
sponsored by Radio Lincoln and other big
corporate entities and the number of entrants
this year had increased by 1500. Total entrants
were 4000, but we understand that only 2900
actually turned out to run.
This year we were all issued with ankle
chips, so our times should be accurate. The
weather was ideal for running and I was really
looking forward to seeing if I could do a PB. I
am pleased to say that I did – 52 minutes.
This was 4 minutes quicker than my previous PB
and I was chuffed, considering the race included
quite a few hills. Phil managed 43 minutes. He
was surprised, if not frightened to find out that
I was only 9 minutes behind him! He informs me he
will be giving up the moment I get anywhere near
to beating his time – well, he might be
giving up sooner rather than later, based on my
progress this season!
We would recommend this run to anyone
wanting a great weekend away in a location that
offers many historical sights to see and a
pleasant run. We were there as Phil is from
Lincoln and his parents still live there. In four
weeks time there is another 10k race. This has
been going for 21 years and we may do this as
well. We have done this race before and enjoyed
it immensely. Anyway, we had a great weekend,
combined with a trip to see the parents. What an
enjoyable way to spend the weekend.
Jane Greenfield
Worthing 20 - Sunday 20 March
Bridigt Weekes 2 hrs 47 mins
Chris Youngs 3 hrs 01 mins
Jane Greenfield 3 hrs 24 mins
Helen James 4 hrs 10 mins
Four laps of a circuit starting by the
seafront and making its way into parts of the
town. Maybe not the most picturesque but good
training for London. Helen stepped in at the last
minute when Ron Gadd was injured a couple of days
beforehand and she "really enjoyed it"
(but then doesn't she always!)
Hastings Half Marathon - Sunday 13
March
(Times not yet chip times)
Phil Greenfield 1 hr 41 mins
Bridgit Weekes 1 hr 48 mins
Ron Gadd 1 hr 50 mins (3rd prize in age group)
Chris Youngs 1 hr 50 mins
Jane Greenfield 2 hrs 04 mins
Beth Wilkinson 2 hrs 14 mins
Les Humphrey 2 hrs 15 mins
Helen James 2 hrs 29 mins (1st prize in age
group)
Another fantastic day. The field gets bigger
every year and I'm sure the crowds do too. Very
supportive the whole way around, including the
church choirs taking time out from Sunday
services! That enormous hill which goes on and on
for about a mile and a half and takes you through
the 4 and 5 mile marks never seems to get any
shorter though! But it's all downhill from there
with that long finish all the way along the
seafront.
Bideford Half Marathon -
Sunday 6 March
Phil Greenfield 1 hr 39 mins
Jane Greenfield 2 hrs 09 mins
Travelling 5 hours through
snowstorms on our trip to North Devon did not
augur well for the following day’s half
marathon. Driving all that way on a Saturday
afternoon for a race on Sunday morning and return
that afternoon seemed slightly mad anyway! But
the weather turned out to he beautiful, the
course was an absolute joy and we were visiting
Jane’s aunt at the same time.
The Bideford half marathon
must be one of the most enjoyable races in the
calendar. The Bideford AAC clubhouse, shared with
the rowing club, is spacious with good facilities
and the race starts right outside by the estuary.
Over 600 lined up for the
start but with chip timing there was no rush to
get across the line. The outward leg took you
along the road that wound its way alongside the
estuary. The sun shone brightly and, as you
drifted along with the water flowing by your
side, the race was half done before you knew it.
Turn at the old railway station by the
Puffin’ Billy then back along the Tarka
Trail, the route of the old railway track. Cross
the river by the weir and the images of otters
playing along the bank clearly help identify how
it got the name by which it is now known. The
sound of runners making their way through the old
tunnel adds to the tranquil atmosphere and you
imagine standing to one side while a steaming
locomotive sidles past. As you reach Bideford
once more you’re greeted by a row of
restored railway carriages, then over the ancient
bridge for a finish once more by the clubhouse.
Jane was unfortunately
handicapped by a thigh injury and almost
didn’t make the start; however, she managed
to potter round enjoying the scenery. Buoyed for
once by the fact that he hadn’t played 90
minutes of football the day before, Phil ran his
quickest for a while and even won a spot prize
– what else but a flagon of Devon ale! But
you just had to enjoy the occasion whatever.
Sussex Beacon Half - Sunday 20 February
Phil
Greenfield 1.44.35
Chris
Young 1.48.24
Jane
Greenfield
1.57.08
Ann
Leverett
2.05.18
A freezing cold half marathon along Brighton
sea front and along the cliffs. There's even a
small flight of steps to climb!
Sidcup 10 - Sunday 13
February
Colin
Poole
1.25.21
Alison
Jelly
1.26.11
26.2 Club
Valentine’s 10k - Sunday 13 February
Geoff
Hill
59.11
The race starts on the
Chessington World of Adventure car park. It was
bitterly cold - in fact over 200 runners
didn’t start!
Las Vegas Marathon -
Sunday 30 January
Dave King - 3hrs 54mins (not bad considering
conditions, jet lag, etc)
As befitted the event, Marilyn Monroe started
the race and an Elvis impersonator- latter sang
the good old Star Spangled Banner.
Brought a lump to my throat! You would have to
have a heart of stone not to laugh - our American
cousins were solemn throughout and displayed the
usual lack of sense of humour.
Vegas is a great place for a holiday, but the
Marathon was a bit iffy. Well organised but the
course was not particularly interesting. A Coach
trip out to Jean (Nevada) about 20 miles outside
Vegas, where we were dropped by the side of the
road at about 6.30am. Met up with a couple of
other Brits there.
The course was basically up a straight road
(slight incline first 9 miles), cresting a hill
and then down the same road for the next 13 miles
or so - latter into a head wind all the way.
Gusts of up to 50 mph took a lot out of the legs.
At mile 22 we turned right for a mile out of the
wind, the next mile back into it with the last 3
out of it. Finished up in a nice park, where
medals and goody bags etc awaited. Finish area
very well organised.
Sources inform us that Denise ran a 5miler
and got herself a medal - a new BVAC member?
Dartford 10 - Sunday 16 January
Ron Gadd
1.22.27
Chris Young
1.22.53
Alison Jelly
1.28.24
Jane Greenfield
1.32.33
Les Humphreys
1.36.15
Geoff Hill
1.38.59
Genk Marathon - Sunday
16 January
Colin
Poole
4.12
Was the oldest runner in the
race and first in age group but NO prize. The
finish time for 43.5k and not the official 42k.
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