12 brave and hardy soles this Welsh marathon that offers great views but also some climbs that may turn your legs to jelly. Well done to Bryan Pears as first home for Sphinx, finishing in less than 4 hours. Also, well done to Kevin Dick on completing his first marathon, and to everyone else for completing the challenging route.
Thanks to Fiona, Chrissy and everyone else that supported our runners.
There is plenty to report from parkrunday, otherwise known as Saturday. Mitch Timms was in Wales for the Snowdonia marathon and took the opportunity for a bit of parkrun tourism by doing the Penrhyn pakrun based around the imposing castle.
Elsewhere, there were PBs-aplenty at Coventry as Alex Bartlett, Andy McIntosh, Lore Paterson, Rachael Allen and Vickie Hand all beat their previous best. There was also a PB at Clair parkrun as Louis Carver achieved 78% age grading! Darren Hallett ventured furthered afield though, as he completed Warszawa-Praga parkrun for the first time in a very good time. Well done to all!
Four teams represented Sphinx at these Midlands XC Relays, 2 ladies’ teams and 2 men’s. Thanks to Fiona for the following report, support and photos.
The cross country relays took place at the Aldersley Stadium in Wolverhampton. The weather stayed dry which was great for me as I was spectating but it did mean that the runners got off lightly as there was hardly any mud on the course. The course consisted of two laps with a couple of hills but nothing as challenging as cardiac hill (Leamington cross country course coming soon!!!).
Thank you to everyone who took part in the race and especially Barry, Rachael and Vicki who all chose this one as their first cross country for the team. As Vicki was completing her first lap and shouted over to me ‘I hate you and I hate this course’ (with a smile on her face of course!!!) I thought her cross country time was over at the first hurdle, however by the end of the day Vicki had the cross country bug and was asking about the league races!!!! Vicki – I have already signed you up for them all!!!
If you would like to enter the cross country league races then please do let me know. It doesn’t matter how fast you are, it is just a chance to enjoy the races and they are great team events.
Imran Ali completed this popular 10-mile race on the South coast, part of the Great Run series.
Rachael and Barry Allen completed this unique 7-mile single lap course starting and finishing in the South Stafforshire village of Pattingham, across Crown Estate and country side. The race is in aid of St. Chad’s Church, Acorns Children’s Hospice and Midlands Air Ambulance.
Mitch and Jackie Timms completed this two-lap race around Draycote Water.
Thanks to Lisa Abbott for the following report:
It’s that time again, The Tempo Winter Series kicks off it’s monthly races. The series was bought by Vickie and Kev as my birthday present as I had raved about it for so long. The only way to shut me up was to buy it and join me. How do you get 250 runners to enthusiastically get out of bed on a Sunday morning and tackle the Illmington hill?
You lure them with the excitement of a hoodie if they do all 5 and a trio of Barry’s sausage at the end. It was a rickety start as our honorary Sphinx for the day Marie nearly pulled out due to a post marathon dodgy hip and Kevin was sporting his usual hangover. As they climbed into Vickie’s uber taxi a mix of deep heat and the stench of stale alcohol filled the air and I had to remind myself that that was the smell of legends who quite frankly nearly never made it. Allen was also continuing his battle going into his 3rd day with a cold sparking rumours at the start line that it had gone to his chest. Myself and Marie as Veterans of this race tried to explain the hill and that only the pro’s could run it all. As we set off for the first flat 1k and turned the corner even I thought the hill was worse than I remembered. Allen “What hill?” El sour was nowhere to be seen as he shot off at speed into the distance unfazed by the hill. I could see Kevin for a bit but he gradually pulled away showing the hangover who was boss. After tackling the hill it felt like the race finally began for me. The way down was thoroughly enjoyable and a well earned reward, elite athlete I was not but that downhill stretch allowed me to to feel it and my watch momentarily showed me a pace of 4.57. I crossed the line to find that Allen had managed a very respectable 12th place leaving us imagining how different it could’ve been without his borderline man flu. For Kevin it was an achievement to have made it though without bringing up the contents of his stomach, Vickie ran my predicted time despite telling me it was too ambitious and Massey machine Marie flew around and is now on the hip replacement list. If anyone sees Vickie at training this girl loves to talk; about her Garmin splits!
Congratulations and well done to Alex Bartlett, Andy McIntosh and Thomas Morgan on PBs this week.
Thanks (and congratulations on the PB) to Andy McIntosh for the following report:
Fast, flat course around Peterborough suburbs and a PB for me
12 Sphinx runners completed this popular half-marathon around the streets of Birmingham. Well done to David West and Vickie Hand on their PBs, with Vickie beating her previous best by 6 minutes!
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