On a perfect weekend for running a few people made it out and about to participate in a range of races around the country. With the London Marathon now just three weeks away, Pete Mackrell and Amy Inchley did their last really long runs on the undulating roads of North Bedfordshire in the Oakley 20. With over 700 people taking part in the race from Amy's home village, it has become a traditional pre-marathon run for many athletes and leads in to the most joyful word – tapering!

Pete decided that he did want to race flat out all the way and so after a quick first mile down the hill out of Oakley, settled into what was a steady pace for him. Amy meanwhile was regretting the previous night's Chinese takeaway as ran towards Pavenham on some very familiar roads. However, as the course unfolded, both of their races went pretty much to plan. Pete's first half continued at a gentle pace so that he could pick it up in the second half and do plenty of overtaking. Amy's plan, to take it easy and not go faster than 8mpm went completely out of the window, but she felt good for it and despite a lack of energy only slowed a little over the last couple of miles.

In the end Pete completed the course in a relatively comfortable 2:13 after running a negative split, whilst Amy finished in 2:43 and with both at the end of month of very hard training, they can take many positives into London.

While Amy and Pete were in Oakley, Gail made a trip down to Eastleigh in Hampshire for the very well regarded Eastleigh 10K. It attracts many high quality runners in the 1700 strong field and on this occasion was won in 29:42. Having broken many records in the last few years, Gail's 10K time was something she was looking to improve, although 10K is the furthest distance she races these days.

It was slightly breezy down South on Sunday, but in a strong field Gail was able to get pulled around the course by many of the other athletes to record a fantastic time of 38:47 which was the fourth fastest ever by a British F55 and the fastest time she has run in about 6 years "which is pleasing" in Gail's words!

The only other person to trot round a race over the weekend was Andy Inchley who did the free MK Parkrun on Saturday morning and completed the 5K course in 17:19 to take third. If anyone ever fancies a great free low-key event on a saturday morning you can't go wrong with the Parkrun's that take place all over the country. Have a look at the website and get yourself registered.