Heroes of Spikes and Cookies

Chiltern Cross Country League 17/18

Fixture 3 – Stopsley

After what seemed to be a record turnout for Teardrop Lakes at the last Chiltern League fixture, the senior teams turned up at Fixture 3 in Luton, a little bit light on numbers. However, that’s not to say that those who turned out didn’t do their club proud and as always, the Juniors got everybody off to an excellent start.

The day was cold and surprisingly wet with a mixture of mist and drizzle drifting across the course throughout the late morning and early afternoon. Whilst it wasn’t particularly pleasant for spectating, it did actually mean the conditions for racing weren’t too bad with not much wind around. read more

Elliot PBs & a Club Record Again!

San Sebastian Marathon

by Elliot Hind

I’d run a big personal best at London in 2.33.13, but knew I was capable of more.  Whilst sat in Lanzarote in the days following the London Marathon one thought kept re-appearing in my head ‘where should I do my next marathon?’  Having not planned to do a second one in 2017 I’d missed the boat on Berlin, but there were still a few good ones out there.  In Europe I had friends going to Chester, Abingdon, Frankfurt,  Amsterdam and Valencia but it was Mark Ryall’s recommendation of San Sebastian that I decided on. read more

British & Irish Masters Cross Country International

To gain selection to represent England is truly an honour. I was especially happy this year to receive my selection letter as I wasn’t confident that I had posted enough good races. Having run well in the Counties in January I thought 2017 might be a good year however injuries and timing of races meant things didn’t quite go to plan.

I travelled to Derry on the Friday before the race taking a lot of waterproof kit, which as it turned out was not needed. On race day the weather was good, dry and not too cold. However, walking the course before you could see it was very boggy in places from the previous week’s rainfall. read more

Gareth Bird Investigates: Herbert’s Hole

Herbert’s Hole Challenge 2017

by Gareth Bird

What an odd name for an event – ‘Herbert’s Hole Challenge’. It’s actually named after a place and lane named Herbert’s Hole between Great Missenden and Chesham.

Sunday 19 November was a good day for a multi terrain 10km. It had rained so there would be thick slippery mud and the temperature was comfortably low. Luckily for me, Jason Newland from On the Run (Aylesbury) was also running so he picked me up on route.  You may see Jason at some of the Chiltern League events which he enters as a guest. Make him welcome as he’s a fast V40 and would fit in well at LBAC! read more

The Vets Leading the Way

Mahamed Mahamed walked in to the tent to collect his number and was met by Pete Mackrell, full of excitement following his brief chat with race favourite Andy Vernon. “Here’s your number, good luck. Andy Vernon’s over there, reckon you can beat him?” was Pete’s short jokey conversation with the shy Southampton AC athlete who just smiled and walked away. A couple of hours later and that same quiet runner stormed around the six mile course at Teardrop Lakes in 29:18 to take victory and push Vernon down to third. When you consider that Elliot – who has broken most of our club records recently – was nearly three minutes behind, this is a whole different level of running! read more

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