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Weekend Recap: Snowdonia Marathon, High’s and Former Lowes

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Snowdonia Marathon:
Congratulations to Karen Ratcliffe who took on the fast and flat (LOL!) Snowdonia Marathon. Karen ran 4:58:56 for the marathon distance. A more than respectable time for any marathon that doesn’t include a mountain! 

Life’s little up’s and down’s! 

Brueton parkrun:
A quietish K&D weekend at Brueton was enlivened by a brand new female inductee into the sub-20 club. Emma Horsfield stormed round in a  19:52 PB as the women continued to smash barriers over the last few weeks. That puts Emma 5th fastest K&D woman at Brueton ever, booting Mary out the top-4 by a mere 4seconds. We doubt it’s the end of that little tooing and fro-ing in the near future

Emma on Saturday was joined by Kerry Ann Thompson who ran 21:51 and Louise Bell who ran 23:38.

The gents had the headlines stolen from them by the women this week. That didn’t stop Pete Makepeace climbing the podium summit. Running 19:23, Pete just missed his PB. Warning though, Gary Polhill who just joined K&D was ran 19:17 but misses out by just a few days on a week 1 podium. Paul Bentley and Anthony Dutton rounded out the K&D Top-3 this week with a 19:31 and 19:34.

Joining Emma Horsfield in the PB Teepee this week is Jack Whitehouse who rewrote his parkrun PB with a 22:11.

Ipswich parkrun:
Which Witch is Rob Michaelson Yeates Twitching? His 18:05 got in a pre-Halloween win at Ips-witch Parkrun.

Walsall Arboretum parkrun:
A coven of Calvert, Partridge and Taylor attended Walsall Arboretum parkrun on Saturday as Lissy, Gail and Penny enchanted their way to runs of 29:15, 29:40 and 30:08.

Coventry parkrun:
The only thing scary about Coventry parkrun is that ring road on the way in. Shudders. Simon Battson survived to run 25:01

Holkham parkrun:
Ainsley put the (f)right in Wainwright as he ran 26:10 in Holkham.

As ususal.. if there is anything we’ve missed pop it in the comments box on facebook!

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Weekend Recap: Sunday Roast

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Great Birmingham 10k: 

More than 6,500 people finished the Great Birmingham 10k on Sunday on another blistering weekend. Among them were dozens of K&D’ers. As shown recently in London running in that kind of heat slows runners down, so it wasn’t a PB weekend. 

A big well done to Graham and Caroline Edwards who stopped their own race to administer first aid to a runner who had taken a tumble. Showing true K&D spirit. Also a big high five to Elizabeth Williams who defied the heat to scorch to a new PB.

Full Results: 

Darren John – 35:43
Steve McDonald – 39:26
Rob Ambrose – 39:44
Adam O’Nions – 44:29
Gary Welsh – 47:34
Elaine Callinan – 49:41
Kate Marsh – 52:33
Jude Mansfield – 52:57
Claire Magee – 54:28
Pete Morgan-Warren – 54:29
Rob Stewart – 54:57
Elizabeth Williams – 55:04 (PB)
Katie Oliver – 56:33
Catherine Sherlock – 56:40
Jan Hornby – 56:56
Subhash Agarwalla – 57:52
Amanda Marklew – 1:01:27
Louise Taylor – 1:02:23
Rob Yates – 1:03:09
Hayley Murphy – 1:03:09
Paul Jeffrey – 1:05:36
Kelly Rock – 1:08:04
Emily King – 1:11:15
Isabel Arthur – 1:12:24
Jo Tork – 1:12:44
Frances Ramsden – 1:15:51
Caroline Edwards – 1:21:27
Graham Edwards – 1:21:27

Brueton parkrun:

K&D Went 1-2-3 at Brueton. Gareth Wainwright took the W with a 17:22 leading out a pack including Chris Morgan (17:26) and Jack Bristow (17:35). 

Mary Heald was in similarly scintillating form running 22:10.  Jane Hunt followed Mary up with a solid 23:39 and Siobhan Cotter who ran 24:16.

Congratulations to Nick Burke who continues to flourish – running another parkrun PB. This time Nick lowered his time to 25:25. We love a numerically satisfying time! Nick was joined by Gareth Lloyd who clocked 29:28 for a personal best.

Congratulations to Ainsley Wainwright who rocked up and completed his 100th parkrun at the weekend.

Coventry parkrun:

On a tourist trail Darren John dropped a stupidly fast first mile but held on to run a 17:32 for 2nd at Coventry parkrun. He was joined by Anthony Dutton who ran a solid 20:42 with a sore knee (don’t fall out the loft!) and Kate Marsh who ran 25:01.

Lymington Woodside parkrun:

Karen Stapley enjoyed a quieter parkrun with 121 runners at Lymington Woods. Karen ran 32:29.

Kingsbury Water parkrun:

Greg Turner is now consistently under 20 at parkrun; payment for his recent hard work at Thursday training with the quick’uns. 19:44 this week. 

Skipton parkrun:

No idea where Skipton is. But Ian Naisbitt knows and he ran 22:30 there. 

Bedworth parkrun:

Newbie and parkrun legend Kevin Tomkinson celebrated his 301st parkrun by running 29:47 at Bedworth.

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Weekend Recap: Not the London News, Monty’s H.O.T.T, parkrun roundup

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Monty 5k: With some big distraction in London it was the turn of the WRRL to feature one of it’s shortest races of the year – the Monty 5k. In conditions more often found in the Costa del Sol K&D fielded 20 runners. 

Torsten Roesler took the honours as first K&D man home clocking a nice sub-18 for 8th place. Torsten ran 17:53. Chris Revell backed Torsten up with a great 18:40 while Rob Ambrose just pipped Paul Williams 19:30 to 19:40. 

Our women represented themselves with the usual distinction. New Women’s Team Captain Rosie Marsh marked her debut with a 20:36,  Karen Ratcliffe enjoyed a 26:14 while Amanda Crees took K&D bronze with 26:35.

PB’s below are based on official 5km races – not parkrun.

Full Results:
Torsten Roesler – 17:53 (PB)
Chris Revell – 18:40 (PB)
Rob Ambrose – 19:30
Paul Williams – 19:40
Mike Day – 20:28
Rosie Marsh – 20:36
Pete Austin – 20:43
Adam O’Nions – 20:54
Steve Armstrong – 21:17
Max Gimson – 21:21 (PB)
Claire Magee – 21:40 (PB)
Gary Welsh – 22:14 (PB)
Darren Maggs – 22:43
Martin Hancock – 23:13 (PB)
Paul Winwood – 24:30
Paul O’Donnell – 24:32 (PB)
Kay Adenipekun – 24:37
Karen Ratcliffe – 26:14 (PB)
Amanda Crees – 26:35 (PB)
Katie Price – 27:54

Next up is the Ryton 5 mile on 24th May – Entries on the Night Only.
Sphinx 5 mile entries are now open – Enter HERE
Arden 9 entries are also open – Enter HERE Read more

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Weekend Recap: Regency

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Wright Hassell Regency 10k:

At the Wright Hassle (not my pun) Leamington Regency 10k Chris Sharp backed up his great National Road Relays run with a solid 4th place in 33:26. A bevvy of K&D backed Chris up.

Full Results:
Chris Sharp – 33:26
Ed Bower – 43:26
Darren Maggs – 51:31
Ann Spencer-Dowdeswell – 55:52
Jan Hornby – 56:12
Sally Anderson – 56:36
Claire Maggs – 59:08
Hayley Murphy – 1:03:26
Robert Yates – 1:07:33

Lakeland Trails 10k:

Not quite 10k, but that is the joy of trail running. There is always an ‘ish’ after any distance. Read more

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Weekend Recap: Half Price, Centurions Finale

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Sheffield Half:

No short measures for Katie Price as she debuted her snazzy new haircut through the streets of Sheffield. With more aerodynamic strands she zipped round to a 2:13:17. High Five.

Centurions GP:

With many of the regulars elsewhere it was left to Siobhan Cotter to lead the team. Siobhan ran 37:16 to be first K&D runner home. She was joined by Elaine Callinan (38:43), Louise Bell (39:04) and Alan Marshall (42:58).

Full Series Results will be posted once Centurions update the table.

Brueton parkrun:

It was a K&D 1-2 at parkrun, just like Botswana in the Commonwealth Games 400m. But slower. A fast first mile and a win for Gareth Wainwright in a sub-17 clocking of 16:56. Despite going the wrong way round dodgy corner (he’s only done 191 parkruns). Darren John ran his fastest time since September with 17:35 and Chris Morgan cruised round in 19:12. 

Mary Heald warmed up for her 46 mile Ultra with an easy 24:58, pipping Kate Marsh who’s lurgy filled April is hopefully clearing. Kate ran 26:26. Ann Spencer-Dowdeswell clocked 26:40 for a place on the podium this week.

Coventry parkrun:

Simon Battson popped up at Coventry parkrun, running 25:05 in the process.

Whinlatter parkrun:

Penny Taylor ran at the lovely sounding Whinlatter parkrun. Well that’s my excuse most weeks. Don’t worry, i’ll Whinlatter. Penny ran 37:45.

Tamar Lakes parkrun:

Elizabeth Williams was one of a concise 76 parkrunners at Tamar. Liz ran 27:27. Ooo. We do love a good numerical time.

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Weekend Recap: Monsal Madness & Women’s Day at Brueton

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Brueton parkrun:

Congratulations to Katie Price who took on the Brueton parkrun Run Director stewardship. She handled the day brilliantly and was supported by many of our women on the Ladies Takeover day. Two of them even found their own James Bond:

Monsal Trail Half Marathon Saturday:

Our now traditional Monsal Trail weekend away. K&D’s finest were welcomed back again for another year’s group half-marathoning. 

On the Saturday Isabel Collins was first home for the team in a new PB.
 
Isabel Collins – 1:57:17 
Ann Spencer Dowdeswell – 2:05:55
Nigel Collins – 2:07:46
Jan Hornby – 2:11:42
Sian Davies – 2:16:37
Frances Ramsden – 2:20:21
Penny Garner – 2:29:41
Rebecca Blunt – 2:30:16
Jane Quarmby – 2:32:45
Fiona Holland – 2:35:48

Brueton parkrun:

With the ladies taking over on Ladies Day Siobhan Cotter led our Women in 24:36. Siobhan led round Karen Ratcliffe and Kate Marsh who ran 25:28 and 25:43. 

For the men it was Gareth Wainwright who took out a fast first mile, holding on for a 17:07, he was followed by Darren John in 17:40 and Paul Bentley in 19:12.

Congratulations to Mike Durkin who made it 100 parkruns. Russell Singleton ran a new PB of 21:58. Smashing work!

Coventry parkrun:

Richard Dixon got some Coventry Sphinx prep work in, rocking up at War Memorial Park and running 18:55.

Newport parkrun:

The Whiteheads were down to Newport on Saturday as they ran 31:12 and 32:39

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Weekend Recap: Max Ultra and a Right Royal Half

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Endurancelife Ultra:

Congratulations to Max Mladenovic who completed his first ever Ultra. Max is on a mission training for Comrades in South Africa and as part of his training completed the ultra in siberian like conditions. He still ran in shorts though. Nobbly Knees galore going red raw in the cold. 

Max completed the Endurance Life Sussex 36 mile Ultra in 5:56.

Hampton Court Half:

With snow causing a raft of cancellations around the country one of the only runs that survived was the Hampton Court Half.  Of course K&D were represented there.

Simon Bentley enjoyed a strong 1:22:25 run in dodgy conditions and a day after spending hours in Sutton Park in the bitter cold. Impressive as he returns to his blisteringly fast ways. The long suffering protege of Simon’s, Rachel Aston skated round in 1:57:33. They were followed by Amanda Crees who forgot her K&D buff in the big freeze but still managed a 2:22:48.

Brueton parkrun:

Brueton surprisingly escaped the big freeze. It’s ability to become soggy even in mild conditions can be a pain at freezing point but our runners were able to get a good, if bracing, run out. With 24 K&D runners in Sutton numbers were down but they were led round by Paul Bentley in 19:22. Behind him Lloyd Barton and Steve Armstrong made welcome appearances on the K&D podium. Lloyd clocked 21:34, just pipping Steve in 21:38.

Flick Sharp made another welcome return, enjoying her first post-baby K&D topper. Dipping under 24 Flick ran a 23:58 to take the headlines. Continuing the baby theme Mary Heald pushed her’s to a 24:26. Sarah Cattell rounded out the top 3 in 24:35.

There was a PB for Gareth Lloyd on his third parkrun – running 30:17. He can now start eyeing that 30 min barrier with intent! Just behind Gareth was Kelly Cridland, on her second parkrun she ran 32:12. Well done team!

Bushy parkrun: 

Pre-Hampton Court Half we found Amanda Crees making the pilgrimage to Bushy. Amanda ran 30:14 at the spiritual home of parkrun.

Coventry parkrun:

Simon Battson swapped his usual KIngsbury home for Coventry.  He ran 25:47.

Cannon Hill parkrun:

Ainsley Wainwright ran a very swift 20:52 at Cannon Hill. 

Shrewsbury parkrun:

Ann Spencer-Dowdeswell made a trip to the land of Shrews. She clocked 28:45.

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Weekend Recap: Happy Boake-day

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The Three Amigo’s of Russel, Tim and Kev did the Winter Railway 19 Miler near Ironbridge in Shropshire.  It was up and down a disused railway parallel with the River Severn. It was also Kev’s birthday on the day of the race. Happy Boake-day! 

The ‘gents’ finished in 3rd, 4th and 5th.

Tim ran 2:12:50, Russel clocked 2:26:31 and Birthday Boake ran 2:29:20. Well done chaps!

Brueton parkrun:

Gareth Wainwright took the win at Brueton. With several cancellations recently its was refreshing to be able to run – even with diversions due to ice. It’s been very Winter Olympic themed recently. Gareth ran 17:31, behind him a very tired Darren John ran 18:21 and Richard Dixon put in a great 18:37. Our women were led by Jane Evans in 19:19 – despite only just making the start line in time.  Monica Green did miss the start but still ran 21:34! Louise Bell was sensible and arrived in plenty of time to run 23:43. 

Congrats to our 0-3 Group who following their aborted parkrun graduation turned up again this weekend to make their parkrun debut. 

Zoe Meadows completed her Brueton debut but there were no PB’s as the course took a cross country twist.

Bushy parkrun:

There was a pilgrimage for four of our athletes as Caroline and Graham Edwards, Katie Price and Emily King made a trip to parkrun’s spiritual home. Graham had the honour of finishing first in 26:36, Katie Price ran 28:10 while Emily and Caroline both ran 38:06.

Coventry parkrun:

Greg ‘Afterburner’ Turner whizzed round Coventry parkrun in 19:35. An overall PB it seems. Definitely a result of his dedication and hard work by turning out for the Cross Country all winter.

Havant parkrun:

Louise Taylor enjoyed a spot of tourism with a visit to Havant. She ran 32:10.

Arrow Valley parkrun:

New club member and former race walker Karen Ratcliffe showed her turn of speed with a 25:56. 

Redcar parkrun:

Up north we find Ian Naisbitt enjoying the surroundings of Redcar parkrun. Ian clocked 22:24. Swifter than a nifty red car.

Kingsbury Water parkrun:

Simon Battson took to the lakes again with a good run at Kingsbury. He ran 25:21.

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Weekend Recap: PB Klaxon’s Batteries Run Out

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Centurions GP:

The marathon and half-marathon training is starting to kick in. In fresh conditions K&D’s rag-tag gang of misfits tore around Babbs Mill lake like hoodlum’s up to no good. Chairman Darren was first home in fourth overall, equalling his PB with a 28:32. Exactly the same time he ran on 5th Feb 2017. Weird. Rosie Marsh took a big old chunk of her PB as first K&D woman. Rosie ran 33:12 smashing her previous best of 33:53.

Behind Darren the second K&D man home was Greg Turner who also PB’d. His cross country season is paying off as he ran 32:07. Paul Williams took third K&D man, returning after a several week layoff to run 33:57.

Behind Rosie, Emma Lowe ran her first ever 5 miler. Setting her PB at 34:49. A more than respectable time for a first effort. Louise Bell rounded out the Top-3 with a 37:49.

Congrats go to Siobhan Cotter and Gary Welsh who both won prizes in the Midland Masters Handicap Race. A bottle of bubbly for Siobhan and chocolates for Gary.

Results:
Darren John – 28:32 (=PB)
Greg Turner – 32:07 (PB)
Rosie Marsh – 33:12 (PB)
Paul Williams – 33:57
Gary Welsh – 34:33 (PB)
Emma Lowe – 34:49 (PB)
Steve Armstrong – 35:20
Louise Bell – 37:49
Siobhan Cotter – 38:03
Elaine Callinan – 38:22
Jane Hunt – 38:44
Kate Marsh – 39:26 (PB)
Mark Owen – 40:52
Jude Mansfield – 40:59
Graham Edwards – 41:04 (PB)
Alan Marshall – 43:59
Geoff Lewis – 45:40
Linda Whitehead – 47:57
Caroline Edwards – 48:52
Katie Price – 48:53

South Devon Coastal Trail Half

Hills, glorious hills. On the beautiful South Devon Coast Gary Wickett knocked 30 minutes of hiss course PB to run 3:13 on the tough cliff top course.


Brueton parkrun

The appeal has gone out for anyone willing to step forward and lead a second parkrun in Solihull. If you have bundles of enthusiasm for running, health and community and are interested email bruetonhelpers@parkrun.com.

Gareth Wainwright took the reigns as he sped round parkrun in a swift 17:16. He was followed by Darren John in 17:43 and Rob Michaelson-Yates in 18:03 as all three men ran quickly through damp morning. Kate Marsh was the first K&D lady on Saturday, just missing out on her PB but still running 24:41. Sarah Cattell took second in 25:28 and Katie Price rounded out the top three in 27:05.

Congratulation to Kay Adenipekun who clocked up his 50th parkrun!

In PB heaven were Paul O’Donnell, 22:25 and Russell Singleton 22:25. Blimey, they could have crossed the line holding hands! Superb running from those two.

Coventry parkrun

Coventry played host to Battson on tour as Simon Batson ran 26:21. 31 seconds faster than the week before at Cov.

Cannon Hill parkrun

Jonathon Bellman took it out in 24:42 at Birmingham’s biggest parkrun. His 10th time running there.

Belfast Victoria parkrun

Back in the green isle and Monica Green took it out hard in Belfast speeding round to a sub-21. Monica clocked 20:53.

Maidenhead parkrun

Rob Ambrose, who’s morning train buddies now with your journalistic chairman, clocked 20:52. High Five train buddy!

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Weekend Recap: Dubai-ous Marathon Prep & No Midlands XC

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Dubai Marathon:

Tim Price managed to overcome his holiday indulgence and toe the start line of the Dubai Marathon. The richest prize in running with the winner getting $200,000. Tim ran an impressive 3:13 off minimal training. Half Man Half Tractor. What an engine.

Midlands XC

Err… We are still waiting for the full Midlands XC results. Sorry!

Wyre Valley Half

Gary Wickett ran 2:23:06 at the hilly and trail based Wyre Valley Half Marathon finishing 67th overall.

Brueton parkrun:

Chris Sharp celebrated the birth of his and Flick’s second child by finishing first at parkrun in 17:16, dipping Gareth Wainwright who finished in 17:20. Jane Evans was third overall in 18:51. Jane has been first female 50 times now and is only 1 behind the men’s record holder who has 51.

The third male was Paul Bentley in 19:07. Reward for lots of early morning runs – he’s been spotted regularly at 6:50am… well I think it’s him! Second woman was Mary Heald in 21:11 and Siobhan Cotter in 22:52 was third K&D woman.

Amanda Balfour recently joined K&D and made her K&D parkrun debut. Lindsay Dalby ran 25:45 to PB and Paul Jeffrey clocked up his 150th parkrun. Well done team!

Coventry parkrun

Simon Battson took a trip over to Coventry on Saturday finishing parkrun in 26:52.

Shrewsbury parkrun

Mark Burgoyne ended up in Shrewsbury while Simon was in Coventry. Mark finished in a swift 21:11.

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