Vitality Big Half: Tune into BBC on a Sunday morning for the Rob Michaelson-Yeates Running Show as Rob hogged the air-time by pacing the leading British women. With Director of Running Hannah England commentating and Rob front and centre for much of the race it was K&D taking over the BBC. Rob ran a new club record and a sensational 1:11:12. He finished 86th overall. But was beaten by British women Lily Partridge and Sam Harrison. Which makes the rest of us feel a little better at least. Huge congrats to Rob on the incredible run.

Rob split the first 5k in 16:34, 10k in 33:21 and 20k in 1:07:35. He was also 4th V40.

Warwick Half:
While Rob was running ridiculous times in London he was having to fend off the challenge of Gareth Wainwright who broke the men’s club HM record in Warwick. His 1:13:05 would have been a new club best… had Rob not finished his half 2 minutes before. Oh how cruel life can be. Gary Polhill backed up his recent 1:15:33 with a 1:15:56 on an undulating and windy Warwick course. Third K&D man was Darren John in 1:22:16. Suffering stomach issues (as is custom) Darren was content with a bad 1:22. A bad 1:22 is better than a good 1:22. Flick Sharp smashed her own PB with a super 1:27:29. Co-incidentally Flick’s run secured Garerth, Gary and Flick the Barrie Wells Warick Half Club Challenge Trophy. Which looks great on the chairman’s bedside table.

Congrats too go to a number of K&D’er PB’ers. Gareth Wainwright (1:13:05), Flick Sharp (1:27:29) were joined by a storming runs from Gary Welsh (1:39:30), James Cowan (1:42:36) who ran a huge 15 min+ PB, Kate Fokes (1:54:31), Chris Wellings (1:59:00) and Karen Sweeney (2:10:25). On a tough course they’re superb results.

Brueton parkrun:
The 501st Brueton parkrun saw lashing cold rain at 9am. Perfect for running fast? Not at all. But that didn’t stop a slew of fast times.

Gareth Wainwright continued his hot streak with a 16:46. 16/17 of his last parkruns have been between 16:30 and 17 mins. A lone 17:38 in horrendous weather at Cannon Hill spoiling the party. Led out at an ‘honest’ pace by Darren John (i.e. Suicidal pace) George de Bolla was second K&D but forgot his barcode. D’oh! So 2nd place goes to Habib Farazmand in 17:33 and Darren John in a painful 18:26.

Then the party really got started with Ed Bower running a PB of 19:00. On the nose. Rob Mundy consolidated a superb Cross season in a PB of 19:01. Who’ll break 19 first?

To paraphrase Seasame Street, this week’s letter of the week for the women was clearly ‘K’. Kate Marsh was first K&D woman in 22:37, followed by Kate Leeson in 23:35 and Katy Connolly in 24:15. Kate L and Katy C were split by Kay A who, despite being a man, joined the K party.

Coventry parkrun:
Stephen Ray continued his impressive run of form post-XC season with a 22:02. He was joined by Mike Durkin in 25:10

Perry Hall parkrun:
Steve Marks, Welsh national icon, found himself closer to home this weekend, running 35:13 in Perry Hall

Rutland Water parkrun:
Jane Evans claimed another first woman placing at another parkrun. Adding to her collection in Rutland she ran 18:59

Victoria Dock parkrun:
Kev Tomkinson and Alsion Giblin took on one of the flattest parkrun’s in the country at Victoria Dock. Freezing temperatures and a huge downpour didn’t help them though as they paddled round in a soggy 24:09 and 34:25

Roma Pineto parkrun:
Alan Green ran our first ever K&D Italian parkrun, we think. He has however now had to be put in quarantine for two weeks in case he has Corona. His 24:28 was surely worth it though

Oaklands parkrun:
Just the one K&D’er at Oaklands this weekend. Pete Makepeace finished 4th overall in a sub-21 time of 20:51

Brueton parkrun:
With Storm Dennis battering britain plenty of parkrun’s put plans on hold, but Brueton bravely battled through. Even gale force gusts couldn’t get to Gareth Wainwright who gapped the field in a good old 16:44. He was followed by the traditional two – George de Bolla and Habib Farazmand who ran 17:31 and 17:55. K&D Put five in the top six, split only by a sole BRAT.

Kerry Ann Thompson took the title for the K&D Women in 21:40. Kerry led Kate Marsh (23:22) and Sarah Cattell round (26:31). Technically Izzy Davis was first in 21:28 but she hasn’t added K&D to her parkrun profile yet and we love an excuse to pick on someone. We didn’t mention George de Bolla for the first 12 months of his K&D existance.

Stormont parkrun:
Putting the Storm into Stomont was Monica Green. Monica ran an excellent 22:07

Telford parkrun:
Any excuse for cake, Darren John travelled to Telford to tackle their 7th Birthday party. Darren ran 18:08 getting caught out by a naughty uphill finish similar to Cannon Hill

Babbs Mill parkrun:
With no storm damage Babbs Mill was able to go ahead on Sat. Mr. Babbs Mill (aka Phill Wood), ran 22:41

Oaklands parkrun:
Wide open and wideswept but prime for perfect views over beautiful Birmingham. Nicky Evans nipped round in 25:38 leading Nigel Foster who finished just behind in 25:42. Victoria Cook’s 26:49 rounded out the troops.

Tremorfa parkrun:
A suburb in Wales apparently. A new parkrun for our record books, claimed by Steve Marks in 33:26

Torbay Velo parkrun:
David John ran 30:38 while dodging puddles the size of the ocean in Torbay

Brueton parkrun: The boy’s are pretty predictable at Brueton right now with Gareth Wainwight (16:40), George De Bolla (17:24) and Habib Farazmand (18:48) locking out that top-three. Where as the women are all the fun and excitment. Kerry Ann Thompson ran a superb 20:44 and was followed by Kate Leeson (23:31) recording an excellent new PB and Kathy Bailey (23:45). Sophia Harrison’s 31:34 was also a new PB making it a Women’s week in the PB party tent.

Warwick parkrun: A farmer’s dozen of K&D shelled out on petrol to go to Warwick parkrun. A late start led to a scramble to get to Warwick. The egg-cellent course is an out an back on the racing line. Highlight of the day was the local yobbo’s who egged Paul Winwoods car. An otherwise cracking morning.

Darren John l-egg-ed it round in 18:24. Lloyd Barton avoided a fall on the mud to run 20:48. No Humpty Dumpty breakages to report. John Garside poached third place in 22:28 while Paul O’Donnell ran 23:01 – a hard boiled parkrunner. Mike McDonald was the yoker in the pack with a 23:44 while Paul Winwood didn’t crack while clocking 24:02 and Kate Marsh soldiers round in 25:09.

Babbs Mill parkrun:
A single K&D’er at Babbs Mill as Ian Maidment repped the club in 27:16

Oaklands parkrun:
Quick and fast for Stuart Male who continued his London Marathon prep in 19:35. He led Anthony Dutton round in 21:45, Kev Tomkinson in 26:19 and a returning Rob Steward who ran 33:03

Chasewater parkrun:
Steve Armstrong popped up at the beautiful Chasewater to run 21:34

Bedworth parkrun:
Pete Makepeace popped over to Bedworth to try their cake. He approved. He also ran 28:19 – but mostly cake

Tampere parkrun:
Scandi-Correspondent Riina Kuuselo clocked a leasuirly 23:12 as one of 47 Tampere parkrunners

Hove Promenade parkrun:
Andrew Connors just missed out on a sub-20 as he finished in an angonisingly close 20:07 along the sea-front

Dartford parkrun:
He may have moved North but he’s still one of our own, Jack Bristow ran an 18:51 in hispter’s paradise Dartford

Penrith parkrun:
Steve Marks continued his tour all the parkruns – Steve ran 34:15 – he also had a doppleganger at Warwick parkrun which was most confusing

Southwark parkrun:
Jo Tork enjoyed a weekend in the big smoke as she ran 35:02 – hope she went to Borough Market for lunch after

Walsall Arboretum parkrun:
Two in Two for the Horsefield Two. This time is was Matt who emerged victorious in 20:22 as he led his other half Emma round in 20:32

Bath Skyline parkrun:
Jane Evans took herself off to the lovely city of Bath for the weekend and in the process took First Woman at Bath Skyline in 19:09

Oldham parkrun:
Siobhan O’Donnell was up in Greater Manchester and ran 30:04. Never eat old ham by the way

Torbay Velo parkrun:
Devon correspondent David John ran a cautious 30:36 as he comes back from a muscle strain from too much sitting by the beach

St Alban’s parkrun:
Simon Battson made sure my entire lunch was taken up with writing all these results out but adding St Albans to the list in 25:36

Coventry parkrun:
Nigel Foster didn’t go to Gloucester, he went to Coventry instead. He ran 31:10

Gloucester Marathon:
Sneaking through the results catchup this week was the Gloucester Marathon and Half Marathon Results. John Garside ran the full 26.2 miles to add to his 12 marathons last year. Just the one a month as you do. John ran 3:41:40. 110 seconds away from his PB, but it puts him a very early top of the K&D 2020 rankings…

In the Half Marathon – Ali Zanconato made his K&D debut in a strong 1:27:28, pacing just ahead of his better half Isabel Davis. Izzy drafted off Ali and continued her fine winter in a 1:29:21. Another K&D woman going sub 90 minutes for the half. More on that right, about…

Four Villages Half Marathon:
NOW. Speaking of K&D women going under 90 minutes. Amanda O’Leary took on the 37th Essar Four Villages Half Marathon and ran an excellent 1:29:37. That’s another London Marathon Championship Start quality run.

Centurions GP:
The first race of 2020 for many, at least those not at the Warwickshire XC Champs on Sat. The Centurions GP’s are fast and flat and a great place to either step up from 5k’s or test out your speed deep into winter.

Headline news from Gary Polhill who had an absolute stormer. 27:32 for 5 miles is rapid. Listed on the club website as a 35+ record was Tim Price at Sphinx 5, running 28:17 in 2012. Gary replaces Tim on the leader board (if anyone knows of any other club records that need updating please do email the club). First woman for K&D was Rosie Marsh who braves THE SHOES on the rough parts of Babbs Mill’s course. Did they survive? Rosie ran 34:07 on her comeback trail for 3rd woman overall.

The K&D Podiums were complimented by Anthony Dutton in 32:17 and Steve Armstrong in 33:52. Steve took 1st V60+. Even though he doesn’t look a day over 20 (multiplied by three). Natalie Callinan has rejoined the club after her worldly soujourns and rocked up with a 37:12, pipping Jane Hunt who ran 38:35.

Full Results:

Brueton parkrun:
Back to normality with a Saturday parkrun. Fun Fact: It was the Chairman’s 6th parkrun Birthday. Gareth Wainwright didn’t go easy on him though. Oh no. He has a Sub-17 streak to continue. Saturday’s 16:54 made it 11 on the bounce. Habib Farazmand continued to pepper the mid-17’s with a 17:30 while Chairman Darren broke 18, running 17:59. His recent parkruns have all 17:59, 17:59, 17:40, 18:00, 17:59. Hmmm.

Kate Leeson was pick of the K&D Women with a 24:48. Taking full advantage of the Cross Country later that day to snatch a place at the top of the podium with glee. Nicky Evans did the parkrun/Cross Country double. Warming up with a 25:01 with Katie Connolly just behind in 25:34. Less than 60 seconds separating the top 3.

Almost making the women’s top 3, but still being rewarded with a PB was Janice Lisiecki in a new best of 25:44. She joined Ed Bower in the PB jamboree as he ran 19:23. Great way to start the new year!

Oaklands parkrun:
He looks about 12 but George de Bolla showed us that Oaklands is a great place to run fast. Plus you can go to Tesco at The Swan Shopping Centre after. George burned up the park with a first place finish and a sub-17. Running 16:58 to show he’s come through Christmas in fine fettle. Just behind George, Big Dave Carbutt ran a strong 18:41, Kerry Ann Thompson clocked an impressive 21:05 for first woman, Paul Winwood ran 23:54 and Kate Marsh ran 23:56.

Bromley parkrun:
Adam O’Nions found himself somewhere down in the south of England. Bromley to be exact. What an exciting life he leads. He ran 20:37 which is smoking. Charles Darwin was born on the outskirts of Bromley in 1809. He’s dead now though so not much good at parkrun.

South Manchester parkrun:
He also still looks about 12. And he’s still got K&D on his profile so we’ll still count him. Jack Bristow ran 17:53.

Dudley parkrun:
Simon Battson ran 25:35 at Dudley parkrun. The zoo is rubbish in the winter as all the animals are inside watching the Gaving & Stacey Christmas Special on BBC iPlayer.

Arrow Valley parkrun:
Oh look. Kev and Alison are touristing again. Like Whack-A-Mole they just pop up randomly in places on Saturday morning. Kev ran 27:42, Alison clocked 47:05. Neither got whacked by a giant hammer.

Green Point parkrun:
South of the equator and in lovely warm Cape Town, South Africa, Jo Tork ran 38:10. We’re not jealous. Honest.

Babbs Mill parkrun:
Phil Wood finished 5th overall running 22:02. He beat Rob Michaelson-Yeates. Who ran a leisurely 23:03. Phil’s claiming it though. Tanya Cronin ran 35:47 leaving the boys to it.

Warwick Racecourse parkrun:
Put a fiver on Lloyd Barton* who took advantage of the going being good to run 20:43.

(*)Note: K&D do not condone betting on our athletes at parkrun.