Race Reports

While Barns Green is well known for its wind and rain, it seems that the Brighton 10k is usually bright and sunny. This year was no exception making superb racing conditions.

Of course this wasn't enough for some, with Rob, Rachel and Claire electing to cycle down for the race. Altogether 15 MSTC athletes were running although there may be others who did not enter as MSTC. For the first time more women than men from the club were racing (8 v 7).

 

Those who have raced here before know that it is quite a boring course but it is pretty flat and therefore quite fast. However now that there are 2700 runners it is getting a bit crowded!

 

We actually had 2 MSTC athletes right at the front of the field, with both Mark Jordan and Callum Murray riding mountain bikes to keep the road clear for the leading runners, although Mark was having some trouble blowing his whistle and shouting at the same time.

 

Steve Crocker showed the pace that has been evident on Thursday evenings to be first home in 38.39. He still felt he went off too fast and that he could go faster if he paced himself better. Not a bad effort for his first club race though. Steve Alden was not far behind with his quickest 10k for 6 years in 39.16. Rob Hoodless faded a bit at the end but just crept in under the 40 minutes in 39.58.

 

Rachel was first lady home from the club with a comfortable PB in 43.48. Second was Tamsin in 47.18 although she felt she could have run faster. She has been training well so I am sure her times will come down.  

 

I didn't see Dave Leadbitter but he ran well to finish in 45.03, comfortably ahead of Colin (46.17) and Steve Mac in 46.38. Peter Clarke completed the men in 49.13.

 

Julie Williams continued her good form with a PB in 56.08 to finish 3^rd lady with Kay Mac in 57.24. A very hot and thirsty Claire finished in 64.23. There are no drinks stations around the course and on a warm day she really suffered. Jules got round in 65.27 nearly a minute behind Emma (64.36) who lost a BAR point by starting too far back. Rose Ryan had a gentle run round in 75.49 encouraging another runner.

 

Rob and Rachel then cycled home with Callum and Mark but not before stopping in Ditchling for tea and cakes - the best conclusion to a social ride!

 

 

MEN WINNER:   29m52s

 

Steve Crocker	38.39	29.44%	10 points
Steve Alden	39.16	31.48	9
Rob Hoodless	39.58	33.82	8
Dave Leadbitter	45.03	50.87	7
Colin Chambers	46.17	54.99	6
Steve McMenamin	46.38	56.16	5
Peter Clarke	49.13	64.80	4

 

 

 

WOMEN WINNER:  33m30s

 

Rachel Baker	43.48	30.75%	10 points
Tamsin Clake	47.18	41.19	9
Julie Williams	56.08	67.55	8
Kay McMenamin	57.24	71.34	7
Claire Cresswell	64.23	92.18	6
Julienne Stuart-Colwill	65.27	95.37	5
Emma Alden	64.36	92.84	4
Rose Ryan	75.49	126.30	3

 

 

 *Note: Ant Bliss always writes a good blog on the races he covers view the brooks one here.

 

 

Author: Steve Alden

 

The pre-race favourite was always James, and he stormed off at the start. Jim Graham has been concentrating on his running and he also started very strongly. I am not noted for fast starts but went through the first mile in 6m23s, but James and Jim were already way out of sight, probably well under 6 minutes!! Soon after Phil Couch came cantering past looking very comfortable.

Colin went out fairly quickly, and was followed by Mark and Rachel who were being paced by Rob, who was barely at a jogging pace by his standards, whilst making Rachel and Mark run at their limit!

With Barns Green it is always the second half of the race that sorts everyone out as somehow it seems to be predominantly uphill, especially after 9 miles. By the half way mark though we already had two casualties. Clare had to pull out with cramp, which was very disappointing for her, and Emma stopped halfway. Her 6-month taper for this race had left her severely undertrained!

By 9 miles James had run into trouble. He was on course for a 1h23m finish when he developed severe stomach cramps. He gamely carried on, running and walking to still finish just outside 1h33m. Meanwhile Jim Graham kept up his excellent pace to be first home in 1.26.19. Phil could just see him at times but could not close the gap to finish in 1.27.12. Steve was delighted to run a very even race in 1.28.18.

Once Mark had got his breathing together he managed to push on to finish 14 seconds ahead of Rachel and Rob, but not before all three had caught and passed Colin late on. He wasn't wearing club kit and it was only the muttered expletives that made them realise they had overtaken him!  Rachel broke her PB by some 4 minutes so had a cracking run. John Liebers ran in place of Steve Mac (apparently worried that 14 pints of lager the night before might have an adverse effect) and did a time Steve would have been proud of - just outside 1h46m and a few minutes ahead of Del who did a respectable 1h52m.

Lucy had an excellent run to finish second lady in 1.46.30, and Kay planned and executed a very steady even race in 2h10m and Julie did an excellent 2.08.56 (?PB). I didn't even see Sharon in the melee afterward but she was third lady from the club just outside 2h6m. Julienne finished in 2h34m.

No race would be complete without the support crew so thanks to Steve Mac (and Murphy), Hazel and Pete for their consistent cheering.

MEN WINNER 1.10.30

Jim Graham   1.26.19  22.43%  10points
Phil Couch     1.27.12   23.69      9
Steve Alden   1.28.18   25.25      8
James Dear   1.33.19   32.35      7
Mark Jordan  1.41.00   43.26      6
Rob Hoodless 1.41.13  43.56      5
Colin Chambers 1.43.25 46.68    4
John Liebers   1.46.07  50.51      3
Del Hastings   1.52.33  59.64      2

WOMEN WINNER 1.22.45

Rachel Baker      1.41.14  22.33% 10points
Lucy Williams     1.46.30  28.70      9
Sharon Chladek  2.06.07  52.40      8
Kay McMenamin 2.10.18  57.46      7
Julie Williams     2.08.56  55.81      6
Julienne Stuart-Colwill 2.34.20 86.5  5
Emma Alden       DNF (6miles)         4
Clare Parkinson   DNF (cramp)         3

 

Author: Steve Alden

An initial report from Colin:

Start - hot - drink - hot - cramp - hot - drink - stomach cramp - hot - vomit - hot - wave at Kevin (he looks hot)- cramp - hot - where am i - cramp - hot - who am I - hot - who keeps shouting at me - shut up - hot - Finish - beer - where am I

 

Sounds like you enjoyed it Colin.

 

Update from Kev:

You forgot to mention run a bit - lose first gel - run a bit more lose another two gels - go to take on nutrition - uh oh empty race belt - throw race belt to side of road as now empty - run into wind and up hill - get tired - wait for feed station - around 11 miles - feel sick eating clif shots - notice its hot - cramp - hot- cramp - see Colin (he looks hot and unhappy) cramp - hot - where am i - cramp - hot - who am I - hot - who keeps shouting at me - shut up - hot - Finish -

 

   Kevin James race report.

 

 Can you email me more reports please and photos.

 

 

                                                Chip Time        Position

Kevin James (1082)                 3:24:32             339

Colin Chambers (5637)            3:47:59             1120

Samantha Anderson (1276)      3:58:05             1857

Stephen Birchall (9205)            4:05:30             2282

Mark Jordan (5156)                 4:05:51             2280

Kate Walch (6641)                  4:48:55             5138

Kay McMenamin (3444)          4:56:38             5350

Julienne Stuart-Colwill (3988)  5:28:57             6818

 

Henfield 9 Mile was very muddy. James Dear came 2nd - well done!

It was a good day to race - the sun was out with very little wind, and a slight chill in the air. Well done to all those that raced - Jules, Sam, Steve B, Andy, Kay, Julie, Claire C, Colin and Katie.

Very well done to Kay for setting a personal best - we will have you under the 2 hour mark, very shortly....