Race Results 2011

Wanstead Flats Parkrun,#31

Date: 17 Dec 2011

No. of Finishers: 26

Name	Chip Time	Position	AG%
Tony Lobo	00:22:44	7	64.88%
Robin Sorflaten	00:24:08	10	64.23%
Taric Matticks	00:27:06	14	47.60%
Maxine Clarke	00:27:53	17	56.43%

Jersey Half Marathon

Date: 20 Nov 2011

No. of Finishers: 326

Race Official Link

Name	Time	Position
Paul Lewis	01:33.16	47
Kenneth Wilson	01:57:28	156

Wanstead Flats Parkrun,#27

Date: 19 Nov 2011

No. of Finishers: 27

Race Official Link

Name	Chip Time	Position	AG%
Rodney Baldwin	00:21:46	11	59.34%
Robin Sorflaten	00:23:11	16	66.86%
Maxine Clarke	00:26:21	23	59.71%

Poppy Half Marathon

Date: 13 Nov 2011

No. of Finishers: 574

Race Official Link

Name	Time	Position	AG%
Nuno Andrade	01:33:46	48	63.15%
Paul Lewis	01:36:25	64	66.60%
Peter Grant	01:47:23	166	66.30%
Danis Dervis	01:48:56	182	54.36%
Andre Ellis	01:52:41	224	58.42%
Rolston Lecointe	01:59:14	279	55.67%
Kenneth Wilson	02:02:59	334	53.53%
Cheryl St Jean-Ellis	02:07:47	395	54.35%
Peter Mance	02:09:00	408	51.03%
Frances Skipper	02:11:46	432	49.96%
Allison Tynan	02:14:50	456	51.93%
Nuvit Hussein	02:21:17	493	52.78%
Kay Mitchell	02:21:30	494	49.93%
David Thurtle	02:41:44	542	49.93%

Newcastle Town Moor Marathon

Date: 30 Oct 2011

No. of Finishers: 127

Race Official Link

Name	Time	Position
Julian Hazeldine	2:59:29	3

Race Report:

Still a relatively new event, and quite low key. The experience of the organising club compensated, however; limited resources, but they knew exactly what the priorities were, with attentive marshals, exemplary support, pro-active medics and prompt adherence to time. The course was a slightly challenging one, with the five laps appearing to get the better of a number of people who dropped out part-way through. For the most part the ground was good, but a three-quarter mile straight of dirt track and one hill dominated the course, and the strong cross-wind on the moor didn't help. The lasting impression, though, is the friendliness of the officials; they obviously knew most of the participants personally, but were eager to meet and greet strangers. Their decision to hold the race the day after the move to GMT was a cunning one, easing transport arrangements while still allowing for a relatively early start to the race.

Pros: Exemplary organisation and encouragement.
Cons: Slow course, small field.

Perkins Great Eastern Run

Date: 09 Oct 2011

No. of Finishers: 3273

Race Official Link

Name	Time	Position	AG%
Julian Hazeldine	01:15:52	35	78.05%

Race Report:

Race report: A superior half marathon well-deserving of its reputation. A good central start location for those of us arriving by train, and a generally efficient operation. The course was almost completely flat, and the threading of it through the city's suburbs meant both an absence of dull straight stretches and a near-constant spectator presence. It was very rare not to have anyone within earshot either applauding or cheering. The post-race facilities were excellent, with every type of recovery food/drink which could be desired, as well as changing rooms, etc. The bag store was, for once, well up to the demands placed upon it. I was particularly impressed by the results service; I've never encountered "runpix" before, but they seem to go above and beyond in terms of data supplied. You get finish times, a graph of your finish compared to those around you, split times, split speeds, etc. Highly recommended.

Pros: PB-ideal course, volume of spectators, density of field means you are never without company/pacemakers.

Cons: Not particularly scenic.

Cologne Marathon 2011

Date: 02 Oct 2011

No. of Finishers: 7317

Race Official Link

Name	Time	Position
David Elsom	03:54.04	1479

Race Report:

This was my 8th and undoubtedly the hottest marathon I have taken part in, with temperatures reaching an unseasonable 25 degrees; in the days beforehand I was apprehensive about how I would cope with the warm conditions but immediately prior to the race was calm and relaxed and determined to enjoy it as I chatted to a runner from Belgium, another from France and also to an english runner who had spotted my EERR running vest.

We began by crossing the Deutz bridge and then ran up and down the west bank of the Rhine before heading into the city centre and the old town. Finally we passed the famous cathedral before heading back across the Rhine to the finish line.

There was a real party-like atmosphere at the start with incredibly loud music (not that I recognised any of it!) and apart from the first few miles the crowds were mostly large and enthusiastic. I heard quite a few shouts of "David, du machst klasse!" (David, you're doing great!") and really appreciated the many cries of encouragement I received, especially in the latter part of the race when I badly needed a lift.

The weather certainly affected my overall performance for after reaching halfway in a comfortable 1 hour 47 mins I really struggled in the latter stages and in the end was pleased just to break 4 hours, finishing in just over 3 hours 54 mins. I was totally spent and also badly dehydrated (despite having taken as much liquid on board as possible) and was really glad of the tremendous selection of free food and drink on offer at the finish.

The Cologne marathon is an excellently organised and well supported race and the mostly flat course gives one the opportunity of getting a fast time - unless it coincides with a heatwave! I was only sorry that I couldn't share my experience with other East End Road Runners but hope that other club members will have the opportunity to run it in the future.