Hi everyone. Welcome to the latest edition of the blog. Hope you all enjoy the read. And remember, keep sending your race reports in to helsbyracereports@gmail.com.
Borders League & Cross Country
We’ve had no reports sent in on Borders / xc so details will be brief, however we definitely couldn’t publish the blog without giving our league results a mention! We’ve made strong starts to the season in both leagues. In the Borders, both our men and women sit proudly top of the table after 2 fixtures. The dream of a first Borders league title in decades remains very much alive, although both leagues are very tight so we definitely need to keep turning out as strong a team as we can!
After 2 cross country fixtures in the North West Sunday League, our men and women sit 12th and 7th respectively ahead of back to back fixtures (at Arrowe Park and Warrington) in December.
Chester Marathon & Metric Marathon (by Joey Kelly)
Last month, Helsby smashed the 2024 Chester Marathon with impressive performances across the field.
Fitzy and Liz provided invaluable support on the day, taking on pacing duties for the 3:30 and 4:45 groups. We all know how motivating it is to have pacers keeping you going – well done Fitzy and Liz!
In the 20 mins prior to the race the heavens opened on a busy start line – the morning quickly dried up leading to perfect overcast conditions with only a little drizzle to keep us cool.
The Marathon course began with a fast start out through the Roman walls in the city centre and across into Handbridge, followed by what felt like a downhill first half to the marathon. As runners crossed the Welsh border they encountered a sharp climb at Holt, joining the Metric Marathon (at 16 miles) which goes 8 miles out and 8 miles back along the back of the Marathon course, turning around at Churton. The infamous Sandy Lane incline awaited runners with around 3k to go, providing a challenging test of endurance. Both races finished along the riverfront with cheering crowds lining the river and walls surrounding it.
The support on the day is incredible, whether from our younger runners (Ben..!) or members turning out across the course – as always Helsby is very well respected in the local area with lots of shouts of support from random citizens (and I love you random citizen!).
For those who are new to the Chester Marathon/Metric, it is part of the Chester Triple Challenge, which also includes the Chester 10k in March and the Chester Half Marathon in May. Runners who complete all three events are rewarded with an additional oversized gold medal – with a few from Helsby completing the challenge this year.
Special shout out to Cora in the Metric for coming 2nd in the FV40 category and for winning the FV40 prize!! And Les Dash & Chris Green for running their first ever marathons – in pretty epic times!
Thinking of taking part next year?
The Chester Marathon is a well-organised event with over 6,000 runners taking part this year. Each participant receives a high-quality technical long sleeve t-shirt, a chunky medal, a well-stocked goodie bag, plenty of water/gel stations throughout the course, and a good sized festival atmosphere (it’s easy to get there and easy to get home!).
The Metric Marathon is an out-and-back course covering the final 8 miles of the full marathon. It is the perfect option for those looking for their next running goal, whether that is moving up from a half marathon or looking for a new challenge.
For kids there is also the Mini Marathon which takes part during the race and is a mile loop around the racecourse – perfect to keep family entertained while waiting. We had 3 mini runners from our toddler section take part in the race – they even had time for cake before rushing to the finish to cheer on Helsby RC!
Individual Results:
- Marathon:
- Leslie Dash: 3:02:30 (PB!)
- Alan Lea: 3:17:13
- Phil Wood: 3:21:15 (PB!)
- Chris Fitzpatrick: 3:29:23 (paced the 3:30 group)
- Chris Green: 3:48:11 (PB & completed the Triple Challenge)
- Joseph Kelly: 4:38:29 (PB & completed the Triple Challenge)
- Alison Williams: 4:43:20
- Elizabeth Walker: 4:44:28 (paced the 4:45 group)
- Metric Marathon:
- Cora Kendrick: 2:08:00 (2nd in FV40 category, winner of FV40 prize & completed the Triple Challenge)
- Neil Fergusson: 2:45:48 (completed the Triple Challenge)
- Leah Binns: 2:51:22 (completed the Triple Challenge)
- Mini Marathon:
- Stevie Dash
- Eliza Kelly
- Theo Kelly
- With Laura Kelly & Justine Dash in support!
Yorkshire Marathon (by Lucy Mills)
Following a week of constantly checking the weather forecast for updates this Sunday I braved horizontal rain and 40mph winds (that was later to be known as Storm Ashley) running the Yorkshire Marathon in York.
Storm Ashley did not deter the HRC Mad May Team, who to my great surprise came out in force to support me at mile 18 and again at mile 23! Now that really did blow me away!
I was very relieved to get over the finish line, and as it’s my first Marathon with a PB of in 4:34:16!
I am incredibly grateful to the club for all your support , messages , pep talks and donations
Together we have raised £447 for Pancreatic Cancer Research UK a charity very close to my heart. I can’t Thank everyone enough, but I will try!
Thank-you!!Thank-you!! Thank-you!! 
Podium 5k, Barrowford (by Ian Mayhew)
4 of us from Helsby (myself, Mark Gittins, Andy Bromley and Hannah Cowley running for Dragons but 2nd claim Helsby) ventured up to Barrowford in Lancashire to take on the lightning quick Podium 5k under the lights. The night didn’t disappoint, the atmosphere was electric and there were some huge names to watch trackside in the Elite race………..where else are you going to watch 3 GB Olympians from totally different events (marathon runner Phil Sesseman, triathlete Jonny Brownlee and 800m runner Ben Pattison) all go head to head in the same race?!
In terms of our races, Hannah was first to run, going in the sub 18:30 race (you submit your predicted times when entering and get placed in a race with athletes of a similar standard), coming home in an excellent 17:25 for what would’ve been a Helsby club 5k record had she been 1st claim rather than 2nd (hint Hannah, swap your clubs over :-D)
Myself and Brommers were up next in the sub 17 race and we both ran well, Brommers clocking 16:30 for his quickest 5k in 2 years, I was 16:40 (not quite a pb but my 2nd quickest time ever). Both of us got dragged along by the strength of the field around us, there’s nothing like always having runners around you to stop you slacking off a bit when it starts to hurt in the mid part of the race!
Mark was last up in the sub 16 race. He’d never run sub 16 before but given his excellent form over recent months, we all felt that it was a possibility. He ran superbly and crossed the line with 15:58 clearly showing on the finish line clock. This matched what he had on his watch and, given that he’d also started well back from the start line, there was a good chance his chip time would be quicker – we were questioning whether John Wycherley’s 2004 club V45 5K record (of 15:57) had potentially also been erased from the archives. Sadly this wasn’t to be the case – somehow Mark got credited with 16:01 on the official results! Unfortunately something went wrong with the timing system – numerous athletes were given times that were around 3 seconds slow compared to what was showing on the finish line clock. The sub 16 5k has agonisingly eluded more than 1 Helsby runner in the last couple of years and Mark joins Messrs Fryer and Lightfoot in the ‘not quite sub 16 club’ 😀 But we’re very confident it’ll come sooner than later
It was still an excellent evening of racing all round though and I’d thoroughly recommend it to anyone. The atmosphere and the quality of the elite field is so good that even if I wasn’t racing myself, I’d happily travel an hour to go up and watch.
Race for Life, Algarve (by Debbie Read)
Geoff and I spent most of October touring Spain and Portugal, meeting up with some of our usual March running buddies at our home from home on The Algarve.
Coincidentally there was a race for life style event while we were there and Fred being Fred entered us all in it.
It was a brilliantly organised event on closed roads with lots of police presence around the Vilamoura area with an option to do a half marathon, 10k, 7k or 5k.
Several thousand people took part – many of the 5kers walked and were of all ages-whole generations of families including babies in buggies.
It cost €10 whatever distance you did, all participants got a t-shirt, cap, bag and water and oranges on course and at the finish.
It was a very hot morning so the runners in our group opted for the 7k and their non running partners walked the 5k. Lou, (ex Spectrum Striders) arrived the night before and was too late to officially enter but the organisers let her run without a number and she finished 3rd lady in the half but wasn’t in the results.
Langdale HM, Cilcain Fell Race, Derwentwater 10 miles & Tatton Half (all by Jackie Keasley – she’s been a busy bee!)
More on What’s not to like about RUNNING.. at the moment!!
Following on from the races & running I enjoyed in Sept I’ve got a bit hooked & ran some more great races, all of which I can thoroughly recommend! If anyone wants any information/encouragement to do them, just ask!
Langdale Half Marathon 19th October
Again great to meet up with Suzie & Flossie along the way plus Jimmy (who went around twice & did the Marathon) & Sharon.
Famed for being Britains toughest & most picturesque; the course starts from the New Dungeon Ghyll & immediately climbs up the steep bendy road to Blea Tarn (I for sure could not do this twice) before meandering down Little Langdale, upto Skelwith Fold, Loughrigg Tarn & Red Bank before making its way back along the undulating valley back to the pub. It was a lovely warm sunny day with great showcase views – a joy to be out running. It’s never a quick one but I was quite happy to just finish it in 2.22. Well done Jimmy for doing the double – despite it being on roads & him loving fells, its his favourite race!.
Next weekend it was over to Cilcain to do the Clywdian Hills Fell Race, a great local fell race organised by NEWSAR (the local mountain rescue team). Turn up on the day, pay a few pounds, navigate along the secret trods, ticking off the 10 checkpoints over 10 or so hilly miles. Then back to the village hall for homemade soup, cakes & tea (all for a donation to the rescue team). Perfect (if a little exhausting!) especially as it was a sunny clear day & fairly dry under foot. It finishes off climbing Moel Famau by the famous gully on the W side before a brilliant grassy runoff down to Cilcain before the climb up the road to the church. It’s fairly tough but work your way through the Summer mid week Moel Famau races, the Summer Bank Holiday Cilcain Mountain race, start to get to know the territory & sheep trods & you’ll enjoy this one! Was delighted to win a bottle of cider for 2nd LV60!
No photos I’m afraid but here’s the map!
Spurred on by enthusiasm, more good weather & an excuse to return to the Lakes, the following Sunday saw me on the startline of the Derwentwater 10 mile road race around the lake. Setting off from outside George Fishers in Keswick, along the Borrowdale Road, across the bridge in Grange, up & along the C road under Cap Bells, a loop around Swinside finishing in Portinscale, its a scenic route. It’s always on on bonfire weekend, when the Autumn colours are at their best & this year it did not disappoint.
Then couldn’t resist bagging a “day before” entry to the Tatton Half this Sunday just gone. Organised by RunThrough, another very well organised race on a fairly flat course, race village, music, commentary, friendly marshals, cup cakes & medals for all finishers. A 2 lap course around the 2 meres; a bit of nostagia for me because this is where I ran at lunchtime from work, generally weaving in & out amongst the deer. None in sight this time; they are sensible enough to go to the far side of the park when its busy & when it’s the rutting season. Was very chuffed & amazed to break sub 2 hours, something I’ve not done since 2019, with a time of 1:56. Then to crown it all, I got 1st V65 prize and appeared in the race wrap social media post!
Upcoming Action
Plenty of Helsby action this weekend coming – we’ve got 13 runners in the European Cross Country Trials in Sefton Park this Saturday, followed by 10 of our runners PB chasing in the Wilmslow 10k on Sunday (9:15am).
Both races fantastic to watch if anyone who’s not running fancy turning out to support the Green Army! The European Trials was also live streamed last year on the ‘BritishAthleticsTV’ Youtube channel – hopefully they’ll have it again if anyone fancies tuning in: Senior Women 12:45pm, Senior Men 1:50pm