Author: rntsadmin

A response from Kerrie who helped co-ordinate the club’s first ever entry into the Round Norfolk Relay.
17 Stages – 198 Miles
Cycle Support – Car Support
Time Keepers – Awesome Team Organisers
“A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the Round Norfolk Relay a big success. To all those who came out and watched at various stages and changeover points, the support crew of cyclists and car drivers for keeping all the runners safe, not an easy job on the Norfolk roads with some impatient drivers and to all the runners who had nerves to start with, excitement and the willing to run some crazy distances and at various times of the day. Each stage had its challenges and you all did such an amazing job.
Without each and every one of you Lucy and I could never have been able to pull off such a successful event.
I love seeing all the photos, the emotion, happiness and exhaustion – such great memories for the club of our first RNR.
We should be so proud, I see us as a small club (compared to many of the Norwich clubs) and we managed to not only put together a team of 17 runners, but a vast support crew too, not easy when you are asking somebody to drive for 2 1/2 hours during the night at a runners pace.
Lucy and I are very grateful to you all.
Shall we do it all again next year – 100% YES”
Official Results:
Stage 1: Kings Lynn to Hunstanton – Ana – 2:15:16
Stage 2: Hunstanton to Burnham Overy – Lorrain – 1:54:33
Stage 3: Burnham Overy to Wells-next-the-Sea – Cam – 50:59
Stage 4: Wells-next-the-Sea to Cley – Shane – 1:38:20
Stage 5: Cley to Cromer – Kyle – 1:29:03
Stage 6: Cromer to Mundesley – Will – 1:04:15
Stage 7: Mundesley to Lessingham – Stuart – 1:14:05
Stage 8: Lessingham to Horsey – Kevin S – 59:17
Stage 9: Horsey to Belton – And – 2:07:36
Stage 10: Belton to Earsham – Andy – 2:58:53
Stage 11: Earsham to Scole – Kevin H – 1:34:05
Stage 12: Scole to Thetford – David C – 2:24:17
Stage 13: Thetford to Feltwell – Tara – 1:44:27
Stage 14: Feltwell to Wissington – Alex – Stage cancelled due to police incident
Stage 15: Wissington to Downham Market – Gemma – 1:37:45
Stage 16: Downham Market to Stowbridge – Anna – 47:13
Stage 17: Stowbridge to Kings Lynn – Rob – 1:38:04
Total Time: 26:18:08

Stockholm Half Marathon

Unofficial result (Strava)
Stuart W – 1:57:12

Great North Run

Official Results:
Cat C – 2:33:25
Lynne – 2:52:55
Angie – 3:28:14

Gritstone Grind 35 miles

On Sunday 3rd September I took on “Gritstone Grind”, a  35-mile race on the Gritstone Trail from Kidsgrove to Disley. The race name is very appropriate as you really have to grind your way through very long and very steep hills and often on adverse camber. Just as you think you’ve reached the top, there’s another hill around the corner waiting to be tackled! I like running on hills including uphills but didn’t find any during this race that I could manage so I hiked up those parts. The hiking itself especially over rocky terrain felt like doing creative lunges! The spectacular views of Cheshire made some of the climbs all worthwhile. The downhills helped me catch up with myself and attempt to meet all the 4 cutoffs. Lucky for me, the cutoffs were generous!

What made the race additionally tough was how hot it was on the day. Full sunshine all day was not easy to contend with. I managed my hydration quite well with water, Tailwind, coke, and some espresso and a Calippo that Tim got ready for me at a time when I was flagging mainly because of the heat. Tim was there to crew me at the points crew were allowed and knowing that I would be seeing him en route and of course at the end, was a great feeling.

Nutritionwise I could have done better. I couldn’t eat much on the uphills as I had to often ensure that I didn’t lose my balance. I was running the downhills at a fast-ish pace so eating was not preferred during these stretches either. I opted to eat on the flattish parts. Quavers, cheese biscuits and cheese blocks which I was carrying with me were the right choice.

My shoe choice for the race worked marvels. I was wearing my inov8 xtalon. It was the first time I had them in a race. They were excellent on rocky terrain and gravel and narrow paths near waterways as the grip on them were excellent making some of the more difficult downhills actually easy to run on.

I had some difficult moments during the race where I questioned what I was doing and why I was doing it especially when I saw people relaxing in their gardens and even in their private jacuzzis! But here I was on a mission to conquer the Gritstone Trail.  And conquer it I did 🏃🏻‍♀️

11:34:53

Harling 10k

Official Result:
Michelle – 1:02:21.4

Wissey Half Marathon

Unofficial Results (Strava):
Marie P – 2:13.0
Hayley – 2:26.0
Karrie – 2:26.0

Official Results:
Ant – 19:28.2
David C – 20:00.0
Kevin H – 20:33.9
Rob – 22:40.2
Paul – 22:56.7
Will – 23:53.8
Nita – 26:56.7
Michelle – 28:53.2

Official Results:
Rob – 24:42.7
Will – 25:55.1
Nita – 29:14.4
Michelle – 30:43.1
Debbie – 32:12.3

Worstead 5

Official Results:
David C – 00:32:37.3
Ant – 33:33.9
Rob – 37:55.2
Paul – 38:55.5
Will – 39:33.1
Paula – 39:44.0
Lucy Mc – 44:35.0
Hayley – 45:48.6
Marie P – 46:38.2
Nita – 46:43.4
Kerrie – 48:00.7
Michelle – 49:43.1
Deb – 51:37.6

Norwich Pride 5k

Unofficial Result:
David R – 19:25 – 1st place

 

Thanks to Nur for her report this weekend:

This event will always remain special to me as it was the first ever race my son participated in. We each ran at our own pace. I was very happy to meet my target of finishing in under 29 mins but I was even happier to see my son pacing himself all the way and finishing well before me. Above everything else his participation in the event made me very proud.

 

The course was spectacular, especially at the start when the course took us under the Sydney Harbour bridge and in the second half when we ran along the promenade in Barangaroo, with the Opera House coming into full view as the course took us back under the harbour bridge for a second time as we approached the finish line. So glad the event coincided with our visit to Sydney.

Gun time 28:46

Thanks to Chris & Ceri for a parkrun report from Singapore:

Bishan Park parkrun, Singapore
A parkrun in Singapore was not what Ceri and I had originally planned – that was supposed to be the Singapore Masters International Track and Field event in which I was entered for the 100m, 200m and 400m and Ceri had entered for the 400m and 800m. But Singapore weather can be extreme and 82% of an expected month’s rainfall in a morning puts paid to lots of things!

So, instead, it was an early start on Saturday at the beautiful Bishan Park because parkrun in Singapore – and there are three of them – starts at 7.30am while the temperature is still in the low 30s. However, it’s the 85% humidity, rather than just the heat, that finishes you off. And for me, I don’t do distance anymore, just sprinting and never more than 400m – so 5k is well out of my comfort zone even when it’s cool. So the two laps were tough. Nevertheless, we got round, with our son Owain – who lives in Singapore – finishing 3rd overall while Ceri was first in her age group and I was second.

And then it was hydration, hydration, hydration and a cab back to Owain’s apartment to lie down!

Jetsetting Nur sent us this report from the other side of the world:

‘I participated in Run Melbourne half marathon today and finished in 02:11:58. It’s a very big event with thousands of runners doing one of three distances: 5k, 10k, half marathon. Choosing the half meant I got to enjoy running through more landmarks.

It was my first international event and I was very happy to represent RntS. I enjoyed it fully. ‘

Official Results:
Will – 50:53
Kel – 54:26
Laura W – 57:49
Teresa F – 57:53
Chris L – 57:53
Marie F – 1:02:07
Vikki – 1:08:02
Michelle – 1:08:02
Mark – 1:08:03
Alison – 1:09:25
Deb – 1:10:37
Lesley – 1:10:37
Denise – 1:16:54
Angie – 1:20:37

Holkham 10k 2023.

Well.  What can I say.  Probably the same as a lot of people on Saturday, ‘never again’!  But, hey, today is a different day, so I guess most of us are saying that we probably will do it again!

The event was very well organised with a great event village.  The RntS competitors rendezvousing at the club flag.  The organisers had a very jovial master of ceremonies who did seem in awe of how lucky we are to train in and around Holkham.  And she liked my shorts (cow pants as she said)!

Club attendance was very good, with 21 runners completing the event, and no less than 10 more supporting and volunteering (I think I’ve got that right, if not do tell me so I can get you added to the club champs leaderboard).  Unfortunately for Michelle, injury stopped her part way into the event, but she stayed to cheer on her friends.

So, to the actual race…. Officially the hardest and slowest 10k I’ve ever done!

The start was very well organised, and we set off bang on 10 o’clock.  A nice run along the front of the hall, round to the previous parkrun route (I can’t say original, as it isn’t) over the cattle grid and left on to the gravel track.  I’d forgotten how it felt running up this.  Loose under foot, congested and hot, it was sapping.  A slight reprieve as we reached the top where there was some shade, the downside of this meaning there was no breeze.

Left at the top, a slight downhill and then left again on to the South Avenue.  By this point there were already a lot of people walking.  Making the most of the downhill we jogged down towards the crossroads at the bottom.  It was great to see that the water station had been relocated there from the Great Barn, meaning we would see it 4km and 8km, rather than just once at 5km.  A quick drink, and cheers supplied by fellow RntS Hayley and Jenny, and then up to the Great Barn, now on the current parkrun route.  Right at the top, then down the concrete track towards the RntS Feed Station 2 location for Sunday.

By now it was a case of ‘run to that point’ then walk, ad infinitum!   At this point we caught up with David, who, despite being 20mtrs ahead of us, with a head wind, could hear Vikki chatting away!  We caught up at the left turn back onto the South Avenue and had a quick chat.  All confirming (along with another runner) that we’d never seen so many people walk at an event!

Towards the South Gate and then right into Longlands, then right again back on to the gravel track, loudly supported and cheered on by Kevin.

Downhill all the way to the right-hand turn, then the drink station was in sight again.  Evette dowsing me with a cup of water down my back, another drink and left to the Obelisk.  The last uphill section.

All downhill now and past the icehouse, to the final corner.  The finish line was in site, the orange carpet of legends!  Cheered on by the other RntS and family, we made our way onto the carpet, and across the line.

A great medal and a can of cold Erdinger.  Both very well received.

We watched the rest of the RntS come in, got a photo of possibly the sweatiest RntS gang ever assembled and then headed our own ways.

For Michelle, Vikki and myself, it was down to the beach for a much needed cool off in the sea.  Then back into the park to watch my Nephew do the Junior Outlaw, whilst stuffing my face with the biggest portion of cheesy chips I’ve seen.

Things I learnt from Saturday….

• If you check the weather forecast and seriously consider taking your hydration vest, do it (thank you for sharing Vikki).
• No matter what I say after a run, I’ll probably do it again.
• OSB put on superb events.
• RntS is a fantastic club.

Home for a rest, before an early start to spend Sunday with the RntS family again at the Outlaw half marathon Feed Station two.  Cheering on club members Chloe and Hayley as they became Outlaws.

Mark.

Official Results:
David C – 00:44:45
Kevin H – 00:46:03
Lorraine – 00:46:18 – 1^st in class
Roland – 00:53:52
Ana – 00:56:53
Gemma – 00:56:54
Bob L – 00:59:33
Will – 01:00:52
Jade – 01:04:17
Marie – 01:04:49
Chris L – 01:05:01
Cam – 01:08:55
Andy – 01:09:00
Debs – 01:17:41
Vikki – 01:23:35
Mark – 01:23:36
Catherine – 01:25:54
Shirley – 01:28:48
David S – 01:31:18
Gill – 01:34:48
Angie – 01:34:49

Supported by:
Chloe
Evette
Hayley
Jenny
Kerrie
Kevin B
Kevin S
Michelle
Tasha
Teresa A