Race Report October to December 2020

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December Handicap

20th December 2020

Well done to all those who braved the cold and muddy conditions in the 102^nd Harriers Handicap Race, and for dressing up in your festive outfits. Thanks to all the marshals and timekeepers, without you the event can’t take place.

A few photos of the day.

Tinsel Trot 10KM & 5KM

11th to 14th December 2020

Another virtual race, one of the Harriers Challenge.

10KM result

5KM result

No Harriers ran.

Stafford Harriers Virtual 10Mile race

6th to 11th December

Part of the Harriers Challenge

VIRTUAL MEERBROOK 15KM

20th to 24th November 2020

People that did the distance in a single run

People that did multiple runs to build the distance

Harriers virtual 5km

13th November  2020 to 16th November 2020

BBCHM

7th November 2020 – 15th November 2020

A virtual race this year due to covid.

Stone St Michael’s 10K

6th November 2020

virtual flying fox 10

30th October -3rd November 2020

Cheshire 10K

18th October 2020

Well done to Tom Chell

Head torches on the Chase

15th October 2020

Due to Covid we’d not been able to do any of the usual Chase trails over summer, so instead, we donned our trailies and headlights and headed out on @simon_bromley magical mystery tour. These will hopefully be every first Thursday of the month, with varying routes and climbs. And just look at that sunset!

virtual werrington 10k

10th to 13th October 2020

Virtual London Marathon

4th October 2020

Two club members took part in the virtual London Marathon. Mel Deakin and Julie Nokes.

Race report by Mel Deakin

When I was offered the chance to run in this virtual event after running in London was postponed again, my first thoughts were, run a marathon around Stafford, on my own – madness and absolutely no. The more I thought about it, I realised I was lucky to be offered this opportunity, and I would regret it if I did not do it. I would get the medal I should have got in April, and it will hopefully be the only time the London Marathon will be run in this way and I could be part of it.

The day was exactly as forecast, wet. The first advantage of virtual is you get to choose the route. I planned laps which passed home at the midpoint which meant I could go home for a pit stop. So, as it was wet I prepared a full change of kit should I need it.

Setting off at 08:02 I soon got into my stride and was running comfortably. As I ran the first lap, I was amazed how many other runners were out, some with VLM numbers on too. I made a small diversion to avoid a flood on Riverway, another advantage of virtual, you really can please yourself where you run. Before I knew it and just before I had been running for an hour I was home. Mark was ready with drinks, gels, cake all laid out – I felt like an elite for a minute. 3 minutes at home then off again, this time in the other direction to the Isabel Trail. The rain was easing off and was drizzle at most. I passed Julie Nokes and Nia, who were running in the other direction and said hi. As I ran back towards home, I passed the magic 13.1 miles so knew I was over halfway.

Home again, this time had the luxury of my own toilet – the joy of not having to use the portaloos. More calories in then off again to repeat the first lap. Although I was running on my own I wasn’t in a way as the number of people saying hello, keep going, was amazing.  Saw Sarah on the Tixall Road and managed a smile for her camera. The paths were busier and at times I slowed to keep a good distance from others. I wasn’t going for any particular time, just to finish between four and five hours, so it didn’t matter. As I ran up the Tixall Road, I passed the 20 mile mark and still felt good. In my previous two marathons, I blew up at 20 miles so was expecting to feel awful but didn’t. Back home and Mark was ready to run with me to the finish. Back up Beaconside, onto the Isabel Trail. The marathon wall didn’t really hit me, but my legs did start to ache around mile 23 and from there I was counting down to the finish. Before starting the race runners had to log onto a tracker via a smartphone. My watch and back up watch both said over 26.2 miles but the tracker wanted a bit more. There was no way I was running short and not getting an official result, so kept going a minute more than was rewarded with marathon complete flash up. Yesss I had done it!

So, that was my virtual marathon experience. Lots of unexpected advantages to running this way, certainly a much more comfortable experience than my two previous marathons, and very close to a PB. Lots to think about.  I have had my London Marathon place confirmed for 24^th April 2022 when hopefully I will be running in London itself. It seems a long time away but, in these challenging times something to look forward to.

Mel Deakin  – Pictured at 14 mile

and Julie Nokes

@lakeland_trails Coniston 15K!

3rd October 2020

Race report Jason Littlewood