The performance is even more remarkable when one notes that the previous day he had been running (and running competively) in the British Masters Road Relays at Sutton Park. Ed’s age grading for the half marathon was 83%, which makes him well placed in UK Rankings.

And if his current form is anything to go by he will run even faster in the months ahead.

Full results (PDF).

Pics of Ed.

1 month before the Marathon: I decided to raise money for a Charity called: (The Challening Behaviour Foundation). During my hard work training up for my 1st Marathon & while studying BTEC Sport L3 at Queen Alexandra College in Harbourne where all my friends & teachers have been so supportive giving me their generous advice & donations. If anyone would like to sponsor me you can follow this Web Page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SportDan91.

On Marathon Day: My parents drove me to the event very early so I could settle into the environment easily, but it was so cold waiting around. I was feeling excited, but also nervous due to forecast of HEAVY RAIN & STRONG WINDS, which was difficult blowing against me during the WHOLE RACE. To be honest it’s normal weather up North in Manchester.

I started the race with 2 friends from Swinton Running Club for the 1st 2 miles, then I decided to leave them both to do remaining 24 miles on my own. I was Running Fresh & Efficient going through the miles under 7 mins/1 mile, until I reached 20 miles, that is when my legs were slowly feeling slugish & facing mother nature’s wind forcing me to become even slower during the last 6 miles.

Luckily my Running Club Swinton was at the 2nd last Aid Station at the 21st Mile Mark, giving out water and most importantly giving their MORAL SUPPORT – (GO DAN!!) this helped me over come the physical & possible mental tiredness. At the 25th Mile I saw parents shouting 1 MORE MILE TO GO!! (I could almost feel the finish). At the last corner I saw a Marathon Man holding the Sub 3hr pace maker sign. It was incredible to hear loud roar of crowds & to know I was near the finish, I sprinted using the last remaining muscles in my body to cross the line knowing I did my 1st Marathon (Under 3hours!!).

I collected my recovery items, got my Marathon Medal & then I rushed over to a massage tent where I was in much need of Treatment as my legs were shattered. After the quickest & most painful massage ever, I saw my proud parents!! when they saw me outside the tent freezing & in a sore state (OUCH!!). We headed over to a packed tent where all 5000 bags were kept, and I needed my Clothes urgently (I wasn’t the runner suffering in the cold while waiting furiously for our own bag as this is dangerous because lots of people suffered hypothermia standing around in bad weather conditions).

After an hour wait for my bag, feeling relieved to have my clothes back to get warmer that finally stopped me shivering from all the waiting around, then I was ready to go home for a nice warm bath. The next day I found out my fantastic result happily finding myself in 50th place overall & my time: 2:56:58.

Full results.

It’s that time of year again when we encourage you to take part in our annual BvH Tour, so how about running in five Time Trials on consecutive days, over different distances and terrain against your fellow club members?

The races will be made up of Four Miles of Cross Country, a Seven Mile Hill Run, a Five Mile Canal Run, a 10k Multi Terrain and a 5k Road Race. The week is finished off by our annual summer BBQ and presentation of awards, whatever the weather!

This is open to all members, regardless of your age or perceived ability. The tour is about testing yourself, pushing yourself and somewhere along the way having fun (it does happen, honest!) Whilst there is no entry for single days, we are aware that other commitments can make it difficult to run all 5 nights, previously members have signed up and completed what they can.

Payment

If you are interested in taking on the challenge, then there are two ways to pay:

• You can download and fill in an entry form and pay by cheque (link to Word form).
• Alternatively you can pay online here.

Entries close on Monday 11th June, and there are a limited number of places.

Please speak to Rachel Ward (or if you really want to know the truth about what it’s like – speak to anyone that has completed it before), if you are unsure and want more information.

Thanks!
Rachel
(tour@bournvilleharriers.org.uk)

The commemorative black ribbons on BvH running vests was a lovely gesture, thanks to Sean Rose for making them and bringing them along, and also to thanks Linda for her emergency cycle into Sutton to ensure the were enough ribbons to go round!

On a personal level, this was my first event as ladies road relays team manager, with the official hand over with Rachel Ward taking place, and with the help of my glamorous assistant Claire McHugh, I felt very proud to have that responsibility.

The ladies team ran extremely hard, Mel taking on first leg, Lesley on second, Ange on third and Kathryn bringing us home in fourth. Every single one of them displaying a level of focus, commitment and exertion Joe would have been proud of.

The results online were incorrect, reporting Kathryn to have run 45mins, which is obviously a technical error as her lap was just over 23minutes! We are currently awaiting for the results to change and for our new overall position to be announced.

Well done to all who ran, cheered and wore there teal with pride!

Brain Smith’s photos are here

Bryan Dale’s photos are here

More pics here

I will be continuing with monthlyish kit nights on a Monday night, after the club run.

Next kit night will take place on Monday 28th May to include half price old style vests – So if you need a spare…see you there!

I will also be at club most Mondays and Thursdays to satisfy your kit needs!

If you have any orders, thoughts, ideas, queries or questions about kit, please do not hesitate to contact me on kit@bournvilleharriers.org.uk

A short while later we came to a halt as a bridge had been swept away in recent floods and so we had to queue up to scramble down the bank and cross the stream – some made more of a meal of this than others! We then climbed up into the forest and worked our way around to the first drink station, which is also the second drink station, so that gives some idea of the complexity of the course.

There were lovely views, a couple of very steep downhill sections where it was a bit slippery and care was needed. Other than that it was just a good training run – I couldn’t do much else after the relays the day before! At about 4 miles we run through the remains of Goodley Hamlet. This was a settlement of 36 people and they had kept themselves isolated during the plague.

However, towards the end of the plague years one of the inhabitants took the decision to go to Watchett to get some provisions. He returned with the infection and soon afterwards the whole community was wiped out. This was 6 months before the plague ended in Britain. Hence the ‘Black Death Run’.

We passed some pools with waterfalls connecting one with the next. There seemed to be more water around than there has been previously.

The final three miles take you up to the highest point where there are some terrific views and bluebells and primroses, before the final last mile which really is all downhill.

At the finish there were cakes and tea/coffee and a Cotleigh Brewery beer tent. There was also entertainment for the children and there had been a 3 mile fun run/walk – so something to keep family members occupied when their runners were out enjoying themselves.

Race website: http://www.theblackdeathrun.com/
Full results (PDF)

There were four members of BvH there, although I didn’t see very much of the other three until the end as they were so fast. Sam Chatwin was second in 37.12 and Bradlee Tod third in 37.37 in this slightly long 10k course (about 6.3 miles). The fourth BvH runner was Mark Cooper (47.53) and between them they made up the 3rd men’s team. I was the only female representative from the club and completed it in 56.06.

It was a bit muddy in places compared to recent years, although I have seen it much worse. A good run in pleasant surroundings.

Bournville results:

Full Results (PDF)

After an 8 year absence from the track, I am county 5000m champion (and in a sprint finish too!). Well chuffed. #downtojoelewiscoaching

— Gary Blackman (@Blackman_240980) May 13, 2012

Our runners will be racing wearing black ribbons in memory of Joe. The ladies’ race starts at 11:00am and the men’s race starts at 1:00pm, but we are encouraging supporters to arrive early so that we can have the chance to gather as a club prior to the first race.

Information including start times and directions to Sutton Park is here: pdf