Results

A relatively small ERR turnout meant that it was a bit of a joker-fest at Bearbrook. Still, a pleasant day and fastish course. The only downside was Derek's disappointment in finding that the 'mixed showers' weren't.

Tich won the wine and his report follows the results.

I arrived at Aylesbury RFC with time to spare which is rare for me! There was a good turnout bearing in mind that some of our runners had chosen to run the much shorter Hooky 6 that day!

After talking with a few of our runners it was clear that many were playing their jokers – 7 in all. I was glad it was an earlier start (9:30) as it was beginning to get warm.

As we chatted at the start, the gun went off and it took me a further 30 seconds before I started my watch.

During recent races there have been four of us who have run at close quarters, Jane L, Paul C, Ian K and myself, usually last, and it wasn’t long before we were together again. As we turned left onto the main road to approach RAF Halton I could see a steady climb ahead of us. Managing to get to the front of our group, I then passed a guy running barefoot! Was he nuts? Taking a quick drink at the water station, I pressed on knowing Jane, Paul and Ian were not far behind.

Downhill through Halton – Ian was back with me – running side by side encouraging each other to go faster. As we approached the last major road junction with only 1K to go, marshals waved us across. Ian just about managed to cross but as I stepped into the road the car on my right leapt forward. In a split-second I had to leap back onto the path, otherwise I would have been spread-eagled over the bonnet. The driver sped off shouting abuse at both of us!!

We ran around the rugby pitch egging each other on with me crossing the line just ahead of Ian, a mere 4 seconds behind, followed by Jane and Paul.

I was pleased with my time, knowing it may have been slower had it not been for the encouragement towards the finish.

It has been made even more enjoyable with me winning the bottle of wine, though it was only one glass before it was demolished by you know who!

A slightly reduced turnout for the 2nd Bletchingdon Motavation of the season, both overall and among the ERR runners, which should have made it a good night to play your joker. However, as far as I know that wily old fox Mr Kavanagh was the only one to do so. If you showed similar cunning, please let me know.

Some excellent performances at Evesham, with Robert picking up another prize, Kate winning her category, and Denise winning an orchid, even if on closer inspection this appears to have been for 4th V35 lady. In fact, Denise started after Mark, finished in front of him, so we're wondering how her time was 3 seconds slower.

A number of PBs, some of which I've categorised as 'big'. No jokers that I know of, so let me know if you played yours.

Gemma, in addition to her big PB, also won the wine, and her report follows the results.

"Fantastic, terrible, PB, worst 10k ever" These are a few of the comments being banded about after the Evesham 10k, a club championship race on Sunday 11th July. It was a fantastic club turnout for this relatively new but very well organised 10K (although I am slightly biased as this is my parent's running club!). A few of our faster members got a mention at the beginning of the race, so with no pressure, a sea of blue shirts crossed the start line on Evesham High Street. The race itself is undulating with twists and turns around the town. It has a great mix of road through the town, trail along the river and paths through the park. There is vocal support along most of the course and in particular at the finish. On the day in question, the weather was HOT. This seemed to either be a help or a hindrance as the variety in peoples finishing feelings demonstrated. Robert Storey was obviously having a great race as he came in 3rd overall. Our men's team also won 1st prize in the team event and from a personal point of view, with a new 10k pb under my belt, I was having a pretty good day too!

No short league points available this time, but an excellent turn-out nonetheless, with 48 Eynsham runners among the 340 finishers overall.

Congratulations to Robert for winning not just the MV40 title, but the race itself, which makes 2 race victories in a week (can anyone remember the last time an Eynsham runner did that?).

Well done also to Jacky for the LV45 prize, although some young upstart had the nerve to pip Kate for the LV55.

If anyone's time was different from that given in the official results below (which were gun to chip), then please let me know, along with any PBs/jokers that I've missed.

Joan won the wine and her report follows the results.

Well done to Robert and Kate for their category prizes. As I wasn't even there I have less idea than usual about any jokers that were played, so the usual 'let me know' speech applies.

Another excellent ERR turnout - about twice as many as the last time this race was in the Club Championship.

Well done to Kate and Robert for their category prizes, and to the many people who set PBs. Once again, if I've missed any, or anyone's joker, then please let me know.

Mark won the wine (again), and here is his report:

It’s a short race, so I’ll be brief. Featuring in both the Long and Short Leagues, the club flocked to Charndon to earn some championship points, setting many a PB in the process. Conditions were unseasonably cool and grey, but at least the course was fast and flat. Robert led the challenge, picking up 3^rd MV40, whilst Kate secured the LV55 award. First lady home was Denise, maintaining her lead in the Long League. Simon took away 50 points to tighten his grip on the Short League, whilst Natalie scored another maximum in the ladies’ competition. Most impressive of all, was the level of participation; no blue sky, but 41 blue vests.

Here are the results of last Wednesday's handicap race, so you can all check your time against alloted handicap.

Well done to all our winners - normally this is won by a time of around 2 minutes better than the handicap, so there were some exceptional performances this year.

The handicap is based on the following criteria, in priority order:

Your best time in the last 3 years of the handicap race

A time in last year's Motavation series (taken in race order, so Charlton first, then Bletchingdon etc)

A 10k time from last year (generally the Eynsham 10k)

Your time at this year's Charlton Motavation

An estimate, based on the time of a 'comparable' runner - I think we only resorted to this once this year.

Great to see so many newcomers and the return of some old friends (with the name Creasey) among the record 50 Eynsham runners at Charlton. With so many people there I have no idea if anyone played their joker, so please let me know if you did.

Update (13/5): after a stewards' enquiry, apparently Reem finished ahead of Julie and Emma, despite what the official results said afterwards, so our results have been updated accordingly.

Thanks to all the ERR folk who turned out on Easter Sunday.

Congratulations to the ERR ladies, who were rewarded with 3th place in the Veteran team competition, while the men didn't quite trouble the medal positions. Each leg was around 3.3 miles.

ERR Ladies:

Jane Bishop 27:04

Kate Williamson 24:14

Denise Bridges 22:51

Total time 1:14:09 for 10th position overall, and 3rd vet team.

ERR Men:

Ben Breaker 20:45

Mark Schofield 21:43

Alastair Graham 22:03

Derek Breaker 23:38

Graham Bridges 20:17

John Bishop 22:59

Overall time 2:11:55 for 13th position.