We hope you have been having a lovely rest over Christmas and that you are gearing up for another busy year of athletics! The end of December proved just as busy as the rest of the year for our athletes with many making the most of the festive break to fit in some great running.

Essex Vets Championships

Well done to our male veteran runners who took on a very muddy course in Epping Forest for this years Essex Vets Championships. Fantastic performances in the 50+ place race, saw Simon Knightbridge finish 15th overall in 34:12 and Elliot Worth finish 60th in 38:42. In the v40 race Robin Smith once again held on to his trail shoes despite the mud and had a great run to come home 20th in 32:37. Well done all! Photos by Mark Farrar.

Rudolph Run

Taking on the festive spirit, Olivia Forrest travelled to Southend to take part in a very exciting 5 mile race. Surrounded by reindeer, santas, snowmen, presents, crackers and every other festive runner you could imagine, Olivia had a good run by the sea to take first female and finish in 30:36.

Boxing Day Crown to Crown

Boxing Day for our athletes saw a trip to the hills of Westley Heights for the last Pitsea Running Club Crown to Crown 5k of the year.

Good course conditions saw great Beagles performances. Robin Smith was first home in 4th overall (18:14), followed close behind by Scott Brooks (18:27). First female was Olivia Forrest (18:50) with Summer Smith second (18:52). A superb sprint up the hill saw Matthew Jones finish as first male U18 (19:23). Amalie Twydell picked up a huge course PB (21:17). Ollie Johnson was crowned male U18 champion of champions for his great performances over the series of runs this year and had another good run today (21:47). Also running brilliantly were Isabel Forrest (22:24) and Adam Armour (22:42).

Serpentine 5k

The 27th of December saw another 5k outing for some of our Beagles who were taking advantage of the last Friday of the month Serpentine run. A foggy day but good course conditions saw another set of brilliant runs and our Beagles taking the first three female finisher spots.

Well done to Max Sanderson 7th (15:57), Scott Brooks 12th (16:48), Olivia Forrest 1st woman (17:04), Madison Kindler 2nd woman (17:22), Heidi Woodley 3rd woman (17:50). Great running too from Matthew Jones – 50th (18:27), Isabel Forrest (19:42) – 78th, Aria Sabado – 91st (20:23), Hugo Wilks – 112th (21:19), Amber Walker – 124th (21:57) and Daisy Middlemiss – 128th (22:16).

Honorable mentions to Evie Warn who started strongly but had to stop with chest pain, and to coach Rob Trevor who ran 17:29 (30th).

Parkrun and Junior parkun round up (15/12 & 16/12)

Normal service was resumed at the weekend after recent stormy events and as usual we had plenty of representatives out enjoying their 5 & 2km runs, with some spectacular performances on show.

On Saturday at Raphael, Keith Thornton (20:29) put in a strong run to finish 18th overall, just 18 seconds off his course best. Also running close to their PB was Emily Brewington (21:26) who was even closer, just 7 seconds away. Great running from both Beagles!

At Billericay, Sophie Bickerstaff (19:19 PB) ran superbly again to break her course best by a huge 22 seconds, finishing 2nd female and 7th overall. Her age grade of 84.30% was also highest of the event, well done!  Also running were Nora Heidemans (25:57) and Yvo Heidemans (25:58) who took 71st and 72nd places respectively.  Another flying performance was to be found at Barking parkrun were Madison Kindler (17:52) finished 3rd overall and 1st female on her debut at the event. Like Sophie, Madison also came away with the highest age grade at her event, a staggering 93.10%!

Times were slower at the tough Brentwood course, but no less impressive performances as Scott Brooks (19:59) took 1st place and Daniel Jaycock (22:00) 6th.

Finally, visiting a brand new ‘local’ event at Ingrebournewas Stuart Bennett (33:38) completing his 5k at the course in Rainham/Hornchurch. The course is a 3 lap gravel route, with the 1st lap a steep climb of Ingrebourne hill. Definitely one for our 5k runners to consider on their future travels.

On Sunday, our juniors were out in action and running well as always. At Harrow Lodge, Matthew Jones (06:55 PB) was on fire again with yet another course best as he took 1st place. Matthew broke sub 7 minutes for the first time as he beat his previous best by 5 seconds! In 4th and also running superbly was Ezra Zion-Gooch (08:49 PB) who claimed his new fastest time as well! Not far behind him were Willow Smith (09:11) in 6th, Finley Smith (09:33) in 7th and Zachary Watson (09:38) in 8th.

At a muddy and slippery Hutton Rec., there was a strong turn out with 4 of the first 5 runners all Beagles. Leading the way strongly throughout was Jamie Murphy (08:13) while running well into 2nd was Nora Heidemans (09:26), closely followed by Camilla Nash (09:39) in 3rd. 5th went to Max Morris (09:43) while Jessica Thomson* (10:07) was 8th, Joshua Thomson* (10:37 PB) 12th, Liam Worth (10:43) 13th and Chloe Thomson* (10:45) 14th.

Just the one runner at Lake Meadows as Sophie Bickerstaff (07:37) capped off a good weekend finishing 2nd and 1st female.  Finally, on his travels again was Adam Armour (08:04) who picked up another #1 token as he came 1st at Burnham Riverside parkrun at his first attempt. Well done Adam and all our runners this weekend.

Parkrun and Junior parkun round up (21/12 & 22/12)

A strong show of Beagles this weekend with a number visiting the new event at Ingrebourne for the first time. Robin Smith* (17:59) ran strongly to take 2nd place while Isabel Forrest (19:58) ran well to dip under 20 minutes and take 14th overall and 1st female. In 24th was Keith Thornton (21:07), 100th went to Nathan Cottee (26:36) and 146th to Owen Cottee (29:14). 

Meanwhile over at Raphael, Simon Knightbridge (18:14) put in a good performance to take 3rd, finishing just 5 seconds ahead of Matthew Jones (18:19) who was just 2 seconds outside his PB. 21st and 2nd female went to Aria Lily Sabado (21:23 PB), Emily Brewington (21:27) finished 23rd and Stuart Bennett (31:54) took 173rd.

At Billericay another strong effort from Sophie Bickerstaff (19:29) who was 3rd overall and took the highest age grade of the event with an impressive 83.58%.  In 57th, running with Nora Heidemans (25:40), was Yvo Heidemans (25:39) while a handful of places behind were Liam Worth (26:08) and Elliot Worth (26:10). Ethan Wilson (28:53) was the final Beagle over the line, making the top 100 in 97th.

Visiting the darts and taking in a parkrun at Ally Pally was Adam Armour (21:40) who ran well to finish 21sh, while also touring, this time at Clare Castle, was Amalie Twydell (20:42) who finished 7th and 1st female, well done! Finally, just the 2 runners at Brentwood as Jude Hearn (20:09) took 1st place, ahead of Matthew Delea (22:16) in 4th.

On Sunday, a cold morning greeted our juniors but there was a big Beagles presence at Harrow Lodge with 13 runners taking part. Leading the way was Summer Smith (07:10) who took 1st place ahead of Matthew Jones (07:25) in 2nd and Isabel Forrest (07:41) in 3rd. The next runner across the line was Lianne Esterhuysen (08:15) in 5th, followed by Blossom Smith (08:31) 6th, Emily Brewington (08:39) 7th, Willow Smith (09:35) 13th, Jack Collier (09:39) 15th, Harry Collier (09:43) 16th, Finley Smith* (09:54) 17th, Danel Esterhuysen (10:10) 18th, Freya Brewington (12:09) 33rd and Liza Esterhuysen (12:38) 35th.

A small turnout at Hutton Rec., but 3 Beagles were on show as Jude Deal (08:59) took 1st place, followed in by Nora Heidemans (09:55) in 2nd, with Bailee Abrahams (11:01) in 4th. Over at Lake Meadows just the one runner as Liam Worth (10:01) completed his 100th run at the event, finishing 13th. Finally touring again, this time at Grange Paddocks, was Adam Armour (07:57) who took 3rd overall.    

Parkrun and Junior parkun round up (Christmas Day!)

A good number of Beagles were out enjoying a Christmas morning special event with both 5k and 2k events taking place. At Billericay, a large turnout of over 400 runners made for a congested run on the winter 5-lap route but once again performing strongly was Sophie Bickerstaff (19:23) who finished 13th and 1st female plus, was only 4 seconds outside her PB. Also taking on the festive run were Elliot Worth (20:19) in 23rd, Keith Thornton (20:56) 28th, Jude Hearn (22:36) 49th, Matt Earing (25:10 PB) 106th, Nora Heidemans (25:39) 120nd and Yvo Heidemans (25:41) 2 places further back.

At Chelmsford where 950 runners were in attendance, Adam Armour (20:29) ran well to finish 37th while at Wickford, Scott Brooks (18:14) took 5th.

Harrow Lodge put on a 2k event for juniors which unsurprisingly were well attended by our younger Beagles. All our runners were helped along by the running reindeer better known as Summer Smith and Olivia Forrest! Isabel Forrest (07:56) took 1st overall, followed a second later by Madison Kindler (07:57). In 3rd running well again and breaking 8 minutes for the first time was Emily Brewington (07:59 PB) while just behind her and also recording a new best time was Blossom Smith (08:02). 6th went to Willow Smith (09:06) and Freya Brewington (10:54) took 12th.

Parkrun and Junior parkun round up (28/12 & 29/12)

There was a good turnout of Beagles at the weekends’ 5 & 2k events with many enjoying their post-Christmas run, both close to home, and touring.

At Raphael, Simon Knightbridge (18:05) ran strongly to take 6th in a competitive field. Also running well was Keith Thornton (20:40) who took 20th while also taking part were Dylan Hussain (27:50), Stuart Bennett (31:05) and Freya Brewington (32:57).

At Billericay, Sophie Bickerstaff (19:46) continued her good run of form finishing 13th, just edged into 2nd female by 5 seconds. Isobel Larner (23:57) took 51st while Yvo Heidemans (26:10) and Nora Heidemans (same time) comfortably made the top 100. Just the one runner at Chelmsford as Reggie Edwards (18:37) ran well to take 7th while over at Maldon, Adam Armour (20:56 PB) achieved a new course best by 17 seconds.

At Brentwood, the muddy conditions were of no issue to Max Sanderson (17:51) who took 1st place by over a minute while returning from injury was Louis King (24:43) who ran well to take 19th. The new event at Ingrebourne continues to attract plenty of Beagles with 6 in attendance on Saturday. Robin Smith* (17:13 PB) had a strong run taking 3rd, with Rob Trevor (23:15 PB) in 72nd. Nathan Cottee (26:05 PB) took 126th and picked up a new course best, with Matthew Cottee (26:08) just 2 places behind on his debut at the event. Also taking part were Owen Cottee (29:02 PB) and Oliver Trevor (42:21).

Out touring around the country were Camila Nash (27:15) at Folkestone, Amalie Twydell (20:38) at Market Rasen, Harriet Ward (30:37) at Brooklands in Surrey, Stuart Crowther (20:22) at Chalkwell Beach and Elliot Worth (22:10) at Thornham Walks in Suffolk.

On Sunday, conditions were calm for our juniors with 6 running at Harrow Lodge. They were led in by Blossom Smith (08:21) who took 2nd place overall. In 6th was Willow Smith (09:08), 11th Finley Smith* (09:46), 12th Harry Collier (09:50), 25th Jack Collier (11:24) and 31st Freya Brewington (11:39). There was also a good turnout at Hutton where Colm Forrest (08:12) took 1st, just 6 seconds ahead of club mate Jamie Murphy (08:18). 5th and a PB went to Luke Morris (08:38), 10th to Max Morris (09:42), 12th Nadia Price (09:45), 13th Nora Heidemans (09:46) and 14th Liam Worth (09:47).

At Lake Meadows, we had another 5 runners, led home by Isobel Larner (08:54) in 6th, followed by Mason Grindrod* (09:09) in 8th, Isabelle Holme (10:00) in 18th, Mia Holme (11:22) in 38th and Jack Larner* (11:40) in 43rd. Finally, just the one runner at Northlands as Adam Armour (08:23) took 1st by over 30 seconds, well run everyone!

Well done to all our representatives at the recent parkruns! Can we please remind you that we can only pick up your results in the parkun club report if you register yourself as being part of the club in your parkrun profile. Unfortunately, the automatic club report only works on the Saturday parkruns so we are unable to spot performances at junior parkruns beyond the local ones we monitor (Harrow Lodge, Hutton Rec., Chelmsford, Lake Meadows and Northlands). Feel free to contact us if you need help setting up your profile or if you want to tell us about your runs further afield.

Coming up

We are starting the year off in style – New Year’s Day sees a number of Beagles competing indoors at the Lee Valley Open whilst others are taking on the Serpentine 10k. We also have the Essex XC Championships coming up on Saturday – an event that is due to see a good number of Beagles competing and hopefully taking home some titles. Good luck to all. Remember too that we are returning to training on January 6th.