August Bank Holiday weekend round-up 2013

Close finish at the Southend Parkrun!

Only 5 seconds separated the first two runners across the line at the 47th Southend Parkrun 5k event on Saturday morning at Gunners Park. Lee Taylor and Adam Jordan, both Southend Athletic Club members, ran well to finish in 17:28 and 17:33 (PB) respectively, with East Essex Triathlon Club's Lee Baynton finishing in third just 12 seconds behind Adam in a PB of 17:45! Kiera Tipett of Basildon AC was the first woman to finish the 5k run in a PB of 20:53, followed by first-timer Janice Brown of the East Essex Triathlon Club in 21:10 and Leigh on Sea Strider's Marita Neville 3rd woman to finish in 21:58.

Well done to everyone that took park on Saturday, full results from the latest Southend Parkrun can be viewed here.

New Women's Course Record set in Mel Batty 10k

Southend Athletics Club's Kerry Holland has a fantastic run in Sunday's Mel Batty 10k, organised by Thurrock Harriers. Finishing 14th overall, Kerry ran a superb time of 38:33 finishing 1st female in a new ladies course record! Second female position went to Loretta Sollars (East Essex Tri Club) in 39:04, with Robyn Matson of Havering Mayesbrook AC third female in 39:51.

The overall winners title went to Ben Louch of Dartford Harriers in 32:48, with Thomas Beedle (Woodford Green with Essex Ladies) second in 33:24 and Andrew Pickett (Dartford Harriers) 3rd in 34:40.

A total of 132 runners completed the race so well done to everyone that took part, the full results can be viewed here.

Running in the heat-Tips from Adam Hickey

This article was written by Southend Athletics Club member Adam Hickey for RunEngland for whom he is a qualified Running Group Leader.

When running in the heat, there are a few key points to think about which can reduce the risk of dehydration, heat stroke and other problems that can occur when doing activity in tough conditions. Here is a quick look at ways in which we can keep running in the sun enjoyable.

Clothing

If you’ve been running a while, you probably already run in lightweight tops but some runners may not know the benefits of wearing such technical clothing. Due to developments in technology, the sportswear market is now full of clothing that can wick sweat away from our bodies to keep us cool when out running in the heat. Simple things such as wearing light coloured clothing can keep you and your runners cool as they can reflect the sun. Hats, sun cream and sunglasses are also important during the summer so make full use of them when the sun is out.

Timing

If possible, try to avoid running in the heat of the day, ideally a morning or evening run would be better when the sun is not as strong. If you usually plan to run around midday or the afternoon, try to re-arrange it for different times if possible. If this isn’t an option then try to run in the shade and adapt the sessions to include more rest or shorter efforts to reduce the risk of heat stroke or exhaustion.

Hydration

Whether training on your own or with friends, ensure that every member of your group has a drink with them for your run session, ideally water as some sports drinks can sit on your stomach, and a minimum of 750ml.  When I'm coaching I try to keep a supply of bottled water in the boot of my car in case someone forgets their own. Although taking on fluids is particularly important in the heat, ensuring both yourself and your group are hydrated is important all year round. Make sure that you and your training partners are turning up to training sessions well hydrated.

Adam

(Adam Hickey balances work at Southend West School Sports Partnership with being a Run England group leader and an international distance runner himself!

He has represented England and Great Britain at cross country and triathlon in European and World Championships all over the world including Kenya and Japan. He studied for a degree in Sport Science and Management whilst training for athletics, cross country and triathlon in Loughborough where he also gained experience of coaching the University Triathlon Club.)

Weekend Round Up 17th/18th August 2013

Southend Parkrun

As usual, Saturday morning got underway with the Southend Parkrun. This weekend saw blue skies and 176 runners complete the 5km course at Shoebury's Gunners Park, with 33 first-timers and a grand total of 54 personal bests being set!

The top three male finishers were:

1st: 17:05 Ian Anthony (Havering Mayesbrook AC)
2nd: 17:44 Adam Jordan (Southend AC)
3rd: 17:51 Lee Baynton (East Essex Triathlon Club)

The top three female finishers were:

1st: 18:29 Kerry Holland (Southend AC)
2nd: 20:17 Hayley Hawes (East Essex Triathlon Club)
3rd: 20:29 Gemma Russhard (Unattached)

Well done to everyone that took part, latest results can be viewed here.

Runners making their way to the start

Brentwood Brizes Park 10k

Saturday morning also saw the first Brentwood Brizes Park 10k take place, organised by the Nice Work events team. The course was off road on the grounds of Trinity School and attracted runners from all over including athletes from Newquay and Swansea!

The top three male finishers were:

1st: 31:24 Adam Hickey (Southend AC)
2nd: 34:23 Julian Lings (Enfield Harriers)
3rd: 35:50 Quinten Kearns (Army AC)

The top three female finishers were:

1st: 44:43 Dionee Jones (Harlow Running Club)
2nd: 46:25 Pat Coates (Newquay Road Runners)
3rd: 48:57 Sarah Knightsbridge (Unattached)

Well done to everyone that took part, full results from the race can be viewed here.

Weekend Round Up 10th/11th August 2013

Hadleigh Castle 10k 

Saturday morning saw over 100 runners take to the latest race in the Essex Cross Country Series over at Hadleigh Castle for a tough 10k outing over on the downs. The 2013 Essex Cross Country Series started at Danbury Woods on 11th May, then moved to Hylands House 8th June, Thorndon Park 13th July before Hadleigh and the final race will be at Weald Park 7th September - more info can be found here. The course was a good mixture of undulating paths and grass sections which tested athletes of all abilities.

The first male and female's were Southend Athletic Club athletes, with Adam Hickey taking the overall win in 35:44 and Sarah Jeffrey leading the women home in 46:15.

First 3 males
1st: Adam Hickey 35:44
2nd: Crispian Bloomfield 37:01
3rd: Matt Leeman 37:29

First 3 Females
1st: Sarah Jeffrey 46:15
2nd: Sarah Flannagan 46:32
3rd: Zoe Woodward 47:21

Well done to everyone that took part, full results can be found here.

Top 3 males: (L-R) Crispian Bloomfield 2nd, Adam Hickey 1st, Matt Leeman 3rd

Top 3 females: (L-R) Sarah Jeffrey1st, Sarah Flannagan 2nd, Zoe Woodward 3rd

Southend Parkrun

Saturday morning also saw 148 runners take to Shoebury Garrison for the weekly Southend Parkrun 3 lap 5km run in near perfect conditions which produced 50 new personal bests!

The first 3 male finishers were:

1st: 17:41 Sam Luton (Leigh on Sea Striders)

2nd: 18:30 Peter Steel (Leeds City AC)

3rd: 18:59 Gary Tolley (Unattached)

The first 3 female finishers were:

1st: 19:42 Jordan Lacey (Southend AC)

2nd: 20:59 Vanessa Mathers (Southend AC)

3rd: 21:41 Kiera Tippett (Basildon AC)

Well done to everyone that took part, latest results can be viewed here.

First lady home: Southend's Jordan Lacey hanging onto Alan Monte also of Southend AC

Weekend Round-up 3/4 August 2013

More PBs tumble at Southend Parkrun!

Despite breezy conditions in Shoebury on Saturday, 37 personal bests were set out of the 184 runners that took to the 5km course.

The top three male placers were:

1st: 17:43 Alfred Biffington (Unattached)
2nd: 17:57 James Caldon (Ilkeston RC)
3rd: 18:08 Simon Le Mare (Leigh on Sea Striders)

The top three female placers were:

1st: 21:13 Hayley Hawes (East Essex Triathlon Club)
2nd: 22:15 Rebecca Gill (East Essex Triathlon Club)
3rd: 23:07 Megan Rose Richardson (Benfleet RC)

Well done to everyone that took part on Saturday, the latest results can be viewed here

Southend Parkrun winner Alfred Biffington

Spaces still available for Hadleigh Castle 10k on Saturday

Fancy running on the London 2012 Olympic mountain biking course? Well this Saturday you can!

The second Hadleigh Castle 10k is being held Saturday 10th August and you can be a part of it.

You can either enter online or on the day, more information is available here