Weekly Update - 21st Jan. 2026

Box Hill Fell Race (Sat. 17th Jan.)

Every year the National Trust impose some modification to the course for this iconic race, usually because they have found a rare orchid, butterfly, or other endangered species, although this year it was because of Boxwood Blight (which I assume is something that you try to get rid of rather than protect?), writes Clem Dixon. The NT also impose a limit of just 275 runners, perhaps someone should explain to them that in the South East at least, fell runners are an endangered species and need protecting. The entry limit results in a mad dash to register online; the way their system works race numbers are allocated in the order in which runners register so hats off to James Floyd proudly wearing number 1. He may not be our fastest runner but he would appear to be our fastest typist. Conversely Peter Reynolds who was giving fell running a go for the first time was our fastest runner but his number of 267 tells you that he only got in by the skin of his teeth.

The latest variant of the course was as good as any and considering that it is not far outside the M25 it is great countryside to run in, although we did have to subject Peter to the mandatory "you know that isn't a proper fell race" speech once we had settled into the Stepping Stones pub after the finish. Hopefully there will be a few more Harriers online next year trying to topple James from his fastest fingers perch.

Results: 42nd Peter Reynolds 1:06:45; 63rd Christian Poulton 1:11:32; 135th James Floyd 1:21:32; 183rd Graham Maynard 1:28:23; 219th Clem Dixon 1:38:23; Team (4 to score) 8th.

London Indoor Games (Senior & U20), Lee Valley (Sat 17th / Sun. 18th Jan.)

The London indoor Games is probably the biggest open meeting in the UK running over 4 days and providing competition for over 2,000 athletes, reports Mick Bond. Last weekend was events for Seniors and Under 20’s  and Hans Nmaju showed his move up from U17 to U20 had started well. With the hurdles three inches higher and further apart it’s a tough transition but he managed it well running 7.99 over the 60m hurdles just 4/100^th slower than the time he had run over the lower barriers. Elijah Olaleye and Ekene Ogbonna joined him in the U20 event posting equally impressive times of 8.32 and 8.50 respectively.

In the women’s equivalent Lily Gayle was quickest of the club’s athletes with 8.91 clocking in the second round whilst training partners Noa Maoundus (9.22), Gabby Noyce (9.69) and Amirat Mohammed-Hassan (9.84) showed the strength in depth we are developing in this event.

On the flat 60m there were good early season runs from the club’s women, Doyin Aderinto recording 7.69 and Emily Cadman 7.82 whilst over 200 Emily ran 24.85 and Danielle Agyemang-Talbot a PB with 25.12.

On the men’s sprints we were a bit thin but Wole Odele broke his own club record with a time of 8.17 for the over 60’s 60m.

In the longer distances Elijah Olaleye dipped under 50 seconds for the first time indoors, winning his heat in 49.82 whilst Elena Oliphant ran a 2.16.63 in the 800m.

British Milers Club Sheffield Indoors, E.I.S. Sheffield (Sun. 18th Jan.)

Holly Dixon produced an impressive season opener in Sheffield on Sunday, clocking 4:10.65 for 1500m, just nine hundredths outside her personal best.

Benfleet 15 (Sun. 18th Jan.)

James Macdonald reports that on Sunday he took a risk and travelled to the distant shores of Essex running the Benfleet 15. It describes itself as a challenging 15 mile, multi-terrain course and that description pretty much fits the bill.

It was technical downhill start followed by pretty muddy sections before a tough climb to Hadleigh castle and then continued muddy sections against a breeze to Leigh station, on the turn around we were running with the breeze and the ground become a bit firmer before further mud and breeze on a trip to Canvey Island, leaving Canvey it was an undulating mile and then a really tough last mile.

The race was full of stunning views, had great course variation, constant support along the course and when I was struggling with the tough muddy sections I thought of my mate Gary Pitman from my second claim club not wearing trail shoes and this made me smile and make me forget that I was hurting.

Though I lost a couple of places in the closing miles, I was happy to finish 9th in 1:39:28 and 1st V40, for this I received a trophy and £30.00 which covered transport and a Toby Carvery. It's a great event and well organised and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a challenge.