Weekly Update - 4th June 2025

Joydens Wood 5k Summer Series #1 (Wed. 28th May)

A great turnout for the first of this year's Joydens Wood 5k Summer Series. James Macdonald and Brett Baker finished first and third overall. Julie Backley secured an age-group win.

Tracksmith Amateur Mile London, Stratford (CT) (Thur. 29th May)

Windy conditions at the London Community Track, Stratford. Nevertheless Meredith Cummins (U17W) managed a four second personal best to sneak under 5:30 for the first time in 5:29.43s. Chris Loudon (M40) produced a strong run in the elite race with 4:29.36s.

Southern Counties Veterans League (Kent) #1, Bromley (Fri. 30th May)

The club's master athletes got their league campaign underway last Friday at Norman Park, Bromley.

Men: A solid overall performance was achieved by the team gaining 4th position - there were some outstanding individual efforts resulting in three 1st places, reports Tim Carter.

We were strong in the 3000m with Chris Loudon M35A  achieving a brilliant win breaking 9 mins - 8:59.9s and Ben Shearer M35B 1st place in an excellent 9:18.1s. Matthew Preston took a gutsy 3rd place in M50 in a close fought race in 10:14.0s.

Wole Odele continued his world class form by destroying a good field in M60 400m - 59.2s and in the long jump set a new age group club record of 4.53m.

Women: A winning start for the ladies team who came out as clear winners of their Division 2 match with a number of event wins.

There were wins in the 3000m for Maggie Illingworth W35A in 12:44.9s and Chanelle McGinty W35B - 13:07.0s, both having run the 400m earlier in the evening. Julie Backley took the W50 win in 12:14.9s having run the Joydens Wood 5k on Wednesday.

Natalie Mann (W40) recorded a dominate win in the discus - 26.28m, close to her personal best.

Julie Backley - Chantelle McGinty - Maggie Illingworth

Three Castles 50km Ultra Marathon (Sat. 31st May)

James Macdonald successfully defended his title at the Embrace Ultra Three Castles 50km winning in a time of 3 hours 32 minutes and reaffirming the clubs dominance in the English endurance running scene.

The race, which began on the banks of the River Medway, traversed the historic castles of Rochester, Allington, and Tonbridge, featured a scenic yet challenging course in temperatures exceeding 25 degrees.

First held in 2024 and known for its inclusive and environmentally conscious approach to trail running. The event emphasizes sustainability by implementing cup-less races, planting a tree for every entry, and wooden winners trophies and finishers medals, reflecting a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the Kent countryside.

The race culminated in a lap of the athletics track at Tonbridge School before all finishers were presented with their finishers medals, photographs, and free refreshments including cups of tea, non-alcoholic cans of beer and hot dogs. For anyone thinking of trying at ultra then this event would be highly recommended. 

Coombe Hill Fell Race, Wendover, Buckinghamshire (Sun. 1st June)

Four of the club's fell runners made the trip to Wendover in the Chilterns for this year's Coombe Hill race, writes Clem Dixon. The construction works for HS2 necessitated a change to the start point but we were assured that it made negligible difference to either the distance or the total ascent. A brief dash on the road is followed by woodland paths which climb gradually. Before you know it you are half way and there has been nothing to differentiate this from a run of the mill trail race, but now the fun starts: a steep drop that can produce a confidence crisis, a short flat section and then you are going back up again and it is equally steep; any ideas of running it don't last long. On the top is an imposing war memorial (The Boer War apparently) as you loop round it there is just time to admire the view stretching out to Oxford and beyond, Chequers, the PM's country residence, nestling below you. It's all downhill from here, nothing tricky just a glorious gravity-assisted grassy gallop that can have your Garmin congratulating you on your fastest ever 1k.

Geoff Smith was first for us, closely followed by Dan Allinson with James Floyd pleased to better his time from last year by two minutes.

I don't know what school of economics the good people of host club Tring went to but it must be a creative one: entries are £5 (£3 for FRA members) and include a free pint in a pub where beer is £6 a pint!

Results: 27 Geoff Smith 31:34, 30 Daniel Allinson 32:10, 67 James Floyd 36:20, 103 Clem Dixon 41:14

Youth Development League (Lower), Brighton (Sun. 1st June)

The under 15 boys team delivered an impressive performance at the YDL match in Brighton, reports Annisha Thomas, particularly dominating the throwing events. Obinna Aniebo made a stellar debut for the club, securing first place in the shot and hammer, breaking the club record in the hammer with a throw of 46.58m. Kendrick Onolememen continued the momentum with a strong win in the discus.

On the track, Austin Richards claimed a superb victory in the 1500m (4:39.2s), while the 4x100m relay team powered to finish in first place. The 4x300m squad also put in a valiant effort, finishing a close second in their race. Several athletes took on new events and impressed with their determination and versatility, contributing to a strong all-round team performance.

Greenwich Meridian 10k, Greenwich Park (Sun. 1st June)

Stephen Thompson was the overall winner of the Greenwich Meridian 10k in Greenwich Park with a time of 37:54. Chantelle McGinty finished first lady in 46:20.