Mk XXIII

Bit more bracing tonight than usual, bit blustery and getting a bit darker each week. A few people seemingly unsure of start times so just a reminder that we always have to play it by ear and it can sensibly only ever start after the park gates close to traffic. Currently it's 8:15pm, but next week due to reduction in sunlight, if we can aim to be ready to run at 8pm, certainly be there before then, then we should encapsulate everyone.
Thanks once again to the volunteering Ciaran Murphy for taking names and penning times in just a t-shirt (he did have jeans on the lower half of his body). I think he regretted having no coat or jacket quite a bit. Thanks to John Woods for turning up to offer his services too.
Also, we had a PB sandwich with first and final finisher setting PB's! With a waffer theen PB filling in the middle.
Great to see another bunch of new faces, especially the JM's and JW's aged 9, 9 and 11 and even a very, very tanned, holiday making lady who finally no longer feared coming on down.

Oh and Cristiano Bonato was late bringing his friend Dario Paddano with him! 8pm next week Cristiano!

REMINDER: Next week is the Marathon Talk Magic Mile - we expect a larger turnout than usual, there may well be two waves of runners. If you've not signed up so far to take part, it's free and easy to do. Quick, go sign up! Now!

RESULTS

1. Stewart Curtis 5:02 PB
2. Matt Smith 5:10 (PB remains 5:09)
3. Jack Moran 5:17 (PB remains 5:17)
4. Grant Russell 5:23 (PB remains 5:23)
5. Harry Matthews 5:30 (PB remains 5:17)
6. Roy Reeder 5:35 (PB remains 5:07)
7. Colin Haylock 5:40 (PB remains 5:36)
8. Nick Rowe 5:43 (PB remains 5:39)
9. Jed Leicester 5:45 PB
10. Hayden Matthews 6:01 (PB remains 5:53)
11. Kevin Wood 6:24 (1st timer)
12. Donna Richards 6:43 (PB remains 6:32)
13. Daniel Rowe 7:16 (1st timer) 
14. Kirsty Bangham 7:18 (PB remains 6:55)
15. Meredith Kendall 7:33 (PB remains 7:09)
16. Sarah Dixon 7:53 (1st timer)
17. Jessica Rowe 8:04 (1st timer)
18. Hannah Rowe 8:05 (1st timer)
19. Emma Wingate 8:12 PB

Wave 2

1. Cristiano Bonato 5:48 (PB remains 5:37)
2. Dario Paddano 8:09 (1st timer)

Mk XXII

It is still light for a short while after 8pm. Even though the nights are drawing in we can still make the most of some decent length days. Soon enough it will be cold and dark at 4pm so make hay while the sunshines as this is the way the position of our nation, in a global respect, goes. Summer to winter ad infinitum (not literally as our planet won't be around for all eternity) - rinse, repeat, wash. The only way to avoid it is move to another country.

So what's my point? Simply that as the days get shorter we have to bring the start time forward to match and keep things visible for all concerned. Additionally, the park gates shut earlier so we have a clear route without cars. This week we started at 8:30pm. I mentioned this in a few places, even on the post last week. I even told Rue Turner via Twitter a few hours before of this new time. So, how and why did he manage to miss the start? Well, I don't think Rue will ever know. Or let on. Either one.
That was my point. A cheap jibe at Rue's timekeeping.

As for the run, a new course record by first timer Sean Renfer and great to see more ladies taking part. Evens up the gender balance.

Next week it's an 8:15pm start. See you then.

RESULTS

1. Sean Renfer 4:34 *COURSE RECORD*
2. Stewart Curtis 5:10 (PB remains 5:03)
3. Jack Moran 5:17 PB
4. Harry Matthews 5:28 (PB remains 5:17)
5. Carl Moran 5:29 (PB remains 5:26)
6. Colin Haylock 5:36 (1st timer)
7. Cristiano Bonato 5:38 (PB remains 5:37)
8. Nick Rowe 5:39 PB
9. Rob Jones 5:41 PB
10. Stefan Hopper 5:44 PB
11. Ian Haylock 5:45 (PB remains 5:38)
12. Jin Jhooti 5:45 (PB remains 5:42)
13. Jed Leicester 5:47 PB
14. John Woods 5:48 (PB remains 5:41)
15. Andy Wingate 5:53 (PB remains 5:48)
16. Hayden Matthews 6:05 (PB remains 5:53)
17. Chris 'Crispy' Wright 6:13 PB
18. Merilyn Davis 6:20 PB
19. Donna Richards 6:53 (PB remains 6:32)
20. Heather Martingell 7:06 (PB remains 6:53)
21. Kirsty Bangham 7:30 (PB remains 6:55)
22. Mary 'Crispy' Hickson 7:36 (1st timer)
23. Shauna Moran 7:38 (1st timer)

Mk XXI

Some of the finest athletes the World has to offer were on display. Showing strength, courage, skill, passion and a devotion to their performance through adversity and sacrifice. Challenging competition from all over the globe, striving to be the best that they could be and in a manner that I could only dream of. Awe inspiring would be one way to describe it.

Enough about the Olympics, let's tell you about last night's Mile. The irony is that most of our runners had sat and watched sport for two weeks and lost some of their fitness. I didn't run last night but I include myself in this! As a result, only one PB delivered which belonged to Nick Rowe.
However, it was great to be back again and was great to catch up with people discussing the main stories from London 2012. Thanks to Heather Martingell for being 'Name Taker', Paul Martingell for taking photos and Dave Wilson for being back up timer and 'Half Way Time Shouter'.
Photos are here.

The gates are still currently shutting at 9pm, hopefully they bring this time forward to the more appropriate 8:30pm next week as it's getting too dark otherwise. We will be looking to start at 8:30pm next week nonetheless.

Before I go, I demand we give Andy 'EPO' Wingate a urine test.

RESULTS

1. Anthony Jackson 4:56 (PB remains 4:37)
2. Stuart Curtis 5:09 (PB remains 5:03)
3. Will Rawling 5:17 (1st timer)
4. Grant Russell 5:25 (PB remains 5:23)
5. Harry Matthews 5:28 (PB remains 5:17)
6. Ciaran Murphy 5:36 (PB remains 5:27)
7. Nick Rowe 5:42 PB
8. Andy Wingate 5:51 (PB remains 5:48)
9. Stuart Rose 6:00 (PB remains 5:48)
10. Hayden Matthews 6:24 (PB remains 5:53)
11. Donna Richards 6:39 (PB remains 6:32)
12. Joe Wilson 7:12 (PB remains 6:45)
13. Kirsty Bangham 7:44 (PB remains 6:55)