18 September 2024

TRAC racing weekend overview (4 races)

1) Ruby Jones took on the Dartford Half Marathon. This is what she said…

We had very good weather for the race on Sunday, not too windy and the sun was shining.

The course was challenging with over 600 ft of elevation, but overall a nice course with scenic views for the most part.

The race was well organised and there was lots of music and an up-beat atmosphere before the race started.

Sub 1:30 runners were called to start first so I headed over. My target was 1:28, as this would be an improvement on my last HM, and I wanted to run slightly above my target marathon pace over the half distance for a good marathon training race. I was thrilled to have achieved this and come slightly over 🙂

Fantastic achievement Ruby. Chip time 1:27:31, a PB and this was just a marathon training run. WOW!

2) Samantha HASTIE took on ‘THE LAP’. A gruelling but beautiful Ultra in the Lake District. Here is what she had to say….

The Lap ~ 47 miles Anticlockwise
This has to be the toughest course I’ve done to date. I didn’t go in feeling confident, after kit check, I wondered what the hell I was doing. I felt completely out of my depth.
I’m not making excuses, but three weeks of illness and injury niggles leading up to the race, certainly didn’t make for good race prep.
So, needless to say the first half was an emotional battle. A perpetual cycle of wanting to quit, to thinking, I want this medal and it’s a bloomin long way to come and outlay for a DNF!
Reaching Troutbeck, just over half way, I found the mental fortitude to push through. Aided by the love and support of Andy, who was just amazing ❤️ Popping up in the lanes, believing in me and offering encouragement when needed, was the zest I needed to carry on!
The Lap is one amazing course. Apparently, anticlockwise is the hardest route round, trust me to pick it! I love the no nonsense attitude of RD Davy. His supportive crew of volunteers are fab, Thank you Guys and Gals 🙏🏼
The scenery is stunning, if you can let your eyes linger long enough to take in the views 🌲The mud and rain was abundant but that adds to the fun. The wind was savage at times. The people you meet along the way, are all so inspiring.
The last check point left me with 7K. The end was in sight. A couple of K from the finish, I could hear the distant sounds of cheers and the glow of lights on the horizon. I had done it 😃 That last push and a semi-sprint finish, I crossed the finish line 🏁
I did it. I still can’t believe I did it, but, I must have because I have the medal! 🏅😃

Incredible and Inspiring Sam

3) Three TRACies, Ela Wojciechowska, Pam Philpott and Simon Clayton took part in the ‘Black Hugin Reboot’. Ela completed the Half Marathon distance while Pam and Simon completed the Marathon. Here is what Simon said….

Last Saturday Ela completed her first half-marathon with me at the Black Hugin Reboot event, we took a 2 minute run / 1 minute walk approach, so she could experience the distance and prove she can do. This was part of her London Landmarks Half Marathon training which I’ll run with her, Carly, and Cathy. Her previous furthest was 11km. Out of 17 runners completing the half-marathon distance, she came in 7th, and a top half finish! She is a 2023 C25K graduate.

After, Simon helped Ela, he next helped a friend Jo to reach her 20 miles then had to really pick the pace up so that he could finish his marathon before the cut off. He managed it with 17 minutes to spare. What a great story and Simon what an ambassador to the club you are!!

4) Olly Regan took on the Faversham 10k.

Looking at the course it looked challenging with a big bump in the middle.

This was no problem for Olly who not only finished 6th overall but got a PB of 37:11

Well done Olly, yet another fantastic performance.