Ines Trent with her first ever medal
Chris Dowling is no stranger to an ultra-marathon having completed various long distance races over the last few years, and on Saturday he took part in his latest endurance feat – the inaugural Copthorne 50k. The Gade Valley Harrier embraced the three-lap course over a wide mix of terrain and woodland which started in the village of Mickleham, before contouring in and around the infamous Box Hill and Headley areas of Surrey. Each lap provided a cumulative ascent of 2,100 feet (640 metres), making an elevation gain of an arduous 6,300 feet (1,920 metres) in total.
After several weeks of wet conditions had made the trails and footpaths muddy, an overnight frost made the course all the more slippery and treacherous and as runners set off into the woods, an early morning mist shrouded the fields to allow some eerily stunning views over the local hillside.
As Dowling got into his pace he established himself into second position where he stayed for the majority of the race, until tiredness crept in and he relinquished a position, to finish in a superb third place and pick up the Male Vet 40+ award, crossing the line in an exemplary time of 5:28:23.
For other club members, this weekend was the first time they had participated in races, with Nicole Tucker and Ines Trent – who both completed the clubs “Learn to Run” course in the summer – making their race debuts.
On Saturday, Tucker was in Northern Ireland for the Belfast Telegraph Run Forest Run – Loughgall running event, which offered both 5km and 10km races under the backdrop of the impressive Loughgall estate and utilised the forest paths while passing the golf course and lake.
Nicole entered the shorter distance race and crossed the line in 33:50, while her more experienced husband Peter took part in the longer event, which he completed in 1:12:32.
On Sunday, Trent was in Central London for the Regents Park 10k. Part of the three-lap route includes running along the edge of London Zoo where participants get the chance to spot giraffes and monkeys, while benefiting from views of the tranquil boating lakes and floral gardens on other parts of the flat, fast course.
On Saturday, Harrier Kim Morgan continued her fine recent form by being the first female finisher at the weekly 5k ParkRun at Gadebridge Park, where she picked up a course personal best with a time of 24:10.