The last Thursday of a summer month for Gade Valley Harriers means it is time for the latest round of the summer long GVH handicap race. The start of the school holidays and perhaps the choice of various Olympic sports on TV saw a reduced turnout from previous months, creating an opportunity for more points for those taking part. The …
In the surest sign yet that something like normality is on the way, Saturday July 24th saw the return of Parkrun to England as restrictions lifted and most Parkruns gained permission to restart from their local landowners. Curiously, it seems that Parkruns in Scotland and Wales are still dangerous (and illegal) affairs but thankfully those of us based in England …
In the weekend when most of England hoped that football would come home, but a tall young Italian man took it to Rome instead, there was still time for some of the Gade Valley Harriers to take part in some challenging competitions before the barbecues, alcohol and crushing disappointment (with a hint of deja vu) set in. As is often …
Many people woke up on Sunday morning with a hangover. It isn’t clear where this collective hangover originated but rumours suggest that it was something to do with “coming home and drinking the Semillon too easily”. Although some things in the world seem to slowly be returning to “normal”, the familiar rhythm of running events throughout the summer hasn’t yet …
Thursday 24th June saw the latest round of the Gade Valley Harriers Summer Handicap Series. As usual the handicap format provided some excellent racing with 37 Harriers racing over the 4 mile course. After some confusion in the May edition leading to an overly harsh handicap, Anthony Fogden had trailed in last. This time the committee had assigned a more …
Summer seemed to arrive last week but then decided to go away at the weekend. That was good news for anybody taking part in any kind of racing but bad news for pretty much anybody else. Martin Pike was in the group of people that were happy to see the weather deteriorate. After making his ultra-marathon debut in the Chiltern …
The slow return to the natural rhythm of the running seasons rolled on as another favourite local race, the St Albans Half Marathon, made a welcome return on 13th June after being cancelled last year because of something to do with a planned medic. At least I think that is what it was, nobody seems to remember much about 2020. …
Gade Valley Harriers ran the second of their summer handicap series races on Thursday The handicap is designed to give everybody, irrespective of their speed, an even chance of winning. Each runner is assigned a head start based on their expected finish time so that, in theory, there should be a close blanket finish. Anybody that took part in the …
Dorney Lake, the venue for the 2012 Olympic rowing events, is ideally suited to fast racing with its long, flat straights. Or at least, when the weather is fair it is ideally suited to fast racing. When it is cold, wet and windy the flatness and lack of shelter can make Dorney a very difficult venue to race in. Unfortunately …
Saturday 8th May saw the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50k race taking place in the woods and hills around Wendover. The 50k course takes in nearly 1000m of climb along the route and is a qualifying race for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, considered by many to be the pinnacle of ultra trail running. One hardy Harrier, Martin Pike, took …