The below is a dump of my garmin data for the months building up to London Marathon 2017.  The races I did are highlighted in red.

I PB’d in almost all of my races on the build up to the Marathon, my best performances were the Barnsley 10k 35:27, Brass Monkey Half 1:16:35 (approx. 6 minute PB) and Stamford 30k 1:55:09 (approx. 9 minute PB).  But it was not just about the long runs, I also PB’d on the 3000m track (EIS Sheffield) and at the Doncaster Parkrun getting the V40 age group record.

Two of my most memorable long runs were the Grindleford Gallop which is a very tough off road race and on the 5 March I ran a GFA time covering 26.2 miles in 3:04 carrying my own water at what felt like an easy pace.

Most of the Tuesday runs were on the track and the Thursday runs were club runs.

Last year some of us were watching this race with interest, local runner Mick Clark was taking part.  Something like 25 runners started and 11 finished including Mick.

As soon as we could four Doncaster based runners signed up, the chance to run from Southport to Hornsea on the Trans Pennine Trail sounded amazing, particularly as the route passes through Doncaster for about 30 miles.

The route is 200 (or slightly over) miles long and fairly easy to follow and mostly quite runnable.  You have to complete the race in 100 hours.  The race has several checkpoints in village halls and several more under gazebos.  You can choose to sleep and eat at the check points.  The support and help available at the check points was brilliant.  The maximum spacing between check points was 28 miles so you had to be equipped to be self supporting, able to run in all weather conditions and at night.

The Doncaster runners arrived at Penistone at about the same time (half way) around 25 hours in to the race, and it was nice to reunite at Bentley and Sykehouse.

The support we got through Doncaster was amazing with lots of our friends and Club Mates coming out to keep us going.  Just a shame we could not stop at the Boat Inn for a drink.

Our results were very impressive, 4th (3rd man) Martin Hookway 57:20.  6th Mick Clark 63:00.  11th Neil Wood 69:12.  25th Martin James 80:57.  It was great to see us all finish as the drop out rate was quite high, approx. 60 started and 43 finished this year.

Facebook reports:

Martin Hookway

So on Friday we headed over to Southport, picking Mick Clark up on route, in a van borrowed from the very generous Paul Machin. It was not the best start to a race as I parked to sleep on what must have been the busiest road in the UK for boy racers. With that and the freak driving rain I think I only managed 4hrs sleep before my alarm going off at 5am for a 6am race start. The race plan was to run 10’min/mi for 5 miles, then walk for a mile. The cold strong winds at the start pushed us along so we did go a little fast at the start. Martin James & Neil Wood soon vanished in front of myself and Mick. The race plan was working with myself and Mick working well together, supported by the awesome Susan and Jen Scotney we ticked off the miles paced from CP5-7 by Chris Marritt. At night we chose not to sleep and moved from 13th & 14th to 5th and 6th as we moved though the 1st night. The night played with my mind a little, I was sure I was seeing creepy faces cut into the bushes, but as I got close they vanished and morphed into normal bushes, a manquin in a shop window looked like a ghost to me and at one point I walked past a bush and was just about to tell Mick to stop to help a dog under it when I realised it was just the dead leaves at the bottom of the bush, ultra brain had kicked in. We crossed the Pennines in pitch black, missing the great views, we looked forward to morning as it usually brings a surge of energy during these events, but it seemed to have the opposite effect this time with us.

As morning broke we found ourselves walking more and actually falling asleep while walking, we spent a while constantly walking into each other and waking each other up. The plan was to have a nap at Penistone (half way) as we were 3hr 20 ahead of schedule, but as we caught up with Martin & Neil just before Penistone we both found our 2nd wind, I stopped for a selfie with the lads before heading onto the CP. We left Penistone after a shoe & sock change with more awesome pacers, Martin Bown starting with us, shortly joined by Jimmy Osborne, Lucy, Sharon Maughan and Marie-Louise Taylor. Legs felt fresh considering what we’d been though, feet were great, I’d maintained them at every CP. We dropped our run time to be able to walk more as we were doing so well and my right knee was sore. Spirits were up and down but we helped each other through the lows. We were joined by Peter Poppy, Wayne, Michael Barnett & some of his and a Micks Doncaster Tri friends along with Stuart Bartley for the first time on his bike, Stuart would turn out to be a key person on my support crew without him even realising as he popped up on his bike at perfect points during the race to offer support. Sadly by this time my knee was getting worse, cramp in my quad caused more issues with the tendons in my knee. Michael helped release my quad and we headed back out. I could walk but running cause unbearable pain in my knee, this walk into Bentley really lowered my spirits, I never wanted this to effect Mick so I told him to go on without me to see his family at the next CP.

I’d like to thank everyone who helped out and tried to pick me up, from Vicky Fairclough setting up a makeshift CP to all of the Doncaster Pacers who were at Sprotbrough with bandages, medical supplies and positive attitudes. Thank you to Jim Fletcher for walking me into Bentley and taking my mind off of the knee. Coming into Bentley Mick caught me up, then within seconds I filled up instantly after seeing my Mum and friends from Thorne Twilight Trotters at the other end of the trail. I walked into the CP with Mum followed by what felt like army of support behind me. Just as I’d composed myself I clocked my eyes on my children and Sue and started blubbering all over again. I took myself into the CP to get it out of my system. Thanks to Martyn Kellett and Anna for putting on a great CP, I honestly felt famous at this point. Emotions were high and I never wanted to walk the last 75mi and thought my only option was to DNF, but then I saw Mike Wells & Sarah Wells who had obviously come to run with me and then many DAC members with club physio Eddie Fletcher.

Eddie assessed my knee and treated it, he gave me hope that if I walked though the night took codine and rested my knee, I may be able to run the end of the race. I’m not sure if that’s exactly how he put it but that what I heard. I left the CP with the Wells and I used running poles to pull myself along. I broke out into a run of 2mi but pressure slowly started to build again so I chose to walk. Confidence was back to a high as Sue and Peter caught up with us on the bikes. Lee Chadwick & Cezary Swiatkowski took the support van to Sykehouse CP. Mick soon caught me up as night fell again, we were soon startled as we walked down a dark lane by a car pulling up by our side and someone jumping out, in comes Gibbo. Top lad David Gibbonskept spirits high and my mind off my pain as we walked to Sykehouse, only stopping before the canal section to see Amie Knott and her Trust22 support squad. We stocked up on much needed sweets and headed off. By Sykehouse all 4 Doncaster lads were united again. Martin, Neil and Mick had a sleep and after a much needed massage from Peter Andrews I headed back out, choosing not to sleep again. Peter Poppy joined me on foot and proved to be a valuable pacer on this section as he was an avid walker and member of LDWA. He got me through the night and we actually closed down 4th place a Japanese ultra runner called Hiro. I taped up my little toe and got 10min sleep in a chair by the roadside as Peter taped his own feet.

As the sun rose once again I made my mind up that I wanted to finish today. So I set off running again, to my delight I could run, it hurt but it was bearable. Mick was closing me down fast, I expected him to catch me but he too was finding it hard now. My pace increased as I ran with the sticks and hit Broomfleet as Hiro was Sat in there, he had his shoes off and he was eating. Becky HB had joined Sue by this point, I knew this was my chance. I had a quick stop and shot back onto the trail, 4th overall and 3rd male. I ran out but after a couple of miles the pain in my knee came back with vengeance. I’d forgot take my next painkillers. Luckily Peter knew a point where the crew could intercept me. I managed to run the rest of the trail into Hull, only walking on uneven grass bank and some dodgy footings near the bridge. I had made a 6mi lead on Hiro but by Hessle he has started to close me down. The food stop had done him good. I started to think that maybe I sould have stopped with him to eat, I had doubts that I could keep my pace up, but as I entered Hessle Sue asked me how much I wanted 3rd? I said I needed it. I’d made my mind up. I was now racing hard. Jonathon at the CP gave me suncream and I took an ice pop from Beckys cool box of awesomeness and headed into Hull.

This section was tough but Stewart re appeared on his bike and chatted to me to help the miles tick over. Hitting the dock he turned around and I moved inland on my own. I was told it was 17mi from Hessle to the finish but once back onto the trail I asked a few locals who all have me different distances from 25mi to 20mi. My head went and Hiro got within a mile of me. I was giving it everything, I knew I was moving too fast. I knew I could not keep the pace up, I just wanted to put enough distance between us both in the hope his head would go. At halfway Sue met me on the bike, I was in a bad place but pushing so hard, I was overheating and drinking loads, I just couldn’t quench my thirst. I used ice packs everywhere I could fit them and Becky popped up along the trail to pour cold water onto my head from her cool box of awesomeness. Sue was amazing, she’s been a rock for the whole race but now she was going above and beyond, she was riding behind me playing music, videoing me and reading messages of encouragement, talk about multi tasking.

My highs and lows changed more frequently, part of my head wanted to give in and walk, it was a lovely day, if get 4th male if he caught me, that’s still good I though, think of your knee. The messages of support kept coming, Sue kept reading them our. I knew people were watching the tracker, my Mum, my children, the children at work, I knew I had to keep pushing up the hill. I watched the miles tick down and did the maths. If I keep this pace, there should be no way he can catch me, I had 7mi left. With this a couple on bikes came up the trail. “are you Martin? Wayne said there is a Japanese lad catching you. You need to speed up.” With this I picked my pace up again. I was in a world of pain but I wanted 3rd so much. Sue left me as we hit Hornsea and I ran into the finish straight to meet her, I put my arm around her told her I love her and crossed the line together. 57 hours 53 mins in 4th overall, 3rd Placed Male. I was greeted by race director Wayne with my 2 tone gold and silver buckle, I had wanted 60hrs and a top 20 finish to give me a gold buckle, to get 3rd and a multi toned one I was over the moon. After the obligatory photo shoot (which looking at my eyes in the pics now, I’m sure I was asleep stood up) I turned to see race winner Neil Rutherfordwho congratulated me and passed me a much needed alcohol beverage. I was asked if I would follow the series next year into Scotland and I agreed instantly. I had previously been asked and I’d told Sue to shut up lol. “talk to me when I’ve finished”, I think were the words out of my mouth. I also have to admit that I had one diva moment during the last 5mi, when I basically told Sue to shut up, she was trying to ask me questions but I just couldn’t answer, then she started singing to the music she was playing. All I wanted was to know where Hiro was. All in all this was an incredible experience and adventure, my hat goes off to everyone who started the race, and to everyone who finished it. I believe the DNF rate was high, it certainly was a big challenge. Thank you again to Sue, Jen, Becky and Peter for van crewing and pacing duties, Eddie, Peter and Marcus Scotney for medical support and advice, Jimmy, Gibbo, Mazza, Sharon, Martin, Peter, Chris Mike & Sarah for the pacing duties, Doncaster AC and Pacer members, Amie and her Trust22 crew, my mum, Justine Rickard and the Trotters and last but not least Wayne Drinkwater, Haydn Dapper, Jonathan Kettle and everyone at the CPs across the country. I would not have been able to finish this race without you all.

Its just a shame I can’t take you all to Scotland next year. 🇬🇧

Mick Clark

Well guys, somehow I managed it again. I am absolutely overjoyed by the fact I am now a Ultra Great Britain coast to coast 200miler 2 time finisher, and whats even more hard to grasp is that I finished in 62hr 52min taking a huge 18hr of my time from last yr. As always I wouldn’t have finished this event like many others without some amazing people. 1st, my better and more sane 1/2 Yvonne, who as always does everything for me from start to finish. She knows exactly what I need and what to do/say at any point of any challenge I do so thank you sweetheart I love you loads. 2nd are the crazies we all know as “Team Bob” Martin and Susan Hookway. Martin, thanks so much for helping me get to the end. We had our ups n downs but we both finished and Susan for all the help and support from start to finished, medical care, food, warmth and chairs, thanks guys so much. Well done also to Martin James & Neil Wood for crossing the line too!  Jen for all your help and been so bossy to keep us motivated thank you too. All the guys who turned up on route to give support Lucy, Ruth and her fella Jonathan, Stuart, Michael, Ian, Paul, Mandy, John, Ben Ailsa and Steve, Ianand Nikki, Reanna and Liz Shields, Leighton and Preston and Rich and Lisa and Vicky and all the endless tx and messages of support you all sent through Yvonne, which all had a positive impact on my race so I thank you all dearly. Thanks to all those that sponsored me very much appreciated. Wayne, Jonathan and Dapper Haydn, cant speak highly enough about you guys and your team of supporters, your races are above and beyond many others out there. The welcome, support, care and camaraderie you give to each of your participants makes us feel part of an amazing family so I thank you all very much. Now its time to rest, eat n drink crap while thinking of whats next…..

Neil Wood

Wow Wow Wow.

I hurt so bad this morning and I could eat 3 scabby ‘osses🐴🐴🐴

Where do I start…..

What an amazing feeling to have C2C’d on foot!! 69 hours. 9th position earning me one of the coveted gold finishers buckles.

An amazingly well  Organised event with support staff and volunteers that wait on you hand and foot – so very kind and whom without, this event could not happen 👏👏👏👏 Wayne you have a great crew👍👍

Many many thanks for all the support through out the last 3 days for people I know and some I don’t know that well! I feel like I’ve joined a new club where every one knows the pain and what’s required to get through it!!!

Team DAC support crews rock!!

Great surprisees At silly O’clock (despite being at work early today) from Stephen and Alan with supplies of energy fuels and coffees!! And from Peter on the lead in to CP 14 and the welcoming cheers from Shell and Chris Really touched by it all.

And Jason‘s Jaffa cakes undoubtedly pushed me to sykehouse. (Even if I was a day early! Lol) 👍👍

Every one that sent a message and made contact either with me or Laurahelped me got across that line this morning and I will never forget that ❤️

And those that ran some Supportive miles en route Janet, Luke, George Jimmy and non runners that just came to cheer us on👍👍👏👏

And Marie-Louise drug supplies helped!! Lol

And Peter for the impromptu ankle rub👍 Mum Lynda and dad Norman have been glued to the tracking app checking the progress constantly – I just want to make you both proud and achieve great things. Love you both heaps. ❤️❤️

And to Laura – million % commitment and support through out the event, you’ve been awesome through it all – you my dear are perfect and I love you. 😍

Thank you Martin James my running buddy for some 150 miles – keep strong pal you a matter yards from the finish now👍 legend!

And thank you weather for being good too!!

Dont want to harp on about it.. it’s done now…👍👍

Thank you-we’re all awesome👏👏👏

Stand by for profile Pic change!!

(Does anyone know anyone that can get cheap stair lifts?!)

Martin James

Thanks everyone for the support over the last few days (other runners and there support crews particularly Susan Hookway and Yvonne ‘ybird’ Clark and others), friends, family, people who supported on route and on Social Media (not caught up on Facebook yet) and the check point people. 4 Doncaster runners took part and we all had dark times and worries and doubts, given the dropout rate last year of over 50% one or 2 of us could have DNF but we all made it, so well done Martin Hookway, Mick Clark and Neil Wood. We all arrived at Penistone within 10 minutes of each other (something like 102 miles in to the race in about 25 hours). The following day we met up at Bentley and then Sykehouse. We had a lot of friends supporting us through Barnsley and Doncaster. For me the running was over and between Sykehouse and the next checkpoint I started to walk, this became a slow walk. Up till this point I had run with Neil Wood, at about mile 165 it took me 45 minutes to walk 1 mile. I told Neil to set off from the next checkpoint and not wait for me, he was reluctant to but I needed to sleep for a couple of hours. I then set off at about 7pm to complete the remaining 33 miles, which took a very long time (20 hours I think, every step hurt). Thanks again to Rose James Was Thompsonand my kids (Caroline had her birthday during the race and I only spent 10 minutes with her).

Keep training, 2 hard sessions a week – ideally one session of track reps (and if your racing that’s the other one) and the rest easy running.  My 10k pace is around 5:40 minute miles.  My steady runs are 7:30 to 8:15 minute miles.  I have 14 years of running experience to call on and this works for me.  Volume wise I do between 30 and 40 miles a week, trying to keep close to 40.  I see myself as a typical club runner.

I only do specific training for marathons, for anything else I manage of my regular training.

Always get to the start feeling fresh, you should not have done a great deal of running in the 3 or 4 days before a race (but do keep running).  A good nights sleep helps.  Relax the evening before and eat well.  Get up in plenty of time, have a normal breakfast and arrive well before the start of the race to park up and get ready.  Get warmed up and see how you feel, you should know by now how you are feeling and how the race should go.  Weather conditions are out of your control and not to be worried about, its the same for everyone.

Be excited at the start, not worried and get in to your starting position (be realistic), don’t get to the front unless you feel your going to place very well.  Its all very simple, people over complicate the simple sport of running.  Wear comfortable kit and shoes, not expensive kit and shoes (you will not go any faster in a £50 pair of shorts or a £10 pair of shorts).  Smile for any cameras and if your feeling low high five kids watching the race.

I love the Barnsley 10k.  I have run it probably about 5 times and I have usually managed to run a good PB. In 2017 the race is on 26 November 2017, the entry form is here.

It was my first sub 40 (that year I ran around 39:20) and last year I got my time down to 35:26.

Its a hilly 10k which is a good thing!  This means you are forced to vary the pace according to the course and use different muscles and technique.

Mile 1 – Down Hill, run the fastest you dare without being crazy.

Mile 2 – Up Hill, still got fresh legs so work as hard as you can to maintain a quick pace.

Mile 3 to 4.5 – Down hill and flat sections in general, adjust the pace to fit

Mile 4.5 to 5 – Climbing, really need to dig deep now

Mile 5 to 5.75 – Flat, difficult bit, need to concentrate on pace and form

Mile 5.75 to finish – you know its coming, blast everything you have got in to the hill (its a tough climb for sure) and when you get to the top keep it going for the sprint finish.

Well done to our runners who took part in this 12 hour ultra race, as many laps of Manvers Lake as possible in 12 hours over night.

Martyn said “Well my lovelies, in the end, my aim of ten laps at the D2D was shot down by a combination of rain and mud (yes, again) and fatigue. What I can say is that I ran all my laps, as promised, all around the 29 to 34 minute mark. In the end I did 8 laps and a total of 25.68 miles. Nice medal though  😉 😛 👍 ”

Susan said “I’m just leaving Manvers & am last to pack up lol -I ran 8 laps of 3.2 miles but an actual total of 27.2 miles!! All thru the night with the heavy rain too from midnight -very muddy & my tents are very wet!!! Off home for bath & bed now!! Thanks to Jack Waugh for the whole night Kate Ball Claire Beegan Martyn Walter for running some of it with me. Steve McAleavy for the videos & help with my beds (which I didn’t sleep on !) Kevin Waugh for help with my tents.
Alan & Sharon Carson, Martin James Rose James Was Thompson for support. DAC Pacers smash it again!”

Jack Said “Well what a night at Dusk til Dawn. The aim was simple complete as many 5k circuits as possible between 6pm and 6am. I had a steep and some said unrealistic target of 10 laps (50k) i knew running them all was going to impossible but just clocking up the miles and keep putting 1 foot in front of the other in anyway possible was the task of the night. Unfortunately I missed my target and completed 9 laps (45k). The majority were walked 1 was run fully and a few a combination of both. Im now very sore, tired and muddy. But couldn’t be happier. Thanks to Susan Forbes and kate ball for the company. To Sharon Carson Allan Carson and as always Martyn Walter for their support and to the father Kevin Waugh for taking me and fetching me and sorting all my kit out. Xx”

Kate said “Well it’s been a fab 24hrs… the support from Team DAC has been amazing! So here goes…(hope I don’t forget anyone!)
Dusk til Dawn last night – huge thank you to Susan Forbes for her hospitality and amazing flowery tent ⛺️ I wish I could’ve stayed longer. Good work Jack Waugh & Martyn Kellett hope you are happy with your achievements. Big thanks to the support crew Martin James, Rose James Was Thompson, Sharon Carson, Allan Carson, Kevin Waugh& especially Claire Beegan& Martyn Walter (thanks for the lap you did with me). I only did 20k but needed to conserve my energy for…
Grimsby 10k this morning – great company as always, thanks Angie Stanley, Emma Richardson, Vicky Royle & a special thanks to Sarah Jane Machin for being great support crew (rubbish photographer 😉).
Also thank you to everyone who has wished me luck on here, it’s helped with the next to no sleep.
I’m never going to be speedy but one foot in front of the other keeps me going. Super weekend! 💙💚”

Another crazy weekend at Thunder Run.  First special thanks to the support crew, the Hookway kids, the James kids, Martyn Walters, Jack Waugh and Peter Andrews (and everyone else).

The team captains did a great job, we got to the start with all the teams full after a lot of hard work finding replacement runners, we are grateful to everyone who agreed to run.  It was a multi club event for us with runners joining our 30 Doncaster AC runners from Barnsley AC, Danum Harriers, Askern DRC and Lincsquad.

This event is the largest of its kind in the UK and its difficult to enter as it fills up nearly as fast as the Percy Pud 10k.  Just about every club is represented so it was great to see so many friends over the weekend.

Friday – Five of us arrived just after 8am and we were behind a queue of about a hundred cars to get on to the camp site, with everyone fighting to get the best pitch available.  We had to accommodate about 30 tents and we had to be track side.  Well done to Martin Hookway for securing just about the last space on site for us which worked out to be a very good spot, and we got the club flag up.

Through out the day more and more people arrived and it remained dry until James Osborne fetched the rain with him (and pizza).  We had the most amazing buffet (which essentially lasted 3 days).  The rain was in for the night and it was very heavy at times, Neil Wood’s tent flooded and this ended up in a skip.

Saturday – When we woke up the rain had stopped and people kept arriving all morning and the camp site was full to overflowing.  All the teams got registered and the excitement was growing.

We had 3 teams of 8, 1 team of 5, 1 team of 2 and 3 solo runners.  Its a 10km off road trail course which is run as a relay (unless your a solo runner).  Last year we had 12 runners at the event, this year we had 34 runners.  Several of our runners had never done anything like this before and given the awful conditions it was brilliant to see the enthusiasm for getting teams in for next year.  Jody and Danielle have both had to overcome set backs this year and this was a big target for them, well done both and everyone else.

We went to the race briefing with thousands of other runners and the race started at 12 noon.  The course was wet and muddy but it had stopped raining, so it was starting to dry out, perfect.  Come about 3pm it rained until about 5am and the course was basically destroyed becoming deep slippery mud with lots of exposed tree roots.

Sunday – All our teams kept going through the night and in to the morning.  Everything was covered in mud and everyone was tired and sore.  People were trying to decide if they should do a last lap or if they had done enough.

After the race finished people got their medals for taking part and had a drink or three.

Had any of our teams finished in the top 3?  We waited for the presentation and Jimmy Osbourne and Martin James were delighted to have finished in second place having covered 21 laps between them.  The sun then came out.  Between us, we covered 886.6 miles over 24 hours.

Most of the campsite emptied over the afternoon but a few of us stayed and Jimmy and Martin Hookway put on a splendid BBQ for us.

DAC Ultra Captain Martin Hookway was very proud of Sue “Saying as Ultra Captain and her long suffering husband, I’d like to congratulate her on her amazing 90k on literally no training. I strongly recommend that no one in the club EVER follows her ultra training plan, as she is one in her own. Her stubbornness is more powerful than any training. Also a massive well done to Becky who made her debut at TR24 after only starting ultra running this year. The rain and mud took it toll but like Sue, got up in the morning after some rest to finish off her laps when it so easy to just pack up and go home to warm bed. Well done ladies, I believe you both have set the seed for many other DAC members to go Solo next year. DAC Team Ultra is growing. “

Some quotes from the team members follow with the results after:

Martin Hookway said “On behalf of DAC can I thank Peter Andrews of Thorne Moorends Sports Massage Therapy for stepping in last minute and coming up to #TR24 as club massage master. Not only did he stay up through the night dealing with all of our aches and pains, he dried our kit, filled our supplies and generally ensured we had everything we needed to get round the course. Top lad, cheers Pete, and all the best at Manvers this weekend. I hope you get better weather than we did.”

Chris Lawson “Inspirational words from Captain Fantastic George Laing got us all out to do a 6th lap when we really weren’t up for it, and got us into 5th place in the mens teams of 5. Great running with you George Laing, Lee Milburn, Chris Moran and Wayne Martison. A great team effort!!”

Chris Moran “Absolutely epic weekend at The Thunder Run. 36 miles of mud, rain and thoroughly ruined legs. After 24 hours, the only thing worse than the state of my body was the smell in my tent. Wrong on so many levels.”

Danielle Bawden “Thanks all for a fantastic weekend. A great club to be part of  😊.

Alison Noble “Roped into doing this crazy race with DAC by Rose James Was Thompson. It’s been a wet weekend but what a great time I’ve had. Made to feel so welcome and part of the team. Thanks guys. One more 10k left for me to run. We’ve all done amazing.”

Peter Vickers “Thanks to everyone for a great weekend! Really enjoyed being part of Scrambled Legs. Just need to remember my spikes next year. And maybe to bring more than one pair of running socks…!”

James Osborne said “#TR24 is over me and @doncasterrunner completed 21 laps. It was wet, muddy, cold and very tough, but think we got second  😀 🏆#winners #runchat”

Martyn Kellett “It rained all night, the race is nearly three hours underway and it’s raining heavily again . …….but DAC are still laughing their socks off and having a great time. This is a proper way to spend a weekend”

Amie Knott “Epic character building weekend. Mud, rain, hills, laughter, emotions and blossoming friendships.
In hindsight it was foolish to not train for this, but my running idol is Susan Hookway so I thought I could also rock up and beast it. Lesson learned, I am not Susan Hookway and I need to train for these things!
Running motivation officially returned though. Thank you all for welcoming me back and reminding me of what I’m missing!.” Www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamLakey

Janet – So … I’m just back from the most amazing weekend.. TR24 2017.. 24 hours of 10k laps. A rollercoaster of emotions & team DAC. Thanks guys”

Sharon Carson “Wow what an amazing weekend we have had to say it was challenging is an understatement. 22hrs of continuous rain but everyone pulling together. Met some new friends and the fun we have had with new and old has been awesome.  🤣 🤣xx”

Jody “Back from a fantastic weekend at thunder run. I only managed 2laps but still feel proud of myself. The company was great and was lovely to meet new people. All of my running buddies did amazing but want to say a big well done to Jimmy Osborne and Martin James that was good running, also susan hookway and Martin Hookway who if they could would still be running lol. Same time next year guys. And Thankyou Allan Carson for taking me. Also a big Thankyou to Martyn Walter for coming and supporting us.x”

Becki “In addition to running I managed a sideways slide/fall nearly taking out 3 other runners in a domino effect. I face planted into the mud, & attempted to run through s ‘puddle of mud’ & replicate Dawn French in a Vicar of Dibley scene. Over 24 hours of rain. But would I do
It again, hell yes! Great Company, Fantastic Support & an amazing bunch of people from Doncaster Athletic Club to share it with. Well done to everyone that ventured to Catton Park”

Rose said “So proud of each and every one of you. You were all very cheery, motivating and great to be around despite the absolutely awful weather and the gobby git next door. The team spirit never went and we still had a laugh. Xx”

Neil Wood “First thunder run experience…  Despite the wetness had an awesome time. Thanks for having me!!  Amazing performances be every single
One of you  👍 💪 💪 💪”

Andrea Robinson “Wow. Well that was an experience that I’ve never had before. 24 hour Thunder run in the pooing rain (3 x 10k) Wet and very muddy is definitely an understatement. But I loved every minute of it. Well done everyone and mahooosive respect to Jimmy Osborne and Martin James, you are both crazy and also to solo runners Mr and Mrs Martin Hookway. Now I need alcohol.”

George “I was quite apprehensive about the weekend, didn’t think I had six laps in me and didn’t want to let the team down.”

The tables below – the first number is Position, then number of laps.

Solo men – 71 took part (Martin enjoyed himself supporting others in this event):

Solo ladies – 43 took part

Male pair – 15 took part.

Teams of 5 men – 30 teams took part

Teams of 8 – 226 teams took part

Out and back

Red Path to Potteric Carr

B&Q Out and Back

Cantley / Branton

Carr Hill

Hayfield Lakes

Sun Inn over North Bridge

8 Mile ish

8 Miles to Yorkshire Wildlife Park

7.75 miles Sandal Beat to pit back through Cantley

Sandall Beat + 6 x reps

Red Path to Rossington to Potteric Carr

7 Mile ish

7 Mile up Carr Hill and back down Springwell Lane

7.5 miles looping around Potteric Carr

Bessacarr Loop (2 laps)

Sandall Park back through Town

6 Mile ish

10km up Carr Hill and back down Tickhill Road

Sandall Beat / Racecourse

B&Q route

B&Q route but more of disused railway Out and Back

Sandall Beat, edge of pit and back through Cantley Park

Legerway back down Sandringham Road

Red Path to Bawtry Road down and up St Augustins Road, to Racecourse Roundabout and back on Sandy Lane 5.7 Miles

Cantley / Bessacarr 5.8 Miles

5 Mile ish

Sandall Beat / Racecourse

B&Q route (don’t miss the right turn at about 2.75 miles on to the footpath)

Cantley

Bessacarr Loop (1 lap) 4.5 miles

4.5 mile chippy run

Red Path / Bawtry Road

Town Moor to DRI

Rose Hill to Everingham Road 5 Miles

4.5 miles Bessacarr

4 Mile ish

Sandall Beat / Racecourse

5km Lake Side run

Cantley

Rose Hill 5k

Cantley but a bit longer

Bessacarr / Hall Cross Lower

Bessacarr / Cantley / Rose Hill Loop

Red Path / White Path

Dome / Car House Road / White Rose Way

Other

Town Field loops – 1 Loop 4 miles, 2 loops 6 miles, 3 laps 8 miles

1 Lap of the lake 1.6 miles

1 Lap of lake + island 1.7 miles

Previous 5000m track PB 17:51.

This weekend I ran in two matches for my club, Doncaster Athletic Club and I did the 5000m at both matches.  The standard in the first race was amazing, I got lapped twice and I finished 5th “B” runner.  I was more competitive in the second race finishing 3rd “A” runner.  I have looked at my stats for the two races and shared them below.  I should have run my first lap faster at Northern League for sure.  It was a little breezy on both days but overall conditions were quite good.

So what does this tell us?  My stride length decreased by 40mm per stride for the slower race, but my cadence increased by 2 strides per minute.  I lost in the region of 3.5m per minute which equates to about 60m on the slower of the two races.  I knew I had blown a PB on the slower race and mentally this affected my last lap or 2.

Its all about maintaining good form for as long as possible and the mental attitude, all I was interested in the race were my lap times and trying to chase runners down in the last half.

Track training paying off big time!  We did 200m reps two weeks ago, 400m reps last week and this week we are doing 1 mile, 400m, 1 mile, 400m and 1 mile, 400m to finish.  I am the highest ranked V40 runner in South Yorkshire for this event (I think),

Great experience bring on the next one.

Special mentions to Simon Wright who wan a superb 16:42 and is always happy to share great advise and gum.  Peter Badger ran a superb 1500m PB and did the 5000m and 4 x 400m relay.  Rose took her vest and arrived just in time to agree to run the 3000m and 1500m.  Great teams from Doncaster AC at both events and lots of friendly athletes from across the region.  Many thanks to the volunteers as ever.

A few photos from the Sunday here.

Never get tired of this one…

Rose entered the Edinburgh Marathon, this weekend of racing includes a 5km, 10km, half and full marathon.  I decided to do the 5km road race as I very rarely get to do one.

We stayed in a Youth Hostel on the Friday and unfortunately despite assurances that they would start breakfast at 7:30 we had to leave at just before 8:00 with no sign of breakfast.  So we did the hours drive stopping at a McDonalds.  We parked up at the edge of Edinburgh and caught the train (no parking at the start).

We eventually found our way to the start, it was quite warm with a slight breeze.  We bumped in to Darren Wood, Diane and Alison, and George and Janet Laing.  My kids were playing up lol.

I did a mile warm up and made my way to the start, one row back from the front.

I did not know the course elevation and it was a tough first half, after about 400m I thought I would push the pace and I was in first place following the lead car (for the first time ever). I held on to first place until the 1st mile when I was passed by an Italian runner.  I could not keep with him (well of course I could, but my negative brain was fighting and winning my positive brain and it convinced me that second would do).

I ran as hard as I could down the long hill constantly checking over by shoulder and I was delighted to finish in second place (out of over a thousand runners).

My time was 18:12, no where near where I wanted it to be but the first mile had 209 feet of climb.  My GAP was approx. 5:33 minute miles.

I finally made it to the start of this one, I always enter it and never run it.

I always want a PB and was confident I could run one, but I wanted to smash it.  It rained all day but just about cleared up for the race.  I was feeling good and did a 2 mile warm up.

I started too fast trying to run a minute PB, unfortunately on the night I could not sustain the pace, and I did not finish as strong as I like to.  I could not really pick up the pace down Abbes Walk (well I did but running a 5:41 minute mile down a hill is not really good enough).

I finished in 35:50 in 13th place, this was my second fastest 10k ever and given I have put all my training in to the Marathon I am pleased with it (honest).  The last time I ran this race I finished in 42nd place with a time of 38:18.  Bring on the sub 35 soon please 🙂

Doncaster AC was well represented and the men just missed out on the team prize, Nicola Devine was second lady to finish just behind 1st.

Next race is this weekend, assuming I PB at it that will be a PB at every road distance in the last 6 months

Tune from the 90’s, cracking hard fast trance, love the 4:20 bit more than ever!

This was a difficult week, I paced a competitor on the Hardmoors 200 ultra race Steve Davies.  A group of us organised by Eddie and Dawn Fletcher did stages with Steve and I had a 25 mile stretch to cover Saturday night.  Due to illness Steve was unable to run by the time I took over, but he was still able to cover the 200 miles in 59 hours with no sleep, on some of the most brutal terrain I have seen.  Conditions were not great overnight with some fog and icy wind.  I was with Steve for around 11 hours, starting at around midnight and finishing at around 11 am Sunday morning.

All the route I paced on was as per the photograph on the right, very hilly and exposed.

South Yorkshire Road League – Penistone 10 May 2017

Photo by Mark Havahand

I felt tired all day and thought I had an upset stomach, not really feeling up for the race.  I had to beat Alan Ford by about 33 seconds to finish 1st Vet 40, I could not do it tonight, well done Alan.  I finished 2nd V40 with a time of 30:12.  Basically the first 3 miles were up hill.  My splits were 5:36, 6:22, 6:56, 5:29 and 5:40.

Its always tough to get a team out for the 4 races, well done to our ladies finished 4th out of 13 teams.  Our Vet Men showed strength and depth finishing 1st by 23 minutes (out of 12 teams).

Individual Prizes – Best Results for many years for Doncaster AC

Once again, Nicola Devine showed her running ability winning the senior ladies (and overall) league.  Brilliant running Nicola who has competed in 26 races so far this year!

Rose James was 3rd V35 lady.  Martin James was 2nd V40 man.  Peter Badger was 3rd V40 Man.  Mo Rodwell was 3rd V50 man.  Pete Wade was 3rd V55 man.  Kevin Newman was 1st V60 Man.  Phil Bussey was 1st V60 Man.  Brilliant effort all.

Parkrun 13 May 2017

Unfortunately it was quite windy so my time was a bit down on what I had hoped for.  My splits were 5:49, 6:07 and 6:06 giving me a time of 18:02.  Good tempo run though on a tough course.