G’Day Road Runners!
What a weekend. There was torrential rain for those of us volunteering at parkrun on Saturday morning, which resulted in mud, mud, glorious mud for those of us running One Tree Hill on Sunday morning followed by… more torrential rain! Details of South Essex Cross Country League race number 2 are in Greg’s race report, plus an epic run at the Sikhs in the City race for Emma, but the big event of the weekend, and the main feature of this week’s blog, was the Presentation Night for our 2022-23 season on Saturday night.
I think everyone who managed to make it will agree it was a fantastic evening, with a great turnout and the Prince of Wales doing us proud with the buffet (they even provided gluten-free food for Alan Cranmer, though they called it glutton-free).
In case anyone missed the details of the trophy winners, here they are:
Cross Country 2022-23
Women
- Belinda Riches
- Isabel Pinedo-Borobio
- Nikki Cranmer
Men
- Stephen Philcox
- Jagbir Bassi
- Rory Burr
Chingford League 2022-23
Women
- Heather Haggis
- Belinda Riches
- Emma Paisley
Men
- Joe Stacey
- Jagbir Bassi
- Adrian Davison
Handicap 2023
- Tom Shorey
- Nigel Swaby
- Dennis Spencer-Perkins
Dennis and his cup:
Oops, no, sorry, this is it:
ELVIS 2023
Women
- Jess Collett
- Belinda Riches
- Rosie Fforde
Men
- Stuart MacKay
- Jagbir Bassi
- Martin Page/Tom Brennan
Grand Prix 2023
Women
- Louise Chappell
- Alison Fryatt
- Nikki Cranmer
Men
- Martin Page
- Colin Jones
- John George
Club Representation Trophy 2023
A new trophy, proposed by Martin Mason (apologies, I said Martin Page at the Presentation Night – too many Martins (or maybe too many Proseccos)) for the male and female members who have represented the Club in the most competition races in the season.
Male – Les Jay
Female – Alison Fryatt
The winner of the Members’ Cup wasn’t at the Presentation Night, so I am keeping you in suspense for a little longer. Hopefully, all will be revealed at track on Tuesday, if the winner is there.
Greg’s Race Report
South Essex Cross Country League round 2 this week at One Tree Hill, Laindon, for Barking Road Runners. Despite having their annual Presentation Evening the night before and a few late withdrawals through injury (not sore heads) BRR still managed to field full teams for the men and women.
With plenty of rain in recent days the course was nice and muddy just how cross-country runners love it. Also, a welcome return for Ron’s mobile tea and coffee spot. First female finisher for BRR was Rosie Fforde followed by Louise Chappell, Nikki Cranmer, Sian Mansley, Veronica Barrikor, Dawn Curtis, and Alison Fryatt.
First finisher for the men was Stephen Philcox who was followed by Craig Chappell, John George, Martin Page, Colin Jones, Rory Burr, Stephen Colloff, Mick Davison, Jason Li, James Hall, Dennis Spencer-Perkins, Martin Mason, and Les Jay.
Emma Paisley competed in the Sikhs in the City Dawn to Dusk in South Woodford, managing an impressive 42k in just over 5 hours on a tough course.
Finally, here is the medal shot of Nehal that we didn’t get last week. Once again, congratulations on your fantastic time at the Valencia Marathon, Nehal!
BRR parkrunners
Wot, no parkrun banner photos? C’mon guys, you can do better than that!
Barking – Owen Wainhouse 22:21, Joshua Ezissi 23:42, Adrian Davison 25:53, Stephen Colloff 26:19, John Whan 26:52, Faye Spooner 27:28, John Lang 27:32, Nikki Cranmer 31:21, Les Jay 38:10 and Dawn Curtis 40:18.
Brockwell – Mark New 24:39.
North Yorkshire Water Park – David Botterill 26:00.
Pavilion Gardens – Heather Haggis 28:00.
South Woodham Ferrers – Antony Leckerman 27:54.
Valentines – Paul Withyman 19:44 and Kevin Wotton 31:37.
Highest BRR age gradings this week were Faye Spooner 57.28% for the women and Paul Withyman 70.19% for the men.
BRR Diary – December
Download the TeamUp app onto your phone, then enter the calendar key for Barking Road Runners when asked: ks67p21gt8p5gzdo66 to see all BRR’s agreed fixtures for the year.
7.00pm, Tuesday 12 December – Speed development. Jim Peters Stadium, Mayesbrook Park. This week Jess will be taking the session, and it’s the Santa’s Hat:
- 2 minutes run, 1 minute recovery
- 3 minutes run, 1:30 minutes recovery
- 4 minutes run, 2 minutes recovery
- 5 minutes run, 2 minutes recovery
- 4 minutes run, 2 minutes recovery
- 3 minutes run, 1:30 minutes recovery
- 2 minutes run, 1 minute recovery
To make it even better, you have to do the session in a Santa hat.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
7.00pm, Thursday 14 December – road run. Castle Green Centre, Gale Street, Dagenham. A jaunt around the roads of Barking and Dagenham, around 6-7 miles, all speeds catered for.
9.30am, Sunday 17 December – Royal Parks Run. Meet at Matthew Parker Street, Westminster, SW1H 9HQ (nearest tube St. James’s Park on the District Line). A gentle amble through St. James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, then back for some lunch at a café in the area (if you wish).
9.00am, Monday 25 December – Christmas Day parkrun. Barking Park. One of only two times in the year when parkrun can happen on a day other than Saturday. This is usually the most popular parkrun at Barking, so don’t miss out (volunteers welcome too).
Tuesday 26 December – the Witham 5 miles. Witham Rugby Club, Spa Road, Witham, CM8. Work off some of that Christmas Day excess with a gentle road run through Witham and surrounding countryside. Or go for it and try and beat the Pud! Enter at: (https://www.withamrc.org.uk/races/boxing-day-5/)
Tuesday 26 December – Crown-to-Crown 5k. Westley Heights Country Park, Laindon. This is the one for you if you prefer a trail run, although there is a stretch on tarmac, so spikes are not suitable. Enter at: (https://www.entrycentral.com/Crown-to-Crown).
NOTE: TRACK WILL BE CLOSED ON 26 DECEMBER. The boxing club may be open, as it’s boxing day…
10.00am, Sunday 31 December – SECCL XC03. Hadleigh (hosted by Leigh-on-Sea Striders). Yes, it is the wet one! After doing this cross-country race, you will well and truly deserve your New Year’s Eve celebrations! Normal routine, £3 entrance fee for BRR members, pay on the day or directly into the BRR bank account. Make sure you wear a club vest or t-shirt, and TAKE A CHANGE OF SHOES AND SOCKS!!!
January Look Ahead
10.00am, 14 January– Internal cross-country race, Eastbrookend Country Park – a chance for those who volunteered at the official Chingford League Eastbrookend race to earn points towards the Club’s 2023-24 XC competition.
11.00am, 20 January – Chingford League, Epping Forest.
10.00am, 28 January – South Essex Cross-Country League, Parsonage Farm.
Cracker Corner – the booze edition
I bought a 12-year-old whiskey. His mother was furious.
My grandfather is 100 and he still doesn’t need glasses. He just drinks straight from the bottle.
If you drink too much alcohol you are an alcoholic. If you drink too much Fanta, does that make you fantastic?
Boom! Boom!
Quote of the Week
“All runners are tough. Everyone has to have a little fire in them that can’t be turned off.”
Shalane Flanagan
US long-distance runner
And finally…
I ordered a garden knife and some secateurs online for a friend’s 60th birthday. I flagged to the postman when he handed over the package that he needed to check my age as the sticker said he was supposed to only hand it to someone aged 18 or over. He laughed in my face.
You can go off people…
Happy running!
Alison
Chair, BRR
Barking Road Runners - Blog Archive 
Leave a comment