The Snowdonia Marathon is a much-loved race, having been voted best marathon in the UK by Runners World Magazine in 2007 and 2011. However, it is also widely regarded to be one of the most difficult marathons. The race takes place in some of north Wales’s most spectacular scenery while encircling Snowdon.

Our member Emma Funnell took on the challenge, an accomplishment made more impressive by virtue of the fact it was her first full marathon! She reports:

“On Saturday, I ran my first marathon, which happened to be the Snowdonia Marathon 2014.  It was an awesome experience and I am really proud of myself!  I thoroughly enjoyed it – the views, the challenge, the hills!!!.  In fact, worrying about it beforehand was WAY worse than actually running it! 🙂 I felt strong and comfortable at the end – which was my main goal, and I pleasantly surprised myself at the time I managed to do without trying.   I would absolutely recommend this and any other marathon to anyone who dares to give it a go.  The feeling of accomplishment and inspiration I feel now is immense…..I can’t wait for the next one!”

Many congratulations Emma!

Full details and results can be found at http://www.snowdoniamarathon.co.uk/

On Saturday 23rd August Scott Morley and Chris Glen undertook the “Ridgeway Challenge”, organised by the Trail Running Association with help at the checkpoints from local running clubs.

The event is an 86 mile run along a 5000 year old trackway through the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs, taking in Barbury Castle and Liddington Castle (hill forts) en route.  It includes 9,000 feet of ascent.

Scott reports back:

A midday start on Saturday 23^rd August from Ivinghoe Beacon in the Chilterns along the 86mile Ridgeway path. The weather was good as it was sunny but not too hot, and we only had to put up with 1½ hour of rain in the afternoon. The first half was in the daylight and meant we could enjoy the lovely countryside as well as being able to follow the Ridgeway Trail markings. The majority of the second half was in the dark until sunrise, so the challenge was staying awake and moving during the early hours. It was a tough challenge but was made possible with the excellent organisation of the race including the best stocked up checkpoints along the way with all sorts of sweet and savoury foods, tea, coffee, water etc. with hot food at the halfway checkpoint. The marshals were brilliant, and their help and encouragement was much appreciated. We finished in Avebury in Wiltshire on Sunday morning, myself in 20 hours 55 and Chris 22 hours 38, both knackered and glad to see the finish.

Well done to both of you for completing this awesome challenge!

More information can be found at: http://www.tra-uk.org/ridgewayinfo2014

For another year this 4×2 mile relay race open to all runners of every age and ability saw perfect weather and excellent support.

Out of the 345 teams that entered, Lichfield Running Club had 13.

The two mile lap heads out of the main field around the tarmac path out of Shugborough estate into a wooded offroad area with some undulations, before heading back out round the back of the field, with an S shaped route round the final field which feels deceptively long given you can see the finish line for most of the last half mile.

A big well done to our first team back,  John Doyle, Timon Scheven and a double well done to James Coombes, whose combined time of 44.06 earned them 6th place.

A special mention to the Cartwright family who also came 7th in the Family teams!

Well done everyone who took part in this event.

The full results can be found here:

http://www.frsystems.co.uk/results/shugboroughrelays

Sunday 1st June saw the previously titled “Sutton Fun Run” at full capacity for the third year, with 7000 runners taking part (Getting anywhere near the front to start the race does involve a conscious attempt to suppress any claustrophobia should you be prone).  And it followed the last few years weather too, with the temperatures reaching over 20 degrees at the 11.00 start time. 

An enjoyable and scenic course taking in a good chunk of Sutton Park, with landmarks such as Town Gate and the Jamboree Stone, and excellent public support throughout.  The course challenge must of course be “Cardiac Hill” which concludes the park section and has many runners looking longingly at the sofa which is usually being pushed by a bunch of capable looking men up the hill.  Once the summit has been reached however, the final mile or so is a downhill sprint to the finish.

Well done to our members taking part in this race.  Full results will be published as ever on the Friday following the race, in this case the 6th June, at: http://www.greatmidlandsfunrun.com/

This is the annual race hosted by neighbouring Sinfin Running Club in Derby.  This  year it was held in the grounds of Elvaston Castle and Country Park.  We had several members in attendance and some excellent times given the hot weather. A big well done to Neil, Emma, Karen, Catherine and Rachel.

For results please visit http://www.sinfinrunningclub.co.uk/sinfin-classic-10k/

18th May 2014 brought back the popular 10 mile race, part of our Grand Prix.  This is a two lap course starting from Meadowhall in Burton Upon Trent around the scenic washlands with Cumberland Hill to be navigated before doing another lap.

We had a good show of members as ever and the weather was hot.  Richard O’Sullivan was our first man home in a few seconds over the hour, closely followed by James Coombes. Jo Palmer was first lady back in 1.18.  Well done to all our members, great effort.

Here are a couple of pictures, the full set can be found at http://www.racephotos.org.uk/

Full results can be found at: http://www.burtonac.co.uk/Portals/2/Burton10Results2014prov.pdf

Buxton Half Marathon took place on 25th May this year.  The weather was challenging, but 248 runners took it on.  Emma Gaffney reports;

“Three LRC members, David Millward, Ian Robinson, and myself, ran the Buxton Half Marathon on Sunday.  Martin had already warned us of the heart-straining ascent, with 3 miles of continuous climbing from the gun, but all worth it when rewarded with stunning views of the Peaks at the top.  Starting/finishing at the Pavillion Gardens in Buxton, this is one of the best races I’ve been to, and cost just £10!”

Results can be found here: http://www.buxtonac.org.uk/cgi-bin/results.py

Route and race profile can be found here: http://www.buxtonac.org.uk/map4.php

Sunday 4th May was nice and sunny but just overcast enough to create some good running conditions for our participants in the Lichfield Half Marathon. We had a great effort from club members, with 28 members taking part and many more supporting.

James Coombes was our first man home with a great time of 1.18.42 hot off the back of his London Marathon success,  followed by Richard O’Sullivan, Jon Corpe and Jon Wolfe.

First lady home was Rachel Tole in 1.45.28, closely followed by Cass Jackson.

Many congratulations to all of the team,  there were many who recorded personal best times and especially to our first time half marathoners who did us all proud, including Ann Schwarzenbach, Pippa Pinches, Georgina Dann & Lisa Parry.

Special thanks to Nick Dann for running with the group of runners new to the distance and providing continual encouragement. (And some amusement as the “token man” in the group!  Many times supporters were heard to shout “Come on Lichfield ladies..oh and man!”) 
Great support from members around the course also including Alan Pritchard, Catherine Thompson, Rob Bagley, Dave Grosvenor, Andy Walsh, David Kemp & many more.

Full results can be found at http://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/FQ/club/7581_lichfield+running+club

Many congratulations to Jo Palmer who completed her first marathon on Sunday 27th April in an excellent time of 3.36.26.  A huge personal achievement, not to mention over £1200 raised for Cancer Research UK. Well done Jo! 

The Rotary Shakespeare Marathon is a 2-lap, undulating race starting and finishing in Stratford-upon-Avon and traversing the surrounding countryside.