The Black Hill Run 10k saw a third appearance in the Purbeck Trail Series for Stu Bowers

It had been a solid campaign in the Purbeck Trail Series so far for Stu Bowers and he kept the momentum going with another excellent performance at the Black Hill Run 10k, battling his way around one of the toughest courses in the six-race competition to secure 22nd place out of 221 finishers.

Having made an excellent start to the series with 16th place out of 305 runners at the opening Coombe Keynes 10k, Stu followed that up with an even more impressive ninth-place finish at The Beast, a brutally hilly 12.4-mile challenge which certainly lived up to its name.

The runners set off on their way

The fourth fixture of the series, the Black Hill Run, offered little respite, with three particularly testing climbs contributing some 650ft of elevation over a distance of approximately 6.5 miles. So, despite carrying a 10k label, this was actually closer to a quarter marathon, and certainly not one for anyone expecting an easy ride!

Twemlow Track Club man Rupert Allison (34) had been in fine form

Stu negotiated the challenging terrain in 46:37, which was good enough for 22nd overall and fifth place in the M40-49 category. That represented another very solid result in a series which has attracted some particularly strong competition this year.

The lead group tearing up the trails

There was plenty of history to contend with too, as the Black Hill Run has previously provided a happy hunting ground for some of the area’s leading trail runners.

Rupert Allison was a major contender for the race win

Stu Nicholas was the winner last year in 40:37, on his way to securing the overall Purbeck Trail Series title for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, former Bournemouth AC man Jacek Cieluszecki remains the course record holder with his astonishing 37:58 from 2022, when he seemed capable of powering up hills faster than most runners could manage on the flat!

This time around, it was Twemlow Track Club’s Rupert Allison who came out on top, producing an excellent performance to take victory in 39:24.

Seth Holleyman was the fastest of the 5k participants

Gergely Arvay of Littledown Harriers was hot on his heels, taking second place in 40:03, with Rob Parker completing the overall podium in 40:26.

Elijah Houston was second quickest of the 5k runners

Iain Ferguson of Poole Runners secured fourth place in 42:49, followed by Mark Packer of Littledown Harriers in fifth in 43:43.

In fact, it was something of a red-letter day for Littledown Harriers, who had four athletes inside the top eight. Bradley Dawson finished sixth in exactly 44 minutes, while Stuart Clarke took eighth in 44:07, underlining the strength of their men’s contingent.

Ian Middlebrook of Egdon Heath Harriers also enjoyed an excellent run, taking first place in the M60-69 category in 44:34. That was particularly impressive as it put him 10th overall!

Stu Bowers (53) blasts down the trail

There was another fine performance in the M70-79 category from Hamish Murray of Purbeck Runners, who crossed the line in 49:31 to take the age-group victory and 39th place overall.

Stu was running well on a very tough course

In the women’s race, Rachael Haddow of Poole AC led the way, producing a time of 47:13 to take first female place and 25th overall.

Louise Fox of Dorchester RIOT was next home in exactly 48 minutes, with Jenny Marshall of Purbeck Runners taking third female place in 48:55.

Hannah Haugvik of Dorset Doddlers was fourth in 49:07, while Carys Gallagher of Westbourne completed the top five with a time of 49:34.

Rachael Haddow finished first female in the 10k

With four races now completed, the Purbeck Trail Series is beginning to take shape, although there is still plenty to play for.

Florence Robbins was the fastest female in the 5k

The scoring system awards 500 points to the winner of each race, with competitors counting their best four results from the six fixtures. Consequently, the magic figure is 2,000 points, and consistency across the series is every bit as important as producing an occasional big performance.

Adam Hodge currently leads the men’s standings with an impressive 1,956 points, with Matty Bishop in second on 1,901 and Taylor Holding third with 1,846.

Stu Bowers ran well to finish in 21st place

In the women’s competition, Louise Fox holds the advantage with 1,873 points, putting her ahead of Carys Gallagher, who has accumulated 1,825.

Seth Holleyman comes in to win the 5k

There was also a 5k race taking place, with Seth Hollyman of Poole Runners taking the honours in 24:19. Elijah Houston followed him home in second place in 25:09.

Florence Robbins, also of Poole Runners, was first female and fifth overall in 28:07, while clubmate Louise Fuoco took second female place and seventh overall in 29:07.

The Canicross 10k provided another entertaining spectacle, with Daniel Peart of Bridport Runners taking victory in 46 minutes.

Elijah Houston takes second in the 5k

Bruce Campbell of Egdon Heath Harriers was second in 47:29, accompanied by his four-legged running partner Dennis.

Bruce Campbell came second in the Canicross 10k with his dog Dennis

Alison Clarke was first female and fifth overall with her dog Hazel, while Carly Wall of Run Blandford took second female place and sixth overall in 58:07 alongside Monty.

So, with the Black Hill hills successfully negotiated, the Purbeck Trail Series moved a step closer to its conclusion. For Stu Bowers, it was another valuable result in what has been a very encouraging campaign so far, and the final two races would present plenty of opportunity to add to his points tally.

Rupert Allison recorded a strong win in the 10k

After negotiating Coombe Keynes, surviving The Beast and now conquering Black Hill, Stu has certainly demonstrated that he is more than comfortable when the going gets tough!

Gergely Arvay sealed second place in the 10k

Stu needed just one more result to figure in the overall series standings

Geoff Newton was vying for selection for the England team at the British and Irish Masters International

SELECTION RACES FOR THE ENGLAND MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM, INCORPORATING THE ENGLAND MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – 26/09/2026

“This is about selection for the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International to be held in Dublin at the National Sports Centre in Abbotswood on 14 November 2026. This involves teams from each of the four Home Nations plus Ireland racing against each other.
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These selection races were held in conjunction with the North Staffordshire Cross Country League fixture at the Betley Estate near Crewe. Men up to 64 years raced with the senior men’s league race over 8 km. Men of 65 and over raced with the women’s league race over a course of just under 5km. The course was undulating pasture. The grass was longer than last year, and the absence of cow pats showed it had not been grazed for a while. We were blessed with fine, sunny weather, not too hot.
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Geoff was hoping to come out on top in the M80 category

To achieve automatic selection for England you need to finish in the first 4 of your age group for those under 65 and the first three if you are over 65 years of age. The selectors have one discretionary place in each age group for runners unable (or unwilling?) to take part in the selection race, based on submitted times in other suitable races over the last year.
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Competition at the upper end of the age groups becomes more about longevity and persistence than talent. Also, for many of us, being willing to commit to the expense and time required to attend a race a long way from home. The M80+ division tends to be more about longevity and persistence than talent. This year it was relatively predictable. New M80 Richard Spendlove would be first finisher in the age group, I would be a clear second and Paul Newby and Michael Johnson would fight it out for the remaining automatic place. And so it proved on the day.
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Geoff went over the line as second M80

It could have been a lonely, boring race if it had not been held in conjunction with the North Staffs League Race. There were plenty of mostly much younger women to race against and chase down, so it was good fun racing.
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M80 times were as follows:
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Richard Spendlove    24.43
Geoff Newton           27.39
Paul Newby               32.04
Michael Johnson        33.08
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Geoff did finish first M80 last year but there was no England Masters Champs then

So, the above is also the order of finishing in the M80 group in the inaugural England Masters Cross Country Championships. It would have been nice if there had been an England Champs last year when I was first in the age group.
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Geoff gave it his all as he always does

It’s been a frustrating year. As I get older my feet become more painful. Training has become unpleasant with modern trainers with their stacked heels This problem was eventually solved by putting a gel insole into an old pair of racing flats.  However, in the over-enthusiasm that followed I picked up an injury and was unable to run at all in June and July. Retirement has now been put off to at least to the end of the current cross-country season.”

BY GEOFF NEWTON

Geoff gets pain in his feet when running but is still going strong

Geoff will no doubt be back for the British and Irish Masters International in Dublin

Patrick returned to the mountains of the Valle d’Aosta with a steely determination to succeed

If at first you don’t succeed, try again and make damn sure you get the job done next time! That was Bournemouth AC man Patrick Kingston‘s philosophy was as he returned to the formidable TOR130 Tot Dret in Italy’s Aosta Valley, hoping that this time he’d come away with a rather different story to tell.

Covering a nominal 130 kilometres, with a frankly ridiculous 12,000 metres of ascent, the route winds its way through the spectacular mountains of Italy’s Aosta Valley, starting in Gressoney-Saint-Jean and finishing in Courmayeur. With Monte Rosa, Cervino and Mont Blanc providing the sort of backdrop that makes you stop and stare, it would be easy to forget that you have another mountain to climb, another pass to cross and another several thousand metres of ascent to negotiate.

Easy, that is, until you remember why you’re there.

The TOR130 is a sort of little brother to the legendary Tor des Géants, a race widely regarded as one of the toughest and most fascinating trail-running challenges in the world. Little brother, perhaps, but not one to be underestimated. With a start time of 9pm, runners begin their adventure in darkness, continue through the following day and into a second night, if necessary, before those still going eventually emerge into the next day and the welcome sight of the finish line.

Sleep becomes a luxury, food becomes a logistical exercise and putting one foot in front of the other becomes an increasingly complicated business. All in some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable.

Naturally, Patrick thought it was worth another go and had the belief from within that he could get through it this time round.

One unfinished piece of business

Patrick had attempted the TOR130 the previous year, but the mountains had ultimately got the better of him. He managed an astonishing 90.6km of the 130km route, accumulating around 25,000 feet of elevation in 28 hours and 18 minutes before finally reaching the point where he simply couldn’t go any further.

For most of us, that would represent quite enough mountain climbing for one lifetime. For Patrick, however, it represented unfinished business.

Patrick had been on a recce of the course

There were lessons to be learned from that first attempt, and rather than allowing the experience to dent his confidence, he set about preparing for another crack at the challenge. The determination to return stronger, better prepared and more capable of seeing it through never disappeared.

And he certainly hadn’t spent the intervening months putting his feet up.

Over the summer, Patrick tackled the Verbier Marathon in the Swiss Alps, a race featuring 3,000 metres of ascent, before taking on the Crazy Mountain 100 in Montana, USA. That little excursion involved 102 miles and 21,000 feet of elevation.

So, by the time the TOR130 came around again, Patrick had accumulated a rather useful collection of mountain miles and some serious experience of what it takes to keep going when the going gets decidedly unpleasant.

He was ready to give it another go.

Two nights, one very long day and a finish line

The race started at 9pm

When the starting gun went at 9pm, the runners headed into the darkness, embarking on a journey that would test their physical endurance, mental resilience and ability to keep making sensible decisions while profoundly tired.

The first night gave way to daylight, but the mountains offered little respite. The climbing continued, the kilometres ticked by slowly and the prospect of another night on the trails loomed.

For Patrick, every checkpoint and every stretch of trail represented another step towards putting last year’s disappointment behind him. There would inevitably be difficult moments, but this time he had the experience of his previous attempt, a summer of serious preparation and, crucially, the belief that he could finish what he had started.

And finish he did.

Patrick completed the full course, covering an actual distance of 136.1km in 38 hours, 43 minutes and 58 seconds.

Yes, that’s more than a day and a half of running, climbing, descending and persuading the legs to continue doing things that legs probably weren’t designed to do for quite so long.

This time, there was no stopping at 90.6km. No wondering what might have been. Just the satisfaction of reaching Courmayeur and knowing that he’d conquered the challenge that had eluded him twelve months earlier.

A formidable field

Patrick had come back stronger than ever

The scale of Patrick’s achievement becomes even clearer when you look at the results.

He finished 140th out of the 240 runners who completed the course, with a further 169 failing to reach the finish. In other words, significantly more runners failed to complete the challenge than finished it.

Patrick was also the sixth British runner to cross the finish line, an outstanding achievement in a race attracting competitors prepared to push themselves to their absolute limits.

At the sharp end of the field, Frenchman Nicolas Francesco Lemoine took victory in 20:53:03, followed by China’s Ke Li in 22:34:23. Italian Giulio Vettori completed the podium in third place with 22:51:38.

The women’s race was won by Stephanie Howe in 25:35:47, an exceptional performance that also earned her seventh place overall. Fangyuan Wen finished second female, placing 17th overall in 27:43:12.

Britain’s leading finisher was Sam Skinner, who secured 25th place in 29:51:21.

These are formidable performances in an event where simply getting to the finish line is an achievement in itself.

If at first you don’t succeed…

Patrick completed the full 136.1km this time

For Patrick, though, the most important number wasn’t 140th, and it wasn’t the 136.1km he’d covered.

It was the difference between last year’s attempt and this year’s finish.

Last year, he discovered just how brutal the TOR130 could be. This year, he returned having learned from the experience, put in the preparation and refused to let that earlier disappointment define the outcome.

There is something particularly satisfying about that. Ultra-running is as much a test of character as it is of physical fitness. Training can prepare you for the distance, and experience can teach you how to manage the inevitable difficulties, but there comes a point in a race like this when you have to dig deep and find the determination to carry on.

Patrick did precisely that.

To complete 136.1km of punishing Alpine trails, with 12,000 metres of climbing and two nights’ worth of darkness and fatigue to contend with, is an extraordinary achievement. To do it after having previously fallen short makes it all the more special.

The mountains hadn’t got any smaller. The climbs hadn’t become any easier. Patrick had simply returned better prepared, wiser from experience and determined to see it through.

And that is a lesson that extends well beyond trail running.

Sometimes, success comes not from getting everything right the first time, but from having the courage to try again when things don’t go to plan. Learn from the experience, put in the work, keep believing and give yourself another chance.

Last year’s 90.6km was a hard-earned lesson. This year’s 136.1km was the answer.

And somewhere in the magnificent mountains of the Aosta Valley, the TOR130 Tot Dret has one fewer unfinished piece of business to attend to.

Kitty Cook was competing in the New Forest Marathon whist Helen Beddoe was tackling the Half Marathon

The Bournemouth AC contingent experienced a day of mixed fortunes at the New Forest Marathon, with some sensational successes as well as some disappointing and costly mishaps. Stu Nicholas produced a superb performance to claim victory in the marathon in 2:43:47, while Kitty Cook delivered an excellent run to finish sixth female in 3:27:39.

There were plenty of reasons to celebrate in the Half Marathon too, with Vic Chapman taking second female, Kate Bowers and Helen Beddoe both recording personal bests, whilst Chris O’Brien and Sanjai Sharma put in strong performances despite the challenges presented by the undulating course.

Stu Nicholas heads off on his way in the New Forest Marathon

There was an unfortunate turn of events in the Half Marathon though which saw Luke Martin being sent the wrong way whilst he was in second place and going extremely well. That put a slight dampener on an otherwise excellent day out for the south coasters.

The New Forest Marathon has a reputation for being a flat and fast event, but anyone who has tackled its 800ft of elevation might beg to differ. With plenty of climbs, some lengthy uphill stretches and very little genuinely flat ground, it is a course that rewards sensible pacing, strength and determination. Fortunately, Bournemouth AC had all three in abundance.

Marathon: Stu Nicholas takes commanding victory

Stu had all the ingredients to exert his authority on the race

Stu Nicholas arrived in the New Forest in excellent form, having already enjoyed a terrific season over a variety of distances. He won the Norfolk Marathon in the spring in 2:46:52 and followed that up with second place at the North Dorset Village Marathon in 2:47:15.

His more recent performances suggested there could be even more to come. He finished ninth at the Stur Half in 1:18:08, fourth at the Totton 10K in 34:17 and seventh at the Overton 5 in 27:25. He is also currently third in the men’s individual standings of the Hampshire Road Race League.

The question was whether he could turn that form into another marathon victory. As it turned out, he answered that question emphatically.

Stu wasted little time getting into his stride, opening with a 5:53 mile before following it with a 5:57 and a 6:02. Even an early climb in the fourth mile failed to knock him too far off course, with a 6:10 followed by a return to 6:01 for mile five.

It was a lumpy course but that didn’t hold Stu back

The sixth mile brought another hill, but Stu remained composed, recording a 6:19 before continuing with a 6:16 and a 6:11. Another uphill section in mile nine resulted in a 6:22, but he was soon back down to 6:08 for each of the next two miles.

At this point, he was maintaining an impressive rhythm despite the increasingly demanding terrain. Mile 12 came in at 6:10 before the course served up a more substantial challenge in the shape of three predominantly uphill miles.

Stu tackled them with aplomb, recording 6:21, 6:23 and 6:38. He then managed 6:29 for mile 16 and 6:22 for mile 17 before the eighteenth mile brought another 6:38.

The climbing continued, and mile 19 took 6:47 as Stu reached the top of the incline. It was a demanding stretch, and the following mile came in at 6:45, but a welcome downhill section offered some respite over miles 21 and 22.

Stu took advantage, recording 6:17 and 6:24 before settling into the final stages with a 6:36 for mile 23. With the finish now within reach, he kept pressing on and brought the job home in 2:43:47.

It was a magnificent performance on a course that was anything but straightforward, and it proved more than enough to secure the overall victory. His nearest rival, James Pottle, finished in 2:51:28, some 7 minutes and 41 seconds behind. Tim Rooke of Poole AC took third in 2:52:45, with Daniel Betney of Wimborne AC fourth in 2:56:18.

For Stu, it was another excellent marathon result in a season that has already seen him demonstrate remarkable consistency. Having won the Norfolk Marathon and finished runner-up at North Dorset, he can now add a commanding New Forest victory to an already impressive collection.

Kitty’s brilliant pacing delivers a sub-3:30 breakthrough

Kitty Cook also had plenty of reasons to feel confident heading into the marathon. Her running had been going from strength to strength, with her 5K time down to 19 minutes and her 10K PB improved to 41:18.

She had also been locked in a closely fought battle for the Upton Summer Series title, eventually finishing a narrow second behind former Bournemouth AC runner Helen O’Neile.

Kitty had been putting herself through some serious endurance tests. She tackled both the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon and the Stur Half in blisteringly hot conditions and, alongside partner and fellow Bournemouth AC runner Tom Casson, completed the entire 78-mile Capital Ring walking route around London over four days. They were running it though, mostly.

Those experiences provided plenty of evidence of her determination, but the New Forest Marathon would be a different challenge altogether.

Having run the Manchester Marathon in 3:58 last year, Kitty had made significant progress since then and arrived with the tantalising prospect of breaking the 3:30 barrier firmly in her sights.

The plan was to start conservatively, aiming for around five minutes per kilometre, equivalent to roughly eight-minute-mile pace. It was a sensible approach on a course with so many hills, and Kitty executed it beautifully.

The opening 10K went comfortably to plan. The flatter miles came in a little quicker than target, while the hills occasionally pushed her just over, but she remained well in control.

Kitty put in a performance to be proud of in the Marathon

From miles seven to 12, she was running just under eight-minute-mile pace, building a solid platform for the tougher section ahead. Then came the long uphill stretch, which inevitably slowed things down.

Rather than fight the terrain, Kitty settled into a rhythm alongside another female runner for the next 18 kilometres. Having company proved invaluable, helping her negotiate the difficult climbs and maintain a decent pace on the flatter sections.

If anything, she was still running within herself, carefully managing her effort and keeping something in reserve for the closing stages.

That decision paid dividends. With just four kilometres remaining, Kitty was ready to push on, and she began to turn the screw.

Her 24th mile came in at 7:41 before she produced her fastest mile of the entire race, a superb 7:13 for mile 25. After spending so long managing her effort over the hills, she still had the strength to accelerate when it mattered most.

She finished with a final section at 7:21-mile pace before crossing the line in 3:27:39.

That was a fantastic achievement, comfortably inside her sub-3:30 target and a significant step forward from her previous marathon. Kitty finished sixth female and 50th overall, capping a tremendous performance that demonstrated just how far she has progressed.

The women’s race was won by Aislinn Darvell of Lonely Goat in 3:10:55, which also placed her 15th overall. Claire Keith of Hailsham Harriers finished second female in 3:16:13, with Debbie Coe taking third in 3:21:30.

For Kitty, however, the headline was clear: a brilliantly paced marathon, a substantial improvement on her previous best and a well-earned sub-3:30 finish on a course that offered very little in the way of an easy ride.

Luke Martin denied a potential podium finish after wrong turn

It was anguish for Luke Martin as a directional mishap proved costly

There was a frustrating twist in the Half Marathon, where Bournemouth AC’s Luke Martin was running superbly and had worked his way into second place before being sent the wrong way at around 10.5 miles.

Luke had made an exceptionally quick start, opening with a 5:42 mile before going even faster with a 5:36 for his second. He then settled into a strong rhythm, recording 6:07 and 6:06 for the next two miles before picking things up again with a 5:49 for mile five.

He continued to run well through the middle stages, clocking 6:16 for mile six, 6:01 for mile seven and 6:12 for mile eight. A 6:05 was followed by another impressive 6:02, before Luke produced a 5:55 for his eleventh mile.

Vic Chapman starts the Half Marathon

Unfortunately, that was when things went badly wrong. Despite running strongly and sitting in second place, Luke had been directed off the half marathon course and onto the marathon route, heading downhill along a stretch he should never have been running.

It was a desperately disappointing turn of events for Luke, who had put himself in an excellent position to challenge for a podium finish. He wasn’t the only Bournemouth AC runner affected either, with Liam Marsh, who was running in third place, also sent the wrong way.

With Garmin watches among the prizes on offer for the race winners, the stakes were particularly high. Both athletes had every reason to be excited about their prospects, only for a course-navigation mishap to derail their races at a crucial stage.

Vic Chapman returns to finish as second female

Vic Chapman was always likely to contend for top female spot

Vic Chapman arrived with a half marathon PB of 1:24, although that mark had been set two and a half years earlier. The New Forest therefore offered an opportunity to see whether she could still produce a performance at that sort of level.

Vic was destined for a good run

She answered in impressive fashion, finishing in 1:26:24 to take second female and 16th place overall.

Vic managed to get round in 1:26:24

Only Nicola Rook managed to finish ahead of her in the women’s race, crossing the line in 1:25:21 for 13th overall.

Vic came in second female

On a course that demanded plenty of strength over its numerous climbs, Vic’s performance was a terrific result and a reminder that she remains a formidable competitor over the half marathon distance.

Kate Bowers bags a PB in another strong performance

Kate Bowers was another Bournemouth AC runner arriving with good form behind her. Her most recent outing had been at the Coombe Keynes 10K, where she clocked 47:34 to finish fifth female in the opening fixture of the Purbeck Trail Series.

Kate Bowers sets off on her way in the Half Marathon

The New Forest half marathon would prove an even more rewarding day.

Kate began at just over seven-minute-mile pace on the flatter sections, easing back a little when the hills arrived. From the seventh mile onwards, she settled into a rhythm of around 7:20 per mile, although the toughest climb of the course in mile nine required a little extra effort.

Kate was hopeful it would all fall into place nicely

She negotiated that section in 7:29 before returning to just over 7:20 pace for the following miles. The final mile took 7:31, bringing her home in 1:34:35.

It was a new half marathon PB, with Kate finishing seventh female, third in the F40 category and 68th overall.

A strong performance from Kate saw her race to an excellent PB

It was another excellent result for a runner who has been producing some consistently strong performances, and a well-deserved reward for her efforts.

Chris O’Brien puts his Abingdon preparations to the test

Chris O’Brien had a clear objective heading into the New Forest which was to use the Half Marathon as a fitness marker ahead of the Abingdon Marathon.

He started strongly, running the opening six miles at around 6:30 to 6:40-mile pace. However, the hills soon began to take their toll, with the inclines proving particularly challenging.

Chris O’Brien gets his race underway

Chris has found that uphill running has become more difficult since contracting Long Covid, and the New Forest course offered no shortage of opportunities to test that limitation. While he was generally able to maintain around 6:50 to seven-minute-mile pace on the flatter sections, the climbs slowed his progress.

Chris O’Brien struggled on the hills but still came away with a good time

Nevertheless, he persevered and crossed the line in 1:28:53, finishing 34th overall and third in the M50 category.

With Abingdon still the main target, the race provided valuable information about where his fitness currently stands and the areas he will need to manage as his marathon preparations continue.

Sanjai adds another half marathon to a busy year

Sanjai Sharma was racing his fourth half marathon of the year

Sanjai Sharma was next home for Bournemouth AC, completing the course in 1:35:38 to finish 86th overall and third in the M60 category.

Sanjai ran well to get round in 1:35:38

It was another solid performance in what has already been a busy year over the half marathon distance.

Sanjai ran the Wokingham Half Marathon in 1:36 before improving to 1:34 at the Fleet Half Marathon. He then went on to complete the London Marathon in 3:28, before more recently recording 1:42:30 at the Stur Half.

Sanjai finished third in the M60 category

The New Forest offered another opportunity to put that experience to good use, and he duly added another strong result to his season’s tally.

Helen Beddoe breaks another PB after a strong season

Helen Beddoe completed a particularly satisfying day for Bournemouth AC by recording a new half marathon PB of 1:37:38.

Helen has been enjoying an excellent year. She ran the ABP Southampton Marathon in 3:55, won her age category in the Upton Summer Series and improved her 10K PB twice, first at Lordshill and then again at Totton.

Her most recent half marathon before the New Forest had been a much tougher experience. At the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon, she battled through the heat to complete the gruelling course in 1:49:54.

Kitty Cook and Helen Beddoe both came away with strong PBs

That experience would have provided useful preparation for another hilly outing, but Helen’s latest performance showed just how much progress she has made.

Her time of 1:37:38 placed her 14th female, sixth in the F40 category and 99th overall in a field of 1,691 runners.

With 768 women taking part and 198 runners in the F40 category, those were excellent positions to accompany her new personal best.

For Helen, it was a particularly rewarding result after the challenges of Blackmore Vale, and further evidence that her hard work throughout the season is paying off.

Alex Young of Romsey Road Runners won the race in 1:14:29, with Nicholas Twomey taking second in 1:20:52 and Peter Lawrie finished third in 1:21:09. George Chowdhury was fourth in 1:21:23, with Jonny Pennell of St Albans Striders finishing fifth in 1:22:12.

10K

The 10K was won by Callum Abberley of Burton AC in 35:20. Ross Wilkes of Isle of Wight Road Runners took second in 36:58, with Matthew Hartgrove third in 37:31.

Josh Frewin of Tring AC finished fourth in 37:49, while Joshua Allnutt of Wimborne AC completed the top five in 38:19.

Anna Mazon was first female in 40:25, finishing ninth overall. Katharina Hoppe of Southampton AC was second female in 42:36, placing 14th overall, while Emily Grant of Gade Valley Harriers took third female in 43:35, finishing 17th overall.

5K

Chris Cleaver won the 5K in 18:46, followed by Zachary Armitage of New Forest Juniors in 19:29 and Charles Lawson of Southampton AC in 20:46.

Abigail Moors of Poole AC finished fourth overall and took the women’s victory in 21:26. Kirsty Robins was seventh overall and second female in 23:40, with Heather Saxby ninth overall and third female in 24:08.

Another memorable day for Bournemouth AC

From Stu Nicholas’s commanding marathon victory to Kitty Cook’s superb sub-3:30 breakthrough, there was plenty to celebrate for Bournemouth AC in the New Forest.

Vic Chapman demonstrated her continued strength over the half marathon, Kate Bowers and Helen Beddoe both produced personal bests, and Chris O’Brien and Sanjai Sharma added further solid performances to their seasons.

For Luke Martin, sadly, it was a day to reflect on what might have been. Mistakes do happen and that can always be accepted in a running event but it’s such a shame when it leads to such a huge impact on the outcome of the race. No doubt Luke will bounce back though and will come back strong and get the result he deserves in the next one.

The course may have been advertised as flat and fast, but its 800ft of climbing ensured that nobody was handed an easy ride. Bournemouth AC’s runners rose to the challenge, producing a collection of performances that reflected both their hard work in training and their determination to keep improving.

The yellow and blue army were out in force at Round the Lakes

With the Dorset Road Race League season reaching its ninth fixture, the Round the Lakes 10k arrived at a point when the league tables were beginning to take on a rather more serious appearance. Poole AC had all but secured the Men’s First Division title with their victory at the Stur Half, leaving Bournemouth AC and Twemlow Track Club to battle it out for second place. Meanwhile, the Bournemouth ladies knew that another victory in the Second Division would guarantee their promotion back to the top flight.

BAC duly arrived in numbers, with a strong men’s contingent featuring Adam Corbin, Luke De-Benedictis, Casper Jakobsen, Riley Austin and the returning Alex Knauf. The women’s team was equally determined, with Isabel Cherrett,  Katie Bentley, formerly Katie Gunn, Kitty Cook and Helen Beddoe among those representing the club.

It was a fixture that Bournemouth AC had traditionally done very well in

There was plenty of individual form to get excited about, but with league points on the line, the collective performance was always going to be the priority.

As it turned out, Bournemouth AC had plenty to celebrate.

Knauf returns with a bang

A star studded field congregated on the start line

Alex Knauf‘s return to the Dorset racing circuit was one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the race. Having finished in the top five at the Boscombe Seafront 5k last year, he’d subsequently picked up an injury and spent an extended period in America. He was now back, fit and running 33-minute 10ks in training, so there was every reason to think he could feature near the front.

Alex Knauf had been demonstrating some serious speed in training runs

There was just one small administrative hurdle to overcome. Alex hadn’t renewed his club membership since returning from the States, meaning Bournemouth AC had to fast-track the paperwork to ensure he could officially represent the club in league competition.

The runners prepare for a fast and furious encounter

Fortunately, the club got it sorted. Alex then proceeded to make the effort worthwhile.

He opened with a 5:16 first mile, followed by 5:15 for the second and 5:20 for the third. That gave him a rapid first 5k of 16:23, putting him firmly in the mix at the sharp end of the race.

He continued with a 5:19 fourth mile, a 5:24 fifth and a 5:21 sixth, maintaining the sort of pace that suggested his training times were no fluke.

Alex was motoring round the course at an impressive pace

Poole AC’s Tommy Corbin, currently leading the men’s individual league standings, was already out in front and went on to secure the overall victory in 32:43. Shaun Dixon of Bridport Runners followed nine seconds later in 32:52.

With Dixon not scoring in the league competition, the battle for the leading league position became a straight contest between Knauf and Twemlow Track Club’s Rupert Allison. In many ways, it was a miniature version of the wider team battle unfolding behind them.

A group of Bournemouth AC runners head round the cricket pitch

The two runners approached the finish together, and what followed was a proper sprint finish. Knauf dug deep, found another gear and just managed to get himself over the line ahead of Allison.

Alex finished third overall in 33:09, with Allison clocking 33:11.

It was a superb return to competitive racing, but there was more to it than an impressive individual result. Knauf had landed the first significant blow in Bournemouth AC’s battle with Twemlow for second place in the league.

The effort had taken absolutely everything out of him, too. Having crossed the line, Alex promptly deposited the contents of his stomach into a nearby bush. It wasn’t pretty, but it demonstrated just how hard he’d pushed himself. If anyone was in any doubt about his competitive instincts, they weren’t any longer.

Welcome back, Alex.

Jakobsen keeps the pressure on Twemlow

Casper Jakobsen had plenty of speed in his locker

Next up for Bournemouth AC was Casper Jakobsen, who had enjoyed a strong season in his own right.

Earlier in the year, Casper had finished second at the Running Grand Prix 10k at Goodwood in 33:42. He’d also finished seventh at the May 5 and sixth at the Purbeck 10k, establishing himself as a reliable performer over the distance.

Casper on his way toward an 8th place finish

At Round the Lakes, he opened with two 5:24 miles before registering 5:33 for his third. A 5:29 fourth mile was followed by a slightly slower 5:40 fifth, but he finished strongly with a 5:28 sixth mile.

He crossed the line in 34:24 to take eighth place overall.

Casper was ahead of Twemlow Track Club’s second scorer

Crucially, that put him five seconds ahead of Twemlow’s Harry Lauste, who finished ninth in 34:29. Another small but significant victory for the yellow and blues.

With Knauf already having beaten Allison, Bournemouth had now secured two important head-to-head results against their principal rivals.

The team contest was beginning to look promising.

Adam Corbin puts another solid performance on the board

Adam Corbin was consistently quick in 10k races

It has been quite a year for Adam Corbin. Having got married in Las Vegas and attempted the Manchester Marathon earlier in the season, he’s had plenty going on away from the Dorset Road Race League.

The Manchester Marathon didn’t quite go to plan, with Adam unable to complete the race, but his build-up had included a 1:15 performance at the Fleet Half Marathon. He’s also been a regular winner at parkrun, so there was little doubt about his underlying ability.

Adam battling it out with a Twemlow Track Club rival

At Round the Lakes, he opened with a 5:26 mile, followed by 5:27 and 5:35. The pace then eased slightly, with splits of 5:37, 5:43 and 5:38 before a strong finish brought him home in 34:38.

That was good enough for 12th place and, pleasingly, quicker than either of his previous two Round the Lakes performances back in 2024.

The only frustration was that Brian Underwood, first over-50 finisher, had got there four seconds earlier in 34:34 to take 11th.

Adam could nevertheless be pleased with his run. Given the events of his season so far, he has certainly had enough going on without needing to make every 10k a personal referendum on his fitness.

De-Benedictis delivers another important score

Luke De-Benedictis possesses much more power than the average athlete

Luke De-Benedictis has quietly played a significant role in Bournemouth AC’s league campaign this year.

He’s already scored for the team at the Broadstone Quarter, Stubbington 10k, Lytchett 10, Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon and the May 5. He’s also ventured onto the track, finishing third in the 3000m at the Dorset County Championships.

Luke kept it ticking over well

At Round the Lakes, Luke started quickly with a 5:21 first mile before settling into a more measured rhythm. His second mile came in 5:41, with the next three at around 5:50 pace or just over. A final split of 5:48 brought him home in 35:52.

That put him 19th overall and made him Bournemouth AC’s fourth scorer.

It was another useful contribution from a runner who has consistently turned out when needed, and it helped maintain the pressure on Twemlow as the team contest unfolded.

Luke finished 19th in 35:52

Luke Terry was next home for Poole AC in 35:57, taking 20th place and helping his club secure the race victory and the 2026 Men’s First Division title.

Poole had done what was required of them. Bournemouth, however, still had second place to secure.

Casson produces the breakthrough performance of the day

Perhaps the most exciting Bournemouth AC performance of the afternoon came from Tom Casson.

Tom had recently broken the 17-minute barrier for 5k, but the obvious question was whether he could translate that speed into a strong performance over the longer distance. Running a quick 5k is one thing; maintaining a decent pace when the legs start complaining several miles later is another.

At Round the Lakes, he answered that question emphatically.

Tom Casson delivered performance that even he couldn’t quite believe

Tom opened with a fast 5:32 mile, followed by 5:46 and 5:52. He then settled into a rhythm around six-minute-mile pace for the fourth and fifth miles before picking things up again with a 5:46 sixth mile.

He wasn’t finished there. His final quarter of a mile came at approximately 5:20 pace as he powered towards the line.

The result was a time of 36:11, which put him 21st overall and represented a remarkable personal best by two minutes and 45 seconds.

There were high hopes for Riley Austin

Tom’s recent progression has been obvious, but this felt like a genuine turning point. He’d demonstrated that the speed was there over 5k and now had the endurance to back it up over 10k.

It was a superb performance and one that could prove significant well beyond this particular race.

His time also completed a crucial scoring sequence for Bournemouth AC. With the team results calculated, Bournemouth took second place in the Men’s First Division, consigning Twemlow Track Club to third.

The club had arrived knowing that second place was within reach. It left having delivered precisely the result it needed.

The rest of the men’s team

James Hulbert

There were plenty more Bournemouth AC runners contributing to the club’s sizeable turnout.

Jack Barwick and Riley Austin

James Hulbert was next home, finishing 26th in 36:41 at an average pace of 5:52 per mile. Jack Barwick returned to the scene of what might still be his best performance, having clocked 35:43 at last year’s league race. He couldn’t quite reproduce that time but still ran a respectable 37:03 to finish 30th.

James Hulbert finished in 36:41

Jack Barwick wasn’t quite as quick as he was last year

Arthur Riley wasn’t far behind, recording 37:16 for 33rd place. With an average pace just under six minutes per mile, it was another solid run.

James Hulbert battling it out

Arthur Riley gets into his stride

Riley Austin, meanwhile, had a slightly frustrating afternoon. Having finished third in the Bournemouth Bay 10k in 35:44 and won two of his Upton Summer Series races, he arrived with plenty of confidence. Unfortunately, he appeared to struggle in the middle of the race and lost considerable time before crossing the line in 37:42 for 36th place.

Riley Austin wasn’t quite able to maintain his early pace

Arthur Riley

It was still a respectable performance, but one that didn’t quite reflect his usual capabilities. Riley will no doubt be looking to put that right next time out.

Arthur finished in 37:16

Julian Critchlow finished just ahead of him in 37:46, taking the honours as the first over-60 runner. Mike Akers was next for Bournemouth in 37:50, finishing 39th at an average pace of 6:04 per mile.

Jack Barwick and Riley Austin

Mike Akers (3) and Paddy McCalister (176)

Paddy McCalister somehow managed to produce progressively slower splits throughout the race, but still got himself home in 38:35 for 46th place. Sometimes the watch tells a less flattering story than the finishing time, but getting the job done is what matters.

Mike Akers getting into his groove

Paddy McCalister started well but faded as the race went on

Mike went on to finish in 37:50

Paddy clocked a time of 38:35

Nicolay Rusnachenko (241) and Jack Barwick (315)

Nicolay Rusnachenko and Patrick Kingston were next to arrive. Their chip times were separated by a single second, with Patrick recording 39:08 and Nicolay 39:09. They finished 50th and 51st.

Manuel Stone (left) and Patrick Kingston (right)

For Patrick, it was close to his 38:42 personal best, set at Round the Lakes last year. Nicolay was around a minute slower than his previous outing on the course, so there was perhaps a little more to come from him.

Nicolay was a minute down on his time from last year

Jason Christian gets the ball rolling

Further down the field, Jason Christian produced a remarkably even-paced run, holding around 6:45–6:50 per mile before finishing with a 6:42 final mile. He came home 108th overall.

It was a very controlled effort in the end from Jason

Clint Taylor gets his race underway

Clint Taylor finished in 45:14, taking 141st place and 19th in the men’s 50–59 category. That was 1:16 slower than his time at the same race last year.

Clint wasn’t quite able to replicate his form from last year

Philip Rooney was making his Bournemouth AC debut

Philip Rooney made his Bournemouth AC debut, finishing in 45:39 for 147th place and 30th in the men’s 40–49 category. Tom Ralph followed in 47:15, while Jud Kirk got round in under 50 minutes, recording 49:49 for 191st place and 15th in the men’s 60–69 category.

Philip Rooney got round in 45:39

Tom Ralph completed the course in 47:15

Manuel Stone was the final Bournemouth AC athlete home, completing the course in 58:47 to take 247th place and fifth in the men’s 70–79 category.

Jud Kirk managed a sub 50 time

Manuel Stone primarily competes on the track

It was a substantial club turnout, and the range of performances underlined what a broad contribution the team had made to the day.

Manny was the final Bournemouth AC runner to get o the line

Kitty Cook leads the Bournemouth ladies

Kitty Cook was popping out PBs left, right and centre

Isabel Cherrett would have been Bournemouth AC’s top lady but she ended up pulling out after feeling a muscular twinge. That was a shame as it was a Round the Lakes last year where she recorded her 10k PB of 36:40 but with cross country season just around the corner, she didn’t want to take any risks.

Kitty was aiming for another 10k best

That meant the first woman to finish for the yellow and blues was Kitty Cook, who continued what has been a breakout season with another personal best.

Kitty had brought her 5k time down to 19 minutes and her 10k time to 41:18. She’d also finished second to Helen O’Neile in the Upton Summer Series and had recorded three top-four finishes in Dorset Road Race League races.

Jud Kirk meanders round

Away from the shorter distances, she’s produced an excellent marathon personal best of 3:27:50 at the New Forest Marathon Festival.

At Round the Lakes, she crossed the line in 41:07, finishing fifth female and improving on her previous 10k best, set at Lordshill, by seven seconds.

Kitty came into it off the back of a fantastic marathon PB

The only two women immediately ahead of her in the relevant positions were Lizzy Squibbs, who finished fourth female in 41:05, and the leading trio of Madeleine Johnson, Louise Fox and Rachael Haddow.

Johnson of Egdon Heath Harriers took the women’s victory in an impressive 36:37, finishing 25th overall. Dorchester RIOT’s Louise Fox was second in 40:15, with Poole AC’s Rachael Haddow third in 40:24.

It was another good Dorset Road Race League result for Kitty

Kitty’s performance was another indication of just how far she’s progressed this season. There’s a pleasing consistency to her improvement, and she now looks increasingly comfortable racing at a level that would have seemed ambitious not so long ago.

Bentley battles through the season

Katie Bentley had a new name but possessed the same speed

Katie Bentley was the next Bournemouth AC woman home, finishing in 41:37 for eighth female and 97th overall.

Katie has been some way off her best form this season, but she’s continued to deliver important performances for the club. She’s been Bournemouth’s second scorer at the Lytchett 10, Blackmore Vale Half Marathon and Stur Half, demonstrating that the tougher races can still bring out her best.

Katie finished ahead of individual table leader Victoria Pye

Her Round the Lakes result also put her ahead of Victoria Pye of Egdon Heath Harriers, who currently leads the women’s individual league standings. Pye finished ninth female in 41:42 and was first in the women’s 45–54 category.

Jenny Marshall of Purbeck Runners was sixth female in 41:18 and first in the women’s 35–44 category, while Poole AC’s Dawn Andrews finished seventh in 41:25.

Katie’s eighth place was another valuable contribution to Bournemouth’s promotion campaign. Whatever the season’s ups and downs, she’s continued to turn out and score when the team has needed her.

Beddoe and Hudson complete the picture

Helen Beddoe was usually a scorer for the team

Helen Beddoe completed the scoring team for the Bournemouth ladies, finishing in 43:58 for 17th female and fourth in the women’s 45–54 category.

Helen had already broke her 10k PB twice this year

Helen has enjoyed an excellent run of form over recent months. She recorded a 10k personal best at Lordshill in July, only to improve on it again at the Totton 10k at the end of August, where she clocked 43:18.

She’s also won her age category comfortably at the Upton Summer Series and set a new half-marathon personal best of 1:37:38 at the New Forest Marathon Festival.

Her Round the Lakes performance was another useful contribution to the team, helping Bournemouth achieve the result they needed.

It wasn’t a PB this time but still a good time from Helen

Lara Hudson, meanwhile, has been a welcome addition to the squad this season. She’d already represented the club at the SOBO 5, the Totton 10k and the Stur Half, setting personal bests of 45:46 for 10k and 1:49:38 for the half marathon.

Lara Hudson was hoping to better her Totton 10k time

At Round the Lakes, she was hoping to break 45 minutes for 10k. Her splits were among the most consistent of the Bournemouth contingent, suggesting a well-judged race, although a trip over a speed bump threatened to interrupt proceedings.

Lara hit the ground hard but was quickly back on her feet and continued without allowing the incident to derail the rest of her run. That was a commendable response, and her pacing remained impressively consistent throughout.

Lara ran well despite a nasty fall on her second lap

She didn’t quite get the sub-45-minute clocking she wanted, but the course appeared to measure slightly long. She passed the 10k point in exactly 45 minutes but got over the line in 45:23, which was nine minutes quicker than her time at the same event last year and 23 seconds faster than her previous personal best at Totton.

That’s a huge improvement in a relatively short space of time, and another encouraging sign for a runner who has settled into the squad so well. She was 21st female and 143rd overall.

Bournemouth AC ladies secure promotion

The result that mattered most was the one at the top of the Ladies Second Division table.

Helen heads round the cricket pitch for the final time

Bournemouth AC secured the victory they needed, taking top spot at Round the Lakes and confirming their promotion back to the Ladies First Division for next season.

After a season of consistent performances, the club had arrived knowing that one more win would settle the matter. The ladies delivered, and the promotion place was theirs.

Dorchester RIOT finished second on the day, with Verwood Runners third. Those two clubs will now have to battle it out for second place in the division, but Bournemouth can turn their attention to the challenge of returning to the top flight.

Lara was determined not to let anything spoil her time

It’s a fantastic achievement for the team and a reward for the efforts of everyone who has contributed to the campaign.

The promotion also means Bournemouth AC will have representation in the top tier of both the men’s and women’s competitions next season, with the ladies now preparing to test themselves against the division’s strongest clubs.

The wider league picture

There was plenty happening elsewhere in the league, too.

Lara went on to finish in 45:23

Poole AC topped the Ladies First Division standings at Round the Lakes, finishing ahead of Wimborne AC and Egdon Heath Harriers. That result gave Poole their third victory of the season, drawing them level with Egdon Heath Harriers on wins and keeping the title race alive.

Egdon Heath Harriers remain very much in contention, while Poole Runners are still in the mix and Littledown Harriers retain a mathematical chance of taking the title. Wimborne AC, however, will be relegated to the Second Division next season.

In the Men’s Second Division, Poole Runners strengthened their position at the top with another victory, although Littledown Harriers remain in pursuit of the promotion place.

It was another good PB from Lara

Lytchett Manor Striders continued their remarkable Ladies Third Division campaign by recording their seventh victory from seven races. They managed that despite fielding just two runners, with no club in the division able to field a full team. Weymouth St Paul’s Harriers were the only other club to turn out two athletes.

The Men’s Third Division remains more competitive. Verwood Runners took the victory at Round the Lakes, with Dorchester RIOT second and Weymouth St Paul’s Harriers third. Dorchester RIOT still lead the overall standings, with Verwood in second and Purbeck Runners third. All three clubs remain in contention for the top spot.

With only a few fixtures left, there is still plenty to settle across the divisions.

A big day for Bournemouth AC

The Bournemouth AC team had done themselves proud in the race

For Bournemouth AC, Round the Lakes was a thoroughly successful outing.

The men’s team secured second place in the First Division on the day, with Alex Knauf’s dramatic sprint finish and Tom Casson’s breakthrough performance proving particularly important. Casper Jakobsen and Luke De-Benedictis also delivered key results, while Adam Corbin and the wider squad helped the club finish ahead of Twemlow Track Club.

The ladies, meanwhile, achieved the result they had been working towards all season. Victory in the Second Division confirmed their promotion back to the top flight, providing a fitting reward for a squad that has continued to perform when it mattered.

The BAC ladies sealed promotion and the men took the initiative in the race for second place

Poole AC may have wrapped up the men’s title, but Bournemouth have ensured that the battle for second place has gone their way. And with the ladies now heading back to the First Division, there is plenty for the club to look forward to in 2027.

Nine races down, the business end of the season has delivered exactly what it promised. Bournemouth AC have made their move, the promotion is secured, and the yellow and blues can head into the remaining fixtures with plenty to celebrate.

It was definitely a day that the road runners group will look back on fondly

Stu Bowers put himself up for test of biblical proportions as he took on The Beast

Stu Bowers and Patrick Kingston took on one of Dorset’s toughest trail races as The Beast provided another stern test in the third round of the Purbeck Trail Series.

There are trail races, there are tough trail races, and then there is The Beast. At 12.4 miles with around 1,800ft of elevation, it is an event that demands plenty of strength, stamina and climbing ability, with some brutally steep sections that have a habit of exposing any weaknesses in the legs.

Patrick Kingston was also in action at The Beast

Representing Bournemouth AC this time around were Stu Bowers and Patrick Kingston, with both men producing solid performances against a competitive field of more than 300 runners.

Stu Bowers had done some tough trail races before

Stu Bowers, who had already featured in the opening race of the Purbeck Trail Series, the Coombe Keynes 10k, finished an excellent 16th out of 305 runners in that event in 42:56. Kingston, meanwhile, made his first appearance in this year’s series, although he was certainly no stranger to the demands of long-distance running.

Indeed, both men had good reasons to feel confident about tackling The Beast, even if there was little chance of finding the course anything other than challenging.

Patrick Kingston was no stranger to extreme levels of elevation

Stu Bowers had already sampled some of Dorset’s more demanding terrain when he took on The Stickler last year, while he also ventured further afield to compete in the Maverick Goat Exmoor 15km race during the summer, which he won. Neither event is particularly generous to anyone who prefers their running flat, smooth and predictable.

It was Stu’s second race of the Purbeck Trail Series this year

Patrick Kingston’s recent adventures have taken him considerably further afield. Having completed a good number of Bournemouth AC’s league races this season, he has also been busy pursuing some rather more ambitious personal challenges.

Among them was the Verbier Marathon in the Swiss Alps, featuring a staggering 3,000 metres of ascent, followed by the Crazy Mountain 100 in Montana, USA. That latter challenge covered 102 miles with 21,000ft of vertical climbing.

Patrick was making his first appearance of the Purbeck Trail Series this year

Put those numbers alongside The Beast and the Purbeck course might initially look like a relatively gentle outing. However, anyone who has raced over this sort of terrain knows that shorter does not necessarily mean easier. The intensity is higher, recovery time is shorter and there is a real premium on getting up the climbs quickly rather than simply grinding them out at a sustainable ultra-running pace.

A Course With A Fearsome Reputation

Jacek Cieluszeck set an unbelievably fast time when he won it in 2022

The Beast has developed quite a reputation over the years, and its roll of honour underlines just how quick the leading runners can be when conditions and legs allow.

Jon Pepin won last year’s race in an outstanding 1:27:25, shortly before joining Bournemouth AC, with Stu Nicholas finishing second in 1:33:22. Stu Nicholas had also taken second place the previous year, when Chris Peck of Egdon Heath Harriers won on a modified course following a landslip.

Jacek was leading the Purbeck Trail Series win a first and a second so far

Go back to 2022 and the benchmark becomes even more formidable. Former Bournemouth AC runner Jacek Cieluszecki produced an astonishing 1:24:46, a time that has remained unbeaten since. It was a performance from JC at his peak, when his climbing prowess made him a formidable opponent on precisely this kind of terrain.

Jack Galloway of Twemlow Track Club was in action

JC had already made a considerable impression in this year’s Purbeck Trail Series. He won the opening Coombe Keynes 10k in 36:14, a particularly quick performance on a hilly course that also measures longer than its advertised 10 kilometres.

He then followed that up with second place at the Lighthouse Loop 5k in 18:48. Given that the course incorporates around 450ft of elevation and uses the same ground as the notoriously challenging Durlston Castle parkrun, that was another impressive display.

Matthew Clark of Purbeck Runners

JC therefore arrived at The Beast with plenty of attention on him, although even the strongest runners can have days when things simply do not come together.

Stu Bowers Leads The Bournemouth AC Charge

The scenery was breath-taking

Stu Bowers produced a strong run to finish ninth overall, crossing the line in 1:40:06.

It was another good performance in a series that has already provided him with a useful test of his trail-running credentials. Finishing inside the top ten in a field of more than 300 runners on a course of this difficulty is a result to be pleased with, particularly given the quality of the competition.

Stu Bowers arrives on the finishing straight

Patrick Kingston was not far behind in 16th place, recording 1:43:47.

That was just 34 seconds slower than his time for the same race last year, underlining his consistency over a course where a small change in conditions, pacing or how the legs respond to the climbs can make a significant difference.

Stu was rewarded with a ninth place finish

For someone who has recently been tackling mountain marathons and 100-mile ultras, it was another reminder that trail running comes in many different forms. There is a world of difference between managing your effort over 102 miles and attacking a demanding 12.4-mile course where every climb and descent can have an immediate impact on your finishing position.

The hills weren’t as big as some that Patrick had tackled lately

Both Bournemouth AC runners can take plenty of encouragement from their performances, with Stu Bowers securing a top-ten finish and Patrick Kingston placing comfortably inside the top 20.

Galloway Takes The Win As JC Has An Off Day

Patrick arrives at the finish in 16th pace

At the sharp end of the field, it was Jack Galloway of Twemlow Track Club who claimed victory in 1:29:08, with Matthew Clark of Purbeck Runners taking second in 1:31:47.

Steve Kellaway of Egdon Heath Harriers completed the podium in 1:36:01, followed by Adam Hodge of Purbeck Runners in fourth in 1:36:37.

Jack Galloway won the race in 1:29:08

Mark Peddle of Poole Runners finished fifth in 1:37:55, with Gergely Arvay of Littledown Harriers sixth in 1:38:42.

Jacek Cieluszecki, meanwhile, found that this was not to be his day. Despite his previous success on the Purbeck trails, he struggled to find his usual strength and energy on the course, eventually finishing seventh in 1:39:38.

Matthew Clark was second in 1:31:47

It was an unusual result for a runner who has repeatedly demonstrated just how well suited he is to hilly trail races, but it served as a reminder that even the most accomplished competitors cannot always guarantee a good day in the hills.

Anne-Marie Bayliss was first female

In the women’s race, Anne-Marie Bayliss of City of Salisbury led the way in 1:45:28, finishing 19th overall. Sara Genco of Littledown Harriers took second place in 1:47:01, while Dulcie Gatehouse of Bridport Runners was third in 1:54:03. Louise Fox of Dorchester RIOT completed the leading four in 1:57:17.

The race didn’t quite pan out how Jacek would have wanted

Steve Kellaway of Egdon Heath Harriers finished third

For Bournemouth AC, the headline was two strong performances from runners with very different recent experiences of the trails. Stu Bowers continued his Purbeck Trail Series campaign with another good result, while Patrick Kingston added another demanding race to a season that has already taken him from local league fixtures to the mountains of Switzerland and the vast trails of Montana.

It was a strong run from Stu Bowers

The Beast certainly lived up to its name, but both men emerged with performances that showed they were more than capable of handling its considerable demands.

Patrick’s time was 34 seconds down on last year

Sara Genco of Littledown Harriers was second female

Massive thanks to Ken Hewitt and Konaphil Photography for the fabulous action shots!

Dulcie Gatehouse came in third female

Bryn Smith was competing in the Newark Half Marathon

Making a welcome return to the racing scene at the Newark Half Marathon, Bournemouth AC‘s Bryn Smith produced a solid performance over the flat, fast, closed-road course despite looking as though he’d been in the wars a bit.

Bryn’s last outing had been back in July at the Lordshill 10k, where he clocked 35:44 to finish as the club’s third scorer. With a half marathon PB of 1:11:24, set at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in 2022, he headed to Newark with a decent bit of pedigree over the longer distance.

The start of the Newark Half Marathon

The Newark Half Marathon has been a fixture on the racing calendar since 1982, giving it plenty of history for a race that continues to attract a healthy field. Starting and finishing in Newark, the route took runners out along the country roads around Hawton and Cotham, with the flat profile offering an ideal opportunity for those looking to put in a quick time.

Bryn had taken a knock to the face but he got the job done, crossing the line in 1:21:51 to take 34th place out of 1,045 finishers.

Bryn had the pedigree to produce a fast time

At the sharp end of the race, Chris Davies of RAF Athletics and Harrow AC took the honours in 1:05:40, just getting to the line ahead of Kevin Seaward, who recorded the same chip time. Jacob Pickering of Cheltenham Harriers claimed third in 1:09:15, narrowly ahead of Daniel Haymes of Huub Performance Project, who finished in 1:09:20.

Bryn arrives on the finishing straight

Andrew Barnes of London Heathside took fifth in 1:09:33, with Roshan Thapa Magar of Nepal Run rounding out the top six in 1:09:50.

In the women’s race, Molly Uren led the way in an excellent 1:23:14, finishing 38th overall. Philippa Dew of Steel City Striders was second in 1:24:33, taking 42nd place overall, while Hannah Walker completed the women’s podium in 1:24:42.

Bryn got to the line in 1:21:51

There was little time for Bryn to put his feet up after Newark, however, as he was soon back in action for the club at the Overton 5. There, he helped Bournemouth AC to victory in the Hampshire Road Race League fixture, recording 29:51 as the club added another team success to the season’s tally.

Bryn looked a bit banged up by the end but got through it

From the half marathon roads of Nottinghamshire to a valuable contribution on the Hampshire road racing scene, Bryn has certainly been keeping himself busy!

The Bournemouth AC team consisted of: (From left to right) Louis Suggett, Stu Nicholas, Josh Cole, Bryn Smith and James Hulbert

Bournemouth AC made a dream start to the Hampshire Road Race League season at the Totton 10k, topping every team table they contested. The challenge was to keep that momentum going at the second fixture, the Overton 5, where the yellow and blues were looking to maintain their winning start.

There was, however, a little more to contend with than simply turning up and running five miles.

Situated close to the Surrey border, Overton is a rather longer trip than some of the other league fixtures, making it a little trickier to persuade runners to make themselves available. The course itself is also deceptively challenging, with several sharp inclines that make maintaining a consistent tempo considerably more difficult than the relatively modest distance might suggest.

Initially, it looked as though Bournemouth AC might have their work cut out getting a team together. Josh Cole and Bryn Smith were the first two to put their names down, leaving the club needing a few more willing volunteers to make sure they could challenge for the team honours.

Fortunately, Stu Nicholas was once again prepared to put the team first, while James Hulbert and Louis Suggett also stepped up to the plate to give the yellow and blues a five-man squad.

Only four scorers are required for a Hampshire Road Race League A-team, but having a fifth runner is always useful. You never know when somebody might have a problem, and the last thing Bournemouth AC needed was a repeat of the sort of costly team-selection mishaps that can derail a season.

Although the team had come together somewhat at the last minute, there was no shortage of quality in the line-up. In fact, it was a pretty formidable outfit, and there was every reason to believe that another victory in the Men’s A2 division was within reach.

Cole Arrives in Form

Josh Cole had delivered a string of strong recent performances

Josh Cole was undoubtedly one of the men to watch, having started the season in outstanding form.

At the opening fixture, he had produced an excellent performance to finish second in the Totton 10k, beaten only by Christopher Newnham of Ryde Harriers. That was another impressive result in what had already been a very productive spell of racing.

Before Totton, Josh had won the Isle of Wight Half Marathon, finishing a minute ahead of Joshua Price, last season’s Hampshire Road Race League individual champion. He had also won the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon, getting the better of Poole AC pair Tommy Corbin and Lewis Clarke in the process.

Those performances suggested that Josh was operating at the very top of his game, and there was every reason to expect him to be challenging for another high finish at Overton.

Stu Nicholas was also coming into the race in good form. His fourth-place finish at Totton had been particularly impressive, putting him ahead of Southampton man Ant Gritton and a host of other talented Hampshire-based runners.

Bryn Smith’s name was one of the first on the team sheet for the Overton 5

Bryn Smith had some decent recent form to draw upon as well, having clocked 1:21:51 at the Newark Half Marathon. That was enough to secure 34th place in a field of 1,045 runners, providing a useful indication of the shape he was in ahead of the five-mile test.

James Hulbert had perhaps not been firing on all cylinders this season, but he had still been producing some respectable performances. He had run 29:13 at the May 5 and 37:11 at the Purbeck 10k, while his 2:54:44 at the London Marathon earlier in the year demonstrated that there was plenty of endurance in the tank.

Louis Suggett, meanwhile, had not raced so far this year, but his training performances suggested that he was running strongly. He might not have had a recent result to point towards, but that certainly did not mean he was going to be short of pace.

The Bournemouth AC men would need all of that strength in depth if they were to get the better of the opposition.

Price Pushes On

Josh had some tough opposition to contend with

Among those standing in Josh Cole’s way was the familiar figure of Joshua Price, who was back on his hunting ground and looking to remind everybody why he had finished last season as the league’s leading individual runner.

If Price had not already realised that Cole was going to be there, he might not have been particularly delighted to discover that the Bournemouth AC man was once again among his principal rivals.

Henry Edwards of Winchester Running Club was another runner capable of making an impression, and with several other talented athletes on the start line, there was no shortage of competition.

As expected, the early stages saw a group of four establish themselves at the front, with both Cole and Price among them.

It was a race where Josh didn’t quite feel he’d hit the heights he was hoping to

The pace was clearly strong, but at around the two-mile mark, Price began looking around, seemingly unconvinced that the group was moving quickly enough for his liking. He decided to take matters into his own hands and pushed on.

Cole had already been working hard to stay with the leading group and was unable to find another gear when Price increased the tempo. As the group began to stretch out, the Bournemouth AC runner found himself in fourth place, with the race becoming a battle to the finish.

Price ultimately took the victory in 25:45, with Matthew Port of Winchester Running Club finishing second in 25:51. Richard Lovejoy of Aldershot Farnham & District secured third place in 26:27, leaving Cole to settle for fourth in 26:32.

Josh was fourth in the end in 26:32

It was a very good result by any reasonable measure, but Josh had set his sights higher and came away feeling that he had not quite produced his best performance of the year.

That was perhaps a sign of just how well things had been going for him. After his recent successes, fourth place was not the result he had travelled to Overton hoping for.

The course had certainly given him something to think about, though. Its sharp inclines make it a race where being fully rested can make a significant difference, and Josh will undoubtedly have a little more respect for the Overton 5 the next time he lines up.

Turning up on tired legs is not a mistake he will be keen to repeat.

Nicholas Produces Another Strong Performance

Stu Nicholas was next to make his mark, producing another excellent run to finish seventh overall in 27:25.

Stu came off the back of a brilliant run at the Totton 10k

The Overton course requires a little more thought than simply trying to run every mile at the same pace, and Stu’s splits demonstrated just how much the terrain could influence proceedings.

His opening mile came in at 5:15, helped considerably by the downhill running during the first part of the course. That was followed by a long climb beginning at around 0.8 miles and continuing until approximately 1.6 miles.

A faster downhill section then provided some relief, allowing Stu to complete his second mile in 5:24.

Stu produced another strong performance at Overton

There was another incline during the third mile, and the effect of the climbing became increasingly apparent as he recorded 5:38.

The fourth mile brought further challenges, with the final major climb extending from around 3.2 miles to 3.5 miles. Once that was out of the way, however, the course became much quicker, with the remainder largely downhill or flat.

Stu recorded 5:43 for his fourth mile before getting back on the pace with a 5:16 final mile.

Stu finished seventh in 27:25

That brought him home in 27:25, giving him seventh place overall and an average pace of 5:27 per mile.

Shaun Egan of Totton RC finished fourth in 27:04, while Henry Edwards took fifth in 27:07, leaving Stu just behind two very strong performances.

Nevertheless, it was another excellent outing for the Bournemouth AC man, who continued to demonstrate that his fourth place at Totton was no fluke.

Suggett Springs a Surprise

Louis Suggett might have been forgiven for thinking that he would be the most likely member of the team to miss out on the scoring positions.

With Cole, Nicholas and Smith among his teammates, and Hulbert also bringing plenty of experience and ability, there was certainly no shortage of competition for those four scoring places.

Louis, however, had other ideas.

Louis Suggett pulled an excellent time out the bag

Despite not having raced so far this year, he produced an outstanding performance to complete the course in 28:41, finishing 15th overall in a field of 475 runners.

That represented an average pace of 5:45 per mile and, more importantly, made him Bournemouth AC’s third scorer on the day.

It was an excellent contribution from a runner who had stepped in to help the team, and it meant the yellow and blues were in a very strong position heading into the final stages of the scoring.

As the clock edged towards the 30-minute mark, there were still two Bournemouth AC men to come.

Bryn Smith sealed the win for Bournemouth AC in the Men’s A2 division

Bryn Smith was next to cross the line, recording 29:51 to finish 24th overall. That completed the four-man scoring team and gave Bournemouth AC exactly what they needed to secure another victory in the Men’s A2 division.

There was still time for James Hulbert to ensure that the club’s fifth runner also made it home inside 30 minutes. He crossed the line in 29:57, finishing 27th overall.

That meant all five Bournemouth AC men had completed the course in under half an hour, which was a pretty emphatic demonstration of the team’s strength.

Another Team Victory for the Yellow and Blues

With all four scorers safely home, Bournemouth AC had done enough to take another victory in the Men’s A2 division.

James Hulbert hadn’t been in top form this year

The team had come together at relatively short notice, but the quality of the performances ensured that there was never any real danger of the yellow and blues leaving Overton empty-handed.

It was not quite enough to secure the lowest team score across the entire men’s competition, however.

Winchester Running Club had three men inside the top ten, including Matthew Port in second place and Henry Edwards in fifth, and their impressive collective performance secured the victory in the Men’s A1 division.

James was still able to produce a sub 30 time which was pleasing

That was the second consecutive fixture in which Winchester had taken the top division honours, having also won at Totton.

Overton Harriers had to settle for second place in the A1 division despite enjoying home advantage, while Hardley Runners finished second behind Bournemouth AC in A2.

For Bournemouth AC, the important thing was that the winning run had continued. After topping the standings in every table they contested at Totton, they had returned to the podium at the second fixture and maintained their grip on the Men’s A2 division.

The club’s other teams had plenty to celebrate as well.

Winchester Dominate the Women’s Competition

James ensured that all five BAC men got round in under 30 minutes

Emma Stevens of Aldershot Farnham & District was the first female finisher, crossing the line in 30:35 to finish 31st overall.

Emma Jolley of City of Portsmouth took second place in 31:24, finishing 43rd overall, while Helen Herman-Bonaer secured third in 31:36, placing 45th.

Winchester Running Club continued their excellent start to the season by taking another victory in the Women’s competition. Having already won on the opening matchday, they were once again looking like a formidable force in the top division.

Bournemouth AC’s women, meanwhile, remained second in the table following their victory at the Totton 10k. There is still plenty of racing to come, but Winchester have made it clear that they are going to be difficult to dislodge from the top of the standings.

In the Women’s A3 division, Victory AC were the only club to field a team, so they duly took the win. Fleet & Crookham were the only other club to come particularly close to assembling a scoring team.

The men’s lower divisions also produced some interesting results.

Overton Harriers topped the Men’s B1 standings, while Lordshill were the only club in the Men’s B3 division to get anywhere close to fielding a team of four. That was enough to secure them the victory and put them top of the table, with Bournemouth AC sitting second after their win in the opening fixture.

Cole Leads the Individual Standings

There was further good news for Bournemouth AC when the individual league tables were updated.

After two races, Josh Cole leads the Men’s individual standings, with Stu Nicholas occupying second place.

It was another good win for the Bournemouth AC men as they topped the A2 division

That is particularly encouraging given the quality of the opposition and the fact that Cole’s fourth place at Overton was a slightly disappointing result by his own high standards.

It means Bournemouth AC have two runners occupying the leading positions in the men’s competition, providing another indication of the club’s strength at the top end of the field.

Emma Jolley of City of Portsmouth leads the women’s individual standings after her second-place finish at Overton.

With the league still in its early stages, there is plenty of time for the tables to change, but the yellow and blues have certainly given themselves a strong platform from which to build.

New Forest 10 Next

The next Hampshire Road Race League fixture is the New Forest 10 on 25th October, and that is one Bournemouth AC will be particularly keen to get right.

Last season, the club made a costly mistake by getting only three men out for the race. With four scorers required to register a team result, that left them unable to complete the scoring and proved to be a significant setback.

It was the sort of error that can have consequences well beyond a single fixture, and the men’s team will be determined not to allow history to repeat itself.

The lesson from Overton is that getting a team to the start line is every bit as important as having the right runners in it. Cole and Nicholas have made an excellent start to their individual campaigns, while Suggett’s contribution demonstrated the value of having willing teammates ready to step up when required.

Two races into the season, Bournemouth AC have already shown that they have the quality to challenge for honours. The next task is to ensure that they have the numbers to keep doing it.

The yellow and blues have made a very promising start. Now they need to keep the momentum going.

Going all out for a sub 80-minute time, it appeared a big PB was on the cards for Barry Dolman at the Big Half

Barry Dolman produced another outstanding performance on the streets of London at The Big Half, clocking a superb personal best of 1:20:07 and claiming second place in the M55–59 category. A sub-80-minute half marathon was tantalisingly close, but his performance provided plenty of encouragement ahead of his next major target: the Chicago Marathon.

There are some performances where the finishing time tells only part of the story. Barry’s run at The Big Half was one of them.

A time of 1:20:07 was a tremendous achievement in its own right, representing a significant personal best. Yet, with the clock stopping just eight seconds short of the coveted 80-minute barrier, it was perhaps inevitable that his immediate thoughts would turn to what might have been.

However, look beyond those eight seconds and there was plenty to celebrate. Barry finished second in the M55–59 category, placed an impressive 279th overall among 17,877 finishers and, perhaps most significantly, delivered exactly the kind of disciplined, progressive performance that bodes so well for the marathon challenge ahead.

Elite Racing at Its Finest

The Big Half once again attracted a high-quality field, with some of Britain’s leading distance runners battling it out over the streets of London.

Kadar Omar Abdullahi took an impressive victory in the men’s race, crossing the line in 1:01:51. Last year’s winner, Jack Rowe, had to settle for second place in 1:02:10, with Zak Mahamed completing the podium in 1:02:43.

Andy Butchart finished fourth in 1:03:08, while Phil Sesemann rounded out the top five with a time of 1:04:50.

The women’s race saw Eilish McColgan claim victory in 1:10:54, an outstanding performance that placed her 41st overall. Jessica Warner-Judd finished second in 1:12:13, taking 53rd place overall.

With elite athletes producing performances of that calibre at the sharp end, the mass-participation field had plenty of inspiration as it made its way towards Greenwich. Among those enjoying an excellent day was Bournemouth AC’s own Barry Dolman, who was busy putting together a race of his own.

Building Towards Chicago

Barry had been producing impressive results all year

The Big Half was another important step in Barry’s preparations for the Chicago Marathon, and the signs heading into London were already encouraging.

His previous outing at the Stur Half had seen him finish in just under 1:23. That was a respectable performance, particularly given the combination of a very hot day and a decidedly hilly course. Nevertheless, Barry knew there was considerably more in the tank and arrived in London with his sights firmly set on breaking the 1:20 barrier.

There was good reason for that confidence.

Earlier in the year, Barry had claimed a bronze medal at the British Masters 10K Championships in Chichester, recording a personal best of 35:49 in the process. That was followed by a superb 2:48:32 at the Barcelona Marathon, another PB that placed him 134th in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group rankings.

Not content with that, he then backed it up with a 2:50 clocking at the Cape Town Marathon, a performance of real quality on a more undulating route.

His most recent London appearance had provided further evidence of his remarkable consistency. At the Saucony 10K, Barry had stormed to 36:54, finishing 180th out of 13,868 runners and topping the M55–59 rankings by almost four minutes.

With that sort of form behind him, a serious assault on the sub-80-minute half marathon was entirely justified.

A Course Built for a Spectacle

The Big Half offers a memorable journey through the capital, combining some challenging early sections with iconic landmarks and an atmosphere that builds as the race progresses.

The opening mile takes runners towards Limehouse Tunnel, with a slight downhill gradient providing an early temptation to get carried away. By the fourth mile, the route brings runners into Canary Wharf, where the surroundings and crowds provide a welcome boost.

Further along, Tower Bridge offers one of those unforgettable London running experiences. It is a landmark that never seems to lose its impact, even for runners who have raced through the capital on numerous occasions.

The final destination is Greenwich, where the crowds become particularly raucous. The appearance of the Cutty Sark as runners turn onto the finishing straight provides a spectacular backdrop for the final push towards the line.

It is a course that rewards runners who can balance ambition with restraint, and Barry would need to get that balance just right if he was to give himself the best possible chance of achieving his target.

Fortunately, pacing has long been one of his strengths.

Patience Pays in the Opening Miles

One of Barry’s defining characteristics as a runner is his discipline. He rarely charges off at an unsustainable pace, preferring to settle into his rhythm before gradually increasing the pressure as the race unfolds.

The Big Half’s slightly downhill opening mile might have encouraged a more aggressive start, but Barry resisted the temptation to go chasing an early advantage.

His opening mile came in at 6:10, followed by a measured 6:26 and 6:24 for the next two miles.

That put him through 5K in approximately 19 minutes.

It was a sensible beginning to a race that still had plenty of twists and turns ahead. There was no unnecessary expenditure of energy, no attempt to force the pace before the race had properly developed. Instead, Barry was allowing himself the opportunity to build momentum and make his move when the time was right.

The fourth mile saw him return to 6:10 before he stepped up the pace considerably, clocking an impressive 5:44 for mile five.

That was a clear statement of intent.

He followed it with a 6:01 sixth mile, reaching 10K in 37:50. His second 5K split of 18:47 represented a substantial improvement on the opening section and demonstrated exactly the sort of progressive running that has become his trademark.

The sub-80 target was very much alive.

Finding His Rhythm

Barry is renowned for pacing his runs really well

With the race entering its middle stages, Barry settled into a strong, sustainable tempo, keeping his next three miles just over the six-minute-per-mile mark.

It was another example of his ability to maintain control while continuing to make progress. Rather than allowing the excitement of the race or the growing fatigue to dictate his pace, he kept things measured and consistent.

Then came mile ten, which he covered in 5:57.

As the race moved towards its decisive stages, Barry was still running strongly and showing no sign of a significant loss of momentum. His early restraint was paying dividends, leaving him in a position to maintain a fast tempo through the closing miles.

For his final three miles, he continued to run at around six-minute-mile pace, or marginally quicker, holding his form and refusing to let the pace slip when the effort inevitably began to bite.

This was not a case of hanging on for dear life. Barry was still racing, still working his way through the field and still giving himself every opportunity to produce something special.

Eight Seconds Short, But a Performance to Savour

The closing stages brought the promise of a memorable finish, and Barry delivered.

He crossed the line in 1:20:07, recording a tremendous personal best and finishing second in the M55–59 category.

The only slight disappointment was the proximity of the sub-80-minute barrier. Eight seconds. That was all that separated Barry from the milestone he had targeted before the race.

It was, inevitably, a bittersweet outcome.

Barry’s Big Half medal

When a runner gets so close to a goal, those final few seconds can be difficult to ignore. There will always be the temptation to look back at an individual mile or wonder whether a slightly quicker section might have made the difference.

But the wider picture tells a far more compelling story.

Barry had produced a superb PB, finished second in his age category and placed 279th overall in a field of 17,877. His average pace was an impressive 6:04 per mile, and his performance had been built on patience, consistency and a strong finish.

There was certainly no cause for disappointment in the quality of the run itself. Eight seconds might have separated him from a sub-80 clocking, but they did nothing to diminish what was an outstanding performance.

And the race statistics provided further evidence of just how well he had judged his effort.

A Masterclass in Moving Through the Field

Barry’s progress through the field was particularly impressive.

After the opening 5K, he was positioned 456th among the male runners. Rather than slipping backwards as the race progressed, he steadily worked his way through the competition, ultimately climbing to 259th male.

That is precisely how you want to run a half marathon.

Barry with his mates Stacey Dickinson and Graham Pavett

While others may have paid the price for an overly ambitious start, Barry’s controlled opening and sustained pace allowed him to pick off runners throughout the race. His position improved as the miles passed, reflecting both his excellent preparation and his ability to manage his effort.

It was a textbook example of the benefits of disciplined pacing. The opening miles were controlled, the middle section was strong, and the closing stages were fast enough to ensure that he continued to make progress all the way to Greenwich.

For a runner building towards a marathon, that ability to maintain a consistent effort and finish strongly is particularly encouraging.

Chicago Calling

The Big Half was always intended to be part of Barry’s build-up for Chicago, rather than an end in itself. Yet it has provided a very useful indication of where he stands.

The personal best was excellent. The second-place finish in the M55–59 category was another fine achievement. And the way he executed the race, gradually increasing his pace and working through the field, was perhaps the most encouraging aspect of all.

His recent record speaks for itself: a British Masters 10K bronze medal and 35:49 PB, a 36:54 performance that topped the M55–59 charts at the Saucony 10K, a 2:48:32 marathon PB in Barcelona and a strong 2:50 in Cape Town.

Now he has added another half-marathon PB to that impressive collection.

The sub-80-minute target will surely remain within reach, and it would be no surprise to see Barry return to the challenge with renewed determination. But with Chicago on the horizon, the immediate takeaway is that he is in excellent shape and appears to be building towards his marathon target in exactly the right way.

There is always a temptation to focus on the eight seconds that got away. However, Barry’s performance deserves to be remembered for everything he achieved rather than the tiny margin by which he missed one particular milestone.

A tremendous personal best, second place in his age category and a perfectly judged race from start to finish. Chicago cannot come soon enough.

Taking on some of the island’s finest runners, Josh Cole was battling it out in the Isle of Wight Half Marathon

Josh Cole continued his impressive progress over the longer distances with a superb victory at the Isle of Wight Half Marathon, producing a dominant performance to take the win in 1:14:32.

Josh had already shown that he was coming into his own over the longer distances when he won the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon in July. His latest success provided further evidence of just how well he is adapting to the half marathon, as he took on a challenging multi-terrain course and came away with an impressive victory.

The Isle of Wight Half Marathon is a fairly undulating multi-terrain route, with 183 metres of elevation to contend with, so it is certainly not a course on which to expect an easy ride. Nevertheless, the winning times in previous years had been remarkably quick. James Kingston of Tonbridge AC stormed round in 1:07:58 last year, underlining the quality of the competition the race can attract. Kingston is one of the country’s leading distance runners, however, so Josh was not expecting to match that sorts of time.

Joshua Price was crowned Hampshire Road Race League individual champion last season

Christopher Newnham had finished second in each of the previous two editions, clocking 1:11:28 last year, while Joshua Price, the leading the Hampshire Road Race League individual champion, took third in 1:12:37.

Josh knew he would have his work cut out if he wanted to challenge the established frontrunners, but when he saw that Price was on the start line once again, he decided that he would try to stay with him for as long as he could.

It was a real clash of the titans between the two Josh’s

Price wasted little time in making his intentions clear, breaking away from the field in the early stages in a bid to establish a lead. It is a tactic he regularly employs, and one that often pays dividends, but this time Josh was determined not to let him get away.

As the runners tackled the trails and hills, Josh repeatedly worked his way back towards Price, refusing to let the gap grow. By around the five-mile mark, it appeared that Price had perhaps pushed a little too hard in the opening stages, and Josh was able to make his move.

Josh Cole was able to show his supremacy in the end

Having caught and passed his rival, Josh pulled clear and headed out on his own at the front of the race. From that point onwards, there was no looking back. He maintained his advantage over the remaining miles and continued to build his lead, eventually crossing the finish line in 1:14:32 to claim a commanding victory.

Josh managed to open up a minute’s advantage over Joshua Price

Price had to settle for second place in 1:15:33, finishing 61 seconds behind the Bournemouth AC man. For Josh, it was a particularly satisfying result, and one that he had not necessarily anticipated before the start.

Although his winning time was not quite as quick as some of the leading performances from previous years, that mattered little. This was a tough, undulating course, and Josh had beaten a strong field to take the honours. More importantly, he had done so in convincing fashion, showing both the strength to stay in contention during the early stages and the confidence to take control when the opportunity arose.

Josh crosses the line to take the win

Behind the leading pair, Ryde Harriers enjoyed an excellent team performance, with their runners filling the next four places. Joe Wade took third in 1:16:51, followed by clubmate Ross Holme in fourth in 1:17:49. Dave Hunt finished fifth in 1:20:35, with Daniel Furmridge completing the Ryde Harriers quartet in sixth in 1:20:49.

Joshua Price had to settle for second place on this occasion

In the women’s race, Natasha White of Northbrook AC was first female and 12th overall, recording a time of 1:25:43. Carly Scoble of Ryde Harriers followed in second place, finishing 14th overall in 1:26:29. Scoble had a comfortable margin over the next woman home, Emma Huband, who finished more than 13 minutes behind her.

Joe Wade went on to take third place

There were 257 finishers in total, but the headline belonged to Josh, whose latest half marathon triumph marks another significant step forward in his development as a distance runner.

Dave Hunt came fifth in the end

Ryde Harriers had four men in the top six

His victory at the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon in July suggested that he was beginning to find his stride over 13.1 miles. His performance on the Isle of Wight has reinforced that impression. By taking on one of the leading runners in the Hampshire Road Race League, matching him through the early stages and then pulling away to win by more than a minute, Josh showed that he is becoming a formidable half marathon runner.

The group with the first two women in it

Joshua paid the price for trying to get away too soon

It was an excellent result for Bournemouth AC and another fine achievement for Josh Cole, who will surely take plenty of confidence from a victory that was every bit as impressive as the finishing time suggests.

It was a strong and steadfast display from Josh