BAC vests were proudly worn at the beginning of August in Colorado, USA, by Simon and Sebastian Hearn, who were competing in the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon.  Whereas this might conjure up an image of a race across mountains, it is, in face, a road race, albeit at altitudes above 7,500 ft in the Rocky Mountain National Park.  It is not the easiest half marathon , though, with a climb from 5 to 9 miles which is described in the course information as “gradual and consistent” and by Simon as “hard going at altitude”.  This was Sebastian‘s first half marathon, which he ran non-stop, quite an  achievement at such an altitude, and did very well to finish 372nd of 644, and, more significantly, was 2nd in his age category, winning himself a silver medal.  Simon also had an excellent run, finishing 39th in 1.44.29, and he also won a medal, a bronze for 4th in his age category (bronze medals were awarded for 3rd, 4th and 5th).  Simon comments “it was such a beautiful race.   The weather was perfect, apart from a 6 am start!  We were like celebs, we were interviewed for local radio.  It was such an experience”.  Well done to both!

Another BAC family was also competing abroad recently, this time Jez and Gemma Bragg, running in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, which is a race across mountains.  Last year Jez was 10th in a time of 23.50.01, and had hoped to repeat this achievement this year, but he says he suffered from unusually painful quads, possibly due to dehydration as the conditions were deceptively warm and humid throughout.  Despite the fact that he lost his “flow”, Jez still finished in the top 20, which is remarkable.  Gemma also had a remarkable run, considering this was her first 100 miler.  Gemma finished as 24th female in 40.46.30.  Just think about that!  Just to compete in a race of this nature, night and day over the toughest of terrain, let alone to finish so far up amongst the competitors, really does require someone special, which both Jez and Gemma surely are!

So we move nearer to home and the Fulham & Putney Half Marathon.  Congratulations to Peter Thompson, 2nd having broken 71 minutes for the first time, and to Billy McGreevy, 3rd in 79.25, also a PB.  Not much information is available about this race, but the course is believed to be along the Thames Path, and there is also a ‘there and back’ marathon, but the results don’t appear on Power of 10.  Well done all the same to Peter and Billy.

 

Coming even nearer to home, Paul Hill was again 2nd in the Bournemouth Parkrun on 30 August.  He was joined by Parkrun regulars Ian White, Jud Kirk, Steve Cox and Will Price.  Helen Ambrosen was a welcome addition to the BAC squad, although Helen has run the Bournemouth Parkrun on previous occasions.  227 competitors finished.  Meanwhile, over in Poole Park, of the 561 finishers in the Poole Parkrun, BAC were 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the form of Jacek Cieluszecki,  Jo Arundel (with a PB for the course) and Simon Munro.