The 'Run'down 6th April 2026

It was an egg-stremely quiet Easter weekend for Barrow Runners before the beginning of the Spring marathon season in earnest and, in the absence of league races, this week was mostly about parkruns, triathlons and an aquathalon.

The increasingly popular East Leake triathlon took place over the Easter Weekend and a number of Barrow Runners tested their mettle in this holy trinity of events (a 5km run, 400 metre swim and 22km cycle). Veterans Paul Leaney and Chris Trzcinski put in particularly egg-cellent performances, with Paul coming first in his age category and Chris third in his. Laura Shepherd, with the aid of coach Mille Crane, ran a blistering sub four-minute first kilometre of her run segment before remembering she wasn't at Ratcliffe track. Still, she put those lovely Adi Zero carbons through their paces. As part of the same event, our recently recruited superstar Hollie Elliot competed in the 'aquathlon' (the tri minus the cycling) and finished first female and 4th overall. Hollie somehow managed to complete her 5k run in 20 minutes - in a wet suit! This was the day after a rapid parkrun at Viccy park. Incredible!

A couple of weeks ago, but not previously reported here, Matt King went all the way to Texas to compete in the Maze 20k trail race. He showed those Texans how we do it in Charnwood and came home in first place overall! Matt's American trip also stopped him stealing other Barrow Runners' Local Legend badges on Strava for a while for which I am grateful.

Closer to home, there were some impressive performances in parkrun land. Jake Blythe finished first overall at the always competitive Watermead parkrun and in the same event, all-round 'good egg' Felix Plasser achieved a PB - a testament to the hard work he's been putting in this year. The amazing Chris Jackson blasted a sub 20 minute run at Beacon Hill. Dawn Storer picked up another age category win at a very busy Victoria Embankment. And, if your surname is Bowles you are very likely to feature in the rundown results below! Well done to both Bowles' families!

Although not official races, shoutouts to Luke Martin and the Dennisons for completing the Barrow Easter Bunny challenge.

Eggs-ellent work, everyone!

East Leake Triathlon

Hollie Elliot (Aquathlon) 30:07 1st female and 4th overall

The Maze 20km

Matt King 1:25:09 1st place overall

Parkruns

Alvaston parkrun