The RUNdown - 11 May 2026

After a few weeks of marathons taking centre stage, this week saw the return of the Leicestershire Road Running League with... a half-marathon. Thankfully, the weather was more conducive to racing in Market Bosworth than it has been in recent years, and it was a terrific turnout from the club with 20 Barrow Runners donning their vests for this popular but undulating event. Our very own Flash, Michael Cheverton, put in a (super) heroic performance, and a Diamond status time, to come second overall. Hollie Elliot ran a fantastic race and finished in the top 10 female runners overall. There were strong performances elsewhere, with Andrea Winkless and Dawn Storer also achieving Diamond status times and third place age category placings for Jake Blythe, Winxy, Vicky Elston and Paul Leaney. Although the distance (and hills) weren't to everyone's taste, the burger van more than made up for it according to Matt Wolloch.

Continuing the loose theme of superheroes, Mark Platt donned the metaphorical bat cowl (and perhaps a utility belt filled with gels and anti-shark repellent) to take his first steps into the dark world of ultras with the 30 mile Bat Challenge. It's great to see him back in action. Never to be outdone in the superhero stakes, Man of Steel Jon Richardson and Supergirl Caroline Richardson took on the Lap - literally a lap of Lake Windermere, a mere 2500 metres of elevation and a distance of 75km (or 47 miles if you prefer!) We've all experienced the satisfaction of a PB, but how many of us can say we've achieved a two hour PB? Jon beat his previous best time by a whopping 2 hours and 45 minutes; Caroline hers by 1 hour and 5 minutes. Incredible.

Closer to home, a number of runners took part in Long Clawson 10k. Kathy Robinson described it as 'a few long climbs and ankle-breaking ground'. It didn't stop Kathy from picking up an age-category win (to go with her parkrun age category win the previous day!). Ann Hillier wasn't complaining either, also picking up an age-category win and a cheese hamper!

It was another busy week in parkrun land. Not content with a parkrun PB and a London marathon debut on consecutive weeks, Justine Albert and Rob Phillips went all the way to the eternal city to make Rundown headlines yet again, competing in the Roma Pineto parkrun. Justine was again first lady (prima signora!) and Rob picked up an age-category win. However, that wasn't our most distant parkrun this week... Chris Walker came home first in the Urunga parkrun, in New South Wales, single-handedly making up for decades of English sporting humiliation down under. Almost. Bright young things Nick Castle and Rachel Vatter were head boy and head girl at the Hastings High School parkrun, finishing in first place in their respective genders. Extra merit points for those two. Closer to home, Louise Male was first lady at Rushcliffe, back in more familiar territory (and a more familiar distance) after her London marathon heroics two weeks ago. Club Captain Mark Sadler warmed up for his Market Bosworth Half Marathon (and Lindisfarne gig) with an age category win at Beeston parkrun. Perhaps it was a 'run for home'? Reuben Sneller continued his great form and smashed his long sought after sub 19 minute 5k target at Watermead, finishing in an impressive 4th place. Tim Sibley-White was again first in his age category, after achieving a PB last week, and clocked his 6th consecutive sub 20 minute run on the course. On Sunday, at the Junior Parkrun, the Vendyback boys put in very strong performances, with Hugo finishing as first boy overall. Both Hugo and Viktor only started running a few months ago, at the launch of their primary school's Junior Parkrun Primary Partnership, and are now club regulars and definitely ones to watch for the future.

Well done to everyone that ran this week - you're all superheroes!

Market Bosworth Half Marathon
(Leicestershire Road Running League Race 3)

Steve Bramhall 02:22:46

Bat Challenge 30 miles

Mark Platt 5:41:03

Clawson 10k

Nigel Hillier 01:02:50 3rd MV65

The Lap (75 km)

Caroline Richardson 16:35:57 PB

Parkruns

Abbey Park parkrun

Fiona Mee 00:23:09 2nd VW40-44

Beacon Hill Country Park parkrun

Helen Taylor 00:28:49 3rd VW40-44

Beeston parkrun

Paul Bentley 00:27:05

Belton House parkrun

Katy Young 00:48:58

Dishley parkrun, Loughborough

Amanda Rashleigh 00:32:52

Hastings High School parkrun

Rachael Vatter 00:21:33 1st in gender!

Long Eaton parkrun

Ian Hawley 00:18:28 2nd VM40-44

Norwich parkrun

Catherine Hedger 00:25:10

Roma Pineto parkrun

Justine Albert 00:22:43 1st in gender!

Rothamsted Park parkrun

Ronald Muhumuza 00:23:36

Rushcliffe parkrun

Julie Felstead 00:42:06

Sandy Water parkrun

Becky Hewitt 00:24:20 2nd SW30-34

Sence Valley Forest Park parkrun

Bill Phillips 00:32:53 3rd VM75-79

Sizewell parkrun

Rebecca Brooks 00:33:06

Stretford parkrun

Hollie Elliott 00:22:10 2nd VW35-39

Urunga parkrun

Chris Walker 00:19:30 1st overall! 1st in gender!

Watermead Country Park parkrun

Angie Sibley-white 00:29:33

Woodhouse Moor parkrun

Poppy Ballantine 00:30:44

Watermead Country Park junior parkrun

Rufus Bowles 00:10:36