The RUNdown - 28 September 2026
A whole lotta racing going on as the LRRL season moves towards its climax.
It was another busy weekend for Barrow Runners, with the penultimate race in the Leicestershire Road Running League taking centre stage. Despite a few Equinox casualties (you were all missed), the prospect of club silverware and personal pride ensured some terrific performances from club members on the Markfield 10k's undulating course. Superman Michael Cheverton made up for missing his beauty sleep in Belvoir by securing a second place finish and in the process, hopefully, a second place overall in the final league table. Oh, it was also the middle part of an 18 mile run... Let that sink in! There were heroic performances elsewhere from Liam Harvey who took a minute off his 10k PB in an amazing run (in what has been an amazing year for him) and supersub Kirstie Hillier came home with a prize for the 1st vet female 40. Rebecca Chandler also managed a 10k PB (on that course!) and Liam King's calves also made a welcome comeback (Claire Dennison asked me to write that). It was also great to see Ollie Hatton back for his annual run in Barrow colours and strong performances from the likes of Martin Lewis, Chris Jackson, Alex Toll and Kristie Matthiae alongside our race regulars will make Rotherby a very interesting climax to the season as we compete for a number of trophies. A shout-out to host team Beaumont Running Club for providing what we all agreed was the best post-race snacks ever at a LRRL event.
Ian and Liz Robinson continued their marathon adventures in Berlin, and continue to take our breath away with their inspirational running. Where next for the Dynamic Duo, I wonder? Back to Quorn, I expect.
Closer to home, Mike Gunson returned to his old stomping ground Nottingham where he had unfinished business with the Robin Hood half marathon. It came as no surprise to see him blast out a big PB given the tremendous form he's in. Well done, Mike.
Will Davis and Ted Eglington also completed half marathons in the rather more rural setting of Windsor which claims to have 'the most iconic finish of all UK road races' - the Long Walk with Windsor Castle as its backdrop.
Kirstie wasn't the only Hillier representing the club this weekend, as Ann and Nigel took on the Ladybower Reservoir Trails 21km and nearly 3000ft of elevation gain which Nigel described as 'tough'. Nigel will be competing in what he promises will be his last marathon in two weeks at Chicago - watch this space!
Lee Godrich quietly slipped in another ultra marathon just a week after Equinox, completing the mere matter of 55km in the Lake District's 5 Valleys Ultra in around the time it takes me to decide what running gear I'm wearing.
Club legend, Winxy, yet again proved herself to be in a league of her own with another age category win at the East Leake Triathlon. She even had a podium all to herself - there were 30 other runners in her category I should point out! There were strong performances also from Millie Crane and Steve Bramhall and we should also mention support crew extraordinaire Laura Shepherd, once again typifying the Barrow team spirit.
In parkrun land, Gill Elliot went to extreme lengths to collect her 'Z' by literally travelling to the other side of the world in Zillmere (Brisbane). We really need to get that Zouch parkrun going to save everyone all this travelling... Parkrun legend Katy Young closed in on her 300th parkrun and picked up an age category win at Gadebridge. Nick Castle visited a castle with Rachel Vatter in Tamworth where they came home first male and female and were metaphorically crowned King and Queen of Staffordshire. Elsewhere, Chairman Andrew Unitt made a very welcome comeback at Watermead, posting a very respectable time, and, never to be outdone, skipper Mark Sadler defied injury to walk around the Newark parkrun course (it seems he couldn't think of anything else to do on a Saturday morning!) Apparently, they don't have parkrun in Spain so Bridie took part in their equivalent, Playa Blanca, and crossed the line as first lady - before blasting out another 6 miles because that is how we roll.
Well done, all!
Markfield 10k (LRRL Race 11)
James Williams 01:04:47
Berlin Marathon
Liz Robinson 04:52:40
Five Valleys Ultra Marathon 55km
Lee Godrich 08:10:56
Ladybower Reservoir Trails 21km
Nigel Hillier 03:10:10 1st VM70 🥇
Robin Hood Half Marathon
Matt Wolloch 01:56:03
Windsor Half Marathon
Ted Eglington 02:14:29
East Leake (Sprint) Triathlon
Steve Bramhall 01:33:33
Parkruns
Abbey Park parkrun
Alison Cherry 00:25:55
Beacon Hill Country Park parkrun
Danny Hall 00:30:09
Bittesby Country Park parkrun
Justine Albert 00:37:12
Coldham's Common parkrun
Heather Dunkley 00:29:54
Delamere parkrun
Sallyann Harper 00:24:11
Dishley parkrun, Loughborough
Amanda Rashleigh 00:32:30
Gadebridge parkrun
Katy Young 00:31:26
Long Eaton parkrun
Ben Spencer 00:20:45
Newark parkrun
Mark Sadler 00:50:10
Rushcliffe parkrun
Julie Felstead 00:40:17
Sence Valley Forest Park parkrun
Dawn Storer 00:24:12 2nd in gender! 🥈
Stormont parkrun
Rebecca Brooks 00:32:22
Tamworth Castle Grounds parkrun
Rachael Vatter 00:20:32 1st in gender!🥇
Victoria Embankment parkrun, Nottingham
Chris Walker 00:21:30
Watermead Country Park parkrun
Caroline Abraham 00:35:44
Zillmere parkrun
Gill Elliott 00:32:39
Junior Parkruns
Watermead Country Park
Chris Bowles Run Director
Worden Park
Isla Appleyard 00:08:23