The RUNdown - 26 October 2026

It's the end of October, which means it's CAKE time! Sorry, I mean of course that it's XC time! It was a will-it won't-it situation yet again with Storm Boelo (which I learned while sitting in it is pronounced bow-low, with both syllables rhyming) hitting the UK on Saturday afternoon. However, wind gusts of over 50 mph weren't going to stop the hardy XC'ers from getting their cake and eating it. The skies looked gloriously blue in all the photos, the gravel path was very gravelly and the fallen tree was dealt with so everyone was good to go. Rachel B and I were somewhat disappointed that it wasn't postponed because we would have liked to eat the cake (ahem, I mean run it) too.

Sadly for the group that had made the trip to Wales for the annual mountain-climbing Eryri marathon, Storm Bowlow proved to be too risky for the organisers to bear and it was called off. Thankfully there is always a parkrun to do, so Winxy and Steve made do with that. Winxy used her frustration and fuelling to get a fabulous parkrun PB of 21:44. Danny and Ronald enjoyed a leisurely catch up over a run, while Ian H, fresh off the back of his success in the Level 2 run coaching assessment, didn't even leave the 'borough before the race was cancelled and settled for a weekend of DIY.

Martin L and James Watkins experienced everything the OMM (Original Mountain Marathon in case, like me, you didn't know) had to offer - arduous terrain, brutal weather, a tent that became a kite and soaking wet kit. This hard-core challenge is a two-day navigation event for teams of two. Teams must carry everything they need for both days and camp overnight. Basically, they give you a map and send you on your way. Sounds..... fun. Unfortunately, the second day was called off, again due to Storm Booloo, which meant the pair had to trudge back 18km through rivers and bogs. The results for the event were taken at the end of Day 1 and our super-duo achieved a fab 27th place in their category.

The epic Mark Platt took on the Nidderdale Way Ultra, storming his way round the 32 mile course before Storm Boeloe took hold in a brilliant 7 hours.

While all of us in the UK hunkered down to ride out the storm, Katy Young was running her second superhalf in 27 degree sunshine in Valencia. It was too hot and too busy for a PB this time, but Katy enjoyed the weather and refuelling, probably with some paella.

OMM

Nidderdale Way 32 miles