• This is the week that was…the start of a New Year!

    What a busy festive period we have had.  Even with a break from the usual club runs! We replaced these with some glorious, muddy, trail runs on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.  Thank you so much to JK, Michelle, Tam and Karen for leading these.   Other members got together to run, others solo – including Nolan in his rather fetching Santa hat – and of course it wouldn’t be Christmas without seeing lifetime member Pete’s Christmas Suit offering.  Remarkable. Since my last write up (which was on the 23rd) we have had four – yes FOUR – parkrun days! Some members found a parkrun on Christmas Day; the usual Saturday parkrun took place on the 28th; New Year’s saw many parkrun doubles; and then we had the latest parkrun on the 4th!   And on those four separate parkrun days we had LFRs at:  Luton Wardown, Crystal Palace, Linford Wood, Houghton Hall, Aylesbury, Buckingham, Watergrove, Cassiobury, Portsmouth, Salcey Forest, Milton Keynes, Marston Vale, Exmouth, Ashford, Lydiard, Newark, Exeter Riverside, Queen Elizabeth, Horton Park, Rutland Water, Hogmoor Inclosure, Wendover Woods AND of course….Rushmere!  So many parkruns!  I would like to know where Lydiard is please, Andy, and also Hogmoor Inclosure, Mr and Mrs A.  Thanks! I am sure there are many fantastic results from those four days, however please forgive me for only looking at the latest…at home in Rushmere: Ian Bisby, after cycling 5K up to Rushmere, came 6th AND ran a stonking PB of 21:25.  He then cycled the longer way (14K) home.  Duathlon training he tells me! Also smashing out some PBs at Rushmere were Steve Molyneaux and Catherine Thackray.  Well done! The weekend just gone saw some racing from Team LFR…. Phil took on the second of the Thetford 10Ks.  He’s already done one and the third is in February.  Here he is cuddling up to the Gruffalo.  Great work, Phil! Paul Little and Matthew Ma decided a marathon was the only way to shift any Christmas indulgence and took to the sticky, sloppy and claggy trails at the LDWA Stansted Stagger.  Wonderful stuff. The day before this Matthew had also run with Team LFR at the Beds AAA Cross Country Champs - there’s no stopping this guy! We had some great results from the Team at the champs: Mike Clark won the over 60’s; the men’s vets team came 3rd; and the men’s senior team came 4th!  Great running, champs, on a tough course.  Just look how exhausted our Chair looks…. Also some great results from a couple of mini LFRs (who are technically mini LBACS, however I am CERTAIN they will change allegiance once they are of age):  James Parker (son of David) won the U11 boys and Ana Green (the Captain’s daughter) came 4th in the U11 girls and won the team! The festive period and the New Year saw lots of people heading out on training runs, first runs, getting back to it runs and it is wonderful to see so many LFRs out and about in this winter weather.  There are some big goals for some LFR folk this year: marathons, 5K, half-marathons, 100 miles, 10K, even some triathlon and cycling goals.  Whatever your goal for this year: whether to complete your first run at a particular distance; a particular race; to run a PB; or perhaps you simply want to keep on running…..good luck! It’s going to be a great year and I cannot WAIT to see what we all get up to. That’s all for this week. Happy New Year, LFR!  And Happy Running!

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  • This is the week that…the legend ran his 250th marathon!

    We started the week with LFR's annual Christmas Quiz run on Tuesday. The winner's this year were Dave and Kelly - The Dogs Bollox! Kudos to Kelly who went from wooden spoon holder last year to this year's champion! Superb quizzing. Fartlek returned for the last time this year and Dan put on a Gut Buster session for the Improvers on Thursday. The last Friday social of the year saw another pub stop, this time at The Globe for some tea and toast! On parkrun day we had runners at Luton Wardown, Hampstead Heath, Linford Wood, Houghton Hall, Marston Vale, Salcey Forest and Rushmere.  One PB from our runners in Rushmere, from Steve!  Well done!  And mini LFR, Bear, was completing his first ever parkrun!  No longer in the buggy! At home in Rushmere on the 28th we have some LFR milestones to celebrate. Beefy (Will - another Will) is running his 50th parkrun. James will be volunteering for 25th time. Jen (that's me!) will be volunteering for the 50th time (although that's not a real milestone and unfortunately I won't get another t-shirt *sad face*). And Clare Kleanthous will be completing her 100th parkrun! Come on down to run and support! Captain Dan put on Part 2 of his Christmas Gut Buster on Sunday. Brutal fun in the cold. We may have moaned at the start, but we enjoyed it in the end! And finally...our legend of a marathon man was out running on Sunday at the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon completing his 250th Marathon/Ultra Marathon! 250! What an amazing achievement. He did tell me that he would never run a marathon again after this. I think we all know this isn't true. Well done, JK. Legend. Hero. Extraordinary. What a guy. That's all for this week! Have a wonderful Christmas, LFR! Happy running!

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  • This is the week that was…the LFR Christmas Party!

    Yes it was! And what a party it was. A massive thank you to everyone who came, danced, drank, ate and had all the fun! We wouldn't be the club we are without all of you fantastic members. Massive thank you to TC and Michelle for all their efforts in putting this together. And Captain Dan for finding the band - Big in Brazil were awesome! Having the party Friday night did not stop us heading to parkrun. We had LFRs at Milton Keynes, Gunnersbury, Barnstaple, Houghton Hall, Jersey Farm and Rushmere.  The sore heads did mean there were no PBs at Rushmere this week!  Shout out to Joe who was running at Milton Keynes and ran his first sub-20 5K coming in 5th with a smashing time of 19.51!  Your hard work is paying off, Joe! Before we get to the next big club event of the weekend. We had Phil who, whilst not participating in the XC mud, was finding mud of his own at the Thetford Trails 10K.. In Phil's words: "Highly recommend Thetford Forest for a visit let alone running but the number of paths makes it a trail running delight." And of course it was another XC race of the Three Counties League on Sunday. An absolute mudfest at Letchworth. Did that stop us? Absolutely not. We ran out there. We got muddy. We had fun. We loved it!  Results: the men's and women's teams both 7th and overall 6th! Amazing results. The final race of the season will be on Sunday 12th January at Dunstable. Another LFR favourite. I wonder if there will be any burnt out cars this year? Let's get the whole team out for the final race, whether to run or support! If you've not taken part in a race yet this season, but wanted to run the final race, you can still sign up! Just email Tracy on tracy@limestonemk.co.uk with your date of birth a she'll get you registered. That's all for this week. Happy running, LFR!

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  • This is the week that was…

    It was the usual club runs this week, although a lot quieter on Wednesday and Thursday.  We've decided to have a week off Fartlek and Improvers this week away from the cold!  Back to normal next week though so keep and eye on the comms for what we have in store for you! On parkrun day, we had LFRs at Ashford, Crystal Palace, Northampton, Worcester (where KGL came in 1st lady!), Sewerby, Houghton Hall, Rushmere (where Joanne ran a PB!) and Marston Vale. There were LFRs at the MK Winter Half where Ann was running her first ever half marathon!  Katharine was completing her 7th half marathon of 2019!  She was running these half marathons this year in aid of the club's charity, Reclaim Life.  She has worked so hard this year to get through these events.  if you'd like to donate to her cuase,you can do so here: Katharine's Fundraiser- all money raised up to £1000 will be matched by Morrisons! Also running in MK were Emma and Wes completing ANOTHER marathon around TBL (if you know, you know). Mr and Mrs A were also running marathon loops, but over at Goodwood - 11 laps of the track! Team LFR took a tour to Lanzarote for the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K!  Cocktails and sand galore for some and another half PB for Clare!  Smashing it! And finally, of course, it was Race 3 of the 3CXC League at Wootton.  Team LFR were out in force again with mud on the mind.  The LFR men came 6th, the ladies 7th and overall we were 8th!  Continuing our fantastic season!  It was also Bisby's first run out in his brand new shoes.  Just look at them! Race 4 is next week.  If you fancied a go, it's not too late!  Please email Traacy  tracy@limestonemk.co.uk by Thursday with your date of birth and she'll sign you up.  There is no fee for you.  Just lots of fun!  (You don't need fancy shoes like Ian's to run XC...unless you wanted them of course....you'll do well in a pair of trails!) That's all for this week.  Happy running, LFR!

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  • This is the week that was…Santa Dash!

    It was a much quieter week this week with no events and lonely Fartlekkers and Improvers.  The Friday gang, however, were out in force for JK's trail run around Rushmere. Big shout out to Mr and Mrs Kleanthous who the week before were at the Cyprus Challenge!  4 stages over 4 days.....6km / 11km Hill Climb with 650 metres elevation / 21km Half over testing rocky terrain / 10km in Paphos.  Mark's comments: "A great event ...demanding and highly recommended. Clare has never run 30 miles in a week let alone in 4 days!"  Excellent efforts from both.  Very well done! On parkrun Day we had LFRs at York, bedford, Milton Keynes, Worcester, Bracknell, Linford Wood, Sedgefield, Houghton Hall, Rushcliffe, Rushmere, Wendover Woods, Dunstable Downs and Irchester Country.  At home in Rushmere we had PBs from Clare and Steve and Tom came in 2nd overall! The quiet week didn't last when Santa Claus came to town on Saturday with our annual Santa Dash!  A big thank you to everyone involved at LFR who volunteered, supported, or ran.  You are all magnificent.  And a MASSIVE shout out to Tam and TC for putting on another fantastic event.  AND....we got to use the LFR Arch!  Doesn't it look spectacular!  What a morning.  Christmas is coming!  Photos of the event are on our FB page: https://tinyurl.com/vhdhovh  have a look! And that is all for this week!  I told you it was quiet. Whilst I've got you here....here's a poem....

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  • This is the week that was…the return of the LFR XC Race!

    It was the long awaited return of LFR's XC Race this week!  It has been actual years since the cross country league got to run through Cow Poo Pond and cover themselves in all the muck and goodness our local fields have to offer.   Jane received LOADS of positive feedback from the other clubs, including they are so pleased we are back hosting again as we have the best race, best marshals and best tea and cake! A HUGE thank you to everyone who volunteereed - we had so many marshals out there shouting encouragement. A big thanks to Will, Emily and Gavin too for taking MASSES of photos.  They have put these on the FB group, but I've collated a selection below... Jane would also like to say big big big BIG thanks to: Tracy - two RD's are definitely better than one, to spread the stress. Claire - head marshal getting everyone signed up, organised and in position. Wes - for the extremely imortant catering and putting up with her house smelling of egg mayo. And to all the crew that was part of the event, including the run up. Any help you gave was really valuable to make this into such a popular, smooth running event and to make mine and Tracy's life so much easier on the day to just worry about the local farmer...  And of course a MASSIVE thank you to Jane who has been our XC Coordinator for a number of years now.  The first race back was a huge success.  You did it! Putting on the event was not the only news of the weekend as we had to race the event too!  We put out a team of runners and the results are in after two races... Men 8th Ladies 6th Team 6th Fantastic so far from Team LFR!  Keep it going everyone! The next XC race is on Sunday 8th December at Wootton.  The WHOLE team can get back racing again.   Look out for full details in next week's newsletter and there will be an FB event created in the group.  If you've not yet signed up to take part in this season's cross country and are experiencing serious FOMO from the lack of mud in your lives, then sign up now!  Just email TC with your date of birth and she'll register you.  You can email her on tracy@limestonemk.co.uk Of course the cross country race was not the only event this week. parkrun Day saw LFRs at Barnstaple, Linford Wood, Houghton Hall, Gadebridge, Rushmere, Dunstable Downs, Warwick Racecourse and Salcey Forest.  At home in Rushmere, Andrew and Jamie came in 4th and 5th respectively and we had PBs from Pauline and current RotM Clare!  Well done! It was the Silverstone 10K on Sunday where Team LFR took to the track.  And I hear there were some PBs!  Well done guys! KGL, although far away from us, was also running a 10K PB at the Gloucester 10K. Michelle and Doyley made their way to Knebworth for the Hertfordshire Half Marathon. And the legend we call JK was back in more mud than you can imagine at the Gatliff Trail Ultra.  What was billed as 31 miles turned out to be "34 Mmiles of muddy hell."  You're a hero, JK.  Well done. And that's all for this week!  Happy Running, LFR!

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  • This is the week that was…Dirty!

    Another week has been and gone with all our usual club runs and a mega busy weekend with Team LFR out in massive numbers! First up, on parkrun Day we had LFRs at Forest of Dean, Sheffield Hallam, Linford Wood, Sewerby, Houghton Hall, Great Denham and Rushmere.  At home in Rushmere, Jamie and Mark both got in the top 10 with Jim just outside in 11th. Well done! Saturday was the day of the long awaited, do we wear trails or roads for one muddy field and a canal run, fantastic, local half marathon, the Dirt Half.  Now, I often use the word “horde” when describing our wonderful members, but there was in fact a MASSIVE horde of LFRs who descended on the Dirt Half – we had members running, volunteering, taking photos and supporting on their feet, bikes and chairs.  Massive.   A huge thank you to all those who made their way out to support – it really makes a difference. We had some brilliant results….course PBs came from Coach Matt, Andy, Phil and Gavin and Mike Clark came first in his age category!  Excellent!  Shout out to David Pym who ran Rushmere parkrun in the morning before tackling the half.  And a BIG shout out to David Hanley – David completed Couch to 5K with the club earlier this year and ran his first half marathon at the Dirt!  Well done, David! Some storming runs from everyone and big smiles all round!  You can view the event photos here: Dirt Running Photos and there are LOTS of photos on the club's FB group.  A small selection below including the greatest photo of all time featuring Andy..... Of course the Dirt Half was not the only race of the weekend….. Fresh from her cycling support on Saturday, Michelle took to the Rugged Randage 10K on Sunday. Davina made her annual appearance with the rest of the LFR gang at the Milton Keynes MoRun 10K, 5K and the Captain’s Bear having a go at the Mini Mo. And finally the LFR trail loving heroes were out in force at the Steppingley Step, some taking on the 26 (or is it 27) miles and Team Sparky back at it for the 18 miles. Not wanting to miss out on all the muddy fun the rest of the club were having, our Cross Country Coordinators were out checking the course for Sunday’s race.  Cow Poo Pond looks ready for the runners!  If you’re volunteering at the race on Sunday, click HERE for full details. That’s all for this week.  Happy running, LFR!

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  • London Marathon Places for LFR Members!

                    LONDON MARATHON ENTRIES AVAILABLE! For LFR Members Affiliated to England Athletics We have received confirmation of our England Athletics London Marathon place!  This year we have received ONE entry.  We will be holding a draw for this entry at the December Cake Night on Tuesday 3rd December. To be in with a chance to get this place you MUST be a paid-up EA member, affiliated to LFR and have been rejected for the marathon in the public ballot in 2019.  You can view full details of the club’s ballot process on our website. To be entered into the draw please send an email to the club’s secretary - secretary@leightonfunrunners.org.uk with proof of your public ballot rejection.  All emails must be received by MIDDAY on Tuesday 3rd December. The EA ballot winner is expected to raise a minimum of £150 for the Club’s charity in the year they run the event. For LFR Members who marshalled with LFR at the 2019 VLM We have also received ONE entry for the London Marathon for providing marshals at the 2019 event!  We will be holding a draw for this entry at the December Cake Night on Tuesday 3rd December. To be eligible for this entry, you must be a current club member who marshalled for the club in the 2019 VLM. To be entered into the draw please send an email to the club’s secretary - secretary@leightonfunrunners.org.uk  All emails must be received by MIDDAY on Tuesday 3rd December.    

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  • This is the week that was….

    A much quieter week this week, although we had all our usual club runs in the cold and dark with extra coaching sessions from our coaching team! parkrun day saw LFRs at Milton Keynes, Houghton Hall, Didcot, Wendover Woods, Hunstanton Promenade and Rushmere.  At home in Rushmere, Emily came in first lady AND ran a stonking new PB! It was Rushmere's 4th birthday at the weekend.  The core team is made up of a LOT of LFRs....just look at them all in the main photo.  Fancy dress professionals. We did have some LFRs out running and racing ths weekend... Gill ran her first full 5K in a while at the 5K MoRun.  It's the Milton Keynes MoRun next week.  Who is running?  Will LFR's Davina be making her annual appearance? A few LFRs got together for a 10 mile Sunday run.  If you're ever in need of a running partner in the week or the weekend, post on the FB group and there's usually other members who would like a run too. Colin took a trip to Scotland to run a marathon in -4 at  Strathclyde Park Marathon.  Depsite the cold and mistakenly setting off with the half marathon runners, before turning round 150m later to start with the marathoners, Colin finished in the top 20 with a 3.27!  Superb work!  Well done, Colin! And finally, Emma and Wes took a pilgrimage to the original marathon in Athens!  Excellent work ladies! That's all for this week.  Have a great week, LFR!

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  • Brighton Marathon Places for LFR Members!

    BRIGHTON MARATHON PLACES UP FOR GRABS! Our wonderful charity this year, Reclaim Life, have given the club three...yes THREE....places for the Brighton Marathon 2020 to be offered to our members! Brighton Marathon takes place on Sunday 19th April 2020. General entries for the Brighton Marathon have closed, so if you wanted to run this fantastic marathon, but missed out on the general entries, now is your chance! You will not have to pay for the place. All we ask is that you either make a donation to Reclaim Life or raise money for them. You will receive support from the club if required with any fundraising activities you wish to put on. If you would like one of the Brighton Marathon places, please email our club secretary with confirmation.  You can email her on secretary@leightonfunrunners.org.uk If more than three people put their names forward for these places, then a ballot will be drawn in December to decide which lucky members will get these Please only put your name forward if you intend to run.  Remember that a marathon is a demanding event - seek medical advice if you are uncertain about your ability to undertake such a challenge.

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