NICK's knacked, but Pri has his back! As a BERC completes the wall!!
Ultra BERC Nick put his last few years of ultra running experience to great use, at the weekend. As he completed the race more commonly known as 'THE WALL! The race which starts at Carlisle Castle and finishes in Gateshead, is 70 miles of tough hilly terrain.
Starting in a heavy down pour and only four hours sleep. This was going to be a real mental as well as physical challenge.
After 15 miles Nick hit the first feed station where he helped himself to a croissant and met his number one supporter Pri. Who was already in her third pair of socks. At mile 30 it was aid station two. This came after the climb up Winshield Craggs and along the most intact part of Hadrian's wall and it had finally stopped raining. So, it was crisps and sandwiches here.
At 44 miles it was Hexham and Pri was drenched again!! But the sun had come out by the time Nick arrived . He grabbed some soup and a cob, refilled his water bladder and was off with his free ice lolly!! Happy days.
It was however the last aid station at Newburn where Nick was struggling to get too. His back pack had messed up his shoulders and he was very dehydrated. But with the help of Pri and a man Nick described as 'a big grizzly St John's Ambulance guy'. They massaged his shoulders helped re-hydrate him and Pri refilled his water bottles. Ready for the last push.
The last 7 miles went like a dream and finished with Nick fist pumping the locals and milking the applauds outside the bars of Quayside. Before finding his finish along Millenium bridge.
This was a race open to competitors from all over the world and Nick finished in a time of 14:04:30 and was averaging 9 minute miles after mile 66.
Unbelievable achievement Nick and everyone at BERC's salutes both yourself and Priya. CHAPEAU!!!
TRACK,TRAILS,PARK.
It was another busy weekend for a number of BERC's.
It all started on Saturday morning in the Gloucester park run. As Cloe who was supported by her boyfriend Sam went after the 30 minute barrier! Cloe has put in so much hard work and her training had been going so well. I think we were all quietly confident that she could do it and we had every right to be!! Cloe didn't just beat 30 she absolutely destroyed it! Running a fabulous 28:49!! The hard work is paying off. WELL DONE.
Next up was BERC's youngest runner Alex. The 'MINI BERC' who just seems to love his running and always runs with real joy and a smile on his face [ which maybe us older runners could learn from] made his debut for his new running club Mansfield, in the track meeting at Newark. Alex who can often be seen zipping round a junior park run came a brilliant 4th in the 600m. 3rd in the 150m and finished off with himself and his team mates getting 3rd in the 100m relay. A superb performance and just keep having fun young man.
Finally on the bank holiday Monday it was time trial time and a number of BERC's headed to Jacksdale to try out a new course. The course which is just over two miles long and goes passed Codnor castle is anything but easy [ HILLS!!!!] and although myself and Chris walked the course beforehand we did somehow miss a gate. Whoops! But we learn from our mistakes,hopefully? Other than that it was a cracking course and we look forward to having another go.
JOG ON BERC's.
Pic 1 The crew. Andy, Neil, Claire,Gary and Chris on the TT.
Pic 2 Cloe and Sam
Pic 3 Mini BERC Alex.
WASCALLY WABBITS!
Last week two BERC's decided to do there best to wind Elmer Fudd up, as they took on the Run Rabbit Run. The race is set over two days and consists of 5x5k and a 10k on the Saturday followed by a half marathon on the Sunday and if you are lucky [ what??] you get the added bonus of running another mile, if you are in the top 6.
Ryan was looking strong on the Saturday. He completed the 5k's in 19:28/21:15/21:14/21:15/21:14 to put him in 6th. He then followed with a 10k of 46:23 for 7th. So, in a really strong position going in to the Sunday. However waking up in the morning Ryan realised he had a slight injury and made the wise decision to pull out. Not what he wanted but the right thing to do and help get himself ready for the next event. Cracking effort!!!!
For the ladies we had Priya who this week had gone from supporter to competitor in swapping rolls with Nick. She completed the 5k's in 26:31/28:06/28:27/27:52/27:13 and the 10k in 57:56 and like Ryan was in a strong position. On the Sunday it was time for the half and Priya ran 2:10:58 to leave her in 6th place. So guess what? Nick who supported her on the 10k and half now knew he had to be 'vewy vewy quiet' as he explained she was lucky enough to do yet another mile!!! Priya got her head down and ran a solid 9:37 and finished a fabulous 6th lady, in 5:36:36.
Everyone at BERC's salutes you both. AWESOME!!!
Jog on BERC's
5k-50k-recovery!
It was both a busy and successful weekend for the BERC's.
It started with the Spire 50k ultra. As once again Nick and Claire took on the challenge. Nick who managed to fall from the top of a stile which he said 'really rung his bell'. Managed to recover well and put in another solid display, to get 12th as he prepares for 'THE WALL' in just a few weeks time. Next up was Claire who is improving all the time and put in a solid performance following her fell race in Cumbria. Where she took Gold in the V45's. As she came home in 7:45:38 hours. WELL DONE the pair of you. Plus special mention goes to Priya! Who's support throughout enabled them to keep digging in.
Meanwhile Helen took on the masters 5k county championships at Berry Hill Park. After a few laps Helen found herself at the front of the race alongside one other. She just held in behind her before pulling away with two laps to go, to take the Gold medal and become county masters 45+ champion. CONGRATULATIONS.
After all the exploits at the weekend it was time for a recovery and Claire came up with the idea of having a social run to both recover and see if new runners would be encouraged to come a long? She sorted out a route which was roughly 5k ]and we asked Darren if he could help lead the run [which he happily did] as we carried on with a session. Good time was had and everyone seemed to have fun. Thank you all involved.
Pic 1 - The 5k runners at the group.
Pic 2 - Helen with her gold.
Pic 3 - Claire, Nick and Priya at the spire.
London - boston-mallory.
THE HEAT OF LONDON.
After his exploits in Paris just two weeks earlier we hoped that Andy would have a steady run round London and enjoy it. How wrong could we be. He went for it again but the previous marathon took it's toll in the second half. Yet he still managed to run a brilliant 3:05.
Next up was Jason. Jay can run anything from 5k to ultra's and is always solid in everyone. He ran a cracking 3:11.
Dave was the next in the race and again his training had gone well. He came home in 3:42:59 to once again improve his PB. Getting better each time.
Next was Mike. The KADS coach certainly believes in leading by example. He ran a superb race to run a very impressive 2:59:21. Think it's fair to say the heat was brutal. Great achievement everyone.
Cooking in Boston.
Meanwhile Rich decided to take on the Boston marathon on bank holiday Monday. Once again it was really hot but Rich still dug in and came home with a fab 3:10:53.
Masters Champs in Mallory.
Finally we had two BERC's take on the nationals at Mallory race track. First Steven ran the fourth leg for his team. His first race for many years and was on the time he wanted. Just over 20 mins for 3 miles. While fellow BERC Helen ran in the 10 mile race. Helen ran superbly but found herself in the tough position of being on her own for most of the race. She ran a solid 1:07:12 to finish 6th overall and 4th in her very competitive age group.
WELL DONE EVRYONE!!
Pic 1 Mike celebrating across the line.
Pic 2 Jason and Andy before the start.
Pic 3 Helen after completing the 10 miles.
Cracking month for berc's
Le soleil a Paris!
The end of April was a busy month for the BERC'S. First up we had both Andy and Jamie take on the streets of Paris. It would be Andy's second attempt at the distance while Jamie was taking on the marathon for the first time.
First up was Jamie who had never ran further than 15 miles in training! But thought I'll have a go and he sure did. Hoping to go sub four he ran fantastically well and came home in 3:51. Awesome effort.
Next up was Andy and last year he had not really done all the training he needed too, but this year he had and boy did it show! He had the target of three hours to aim for and came home in a fantastic 2:59:12.
Superb running from both of you and everyone at BERC's salutes you.
Meanwhile four more sensible BERC's [ allegedly] decided to spend the bank holiday break more peacefully. As they took on a steady run around Moorgreen and Annesley. Around 10 miles. Lovely.
Pic 1 Neil, Claire,Laura and Steven.
Pic 2 Andy having a well deserved pint.
Pic 3 Jamie attacking Paris.
ULTRA BERC's
At the weekend we saw three BERC's take on the Rasselbock BYU [back yard ultra] at Sherwood Pines.
The race consists of running one lap [ known as a yard] which consists of 4.17 miles, every hour for as long as you can keep going. So, if you manage 24 you will have completed 100 miles!!! Basically you are running, eating and sleeping whenever you get the chance.
The three hardy BERC's that were taking on the challenge were Claire, Neil and Nick.
First up was Claire. Who thought she may not be able to take part with the recent setbacks she has had with training but got herself to the start line and managed an awesome 10 laps. Just over 41 miles. Next it was Neil. This was Neil's first ultra on his own. He has competed in the Equinox in a team. But this was a whole new ball game. He ran superbly and clocked a mightily impressive 62.5 miles.
Finally it was BERC's very own ultra veteran Nick. After competing and improving in every race he has taken on over the last few years, he continued with that improvement again covering a fantastic 87.5 miles and grabbing a brilliant second place in his age group.
The whole group salutes you all for an unbelievable achievement!! You truly are BERC's. JOG ON!!
Pictured Neil, Claire and Nick.