Now I’m back from my hols there’s plenty to be bringing you up to speed on, and with so many league races left right and centre today we turn our attention to West End 8 (no prizes for guessing who hosts this one).

First back for Ivanhoe in position 22, setting a new 5 minute PB was Mark Parker in 47:11, with fixtures man Ramzi Sidani two mins after in 34th. James Cox also secured a new PB in 50:17 and made it into the top 50, and Daniel Bladon and Richard Martin both ran debut 8 milers, 50:58 and 52:56 respectively.

Andrew Stanley returned to the rugby club also with a new PB in 53:59, captain Louis Barnes ran his first race post London marathon in 57:16 and Matt Joyce was next, his 2 minute PB earning him a club record in his age group.

Second claimer Becky Moult raced home squeezing into the top 30 in 59:16, being chased down by Emily Partridge, another setting a new PB and joining Matt in setting a new club age category record in 59:21. Mark Hoult stormed to a new PB stopping the clock in 1:00:19 and it was Mark Bradford next over the line in 1:01:48.

Suzy Parish set a mighty fine 4+ plus PB in some might fine form this season finishing in 1:02:57, and Georgie Smith recorded her first 8 mile distance in 1:05:37 only a week after crushing it at Leeds marathon. Alex Gillon ran strong for a 3+ minute PB, and was followed home by our social queens, Victoria Smith (1:07:01) and Nancy Bennion (1:07:58 PB).

A whole heap of runners were out running their first ever 8 miler and were met by team mates cheers at the finish; Cath Watkins (1:07:55), Sophie Turner (1:08:09), Bec Sharpe (1:11:13), Michelle Coates (1:11:13), Sue Tait who set a spectacular club record (1:12:17), Lily Smith (1:21:56), and Jeff Cross (1:24:10).

Other members who had already got at least one 8 miler under their belt were in the mix of our debutants; Paul Averillo (1:09:08), Judy Mouncer (1:14:45 PB) and Julie Henfrey who get fired up for an epic sprint finish (1:55:36).

Written by Mark Parker - last updated on 26/06/2023