Summary of 2010 Activities
Date: 2011-01-04
Depending on the location of members, the club was represented in most regions of the UK sometime during the year. In the Winter season more members were taking part in off-road events or training for Spring marathons otherwise generally road & park races throughout the year. Here we focus on a sample of events where members met either through popularity or locality. Click title to open report.
Highlights of Cross Country Season
In January & February there were the various cross country championships restricted to registered club runners and our main representatives were Clare Coombes and Peter Simpson. In the Nottinghamshire women's championship over a distance of 8K Clare finished 22nd in a time of 38.50. In the Midlands Region Championships Clare finished 100th in 43.56 whilst in the Southern of England event in London, over a distance of 15K, Peter finished 672nd in 1.20.28 and in the women's 8K Vanessa Hudson finished 342nd in 53.50. Both Clare & Peter competed at the English National Championship at Roundhay Park, Leeds with Clare in the 8K women's event finishing 363rd in 39.53 and over the men's 12K, Peter finished 1144th in 59.01. Our best performance in fell running during the winter was by Neil Ford who competed and won the Berwick 4 miles event in 27.42.
Results of VRUK Meet-ups
In open races VRUK was well represented in the following events:
- 21/02/2010, Sussex Beacon half Marathon (Brighton): Dave Arnold 1.28.16, 197th; Nick Balding 1.32.41, 431st; Jane Gant 1.54.23, 2474th; Karina O'Neill 2.13.24, 4615th.
- 07/03/2010, Berkhamstead Half Marathon: Steve Davies 1.30.02, 71st; Peter Simpson 1.37.55, 200th; Frances Humphries 2.09.41, 1004st.
- 14/03/2010, Kilomathon (Nottingham to Derby): Clare Coombes 2.19.15, 1197th; Phil Griffiths 2.24.24, 1528th; Debra Confrey 2.38.51, 2535th.
- 18/04/2010, Brighton Marathon: Paul Loader 3.20.50, 275th; Anna Finn 3.40.54, 1049th; Jane Gant 4.15.00; Ben Duncan 4.36.52 4092nd.
- 25/04/2010, London Marathon: Cedric David 3.46.51; Verna Burgess 3.49.36; Chloe Vincent 4.04.56; Helen Watkinson 4.10.36; Maria Hamilton 4.11.40; Laurence Klein 5.12.04; Teressa Longhurst 5.27.05.
- 18/07/2010, High Wycombe Half Marathon & 10K: Peter Simpson 1.35.06, 77th; Cedric David 1.42.59, 201st; Maria Hamilton 2.06.41, 696th; Helen Watkinson (10K) 0.57.35, 152nd.
- 05/09/2010, Rainforest 10K (Finsbury Park, London): Peter Simpson 41.39, 12th; Marcus McTurk 47.51, 73rd; Chris Dhondee 52.51, 136th; Vanessa Hudson 54.58, 167th; Jon Homan 56.26, 201st; Cherryl Sinclair 56.43, 213th.
- 19/09/2010, Great North Run (Newcastle): Fiona Oakes 1.20.51, 14f; Max Newton 1.30.57, 671st; Andrew Knight 1.37.42, 1784; Cedric David 1.39.10, 2153; Alison Davie 1.42.41, 265f; Marcus McTurk 1.53.50, 7897; Liz Begg 1.56.19, 1479f; Chris Dhondee 2.02.30, 13142; Helen Watkinson 2.03.42, 2826f; Frances Humphries 2.04.57, 3102f; Vanessa Hudson 2.09.36, 4139f; Matt Chase 2.11.11, 18292; Jon Homan 2.13.20, 19457; Angela Frost 2.14.47, 5390f; Debra Confrey 2.16.02, 5732f; Katie Fitzgibbon 2.36.35, 10908f. (Record turnout of Vegan Runners (22) including Team Vegan organised by The Vegan Society)
- 24/10/2010, Birmingham Half Marathon: Peter Simpson 1.35.50; Cedric David 1.38.28, 1164; Kevin White 1.46.21, 2841st; Andrew Knight 1.51.48, 3003rd; Chris Dhondee 2.10.55, 8138th.
- 07/11/2010, Rutland Marathon: Diane Wynn 4.05.29, 187th; Paul Snell 4.43.27, 334th; Karina O'Neill 5.31.42, 427th.
Individual Performances
Anna Finn Sails Past 100 Marathons
Anna started 2010 running her 86th marathon and ended the year completing number 144 - more than a marathon a week and about 21 of the events were of ultra-marathon distance, the longest being the Grand Union Canal 145 miles. In May, Anna also completed the 10 marathons in 10 days at Brathay, Windermere in a record time of under 40 hours or less than 4 hours per (hilly) marathon. The achievement of 100 marathons early in April and membership of the the 100MarathonClub was soon overtaken. A week later lowered her PB at Paris to 3.50 and the following week to 3.40.54 later at Brighton.
Helen Fines heads the field in Fell Running
A specialist on the fells, Helen won a prize in every race recorded (if not 1st female) since joining in March and often wearing the VRUK vest. In the Llyn y Fan fell race over 5.5 miles, Helen won the race outright. In an international relay race in August, Helen won her leg and helped the GB team to victory. Occasionally Helen ventures into road running where she continues to win prizes e.g. Tenbury 10K, Tewkesbury half marathon and Nos Galan 5K.
Fiona Oakes Keeps Low Profile until Record Breaking Win!
After not making the start line in earlier high profile events, we did not know that Fiona had entered the Santa Claus Marathon in Lapland, north Finland until she announced her record breaking win, lowering the women's record by about 11.5 mins to 3hrs 3mins despite mid-20s heat in June. Closer to home Fiona was the obvious captain of Team Vegan in the Great North Run and starting from the mass start she was first woman to finish in 1.20.51 and 14th if including the earlier starting elite women's race.
Standard Distances
First marathons were achieved by Jane Gant at Brighton, Teressa Longhurst at London, Craig Wallace at Loch Ness, Paul Snell & Diane Wynne at Rutland, Phil Griffiths at Wolverhampton. New PBs were also set at London by Cedric David 3.46.51, Helen Watkinson 4.10.36 and at Brighton by Anna Finn 3.40.54 and in Belfast by Stuart Voaden 3.18.57
In the half marathon first events were run by Linda Faulkner at Leicester and Cherryl Sinclair at Hackney. New PBs were set by Kevin White 1.46.22 at Birmingham, Cris Iles-Wright 1.30.22 at Plymouth and Wolfgang Kunst 1.29.23 at Rhein-Ruhr.
Over 10 miles Sid Delara lowers his PB twice to 1.07.14 at Salisbury whilst in the Denbies 10 miles off-road event John Bateson finishes in 1.03.29 for 6th position.
Over 10K Sid Delara lowers his PB three times to 39.38 at Purbeck, Dorset, Cris iles-Wright 42.19 at the First Chance 10K and Theresa Webb 54.05 at Brighton. Sam Wilson & Amy Jennings run their first events for VRUK at the Worthing 10K, Sam finishing in 41.02 and Amy 1.02.09 and Cath Clements her first at the Stratford 10K in the Midlands.
Over the 5K several members ran several of the free weekly Park Run events: Sid Delara at Basingstoke (best 19.15) & Eastleigh (19.50), Phil Griffiths at Cannon Hill Park (best 23.24), at Cardiff Cedric David 21.32 & Helen Watkinson 23.58, Edinburgh Alison Davie 21.32, Newcastle Matt Chase 27.17 and Whitstable Keith Gilbert 24.45. In other 5K events John Morgan left it to New Year's Eve to set a PB at Nos Galan of 18.00 and Helen Fines ran 17.28 (1st V35).
Other Distances & Off-Road Events
Some other remarkable achievements by Anna Finn: Lakeland 100 miles in 36hrs 57mins, Ridgeway 85 miles in 18hrs 49mins, Grantham Canal 58.6 miles over two days in 9hrs 42mins and Northampton/Tring 90 miles canal race over 2 days in 18 hrs 28 mins. Other members completing ultra distances include: Chris & Alison Taylor-Reed in the Comrades 56 miles, Chris 10hrs 55mins & Alison 11.48; Salisbury 50K Joe Harling 5.02.17 & Anna Finn 5.17.07, Dorset Doddle 32 miles Joe Harling 6.38.07, Frances Humphries completes three Long Distance Walkers Assoc events of 30 miles and similarly Ian Hodge two events of 31 miles. We were also represented at the Snowdon International Mountain Race by John Morgan & Cath Elsworth.
Multi-Sport
In the Euroman Double Ironman (281.2 miles) Hallam Smallpeice finished the triathlon event in 30hrs 45mins 21secs and overall 11th. In the Devon Coast to Coast Endurance Life Classic over 2 days Joe Harling completed the 140 miles in 19hrs 51mins 5 secs and included in day1: 9 miles multi-terrain run, 55 miles road cycle, 4 miles fell run, 23 miles cycle and on day 2: 23 miles multi-terrain cycle, 8 miles kayak and 19 miles on coastal path run. In the Half Ironman distance (70.3 miles) Nichola Rorke finished in 7.18.41 and 895th and in the Plymouth Triathlon (1500m swim / 40K bike / 10K run) she finished in 3.19.36 and 7th in V40+ category. At the Hill Head Aquathlon (400m sea swim / 2K run / 400m swim / 2K run) Dave Arnold finished 3rd and 1st vet in 29.35. John Bateson competed in the Guildford Aquathlon (500m swim / 5K run) finishing in 25.36 for 2nd.
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Vegan Runner Breaks North Pole Marathon Course Record!!!
Fiona Oakes wins the North Pole Marathon in new course record !!!
What an Achievement !
New Course Record Too
Few women have ever been to the North Pole, in fact the first was as recent as 1986!
This year was the 11th North Pole marathon & the course was described as the worst in the races history. The competitors had to run 10 laps of a 2.6 mile circuit of which half was "run-nable" & the other half meant wading through snow fields, up to waist height - all in MINUS 28 degrees with wind chill taking it to minus 33 approx.
Fiona fell over a number of times in the deep snow & damaged her thumb on the 2nd lap - her face mask literally froze to her face & she had to keep rubbing her eyes to stop the water in them from freezing.
This is tough - this is unbelievably tough.
But of course there is tough, there is extremely tough & there is Fiona Oakes - the Queen of the Extreme !
Fiona finished the marathon in 4 hours 53 minutes, smashing the previous course record by 45 minutes !! - the next lady was nearly an hour behind her.
Fiona was only beaten by 2 men in the field which is incredible & means she took 3rd place overall (unprecidented).
Percy Bear finished 1st in the race for small bears, but apparently complained that he was cold all the way round.
Fiona now holds FIVE marathon course records
Two in the UK, Two in Finland
...& one on the top of the World !
Please support her at North Pole Marathon on Facebook at Fiona Oakes and at Tower Hill Stables
100% of donations go towards the feed costs of the rescues at Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary
Thank You XXX
Copyright © 2013 Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary, All rights reserved.
VRUK Team Take Second Place at Tonbridge Half
London Regent's Park Training Sessions
VRUK blog - latest news
http://veganrunnersuk.blogspot.com/
Vegan running shoe guide - as featured in "Vegan" Summer 2011
http://www.veganrunners.org.uk/articles/vegan_running_shoes_and_trainers_1398.html
Club Training and Meetups
The monthly London meet up and training run has a base at Regent's Park from The Hub sports facility & cafe in the north of the park. The session is approximately one hour and normally includes a mixture of group running, intervals of faster running, hill repetitions and track circuits. Members, supporters, or indeed anyone who would like to try out our sessions are more than welcome. After the session we meet back at The Hub for a drink and social. Attendance at the January 2013 session there were 8 vegan runners. During the summer 2012 other venues / locations included: Hampstead Heath, Eltham Park(race) and Hackney Marshes.
Following the April 2013 London group training session in Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, no further sessions are planned until the Autumn when members are more likely to be available. Members will be running in events throughout the summer and there are likely to be targeted events as listed below..
Other London meet-ups include: Eltham Park 5 miles trail (9 June 11.15am), Ealing Half Marathon (29 Sept) and meeting up at the Animal Aid Xmas Fair early December and possibly this year the new London Olympia VegfestUK (5/6 Oct).
Other local or regional Vegan Runners groups we are trying to establish include:
- South Wales VR - meet-up at open events including the Cardiff Parkrun on Saturdays starting at 9am. Some popular events include Cardiff Half Marathon (Oct), Llaneli Half Marathon (March), Swansea Bay 10K (Sept).
- Birmingham VR - meet at the Cannon Hill Park Run on Saturdays starting 9am. Some other popular events include: Great Birmingham Run (Half Marathon, 20 Oct), Wolverhampton Half/Full Marathon (Sept) and the West Midlands Vegan Festival (4th Sat in Oct).
- Brighton VR - meet at open events and the Hove Park 5K Parkrun starting at 9am on 2nd Saturday of the month (except 3rd Sat in March for VegfestUK at Hove Centre). Other popular events include: Brighton Half Marathon (Feb), Brighton Marathon (14 April).
- Bristol / Bath - Potential meet-up at the Ashton Court Park Run, 9am Saturdays. Other suggested events include: Bristol 10K (5 May), Bristol Half Marathon (15 Sept), the Bristol VegfestUK (25 and 26 May)
- Cheddar / North Somerset for more rural / hilly runs
- Coventry / Leamington Spa - regular meet-up at the Coventry Park Run on Saturdays 9am start. Other suggested events: Coventry Half Marathon (Oct), Coventry 10K (Nov)
- Leicester / Market Harborough - Potential meet-up at the Braunstone 5K Park Run, on selected Saturdays 9am start. Regular low-key training sessions recently started in Market Harborough early Tuesday evenings. Other suggested events where we could meet include: Leicester Half and Full Marathon (Oct), East Midlands GP series (Rugby 6 miles (15 May), Corby 5 miles (29 May), Market Harborough 5 miles (18 June) and the Leicester Vegan Fair in August or November
- Northants / North Bedfordshire / North Bucks - Occasionally meet at Animals-in-Need sanctuary (vegan cafe available), Little Irchester for training in Irchester Country Park or Wellingborough. Other occasional meet-ups include the 5K Park Runs at Northampton Racecourse Ground, Bedford Park and Milton Keynes at Willen Lake on Saturdays starting 9am. Some popular annual events include: Bedford Half Marathon(Dec), MK Half/10K (March), Northampton Festival of Running (March/April), Wellingborough 5 miles (late July), East Midlands GP series (8 event locations, 5 miles - 10K (May - July))
- Poole / Bournemouth / New Forest - local vegan runners interested in holding training sessions in this area. Other suggested events include: New Forest Festival of Running (March), Bournemouth Half Marathon (April), Bournemouth Running Festival (5/6 Oct)
If you would like to join the mailing list for one or more of these areas please leave a message either with Peter Simpson on Protected email address,on this website or with the Facebook group UK Vegan Runners.
Check the VRUK diary to see if there are any dates for training sessions or other event meet-ups highlighted in green. Alternatively, for a free 5K run, we suggest you visit Parkrun to check for a local venue. They are held weekly on Saturdays starting at 9am, you just need to register for a barcode at least a day before your first Parkrun and take a printout along.
For an idea of how recent London training sessions have turned out click here.
If you would like to arrange training sessions in a different area of the UK, please join VRUK and we can publicise it through this website otherwise, contact Peter Simpson on Protected email address.
Summary of 2010 Activities
Depending on the location of members, the club was represented in most regions of the UK sometime during the year. In the Winter season more members were taking part in off-road events or training for Spring marathons otherwise generally road & park races throughout the year. Here we focus on a sample of events where members met either through popularity or locality. Click title to open report.
London Marathon 2010
Eight members of Vegan Runners UK successfully completed the London Marathon, five wearing the club kit. In the photo from the left: Cedric David, Helen Watkinson, Maria Hamilton, Peter Simpson (support), Chloe Vincent & Keith Hammond (Vegetarian C&AC). In the 2009 event we had one of our strongest teams, the highlight being our 4 sub 3-hour runners, this year the focus was on our core members. Some of our runners set large personal bests, others their first marathon or first London event. Congratulations go to all our runners who achieved the following times:
- Colin Braybrook 3:02:41
- Cedric David 3:46:51
- Verna Burgess 3:49:36
- Chloe Vincent 4:04:56
- Helen Watkinson 4:10:36
- Maria Hamilton 4:11:40
- Laurence Klein 5:12:04
- Teressa Longhurst 5:27:05
Anna Finn Reaches 100 Marathons
33 Year old Anna Finn, a maths teacher and member of Vegan Runners UK, has run 100 Marathons. She seems to be the youngest woman to achieve the feat, and is awaiting news from Guinness about the World Record.
Vegan Runners Cross Country Season: Victors, Veterans and Virgins …
Winter is another busy period for several members who enjoy cross country. Vegan Runners of all abilities and ambitions have taken part in races large and small over the last few weeks. Peter Simpson reports on the South of England XC Champs held on the 30th January 2010. Beside his own well-paced race, Peter reports on Vannessa Hudson’s battle with road shoes and the mud, and a well-placed Colin Braybrook (a vegan runner competing under the St Albans Striders banner). Neil Ford marks his come-back with a victory in the Berwick Cross Country, which was ‘somewhere between four and five miles’. A winter-loving Clare Coombes has been mud-running through the cross country season, sporting her club vest, finally breaking the top 100 places.
More General stories.