Sweet on his way to World Backyard champs

This week’s report covers Alex Sweet’s wind-obstructed Backyard race in Sherwood Forest preparation for the World Championships, Heathside’s women’s and men’s teams competing in the SEAA road relays in Milton Keynes and outstanding performances by Peter Gould, Monika Newton, Hugo Cox and Phil Hogg in the Fleet Half Marathon.

Rasselbock Backyard Ultra, Sherwood Pines, March 28

Rob Shulman sent a report on Alex Sweet’s weather-doomed heroics in the ‘Backyard’ event in Sherwood Forest. Alex had already qualified for the world championships so he was not too gutted when the event was called off because the gale-force winds when he was well into his stride. ‘I feel fine about it,’ he said two days later. ‘It’s good experience.’

The event involves running laps (‘yards’) of just over 4-miles in less than one hour; then starting the next lap on the hour. Runners go for as long as they can, making sure they are ready to start the next ‘yard’ on the hour mark – until no-one but the winner is left. But this time the weather won.

Here is Rob’s report.

Alex Sweet took part in the eventful Rasselbock Backyard Ultra in Sherwood Pines on 28th March. Alex had already qualified for the GB team but had hoped to use this event to extend his PB which stands at 58 yards/hours (an incredible 243 miles).

Alex started with a field of around 250 competitors. He comfortably went through the early miles, conserving energy, fuelling and taking micro sleeps, supported by his crew of Rob Shulman and his friend Brian Henry (the man with a van).

The field gradually thinned out after the various milestones of marathon, 50k, 12 hours, 100k, 100miles/24 hours. Alex was ready to run through the 2nd night and was feeling strong. The field had reduced to 12 runners, many of whom were looking to post big distances to join Alex in the GB team for the upcoming world champs in October. Alex was motivated by a personal video that Rob had organised by the current BYU world champion Phil Gore (119 yards/hour 496 miles).

So all was going well until in the 35th hour, gale force winds of 60mph swept through the event village sweeping up tents and gazebos. Out on the course the forest trees fell along the route. Alex’s gazebo nearly flew off in the gale. Faced with this unexpected weather event,  the organisers had to cancel the race -an unfortunate end to what was a great event, with Alex looking like he would likely extend his pb and possibly win the race.

Alex took this philosophically and will take lots of positives to the world champs. It was great fun to crew and be part of this friendly community for the weekend.

SEAA 12/6 Stage Road Relays, Milton Keynes, Sunday March 29

We entered men’s and women’s teams at the SEAA Road Relays in Milton Keynes on Sunday. Our men’s team came 37th out of 43 in a time of 4:56.18. Andy Barnes was fastest on the long leg (28:56) and Peter Otto on the short leg (17:35).

Our women’s team came 23rd out of 33 in a time of 2:33.09. Anna Rawsthorne ran the fastest short leg in 18.37 and Lucy Browne ran the fastest long leg in 33.55.

Results

Men's Race (43 teams)

1st Cambridge & Coleridge AC 4:12.18

37th London Heathside 4:56.52

Andy Barnes 28.56

Peter Otto 17.35

Sammy Keenan 30.03

Harry Owrid 18.18

Isaac Edwards 29.25

Victor Tanguy 17.00

James Hayes 29.20

Matthew Coudert 20.32

Etienne Daries 31.04

Christopher Greenwood 21.18

David Lee 21.12

Women's Race(33 teams)

1st Belgrave Harriers 2:09.56

23rd London Heathside 2:33.09

Anna Rawsthorne 18.37

Lucy Browne 33.55

Annabel Judd 22.17

Isobel Smith 36.00

Kat Baldwyn 21.02

Olivia Withers 21.28

Fleet Half Marathon, March 29

No report was submitted but from the results it looks like Peter Gould and Monika Newton both had stellar runs, as did Hugo Cox and Phil Hogg. Peter, a V40, finished in 1:13:32 and Monika was the second V45, finishing in 1:24:14. Hugo Cox, a V50, did a PB in 1:22:07 and Phil, a V55, also did a PB in 1:25:13.

Results

44th Peter Gould (V40) – 1:13:32

212nd Hugo Cox (V50) – 1:22:32 (PB)

270th Monika Newton – 1:24:14 (2nd V45)

298th Phil Hogg – 1:25:13 (9th V55)

316th Matt Beard – 1:25:54 (11th V55

545th Chris Vincent – 1:32:31

Parkruns

Ninety-seven of our runners competed in 33 Parkruns on Saturday. There were wins for Hector de Fontaines in Highbury Fields (16:44) and for both Fred Beale (17:27) and Chloe Wilkenson (19:42) at Ally Pally. Full Heathside results here .

Report by Gavin Evans with thanks to Rob Shulman and Simon Baker.