Last year, with my friend Alan Young, I helped out at the Cologne event, providing the competitors with a wide variety of goodies from the food table. I did the day shift and Alan took care of the nightime. I was so impressed with the event that I asked Wolfgang, the organiser, if I could take part this year and he said yes. It has been a long time since I have run on a cinder track (my first 24 hour race in Doncaster in June 2002) so it won’t be easy. In fact, I don’t think I will actually be running very much, mainly speed walking.
If you would like to have a look at my justgiving.com/ page you will see some photos of our kids in Uganda and also a short video of the work being done to build the school and the orphanage. (This can also be seen on the charity website – see the link).
At present we have over 200 children at the school as day pupils but, as soon as the dormitories are completed we will be able to take boarders which, of course, will generate some income.
It is estimated that we will need at least £100,000 to complete the project so if you are able to donate some money it would be very much appreciated by us and the children.
Cologne 48 hour track race. 15th of July 2011
Jun 18th, 2011 by SupergirlPam
Virgin London Marathon
Apr 27th, 2011 by SupergirlPam
Well, that’s another Marathon done and dusted and what a great time we had. The weather was perfect and Superman (John) Robin the Hood (Robbie) and I were in good spirits. We ran together entertaining the crowds on the way round and reached Tower Bridge in around 3hours 15 mins and succeeded in getting Denise Lewis to interview us along with Dig Dave Carter who happened to come along just at the moment. Sadly we did not go out on air but never mind, we still enjoyed the experience.
The second half was even slower as we were continually putting our buckets down (by the way, they were emptied every 4 or 5 miles) and dancing to entertain the crowds. Lots more money in the buckets so it was worth hanging around. Unfortnately heading for the Isle of Dogs we lost Robbie who had gone on ahead and made a ‘pit stop’ so it was just John and I until the end. Robbie finished about 10 minutes ahead of us. Two of Johns friends plus Gerry, Rose, Alan, Dave and Sue did a stirling job emptying our buckets and they also had a fun day. We finally crossed the line in 7 hours 12 mins 57 secs, happy but weary after a ‘hard day at the office’ It was nice for me to meet the gang at the finish and to travel home with them. The money still being counted but it will be well over £500 for Advance International Ministries.
Can’t wait for next year and I have already entered the ballot.
Crawley A.I.M. 6 & 12 Hour Track Race 2011 Results
Apr 12th, 2011 by SupergirlPam
Crawley A.I.M. 6 & 12 Hour Track Race 2011 Results
Twenty one athletes , including 3 females were set off at 7-00am by Race Director Pam Storey for the 12 hour track race at the K2 Leisure Centre, Crawley in perfect weather conditions for distance running.
These would be joined 3 hours later by eighteen males and 2 females running the 6 hour race.
Last years winner George Dayantis from Ringwood, Hants had run 100Kms in Perth the previous Sunday but, nevertheless, set off at a fast pace hoping to better his distance from last year of 88.15 miles (141.87Km). Stephen Pope from Sheffield was also running well as was Christian Grundner from Germany. Also maintaining a good steady pace was William Sichel from Orkney. William is a multi day specialist ( over 48 hours up to 1000miles) and this was the shortest race he had run for several years. He was using this race as preparation for longer events later in the year. These runners were looking likely to figure in the prizes.
In races of this nature anything can happen and sadly for George Dayantis his legs began to cramp badly after 10 hours of running and it was necessary for him to withdraw from the race leaving the battle between Stephen, Christian and William. Nevertheless George was to finish in 3rd place ahead of William by some 3 miles.
Further down the field the three ladies including race walker and 2008 winner Sue Clements, Lorraine Fraser and Elaine Oddie were enjoying a good race. Elaine has taken part in every one of the Crawley races this being the 6th running of the event.
The final result was:-
1st Male Stephen Pope (unattached) 85.680 miles (137.980 km)
1st Male Veteran Christian Grundner LVR-Geiselhoring 79.04 miles (127.637 km)
1st Female Sue Clements Long Distance Walkers Association 51.080 miles (82.200 km)
1st Female Veteran Lorraine Fraser Eastleigh Running Club 49.150 miles (78.610 Km)
Oldest Finisher
Sid Morrison (68) 100 Km Association 59.850 miles (96.310 km)
At 10-00am the 6 hour race was started with the runners soon settling in amongst the 12 hour competitors. In the field and keen to win this race was local runner Walter Hill who had twice won the 12 hour race here.
Soon battle commenced with strong running from Walter , Alan Ryder from Devon and a couple of Blackheath Harriers, David King and Richard Griffin.
Further down the field the 2 ladies were running well with Sarah Hayes leading from Carole Wisdom. This was to be the final finishing positions.
The men ran an exciting race with Walter Hill coming out on top, another great result from the local hero with plenty of support on trackside from Crawley A.C. members.
The final result was:-
1st Male Walter Hill Crawley Athletic Club 43.400 miles (69.846 km)
1st Male Veteran Alan Ryder Erme Valley Harriers 40.104 miles (64.541 km)
1st Female Sarah Hayes Northern Vets 33.169 miles (53.380 km)
1st Female Veteran Carole Wisdom Serpentine Running Club 25.866 miles (41.660 km)
Oldest finisher
Robbie Wilson (76) 100 Marathon Club 25.103 miles (40.400 km)
Robbie was in fact allowed to continue to complete the Marathon distance in 6 hours 15 mins 05 secs. He will be running the Virgin London Marathon in 2 weeks time and will be completing his 400th Marathon later this year in Hawaii.
This race raised over £1400 for the Advance International Ministries Charity who are at present funding the building of an orphanage and boarding school in Kiyindi, Uganda.
Links
Download Crawley 6 & 12 Hour 2011 – race report
Download Crawley 6 & 12 Hour 2011 – 2011 race results
Alan Young’s Photos Crawley 6 & 12 Hour Track Race 2011
Virgin London Marathon
Feb 23rd, 2011 by SupergirlPam
This year I will be running the Virgin London Marathon with Superman (John Wallace) and Robbie Wilson ( ? Robin Hood).
If anyone would like to sponsor us, my just giving.com site is still running (see link).
We will all be carrying buckets and hoping to collect £1500 minimum.
Also, if anyone can spare time to come to London to help empty our buckets please contact me.
No Finish Line, Monaco
Jan 16th, 2011 by SupergirlPam
Well, I thought it was about time that I reported on my biggest race of 2010, the 8 day No Finish Line in Monaco.
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me, the money has been taken to Kiyindi and will be put towards the building of the orphanage.
I flew out to Nice with my good friends Alan Young (from Dundee) and Richard Gurd (from Horsham). Alan has been to this event several times but it was Richards first time. I went in 2009 but only to ‘watch and learn’ and jog a few training runs as I had a Marathon in the U.K. the following Sunday. I loved it so much that I decided to take part in the full 8 days in 2010. Richard normally only runs Marathons so this was a whole new experience for him.
From Nice we took a bus to Monaco enjoying the ride round the mountains in nice sunny weather. Alan was sharing a portacabin for accommodation but Richard and I decided to take tents (bought from Tesco’s for a tenner each!). On arrival we pitched our tents underneath the shelter of the harbour wall and this was to become our home for the next 9 nights. That evening we went to a nice restaurant for a pizza to enjoy our last ‘civilised’ meal for several days.
Unfortunately the good weather was not to last as it became wetter and colder as the week went on.
We met several runners from previous multiday events and lots of new faces also. Great camaraderie amongst these guys.
The race was started by Princess Stephanie at 2-00pm on Saturday 20th November with not only the 50 or so 8 day competitors but also loads of local runners, joggers and walkers. The object of this event now in it’s 11th year, is to raise vast amounts of money for a local childrens hospital. All competitors hire an electronic ‘chip’ and every time they cross the mat on the 1km circuit a euro is paid to the charity by the sponsors (Royal family and banks etc). Every man, woman, child and dog (with chip on collar) seemed to be on the circuit which became quite congested. At the end of the day Richard decided that a van should come along, round everyone up, and take them to the ‘funny farm’. Little did he know that by the end of the week he would also be ‘hooked’ and wanting to complete as many laps as he could each day! Every evening we were given a hot meal and a beer but the rest of the time we were self catering. There was a ‘cookhouse’ for our use in a small tent that had a fridge freezer, two ring cooker, microwave and kettle. The supermarket was 15 mins walk away so we didn’t go hungry.
My target was at least 50km a day but I had all day to do it so I was hopeful of reaching my target. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t too good and I struggled to run in the torrential rain. It was also cold and I had not taken sufficient warm kit so I eneded up walking rather than running to avoid having to wash clothes daily. This was a challenge as the wash hand basins did not have plugs. After a few days a very kind ex. pat lady offerred to take some clothes home and wash them in her machine for me. Very kind of her and she delivered them back to me the following day. One of the things I love about this event is that the locals are all so friendly and supportive.
Richard got completely into the spirit of the event and ended up doing at least a Marathon everyday. Things didn’t go so well for poor Alan who tripped on the ‘chip’ mat on the 3rd lap of day one and tore his hamstring Ouch! He rested for a while, took some photos, crewed a bit then decided he was getting bored. He then walked/jogged around but was obviously in some pain.
One of the things I like about this event is the groups of children that come out each day from the school which is situated on the circuit. The teachers just send them on their way with a chip on their shoes and a different class come out each day. For the second year running (excuse the pun) I met up with young Hugo Hakkinen who tells me his dad is a racing driver! We did a few laps together with some of his chums talking about school etc. Such well behaved and friendly children and great to be able to chat to them without worrying about the consequences!
At the end of the week my good friends Elaine Oddie and Heather Foundling-Hawker arrived to take part in the 24 hour race that started at 9-00am on the Saturday together with Abichal Watkins who had come to help Alan crew for Heather. I had promised Elaine I would go round the entire 24 hours with her day and night so we trotted off together soon to be reduced to a walk but enjoying each others company. Heather set off at a good pace looking to run 200km to qualify to run for England in the Commonwealth championships in September.
As I was behind on my daily target I assumed I would be able to make it up during the last 24 hours. Wrong! I was so tired that by the early hours of the morning I was flagging and so decided to take a couple of hours sleep at 5-00am so as to keep Elaine company for the last 2 hours of her race. When I woke up it was pouring with rain so we walked together until the end when Elaine went back to her hotel for a bath, some food and a rest before coming back to see us finish at 2-00pm. The rain eased off towards the end and after the finish we all walked one lap with Prince Albert and his entourage. Wine and snacks were served and we all congratulated each other on our achievements over the last 8 days. It was quite emotional as we had literaly lived, ate, slept and competed together which is what I love about the multi day fraternity.
I was pleased with my result of 360.844 km considering I had run very little and walked a lot but Elaine was a bit disappointed that she didn’t mange her 100km target even though she kept going for the full 24 hours and Heather also did not make her 200km. Richard clocked up 401.688km and I think he enjoyed the experience.
After the race I was blessed by being able to go with Elaine to her hotel where I had a lovely bath and a couple of hours sleep before returning to the harbour to meet the others for a meal. I then returned to Elaines Hotel with her for my last night. After Elaine went home the next morning I went back to dismantle my tent and head off to the airport with Richard, Alan and our Swiss friend Freddi. Heather had already left.
Well, it was a great event and I am really looking forward to going again next year.
I raised over £500 for Advance International Ministries and shall contine my JustGiving.com site until after the Virgin London Marathon.
Crawley 6 & 12 hour race
Jan 6th, 2011 by SupergirlPam
I have now closed entries for the Crawley 6 & 12 hour race but I have a waiting list in case anyone drops out.
Also, as usual, I am short of lap recorders so, if anyone can spare a few hours please let me know.
Milton Keynes Enigma track Marathon
Nov 11th, 2010 by SupergirlPam
Gil and I both ran this event recently, it was actually my first official track Marathon. Obviously having run Barry 40 three times and fourteen 24 hour track races I am used to going around in circles but it has been a while since my last track race so I really enjoyed it. The weather was perfect and I was pleased with my 5-40-54 finishing time. Legs were fine the next day so I am really looking forward now to the No Finish Line 8 day race in Monaco starting on the 20th of November. My target is 250 miles so that’s just over 50km a day. Managed it for 6 days last year so I hope the extra 2 days won’t be a problem.
Leicester Marathon
Oct 11th, 2010 by SupergirlPam
Just had a great weekend with Gil in Leicester. Managed to visit my cousin Peter (81 years old) who has been an athletics official most of his life and now lives in Oakham, Rutland. Also had a look around Rutland Water for the first time. From there, went on to stay with friends Geoff and Elizabeth Oliver, about 30 mins away where we stayed the night.
Sunday morning we drove to Leicester for the Marathon, Geoff was only running the half and was running home (10 miles) afterwards.
After a dull start weather soon brightened up and it became a lovely day. Although not planning to run with my good chum Elaine Oddie, at about 6 miles we found ourselves along side each other so decided to complete the race together. We had plenty to chat about so it was nice to have company as otherwise we would have both been on our own until the end. We walked a lot in the second half so crossed the line in good ‘nick’ in 6hrs 12 mins. At the finish there was a little party as one of the 100 Marathon Club ‘wannabees’ had just run his 100th Marathon and a nice group of club members had waited for us to finish. We weren’t last as another club member came in just behind us followed by 4 more ‘stragglers’. Jouney home was a nightmare with the traffic but we made it back safely.
Next one for me is a track Marathon at Milton Keynes on the 6th of November, a first for me although I have organised several.
This is all part of my preparation for the No Finish Line event in Monaco on the 20th of November. This will be my main fundraising event for this year so I have set up a Justgiving.com page (see the link). I am hoping to do 250 miles in the 8 days.
Two2Go Marathon
Sep 24th, 2010 by SupergirlPam
Gil and I set off at the crack of dawn for our journey to Hackney Marshes for the coach trip up to the start at St Margarets. Herts for the Marathon which runs down the Lea Valley and finishes close to the site of the Olympic Stadium.
There is oficially a 6 hour time limit and last year, as I got lost, I pulled out at 25K thinking I would not make the cut off. Therefore this year I was detemined to finish especially after the disappointment in Perth. Shortly after the start whilst running near the back of the field I met a lady called Debbie and we jog/walked the whole race together. I was really pleased not to have to run alone and I enjoyed her company. Eventually we were the last runners but because we were experienced Marathoners the organisers let us finish and we crossed the line together in 6-34. She had a couple of chums waiting for her at the end (I also knew them) and I had Gil. Mike Gratton who is involved in this race was also waiting so it was nice to have a chat with him. My total Marathon/ultras is now 136 but actually I have only done 91 Marathons so. hopefully in 2012 I will complete my 100th Marathon.
Next race is Leicester Marathon in a fortnight, hope to break 5-30!
Perth Ultrafest
Sep 24th, 2010 by SupergirlPam
Oh dear, race didn’t go to plan. Went o.k. for the first 10 hours (approx. 60Km) then it all fell apart. Wasn’t happy running around the dark sections of the park made worse by a gang of youths generally making a nuisance of themselves. Decided to take a short break while the police sorted the situation but felt ill and didn’t get going again. Spent half an hour in the first aid ambulance (3 young men taking care of me!). They suggested that I should pull out and sleep so that’s what I did. I was fine after a few hours sleep and a bowl of porridge. Watched the rest of the event (24 hour race) and enjoyed the rest of my time in Scotland. Stayed with great chum Alan Young in Dundee before travelling home by train on the Monday.
At least I did not wear myself out for the Marathon the following Saturday.