Busy weekend sees dozens compete across UK

Eight runners took on the marathon. Tom Sawyer had an excellent race and was first home for Tring in 2:57:14. Matt Wade was next, (a 23-minute PB on last year, at 3:00:15), followed by Martin Hopcroft (PB at 3:24:56), Howard Clark (3:30:51), Kevin Dance ( 4:04:36), Leon Bosch (4:08:49). Sue Cox (PB 4:21:57) and Len Van de Linde who completed his first marathon (4:22.13).

Five members competed in the half-marathon with Lynda Hembury carrying on her excellent form this season, storming to an amazing new PB in 1:35:13, all the more impressive as she had finished as the first female at the Gaddesden Gallop the previous day.

Next in for the club were Matthew Kingston (PB 1:38:48), Richard Murphy (PB 1:47:40), Katie Haines (1:50:15) and Jen Dent in 2:39:50 in her first attempt at the distance.

Six members took part in the Milton Keynes Rocket 5K. Sarah Langer came in first for Tring in 21:09, followed by Tamsin Leybourne 25:26, Julie Brett 27:22 (PB), Kirsty Dance (paced by Kevin Dance) in 31:48 and Len Van de Linde 40:16.

At the Gaddesden Gallop, the Ashridge estate was the venue for the off-road race with 15 members taking part. Notable performances were from Paul Allen, first for Tring and fourth overall (41:56) and Lynda Hembury, who was the first female and 13th overall in 46:43.

Celine Wilcock was second female overall (50:32). Top-ten finishes also came from Tom Hill (sixth) in 42:59, Ian Needleman (seventh), 43:26 and Andrew Hill (10th) 45:08.

Five members of the fell-running branch of club were out in force in the classic Three Peaks Race on Saturday, which covers at 23 miles over the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

Simon Barnett was first home for Tring (4:03:26), followed by Rick Ansell, in his 21st Three Peaks race (4:33:13), Chris Egan in 4:38:02, debutant Sally Nash (4:48:52) and Paul Bayley in 5:17:50. Together as a team Tring were 45th out of 59.

Tring’s Tom Hallett took part in the inaugural Pembrokeshire Coastal Challenge 100-mile ultra-event, finished the race in a little over 30 hours, coming 11th overall.