Grand Prix Winter Reports 2020/2021
Fixtures 2020/2021
Round |
Month |
Date and time |
Race |
1 |
November |
14/11/2020 - 30/11/20 |
Two circuits of Norman Park |
2 |
December |
01/12/2020 - 31/12/20 |
One circuit of Scadbury Park |
3 |
January |
01/01/2021 - 31/01/21 |
Two circuits of Jubilee Park |
RACE REPORTS
Round 1: Norman Park 14/11/20 - 30/11/20
You don’t need me to tell you what an awful year 2020 has been, and the pandemic has affected every one of us in many different ways. Even the simplest of things like running has been turned upside down but, thanks to our committee and to certain amazing individuals, the club has somehow managed to continue to support our family of runners with fantastic videos, challenges and group runs (when permitted). As has been said many times previously and, to crib Carlsberg’s global slogan, PWR is probably the best running club in the world!
The 2019-2020 Grand Prix sadly had to be cancelled after just three rounds back in March, and since then competitive events have been few and far between. But just when it looked like 2020 would be a year to forget racing-wise, along came the announcement of a three-round Winter Grand Prix! The brainchild of Richard Dunstan, we can at last compete against each other on the same courses without breaking any rules. Three courses, one a month, with runners able to tackle them as many times as they like and then submit their best times. There are overall trophies to be won, but more importantly we are able to push ourselves again and rejoice in some much missed contact and banter!
Round 1 was two laps around Norman Park in November. To spice things up and to try and stop any runaway series winners, the organisers reserved the right to change the groups after this round of anyone who they felt was too quick for their group. So, you couldn’t be sure who you would actually be competing against! A huge vote of confidence in this mini series was seen in the numbers signing up for it, 116, and only 6 not taking part in the first round.
Group 1 (6 runners)
Nathan Webster and Mark Griffin kindly agreed to be promoted to this group which boosts the numbers to six and means there will be trophies up for grabs for the first three places, not just the winner. I admire their kindness but, looking at how quickly the others in the group lapped Norman Park I fear their mantelpieces will be empty come the end of the championship.
On the opening day Kev Howarth wouldn’t reveal how quick he had run, suffice to say it was sub-14 minutes. At some point later in the month he actually recorded a scintillating 12:31 to set the fastest time and top the table after the opening round. Thankfully, Dave Adams (12:40) and Adam Wilkinson (12:46) were very close behind which is great news for the remaining rounds. Andy Tippett (13:48), Webster (14:07) and Griffin (14:31) completed the top six.
Group 2 (8 runners)
With Webster and Griffin moving up into Group 1, it was Stephen Pond (14:45) who set the pace in Group 2. The reigning Group 1 GP Champion was 7s quicker than 2nd-placed Paul Kelly (15:52) who was just 3s quicker than Oliver Hitch (14:55). Paul Whelan (15:05), Paul Haylock (15:08) and David Moore (15:09) completed the top six.
Group 3 (10 runners)
The younger Pond, Matthew, led the way in Group 3 like his dad had in Group 2 with a 15:17. All the groups are close (that’s how they have been decided!) so Carl Inman (15:20) and Jeremy Benson (15:25) were not far behind in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Emma Crawford (15:26) in 4th is the highest placed lady in the Winter GP and headed home Marcus Elwes (15:27) and Lucy Drury (15:29).
Group 4 (9 runners)
Abey Alexander (16:02) was a “comfortable” 14s clear of Jenny Leng (16:16) and her hubby Paul (16:21). Ian Bauly (16:22) and Jonathan Bond (16:23) followed in quick succession ahead of three runners, Chloe Weaver, Steve Burnett and Viral Tanna with an identical time of 16:25!
Group 5 (9 runners)
James Wall (16:31) led the way in this group from Kate Eperon (16:32) and Paul Strachan (16:33). Next up were David Welfare (16:36), Natalie Jacques (16:37) and Mark Burgess (16:41).
Group 6 (9 runners)
Stephen Robson (17:02), in a much lower group than you would normally expect to find him in, leads Group 6 from Jamie Trillow (17:11), Peter Fisher (17:18), Martin Smith (17:22), Jackie York (17:36) and Andrew Stubbs (17:39).
Group 7 (9 runners)
Group 7’s runner to beat is currently Robert Rolfe (18:06) from Lianne Flynn (18:15) and Rob White (18:16). Neil Sutton (18:26), Ellen Ball (18:31) and current GP Group 4 Champion Laura Elvin (18:48) complete the top six.
Group 8 (8 runners)
Louis Strover (19:02), Maxine Horsfield (19:04) and Oscar Engles (19:16) topped the round 1 podium, with Alice Neal (19:22), Liz Delamain (19:24) and reigning GP Group 8 Champ Olivia Senbanjo (19:27) ready to pounce if the leaders should have an off day.
Group 9 (11 runners)
David Allison (20:03) tops Group 9 from Sally Callaghan (20:13) and Rob Lillywhite (20:15). Monica Lungu (20:23) is next up from Emma Horan (20:28) in 5th from two equally matched competitors, Prema Reddy and Yolanda Martinez, who both clocked a 20:35.
Group 10 (12 runners)
Group 10 has Simon Gleeson (21:02) in pole position with Terry Stocks (21:04) and Sharon Wroe (21:05) in close attendance. Eadaoin Miller (21:06), Paula Richards (21:11) and Julie Medhurst (21:26) are next up.
Group 11 (12 runners)
Ann Adams (22:49), Barbara Carr (22:55) and Anita Bowden-Brown (23:01) are setting the pace in Group 11 from Kimiko Broadhurst (23:07), David Goss (23:12) and Susan Deer 923:18).
Group 12 (7 runners)
David Boswell (24:00) leads the way in this group by a comfortable margin from Paul Pester (24:29) and Hannah Harrison (24:35). Mary Moore (25:23), Sue McAdam (25:35) and Chris Summers (25:59) complete the top six.
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kev Howarth and pinched from Facebook
Round 2 at Scadbury Park is now almost over, with conditions very different to that of Norman Park. A single lap of off-road hills and increasingly muddy conditions in Chislehurst instead of the two relatively flat and man-made circuits in Bromley. We’ll have to wait and see what that means to which PWRs come out on top.
The 2019-2020 Grand Prix sadly had to be cancelled after just three rounds back in March, and since then competitive events have been few and far between. But just when it looked like 2020 would be a year to forget racing-wise, along came the announcement of a three-round Winter Grand Prix! The brainchild of Richard Dunstan, we can at last compete against each other on the same courses without breaking any rules. Three courses, one a month, with runners able to tackle them as many times as they like and then submit their best times. There are overall trophies to be won, but more importantly we are able to push ourselves again and rejoice in some much missed contact and banter!
Round 1 was two laps around Norman Park in November. To spice things up and to try and stop any runaway series winners, the organisers reserved the right to change the groups after this round of anyone who they felt was too quick for their group. So, you couldn’t be sure who you would actually be competing against! A huge vote of confidence in this mini series was seen in the numbers signing up for it, 116, and only 6 not taking part in the first round.
Group 1 (6 runners)
Nathan Webster and Mark Griffin kindly agreed to be promoted to this group which boosts the numbers to six and means there will be trophies up for grabs for the first three places, not just the winner. I admire their kindness but, looking at how quickly the others in the group lapped Norman Park I fear their mantelpieces will be empty come the end of the championship.
On the opening day Kev Howarth wouldn’t reveal how quick he had run, suffice to say it was sub-14 minutes. At some point later in the month he actually recorded a scintillating 12:31 to set the fastest time and top the table after the opening round. Thankfully, Dave Adams (12:40) and Adam Wilkinson (12:46) were very close behind which is great news for the remaining rounds. Andy Tippett (13:48), Webster (14:07) and Griffin (14:31) completed the top six.
Group 2 (8 runners)
With Webster and Griffin moving up into Group 1, it was Stephen Pond (14:45) who set the pace in Group 2. The reigning Group 1 GP Champion was 7s quicker than 2nd-placed Paul Kelly (15:52) who was just 3s quicker than Oliver Hitch (14:55). Paul Whelan (15:05), Paul Haylock (15:08) and David Moore (15:09) completed the top six.
Group 3 (10 runners)
The younger Pond, Matthew, led the way in Group 3 like his dad had in Group 2 with a 15:17. All the groups are close (that’s how they have been decided!) so Carl Inman (15:20) and Jeremy Benson (15:25) were not far behind in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Emma Crawford (15:26) in 4th is the highest placed lady in the Winter GP and headed home Marcus Elwes (15:27) and Lucy Drury (15:29).
Group 4 (9 runners)
Abey Alexander (16:02) was a “comfortable” 14s clear of Jenny Leng (16:16) and her hubby Paul (16:21). Ian Bauly (16:22) and Jonathan Bond (16:23) followed in quick succession ahead of three runners, Chloe Weaver, Steve Burnett and Viral Tanna with an identical time of 16:25!
Group 5 (9 runners)
James Wall (16:31) led the way in this group from Kate Eperon (16:32) and Paul Strachan (16:33). Next up were David Welfare (16:36), Natalie Jacques (16:37) and Mark Burgess (16:41).
Group 6 (9 runners)
Stephen Robson (17:02), in a much lower group than you would normally expect to find him in, leads Group 6 from Jamie Trillow (17:11), Peter Fisher (17:18), Martin Smith (17:22), Jackie York (17:36) and Andrew Stubbs (17:39).
Group 7 (9 runners)
Group 7’s runner to beat is currently Robert Rolfe (18:06) from Lianne Flynn (18:15) and Rob White (18:16). Neil Sutton (18:26), Ellen Ball (18:31) and current GP Group 4 Champion Laura Elvin (18:48) complete the top six.
Group 8 (8 runners)
Louis Strover (19:02), Maxine Horsfield (19:04) and Oscar Engles (19:16) topped the round 1 podium, with Alice Neal (19:22), Liz Delamain (19:24) and reigning GP Group 8 Champ Olivia Senbanjo (19:27) ready to pounce if the leaders should have an off day.
Group 9 (11 runners)
David Allison (20:03) tops Group 9 from Sally Callaghan (20:13) and Rob Lillywhite (20:15). Monica Lungu (20:23) is next up from Emma Horan (20:28) in 5th from two equally matched competitors, Prema Reddy and Yolanda Martinez, who both clocked a 20:35.
Group 10 (12 runners)
Group 10 has Simon Gleeson (21:02) in pole position with Terry Stocks (21:04) and Sharon Wroe (21:05) in close attendance. Eadaoin Miller (21:06), Paula Richards (21:11) and Julie Medhurst (21:26) are next up.
Group 11 (12 runners)
Ann Adams (22:49), Barbara Carr (22:55) and Anita Bowden-Brown (23:01) are setting the pace in Group 11 from Kimiko Broadhurst (23:07), David Goss (23:12) and Susan Deer 923:18).
Group 12 (7 runners)
David Boswell (24:00) leads the way in this group by a comfortable margin from Paul Pester (24:29) and Hannah Harrison (24:35). Mary Moore (25:23), Sue McAdam (25:35) and Chris Summers (25:59) complete the top six.
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kev Howarth and pinched from Facebook
Round 2 at Scadbury Park is now almost over, with conditions very different to that of Norman Park. A single lap of off-road hills and increasingly muddy conditions in Chislehurst instead of the two relatively flat and man-made circuits in Bromley. We’ll have to wait and see what that means to which PWRs come out on top.
Round 2: Scadbury Park 01/12/20 - 31/12/20
It was off to Scadbury Park in December for round 2 of the PWR Winter GP series and a very different course to Norman Park in November. A single undulating lap this time and mud! A number of runners experimented with different start/finish lines around the course as they tried to save every precious second from every outing.
Group 1 (6 runners)
Round one victor Kev Howarth was in scintillating form at Scadbury to make it two wins out of two. His mind-boggling time of just 11m47s was 43s quicker than Dave Adams (12:30), again the bridesmaid in this group. Adam Wilkinson (12:41) in 3rd meant the Scadbury podium was an exact replica of that from Norman Park. Mark Griffin (13:10) improved on his 6th place at the first round to take 4th from Nathan Webster (13:15) and Andy Tippet (13:35).
No points for guessing the top three in the series with one round remaining with Howarth (40 points) leading Adams (36) and Wilkinson (32), ahead of Tippet, Webster and Griffin all tied on 28 points in 4th.
Group 2 (7 runners)
Oliver Hitch (13:57) was just one second faster than Round 1 winner Stephen Pond (13:58) to take the honours at Scadbury. Paul Kelly had been 2nd fastest at Norman Park but did not start this round so it was laugh-a-minute Paul Whelan (14:18) in 3rd. Jason Hone (14:24) put in a good performance to be 4th quickest from Paul Haylock (15:01) and Mark Franks (15:07).
Pond (38 points) retains the championship lead with Hitch (36) moving up one place from 3rd to 2nd overall. Whelan (31) also moves up one place and heads Haylock (28), Hone (26) and David Moore and Franks tied in 6th on 25 points apiece.
Group 3 (7 runners)
This group was down from 10 runners at the first round to just 7, with Marcus Elwes the quickest Norman Park runner not in attendance. Emma Crawford (14:55) set the pace this time out, improving from 4th quickest at Norman Park. Crawford was 10s ahead of Carl Inman (15:05) who has taken up the runner-up spot at both rounds. Round 1 winner Matthew Pond (15:06) was just behind Inman in 3rd, from Lucy Drury (15:19) and Jeremy Benson and Stuart Hatcher with an identical time of 15:31.
It’s all very tight at the top of this group with leaders Pond and Inman tied on 36 points and Crawford (35) just one point behind in 3rd. Benson (30), Drury (28) and Hatcher (24) complete the top six.
Group 4 (9 runners)
Two wins out of two for Abey Alexander (15:05) in this group. This time it was Paul Leng (15:10) who pushed him closest, with Ian Bauly (15:27) and Jenny Leng (15:30) next up. Jonathan Bond (15:31) and Steve Burnett (16:09) repeated their Norman Park positions of 4th and 5th respectively with Chloe Weaver (16:14) completing the top six.
Alexander (40) has maximum points in the championship and heads the two Lengs - Paul (34) and Jenny (33). Bauly (31), Bond (28) and Burnett (26) are next up.
Group 5 (9 runners)
Norman Park winner James Wall was one of those who tried a different start position to try and improve his initial time around this demanding course. Although he did better his time by starting at the bottom of the main muddy hill, it wasn’t enough, and he was only 6th fastest at this round. Heading the other way up the charts was Julian Edmonds who went from slowest at the opener to quickest with an excellent 15:29. Chloe Haffenden (15:37) was another to revel on this off-road course – 2nd in group having only recorded the 7th fastest time around Norman Park. David Welfare (15:42) was 3rd from Mark Burgess (16:02) and the opening round’s top two – Kate Eperon (16:12) and Wall (16:23).
Wall (33 points) and Eperon (32) retain the top two positions in the title chase but with the pack close behind. Welfare (31) moves up one place to 3rd from Haffenden and Edmonds, both on 30 points, and Burgess and Paul Strachan tied in 6th on 28 points.
Group 6 (8 runners)
First round victor Stephen Robson was a no-show and it was his closest rival at Norman Park, Jamie Trillow (16:05), who led them home at Scadbury. Martin Smith (16:11) improved from 4th at the opener to be 2nd quickest, with Peter Fisher 16:32) 3rd once again. Sam Hickling (16:58) and Nigel Hewson (18:29) also did better overall this time around for 4th and 5th, with Jackie York (18:43) completing the top six.
Trillow’s win and 2nd place takes him to the top of the table with 38 points and he holds a decent advantage of 5 points over 2nd-placed Smith (33) who is just one point ahead of Fisher (32). York and Hickling are tied in 4th on 27 points from yet another tie – Hewson and Andrew Stubbs on 25 points.
Group 7 (9 runners)
There were big changes in this group with Andrew Deer (17:57) rising from slowest at Norman Park to fastest around Scadbury, while Round 1 winner Robert Rolfe headed in the other direction and was only 6th fastest (19:46). Scott Haragan (18:00) improved from 7th to 2nd while Lianne Flynn (18:16) recorded her second top 3 placing in 3rd. Jennifer Coles (18:32) was also another to improve in 4th from Ellen Ball (18:40), 5th for the second round running.
Flynn (34 points) takes over the championship lead from Rolfe (33) while Haragan and Deer tie for 3rd place with 30 points apiece. Rob White and Ball are also equal on points, 28, to share 5th spot.
Group 8 (7 runners)
Alice Neal (16:28) improved massively on her Norman Park performance and thrashed everyone else in this group with her nearest rival Maxine Horsfield (18:10) over a minute and a half slower! She was also quicker than all of the Group 7s so, sorry to drop you in it Alice, but you may well be in line for a promotion when the groups are announced for the Spring Grand Prix that starts in February. Liz Delamain (18:49) and Oscar Engels (18:52) were 3rd and 4th from Round 1 winner Louis Strover (18:53) and Nick Squires (19:04).
Horsfield’s two runner-up placings take her into the championship lead with 36 points, just ahead of Neal (35) and Strover (34). Engels (31), Delamain (30) and Olivia Senbanjo (25) complete the top six.
Group 9 (10 runners)
David Allison and Monica Lungu swapped places at this round with Lungu (18:43) converting her 4th place at Norman Park into a win while Allison (19:17) went the other way. In between them it was as you were, with Sally Callaghan (18:52) and Rob Lillywhite (19:05) repeating their 2nd and 3rd places respectively. Prema Reddy (19:45) and John Perks (19:47) were next up.
Callaghan tops Group 9 with 36 points by just a single point from Allison and Lungu tied on 35 apiece. Lillywhite (32) is 4th from Reddy (27) and Yolanda Martinez (25).
Group 10 (8 runners)
Terry Stocks (20:28) went one place better at this round to take the win from Paula Richards (20:43) who improved from 5th place at Norman Park. Round 1 winner Simon Gleeson (20:44) kept his championship bid well on track with 3rd place, from Sharon Wroe (21:28), Lou Stocks (21:29) and Biljana Petrushevska (21:52).
Stocks’ 2nd place and a win put him in pole position for the Group 10 championship with 38 points from Gleeson (36), Richards (32) and Wroe (31). On 21 points and tied for 5th are four runners – Kathy Strachan, Chris Haydon, Petrusheveska and Lou Stocks.
Group 11 (9 runners)
It was all change in this group with Norman Park victor Ann Adams only 6th fastest at Scadbury while Susan Deer (22:18) did the reverse to claim the honours. In 2nd and 3rd were Alexandra Robins (23:31) and Christine Callinan (23:53) who obviously enjoyed the rigours of Scadbury as they had been only 12th and 11th last time out! David Goss (23:55) was 4th from Barbara Carr (23:59) and Adams (24:19).
Adams and Deer on 33 points share the championship lead although Deer is unlikely to take on round 3 at Jubilee Park due to a knee injury. Carr (32) is just one point back in 3rd from Goss (29), Robins (25) and Callinan (24).
Group 12 (7 runners)
Paul Pester (22:42) dominated this group and was almost three and a half minutes quicker than 2nd-placed Mary Moore (26:07). Hannah Harrison (26:10) was 3rd for the second round running, with Sue McAdam (26:14) 4th, Chris Summers (27:31) 5th and round 1 winner David Boswell (27:42) 6th.
Pester takes over at the top of the table on 38 points from Boswell and Moore tied on 33 points. Harrison (32), McAdam (29) and Summers (27) complete the top six.
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kev Howarth & others (please note not all the photos are from this series, let alone this year!)
Round 3 at Jubilee Park is well under way and, although flat compared to Scadury, it is proving just as challenging with loads of very slippery mud and a route which is proving difficult for some to remember! January 31st is the last opportunity to record a time and then we’ll be straight into the next mini-series.
Group 1 (6 runners)
Round one victor Kev Howarth was in scintillating form at Scadbury to make it two wins out of two. His mind-boggling time of just 11m47s was 43s quicker than Dave Adams (12:30), again the bridesmaid in this group. Adam Wilkinson (12:41) in 3rd meant the Scadbury podium was an exact replica of that from Norman Park. Mark Griffin (13:10) improved on his 6th place at the first round to take 4th from Nathan Webster (13:15) and Andy Tippet (13:35).
No points for guessing the top three in the series with one round remaining with Howarth (40 points) leading Adams (36) and Wilkinson (32), ahead of Tippet, Webster and Griffin all tied on 28 points in 4th.
Group 2 (7 runners)
Oliver Hitch (13:57) was just one second faster than Round 1 winner Stephen Pond (13:58) to take the honours at Scadbury. Paul Kelly had been 2nd fastest at Norman Park but did not start this round so it was laugh-a-minute Paul Whelan (14:18) in 3rd. Jason Hone (14:24) put in a good performance to be 4th quickest from Paul Haylock (15:01) and Mark Franks (15:07).
Pond (38 points) retains the championship lead with Hitch (36) moving up one place from 3rd to 2nd overall. Whelan (31) also moves up one place and heads Haylock (28), Hone (26) and David Moore and Franks tied in 6th on 25 points apiece.
Group 3 (7 runners)
This group was down from 10 runners at the first round to just 7, with Marcus Elwes the quickest Norman Park runner not in attendance. Emma Crawford (14:55) set the pace this time out, improving from 4th quickest at Norman Park. Crawford was 10s ahead of Carl Inman (15:05) who has taken up the runner-up spot at both rounds. Round 1 winner Matthew Pond (15:06) was just behind Inman in 3rd, from Lucy Drury (15:19) and Jeremy Benson and Stuart Hatcher with an identical time of 15:31.
It’s all very tight at the top of this group with leaders Pond and Inman tied on 36 points and Crawford (35) just one point behind in 3rd. Benson (30), Drury (28) and Hatcher (24) complete the top six.
Group 4 (9 runners)
Two wins out of two for Abey Alexander (15:05) in this group. This time it was Paul Leng (15:10) who pushed him closest, with Ian Bauly (15:27) and Jenny Leng (15:30) next up. Jonathan Bond (15:31) and Steve Burnett (16:09) repeated their Norman Park positions of 4th and 5th respectively with Chloe Weaver (16:14) completing the top six.
Alexander (40) has maximum points in the championship and heads the two Lengs - Paul (34) and Jenny (33). Bauly (31), Bond (28) and Burnett (26) are next up.
Group 5 (9 runners)
Norman Park winner James Wall was one of those who tried a different start position to try and improve his initial time around this demanding course. Although he did better his time by starting at the bottom of the main muddy hill, it wasn’t enough, and he was only 6th fastest at this round. Heading the other way up the charts was Julian Edmonds who went from slowest at the opener to quickest with an excellent 15:29. Chloe Haffenden (15:37) was another to revel on this off-road course – 2nd in group having only recorded the 7th fastest time around Norman Park. David Welfare (15:42) was 3rd from Mark Burgess (16:02) and the opening round’s top two – Kate Eperon (16:12) and Wall (16:23).
Wall (33 points) and Eperon (32) retain the top two positions in the title chase but with the pack close behind. Welfare (31) moves up one place to 3rd from Haffenden and Edmonds, both on 30 points, and Burgess and Paul Strachan tied in 6th on 28 points.
Group 6 (8 runners)
First round victor Stephen Robson was a no-show and it was his closest rival at Norman Park, Jamie Trillow (16:05), who led them home at Scadbury. Martin Smith (16:11) improved from 4th at the opener to be 2nd quickest, with Peter Fisher 16:32) 3rd once again. Sam Hickling (16:58) and Nigel Hewson (18:29) also did better overall this time around for 4th and 5th, with Jackie York (18:43) completing the top six.
Trillow’s win and 2nd place takes him to the top of the table with 38 points and he holds a decent advantage of 5 points over 2nd-placed Smith (33) who is just one point ahead of Fisher (32). York and Hickling are tied in 4th on 27 points from yet another tie – Hewson and Andrew Stubbs on 25 points.
Group 7 (9 runners)
There were big changes in this group with Andrew Deer (17:57) rising from slowest at Norman Park to fastest around Scadbury, while Round 1 winner Robert Rolfe headed in the other direction and was only 6th fastest (19:46). Scott Haragan (18:00) improved from 7th to 2nd while Lianne Flynn (18:16) recorded her second top 3 placing in 3rd. Jennifer Coles (18:32) was also another to improve in 4th from Ellen Ball (18:40), 5th for the second round running.
Flynn (34 points) takes over the championship lead from Rolfe (33) while Haragan and Deer tie for 3rd place with 30 points apiece. Rob White and Ball are also equal on points, 28, to share 5th spot.
Group 8 (7 runners)
Alice Neal (16:28) improved massively on her Norman Park performance and thrashed everyone else in this group with her nearest rival Maxine Horsfield (18:10) over a minute and a half slower! She was also quicker than all of the Group 7s so, sorry to drop you in it Alice, but you may well be in line for a promotion when the groups are announced for the Spring Grand Prix that starts in February. Liz Delamain (18:49) and Oscar Engels (18:52) were 3rd and 4th from Round 1 winner Louis Strover (18:53) and Nick Squires (19:04).
Horsfield’s two runner-up placings take her into the championship lead with 36 points, just ahead of Neal (35) and Strover (34). Engels (31), Delamain (30) and Olivia Senbanjo (25) complete the top six.
Group 9 (10 runners)
David Allison and Monica Lungu swapped places at this round with Lungu (18:43) converting her 4th place at Norman Park into a win while Allison (19:17) went the other way. In between them it was as you were, with Sally Callaghan (18:52) and Rob Lillywhite (19:05) repeating their 2nd and 3rd places respectively. Prema Reddy (19:45) and John Perks (19:47) were next up.
Callaghan tops Group 9 with 36 points by just a single point from Allison and Lungu tied on 35 apiece. Lillywhite (32) is 4th from Reddy (27) and Yolanda Martinez (25).
Group 10 (8 runners)
Terry Stocks (20:28) went one place better at this round to take the win from Paula Richards (20:43) who improved from 5th place at Norman Park. Round 1 winner Simon Gleeson (20:44) kept his championship bid well on track with 3rd place, from Sharon Wroe (21:28), Lou Stocks (21:29) and Biljana Petrushevska (21:52).
Stocks’ 2nd place and a win put him in pole position for the Group 10 championship with 38 points from Gleeson (36), Richards (32) and Wroe (31). On 21 points and tied for 5th are four runners – Kathy Strachan, Chris Haydon, Petrusheveska and Lou Stocks.
Group 11 (9 runners)
It was all change in this group with Norman Park victor Ann Adams only 6th fastest at Scadbury while Susan Deer (22:18) did the reverse to claim the honours. In 2nd and 3rd were Alexandra Robins (23:31) and Christine Callinan (23:53) who obviously enjoyed the rigours of Scadbury as they had been only 12th and 11th last time out! David Goss (23:55) was 4th from Barbara Carr (23:59) and Adams (24:19).
Adams and Deer on 33 points share the championship lead although Deer is unlikely to take on round 3 at Jubilee Park due to a knee injury. Carr (32) is just one point back in 3rd from Goss (29), Robins (25) and Callinan (24).
Group 12 (7 runners)
Paul Pester (22:42) dominated this group and was almost three and a half minutes quicker than 2nd-placed Mary Moore (26:07). Hannah Harrison (26:10) was 3rd for the second round running, with Sue McAdam (26:14) 4th, Chris Summers (27:31) 5th and round 1 winner David Boswell (27:42) 6th.
Pester takes over at the top of the table on 38 points from Boswell and Moore tied on 33 points. Harrison (32), McAdam (29) and Summers (27) complete the top six.
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kev Howarth & others (please note not all the photos are from this series, let alone this year!)
Round 3 at Jubilee Park is well under way and, although flat compared to Scadury, it is proving just as challenging with loads of very slippery mud and a route which is proving difficult for some to remember! January 31st is the last opportunity to record a time and then we’ll be straight into the next mini-series.
Round 3: Jubilee Park 01/01/21 - 31/01/21
For the third and final round of the PWR Winter GP series it was off to Jubilee Park, right on the doorstep of Petts Wood. Although most will have run through it at some point, the course proved difficult to remember for some with various runners getting lost and having to ask for instructions!
As in Formula 1, choosing the right time to attempt to set your fastest time was key around this course which started off very muddy early in the month before some of the mud/puddles iced over which actually made it easier to run on, before turning to sopping wet and deep puddles, and icy again on the last day.
Group 1 (4 runners)
Kev Howarth (13:01) was quickest again to maintain his 100% win record and wrap up the title in style. Dave Adams who had finished 2nd at the first two rounds did not post a time so it was Adam Wilkinson (13:31) who was runner-up on this occasion. Mark Griffin (14:24) and Nathan Webster (14:31) were 3rd and 4th respectively – their best positions from the three rounds.
Howarth wins the championship with a maximum 60 points. With no scores being dropped, Adams’ no-show cost him dearly, dropping him from 2nd after the last round to 5th overall. Wilkinson (50) moves up to take the runner-spot while Griffin (44) improved at every round to complete the podium. Webster (43), Adams (36) and Andy Tippet (28) make up the rest of the top six.
Group 2 (7 runners)
Group 2 are a keen lot with 7 still turning up at Jubilee, having only lost one competitor (Paul Kelly) over the three rounds. Beaten by Oliver Hitch at Scadbury, Round 1 winner Stephen Pond (14:43) was back on top at Jubilee to take his second victory of the series, with Hitch (14:56) in 2nd. Paul Whelan (16:21) was 3rd for the second round in a row, from Mark Franks (16:26) in 4th, his best result of the series, Jason Hone (16:39) and David Moore (17:05).
The championship top three spots mirror the first three at Jubilee with Pond (58 points) champion from Hitch (54) and Whelan (47). Paul Haylock, Mark Franks and Hone all end up on 40 points and tied for 4th.
Group 3 (5 runners)
Numbers in this group have halved since the Norman Park opener but it was all to play for at the top of the table. Round 1 winner Matthew Pond (15:27) set the pace from Scadbury victor Emma Crawford (15:47) and consistent top 3 finisher Carl Inman (16:15) 3rd. Jeremy Benson (16:25) who took a tumble on the first peek at the route day at the beginning of the month and then didn’t attempt it again until January 24th was 4th from Jeremy Townsend (17:16) 5th.
The top 3 finish within 3 points of each other, with Pond’s win giving him the title with 56 points from Crawford (53) and Inman (52). Benson (45), Townsend (37) and Lucy Drury (28) complete the top six.
Group 4 (7 runners)
Abey Alexander (16:22) made it a full house in this group with yet another win and by his largest margin, a full 15s. The Leng household were once again his nearest rivals, with Jenny (16:37) 2nd as she has been at round 1 and Paul (17:02) 3rd. Chloe Weaver (17:10) with her best result of the series was 4th from Steve Burnett (17:20) and Jonathan Bond (17:24).
Alexander (60 points) deservedly takes the title from Jenny Leng (51) and Paul Leng (50). Bond (41) is 4th, just one point ahead of Weaver and Burnett in 5th equal on 40 points.
Group 5 (8 runners)
With no one having dominated this group, there was all to play for at the final round. Disappointed with his time at Norman Park, David Welfare (16:31) ran three times at Jubilee and actually posted a faster time around the muddy trails of Petts Wood than the tarmac of the Bromley parkrun course. Chloe Haffenden (17.08) took her second runner-up spot of the series, while Mark Burgess (17:13) who has improved his placing at every round was 3rd. Julian Edmonds (17:45) was next quickest from Nat Jacques (17:53) and Paul Strachan (18:08).
Welfare’s victory moves him up from 3rd overall to the title winner with 51 points. Haffenden (48) also moves up two places to 2nd overall from Round 1 winner James Wall and Round 2 winner Julian Edmonds who tie in 3rd on 45 points. Originally, any championship top 3 ties were going to be settled by duels at Norman Park, but it has now been decided that they won’t be separated, and each will receive a championship trophy. Burgess (44) is 5th from Kate Eperon (43) in 6th.
Group 6 (8 runners)
After 3rd places at the opening two rounds, Peter Fisher (17:20) came out on top at Jubilee Park ahead of Round 2 victor Jamie Trillow and Martin Smith who both recorded an identical time of 17:53! Jackie York (18:32) was 4th, her best showing, from Nigel Hewson (19:32) and Sam Hickling (20:02).
Trillow (56 points) had moved into the championship lead after the previous round, and his 2nd place here was enough to give him the title from Fisher (52) and Smith (51). York (42), Hickling (40) and Hewson (39) complete the top six.
Group 7 (7 runners)
After a poor first round where he was only 7th fastest, Scott Haragan (18:28) has turned things around with a 2nd place at Scadbury followed by the win at Jubilee. In 2nd was another runner who has improved round-on-round, Jennifer Coles (18:56), just one second ahead of Round 2 winner Andrew Deer (18:57) in 3rd. Lianne Flynn (19:00) was 4th from Rob White (19:14) and Round 1 victor Robert Rolfe (20:22).
Flynn (49 points) should be kicking herself for leaving tackling Jubilee Park until the last weekend as the points leader going into the final round loses out on the title by just one point to champion Haragan (50). Rolfe and Deer tie in 3rd on 46 points, with Coles (44) and White (42) completing the top six.
Group 8 (6 runners)
Alice Neal (16:30), as she was at Scadbury, was again in a class of her own and was a full 2 minutes 18 seconds ahead of Maxine Horsfield (18:48) in 2nd, her position at every round. Round 1 winner Louis Strover (19:19) was 3rd from Oscar Engles (19:46), Nick Squires (20:44) and Olivia Senbanjo (21:15).
Neal’s two wins and a 4th place clinch her the title with 55 points by just one point from Horsfield (54) with her three 2nd places. Strover (50) is 3rd from Engles (46) 4th, and Senbanjo and Squires in joint 5th on 38 points.
Group 9 (10 runners)
This group has stayed motivated throughout with all 10 runners contesting every round. Monica Lungu (18:32) again proved quickest to repeat her Scadbury success. Rob Lillywhite (19:08) improved on his two 3rd places at the previous rounds to wind up 2nd quickest, while usual runner-up Sally Callaghan (20:12) dropped one place to 3rd. Emma Horan (20:48) and Yolanda Martinez (21:41) had their best rounds so far with 4th and 5th respectively from Prema Reddy (21:51) 6th.
Lungu’s run of two wins to add to her 4th at Round 1 means she is the Group champion on 55 points from Callaghan (52) and Lillywhite (50). Round 1 winner David Allison (44) couldn’t repeat his early success and drops to 4th from Horan and Reddy in 5th equal on 40 points.
Group 10 (7 runners)
It all came together for Biljana Petrushevska (21:15) at Jubilee Park as, after being out of contention at the first two rounds, she was quickest by over a minute and a quarter at this round! The previous two winners were next up – Round 2 victor Terry Stocks (22:32) in 2nd from Round 1 winner Simon Gleeson (22:52). Chris Haydon (23:22) had his best outing so far in 4th from Lou Stocks (23:55) and Kathy Strachan (24:01).
Stocks’ two 2nd places and a win give him 56 points and the Group 10 title from Gleeson (52) and Sharon Wroe (43). Petrushevska’s win lifts her up to 4th in the table on 41 points from Haydon (36) 5th and Stocks (35).
Group 11 (7 runners)
As in Group 10 the formbook went out of the window, with Liz Squires (23:38), who previously had only been as high as 8th, taking the win. After a dip at round 2, Barbara Carr (24:11) was back at the sharp end in 2nd with David Goss (24:34) improving at every round to set the joint fastest 3rd time with Alexandra Robins (24:34). Round 1 victor Ann Adams (24:53) was 5th quickest from Christine Callinan (25:27).
Carr (50 points) takes the Group 11 title, the only champion not to win an individual round but two 2nd places and a 5th was plenty good enough. Early series leader Adams (47) is 2nd with Goss (45) completing the championship podium. Robins (41), Squires (40) and Callinan (37) take the remaining top six places.
Group 12 (7 runners)
Group 12 was another group where all the contestants did every round. Chris Summers (25:39) left it until the last weekend to tackle Jubilee Park but it proved to be enough as he was quickest by 10s from the previous round’s winner Paul Pester (25:49). Sue McAdam (26:44) grabbed her best result of the series in 3rd from Hannah Harrison (26:48), Round 1 victor David Bowell (27:38) and Mary Moore (30:32).
With a win and a brace of 2nd places, Pester (56 points) is the convincing winner of Group 10. Behind him though it couldn’t be much closer, with Boswell, Harrison and Summers all tied for 2nd on 47 points, and Moore (46) and McAdam (45) within two points in 5th and 6th!
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kev Howarth & others (please note not all the photos are from this series, let alone this year!)
Congratulations to all our worthy champions and trophy winners. Various promotions and relegations have been made for the Spring GP series which is well under way, so we are likely to see another bunch of PWRs in contention for that set of silverware.
As in Formula 1, choosing the right time to attempt to set your fastest time was key around this course which started off very muddy early in the month before some of the mud/puddles iced over which actually made it easier to run on, before turning to sopping wet and deep puddles, and icy again on the last day.
Group 1 (4 runners)
Kev Howarth (13:01) was quickest again to maintain his 100% win record and wrap up the title in style. Dave Adams who had finished 2nd at the first two rounds did not post a time so it was Adam Wilkinson (13:31) who was runner-up on this occasion. Mark Griffin (14:24) and Nathan Webster (14:31) were 3rd and 4th respectively – their best positions from the three rounds.
Howarth wins the championship with a maximum 60 points. With no scores being dropped, Adams’ no-show cost him dearly, dropping him from 2nd after the last round to 5th overall. Wilkinson (50) moves up to take the runner-spot while Griffin (44) improved at every round to complete the podium. Webster (43), Adams (36) and Andy Tippet (28) make up the rest of the top six.
Group 2 (7 runners)
Group 2 are a keen lot with 7 still turning up at Jubilee, having only lost one competitor (Paul Kelly) over the three rounds. Beaten by Oliver Hitch at Scadbury, Round 1 winner Stephen Pond (14:43) was back on top at Jubilee to take his second victory of the series, with Hitch (14:56) in 2nd. Paul Whelan (16:21) was 3rd for the second round in a row, from Mark Franks (16:26) in 4th, his best result of the series, Jason Hone (16:39) and David Moore (17:05).
The championship top three spots mirror the first three at Jubilee with Pond (58 points) champion from Hitch (54) and Whelan (47). Paul Haylock, Mark Franks and Hone all end up on 40 points and tied for 4th.
Group 3 (5 runners)
Numbers in this group have halved since the Norman Park opener but it was all to play for at the top of the table. Round 1 winner Matthew Pond (15:27) set the pace from Scadbury victor Emma Crawford (15:47) and consistent top 3 finisher Carl Inman (16:15) 3rd. Jeremy Benson (16:25) who took a tumble on the first peek at the route day at the beginning of the month and then didn’t attempt it again until January 24th was 4th from Jeremy Townsend (17:16) 5th.
The top 3 finish within 3 points of each other, with Pond’s win giving him the title with 56 points from Crawford (53) and Inman (52). Benson (45), Townsend (37) and Lucy Drury (28) complete the top six.
Group 4 (7 runners)
Abey Alexander (16:22) made it a full house in this group with yet another win and by his largest margin, a full 15s. The Leng household were once again his nearest rivals, with Jenny (16:37) 2nd as she has been at round 1 and Paul (17:02) 3rd. Chloe Weaver (17:10) with her best result of the series was 4th from Steve Burnett (17:20) and Jonathan Bond (17:24).
Alexander (60 points) deservedly takes the title from Jenny Leng (51) and Paul Leng (50). Bond (41) is 4th, just one point ahead of Weaver and Burnett in 5th equal on 40 points.
Group 5 (8 runners)
With no one having dominated this group, there was all to play for at the final round. Disappointed with his time at Norman Park, David Welfare (16:31) ran three times at Jubilee and actually posted a faster time around the muddy trails of Petts Wood than the tarmac of the Bromley parkrun course. Chloe Haffenden (17.08) took her second runner-up spot of the series, while Mark Burgess (17:13) who has improved his placing at every round was 3rd. Julian Edmonds (17:45) was next quickest from Nat Jacques (17:53) and Paul Strachan (18:08).
Welfare’s victory moves him up from 3rd overall to the title winner with 51 points. Haffenden (48) also moves up two places to 2nd overall from Round 1 winner James Wall and Round 2 winner Julian Edmonds who tie in 3rd on 45 points. Originally, any championship top 3 ties were going to be settled by duels at Norman Park, but it has now been decided that they won’t be separated, and each will receive a championship trophy. Burgess (44) is 5th from Kate Eperon (43) in 6th.
Group 6 (8 runners)
After 3rd places at the opening two rounds, Peter Fisher (17:20) came out on top at Jubilee Park ahead of Round 2 victor Jamie Trillow and Martin Smith who both recorded an identical time of 17:53! Jackie York (18:32) was 4th, her best showing, from Nigel Hewson (19:32) and Sam Hickling (20:02).
Trillow (56 points) had moved into the championship lead after the previous round, and his 2nd place here was enough to give him the title from Fisher (52) and Smith (51). York (42), Hickling (40) and Hewson (39) complete the top six.
Group 7 (7 runners)
After a poor first round where he was only 7th fastest, Scott Haragan (18:28) has turned things around with a 2nd place at Scadbury followed by the win at Jubilee. In 2nd was another runner who has improved round-on-round, Jennifer Coles (18:56), just one second ahead of Round 2 winner Andrew Deer (18:57) in 3rd. Lianne Flynn (19:00) was 4th from Rob White (19:14) and Round 1 victor Robert Rolfe (20:22).
Flynn (49 points) should be kicking herself for leaving tackling Jubilee Park until the last weekend as the points leader going into the final round loses out on the title by just one point to champion Haragan (50). Rolfe and Deer tie in 3rd on 46 points, with Coles (44) and White (42) completing the top six.
Group 8 (6 runners)
Alice Neal (16:30), as she was at Scadbury, was again in a class of her own and was a full 2 minutes 18 seconds ahead of Maxine Horsfield (18:48) in 2nd, her position at every round. Round 1 winner Louis Strover (19:19) was 3rd from Oscar Engles (19:46), Nick Squires (20:44) and Olivia Senbanjo (21:15).
Neal’s two wins and a 4th place clinch her the title with 55 points by just one point from Horsfield (54) with her three 2nd places. Strover (50) is 3rd from Engles (46) 4th, and Senbanjo and Squires in joint 5th on 38 points.
Group 9 (10 runners)
This group has stayed motivated throughout with all 10 runners contesting every round. Monica Lungu (18:32) again proved quickest to repeat her Scadbury success. Rob Lillywhite (19:08) improved on his two 3rd places at the previous rounds to wind up 2nd quickest, while usual runner-up Sally Callaghan (20:12) dropped one place to 3rd. Emma Horan (20:48) and Yolanda Martinez (21:41) had their best rounds so far with 4th and 5th respectively from Prema Reddy (21:51) 6th.
Lungu’s run of two wins to add to her 4th at Round 1 means she is the Group champion on 55 points from Callaghan (52) and Lillywhite (50). Round 1 winner David Allison (44) couldn’t repeat his early success and drops to 4th from Horan and Reddy in 5th equal on 40 points.
Group 10 (7 runners)
It all came together for Biljana Petrushevska (21:15) at Jubilee Park as, after being out of contention at the first two rounds, she was quickest by over a minute and a quarter at this round! The previous two winners were next up – Round 2 victor Terry Stocks (22:32) in 2nd from Round 1 winner Simon Gleeson (22:52). Chris Haydon (23:22) had his best outing so far in 4th from Lou Stocks (23:55) and Kathy Strachan (24:01).
Stocks’ two 2nd places and a win give him 56 points and the Group 10 title from Gleeson (52) and Sharon Wroe (43). Petrushevska’s win lifts her up to 4th in the table on 41 points from Haydon (36) 5th and Stocks (35).
Group 11 (7 runners)
As in Group 10 the formbook went out of the window, with Liz Squires (23:38), who previously had only been as high as 8th, taking the win. After a dip at round 2, Barbara Carr (24:11) was back at the sharp end in 2nd with David Goss (24:34) improving at every round to set the joint fastest 3rd time with Alexandra Robins (24:34). Round 1 victor Ann Adams (24:53) was 5th quickest from Christine Callinan (25:27).
Carr (50 points) takes the Group 11 title, the only champion not to win an individual round but two 2nd places and a 5th was plenty good enough. Early series leader Adams (47) is 2nd with Goss (45) completing the championship podium. Robins (41), Squires (40) and Callinan (37) take the remaining top six places.
Group 12 (7 runners)
Group 12 was another group where all the contestants did every round. Chris Summers (25:39) left it until the last weekend to tackle Jubilee Park but it proved to be enough as he was quickest by 10s from the previous round’s winner Paul Pester (25:49). Sue McAdam (26:44) grabbed her best result of the series in 3rd from Hannah Harrison (26:48), Round 1 victor David Bowell (27:38) and Mary Moore (30:32).
With a win and a brace of 2nd places, Pester (56 points) is the convincing winner of Group 10. Behind him though it couldn’t be much closer, with Boswell, Harrison and Summers all tied for 2nd on 47 points, and Moore (46) and McAdam (45) within two points in 5th and 6th!
Report: Mark Burgess
Photos: Kev Howarth & others (please note not all the photos are from this series, let alone this year!)
Congratulations to all our worthy champions and trophy winners. Various promotions and relegations have been made for the Spring GP series which is well under way, so we are likely to see another bunch of PWRs in contention for that set of silverware.
