Uplifting spirit at the marvellous Monty

Runners' motorway! The athletics track at Edmonscote

Event: Monty 5k
Location: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Date: Sunday July 21, 2019

MY first experience of the Monty 5k in Leamington Spa was a little daunting. The run starts and ends at Edmonscote Athletics Track.

If you’ve never been on a ‘real’ running track before, it can take your breath away – it’s like stepping into a vast eternal space; a motorway for runners.

The flat, soft, brick-red surface feels distinctively different to any other. I imagined elite athletes powering along at breakneck speed – and shuddered at the thought of my own huff  ‘n’ puff performance.

I envisaged runners disappearing in a cloud of smoke, while I was left standing wondering what the heck just happened.

However, I soon met up with club-mates, and the sense of anticipation thankfully outweighed any uncertainty. The race has since become one of my favourites – a regular fixture - and today’s was my fourth.

The Monty 5 is a low-cost competitive race in the Warwickshire Road Race League (WRRL) – just £5 for WRRL club members and £7 for unattached athletes and members of clubs not affiliated to Warwickshire County Athletics Association.

There are no medals or awards. You just get out there and do your best!

The course is described as ‘very flat and very fast.’

That’s all relative, of course. It is a fast course, and there are some super-fit fast runners. Finishing times for the impressive first two across the line, for example, were: Ian Allen (Spa Striders) - 16:24 and Rob Michaelson-Yeates (Knowle and Dorridge RC) at 16:30. Stanley Doxey (Kenilworth Runners) came a close third at 16:33.

For others, as one participant pointed out, it’s more or less usual parkrun times, with hopefully a sprinkling of PBs.

It’s an enjoyable, multi-surface route - track, grass, shale and tarmac - starting with a lap and a half around the all-weather track then heading towards Leamington town centre though Victoria Park. At the edge of the town you return alongside the river Leam for a second lap before heading for what is described as an ‘Olympic-style’ finish, with a lap of the track.

I like the ‘Olympic-style’ touch. Allows you to feel very Mo Farah – even if your performance isn’t quite on a par!

After leaving the athletics track, you run on grass before entering the next section for the double lap through a wooded walkway in the park and road/pavement surface over the River Leam. The varied environment breaks up the route and adds interest, making it seem to go quite quickly.

You run across the grass again at the end – quite draining – before that final Olympic lap.

It was pleasantly warm for this year’s event. I love the pre-race atmosphere, registering, pinning your number to your top, meeting your running buddies, chatting to other club members. It’s a thrill to see a ‘gathering of the clubs,’ especially on a gorgeous sunny day.

A problem with any run is setting off too fast. Sometimes it’s difficult to resist that energetic surge forward, spearheaded by the top runners. ­ On a purpose-built track, this can become even more difficult, as the surface helps you with that speedy getaway – especially when the crack of the pistol startles you into action!

I heard more than a couple of runners report that their start had been too quick, and they later had to adjust their pace.

Even for someone in the middle-ish range, the run was soon over and the battle was on to the complete that remaining lap of the track, with its 10-lane home straight.

A demonstration of club spirit and mutual respect came when inspirational Massey Ferguson member Sara ‘Sally’ Slevin, in the L75 age category, crossed the line as the final runner, to rapturous applause and encouragement from an appreciative crowd.

As always, the Monty 5, hosted by Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club, was brilliantly organised, with plenty of marshals and support. Water is provided at the end of the race and you can buy refreshments. A big thanks to all involved.

This is a friendly, welcoming event, with uplifting atmosphere and attractive course.

When I stepped on to that track at my first Monty, my breath was taken away in a heady mix of awe and wonder.

It still takes my breath away, but now even more with the delight, excitement – and privilege – (not to mention simply gasping for air at the end!) of taking part.

Perhaps I could shave just a little off my time for next year – ready for that glorious Olympic-style final lap!

And for some fast times, the first three men and women finishers:

Men:

1) Ian Allen, Spa Striders - 16:24

2) Rob Michaelson-Yeates, Knowle and DorridgeRC - 16:30

3) Stanley Doxey, Kenilworth Runners -16:33

Women:

1) Natalie Banghal, LeamingtonC&AC - 18:35

2) Laura Fuller, Leamington C&AC - 19:04

3) Marie Matthews, Kenilworth Runners - 19:15

Below, snaps from the day:

Final lap: The inspirational Sara 'Sally' Slevin about to cross the finish line at the Monty 5K.

A little refreshment: Above, first male to cross the line, Ian Allen. Below, first female, Natalie Bhangal.

 

Delight at another 10k mug on the shelf!

Event: Northbrook 10k
Location: Coventry

Date: Sunday July 14, 2019

WHEN I received a mug as a memento at my first Northbrook 10k in 2017, I felt it was, well, ‘different.’

This year's new-look mug.

‘Useful for my office coffee,’ I thought.

It never actually reached the office, as I popped it on a shelf at home. 

And there it stayed.

Then I gained another in my second Northbrook run last year (2018). I now had a pair and I became quite protective towards them. The first mug had a companion. I quite liked the fact that there were two of them. 

A bit like twins, they sort of belonged together.

And, yes, I have actually used them.

As this year’s 10k approached, I began to look forward not just to the event, but my third mug, and the possibility of collecting a set. (I know. I need to get out more!).

The other day, someone asked ‘how many make a set?’ Good question! I reckon six would be a nice round number.

I think Northbrook Athletic Club, who organise the event, are onto something here. They're tapping into the collecting instinct. I have to enter another three Northbrook 10k’s to make up the six mugs. After that, who knows? Start on the second ‘set’ perhaps? Incentive, or what?

There was a brighter new design this year. So it looks as though I'm going to be running not so much for a 'gold cup,' but another mug on the shelf!

The bling's appealing, too – a good-sized weighty medal!

There's always that buzz before a run, and I lined up with my Massey Ferguson Running Club team-mates in a turnout of nearly 600, for the 2019 Northbrook 10k.

Heading for the start - bright colours on a grey day.

It’s the city's longest-standing event of its kind, and a fixture in the Warwickshire Road Race League.

In contrast to the two previous events, held under scorching sunshine, it was a grey, cool day with intermittent drizzle.

The Northbook 10k is a circular route on the North-West outskirts of Coventry, in the Allesley to Corley area, starting on the residential Brown’s Lane, and winding along scenic country roads.

Arrangements are made to ensure the route is traffic free. Although there’s no absolute guarantee on this, on the three runs I’ve completed, this hasn’t been a problem. 

The course is officially described as ‘undulating’ - some prefer the word ‘hilly!’ - with the highest point at 6k and the lowest at the finish line, a difference, in height, of 80 metres. The course is marked and signed at each kilometer.

Waiting for the start.

In reality, it isn’t too hilly, if you’re expecting steep hills, but it is quite a long, uphill slog for most of the way. There are one or two welcome downhills, and a fairly level section around the 2-to-5k mark, but up until around 6 to 7k, it’s a more or less ‘gentle’ but continuous climb.

The last 3k, however, apart from a slight incline, is downhill, and you can finish fairly fast.

I had the pleasure of running alongside Keith Whitehead, from Knowle and Dorridge Running Club, in the same age category. In the second half especially, we kept passing each other at an evenly matched pace.

While we waited for the off, Keith had said he liked a sprint finish. I was up for that – a nice strong, adrenaline rush for the finish line provides a satisfying conclusion.

What I didn’t account for was the timing of Keith’s sprint, which was much earlier than I anticipated. As he pulled away, I was behind two other runners, and was unable to make up any ground.

Nice weighty medal.

Despite my frantic dash to the finish line, at 51:32 Keith beat me to the post by a good six seconds. Nice one! Well done, Keith! Next time, I’ll watch out for that early sprint!

Further into the run, the drizzle became heavier.

It wasn’t too bad if you were running but, as ever in this kind of weather, all credit must go to the marshals who had to stand in it for the duration, and still managed a cheery smile and hearty support and encouragement!

Big thanks, also, to Northbrook AC and all involved - including local Scouts - for this brilliantly-organised, delightful run.

Already looking forward to next year - I’ll just have to make sure I leave space for another mug!

 

My Northbrook mugs so far - half way towards my first 'set?'

  

Massey Ferguson club at the start of the Northbrook 10k. Below, Massey members with some of
nearly 600 runners who took part.