Abingdon Marathon 2010 - Entries now open

what, eh ? yes !! THE ABINGDON MARATHON 2010 - Entries are now open over on runners world.

9:00am, Sunday 17 October 2010 will see about 1000 people questing their way out and around the fast and flat lands that they call Abingdon.

If you're not familiar with this marathon, then you should know it came 32nd in the Runners World list of races with more than 50+ votes - i.e. extremely popular. If you were to filter this by just marathons, then it was the 8th best marathon in the country (but by my reckoning the 4th best road marathon) - which given the choice these days - means it's pretty darn good !

If you want to relive some of the fun from last years 2009 race - have a read of the blog I posted back then here watch the video and then consider entering quickly before all places are sold out...

Only one thing to remember - it can't be as good a start as 2009 - because Gymnast and TV presenter Suzanne Dando started that race...

 

And if you're really lucky, you'll get to meet Mick'n Phil too...

So, get on over to Runners World and get your spot sorted out - fast !

Epsom Perch and the Worthing Lido 4

The Galleries for the Epsom Perch and the Worthing Lido 4 are now fully catalogued and online for you to browse and purchase here:
The Epsom Perch: http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/a.tlx?k=2c7zfby
The Worthing Lido 4: http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/a.tlx?k=43czfbx

Sunny with a hint of overnight frost and then just to add to the mix a brief snow shower just after the race started made for an intersting and challenging Perch on Saturday, Hard, soft adn slippy in places under foot made it variable, but not totally muddy. Down on the coast at Worthing it was much the same but with a bit more side sunlight, and coastal wind, and very much flatter on the promenade !

As the Epsom Perch race start wended its way over the hill towards Tatenham corner the clouds gathered into what can only be described as "awkward" from the photographers point of view. Is the sun out ? is the sun in ? yes, no, err, yes, oh goodness it can't decide... Lets just make sure we don't just take photos of sillouttes, so with the sun reflecting off the icy grass up the hill to the finish with the light driving nicely straight into the lens, the challenge was set...

Many runners took on a tougher challenge as they came into the final straight up the hill and then round the corner - catching a few finishers off guard as that singular place slipped away in the final yards. It was good to see so many regular faces out there as well as some new ones in the area... some epic finishing battles were had and great race cameraderie.

Well done to everyone on completing the Perch !
The Epsom Perch Gallery is here: http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/a.tlx?k=2c7zfby

The Lido 4 at Worthing seafront as part of the West Sussex Fun Run League had some of the best weather so far this year. With good conditions some fast times were set and a healthy turn-out. Worthing Harriers the hosts have a full race report here: http://worthingharriers.com/ and with 436 finishers it's one of the largest in the WSFRL calendar.
Worthing Lido 4: http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/a.tlx?k=43czfbx

And just another reminder - over 400 of you have clicked through and read about the Steyning Stinger Half and Full Marathon held on March the 7th: get your entry in soon as it's a popular race and we wouldn't want you to miss out !

And Finally...

It's the Great Bently Half Marathon (full) over in Essex next Sunday, and also the Ashford 10k as well as just sorting out coverage for the Bookham 10k - with entries on the day before 9:30am!

see you out running soon !

Anthony