Blizard Race Report Round Up 20th December 2021

As we enter into xmas week and minds turn towards xmas pud and sherry drinking let us keep you on track with this weeks race report. 

First up is our very own Jenny Blizard who travelled to Nottingham on Wednesday evening to race the Nottingham Mid week 5k on the super fast Victoria Embankment course.

How wrong could we have been……. The course would have been “lightening” fast if it had been run on the road, instead it was on the pavement! Athletes had to run in almost pitch dark conditions but that did not stop Jenny powering to victory in the ladies race and coming 6th position overall!

Another nightime race to report from was the Battersea Park’s “Under the lights” 5mile race on Friday night as Leeds athletes Mick Hill and Jon Stewart both raced very well in this fast race that saw 34 athletes get under 25mins for the 5 mile race.

The Winter Solstice 10k proved a happy hunting ground for popular training group member Llyr “Robbo” Roberts as he ran superbly to record his fastest 10k since 2018 and show his post York hangover is clearly behind him!

Changing surfaces to off road we have a couple of races to mention with the first being the PECO cross country event in Morley, Leeds where coached athlete Ruth Muir enjoyed the multi lap course that proved challenging for the athletes.

Our very own “pocket rocket” Keri Pearson added an international flavour to the race report as she took park in a 10 mile trail race in Quavre-les-Tombes, France while visiting family.

Not only did Keri perform well but she kept the Blizard flag flying high as she took the ladies victory in this 500+ strong field.

Her prize for winning included a local chocolatier hamper and a xmas tree!!!!

The final race to report from actually took place last weekend and was overlooked but the level of performance deserves a special mention.

He will not mind us mentioning his age at 67 years young, Derby athlete Paul Massey now retired wants to spend his time training a little more effectively and came to the clinic to see Dave after a chance meeting with one of his coached athletes.

He undertook his initial lactate threshold test and a more structured plan that included strength and conditioning was made.

Well last weekend Paul travelled to do the Malaga half marathon and produced his best time for 27 years!!!!! ( yes you read that correctly ).

For that performance Paul deserves the “Run of the week” and we look forward to reporting on his progress as we aim now towards the Brighton marathon in April.

Once again a massive well done to all athletes and sorry if we have missed anyone and until next week….keep training!