Toonie Express Event Reviews 2010 
Mansfield Half Marathon - June 2010
Chris keeping cool in desert kit and Adrian still with Grrr at the end of the half.
The Mansfield Half Marathon is known for it's hilly and challenging course, that was made harder still this year with 30 degree temperatures that were made worse by the heat updraft off the roads. We were both testing our new elete drink additive, normally we would have expected to suffer after 10 miles but despite the heat we coped well and at the end rather than colapse in the nearest shade we still had some go left. A very good test for the elete and something that is now firmly in our kit bags. Chris managed 1:47:10 just 6 mins down on best this year (and that was much nicer conditions) and Adrian was happy to finish in just under 2 hours.
Report by Chris
LADR Riverside 9m Race - June 2010
Catherine winning V45 Lady
On the run, as you can see it is a flat and fast course
Chris & Catherine were pleased to support Lincoln & District Runner's new race, Tales of the riverbank 9m. The race venue is LA Fitness and has all facilities, the course uses the water railway route and is all flat tarmac with no cars! Ideal for a speedy run if you like that sort of thing or also a great way to enjoy your training more. Chris finished the 9.2 miles in 1:07 and was 7th which Catherine had a very good day and finished 1st V45. The next races that LADR are presenting are the Ducks and Drakes 10m and the Washy 5m inOctober, we will be there for them.
Report by Chris
RAF Cranwell Orienteering - June 2010
Chris comes 2nd in Long with 27m07s, Catherine ups distance from Short to Long and Jill dips her toe into the muddy and thorny world of orienteering with a run round with Catherine. The Cranwell courses were mixed with woodland and rural park followed by urban buildings and gardens, not too hard to find you way about unless you are orienteering and they have found all the dips to hide checkpoints. We had a great time and somehow managed to miss fellow team member Paul who was not at all happy with his result on the Technical course after a few problems, don't worry Paul it's still better than I would have done. Dave was out of action and Adrian had a prior commitment but we hope to be up to full power in 2 weeks time for the Sleaford Urban Race, of course all wearing our new TE kit.
Report by Chris
South Downs Marathon - June 2010
I completed the South Down's marathon on Saturday, a very well organised event. I stayed in a pub at East Meon for x2 nights where the Badger Ale was excellent. I drove to the finish at the Queen Elizabeth country park near Petersfield. We were then transferred by bus to the start at Slindon college near Chichester. Coffee and croissants were available with plenty of go-gel sachets. I was in the 1st wave that started at 9am ( those predicted to take over 4hrs 30min) There was a relay race that started at 09:30 and the 10am start was for those who expected to be in for a prize or sub 4:30hrs. The elevation was extremely undulating and each hill was at least several hundred feet. The views over the south downs were stunning and it was worth completing purely for the scenery. I found this race tireing and most competitors walked up the hills. A few runners tripped over tree roots and stones and I nearly fell on 2 occasions. It was a hot day with a welcome breeze-just right for the race. I was pleased to try some hill work though it made me realise I had not done enough. I completed the race in 4 hrs 53min. and was more than pleased to tuck in under 5 hours. The winner finished in 2hrs 55min. which is some pace given the elevation. There were 584 finishers and I was placed 396th. I would recommend this as a trail race well worth entering. I hope to be back next year to have another go.
Report by Adrian
Woodhall Spa 10k - June 2010
We were very pleased to have 5 runners at this years annual Woodhall Spa 10k. The ground was very wet but just a little fell during the race. The run is a nice flat square route and with 1000+ runners there was plenty of competition to fight with. We all had good runs, especially Dave! and even wore our white t-shirts after the race.
Our results were
100th Chris Smith 42:15 21st in class
143rd Dave Raynes 43:56 5th in class
Adrian Carder 48:06
Brittany McClure 57:10
794th Catherine Simpson 1:00:28
Woodland Half Marathon - May 2010
This was the inaugral running of the Woodlands half Marathon, set in wonderful surroundings of Bourne woods in the south of Lincolnshire. The race put on by Fatfeet running, was very well organised with excellent support from marshals and drinks station teams alike. The Field of around 150 runners faced two laps of 5 miles and a smaller lap of just over 3 miles to make up the distance, on mainly well maintained woodland tracks with a short run on tracks around adjacent fields.The morning sun was quite warm, so the few sheltered areas through the woods were most welcome especially towards the last few miles of the race. Toonie Express had a good turnout with 5 runners tackling this trail half marathon, first home for the team was Paul Barnes who infact was tackling this distance for the first time.Well acustomed to shorter distances over challenging orienteering courses Paul took the 13.1 miles in his stride clocking an excellent 1hr 32 mins and 35 secs. Not too far adrift and hitting form again Chris Smith followed Paul in with a good off road half marathon time of 1hr 38mins 52 secs. Next in was Dave Raynes who had run most of the race with Adrian Carder in close contention either just infront or just behind him only managing to sneak away in the final mile and a half to finish in 1hr 50mins 35 secs. Adrian was only 2 minutes away and finished well in 1hr 52mins 36 secs. Catherine Simpson along with Chris Smith ran the Riga Half marathon in Latvia the previous week, but she put a great effort through the woods finishing a minute quicker than her previous weeks effort on the road in 2hrs 18mins 40secs. Well done to the team, a great effort and looking promissing for some of the more challenging muddy events to come in the following months. Our thanks go to Kieth and his team fatfeet running for a great day out and a very well organised race, we wish them well for the remainder of his race series, which are well worth looking at.
Report by Dave
Riga Half Marathon - May 2010
Riga Half Marathon 2010
Chris Smith and Catherine Simpson travelled to Riga, Latvia to take part in the Half Marathon. It was an early start but we soon realised it was going to be a warm one and assembled with the thousands of other runners. It is a growing event with a 1k Disabled persons race. a 5k, a half marathon , full marathon and relays so there was lots going on with a carnival atmosphere. We were soon one our way towards the town and across a huge bridge hoping for a cooling breeze that didnt happen and then back into the old town onto the dreaded cobbles which acted as a footbrake on my progress. We then ran past the finish to do another lap across the bridge for a second time thank goodness there was plenty of water stations so I took advantage of them all, another small lap round the town cobbles and to towards the waterside finish just as the Marathon winner was coming in !! We received a medal and a really nice cotton goody bag with chocolate and drinks etc. After a rest we spent the rest of the day wandering round this charming city and celebrated with a lovely meal and plenty of drinks. Chris finished in 1:42 and Catherine in 2:19. The brilliant hotel we stayed at is Konventa Seta Report by Catherine
Chatsworth 10k - May 2010
Chatsworth 10K was interesting. A very hot and humid day and as there were entries on the day the organisers were somewhat inundated. I had to queue to get in as they had opened the golden gates. The race should have started at 09:30 but was put back as people were still parking. Race finally started at 09:50. The first 5K was a gentle incline up a tree lined trail to the hunting lodge round by the lakes and the final 5K downward stretch to the golden gates and back to the finish in site of chatsworth house. The water stations were somewhat overwhelmed but with the amount of entries I quite wisely decided to carry my own water. The heat got to a few runners who didn't make the finish. Overall a very picturesque race which I thoroughly enjoyed and will definitely repeat in spite of the organisation and 150 mile round trip from Boston and very happy with my 52m 17s
Report by Adrian
The Gauntlet - May 2010
Chris Smith and Catherine Simpson travelled down to Bures near Colchester to take part in the Gauntlet, part of the Mucky Races series. After registration we took had a look at the part of the course that ran through the quarry, looked interesting !! Not a huge race but very friendly and well organised all the same, we started at the top of the hill which gave a nice quick downhill start followed by an immediate climb towards the quarry section. The course was very varied with the usual mud, mud, mud, short sharp climbs and woodland sections. Some of the mud pits were so sticky, shoes and various clothing of some runners disappeared never to be seen again causing much laughter and the marshals were having to haul us out. The course followed tracks and trails and then back to more muddy and water sections finishing with a steep climb back into the race hq area. We were given a goodie bag and goodness shakes drinks with a decent T-shirt. Apparently another longer, muddier race will be held later in the year on the same site and I would thoroughly recommend it. Chris finished in 54 mins and I managed 1.27 for the 10k ish distance.
Report by Catherine.
Krakow Marathon - April 2010
After taking part in the Wroclaw Marathon in 2009 I had to get back to Poland to do another race, yes it was that good. I decided to do this race on a budget as Catherine was not traveling with me so Ryanair flight Saturday morning early £65, race entry minimal and Free Saturday night accomodation in a sports complex near the race, this is something quite normal in Poland and it was strangely fun. There were about 6 ladies and 55 men in the room I was in then there was another similar room and after that runners took over the main sports hall so the place was buzzing. The strain on the showers, toilets and sone sink were a little extreme. I met some very nice Polish men and as always they spoke very good English so we did the town.
Sunday started early, well it would! I was in the shower at 5:45am which is not at all normal for me. We prepared for the race and got there in good time, it felt warm Hmmmm bags were dumped and in running kit at 9am it was still warm not a good sign. The race itself was well laid out with a substantial start / finish area. The race starts and we lap the park (about 4 miles) then off round the old city and away by the river then a big loop and back via the river to the park and one and a half laps to finish. That may over simplify the run! It got very hot soon after we started and everyone made full use of the more than ample drink stations. I had a very slow race and at about 22 miles came upon a fellow runner who had passed out, as the first aid girl looked like she needed help I assisted but it was clear he was in a bad way so an ambulance was called. It took us 10mins to get the runner to say his name all this time shading him, cooling, holding legs up etc... I left after about 20mins when he was more with it and when more people had arived and the ambulance was due any time. It seems he had been only drinking water, and may have had too much which is just as bad as not enough so there you go drink isotonic drinks! I finished in about 4:30 which is my worst for ages even taking off the stop it was over four hours but again it was crazy hot, I got very burnt and looked like a lobster with tiger stripes from my vest. After the run I had the free soup and free beer (prob not a good move) then had a shower and explored the town some more before making my way to the airport for a late night flight. An interesting trip to a very beautiful city, as they call it a race through history. One day I may train then do it again to break the course that may involve staying in a hotel though.
Report by Chris.
Pictures here
Grantham Cup 10k - April 2010
Chris, Dave, Andy and Brittany took part in this the first running of the Grantham Cup 10k. The course wall all grass and has had horses and sheep on it so not the easiest going, there was one large hill and one small water crossing. A very nice interesting course that had been well set out and makes a change from all the road runs. Not sure about the white t-shirt we got for the race, it looked a bit sad and may be cleaning my car very soon but we don't run for the finishers mementos! indeed if you did then you may not have you mind set correctly. A very enjoyable outing and we had a good look round the equestrian show before making tracks home.
Derwent Dambuster 10m - April 2010
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Chris, Dave & Catherine drove up to Derwent Resevoir for the 5th running of the Dambuster 10m Trail Race. This is a classic low key race that is very limited due to parking restrictions with only 200 runners a year and all the better for that with so many races jamming runners in and forgetting what real running is. The start is at the bottom of the dam wall then you have to run up a steep path to the top of the dam dam wall followed by more uphill, this sets the style for the race with lots of up and down hill, some gentle and some not so gentle but all very enjoyable running on the wide track with lots of walkers and bikes to keep you company. It was a very warm day with little breeze so we all got well tanned. On finishing the race there is a great drinks and home made cake stall, all free, which really make the run worth while. We collected our certificates and ticked off another good race run. Chris finished in 1:15 (very happy) Dave finished in 1:2? and Catherine in 1:45
Caythorpe Canter - April 2010
A very warm day for the 2010 Caythorpe Canter. This is an old school trail race, very much low key with lots of cakes at the end and not too many competitors. Chris & Dave ran the 26m with Catherine taking part in the Half Marathon. Chris had a very slow run due to problems and finished in 4:53 with some very long stops on route like 20mins in the last drink and cakes stop at Ancaster! Dave coped very well with the distance and despite recent hamstring problems managed 4:29 he was still enjoying a pint when Chris fell over the line. Catherine enjoyed the shorter course and likes getting back early for the cakes! she finished in 2:30 All in all a classic low key local race.
The Outdoor Show 10k - March 2010
Chris Smith and Catherine Simpson entered the first running of the Outdoors Show 10k race at the NEC Birmingham. We arrived bright and early at the NEC to browse round the show which featured all types of outdoor pursuits. There was a 2.5k a 5k and the 10k race which all started at 12 noon in one of the exhibition halls. Looking around we realised there were not very many entrants but all looked very serious competitors. The race itself was fast but consisted of 4 laps! passing through the exhibition hall each time I think I saw Chris about 6 times as it was also a there and back route passing through the car park on service roads and down to the lake to a turning point cone and as Chris was finishing I had another 2.5k lap to do. Chris finished in 44.31 and I managed 60.48, (3rd in class). I enjoyed the day at the show but not sure I would do a race with so many laps again.
The Mighty Deerstalker - March 2010
Deerstalker
This race was something else! As you will see we have done a lot of hard and muddy races but The Mighty Deerstalker was the hardest by some way.
There were 8 water crossings (muddy ponds, rivers and walking up Leithen Water for 1/4 mile), 2 mountains, balance beams, cargo nets and more and most of it in the dark.
The venue was the beautiful Traquair estate in the borders. The start was uphill then over a bale wall then out of the estate and through the first water which in this case was two large ponds with frogs and mud oh yes and a girl bog snorkeling. From here we ran up a very large hill that is used by mountain bikes, through the forest ocer balance bars and to the top. Next was a very serious down hill down a mountainbike downhill route there was the scary forest and some large dropoffs. Through more water and up through the village then 1/4 mile up the very cold Leithen Water this was followed by a right turn and up a large hill then down the other side. At this point things got interesting! we saw a row of people coming towards us down a hill, we went right and round the "hill" then up a scree slope for about half a mile this was very hard going and something that most people would not do in the daylight, just a reminder when we did it it was fully dark. Next were some balance logs then a very fast downhill slope that was followed by a technical forest downhill section that in one place was so steep that there were ropes with knots every yard. At the bottom we ran back through the village and via two more water crossings some riverbank and back into the Traquair estate, past the house and into the finish area through a tunnel and under a cargo net then just feet to the finish arch! Job done. Now that was a hard race, the hardest I have yet done, it makes HellRunner look like a cuddly pussycat with hot chocolate and teddybear thrown in. The medal was minimal but most people like me had bought Deerstalker Hoodies, Buffs, Visor Buffs and T-Shirts to wear after so they could talke about the race and relive the pain.
A brilliant race and yes we have already booked the hotel for next year.
One last thing, a very big thank you to Simon at RatRace Store who sold us some great kit at great prices but more than that looked after Catherine who was very cold and lost after the race, ta Simon!
Chris 2:10 Cat 2:57 & 5th in class
Log L3 Orienteering at Stapleford Woods - March 2010
A very hard "8.1km" orienteering event on this flat and darn slow course. Chris, Cat & Dave all took part in the hardest course, the Brown. It was much harder than the previous events we had done and we sufferered quite a bit of body damage, in Catherines case from jumping not far enough on a ditch and on falling full length, Dave forgot his ankle brace which did not help at all (neither did being 2 hours late for dinner), and I had major problems with my choice of shoes which although they should have been perfect they thought it would be fun to dig huge holes in my heels.
Some of the mapping was interesting to say the least and by the end we were very ready for home, it was an experience and we are looking forward to the much nicer Bourne Woods course.
Cat did well coming 2nd lady on the Brown course. The picture above is very much before! - Chris
Not a lot of races on this week, so as a last minute decision, Chris Smith and Cat Simpson gave me a call to see if I wanted to join them in the Orienteering event at Stapleford woods near Newark. Seemed like a good idea, not a bad morning for a run around the woods. The event was a level 3 which didn’t mean anything to us and the most difficult route was the brown route, which of course was the one we had to try. Having checked in and got the electronic dibbers for the check points of which we had 29 to negotiate, we noticed the symbols on the check points were not like anything we had seen before, so we asked one guy who said he had only been doing these races for 10 years and he hadn’t got a clue what they were. It didn’t bode well, but we collected the route maps as we started and ran as a group of three to try and hopefully find our way around the wooded course. We struggled from about 3 markers out from the start and gradually got worse as we went along, finishing up on the wrong side of waterways etc, we managed to cross most of them, but hearing a splash and yell at one water course Chris and I turned to see a very wet Cat emerging from a leap that didn’t quite make the far bank, whoops. The going was tough, but the tough really didn’t get going, well we did but often in the wrong direction. Some of the check points were hidden in or behind bushes, in hollows, and in swamps, and took some finding. We eventually found our way back to the finish area, but we are certainly no threat to world of orienteering, it made a change from tearing around half marathon road races, and there is one thing from the position we finished in this race, there is only one way and that is up. I am hoping to get some map reading and orienteering lessons before venturing out on a level 3 course again, but it was fun, and will be back for more. Thanks to Lincoln Orienteering Group for the event. - Dave
The Beast - Feb 2010
The Beast is something special a 5 mile lap double or quit (Yes I did the 10m 2 lap option). On each muddy hilly lap there are 32 obstacles in this case horse jumps. You may have seen horses jumping into water well so did we and it was very cold! the air temperature was just 2deg C and the water was a bit nippy when it got to waist high. The final hill was a real killer and after doing that it was hard to start the second lap but I had to do it. It was very nice to meet Brittany on the first lap, she is just getting back into extreme running and due to a Josh and a small child to look after she ran 1 lap and then nipped off home to cook dinner :) All in all this was a very good race and I will wear my new t-shirt with pride, not so sure about the horse rosette though. Chris
Belvoir Challenge - Feb 2010
Mud, Miles and Cake. Chris & Cat took part in the 15.1 mile race this was a very challenging race using trails, fields, small roads and lots of mud some quite deep. The first half had loads of stiles which did not help the legs. I finished in 2:26 and Catherine (running with Catherine Sheldrake) finished in 3:28. Hard work but a great laugh and washing the kit after was special, so Catherine tells me. Very pleased with my certificate and the endless cake at the end of the race, really no need for more shirts and goodybags of random stuff this is a very good well presented "old school" race and we love it. Chris
Ropsley Raid Trail Race - Feb 2010
Odd for me to be doing this race as I'm normally in Orlando doing the Marathon howver this year due to our long winter we did not get to Orlando and also the Raid was moved due to extreme mud. On the new date the race went ahead despite extreme mud, there was lots of it, the clingy clay stuff that they have in Lincolnshire fields real good for growing spuds but heavy on your trainers. The race started up hill but was mainly flat with lots of trails, field edges and plenty of mud! My legs tired so Dave Raynes got ahead of me with a mile to go but I was happy with my run. This race was very well presented by Ropsley Road Runners, well done team I love the kit bag by the way! I now take 2 bags to each race, travel heavy :) Chris
Folksworth 15 - Feb 2010
The first of this year’s marathon trainers for a lot of runners, the Folksworth 15 is a real test of stamina, especially this year as many runners have endured a long lay off due to adverse weather throughout December and beginning of January depleting their normal training regimes. This 2 lap course with its 3 hills on each lap is not easy in the best of years, but this year talking to other runners on the route many found it hard going more so on the second lap facing the last 2 climbs. The temperature was about right for the race not too cold or hot and it kept dry for the race, I enjoyed a good first lap in about 1hour 3 minutes, with a slightly better second lap to although it felt harder work on the climbs, getting me to the finish in 2 hrs 1 minute. Dave Raynes.
Ancaster Snow Run 10k - Jan 2010
Chris, Cat, Dave R & Matt had a great 10k trail run in calf deep snow on "Catherines Birthday Route" with snowball fight and coffee & chockie bickies after. A great way to spend some time in this crazy weather.
Real regular training sessions will be starting in a week or so and will include runs, hills training, climbing and mountain biking.
Quorn Pony Club 15k Trail Race - Jan 2010
Quorn Pony Club 15k Trail Race, 4th Jan 2010
As you can see it was cold, very cold -3 on the way and lots of interesting driving even in Dave's 4x4
The course was not very well marked partly as they had to change it due to sheet ice.
The course was lots of wide field edges with many hills thrown in the sort of stuff we really love.
Catherine went wrong on the short course 8k run and ran the second half of the 15k with me so I had time to take a few pictures and enjoy the day.
I think I was the only person to do the hole of the course without going wrong so does that mean I win? This was not a race for winning, it was a fun event where charity was the winner and we were pleased to play our part. Chris Smith.
Very icy conditions greeted the few runners that braved the sub zero temperatures at the start of this race at Prestwold Hall near to Loughborough. Only a handful of runners actually turned up the organizers were expecting quite a few runners and 100 horses and riders to tackle the 3 distances on offer, no horses turned up at all due to hazardous conditions under hoof. The Toonies were represented by Chris, Catherine, myself, and young Mathew Smith and a car full of Bostonians Mick (bunny trap) Dakin, Tilley Fox and Mark. The start was delayed due to a late decision to reroute the course around the really bad icy sections, but they seemed to be still rerouting once we had set off. It didn’t take long for most of us to be totally lost and confused by the course markings. Catherine was running the short course but finished up lost as did Chris who was now behind Catherine so they ran the longer course together. I was running with Mick way behind the Fox and Mark, when suddenly they appeared behind us, and after overtaking us and heading off in to the distance, it was only another mile when they appeared from the rear of the field yet again. Matt Smith decided it would be safer to run with Mick and me from then on to save any more Fox diversion routes, just as well because as Matt and I ran in in joint 4th place with Mick close behind, we waited 10 minutes for the fox and Mark to finish, they had done another 2 miles and finished from a completely different direction to the rest of the runners. Chris and Catherine managed to complete the 15km in a reasonable time with Catherine being 3rd lady over the line. All in all it was a good laugh out in the snowy fields, and could be a really good race if organized a little better. Dave Raynes.