September 2026 - A Month of New Possibilities

Hellingly 10k

Once a year the historic village of Hellingly hosts a 10k race in memory of John Faulds.

This year saw the Hailsham Harriers celebrate the 39th running of this much-loved local race, which this year saw runners from 24 running clubs which, as in most years, included athletes from Crowborough Runners.

This year on the start line was member Mark Redfern who writes:

“Three Crows took on the challenge of the Hellingly 10k as part of the Sussex Grand Prix on Sunday 13th September 2026. The weather was a little cooler than recent weeks, but it was deceptively humid.

Chris Russell, Gordon Berry and Mark Redfern joined the 255 participants on the 10k course around the scenic village of Hellingly. The course for those who have not done this one is a flat start for the first couple of kilometre’s then gradual inclines up and down for the remainder which, was certainly a good test, but nothing the Crows could not handle. There were some strong runners in the field with the winner completing the course in 35:18. The run was all worth the effort with a good selection of cakes available at the finish.

Gordon, Chris and I all came home with good result and enjoyed the event.”

So, for the Crows it was boys’ day out, with all three turning in some impressive times

The full results for the Crows were:

Finishing Position	Name	Time
28th	Mark Redfern	0:40:56
45th	Gordon Berry	0:44:09
81st	Chris Russell	0:47:49

Batter and Chatter Night

With Summer nights now seeming an age away, it was back to exploring the possibilities of the streets of Crowborough for the Club’s Wednesday night runners. Whilst it is not surprising, with a little ingenuity being exercised by our team of run leaders, to find a of routes to while away the winter nights, a little light relief is called for every now and then. What better way is there than catching up with fellow members over some fish and chips, which is how batter and chatter nights came about.

September saw the first of this season’s, which was well attended by 18 hungry members.

A big thanks to Social Secretary, John Crockford, for making the necessary arrangements.

Great North Run

Predating the Hellingly 10k by a few years is the Great North Run.

Trying to get a place in the Great North Run via the annual ballot, you may know, is like trying to win the lottery. It is hard to believe therefore that the race, that first took place on 28th June 1981 started as a fun run.

Not a flat one by any means with a noticeable climb around miles 3-5 and a sustained uphill stretch between miles 8 and 12, which must make the sight of the North Sea a great relief as runners approach South Shields, with only a run along the seafront remaining.

The race also attracts many famous faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment, and this year included members Ollie and Eileen Welch. who both turned in a sterling to performance. Ollie crossed the finish line in 1:40:01 and Eileen romping home in 1:58:17.

Not only a great race but a great atmosphere to experience, with this year more than 200,000 spectators lining the route.

Vitality 10k

The Vitality 10k always attracts some big names, which this year included Elish McColgan, who led the women home in 0:31:50 and what can be better than having your mum, double gold medal winner Liz McColgan, there to cheer you over the finish line.

Also cheered on by Liz was our own Will Isted who came home in 0:34:36. Bob Archer, also there representing the Club, finished in 1:10:04.

Hospice in the Weald 5k and 10k

There is no better feeling than enjoying a challenging race whilst knowing at the same time you are helping to support a worthy cause, and they don’t get more worthy than the Hospice in the Weald.

Hospices are hugely reliant on charitable donations, fund-raising and other activities and since the first 10k, which took place in 2006, millions of pounds have been raised by the annual Hospice in the Weald 5k, 10k and half marathon races that now take place, with this year an estimated £170,000 being raised by these events.

As per normal, there to celebrate the 20th anniversary where members of Crowborough Runners. Great running by all, and if I might say, especially by our juniors, Sam and Zak.

The results for the Crows were:

Finishing Position	Name	Time
8th	Sam Buckwell	0:22:07
16th	James Bryant	0:23:37
17th	Zak Bryant	0:23:38

10k

Finishing Position	Name	Time
9th	Mark Redfern	0:40:38
10th	Ian Balmer	0:41:17
15th	Tim Probert	0:43:03
19th	Craig Chapman	0:43:31
184th	Francis Leary	0:58:49
268th	Sally McCleverty	1:04:57

10k Relay

The 10k Relay is a relatively recent addition to the Club's social calendar, where teams of runners of mixed ability compete to compete a total of 10k around the track at Goldsmith Recreation Ground.

Well what a night it turned out to be.

Whilst the last Club 10k relay had been popular in past years, this year attendance exceeded all expectations, with 49 runners eager to get on the starting blokes making 7 teams of 7.

Boy, didn’t they all give it some. Enjoyment was obviously for later, as all the runners gave it their all.

That everyone had a good time was evident as everyone mingled and congratulated each other whilst enjoying the refreshments that had been laid on for the after party.

There had to, of course, be a winner and huge congratulations to the Green team.

The placings were as follows:

1st place – Green team

2nd place – Red team

3rd place – Yellow Team

4th place – Blue team

5th place – Grey team

6th place – Purple team

7th place – Orange team

A huge thank you again to John Crockford, our Social Secretary, who put in so much work into making this event such a success, and to those you assisted and supported the runners on the night.

I am not going to say any more as I think the photos taken on the night say it all.

Run Reigate

Run Reigate has won numerous accolades in the past, winning the UK’s Best Half Marathon award at The Running Awards in 2017 and 2019 and silver awards in 2015 and 2018.

It was perhaps this that attracted three of the Club members to participate in this year’s half-marathon event.

Priory Park, where the race starts and finishes, with its lake, mature trees and open green spaces, combined with panoramic views across the Surrey countryside is an ideal location for such an event.

Huge congratulations go to Simon Friers, Richard Grinham and Pearl Manser who finished in 1:40:18, 2:05:51 and 2:11:40 respectively and who were all well placed amongst the 1,121 who finished the race.

A shout out also goes to Marco Brivio, who came a very creditable 351th out of 948 in the 10k, coming home in 0:57.27.

runners Denbies Bacchus 10k

The Bacchus Wine Half Marathon & 10K is a unique blend of running, wine tasting, and entertainment that this year took place on 13th September 2026.

Enjoying the festival atmosphere before the race were centurions, men and ladies sporting an assortment of togas and other costumes, in line with the theme of the event, roman all over the place. It was at the start that the party atmosphere faded a little as the runners contemplated the course ahead, as they could see that they would be required to negotiate some very steep hills. Not to worry though there was the chance to revive the spirits and re-join the party with a couple of wine stations, or water if you preferred, strategically place along the way. Thankfully, the last part of the course was downhill and at the finish, in place of the customary tea and cake, was a burger and glass of wine.

Not Bob Archer's fastest 10k but coming home in 1:19:56 I think you will agree wasn't too bad under the circumstances.

Shoreditch Half Marathon

Once home to Shakespearean theatre, The Theatre, which was built in Shoreditch in 1576, i.e. before the Globe Theatre opened across the Thames in Southwark in 1599, Shoreditch is now better known for its street art, independent shops, trendy restaurants, nightlife and creative industries and now its half-marathon, with 2026 being its inaugural year.

The course of the half-marathon, starting in Shoreditch Park, is an interesting one, taking runners through several different neighbourhoods of East London. It has also been designed to be a fast and flat course, making it appealing to runners hoping for a personal best.

Competing in this year’ half-marathon, and no doubt enjoying the delights of the post-race festival, with its live music and street food, was member Sioni Williams who finished in 1:57:03.

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Last month we introduced you to the delights of the Deadly Dozen. This month, for the not fainthearted, we bring you GYMRACE.

GYMRACE brings all the high-octane buzz of elite competition, but swaps ego flexing for fire vibes, fist bumps, and the sweatiest finish-line photos you’ve ever seen. Someone who has become involved in the sport is member Ian Balmer.

Ian writes: “Over the last nine months, I’ve delved a little deeper into the world of hybrid training, combining running with strength and functional fitness. That’s seen me compete in a couple of HYROX events as part of a doubles team, but more recently I decided to see what I could do on my own. I took on my first solo GYMRACE at Drumsheds in London recently.

GYMRACE is a pretty brutal combination of running and functional fitness. It’s five 1 km runs broken up by demanding workout stations, including sled pushes, wall balls, rowing, SkiErg, kettlebell swings, farmer’s carry lunges, BikeErg and burpee broad jumps. The idea sounds simple enough: run hard, then immediately ask your legs and lungs to do something completely different before heading back out for another kilometre.

For anyone who enjoys running and fancies trying something a little different, I’d definitely recommend giving a HYROX, GYMRACE or similar hybrid event a go."

The Loch Ness Marathon

This year’s Loch Ness marathon was a great day for everyone involved with about 5,500 runners taking part.

There representing the Club was James Shaw-Hamilton who writes:

“I represented the Crows at the Loch Ness marathon. It was a treat to start in the mist in the hills, sent off by a Scottish Pipe Band, and then run along Loch Ness. Cold & wet but amazing scenery.

The race has some impressive logistics, with 6000 runners travelling by coach to the far end of Loch Ness (lovely journey by the way), then you run alongside the Loch on lanes rolling through woods, with the last 10 miles on a larger road.

I was glad for all the uphill training around Crowborough, particularly as there’s a cheeky climb at about 19 miles.

I came 742nd and during training I ran the same distance as home to Loch Ness, 600 odd miles.”

James came home in 3:49:08.

Litlehampton 10k

Not having quite the same vibe and atmosphere as its close neighbours, you could describe Littlehampton has having a bit of a sleepy seaside vibe.

The area around the seafront is also as "flat as your hat" and so ideal for a 10k, which is what I think members Sharon Wheeler and James Welbury must have thought.

This year’s event coincided with a lovely sunny day to make things even better.

Great running by Sharon and James knocking it off in 1:06:30 and 1:12:23respectively.

Parkrun Roundup

Parkrun is a firm favourite with our members who make their way on a Saturday morning for 5k run starting at 9:00 pm all around the country and all around the world.

To do this members travel near and far, as you can.

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