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Rob Lane reports;

I ran a pleasing 36:40min 4.74 mile race in Porthcawl, South Wales on Boxing day Morning. This apparently is the only 38 furlong race in the world (as advertised), so I think I think I should hold the Dashers 38 furlong record!! - The race was followed by a dip in the very cold Welsh sea !

Well done to all those who ran this tough course, next up is Reading in the new year.

A cold and frosty start for the last Black park run before christmas, well done to all those who ran.

Ian Spencer continued his climb back to fitness with an excellent 76th place at last month’s South London 10k in a time of 44:34. Not only did he win his age category, but he recorded a fantastic 77.26% age grading as well.

The last club night before Christmas will be Tuesday 22nd December, then the club will be closed over Christmas & New Year, reopening for a turkey-busting session on Tuesday January 5th.

Andrew Ogierman and Colin Adams travelled up to Bicester on Sunday for the Andy Reading Memorial 10k organised by Alchester RC. Colin recorded his fastest time this year, finished 188th in 46:32, whilst Andrew was 344th in 55:44.

Paul Woolley reports:

In a brief rest from marathon training, I ran Guildford & Godalming AC’s Hogs Back 8 mile road race on Sunday (known as The Golden Hog this year as it was the 50th running). I know I should have been at Handy Cross for the XC, but the Hog is a gem of a race and I had a bit of a question to answer after last year. I took the 3 ½ miles up steadily and then put some real effort in on the way down to record 51:09 and 49^th place (from ~850 starters). I’m pleased to beat last year’s time by 2 ½ mins but the quality of field still meant that I finished a full 11 minutes behind the winner – wow! Still, I’d recommend this event as one that other Dashers should consider for next year.

Four Dashers turned out for this event on a cold and blustery day. Leading the way was Ion Cristoveanu, who despite finding the cold conditions tough, finished his first half marathon in 63rd place in a time of 1:23:03. Confirmed heatophobe David Priddy on the other hand enjoyed the cold conditions to finally break the 90 minute barrier, finishing 123rd in 1:28:01, and this despite being up most of the night with a dodgy stomach. Maybe 3 hours sleep before a race is the way to go! Next up was Brent Curless who posted his fastest time in nearly 5 years with 1:34:56 for 271st, whilst Paul Turnbull recorded 1:49:37 and 785th. Not quite a PB for Paul, but his best time in nearly 2 years and reward for the hard work he’s put in over the summer and autumn.

Well done to Rob on his PB

Sian Huntley-James Reports:

Charlotte Hill and myself ran the Grim 8 in Aldershot on Saturday - it was my way of "celebrating" my birthday. Obviously age badly effects decision making !

Somehow Charlotte managed to be a second faster than me at 2:03:17 despite us going over the line together. It was quite fun in a weird way - we managed to more or less keep upper bodies dry, but fear we may be stuck with webbed feet for some time to come ! Would we do it again ? Err…no…

Mark Colley reports (by text message) from the heights of Nepal…

Finished in 8hr 18min. Came 53rd overall and 18th international male. Had a bath at 6 miles when I slipped on some ice and fell into a stream - v cold! Great race

Huge congratulations to Mark on finishing such a difficult race. More details to come as soon as we have them.You can read a few blog entries on the lead-up to the event at http://www.sleepmonsters.co.uk/racereport.php?race_id=7871

Fancy trying it yourself? It’s not too late to start training for 2011’s race! - http://www.everestmarathon.org.uk/