BRR Blog - 12 October 2026
Barry, Debra and Martin P at the Tiptree 10
Hi there, Road Runners
There was lots of racing action this weekend, and it seems anything less than 10 miles wouldn’t do! I’ve been exhausted just reading about all of the exploits, let alone my own HM with Dennis, in Peterborough. It was bittersweet, as Rob has also signed up to do the race; he would have loved it, both the race and the post-race banter. I know others had Rob in their thoughts whilst running too.
The weekend also saw a football match in remembrance of Rob, in Parsloes Park. The result may not have gone our way, but a bunch of guys out on the pitch celebrating Rob’s love of football was a very fitting tribute.
BRR Race Report
The final race in the Barking Road Runners 2026 Grand Prix competition was the Tiptree Ten miler. Martin Page was first BRR member across the line in 2:18:52 followed by Debra Jean-Baptiste in 1:31:03 and Barry Rowell and in 1:49:18.
Anjali Mahey ran her first half at the Hampton Court Palace Running Festival, finishing in a fantastic 2:45:07.
Anjali after her first half marathon
At the other end of the scale, Cristina Cooper took part in her 43rd marathon, completing the Chelmsford race in 3:56:20.
Cristina at the Chelmsford Marathon
Dennis Spencer-Perkins and Alison Fryatt ran the Great Eastern Run, a half marathon around Peterborough and nearby villages. Dennis finished in 2:35:11 with Alison just behind in 2:44:16.
Dennis and Alison after the Great Eastern HM, with Peterborough Cathedral in the background
Louise Chappell completed the Royal Parks Half Marathon in a time of 2:30:31.
Louise at the Royal Parks Half
BRR parkrunners
If you want to be included in the BRR round-up, please make sure your parkrun profile includes the Club name.
Avery Hill – Belinda Riches 25:18, Stephen Colloff 28:37, Barry Rowell 30:30 and Denise Graham 50:30.
The gang at Avery Hill parkrun
Barking – Daniel Plawiak 21:56, Sally Bridge 25:12, Joyce Golder 26:49, Jason J M Li 29:13, Sian Mansley 29:16, James Hall 29:27, Trevor Cooper 31:14, Anjali Mahey 33:47, Nikki Cranmer 37:58, Dawn Blake 37:59, Martin Mason 38:23, Alan Murphy 49:44 and Amanda Jane Heslegrave 57:38.
Bournemouth – Mark New 26:24.
Ferry Meadows – Alison Fryatt 36:54.
Alison at Ferry Meadows
Harrow Lodge – Rory Burr 23:08.
Raphael – Martin Brooks 35:39.
Rendlesham Forest – Barry Culling 32:30.
Thornbury – Clodagh Shorey 36:28.
Thorney Bay Beach – Ronald Vialls 24:29.
Valentines – Kevin Wotton 25:33, Chandru Thayalan 26:20 and Richard Dudman 26:23.
BRR Diary - October
The highlights of the coming weeks are listed below but you can see the full diary of BRR events on the TeamUp app. Just download the TeamUp app to your phone, then enter the calendar key: ks67p21gt8p5gzdo66 when prompted. If you don’t want another app on your phone, you can also find it under the ‘events’ tab on the Barking Road Runnerswebsite:
https://www.barkingroadrunners.org.uk/calendar.
7.00pm, Tuesday 13 October - Speed Work. Jim Peter’s Stadium, Mayesbrook Park. This week John is taking the session:
4 minutes running, 2 minutes recovery
3 minutes running, 90 seconds recovery
2 minutes running, 1 minute recovery
1 minute running, 1 minute recovery
2 minutes running, 1 minute recovery
3 minutes running, 90 seconds recovery
4 minutes running, 2 minutes recovery
7.00pm, Thursday 15 October - Training from the May and Baker Social Club. Dagenham Rd, Dagenham, Romford RM7 0QX. The session will be:
1 x 400m 90 secs recovery
4 x 600m 90 secs recovery
1 x 1000m 2 mins recovery
1 x 400m
Nige may also be leading a road run from the Castle Green Centre in Gale Street. Look out for details on WhatsApp.
7.15pm, Thursday 29 October - BRR 2026 AGM. Jo Richardson School/Castle Green Centre, Gale Street, Becontree. To elect the club committee, vote on proposed rule changes, and discuss developments in the club over the past year.
11.00am, Saturday 31 October - Eastbrookend 5 miler (Chingford League 01). Discovery Centre, Eastbrookend Country Park, The Chase, RM7 OSS. The first race in this year’s Chingford League competition. Thanks to those who have already confirmed they will run or volunteer.
6.00pm, Sunday 1 November - LoSS 10k and 5k. Leigh on Sea Station car park, Belton Way, Leigh on Sea, SS9 2ET. A spooky Hallowe'en themed evening of fun & running. Medal and a glass of Prosecco or soft drink for every finisher. Headtorches or body torches are mandatory, fancy dress is optional though there is a bonus prize for the latter. Enter at: Leigh-on-Sea Striders 10k - EntryCentral
OGT Visits Track
A big thank you to One Good Thing (OGT) for joining us at track on 6 October and handing out free samples for members to try. And thanks to Zahra for organising the visit.
OGT produces wrapper-free energy bars designed for runners, cyclists and other endurance athletes. Each bar contains around 30g of carbohydrates and is made from natural ingredients such as oats and honey, with an edible beeswax coating replacing traditional packaging. The company's aim is to provide convenient sports nutrition while reducing litter and waste. The bars have also attracted support from Olympic triathlete Jonny Brownlee.
We hope everyone who sampled them enjoyed them.
Hot Flushes, Cool Running
Some of our women ‘of a certain age.’
World Menopause Day takes place on 18 October. At Barking Road Runners, we’re lucky to have a brilliant group of women ‘of a certain age’, who keep showing up, mile after mile, even as perimenopause and menopause bring their own challenges. Hot flushes, disrupted sleep, and fluctuating energy are all part of the hormonal rollercoaster — but none of them mean you have to stop running. What they do mean is that it’s time to train smarter.
During perimenopause, oestrogen levels rise and fall unpredictably, which affects temperature regulation, recovery, and how your body responds to effort. Instead of pushing through every session, the latest advice is to focus on quality over quantity. Keep your easy runs genuinely easy, and save your harder efforts for days when your body feels ready. Tune into your internal coach rather than fighting against it.
Strength training becomes essential at this stage of life. Falling hormone levels can reduce muscle mass and bone density, but the right exercises counteract that brilliantly. Aim for two short strength sessions a week, focusing on:
Squats (regular, sumo, or slow‑tempo)
Lunges (forward, reverse, or walking)
Glute bridges or single‑leg bridges
Hip hinges using slow, controlled movement
Press‑ups (full, kneeling, or incline)
Planks, side planks, dead bugs, bird‑dogs These build muscle, support joints, and improve running form — no equipment needed.
Menopause often disrupts sleep, and recovery becomes slower. Rest days aren’t a sign of weakness; they’re a performance tool. Build them into your week deliberately, and don’t be afraid to swap a run for a walk, yoga session, or simply an early night. Your body will thank you, and your running will feel better for it.
Stop the Slosh
Ever headed out for a run and found your stomach sloshing like a washing machine? That uncomfortable "sloshing" sensation is often caused by drinking too much, too quickly, too close to the start of your run.
The good news is that it's usually easy to avoid. Try to stay hydrated throughout the day rather than downing a large bottle just before heading out or on teh start line. If you need a drink before a run, keep it small, and during longer runs take regular sips rather than big gulps. It's also worth leaving a couple of hours after a substantial meal before running.
If your tummy starts sounding like the North Sea mid-run, don't assume you need more water. The solution may actually be to drink a little less at once and spread your intake more evenly. 💦
A Brief History of Valentines Park
Valentines Mansion, photo courtesy of Vision Redbridge
Valentines Park is one of Ilford’s best‑loved green spaces. At its heart stands Valentines Mansion, built in 1696 for the wealthy merchant James Chadwick. Over the next two centuries the estate passed through several prominent families, each adding their own touches — from formal gardens to ornamental features — shaping the landscape we recognise today.
By the early 1900s, Ilford was expanding fast, and the mansion’s grounds were under threat from development. In 1902, Ilford Urban District Council stepped in, purchasing the estate to create a public park for the growing community. The park officially opened in 1908, offering locals a mix of open lawns, tree‑lined avenues, and peaceful water features. Many of the Edwardian design elements — including the long promenades and ornamental gardens — still give Valentines its distinctive character.
The park continued to evolve through the 20th century. The boating lake became a favourite family spot, the formal rose garden flourished, and the mansion itself was restored and reopened to the public in 2009, becoming a cultural and community hub. The next year, Valentines Park hosted its first race in the East London fiVes Interclub Series (ELVIS) followed, in 2011, by Valentines parkrun, where countless PBs have been chased (and occasionally caught). Its mix of flat paths, gentle (!) inclines, and scenic water features make it an ideal running location.
Cracker Corner
I went to the doctor and told him I have moles all over my back. He had a look and said ‘They’re benign’. I replied ‘Look again, I think there be ten.’
I’ve been trying to lose weight recently, but I’ve had too much on my plate.
It takes me 20 minutes to walk from my house to The Acorn but an hour to walk back home. The difference is staggering.
And Finally…
Founded in 2016, the Taco Bell 50K Ultramarathon (Denver) is one of the fastest‑growing ultras in the US, growing from 40 runners in 2023 to more than 700 last year. The 31‑mile event passes 10 Taco Bells along the way and runners must check in at every one of them and eat a menu item at no fewer than nine. Drinks don’t count, wrappers and receipts must be carried to the finish, indigestion medication is not allowed, and vomiting means instant disqualification. Participants have 11 hours to complete the corse and finishers earn a “medal” made from a Taco Bell hot sauce packet.
The event is free to enter but participants are encouraged to make a donation to a charity for disabled athletes. Surprisingly Taco Bell does not endorse the event…
