BRR Blog - 25 May 2026
The BRR Team at the D88 5-mile ELVIS race
Welcome Road Runners!
Despite the unseasonably hot weather, it has been a Bank Holiday weekend of great achievements for Barking Road Runners, showing what can be done through hard training and honest sweat. I’m still wondering which was hotter - Cape Town or East London!
In the meantime, the first-ever Enhanced Games has just finished in Las Vegas. Backed in part by Donald Trump Jr, whose fund 1789 Capital invested heavily, the event promised “science‑powered sport.” However, only one world record fell across the entire programme, despite huge prize pots of up to $1 million for record breakers. A lot of the competitors were either past their prime, or already outed as drug cheats, so perhaps we shouldn’t have expected anything more. We’ll stick to our parkruns, our honest sweat, and our post‑race brekkie/ice-cream/cake. Much more fun, much less… enhanced.
Greg’s Race Report
(or the non-enhanced games)
Barking Road Runners had the first round of the East London fiVes Interclub Series (ELVIS) of races this week, hosted by Dagenham ‘88 Runners at the Eastbrookend Country Park. The series of either 5k or 5 mile races stated with a 5-miler and first finisher for the BRR ladies team was Belinda Riches 42:04, followed by Debra Jean-Baptiste 47:56, Nikki Cranmer 48:29, Louise Chappell 50:13, and Alison Fryatt 55:45.
First finisher for the men’s team was Martin Page 36:57 followed by Tom Brennan 39:55, Jason Suddaby 40:07, Barry Rowell 50:06, Gary Harford 51:22, Rob Courtier 54:38, James Sheridan 55:56, and Dennis Spencer Perkins 56:16.
Several BRR members competed in the Thameside 10k, on a scenic off-road course overlooking the Thames Estuary. Finishers were Ron Vialls 53:13, Alison Fryatt 1:13:07, and injured Lizzie-Beth Garraghan who refused to give up and completed the course in 1:43:49.
Lizzie-Beth, Ron and Alison and the Thameside 10k
BRR’s Belinda Riches travelled to South Africa for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, a candidate for Abbott World Marathon Majors status, which she completed in a top-third time of 4:07:40 despite hot and humid comditions.
Belinda with her Cape Town Marathon medal
Louise Chappell challenged her orienteering skills by running in the Blackwater Trail Self-Navigation Half Marathon. Organised by the Hare and Tortoise running group, Louise finished in a time of 3 hours and 26 minutes.
Louise after the Blackwater Half.
Paul Ward took part in the Holt 10k in North Norfolk, not halting until he finished the course in 56:12.
Paul Ward finishing in style at the Holt 10k.
Barry Rowell, Lizzie-Beth Garraghan, and Joyce Golder were in action at the Hatfield Broad Oak 10k.
Barry, Joyce, Lizzie-Beth, and Steve at the Hatfield Broad Oak 10k.
BRR parkrunners
Blackpool - Kevin Wotton 26:09.
Blickling - Paul Ward 25:18.
Chelmsford Central - Martin Page 22:39 and Gary Harford 31:45.
Constantia Greenbelt - Belinda Riches 46:33.
Harlow - Nikki Cranmer 30:38, Rob Courtier 35:47 and Dawn Curtis 40:45.
Ingrebourne Hill - Alison Fryatt 35:46.
Pegwell Bay - Dennis Spencer Perkins 33:07.
Roding Valley - Louise Chappell 53:19.
Thorney Bay Beach - Rory Burr 22:52, Ron Vialls 24:29 and Barry Rowell 30:47.
Valentines - Tom Matthew 21:46, Martin O’Toole 29:32, Andrew Gwilliam 36:42 and Alan Murphy 53:00.
Walton Promenade - Richard Dudman 25:25.
Wanstead Flats - Stuart Mackay 21:13.
Weymouth - Mark New 25:49.
Wimpole Estate - Martin Brooks 29:15.
Highest BRR age gradings this week were Nikki Cranmer 59.9% for the women and Martin Page 76.97 % for the men.
BRR Diary - May/June
The highlights of the coming weeks are listed below but you can see the full diary of BRR events on the TeamUp app. Simply 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 Runners website: https://www.barkingroadrunners.org.uk/calendar.
7.00pm, Tuesday 26 May - speed session. Jim Peters Stadium, Mayesbrook Park. This week Jess will be taking the session, called ‘Albefuiera’ - perhaps she will explain why on the day!
2 x (4m run, 3m rec)
2 x (3m run, 2m rec)
2 x (2m run, 1m rec)
7.00pm, Thursday 28 May - Road Run. Castle Green Centre, Gale Street, Becontree. It’s looking like being a hot one, so we will stay close to base and play it by ear. But that doesn’t mean taking it easy; we will be doing laps of Castle Green, including the hill with the statues. Because hills are your friends.
10.00am, Sunday 31 May - Orienteering Trial Session. Thorndon Park North (Visitor Centre, Thorndon Park North, The Avenue, Brentwood CM13 3RZ. Fancy a run with a difference? HAVOC (Havering and South Essex Orienteering Club) are offering orienteering training based on the Thorndon Park permanent orienteering course as part of the Thorndon Park outdoor activity day. Perfect for beginners and anyone curious to give orienteering a go. Dogs welcome (with their owners, of course!). Find out more:https://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/event?event=88330
7.30pm, Tuesday 2 June - H90 Midweek 5. Raphaels Park, Raphael Park, RM2 5PA, Romford. Enter at: krono:sports - Entry System & Race Timing Solutions - Havering '90 Joggers Midweek 5 ELVIS #2.TRACK CANCELLED.
7.30pm, Wednesday 10 June - ELR Valentines 5k. Valentines Park, Valentines Park, Melbourne Road Entrance, IG1 4LG. Enter at: krono:sports - Entry System & Race Timing Solutions - East London Runners - Valentines 5K
7.30pm, Tuesday 23 June - EERR Olympic Park 5k. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Enter at: krono:sports - Entry System & Race Timing Solutions - East End Road Runners - Olympic Park 5K ELVIS #4.TRACK CANCELLED.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chingford League 2026/27
In case you don’t know, BRR is a member of the Chingford League, a winter league for North & East London running clubs, founded in 1955. It features 5‑mile or 5K races on a mix of cross‑country and tarmac terrain, plus an end of season relay race. Entry to each race is free once you join one of the member clubs. As well as the League’s own trophies, BRR members get to participate in our own, internal, competition, and also earn points towards a the chance of a Club London Marathon place (2026/27 races count towards a 2028 marathon place).
The League’s Annual General Meeting took place on Monday 18 May and agreed the following races for the coming season. Midweek races are in the evening, Saturday races are during the day):
Wednesday 14 October - Hog Hill 5k (Redbridge Cycling Centre)
Saturday 31 October - Eastbrookend Country Park 5 miles
Saturday 21 November - Trent Park 5 miles
Wednesday 9 December - Velopark 5k, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Saturday 23 January - Chingford 5 miles
Saturday 6 February - Victoria Park 5 miles
Saturday 13 March - Wanstead Flats Relays
You can find more details on the Chingford League website at: https://chingfordleague.co.uk/this-years-fixtures/
Also, this year, the League will be testing a new way of recording finishing places. It’s a bit like the parkrun system, but using barcodes on bib numbers, which are issued to participants at the start of the season and used for all the individual races. This system is already used for the Met League so it has been tried before, but it will be interesting to see how it works for the Chingford League.
The new Chingford League bib numbers look like this
The Art of Not Getting Tired
Keeping hydrated - vital in hot weather
Last week we looked at how having a training plan can provide motivation to keep on running. Here’s the next top tip for running further without getting tired, and it’s especially relevant for teh current heatwave:
#3: Drink Water
When you’re dehydrated, your blood volume drops and the plasma thins out. That makes your blood thicker and tougher to pump, so your heart has to beat faster to keep oxygen moving. Studies show heart rate can jump by around 30 beats per minute when fluids run low.
Thicker blood also flows more slowly through tiny vessels, meaning your muscles and brain get less oxygen and fuel. It’s one reason you feel your heart pounding and your legs heavy on hot runs — and why staying hydrated helps keep your circulation smooth and your effort steady.
Why you need to keep hydrated
Hydration needs for runners extend beyond hydrating before, during, and after your longer runs and workouts. You should be drinking plenty of water throughout the day so that your urine is pale yellow.
If you are a heavy sweater (not to be confused with a woolly jumper) or are doing long training runs, you may also need to have electrolyte drinks or sports drinks during and after your runs if you still feel like your energy levels or glycogen are low, or you are still dehydrated.
Electrolytes and glucose, as well as other simple carbs/sugar in fluids increase the rate of absorption and may be better than plain water for longer runs.
Cracker Corner
Police have arrested the criminals who stole a lorry-load of front doors. A spokesman said ‘it was an open and shut case.’
I’ve just found a new website called ‘conjunctivitis.com.’ It’s a site for sore eyes.
My family are concerned that I am becoming addicted to dot-the-dot puzzles. They shouldn’t worry; I know where to draw the line.
Quote of the Week
“I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.”
Arthur Blank
US business man and owner of several sports teams
And Finally…
I’ve been caught out by Harry Styles stories before, but this one is true.
The Harry Styles running t-shirt
We all know that Styles is a pretty tidy runner, having finished last year’s Berlin Marathon in under three hours. Now he is sharing (or perhaps monetising) his love for running by including a running t-shirt and sweatshirt in his latest range of tour merchandise. The white graphic tee, priced at €45 (£39), features Styles mid-stride with the slogan “Run For Fun.” The matching grey sweatshirt is €85 (£73). I guess it’s a good thing if it inspires Styles’ fans to start running, but I’m not sure I would want to run with a picture of a semi-naked Styles on my chest…
