BRAT Summerfield Smash 5k
A fast race for those that care about their time (no matter what that time may be). A simple event with minimal fuss. No t-shirts, medals, goody bags, etc. Just run hard, get a PB, go home proud and repeatedly refresh Pof10 until time appears. Facebook event – click here Latest Updates 22/08/2019 Provisional results are out, see separate news post. 20/08/2019 ENTRIES CLOSED – no more entries or transfers possible now, there’s a lot of admin work behind the scenes and we need at least 24 hours to get everything sorted. We’ve got 142 athletes running tomorrow, aiming at times from 15 minutes to 32 minutes in categories from U13 to V75s. It’s going to be an awesome display of quality racing! 19/08/2019 A reminder than entries close at midday tomorrow and there are NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY! We’ve got about 20 places remaining and it’s shaping up…
Lords of the Relay – A Masters Road Relay Tale – By Richard Gray
Hello BRAT mates. Another pleasant day out at the park; with a purpose. Historically at The Masters we have won two national individual medals, but never a team medal. Given the opportunity, which colour would be preferable ? Well gold of course I hear you shout ! Personally I find it a bit too shiny and slightly tacky, where bronze has a more subtle tone. That said, let’s talk racing. M35 A Team Dan was in his usual seat at the office, and the intent was there for all to see. The first three opened a gap on the chasing pack, Dan pushing the pace, neck and neck with Birchfield, and Tipton not too far behind. Finishing only a few seconds behind Birchfield; Karl on leg two was soon back in the lead, storming ahead with a sizeable lead and delivering a big PB (I think). Johnny at first must…
Great BRATs at the Great Birmingham 10k
With a sunny bank holiday Sunday, many BRATs were present at the Great Birmingham 10k. First finisher was Steve Dunsby with a time of 35:21 and 37th overall, and first female was Rosie Forester in 59:06. Congratulations to all BRATs who were out on the course, and supporting from the side lines! Roll on a summer of track and field and The Great Birmingham Half Marathon:-)
Queen of the Castle
Having finished second in 2017 Molly Browne went one better yesterday (26th May) in winning the Edinburgh Half Marathon. In very blowy wet conditions a group was still intact at the front until 11miles when Molly started to pull clear, eventually finishing in 78mins 23secs – some 25 seconds clear of second place.
Bronze at British Masters Road Relays!
With a lead out from Dan Robinson and then the final sprint from James Marshall all six of these athletes gave it there all to provide BRAT’s with a fantastic Bronze in the M35-44 Age Group. Great team spirit and commitment from all BRAT team members across all age groups – you should all be proud of a great result and wearing the club vest with pride! Team Captain (and a very hard man to please) Richard Gray said “Really chuffed with a medal for all the team. Yes, it would have been wonderful to win, but winning a National Champs should never be easy, and as far as I am concerned you all nailed it.”
Hilly 100 = 10 x 10miles of fun!
Well, it was a long day out for our 10 BRAT’s racing the Hilly Hundred, with Helen Pike (Team Captain) getting up at 03:00 for the 1st 05:00 start. Despite a chilly start for Helen, temperatures climbed from 3c up to 16c and great racing weather for those in the afternoon. Many thanks to Sandeep and Ollie who stepped in a the last minute when two athletes were injured prior to the start. Ollie was the 2nd fastest runner on the leg 8 mass start, giving Annie Byrne the handover to leg 9. For those who have raced before will appreciate the complicated logistics of starting and finishing in two different locations, so many thanks to both Paul Cannon and Helen (after finishing their legs) to provide car support for along with Hannah Ludford. It was great to see so many BRAT’s out representing the club and enjoying the day.…
BRAT’s Take On VLM!
On a perfectly peaceful morning 42,000 runners and more importantly 16 hardy BRAT athletes took on Virgin London Marathon challenge of 26.2 miles. Many many miles had been put into training for the event, and all participants should be extremely proud to have completed such a momentous achievement. First BRAT home was Dan Robinson in 2:35:39, with first lady Annie Byrne in 2:49:05. Runners came through fast with 8 BRAT’s in total finishing under 03:00:00 a fantastic achievement and showing the depth in club performance. All those that took part should be extremely proud of their achievements, performances, funds raised and sacrifices made to the training gods;-) Now make sure you put those feet up and take on those recovery beers – you have earned them! Special mention should also go out to all those BRAT’s supporting – great team spirit for all those who’s cheer kept everyone going to…
NATIONAL 6-STAGE ROAD RELAYS
Another Saturday afternoon in Sutton Park, this time for the National Road Relays. Fresh from the test-run over the same course at the Midland championships two weeks ago, Team BRAT were ready to race against some of the best clubs in the country. The women saw the men head off on their quest over the 12-stage event before Molly Browne lined up ready to get the 6-stage underway for Team BRAT. It was always going to go off fast and as the gun went, the first-leg runners charged down the initial hill. A rather windy out and back made for a tough leg but it was downhill from the stone (except those final two hills and the uphill finish). With a kick for home, Molly finished in 13th place, a great start for the team. Next up was Anne Kenchington on the first short-leg of the day, with a brilliant…
Masters Road Relays – Time to Enter
Good morning ageing, old, infirm, possibly deluded, but still very keen BRATS. Now is the time to embrace Spring, remember which is your right from left shoe, and demonstrate your undoubted pace. If you are still reading this and you are under 35, then you need to get out more. Yes, Masters National Road Relay Champs are here. Saturday 18 May at the usual Sutton Park spot. As you are unlikely to recall 12 months previous, here is how it works. There are teams for M35+ x6 legs; M45+ x4 legs, M55+ x3 legs, M65+ x 3 legs, M75+ x3 legs ! You can run for a younger team, and we can enter as many teams as we wish to pay for. Our priority is to populate with the quickest athletes, our team who have the best opportunity of a high finish or medal; with the exception of prioritising any…
National Road Relays – Men’s Manager Report
Well done team, and well done all the Midland teams. Good solid performances. Current course was introduced in 2015 and is slightly longer (3.16 miles Vs 2.995). I think there were pbs for Nathan, Karl, and Thanos. Dan missing his Midland pb by only seconds, and Colin 5 seconds. 36th overall and 32nd A team. 7th in Midlands excluding Bristol, 4th in West Midlands. Results at www.race-results.co.uk On a pleasant but slightly chilly day, we once again were amongst the big boys, interested in seeing how competitive we may be and defending our Midland ranking. Blimey, some of them are fast ! Dependable Dan, who just keeps getting faster, was first pressure leg as ever and did not disappoint. Although very slightly slower than at the Midland, I was happy, but don’t tell him that. Second leg was always going to be tough for Nathan following Dan. We did drop places, but it was an…
Midland 6-stage and 12-stage Road Relays
Saturday 23rd March saw Team BRAT head to Sutton Park for the Midland 6-stage and 12-stage Spring Road Relays. The sun was shining and the conditions were some of the best we’ve ever had for the relays, an improvement on the blizzard that runners battled with at the same event in 2018. BRAT had two complete ladies teams and the men had two complete teams and a third team shy of a couple of runners. The flags went up in our usual spot and eager runners arrived ready to give it everything over the familiar undulating and challenging long and short loops. BRAT Men were off first. Dan Robinson led the team out on the first of four long legs. Dan produced a brilliant run to bring the A team into 8th place. Great runs followed from Martin Matthews who wasn’t far behind in 36th for the B team and…
Midlands 12/ 6 Stage Relays – Time to Enter
Yes BRAT mates, Spring is on its way. No more sharp spikes to stick in you and no more mud. If the club is your priority, then so is this. Let’s build on our XC performances and get our heart rates and speed up for this great event, that is the Road Relays. All running speeds welcome, we just put you in the appropriate team. Midland Road relay championship. Sutton Park Sat afternoon 23 March. Men: 12 legs comprising 8 x 3.16 miles, and 4 x 5.38 miles. Women: 6 legs comprising 4 x 3.16 miles, and 2 x 5.38 miles. Please email an indication whether you are definite, probable or yes subject to injury by Thursday 28 February. This will allow the managers to estimate the number of teams and squad names to enter. We can enter 3 x number of team places to allow for injuries/ reserves. If…