Let’s start with Sam Davies and the Serpent Trail 50k. That’s a long way. Twice the distance some of us tackled at Bewl on Sunday and still Sam was able to produce a consistent pace throughout.

The goal was a PB, and but for a wrong turn and an extra 600 metres on the route, Sam would achieved that, missing out by a mere 7 seconds, completing the course in 4:37:40 for 16th place.

A total elevation of 646 metres added to the challenge and I quite like the stat that he burned 3,333 calories. Better get eating. Sam had two friends with him on Saturday, both started 2 hours earlier in the first wave and the hope was to catch them before the finish line. I even joked how amazing it would be if pipped them right on the line. It nearly happened. Catching them up with 300 metres to go and crossing the line together. How cool is that. Awesome running Sam.

On Friday evening it was the first 10k of the Rye Summer Series. I love running at the Rye Nature Reserve, but as so many of you that have experienced, a forecast of 10mph down there can feel like a hurricane at times. So it was a very challenging first 5k, running into a stiff headwind.

Representing Team Orange we had Matt Button running his first ever 10k, thus landing a PB (that counts right?) of 47:28. He was joined by Michael Norris who has been smashing out his training of late in a time of 45:37. I know there is more to come from Mr.Norris so keep an eye on his times in the next few months.

Skipping forward to Sunday we had 9 of us make the short trip to Bewl. Some better prepared than others. In my defence I’ve only ever run on the trails in the summer months and recent ventures into the countryside had been met with dry firm conditions. So the rain in the build up and on the morning of the race caught me unaware.

I had hoped to run close to 2 hours, I finished in 2:37. I got some strange looks from fellow runners when I went bombing past them on the road section, as if I was in the final stages of a 10K PB attempt, then only 10 minutes later to have to step aside on the single slippery tracks to let them all past again.

Further up the field Paul continued his surge of completing another SGP event, finishing in a time of 1:56, easing off a little when he realised the Top 20 (position to score pts) was beyond him.

Upon crossing the line Neil Jeffries approached me and the first thing he said was “I need to pay you more”. Followed quickly by how he’d improved on his time of 2023 by 5 minutes. When prices go up, you know who to blame (that’s a long way off yet). But what a brilliant achievement by Neil at the age of 64 (he looks good for it right?).

As I tip toed up the final muddy incline, recording an impressive 10:41 last kilometre, Lindsey Jones was closing all the time and came in just 8 minutes later, the first Hastings Runners female to finish the 15 miles, thus banking 200 Club Championship points. Great work Lindsey. I did warn her Monday morning that beating the Coach is frowned upon 😂.

Sue Wilkinson finally gave in to peer group pressure from good friend Su to enter the race, and despite the conditions her feedback was very positive. Sue came home in 2:55.

Just behind was Su Sparkes, breaking the 3 hour barrier by 2 minutes and representing the team in fine fashion with her Orange Ronhill waterproof jacket (where can I buy one of those Su?).

Kelly De Rosa was close behind in 3:01, having made the same mistake as I did and rocked up in road shoes. I’m sure we had more fun than the others who comfortably stayed on their feet, right Kelly?

Thank you to those that waited around at the finish line, including Louise Weatherly and Jacqueline Scott, both who tackled the 5 miler and were finished well over an hour before my return to HQ.

Jax improved on her time from last year, finishing in 51:32, whilst Lou ran with Rachael Gower and Adam Holland, crossing the line in 1:05:37.

I received some really positive feedback of late, lots of the Team discussing how strong they feel and positive about their running with confidence growing. As I’ve said to those individuals, for me as a coach, to hear that is 10 times more satisfying than any PB. If running can make you feel strong, confident and good within your own body, then it’s a fantastic pursuit to have.

Well done everyone. Onwards and upwards.

Your very happy Coach!