There’s only one place to start when we review last week... and that's with LFR being WINNERS!

In the 38 year history of LFR, Wednesday 17th November 2021 will forever be remembered as the day we won the EA East Region "Club of the Year award". Our fingers are crossed that we'll get forwarded to the National Awards and of course we will share more details as we have them.

While we all know that if a certain Danish Brewery did running clubs then LFR would probably be the best running club in the world. What we all believe about our club was highlighted in the awards citation from the judging panel. They said...

“The club has a welcoming atmosphere, a variety of sessions and running groups to suit all. The club takes great care to train and develop its volunteer leaders, so they can continue to offer top quality coaching and advice, whatever the members’ aims, experience or ability. This has led to the club not just retaining members through lockdown, but actually increasing its membership as restrictions eased.” 

The judges continued...

“As their name suggests, Leighton Fun Runners have made running fun at the heart of everything they do, but they also have their share of more serious runners. Clearly being all inclusive, friendly and accessible are the secrets to the club’s success combined with a commitment to ensuring future growth through encouraging and developing run leaders through its enthusiastic and committed volunteer base.”

Club chairman Andy Heale acknowledged that the award was only possible due to the wonderful membership and volunteers who make the club such a great club to be a part of. If you missed the awards ceremony you can watch the moment we were announced as winners from 1hr 15 minutes on this YouTube link HERE.

parkrun Day!

On Saturday LFR descended on Dunstable Downs to take part in the Club Takeover day. Other local clubs including LBAC, LBTri, Tring, Dunstable Lions, Redway Runners came along too, to help showcase the running club community. There were about 25 LFR’s running and it was great to see some of you taking part with your families too. Ian Bisby led the team home with a 15th place finish in 20:26, with Rosie Booth being the first LFR lady to finish in 22:16. There were also great PB’s among the team, well done to Kevin Hare, Tom Webster, Elle Laird, James Booth and Pauline Glen. Thank you to everyone for coming down and representing LFR.

LFR members were of course also running other parkrun courses with 59 of us taking part at 10 different venues. Even with a large contingent at Dunstable, Rushmere still drew in 10 runners, with even more volunteering... Thank you! Some other members headed to a fairly new local parkrun venue in Newport Pagnell, Bury Field. Finally, Dougie was in Portsmouth and clocked up another tourism at Portsmouth Lakeside where he ran a 5km PB!

Sunday Races

At the picturesque Barton Hills we had runners past and present taking part in the Shillington Shuffle. JK, Paul Doyle, Paul Little, Rob Laughton, Paul Thomas and Glyn Raymen completed the marathon distance, this was JK’s 255th marathon and the second in just a little over a week. Lesley Wes Barnard and Emma Davis completed the 18 mile event, while Matthew Ma was taking it easy and enjoying the sights on the half marathon route.

A little further afield and I imagine a great deal warmer was Martin Addrison who took part in the Gran Canaria Marathon. Martin completed the course in a very respectable 4hr 19 minutes. I hope you get a chance to enjoy the sand, sunshine and Sangria before you come home Martin. I’m sure all three are well deserved!

Another LFR completing a marathon this weekend was Will Ellis. I can vouch that Wendover Woods was certainly a degree or two colder than Gran Canaria. Will is one of our newer members and only took up running last year through lockdown. This was Will’s 3rd marathon this year and he completed this extremely technical and hilly trail event in a very impressive 4hr 13 minutes. Ruby Lee was also running in Wendover and only signed up for the event on Sunday morning to keep herself busy while Will ran his event! This being Ruby’s 3rd half marathon in as many weeks... Well done to both of you!

At the Watford autumn 10k, we had four members don the red, black and white over at Cassiobury Park. Bob Nicol grabbed himself a 10k PB 50:25. Bob has seen some great progress this year in his times! Fresh off his marathon and then last week’s Dirt Half, Graham Cooper ran a decent race, as did Rob Pargetor and Andy Griggs who said this was his last event of 2021. Great running gents!

The final race for this week is at the historical venue of Hampton Court where it is rumoured that King Henry VIII liked an early morning 6.2 mile run around the grounds! Iain Summers was the solo LFR there for the 10k event and he ran a great 52:11.

Great work team!