Only the third running of this charity event and already it has become a favourite with local runners. The charity in question is the well-loved Jersey Hospice which is the prime provider of end-of-life care here and it depends entirely on donations, bequests and the like.

The race starts at the charity’s retail outlet in St Ouen in the north-west of the Island, finishing at the hospice itself on the outskirts of the capital St Helier. A big crowd of us shivered our way onto the free buses which were to take us out to the start – a miserable, damp sou’westerly probably discouraged a few of the less committed entrants. Nevertheless, in excess of 400 of us lined up for the start, augmented by a further number of relay runners.

For me it was a significant occasion as I chased a possible prize in my new M70 category. Not too many of us old fools still running at 70 but those that do are generally useful runners and are not to be taken lightly. Personally I considered that I was in decent shape and planned to run 5.30 kms which would bring me home in about 1.55. And as we streamed off out towards the north-western tip of the Island at Grosnez I had to make a conscious effort to ease off the pace. A long way to go and it was far to early to concern myself with the competition. I love getting involved in a race with others but to do so in the early stages of a 21.1k race would invite disaster. At least I have learnt that lesson down the years. So with 5.20s and 5.25s showing on the watch I settled in to the cruise and, as we turned back into the lanes, the weather relented.

My daughter Emma is running well now, her son (my grandson) Dawson just a year old. We’d chatted a little before the start but now she was off well ahead of me with a running buddy (they were to finish in 1.47). Slowly I came onto the shoulder of a running friend Phil (himself 70 shortly) and we had a little chat before I edged away. I was to finish a few minutes ahead of him.

The course is designed so that the race comes back past the start at about half way. Now we were headed firmly across country towards the finish and the race really begins. I felt fine and strong with a steady pace established. At this point one’s pace is set and the watch is perhaps of mild interest but of little practical use. Your pace is now allied to those runners round and about you and you stick with them. One or two will fall away and the occasional runner will pass you out but this third quarter of the race is where you just hold steady.

I’m happy to exchange the odd word or joke with runners I come across in races. Today there was one guy with whom I swapped places a few times. A couple of times I tried a few friendly words but he was having none of it. His prerogative of course and his energy was better directed to pulling away from me in the final stages.

This course has the considerable benefit of a flat, even slightly downhill last few kms. Now then is the time you can push on, accelerate, if you have anything left. Of course everyone does likewise and picking up places is hard work. Suddenly there’s the entrance to the hospice and up the slope to the finishing line with welcoming spectators and earlier finishers. My time, 1:53.01, a couple of minutes ahead of schedule. A slight negative split too (second half faster than first half) so confirmation that I couldn’t have done much better on the day.

It turned out that 75-year-old Bob Hurst won the M70 prize with a great time of 1.50. I got second place though (and 186th overall) not that far in front of John Cunningham and Bernie Arthur. Overall winner was Bruno Francisco in 1:13.36.

No pics sadly – I’m not paying Jersey Evening Post £20 for one.

Link to the results here.

“One of these days I won’t be able to do this any more. Today is NOT that day.” One of my favourite quotes and one that, fortunately, still holds true. More than this, 2022 has been a very good year and one which I’ve enjoyed to the full. Fast approaching my 70th birthday I’m well aware that it will all end sooner or later but for now I’m riding the wave. Here, self-indulgently, I’ll review my running year.

Weight and health
Other than a bit of a bug late in the year I’ve remained in good health. In particular I seem to have escaped Covid altogether, though I’ve never actually been tested for it. My target weight is 80kg and I’ve largely fluctuated around 81-82 (though am slipping a little as we speak). A healthy weight is a must for enjoyable running. I’ve adopted a vegan lifestyle which is easy, aligns with my animal rights views, is a no-brainer for anyone concerned about the environment and climate change, and provides a healthy diet.

Mileage
In my case anyway, total mileage has always correlated with running performance. In 2022 I ran 2,310km (1,435 miles), a record year, overtaking my 2021 total on Christmas Day. I have to admit retirement from full time work has freed up lots of time for running 🙂

Training
I try to get out 4-5 times a week, usually alone but sometimes in company. It’s mostly easy running though I try to always throw in a serious hill, and occasionally a time trial or speedwork at the track. The flat out stuff I leave for race day.

The Races – (I love Race Day!)
11 Jan – Jersey Spartan 5k – 24.25 – I’m happy with anything in the 24s for a 5k.

29 Mar – Spartans 5k – 24.18

10 Apr – Spartans Spring 10k – 49.45 – sub-50 which is my 10k target.

19 April – Spartans 5k – 24.21

22 May – Durrell Challenge 13k 72.42. Tough old race, from town out to the Zoo, two serious hills in there. Finished strong and three minutes faster than last year. 146th out of 395.

12 June – Jersey Half-Marathon 1:57.45. Died a bit of a death on the tough final section but content enough with sub-2.

26 June – Headway 10k 49.39. 46th out of 105.

5 July – Spartan 5k 23.17. The highlight of the year and maybe my second fastest 5k ever. Winged feet, one of those rare occasions when it all comes right.

21 July – Spartans 10k (actually 9.76k) at Les Platons 50.02. Always a deceivingly tough course for which one needs to summon extra mental strength.

11 Aug – Spartan 8k Jardin d’Olivet 40.22

14 Aug – Jayson Lee Memorial 10k 49.18. 65th out of 219. Always a good race to run and well supported by the running community.

9 Oct – Spartans Autumn 10k 50.07. My favourite course (St Catherine) so annoying I was outside the 50.

18 Oct – Spartan 5k 24.43. Lost about 30 seconds after colliding with a bike, my own stupid fault. Could have been much worse.

6 Nov – Durrell Dash 12k approx – 62.39. 89th out of 203. Lost time re-tying shoelace, a rookie error on this tough course.

20 Nov – Frubbs 10 miler 1:30.14. My one really poor race, at the tail end of some sort of bug. I was treading water in the last few miles as many others floated past me.

20 Dec – Spartan 5k handicap 24.02. A fun race where the slower runners start ahead of the faster. It produced a good time in my case.

26 Dec – Spartans Boxing Day 10k 49.49. I couldn’t hold on to a fast start and my splits drifted upwards as the race progressed. Still, another sub-50.

31 Dec – Bouley Bay Hill Climb (1.6km) 10.13. This annual torture attracted a nice crowd with the youngsters very much in evidence, this being one of the few races that is open to all with no age restrictions due to distance. I was a little way off my 2021 time but never mind.

Plans for 2022?
If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. Maintain body weight, maintain running consistency, keep running the races hard. And as I slip into the M70 age group I might be tempted onto a plane to enter a few UK races – there are few other silly old buggers still running here in Jersey 🙂

Happy New Year to all.

In 2009 Jayson Lee, a fellow runner and all-round sportsman, collapsed and died. The following year his family organised a 10k race in his memory. More than 200 runners took part – I finished in 49.24. That year, 2010, was my best running year.

Last Sunday was the 13th running of the Jayson Lee Memorial 10k which again attracted an entry in excess of 200. I finished in 49.18.

And just a couple of minutes behind me was my daughter Emma with her 5-month old son Dawson.

At the end of the race I exchanged mutual congratulations with a few runners I’d brushed shoulders with out on the course, took a bottle of water and walked back around the track to encourage those who were approaching the finish. I know full well how a clap, a shout, a few encouraging words can give you a lift as you dig deep through the physical pain, having given everything. I’m in a good place with my running right now but there have been many times when I’ve struggled way back towards the end of the field.

There were many familiar faces there, young and old. Those I have run with socially, a pleasing number I recognised having coached them in the past. Most managed a smile and a word or two, others merely grimaced all the more – believe me I understand that! But for a few minutes I reflected on how lucky I’ve been to be able to stay healthy and continue to take part in the sport. And how many good people I’ve met along the way.

Times past, this flagship event attracted many runners. For whatever reason(s), controllable or not, there were just 47 finishers last Sunday. Furthermore, there were few, if any, participants who were not regular and/or competent runners.

Still, it was a sunny if somewhat chilly morning as the race started, back to the Radisson before turning and heading west along the well-worn promenade along Victoria Avenue. Generations of runners have used this as their training ground, primarily for its traffic-free environment and its welcome lighting on winter nights. Perhaps some of those old runners were, invisible to us, sitting on the sea wall and casting a critical eye.

Personally, my aim was a consecutive sub-50 minute run – the math being easy as I kept my eye on my trusty Garmin timepiece. The leaders were soon in the distance and the chatty mid-pack bunch easing slowly ahead, chatty but still faster than me. I felt comfortable enough, hitting my 5min kms as we headed west. Richard Watson eased by me early on but I edged by him again as we turned at St Aubin for the run for home.

Then a reality check as a moderate south-easterly breeze sprung up, right into our faces. The even-paced cruise turned into a bit of a battle, arms working harder, no-one immediately in front to latch on to, recruiting one or two tricks to maintain rhythm. The last long run-in from First Tower and an anxious check of the watch. 49.43, which I consider a good morning’s work.