BRR Blog – 14 April 2025
The gang at the Run4Life Race
Hola Road Runners!
No official BRR races this weekend, but there was still plenty of racing. Some of us stayed close to home, with the Run4Life 5k and 10k around the outside perimeter of Central Park in Dagenham. Cristina went further afield to Wales to compete in the Newport Marathon. And Rob went further still, to take part in the Ibiza 12k. All the details in Greg’s Race Report, below.
London Marathon Volunteer Kit
If you volunteered for the BRR water station last year and are volunteering again this year, you should have received an email telling you that you are expected to re-use your kit. If you no longer have your purple jacket, you can request a replacement and collect it from 22nd-26th April. You will have to order a jacket and book a collection slot via your volunteer profile on Rosterfy.
Available collection points/times:
Marathon House
190 Great Dover St, London, SE1 4YB
22nd-25th April
9am-5pm each day
The Mall Volunteer Check in Location
https://w3w.co/hardly.able.stump
Saturday 26th April
10am-4pm
If you didn’t volunteer last year, we will have your kit for collection on Marathon day. We ask last year’s volunteers PLEASE DO NOT TAKE KIT MEANT FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS! That would be very unfair and could result in you being banned from future volunteering on the water station.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Rabea Begum on the birth of her first child, beautiful baby Luca Lim, on Sunday 13th of April. We wish the family all the best for the future.
Bonny baby Luca Lim
Tip of the Week
Some runners naturally feel hungrier and eat more when their training load increases. Others do not. If you are in the second group, you may need to make a conscious effort to up your calorie intake as your up your mileage. In particular, make sure you consume enough carbs to fuel your runs. Failure to do so may mean your body starts breaking down muscle to provide protein as an alternative fuel source – not good.
Tracksmith 100 Days to London – week 14
The final week of the Tracksmith 100 Days to London free marathon training programme (or week ‘fourtheeth’, as they call it on their website). Meet at the Tracksmith shop for a 5-mile (8k) or 10-mile (16k) run, starting at 9.30am. Sunday 20 April 2025. Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1344320/group_events/1972445
For more details and sign-up see https://ti.to/tracksmith/100-days-to-london-2025
Parkrun Barcode
A barcode t-shirt
While barcode scanning at Barking parkrun a few Saturdays ago I was surprised when a parkrunner asked me to scan his t-shirt. His barcode was printed on his sleeve. I was dubious, but it worked like a dream.
I’ve found a company that will put your barcode on a t-shirt for you, anywhere you like. It is £23 if they provide the t-shirt, or you can send one of your own and they will add the barcode for £13. https://www.triathlontrainingcentre.co.uk/product-category/running-barcode/runningbarcode/
I’m not sure what parkrun-founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt would think of it, as the company makes clear they are not associated or connected with parkrun, so parkrun won’t raise any funds from sales, but I guess if you have already bought your milestone t-shirt, or another parkrun top, they can’t complain if you have your barcode added. You would also have to watch out for jobsworth volunteers who refuse to scan a top, but it’s a nice novelty anyway. Whatever next? A barcode tattoo? Don’t be tempted, Steve Colloff!
Other rogue barcode/QR products are also available - look on Etsy for iron-on transfers, only £6 each. I will stick to teh official parkrun merch.
All the gear…
A Little Bit of Politics
You may love or loathe Donald Trump but one thing is for certain: unless he decides to ditch his tariffs, they are likely to hit runners in the wallet.
The Trump administration has escalated its trade war with China, announcing a 145% tariff on Chinese imports (although he has now backed off on some electronic goods). While most other countries are temporarily spared the harshest penalties for 90 days, even they face still face baseline 10% tariffs, threatening to raise prices and choke supply chains.
Given that many running brands are US-based, you may think that means they are exempt from the impact of the tariffs, but that is not the case. Companies like Adidas, Under Armour, Saucony, and The North Face produce a significant share of their running gear in China. Apple and Coros watches are also made mainly in China. Garmin makes most of its watched in Taiwan but sources parts in China. Other brands like Nike, Brooks, Hoka, Asics, and New Balance, who had switched a lot of their manufacturing to Vietnam, now face a 10% baseline tariff come July unless trade talks resolve.
US companies may manage to avoid the impact of tariffs by exporting goods directly from the countries of manufacture to the countries where they will be sold, but there is a good chance they will try and pass on some of the higher costs in the American market to us. Now may be a good time to stock up on your favourite running shoes, if you see them cheap!
The Tunnel of Love?
The new Silvertown Tunnel under the Thames opened on Monday 7 April, but the shuttle bus for cyclists has received mixed reviews. While one cyclist described it as ‘pleasant’, another said it was ‘rubbish.’
Cyclists are not allowed to cycle through the tunnel so must use the shuttlebus - which runs every 12 minutes during the daytime between Seagull Lane, close to Royal Victoria DLR station, and in Millennium Way, near the junction with Old School Close - instead.
TfL said the bus would be accessible to a variety of standard and non-standard cycles, so I have been looking forward to giving it a go with my trusty tricycle. But Caroline Russell, a Green Party London Assembly Member, found that she had to fold her Brompton bike and lift it into a complicated rack – that wouldn’t be much fun with a trike that weighs about 25 kilos.
A TfL spokesperson said: “Now it is open to the public, the bus layout will be kept under review, taking feedback on board.” I might still give it a go with my trike, but I will need someone muscly to help if I need to lift it into a rack (I guess that gets Chris off the hook).
Greg’s Race Report
Several Barking Road Runners took part in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Run4Life 5k and 10k runs, with Tom Brennan finishing 2nd in the 10k in a time of 46:29 followed by Belinda Riches 52:26, James Sheridan 55:14, Isabel Pinedo Borobio 1:00:27, Steve Colloff 1:01:09, Barry Rowell 1:01:29, Alison Fryatt 1:09:47, Martin Mason 1:18, 36 and Les Jay 1:20:19. Darren Graham and Denise Graham took part in the 5k run finishing in 46:23 and 53:19 respectively.
Cristina Cooper ran the Newport Marathon finishing in a time of 3:40:17 which, apart from an almost 5-minute personal best, was a Boston Marathon qualifying time.
Cristina celebrating her marathon
Derv Bartlett and Rob Courtier travelled to Ibiza to run a 12k race finishing in times of time of 52:06 and 1 hour 23 minutes respectively. Rob was second in his age category.
Rob with his Ibiza 12k medal
The final race of seven in the BRR virtual 5k handicap series was won by Peter Jackson. The overall series winner was Ron Vialls with Gary Harford and Mark New sharing 2nd place and Steve Philcox in 4th.
A big well done to everyone else who took part – it was great to see 33 people supporting the competition. Remember that the Summer Handicap, held in person in Barking Park, will start on Thursday 8 May.
BRR parkrunners
Barking - Jonathan Furlong 22:51, Adrian Davison 23:06, Rosie Fforde 24:03, Stuart Burr 25:09, Chris Muthaka 26:36, Barry Rowell 27:17, George Hiller 29:27, Sian Mansley 29:50, Andrew Hiller 29:55, Joyce Golder 31:51, Clodagh Shorey 32:02, John Lang 35:23, Faye Spooner 35:38, Les Jay 37:05, Nikki Cranmer 39:06, Darren Graham 47:33, James Sheridan 47:33, Dawn Curtis 51:26 and Alan Murphy 52:51.
Chelmsford Central - Louise Chappell 32:01.
Eastbourne - Owen Wainhouse 21:17.
Great Notley - Gary Harford 29:38.
Gary at Great Notley parkrun
Hackney Marshes - John Mitchell 33:45.
Hanworth - Rory Burr 23:13.
Rory at Hanworth parkrun
Ingrebourne Hill - Mark New 24:13 and Emma Paisley 35:08.
Mile End - Alain Cooper 28:16.
Orpington - Belinda Riches 28:04, Steve Colloff 29:37 and Dennis Spencer Perkins 30:11.
Steve C, Belinda and Dennis at Orpington parkrun
Roding Valley - Paul Withyman 19:59.
Storeys Field - Sunny Bulchandani 23:21.
Valentines - Chandru Thayalan 23:49, Kevin Wotton 24:16 and Andrew Gwilliam 35:33.
Wimpole Estate - Martin Brooks 28:34.
BRR Diary – April/May
To 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 15 April – Speed Session. Jim Peters Stadium, Mayesbrook Park. This week Greg will be taking the session:
10 x (2 mins run, 90 secs recovery)
Your runs should be at target 5k race pace. Your recovery can be static, a walk, or an easy jog.
7.00pm, Thursday 17 April – Road Run. Castle Green Centre, Gale Street, Dagenham. Usually between 4-6 miles.
11.00am, Friday 18 April - Pitsea RC Crown to Crown. Westley Heights Country Park at the rear of the Miller & Carter (Crown) Public House, Langdon Hills. Mainly off-road trail race with a short stretch of tarmac near the beginning and end. A basic, old-fashioned race with no chip-timing, just £2.50 for EA members/£4.50 non-EA. Good news for regulars is that the public toilets have reopened. Entries on the day or via EntryCentral.
6.30pm, Friday 25 April - Pre-London Marathon Carb Loading. China Friend, 36 Longbridge Rd, Barking, Essex IG11 8RYJoin us for some pre-marathon carb-loading, whether you are running a marathon or not! No need to book - just turn up and join us at the communal tables at the China Friend restaurant, near Barking Station (opposite side of the road, close to the roundabout).
Various times, Sunday 27 April – London Marathon and Manchester Marathon. Meet times for those on the Mile 15 Water Station to be published soon.
7:00pm, Sunday, 27 April – Post-London Marathon drinks. Prince of Wales Pub, 63 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1XJ (if you drive, remember to enter your car registration number on the screen inside the pub). If you've run in the London Marathon, volunteered on the water station, or just fancy chilling out with those who have and hearing all the tales, come and join us in the Prince of Wales pub for a few drinks. No buffet this time as the Landlord and Land Lady will be away, but there will probably be some club chips...
10.30am, Monday 5 May – Witham May Day 10 (miles). Starting and finishing at Witham Rugby Club. An Essex Championship race this year. https://www.withamrc.org.uk/races/may-day-10/
7.30pm, Wednesday 21 May - Dagenham 88 5 (miles). ELVIS 01. Eastbrookend Country Park, off Dagenham Road, Dagenham RM7 0SS. First race in the 2025 ELVIS competition. There is a new, three-lap course this year. Race HQ is the Eastbrookend Discovery Centre, and will be open from 6.00pm until 9.00pm for toilets and refreshments. Enter at https://www.entrycentral.com/Dagenham88Runners_2025
10.00am, Sunday 25 May - Thameside 5k and 10k. Thameside Nature Discovery Centre, in Mucking. A lovely run alongside the Thames estuary, with a fantastic medal. Enter now for an early bird discount. https://www.entrycentral.com/Thameside10512025Races
A slightly blurry image of this year’s Thameside medal
11.00am, Monday 26 May – Hatfield Broad Oak 10k. Coincides with the village fair. There’s a kids’ one-mile race too. https://www.atwevents.co.uk/e/hatfield-broad-oak-10k-9088
Cracker Corner
Every week my friend says she’s going to take up jogging but never does. It’s a running joke.
Isn’t Google Maps a fantastic app? I’d be lost without it.
Why don’t owls go on dates in the rain? Because it’s too wet to woo.
Quote of the Week
“That’s the thing about running: your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is.”
Kara Goucher
And Finally
Everyone who took part in Sunday’s Run4Life agreed it was a really enjoyable event with a fantastic atmosphere, and an equally fantastic medal. So it was a great shame that it had such a low turnout - only 135 participants in total (32 10k runners and 103 5k runners). But eagle-eyed Joyce and Jason may have spotted the cause: the event started and finished outside the old Dagenham Civic Centre, now home of Coventry University, London. Unfortunately, the event was showing online as taking place in…Coventry, West Midlands. I’m sure that will have deterred a few people from signing up. We can only hope there wasn’t a crowd of disappointed people standing in Coventry at 8.00am wondering what had happened to their race…
Keep on Running
Alison
Chair, Barking Road Runners
