It was the hottest May on record and there were some pretty hot performances this month as well!

The month started with Helen Margetts and Dean Sartin taking on the Brecon Beacons Ultra, with some huge climbs and just under 52k in distance to cover. Also add some blazing sunshine and you have a beautiful but challenging day, and a little sun burn!

The MK Marathon weekend also enjoyed some hot conditions which was lovely for the spectators but a test for all the runners, The weekend began with twenty Olney Runners stepping up for the Rocket 5k with Dee Bethune also running the half to complete the double header. Battling the heat in the Marathon were Steve Dicks, Matthew Fox, Caroline Herman & Jane Betts, with Darren Darkins, Jade Wakefield and Claire White who was completing her first half. Well done all!

The same weekend also saw Patrick Cruywagen running a great time at the Belfast Marathon.

The Silverstone 10k has been a popular race for the club for many years and this year was no exception with ten fine athletes representing, with a great performance from Lee Austin who bagged an impressive PB.

The second race in the Northants 5k series had another great turnout in Salcey Forest with 33 from the club getting out there.  It was a super night for the Junior Squad with Matthew Dicks taking the overall victory and Saskia Chaplin the fastest OR female, Matthew also bagged the team win with Steve Holton, Darren Darkins and Dean Sartin who all finished in the top ten. Whilst it was brilliant to have some winning performances at the top of the field, the greatest success was the wave of Blue and Gold throughout the field all running as hard as possible.

This month was a busy one for Steve Dicks, not content with running the MK marathon, he decided to  run 3 races in 4 days. After competing at Salcey Forest, Steve then ran a 5k Fell race and the Hathersage Hurtle trail race twenty-four hours later. Crazy!

Steve was joined by Simon Cook at Hathersage as he puts the finishing touches to his training for the Mont Blanc Marathon at the end of June.

Last of all we must give a special mention to Serena Von Der Heyde and Andy Miles who competed in the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon, finishing 21st and 5th overall in their category. This race is a two-day affair that requires you to navigate, carry your own tent and food. This is not for the faint hearted and well done for such a superb result!

That’s it for now, please let me know if I have missed anything and I can include it in next month’s round up.