By Graham Lougher

I’ve written a few race reports for the club championships this year. I thought I’d do a season review.

I started off a bit unsure of what to expect, as I thought it might be extremely competitive and it might only be for “fast” runners.

The cross country and parkruns were a good start. Friendly and with a good number of club members.

Graham at an Oxfordshire League cross country race

I ended up doing 24 across the year! Despite only ten counting for championships. So I feel I got a good range of races. My main aim for the year was a triathlon in September, so I used some of the summer races as training by cycling to them. I think I might do that to a few more next year.

Favourite races

I realised while writing that the standard of snacks after affected my decisions.

Headington 5

I really enjoyed Headington 5. The course isn’t too inspiring, and 5 miles always feels a strange distance. However, it felt the best attended, and it was a great sunny evening.

Ducklington Dash

A really nice, relaxed atmosphere. Always helps when you get a pb, too.

Woodstock 8 (12)

Great to run around Blenheim. The weather was scorching, was glad they shortened it by a lap. Ice cream after was fantastic.

Nettlebed Stinger

My favourite kind of race is a trail race. This one has a primary school as the race HQ. Also, it is next to the Nettlebed Creamery, which serves the best cheese toasties.

Freith Hilly (Frilly)

Nice new race and fun to be a 5km trail race. Highlight was a choir of children signing on a corner.

Sonning Common 10 km

One word: Chocomel

Abingdon athletes showing off their medals at the Sonning Common 10k

Maidenhead Easter 10

A 10 mile race, well run and attended. Strange to see Teresa May and her bodyguards.

Takeaways

After not knowing what to expect I really enjoyed the club champs this year. It was great to turn up to races and seek out fellow Abingdon runners. Everyone was friendly with some friendly competition, particularly with Steve Badcock. It was a great way to improve, as I achieved PBs in all distances this year. I would recommend it to anyone, no matter what your goals are.

Find out how you can take part in the Club Championships this year.

Season review: Club Championships 2023