The ‘Bentley Babes’

According to statistics, more women than men are taking to running and at Great Bentley Running Club (GBRC) we are also finding this to be the case. This ever increasing number of female runners vary in age, size and ability (not everyone is built like Paula Ratcliffe, or runs like her!). However, all of them have one thing in common – they love running.

For the more competitive among you, you might like to know that the ‘Bentley Babes’ include Barbara Law (second in her age group in the 2000 London Marathon), Ann Crawshaw (International Triathelete) and other ‘Babes’ who win races and go from strength to strength both individually, and as a team. For the less competitive and those just wanting to achieve their potential or those just wanting to run with others, we are also the club for you. As Ladies Captain, I am proud of every last one of the GBRC ladies. We all make up the club and help to make regular running part of our lives (we also socialise). We are fortunate enough to have a Club Coach who is supportive, professional and up to date with new training ideas.

As for me, I became Ladies Captain in 1999 and decided to call the Ladies Team, the ‘Bentley Babes’. We have entered as a team in several races, including the Race for Life at Hylands Park (Chelmsford) in 1999, Nowton Park (Bury) in 2000 and won the Team Trophy at the Maldon Promenade 5k in 1999.

We meet every Wednesday at Great Bentley Village Hall. The first two sessions are free, so why not give us a try. You’ll make friends, be with others who share your sport and most importantly you’ll run.

Hope to see you soon,

Michelle (Robinson).

 

Hi Babes!

 

I had to laugh, of course you may not, but on Friday 19^th July, off we trotted off to run in the Brantham 5 (Paul in tow, injured but supportive). We met Kate and Eric on arrival and in due course, they went off to warm up and for once, so did I (I don’t do warm ups but thought it might be a good idea. I went on my own, declining Kate and Eric’s offer to join them for theirs.

However my right knee suddenly seared up with pain during my warm up leading me to believe my run was over before it had even begun (Eric had seen me limping although I was unaware that anyone was watching me). Kate was suffering with hip pain due to a fight with a hoover and doubted that she would finish the race as 2 days previous, she was unable to run further than 2 miles and that was very painful. As for Eric, he appeared to have the trots in more ways than one and was keeping an eye open for any useful bushes (the garden type before you ask). What an advertisement for GBRC, 4 runners all injured, although having said this, there was at least variety between the injuries.

However much to our surprise, although Brantham is far from an easy course, Kate, Eric and I finished it, Kate 39-06, Eric 39-46 and me 42-54. We were not happy with our times, but glad to have finished at all (Kate and I did like our finishers medal too!).

Well what about Ekiden – the men did well, but the Babes won the Ladies Vets Team prize – 3^rd time lucky. The weather was unbelievably hot and our team wasn’t at its best. Nikki was badly injured before she started running, but put up a brave fight to finish her leg. Tracy has only just come back from having little Oliver and she done very well considering she hasn’t done much training at all. Nice to see her back! Kate arrived in the nick of time and ran superbly. Pam ran well, but was carrying a back injury and up those hills must have been hell. Barbara ran steady and fast giving us a big lead over the other teams even though she has been suffering from what would appear to have been the remains of a virus. I was unfortunate in getting the last leg and did not want to let the team down knowing they had done so well. It was 35 degrees centigrade reportedly by 1 p.m. in the afternoon and my knee was being a pain, but thanks to a superb run by the rest of the Babes I was able to keep our lead and we went on to win! Absolutely great teamwork!

Bye for now 

Chelle  xx