Heasman had just completed The Grand Union Canal Race – a distance of 145 miles from Little Venice, near Paddington station along the tow-path to the Gas Street Basin, close to Birmingham New Street. He set off at 6am on Saturday and completed the route late in the early hours of Monday morning. On the way, he was sometimes joined and supported by his fellow ultra runners for part of the run. Darren Kilby ran a few miles with him around the halfway mark, after which Jacqueline Mannering ran with him for a while at 110 miles. He was also backed by his wife Sarah and other friends, who acted as his support crew.
“That was a real long journey along some beautiful countryside,” said Heasman. “I loved the narrow boats travelling along a lot of it and seeing all the ducks and geese showing off their babies. It was also great to hear total strangers shouting my name and showing me kindness along the route - that never wears thin!”
Lambert, meanwhile, was one of over a hundred men and women – split into 13 heats – each trying their luck against the clock in the Eastbourne Mile Event. He won his heat in 5:16.18, placing him ahead of the times recorded by the club’s Danny Firth (5:20.03), Lewis Parsons (5:21.15), Simon Linklater (who placed second in his heat with 5:54.46) and Steven Stanley (6:08.42).
In contrast to those time trials, six other HRs entered the celebrated Fox Ultra, a 40-mile (62k) trail run up, down and around the Surrey countryside surrounding Guildford. Sam Davies was the first HR over the finish line in a time of five hours 59 minutes and 22 seconds – placing him third in his MV40 age category. Afterwards he admitted: “It was pretty tough but a great course – though for some reason, after 50k I felt like I’d had enough running for one day!” Also completing the distance were: Andy Denyer (in 6:50:19), Conal Tracey (8:06:24) and three of the club’s women ultra runners Marie Appleton, Kate Lewis and Stacey Hayler – who crossed the line together in 10:58:39/40.
Finally, well done to Julie Adams who completed the Edinburgh Half Marathon in 2:34:14.
• Places are still available for this year’s prestigious Hastings Five Mile race on Sunday 1 June, organised by Hastings Runners and run from the Town Hall out and back along the seafront. The flagship event, which raises funds for St Michael’s Hospice, can be entered online via register.enthuse.com
Hastings Runners welcomes new members of all abilities aged 12 and over for fun, training and competitive running. Visit https://hastingsrunners.co.uk