It was the morning of the Hell Runner run. My stomach churned from the prospect of completing a course on military training ground. Andrew Patterson’s soothing words to me 8 weeks back of “of course you can train in 8 weeks, there is plenty of time to get fit enough” no longer seemed so reassuring. I was part of a motley crew of 5 from the Running Shoos team waiting for breakfast in the Little Chef. There we strategically planned our run, surrounded by tables of sinewy seasoned runners from running clubs. We were a hockey player (kerri woodrow), a free diver (arnaud palu), a smoker (regis mosseron) and a frazzled mummy (me) and we were looking to our part-time marathon runner (eamonn haughian) for last minute direction and guidance. Our aim was simple: run as a team; to finish the run, and not to come last!
It took us an hour to drive a mile to the parking area from the A3. We fought our way against the tide of over a thousand runners who had started the race and ran half a mile to the Running Shoos tent to pick up our entrant numbers and clips.
The sky was blue and the sun warm, and the rolling hills and woodland of Longmoor military camp provided us with stunning scenery. Our strategy of walking up the inclines and running down on the other side worked well as we started to catch up with everyone else. When we reached the drinks station at halfway point after fifty minutes, the course and our competition were a lot less daunting, and we congratulated ourselves by high-fives; there had been lots of hills, but the ground was dry and the whites of our clothes were still pristine.
At the point where I thought we might be coming into the home-stretch, I even suggested increasing our pace. And then we hit the ‘Bogs of Doom’. [400] yards of freezing-cold black, stagnant, foul-smelling bog full of mud, massive branch roots and rock. I very nearly fell face first into the bog taking with me the unsuspecting runner in front of me. After the ‘Bogs of Doom’ came a chest-deep river and more steep hills. We stunk and our legs felt like lead from the shock of the cold water, but somehow we found our rhythm again until we reached the mile-long ‘Hills of Hell’, made up of never-ending sand dunes.
Yet the feeling of crossing the finish line can only be described as euphoria; the sense of achievement huge. The course had been challenging but fantastic fun, and running as a team had given us many laughs. Would I do it again? Without question!
Gwynneth Tan - Can ( A Very New Hellrunner ! )
Hellrunner Down South 2007
They did it!!!!! Crazy Crazy People!!
On a fine Sunday morning over 1800 runners ventured along the A3 to the Longmoor Army camp looking for a hellish time ... and they found one.
The Saab Salomon Hellrunner was back at Longmoor and the surrounding hills, heaths and bogs for the 4th time and it was more popular then ever. Word is getting around that Hellrunners brand of off-road adventure running is the muckiest fun you can have in a pair of XA Pros and the race had a full entry with runners coming from all over the country and many large groups travelling from distant running clubs, including 17 from our very own ‘Running Shoos’.
Some racers who had completed the harsh HH Adventure Race the previous week were back for more.
There were a few problems getting everyone in and past the security gate, with a queue back onto the A3 and a slightly delayed start a necessity. But this was not going to stop those die hards from Milton Keynes from catching up with the already left pack!!
Inside the camp there was a buzz of activity as everyone got ready to race and some took a look a the large area of nearby sand dunes and the taped section of route known as the ‘Hills of Hell’. The soft ground and hill reps were warning of what was to come but the weather this year had been drier than in the past and one large area of bog had been drained … but another had been found!
Once everyone was ready coloured smoke flares signalled the start, one on the back of the quad bike leading the way, and the race was on. Chris Smith lead the way in the early stages, but Rob Jebb of the Saab Salomon Adventure Running team was only a few paces back and later took control of the race. The first 9 miles of the course (approx 11.5 in total) was relatively faster going and the leaders kept a good 5 minute mile pace.
Then came a series of bogs, finishing with the deep channel of the ‘Bog of Doom’ and the ‘Hills of Hell’.
For the majority just getting round was the challenge, and perhaps the most memorable moments were in the ‘Bog of Doom’. This was in a narrow dip, almost a ditch and as runners piled in the mud got deeper and deeper, to the extent some were almost swimming in it! Even so there were relatively few mishaps, and amazingly only 12 DNF’s from over 1800 starters.
The full results are on www.hellrunner.co.uk and photos of all competitors will be on the sleepmonsters site in due course just use the race number below to search.
Running Shoos Entrants and Results are:
Raceahead Event Services
Hellrunner - Hell Down South
Race# Forename Surname Cat Pos Gun Time Pos Chip Time
3851 Paul Passey 534 01:43:45 766 01:41:24
3850 Andrew Allen 587 01:47:03 879 01:44:42
3834 Chris Jibb 591 01:47:23 892 01:45:05
3844 Iain Larkins 757 01:55:24 1200 01:53:06
3840 Thomas Smith 858 02:02:47 1405 01:58:51
3838 Jeremy Ellis 859 02:02:51 1407 02:00:33
3836 Debra Pothecary 157 02:02:51 1408 02:00:33
3852 Mike Farmer 9 02:07:08 1530 02:04:54
3843 Eamonn Haughian 918 02:08:20 1558 02:02:01
3841 Arnaud Palu 256 02:11:26 1611 02:05:06
3847 Tan Gwynneth 111 02:12:45 1635 02:06:27
3845 Kerri Woodrow 224 02:14:04 1648 02:07:45
3846 Regis Mosseron 946 02:15:32 1666 02:09:13
3853 Kunal Spratt 956 02:17:16 1683 02:14:58
3835 Clare Lord 236 02:18:50 1698 02:16:32
3837 Dominique Nahab 237 02:18:50 1699 02:16:31
3833 Andrew Patterson 962 02:18:50 1700 02:16:33
Individual office recollections to follow!!!
For a slideshow of more photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18575117@N02/show/
Reading Half Marathon - Sun 2nd Mar 2008
SUNDAY 2ND MARCH 2008
Dear All
Shoosmiths will once again be taking part in the Reading Half Marathon and we need YOU!
If you have never run thirteen yards before, let alone thirteen miles, never fear because there’s plenty of time to get into shape and help Shoosmiths raise serious amounts of cash for a deserving cause.
Last year’s runners (myself included!) did an amazing job raising funds for the Brain Tumour UK. This year, we hope to be able to provide another charity with your hard earned sponsor money, to be confirmed at a later date. Shoosmiths will pay your entry fee for the race, on the understanding that runners will raise approximately 4 times the entry fee (so at least £100.00 each if you can). This means that if we have 40 runners this year, as we did last year, we will raise at least £4000.00 for charity!
As in past years, you can arrive at the fantastic Royal Suite prior to running to have a hot drink and bacon sandwich, and also drop off your bags, safe in the knowledge they will be looked after. You will also have an opportunity to rest your weary bones after the finishing line with some refreshments in the Suite. Families and friends are all very welcome to come along and lend you their support on the day. Next year, the marathon takes place on Sunday 2nd March 2008.
Would you be kind enough to let me know if you are interested in running for Shoosmiths. If so, please let me have your date of birth and the age you will be on the day of the race. This information should be with me by no later than Friday 9th November 2007. Be advised that entrance forms will be submitted on Monday 12th November 2007 and no further applications will be accepted after this date. Please be aware that all runners entering do so at their own risk as it is your own responsibility to ensure you are fit enough to run. As with previous years, if you enter and then do not run, we will be asking you to re-imburse the entrance fee. Further details will be sent later once I have an idea of provisional numbers.
Best regards and get running!
Ian Nobbs
Litigation Manager
08700 868745 direct dial
Nottingham Treadmill Marathon
The Nottingham office completed its Treadmill Marathon on Friday 19 October recording a time of 3 hours and 14 minutes. 25 people took part running a total of 40 miles in 5 hours and 40 minutes.
It was a fantastic effort by everybody and we would like to thank everyone for taking part!
The pasta party, quiz, raffle and tea trolley raised a total of £297 for GOSH, a sum that will be matched by the firm.
Helly Henson Adventure Race Oct 2007
2 Teams - 1 Purpose, to complete the gruelling Helly Henson Adventure Race Oct 2007!
Shoosmiths Adventurers - Stephen Cock & Heidi Tibbenham Raised £750 for Brain Tumour UK and completed the distance in 3 hrs 47 Ranking them 99/237.
Shoosmiths Team ACE - Andrew Patterson, Jermey Ellis & James Macintosh completed in 4 hrs 8 ranking them 155/237 (not bad for their first attempt!!)
Once again the Helly Hansen Adventure Challenge at Longmoor Army Camp
came up trumps with the weather. It was a repeat performance of last year
with brilliant autumn sunshine throughout the race, but when arriving in
the early morning it was time for the woolly hats and gloves as the frost
was still set hard on the ground and the surrounding forests harboured
some lingering mist.
The route was challenging for novice racers, consisting of a 2 mile Dune and Bog Run
followed by 2 rounds of the 16 Mile Technical MTB route and another 6 mile mixed bag assault through bog and lake by Kayak. The whole thing culminated in a gruelling Assualt course!
While a little crazy at times - a great time was had by all!!
Further adventure races will be available for the 2008 Season, so If you are interested in joining in please contact - Andrew Patterson
Solent Treadmill Marathon - 12 Oct 2007
The Solent Treadmill Marathon on 12 October 2007 was a huge success with over one third of the office taking part and collecting in total £115 for GOSH.
A big thank you to all those that took part and rest of the office who supported the event by coming to work in their sports kit and bought sweets!
Milton Keynes - Treadmill Marathon Off To a great start!
Here is a photo from the Milton Keynes Treadmill Marathon Event. While Gary Assim (Head of MK Office) is holding the stop watch, Angela Taylor (Partner in DRU) is the brave soul running!
Nottingham Robin Hood Marathon
Huge thank you to everyone who took part in the first external event of the Running Shoos calendar. We had 3 teams who took part in the Robin Hood Half Marathon corporate relay challenge. Our fastest team came 9th out of an overall 77 teams completing the challenge in a time of 1 hour 41 minutes and our other 2 teams came 40th and 50th, crossing the finish line just before and after the 2 hour mark respectively.
Thank you to everyone for their efforts and especially those who made the journey down the A42 to get here for 8am!
See you all next time!
Basingstoke Adventure Team Mud Run Route
The Training weekends, second mission!
A very muddy 6 mile beast of a run.
Basingstoke Adventure Race Team - First MTB 05/10/07
To mark the start of a gruelling weekends adventure training in preparation for the Helly Hansen Adventure Race in October, Andrew Patterson, Jeremy Ellis & James Macintosh from Basingstokes Office Adventure race 'Team ACE' completed a 30 Mile MTB Cross Country route at night in a v.respectable 3hrs allowing for Transition.
Basingstoke Office Treadmill Marathon 21st Sep
The Running BUN!
Running Bun
Kindly donated by Kirsty MacSporran's mum for the Northampton Launch of Running Shoos event in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital our Firmwide Charity of the Year.
FW: Running Shoos - Shakespeare Marathon/Half-Marathon
Wherefore art thou, Running Shoos?
With the Treadmill Marathon behind us, it is once more into the breach, dear friends, once more. It is time to look to the next Running Shoos event which will be... The Shakespeare Marathon and Half-Marathon in Stratford. This event will be open to employees and clients alike and will be taking place on the 27 April from 9.30am.
http://www.shakespearemarathon.org.uk
Although we are still a way off, there is no time to wait 'til Birnam forest comes to Dunsinane. We would like to get the names of anyone who is interested in signing up to this event ASAP.
Please could you let us know if you are interested in this event, please email and we will send you further information in due course.
Shoo will be glad you did.
Many thanks Simon.McArdle@shoosmiths.co.uk
Northampton Office Treadmill Marathon 7th Sep
Thank you for all your support for the Running Shoos Treadmill Marathon event,
both to all those who dressed down, bought drinks and sweets and those
who ran / walked on the treadmill.
The total money raised during the day is £650.40
The cake was won by Sally Hilliard. Thanks to everyone
Amanda Harrison
Birmingham Office Treadmill Marathon 24th Aug 2007
The Treadmill Marathons are well underway to launch Running Shoos with an estimated 300 employees taking part. Birmingham were the first to hold their marathon on Friday 24 August, with Alex Bishop stepping up first.
Just click on Comments to find out more!!
To Join or get Updates
If you would like to join Shoosmiths and Running Shoos extended family or would just like to receive regular updates, simply click on the office closest to you and we will add you to the 'Running Shoos' Database of supporters.
You could be just a click away from taking part in a variety of charity events, helping to raise money both for our national Charity of the Year, and for the local organising Office Nominated Charity.
If you would like us to send you updates on events taking place, and news and information on future events, please add your name, job, company and address to the email.
If you have a little time, why not tell us what you think of the iniative and then tell a freind - this simple act could help make a hug difference. Together we can help more!
Thank you for joining us.
(click to email)
Basingstoke
Birmingham
Northampton
Milton Keynes
Nottingham
Solent
Thames Valley
What is it all about?
The purpose of Running Shoos is to build on Shoosmiths’ commitment to corporate social responsibility, to raise money for both the firm’s national charity and the individual offices’ local charities, to involve our clients and raise their awareness and most importantly for all those involved, to have fun.
The Running Shoos initiative was conceived by Andrew Patterson, [an Adventurer – committed to putting the Fun in Fundraising and inspiring people to challenge themselves for the good of others] who, with the support of Andrew Tubbs, enlisted co-ordinators in each office (See further down for details of the coordinators).
Running Shoos events are not just for the hard-core runners amongst us. We aim to cater for everyone’s fitness levels and activities planned include all kinds of running events across the country. In addition to these we also are including other events from Adventure Racing to ‘It’s a Knockout’. So it does not matter if your thing is a last minute 2km walk followed by a nice cup of tea or a gruelling 2 day Adventure race followed by a days rehydration - your going to know you did something really special for someone else.
If you would like to participate in any of the upcoming events and have not already done so, please join the database (please see your co-ordinators) so we can alert you (by email) to all the forthcoming events in your region and where appropriate, the national events.
The grand plan for Running Shoos is to enlist not only members of staff but also clients and friends of the firm to participate in events that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to do so.
This is an initiative that a lot of people are already very passionate about and we are looking forward to an exciting and action-packed future which involves you, joining us, and having some fun!
The purpose of this blog is to nurture & share information & stories about Running Shoos in a positive way. Please try to inspire and help others by promoting the initiative. Please enter this blog with this in mind!
Thank you for joining us.
Coordinators (click to email)
Basingstoke
- Andrew Patterson
- Paul Kavanagh
Birmingham
- Beth Grundy
- Simon McArdle
Northampton
- Hazel Murby
- Andrew Wilkinson
- Danielle Race
- Jayne Ellingham
Milton Keynes
- Steve Wiltshire
Nottingham
- Charlotte Blount
- Laura Rowland
Solent
- Sian Evans
- Lee Osborne
Thames Valley
- Tom Tarrant
- Aileen Morrison
Treadmill Marathon - Launch Dates
24 Aug Birmingham
31 Aug Reading
7 Sep Northampton
21 Sep Basingstoke
28 Sep Milton Keynes
12 Oct Solent
19 Oct Nottingham
Scheduled events
2007
Nottingham Robin Hood Half Marathon 16/09/2007
Basingstoke HH Adventure Challenge 21/10/2007
Basingstoke SAAB Salomon Hell Runner 04/11/2007
2008
Thames Valley Reading Half Marathon 01/03/2008
Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Half Marathon 11/03/2008
Birmingham Shakespeare Marathon/h/10k 01/04/2008
Northampton Race For Life 30/06/2008
Thames Valley Triathlon 01/07/2008
Thames Valley Mountain Bike Weekend 01/08/2008
Central London Marathon 11/04/2008
Meon Valley Estate – Event Day
Arctic Challenge
