Nottingham Office Turns Out in Force at Robin Hood Half

Over a dozen Shoosmiths employees took part in the Robin Hood Festival of Running in September.

The majority of runners from the firm were involved in the Cooper Parry Corporate challenge, a run in relay format, where teams of five follow the same course as the Experian Robin Hood Half Marathon with each team member running around 2.5 miles before handing over the 'baton'.

Other, perhaps more foolhardy individuals, completed the half marathon taking in the sights of Nottingham over a hilly 13.1 miles.

But one man stands out for, whilst these comparative lightweights peeled off left towards the finish, Martin Larkman, a solicitor in the Corporate Department, turned right to face the gruelling second half of his 26.2 miles.

I for one, had been home, showered and had a very fulfilling cheeseburger in my local by the time the marathon runners arrived back at the Victoria Embankment for the finish so I tip my hat to those courageous enough to go the extra mile (and the extra 12.1 after that).

That said, everyone who took part should be congratulated for donning their running shoes, taking part and raising a substantial sum for charity and thanks should also be proferred to those that braved less than ideal conditions to cheer them on. Well done everyone.

The Kinabalu Challenge 2009

BMF Kinabalu Itinerary February 2009 - Find out about the event
The Kinabalu Diary - Read about February 2007's challenge
Hydraholics Take Over the Asylum! - A competitors 'unabridged' view
Charity Fundraising for the Challenge
Payment for the challenge

The Kinabalu Challenge from 20th - 28th February 2009

The Kinabalu Challenge is a 10 day trip to the jungles of Borneo where teams of 4 compete in a series of challenges including mountain biking, running, white water rafting, bamboo rafting, kayaking and racing up Mt Kinabalu the highest mountain in south East Asia.
Competitors will be trained in the essential jungle skills by our experienced guides before the challenge starts and will then have to use these skills to their best effect while competing.
The Kinabalu Challenge is tough especially when done in 35 degree temperatures and 95% humidity, it is however not just for the super humans amongst us, with decent training prior to the event almost anyone can complete the challenge, though the fitter you are the more you will enjoy it.
Please note that you do not need to sign up as an entire group of 4. Many sign up as individuals and are put in to groups. We will group you to the best of our ability with others of a similar fitness level and attitude to the event.

Read more about the challege on the Kinabalu Page

Kinabalu Information Evening:
On Wednesday 3 September we will be doing another information talk on the upcoming Kinabalu Challenge in Borneo at Hyde Park. This is a great way to find out more about this amazing event. The presentation will take place straight after the later class at 8.30pm. We be at the Lido, on the Serpentine, Hyde Park W2 2UH (which is right next to the Diana memorial and the BMF Hyde Park meeting point). Everyone is welcome. Please pass this on to anyone else who may be interested.

SAAB Salomon - Trail Marathon - June 2009

SOUTH DOWNS MARATHON & RELAY
UNITED KINGDOM
JUNE 2009

What can you expect?
The Saab Salomon South Downs Marathon events have quickly become classics with the unique choice of demanding full marathon, a relay marathon for teams of 4 or a more or a more relaxed 5km trail run for all the family.
Where will the trail take you?
The route along the western section of the South Downs into Queen Elizabeth Country Park for the finish is superb with a varied mix of woodland trails and open vistas across green pastures as far as the eye can see.
We are going to move the start location to Slindon (near Chichester) on the dip slope of the Downs and run up to the South Downs way through forest trails and the Monarch Way, and will introduce timing splits at the relay change-overs so that full marathon runners can analyse their performance and each relay runner will get a split for their stage.
The programme
The biggest change is to have a split start for the full marathon. We will split the start into waves (based on predicted times) as follows:
09.00 Slower marathoners

09.30 Relay Start

10.00 Faster Marathoners

There will be an event closing time at 4pm with cut off times at the second and third relay change over spots when marshals will be stood down and the course signs collected (runners can continue to the finish at there own risk following the standard South Downs Way Marked signs).
There will be bottled water available at 7 places on the course and SiS Electroyle drinks at 2 stations.
Locations & Directions
Start - is a new location at Slindon College, Slindon, South Downs Marathon - Slindon College, start direction map
Finish – as before in the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park off the A3

Facilities
Toilets, baggage tent, refreshments at the finish
Prizes and price of entering
Entry fee for the Full Marathon includes: bus to the start, baggage transfer from start to finish, race t-shirt, race finishers medal, prizes for first 10 Men & Women, First masters 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60+, Chip timing, Goody bag.
Entry fee for the Relay includes: Finishers medal x 4, Prizes for first 3 teams Male & Female, first Masters teams Male & Female (mixed teams will count as male teams for the results and prizes), chip timing, Goody bag.
Relay teams are responsible for all transportation of runners and baggage to change over points.
First Aid
There will be Level 2 first aid supplied by Thames Valley Ambulance Services. Who will have first aiders, ambulances and a quad on route.
Kit
Have you got the right gear for your race? Check out our Kit section to find out what Salomon recommend.
GALLERY
Click onto the GALLERY button to view photos of the event.

SAAB Salomon Turbo X - 23rd Nov 2008

What is it?
"The sand course, hills and swamps were quite special. Will I be back......you bet, not going to miss a single Turbo X race now!" - Runner's World Forum 19th May 08

"Brilliant race. Better than Hellrunner. Best course marking I have ever come across. Was on my own for a while and never had a doubt I was on the right path. Excellent goody bag - technical t-shirt in all sizes… Loved the winding paths through the woods... Lovely friendly atmosphere. Can't wait for the next one." - Runner's World Forum 19th May 08

"Best race I’ve done this year... fun and really filthy" - Runner's World Forum 20th May 08

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE ?

Saab Salomon has a brand new Trail Running Series for 2008 and TURBO X will be the grittiest and messiest of them all! Set to push your stamina, agility and perseverance to the limit, you'll wade through watery wildness, working your body till it burns as you clamber through mud, marsh, sand and bog and charge your way through the roughest off road track you can imagine!

Where?

The entrance to the track to the car park is off Oakhanger Road just past the Louisberg Barracks in Station Road on the B3002 in Bordon, Hampshire. The B3002 crosses the A325 Farnham Road and the race will be signed from the traffic lights by the Fire Station. Follow the track to the parking area.

Organising Office

Basingstoke

Organising Office Coordinators

Samantha Woodward 08700 86[6334]
Andrew Patterson 08700 86[6466]

Catch 'shoo' later

Reading Half Marathon 2008

On Sunday 2nd March 2008, 48 runners from various offices took to the streets of Reading in an attempt to complete the Reading Half Marathon 2008. We were running in aid of Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital, and with everyone having gained a significant amount of sponsorship pledges, we were not going to be easily defeated! A rather loud firework marked the start of the race at 10:05am, and we were off. All of us at different levels of fitness, but all with the same goal, to complete the course. Family members, partners and friends all crowded into the Madjeski Stadium, the home of Reading FC and the finish line for the event, to support their families and provide a much needed cheer to bring us over the line. The weather was not too bad for the day, with light winds and dry weather. The support all around the course was fantastic as always, with people turning out to cheer everyone on. Shoomsiths runners started to come in from about 1 hour 30 minutes, and as far as I know, everyone was back in by about 2 hours 30 minutes. A much needed pasta lunch was then provided, and enjoyed by all. Everyone agreed that it was a great event and people have already pledged to run again next year. Monday morning came, and there were a few aching limbs, painful ankles and sore hips, but apart from that, we all feel really proud to have completed the race. Roll on Reading Half Marathon 2009! Ian Nobbs

Coming Soon to a Swimming Pool near you... the first ever Shoo-wimathon

Following the success of the Running Shoos Treadmill Marathon swimmers from across the Shoosmiths' offices are being invited to take to the water in order to raise money for charity. The aim - to swim the Channel (well sort of!)

As you may know, the Channel is 21 miles / 32 km wide (give or take) which equates to 32,000 metres or 1,333 lengths of a 24 metre pool. The idea is not for everyone to swim 21 miles, but to divvy up the lengths among those who want to take part.

And again it's a race, not just against the clock but against all the other Shoosmiths' offices.

Further information will follow but, in the meantime, if you have any queries or suggestions please contact your local Running Shoos Coordinator.