The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

Andy F · #2 Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 272 Location: Hullbridge

If anybody is interested in running Berlin next year, thought I would warn you that hotels are getting full due to a large exhibition on in the city at the same time, Lorri and I have booked flights with easyjet for £60 return and managed to book an appartment. Lorraine Peters is also going, there seems to be a problem with online entry at the moment so I may send a postal application if it is not corrected soon.

So who else fancies it???

Andy

Lee O · #3 Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 385 Location: Canvey Island

An Exhibition, Is it A Beer one then Andy? I might do this one
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My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

boabmac1 · #1 Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 131

A few questions I need to ponder.

Is it possible to run around 4:30 and be on a flight home on sunday night?

If so I'm in.

How far is the airport from the finish?

Andy F · #2 Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 272 Location: Hullbridge

Bob
Race starts at 09:00, flights with easyjet at 18:30 and 18:55 depending on if you are flying to Gatwick or Luton. That should allow time for a post race burger and beer, Berlin-Schönefeld airport is approx 10 miles out of city center.
Should be plenty of time, what could possibly go wrong?

mikemoreton · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

Andy,

What could go wrong? Well, he could run over 5 hours and owe me a can of Stella for every minute over. Or, sup one too many and pass out, thus missing his flight.

But enough of that!!

Good luck to you all. Make Benfleet proud.

Oh, and,, Happy New Year

Regards

MM2

Andy F · #2 Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 272 Location: Hullbridge

Yep, Happy New Year all

boabmac1 · #1 Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 131

I'm in!
Flight and hotel booked.
If I run to form I may get to the airport, burger in hand, before the gate closes.

Happy New Year to all!

Lee O · #3 Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 385 Location: Canvey Island

Well im also now in, staying at 4youth hotel, (Youth) because we are Young, same as Bob, so plenty of Liquid intake!!

_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

Lee O · #3 Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 385 Location: Canvey Island

Dean as now also entered, so should be a Good Weekend

_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

gmike · #2 Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 259 Location: Benfleet

mmm I might fancy this one ...

What's the ballpark damage for a flight and hostel / hotel?

Andy F · #2 Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 272 Location: Hullbridge

Hi Mike
Come and join us, looks like we are getting a small gathering together. 6 Booked so far that I know of. Flights are about £60 with Easy Jet at the moment, not sure about Hostel prices but have seen rooms for approx £50 per night.
Cheers
Andy

Lee O · #3 Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 385 Location: Canvey Island

Mike I paid £197 inc Card Charge for flights (Easy Jet) and 2 nights in hotel (4 Youth) and 81Eur for Race..
_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

Andy F · #2 Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 272 Location: Hullbridge

Looks like its going to be a warm day Sunday, forecasts say 24C and Sunny.

Good luck everyone, hope to meet up at the Expo on Saturday.

Karl C · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:59 am Post subject:

GOOD LUCK to all on the Berlin Benfleet Crew.

Be good, be safe, count them all in, and count them all back.

boabmac1 · #1 Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 131

Plenty sun lotion, it could be a long day!

The hardest part wil be getting to the start in one piece. (pack the paracetamals)

Berlin beware!
We are about to release the beasts!
(Big Phil and Dean)

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

Good Luck Guys!!! Have a good 'un!!!!

Lee O · #3 Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 385 Location: Canvey Island

All ready for those STEINS

_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

Graham · #3 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 395

Best of British to you! Drinks down the Hoy to any Benfleet runner that get's a finisher's photo of themselves goose stepping over the line at 26.2.

gmike · #2 Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 259 Location: Benfleet

ROFL Graham ... Isn't that Lee's normal stride anyway??

Best of Luck guys.

Steffan · #4 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 588 Location: Basildon

Good running to all of you doing Berlin.
(it's penciled in for 2010)!

boabmac1 · #1 Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 131

Early beer, brandy and fry-up (healthy option) scrambled instead of fried eggs. Hotel is closer to Pöland than the Brandenburg gate start. Expo was excellent and massive, beer was OK. Big Phil was goose stepping around the Expo with an England hat and flag draped round his shoulders. Dean is out cöld having had only one hour sleep last night. Me and Lee are tasting the local dark beers! Top up on fluids due to heatwave.

Bring it on!

Aud Weidersien

pete the young one · #1 Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 56 Location: Benfleet

Good luck guys

gmike · #2 Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 259 Location: Benfleet

BERLIN — World marathon record-holder Haile Gebrselassie won the Berlin marathon for the fourth time on today in an official time of 2 hours 6min 08sec, but missed out on a new world record.

"It was warm out there, not really marathon weather."

Gebrselassie picks up the winners check of 80,000 euros on top of his appearance fee of 250,000 euros.

WTF .. 330,000 euros just for bashing out a two and a bit hour mara!! .. I'm in the wrong job

Any news on the lads yet???

Andy Hibbins · Joined: 09 Aug 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Rayleigh

The unofficial results are out, well done to all.

Gun Chip
Ashley, Philp (GBR) 04:55:28 04:46:09
Frith, Andy (GBR) 03:40:57 03:37:58
Hipperson, Dean 04:46:59 04:27:21
macmillan, robert 04:57:35 04:42:24
Moore, Graeme 04:05:37 04:00:58
Olney, Lee 06:13:17 05:56:27
Peters, Lorraine 04:25:35 04:02:59

Karl C · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

Had text from Bob and Lee - both well happy as very hot conditions.

Well Done everyone !

Karl C · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject:

Karl C · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject:

Lee O · #3 Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 385 Location: Canvey Island

Just to say the weekend was fantastic, company brilliant.

Expo was huge and well stocked.

Day of marathon was really Hot (86c) but must say so many water stops and showers and also fruit stops, local fireman also put on showers.

Best part was running through Brandenburg Gate to finish.

Local Beers were lovely!!!
_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

boabmac1 · #1 Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 131

A great weekend, gutted that I couldn't stay for the after-party. All that drinking- not for me anyway- you guys have got to take this type of event more seriously but as Phil said 'it was great to get the boys back together'

Big Phil thought he had the rights to 'winner takes all at Berlin' until we checked our watches. The big man couldn't believe it.

The marathon course is incredibly flat and well supported throughout. A great experience to run through the Brandenburg gate with the finish in sight. I kept motivated by reminding myself that I was running on the same blue line as the world record holder. The medal will be kept with good memories.

This was my second 'fastest' this year and the 4:42 joins 4:43, 4:44, 4:45 and 4:46 with London 4:29! It may take another 12 marathons at this rate to get under 4:30 again. Either that or lose a couple of stones.

Thanks to all the Benfleet raiding party for a great time, many laughs and probably too many beers. Lets do another city next year.

Ps I think I am off the hook with my wife, she liked the Raclette cooker that I carried round Berlin on Saturday and loved the perfume. Phew!

Andy F · #2 Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 272 Location: Hullbridge

Just to echo whats already been said, got home last night but had a great week.
It was good to see everyone at the expo and on race day, although I would recommend to anyone thinking of doing this race in the future to leave plenty of time at the start there is a fair bit of walking to do between U-Bahn stations the baggage area and the start.
Great night after the race, great company and a real good laugh.

As for the race, it was just a bit too hot for fast times. The course itself would have been perfect for a time had it been a bit cooler. I was having a great race, but unfortunatley the wheels feel off at about 21 miles. So I decided to just slow it down and try to enjoy the last few miles. The crowds out there were great, I dont think there was a quiet bit anywhere on the route.

Finally Berlin itself is a great place, Its a huge city with plenty to see and do. So if you ever do the race, try to have a few days spare after.

Well done to everyone that ran, and thanks to our supporters for the drinks and support around the course.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Well done to all of you who did Berlin, especially well done to the multi-marathoners Bob and Andy - both of whom get a mention in the Echo in Friday's edition

You can't be too unhappy Andy - it's still a good time and 2 sub 3:30's this year is very impressive. Looking forward to our next head to head!

boabmac1 · #1 Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 131

Thanks Debbie

I only heard this morning on bobby's run that I got a mention in the echo. It is nice to be noticed but I am loving every minute of running with Benfleet running club. I ran this morning with a chap called Chris, (who supports Ipswich -yeah, I'm not sure either!) But he made an interesting remark about how people at the club inspire each other. I couldn't agree more.

In terms of therapy, I recommend a weekend away. I have not laughed so much since last year at Loch Ness. At one point I went looking for Lee and Dean in the hotel. I found Lee then went looking for Dean. As I strolled along the 2nd floor of the hotel I noticed a room door slighyly ajar. I looked in and there was Dean flat out on the bed sleeping in a pink pair of pants! However, the the lasting memory will be Graham Moore's face at the breakfast table. sipping a cappuccino at Gatwick airport when he realised what he was getting in to sharing a room with big Phil!

There are many examples of inspiration down at the club on a Tuesday and Thursday night but I guess the club is what you make of it. I will never win a race and I probably won't get much faster( faster not fatter MM2!) but that won't stop me enjoying the experience.

Keep up the publicity

The kids at my school will love thinking they have something to tell me!

Lee O · #3 Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 385 Location: Canvey Island

Think Bob as forgotten to mention his ultra Patriotic Running Socks!!!!!

Bob, my lips are sealed mate..

_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!