RACE REPORTS 2026

A new race from a new venue in a new area by new organisers, what could possibly go wrong? 

The answer is nothing. Andy and Jo put on this latest Mid Essex Casuals trail from the Zach Willsher pub in South Benfleet, which to be honest didn’t look like promising trail territory on arrival. However, after a short section of road running we were on what was a splendid wooded and hilly course with some great views to boot. 

I arrived early but unsurprisingly was not first in the car park. Richard and Justin were already stripped for action! Not long after, Andy and Jo arrived to set things up. Andy was nervous but had no reason to be as everything seemed to go swimmingly. I started badly by not finding an unlocked door to exit the pub, but was soon on my way. Richard overtook me then stopped to stretch his calf. Then Snig came by.

The road gradually climbed, passing crossroads after crossroads and then our first sign of things to come as the footpath went up at an alarming angle. I turned right by the church and then left past Lydia’s gravestone. Then Snig came by.

Then came a drop down to a somewhat boggy area with fallen trees which was a bit confusing but I managed to find the way out. A run down to cross the main road and then down a wide track and then some steep steps. Through Thundersley Glen with some flatter running. Then Snig came by.

I then came to the part of the course I knew on Hadleigh Downs, where we used to run cross country races. It was a long run across the hillside through lots of brand new gates. I then dropped down to the valley and into a nasty narrow path with barbed wire to the right and stream on the left. After somehow surviving with dry feet the next path back to the main road was waterlogged. I saw Richard ahead on the long climb and then Bob came by looking comfortable. At the top a fire hydrant caused Richard and Bob to go right too soon so we regrouped. They both were out of sight within seconds.

Then there was a long path beside a golf course. Keith caught me and after a brief chat was away. At the top a young family let me pass and the dad urged his son, who thought we were lion hunters to keep up with the runners as we were going to catch the lions first.

I didn’t know it at the time but I was back in Thundersley Glen. I had a chat with a couple of dog walkers who wondered what was going on. Then the climb to the lamppost. Jeez. At the top I was gasping for air and didn’t get running again until I recognised where I was and it was back down the steep steps from earlier, but this time turning right which confused some later starters who were (correctly) going left.

I crossed the main road back into Coombe Wood, back past Lydia, but this time through a gate and into a narrow path. Jill (the outright winner) came flying by. Then it was left down the first climb where Neil was coming up. I told him to expect plenty more like this. Then a slightly different way back to the pub.

The pub had laid on free tea and coffee and I was able to get a discount with my CAMRA card so a pint and packet of crisps with my voucher and discount came to £2.06.

Lots of complimentary comments about the tough route from those in the pub who had returned, but there were a few still to finish who maybe didn’t find it to their liking. A great first event from Andy and Jo and I look forward to returning to this challenging area.

And yes Snig did still beat me by about 20 minutes 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG  

After some awful weather of late the AGM trail was graced with a beautiful spring morning.

Due to car park improvements at the Museum of Power Dave informed us in the final email to park on the grass to the right of the car park. The people who didn’t read that probably won’t be reading this either so not much point having a rant about it. 

I was the first to set off from the dark and cold pergola, that Dave and Sylv had set up in, into the warm sunshine. After assuming we might be following the river I was pleased when the route went left at the church and onto the old Witham – Maldon rail line. The instructions said to take care TRIP HAZARDS down the steps. I cautiously descended the steps but a branch caught me in the ribs and catapulted me into the bank and I grazed my wrist. Due to the fact I’m on blood thinners the wound looked quite nasty, but soon stopped bleeding.

Next was the wet section. Richard went by so I was no longer in the lead. Then Snig flew by, then Bob. Next was a cyclist who gave me some encouragement, just after I had had a loud swear at myself for not lifting my feet up as I trod on a loose branch with my left foot and smashed it into my right shin.  

Next to pass was Rich T, then Sue. A couple more passed as I got to Sparkey Wood (no bluebells yet). At the road, much to my relief, the route went right and not left to the path through the golf course. Past the church then footpaths back around Likely Wood. I knew this meant a return along the old railway, another splash through the wet section, a very cautious climb up the steps and back to the Museum.

All in all, although on well known paths, a lovely route on a lovely day. 

MUD IN THE MURK  

A murky day didn’t stop almost one hundred of you enjoying some mud and puddles. When I wrote up the course it was either muddy or waterlogged, however when Howard checked it last week it had dried out somewhat. Heavy rain on Friday returned the course to its slippery best and with 800 feet of climb on the longer route provided quite a challenge.

Registration went without a hitch with most people now understanding that “ready to start” means ready to start. Then followed the calm when we waited for the first to return to confirm the route instructions were OK. The first ones back were on the longer course so that meant the route through the various woods was followable and then an early starter on the shorter route returned to prove the short cut worked as well.

Then the crowds start to build and the queue for beer and bacon started to grow. We had a real rush of finishers at one point and wondered if a conga had formed along the course and if anyone had been enticed to join it. They all had numbers though so no problem.

Again we had compliments on the course as it proved to be good training for the upcoming Orion 15. Others commented that it was all uphill; funny how you forget the downhills. 

On the longer course Antony won with Jill in an impressive second overall. The shorter route was won by Simon who was the only person to break the hour. Donna and Sue led home the ladies.

Our next event is Day 2 of the Easter Eggstravaganza at Felsted, but there are three Mid Essex Casuals trails before then. See local events page.

TIDAL TALES

When we picked the date for the Mersea Mix we had no idea of the tide times. So a few weeks ago when we saw that the island might be cut off we began to worry a little as apart from getting over the Strood safely, some of the course was along the beach. Howard checked with the parish council who assured us that the beach path would be under water only in exceptional circumstances. The tide was at least half a metre lower than it can be and for twenty minutes many of you had a shoe cleaning paddle in the sea.

When I checked the course last Monday with Helen we thought it was a very varied course with quite a bit of interest. It seems that many of you agreed and even claimed it was the best course to date we have done on Mersea.

Everyone arrived nice and early as instructed and seemed strangely eager to leave the nice warm club house to take on the cold wind and drizzle that persisted outside.

We didn’t hear too many tales of woe as most people had no trouble with the instructions. Three people however, stacked it as they entered the building at the finish, thankfully having soft landings on the carpet of wet shoes. One runner did TL instead of keep L and ended up on the sewage farm footpath which was much deeper than the sea that you went through. 

It was buzzing in the bar afterwards which is a feature of these races and there were some good photos of your exploits.

The seven (6.94 – 7.01) miles that most of you ran proved quite a challenge as only the winner Roy broke the hour. Winning lady Anna had a great run finishing fifth overall.

See you all next week for some real mudlarks.

FINE RUNNING AND DINING  

The rain beforehand ensured a nice muddy course, but thankfully we were granted a dry night for the run. Thanks to you all for not traipsing mud through the pub afterwards.

Antony was first to return and was buzzing that he had seen deer and a barn owl. He also saw a rabbit which isn’t quite so exciting, although I very rarely see them these days. Antony wasn’t the winner though as Thomas added going the right way to his normal speed to win by 90 seconds. Winning lady was Keeley again with two bodyguards this time in Terry and Brad. 

We had lots of compliments on the course which was about as straightforward as you can get for a night trail. However, we did have a few who struggled. I don’t know how much bigger the gates at Langleys needed to be to convince a couple of runners they were gates. And there was some confusion about RHFE and LHFE with another group. Another runner was looking for a caravan park?? Regulars knew that thru the ford didn’t necessarily mean getting your feet wet (sorry to newcomers……not really!).

The Rose and Crown did us proud again with an excellent meal and of course good beer. That’s the end of the night trails until we return with the annual Tarmac Twister in October. But we have plenty of daylight trails coming up including returning to this venue on Easter Monday for Day 4 of the Easter Eggstravaganza. See you there.

WET START TO THE YEAR  

A miserably wet evening after a miserably wet day didn’t deter 48 of the faithful conquering a very wet course and yet more wet stuff falling from the sky.

The gates were open so no problem there, however one group, who will remain nameless, couldn’t work out how to get through a kissing gate and climbed over it. The padlocked bit of the gate is for wheel chair access, the rest of the gate was open.

We had a few newbies who all did well although one of them thought 5m was minutes not metres. Luckily he didn’t think it was miles. Talking of luck, if the race had been last week a lot of the route would have been flooded. Maybe it will be again soon after yesterday.

Strangely the field was made up mainly of non local runners who came from all parts of the county. The winning men, Antony and David, however were locals. The winning ladies Keeley and Vicki were from t’up north (Witham way).

Thanks again to everyone at the Horse and Groom and of course we will return in May for the Galleywood Gallop.