RACE REPORTS 2026

A good turnout at the Castle this year on a lovely sunny day. We advertised this as approx. 6 miles but an overgrown path and a path closure meant Howard had to shorten the route or add some road mileage. Nobody seemed to mind the shorter course and some even managed the original distance and others even more (no extra charge).

Of course we weren’t the first there. Richard and Craig were already parked up and helped us put up the gazebo. A lovely sunny day it might have been, but for the first hour or so we were chuffing freezing in the shade and wind.

There were lots of comments on the niceness of the course (bluebells a-plenty), a few about the unfenced pond sign, but the most talked about was the square brick thingy that you should have passed twice. Some did as instructed, most only spotted it once, the rest not at all. Ivan had a nasty fall and lost his car key, so managed to clock up four sightings as he went back and successfully found his key.

It was great to see Lynn and Steve who drove down from Rutland just to get their trail running fix as there is nothing like this in their neck of the woods. Steve enjoyed his walk, but apparently didn’t do the course we intended him to do.

It was also nice to have quite a few runners from Hertfordshire who slipped over the border to join us.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the café ( thank you Jane for the bacon butties) and a few more of us later enjoyed a pint in the Dog and Duck garden. Well done to Bob and Jill our winners.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA  

Mid Essex Casuals kicked the Eggstravaganza off from Panfield as usual. The weather was sunny but the wind from Storm Dave (not Game) made for some tough running conditions.

I arrived and after a short queue was off. The second waymarker clearly wasn’t obvious for some as I saw several runners ahead on the field edge when I turned left across the ploughed field. Some familiar paths down to Rayne airfield, sometimes wind assisted sometimes not, and then the pull up to the church, and then across to the best bit of the Flitch Way, the five metres to cross it. 

Several runners passed me here as we turned towards Braintree and back under the FW. Then it was a trio of footbridges which for some reason several people only bothered to cross two of. A preposition which I was taught at school to never end a sentence with. Then the long ever upward path, then through the kissing gates and into the wooded section by the warehouse. I stopped at the low branch to let Allen go by and he almost stacked it on a much lower branch (root).

I then followed a long section of verge through the industrial estate which was very busy with traffic for some reason, and then the flattish fields back to Panfield and the pub. 

Despite the crowds I didn’t have to wait long for a pint and a packet of crisps. On my way home I had to do an emergency stop to avoid flattening a mallard and her five ducklings as they crossed the road.

Day Two and it was Essex Trail Events’ turn. On my way to Felsted a weasel ran across the road in front of my car, but no emergency stop required this time. 

When we advertised the race we weren’t sure if the Chequers would be open or not. We still hadn’t had confirmation so we went ahead with a new venue, the British Legion. The final email in red letters gave details but we still had some entrants sat outside the pub wondering where everybody was.

Everyone at the hall was very friendly and as the runners began to arrive they too seemed impressed with the surroundings. Even though Saturday means parkrun to a lot of people we had a healthy entry including several who had had their parkrun fix beforehand. 

The first runners back were on the longer of the two routes and all reported no problems. However, as the runners on the shorter route returned it became obvious that an extra footpath sign had stopped people in their tracks. There was no drive to turn into so most of you carried on until there was, at the next footpath sign. We later found out that the sign had been erected the day after Howard wrote the instructions last week.

The hall was filled now with runners eating bacon butties and being illuminated by the disco light display. We haven’t forsaken the Chequers (we will be back in the summer), but we will definitely be returning to this excellent venue.

On to Day Three this time courtesy of Little Baddow Ridge Runners. It was an early start with the long route runners off at 8.30. I turned up just before 9 and was soon on my way. One runner told me he hadn’t read the final email (there wasn’t one) and he turned up at 10 after most of us had gone home. 

I run here every week so know the area well. As I have said many times it is difficult to write instructions through woods, but I thought these were pretty clear. There was some to-ing and fro-ing going on in front of me at the start but apart from several people completely missing a sharp right turn near the end most of the short course runners found their way. There were a couple of DNFs on the longer route so maybe not everyone found the instructions to their liking.

I hadn’t long started when I could hear rain in the tree tops but it wasn’t reaching me. I faltered as we dropped down to Lingwood Common due to my local knowledge. I knew where I was going but it was a slightly different route to the instructions. I soon got back on track. Uphill and over the ridge, past the new Jimmy Greaves memorial seat and then back across the ridge into the top of Lingwood Common. I saw FSD and stopped reading. Luckily I started reading again before the turn off the main track. 

We went across what we call the Serengeti and across the old orchard into the bottom of Blakes Wood. As I turned sharp right at the turn sharp right instruction I could hear the rain again, but this time it was reaching me. It was a really quite heavy downpour as I finished at the pavilion. Ten minutes later the sky was bright blue without a cloud to be seen.

On my way home I had to stop to let a pheasant amble across the road. Why people pay a fortune to shoot them when you could easily pick them up, I don’t know. 

Day Four and Springfield Striders turn from the popular venue of the Rose and Crown. Helen and I arrived before 9 but were not the first there. We set up and the crowds formed. 

Usually we would start people early but with a short race and the start times spread over an hour we would have runners finishing while we are still trying to set others off. As it was Jackie was in the first start and easily beat the hour.

It was a sunny day and not too warm so ideal for running. The course proved popular as did the beer garden of the pub when everyone returned. 

The wildlife of Essex had obviously got the message as I had an incident free drive home.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE ORGANISERS AND VENUES AND THANKS FOR SUPPORTING THE WEEKEND.

A few interesting facts; there were 284 different runners, 167 (59%) Female, 117 (41%) Male. The clubs with the most participants were Mid Essex Casuals 49, Little Baddow Ridge Runners 36 and Springfield Striders 28. 34 runners did all four days, 19 did three and 55 did two. Little Baddow, Springfield and Essex Trail Events have donated £560 to the prize pot. Mid Essex give their profit to Essex Air Ambulance.

PRIZE LIST

WHO SAID ESSEX WAS FLAT  

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.