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Sayeed Islam competes in Goring Gap 50K

Goring Gap Run was wet in parts but enjoyed by 700+

RunReading's Trail Weekend featured a trilogy of off-road races

The Goring Gap Run by RunReading was a runABC South featured event and fully lived up to expectations on Sunday (16 May)with 721 sodden runners finishing the three multi-terrain riverside trail races that now comprise the Goring Gap trilogy of picturesque footraces beside the River Thames. 

The mixed weather conditions made the going extra tough, although the sun was shining when Sayeed Islam was pictured en route to 229th position in the Goring Gap 50K (6:45:01).

Home for the RunReading Trail Weekend was Mapledurham House, an Elizabethan stately home with superb views of the River Thames, situated on the Oxfordshire/Berkshire border. The routes are circular so there are no complex logistics to overcome and the race HQ offers complimentary overnight camping facilities.   

Goring Gap Run was launched as the RunReading Riverside Half Marathon last September, as a virtual/actual hybrid race, with 212 finishers in action at the venue. The winners were Simon Lewis (Pontypridd Roadents, 1:13:14) and Sylwia Ward (Stubbington Green, 1:30:16) and the race was reported in runABC South here

This year's version, styled as the Goring Gap Half Marathon, was the shortest on the expanded race programme and there were 247 finishers in 3:12:27. Stephen Fabes (Victoria Park Harriers, 1:20:18) and W50 Fiona Slevin-Brown (Sandhurst Joggers, 1:37:45) were the early pathfinders. 

Comments on social media were positive and we share this from a delighted Ceryn Edmunds (142nd, 2:07:33): “Absolutely fantastic event! Really enjoyed my run today and even got a PB. Big thanks to everyone who organised it and special thanks to the amazing marshals who were cheery and encouraging whenever we ran past”.

Goring Gap 26.2 was the next step up and the marathon distance attracted 111 finishers in 7:29:34. Local ultra-runner Philip Woolfall (M45, 3:33:55) and Nicola Cooper (W40, 3:40:50) blazed the trail at the head of the field.

Goring Gap 50 was the flagship event with the largest field of 363 runners completing 50K in 9:41:25 and a sub-four-hour winner in Jake Lane (3:58:34). Also in the 'fast lane' was the women's champion, Alex Lane (4:27:17). 

Results available at runABC South race listing here

Image: Courtesy Goring Gap Run facebook

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