Foxy 5km Finale – Report and Results

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Thursday 16th July saw the 5km race around the NSC and the weekend following saw a number of athletes complete their final time trial as part of the Foxy 5km initiative. The schedules have lasted for 10 weeks and over that time 150 runners have taken part either in following the schedules, recording a time trial and sharing it or taking part in the race around the NSC last week.

No. Name Age Grp. Age Grade Time PB Race/TT
1 Rachael Franklin SenF 94.06% 15.42 PB/Rec Race
2 Ollie Lockley SenM 91.65% 14.10 PB/Rec Race
3 Alan Corlett SenM 87.84% 14.48 PB Race
4 Wil Draper SenM 86.17% 15.04 PB Race
5 Andy Fox V60M 85.62% 18.39 Rec Race
6 Caroline Mayers V45F 84.98% 19.14 Race
7 Andy Nash SenM 82.88% 15.42 PB Race
8 Richard Shipway V50M 82.77% 18.23 PB Race
9 Macy Hillier U15F 82.61% 19.07 PB/Rec Race
10 Ieuan Owen U20M 82.38% 15.53 PB Race
11 Christian Varley V35M 80.92% 16.29 Race
12 Paul Sykes V45M 80.82% 17.35 Race
13 Ed Gumbley V40M 80.00% 17.38 TT
14 Andy Watson V50M 79.17% 18.38 Race
15 Corbyn Schade U15M 78.17% 17.31 PB Race
16 Elissa Morris SenF 78.08% 18.55 Race
17 Alex Bell SenM 77.05% 16.51 PB Race
18 Luke Phair U20M 76.60% 16.57 PB Race
19 Ciara Hardisty SenF 76.20% 19.23 Race
20 John Robertson V65M 75.14% 22.33 Race
21 Peter Callin V45M 74.89% 19.07 PB Race
22 Dawn Atherton V35F 74.35% 20.03 PB Race
23 Ryan Corrin U17M 74.04% 18.09 Race
24 Samantha Leahy V45F 72.84% 21.46 PB TT
25 Daniel Pownall SenM 72.06% 18.14 Race
26 Laura Dickinson SenF 71.97% 20.31 Race
27 Paul Rodgers V40M 71.77% 19.06 Race
28 Frank Jones SenM 70.69% 18.31 PB TT
29 James Wright V35M 69.43% 19.28 PB Race
30 Jamie Hayes V35M 68.84% 19.30 PB Race
31 Jake Ashton U17M 67.76% 19.50 PB Race
32 Kathy Lane V45F 67.68% 23.13 PB Race
33 Greg Hoskisson V40M 67.62% 20.25 PB TT
34 Sophie Kaighan U9F 67.10% 27.40 PB TT
35 Mark Corrin V45M 66.51% 21.51 PB Race
36 Guy Wood SenM 65.30% 19.53 PB Race
37 Julie Snape V55F 64.86% 28.14 PB TT
38 Josh Wade SenM 64.81% 20.02 PB Race
39 Dudley Butt V70M 63.30% 29.08 PB TT
40 Keith Green V60M 61.26% 26.04 PB Race
41 Darren Gray V35M 61.04% 22.19 TT
42 Fiona Bullough V40F 60.88% 24.55 Race
43 Sharon Cain V50F 60.49% 27.37 PB TT
44 Anne-Marie Rivers V45F 59.42% 27.13 Race
45 Carol Roy V65F 59.03% 34.20 TT
46 Sarah Corkill V45F 58.87% 26.56 PB TT
47 Niall Killey SenM 56.92% 23.11 PB Race
48 Jan Fox V60F 56.54% 32.47 PB TT
49 Amanda Lawler V35F 54.12% 27.53 PB TT
50 Julie Stanfield V35F 53.88% 27.40 PB TT
51 Katie Lawrence V35F 53.61% 28.09 PB Race
52 Karen Gadsby V40F 51.49% 30.02 PB TT
Totals F 21 36 PBs Race 37
Totals M31 4 Recs TT 15

Approximately 110 runners have followed the schedules, even if all have not completed the time trials, and have challenged themselves with hill sessions, fartleks and repetition runs. In the schedules 16 sessions were attempted, 3 time trials and over 20 steady runs of differing lengths. This is in addition to other training activities the runners would have completed. This has all resulted in some fantastic running and 140 recorded performances in the two 5km challenges and one 3 km challenge attempted. Of these 57 PBs were recorded as far as we aware. The figure will actually be higher as not all PBs were recorded in the first 2 challenges. In addition 4 Manx Records were recorded, 2 by runners following Foxy Schedules. This is even more impressive when one considers the first 5km and 3km time trials were run over rather blustery weekends of poor weather.

Some excellent improvement has been seen throughout for all runners. However, in the time trials this is clearly evident with many runners taking a minute or more off their original performance. However, pride of place has to go to Sammy Leahy who took 6 minutes of her first 5km time compared to her final time of 21 mins 46 seconds with an age grading of 72.84%. Every improvement is to be applauded as is every attempt to challenge and move forward.

The results this time around are listed in age grading order. A guide as to how this works is as follows – we had an 8 year old female and 74 year old male take part in the recent time trials and races. It is difficult to gain an understanding of how runners performed and compare results with such an age range hence the age grading % gives an interesting way of doing this rather than relying purely on time. This gives the runners time as a percentage of the fastest time in the world recorded for anyone of their age. A rule of thumb used with age grading suggests 90%+ is world standard, 80%+ is national standard, 70%+ is regional standard, 60%+ is island standard and 40%+ is local standard.

Most performances this time round took place on the Isle of Man, however, Ed Gumbley continued his great work running his individual time trial in Hong Kong with over 30 degree heat and amazing humidity even very early in the morning!!!

It is hoped that all runners have found the experience fun, rewarding and also encouraging. The aim was to support runners with their activity over lockdown and beyond. Hopefully we will see many of the Foxy 5km guys training and maybe racing over many years to come.

To this end we have two initiatives under way to keep things going if you wish to. Firstly there is a new Facebook group called Foxy’s Flyers! Now you may well say you are not a flyer, but I believe you all are in comparison with those who have not got off the couch yet and of course many of you have improved over the 10 weeks so you perhaps are flying compared to where you started so do not hide your light under a bushel as the old saying goes!!! The idea we can share tips, training sessions, pics, maybe races coming up that are not too serious and a good place to try out competition if you would like to (although no pressure to do so) and just chat about training and racing and be a support group for each other.

If you would like to join I think there are two ways to do it – you could send me an email and I add you to the group or search for the group on Facebook and request entry and then I let you in that way. At the minute I am the one and only member of the group so feeling a little exposed and lonely so I am hoping many of you will join up!!!

Do not forget that there is now a Social Running Group meeting on Mondays at 6.30pm and heading out from Manx Harriers Clubhouse for a run and a cuppa and a chat afterwards. Anyone of any ability can go along – you do not need to be in a club and hopefully this initiative will help get you started or keep you going with your running.

Finally, I have enjoyed setting the plans and also working on the performances and age grading etc. I hope you have enjoyed taking part and challenging yourselves. Hopefully, over time I can meet you all in person and we can chat about this very unusual time and how we came through it.

All the best,

Andy

A Windy and Soggy 3km Thrash 

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Thursday 25th June to Tuesday 30th June saw the 3km Thrash for runners moving into the final 3 weeks of the Foxy 5km Challenge. 29 completed the event and as ever the weather was against them with some high winds and torrential rain over the weekend. This turned the thrash into more of a trundle for some runners but everyone who took part gave their all. Having said that at least 6 PBs were recorded.

The youngest runner this time round was 8 years old whilst the oldest 73. Runs took place in a number of venues across the island with local promenades, the old Douglas to Peel railway line and the NSC roadway being the favourite locations. The only other location in use was in Hong Kong as Ed Gumbley’s run continued the international flavour of the events!

It has to be said that all who took part deserve admiration for sticking to their task in some very difficult conditions. We now move into the final 3 weeks of training and then the final 5km Challenge being held between Thursday 16th July and Monday 20th July. Manx Harriers hope to hold a 5km run as part of their Race walks on Thursday 16th July at the NSC Roadway based at their clubhouse. More details to follow next week in the Manx Independent, also on www.iomathletics.com & Manx Harriers Website and Facebook pages.

Here are the full results

Foxy’s 5km Challenge – The Performances

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Many newcomers to running signed up for the training programme and they were joined by a few experienced runners in the challenge which took place over 5 days between 4th and 8th June. Unfortunately the weather was not with those taking part as after weeks of glorious sunshine and still conditions we had a windy and blustery weekend. Having said that 16 personal best performances were recorded by the 58 runners who have put their time forward.

Our youngest runner was 9 years old whilst our oldest was in their 70s. It is difficult to gain an understanding of how runners performed and compare results with such an age range hence the age grading % gives an interesting way of doing this rather than relying purely on time. This gives the runners time as a percentage of the fastest time in the world recorded for anyone of their age. A rule of thumb used with age grading suggest 90%+ is world standard, 80%+ is national standard, 70%+ is regional standard, 60%+ is island standard and 40%+ is local standard.

Runners performed across the island, the UK and the world in our challenge. We had runners doing their time trial in Keswick, Bradford and Hong Kong just to name a few places. Some of the popular Island routes included the NSC Roadway, Old Railway lines in Douglas and Peel and numerous coastal routes on our beautiful island.

Here are the performances.

Whilst a number of runners have not recorded a performance on this occasion, as over 100 signed up, they have enjoyed the challenge of 4 weeks training and attempting some difficult training sessions. Hopefully the next challenge will enable them to test themselves further.

A new 6 week challenge is underway which in three weeks’ time has a 3km Thrash to test fitness and then 6 weeks from now sees the final 5km challenge. If others would like to take part and join in then email Andy on andycfox@outlook.com all will be made welcome!

Well done to all who took part. Some fantastic performances have been recorded and all should be very proud of their achievements. Watch this space for more information regarding the new challenge which lies in wait in 6 weeks’ time!!

Foxy’s 5km Challenge – The Century is Reached!

Posted on By Anthony Brand

So far 102 runners have signed up to follow the training plans up to the first 5km Challenge which individuals run at some stage over the 5 days between 4th and 8th June. The aim is to run an individual time trial and send in your time and age to andycfox@outlook.com to record your result. Later in the week times will be published via Isle of Man Newspapers and IOM Athletics website and Facebook page.

It is never too late to join the challenge.

If you are keen to take part just contact Andy and work on the 2 week mini plan prepared for you rather than the full plan the first 100 are on. In addition we hope that experienced runners following their own plans and training will take up the challenge and join us by sending in their times and age as well as maybe a picture of their Garmin showing how far they ran.

If all goes well the intention is to offer all another 6 week plan with a 3km challenge half way though followed by another 5km challenge at the end. The hope is this will see some real improvements for all involved as well as maybe trying out some different racing distances and sessions to add variety and fun!.

So, keep active, keep running, get in touch and enjoy a motivating challenge!

Foxy’s 5km Running Challenge

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Have you discovered running as a way of keeping fit during lockdown?

Do you need a challenge to keep you motivated?

Do you want some structure to improve your running, by getting fitter and faster?

Then perhaps Foxy’s 5km Challenge is just what you have been looking for!

Manx distance runner and coach, Andy Fox, has prepared a training plan to improve your running fitness with a monthly 5k challenge to monitor your progress. Round 1 will open between Thursday 4 June to Monday 8 June where you choose the location, the time and simply let your legs do the talking.

The training plan will be published each Thursday to help you sharpen up your fitness and will include a variety of running sessions to fit around your schedule throughout the week. There will also be some additional running hints and tips to help along the way.

All runners are welcome from those who have just started to those who run regularly and would have competed in local races and park runs. The results of each monthly challenge will be judged via both time and age grading, allowing runners to compare results across ages and gender. You absolutely don’t need to be part of a running club to take part, the idea is simply to support, motivate and inspire you to kick start or maintain your fitness levels in the current situation.

Please ensure you continue to respect social distancing rules and maintain “runners’ responsibility” by being the proactive one when meeting others on your runs. Where possible opt for quieter routes and times of the day when you will take on your sessions and challenges.

How to get involved:

We hope all runners, joggers, keep fitters, former couch potatoes or however you might class yourself will have a go and take part. If you are interested please email andycfox@outlook.com to register your interest by Monday 11 May and the first edition of the weekly training plan will be forwarded to you.

All results will be published on this website and our Facebook page. They will also feature in IOM Newspapers.

Keep running and get in touch!