BROOKS NEWS

THE CALL OF THE "Green Hell"...

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:21:05 +0200

Paul Jones from Wales finished the Fisherman's Friend StrongmanRun in 15th position.

Nuerburg Germany, May 2012.

12.000 runners wanted the ultimate challenge: Rain and fog dragged over the starting field of the world’s largest obstacle race, so strong that the start was delayed for half an hour. Nevertheless there were 35.000 spectators who have visited the strongest race of all times – and also the atmosphere among the starters couldn’t be attacked by the weather. 12.30 pm was the moment for which thousands of runners have trained for months and partially also travelled long distances: The start shot for the strongest race of their lives was released.

Along the track of 10.8 kilometres over the legendary Nuerburgring and the beautiful landscape of the Eifel were 15 spectacular obstacles waiting for our participants. They consisted of fire and water, climbing barriers in dizzying height and deepest mud holes, the fast descent over a water slide and even a few little electricity shocks for in between. And because once is not enough the strongest runners of all times had to complete two rounds!

Strong Times
After 1.38.12 hours Knut Höhler [Brooks Running Team] restored his title and is now for the fourth time champion of the Fisherman’s Friend StrongmanRun. Florian Reichert followed only 81 seconds later. With
a great time of 1.41.30 Florian Neuschwander, last year’s winner, became third.

Fastest woman this year was Rebecca Kaltenmeier, who crossed the finishing line with an awesome time of 1.54.12. Heike Bienstein [Brooks Athlete] reached in 1.57.38 as second of 1.206 women the goal. Third woman of the Fisherman’s Friend StrongmanRun 2012 is Carole Koster, with 2.04.33.

Knut Höhler, Paul Jones and Kenton Cocker placed the team of running partner Brooks as first.

Strong Numbers
Already at the beginning of the year, five months before start, the 6th Fisherman’s Friend StrongmanRun was already booked out, registered were 12.027. Out of these 9.958 were brave enough to run.

From the first to the last place glory and fun are guaranteed for every runner of the Fisherman’s Friend StrongmanRun. Eccentric costumes increased this: He-Man, Supergirls, Neanderthals, Vikings and Hulks were distributed all over the track.

We are happy that the Fisherman's Friend StrongmanRun has developed not only to a big but also to a very popular running event – not winning is important but fun, teamspirit and the personal challenge of having overcome the strongest race of all times,” says Daniel Ackermann, Senior Brand Manager Fisherman’s Friend Germany. “The growing number of participants every year shows that the run has already reached cult status.”

2.33.41 for Sonia Samuels in debut Virgin London Marathon

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:07:34 +0200

Brooks athlete Sonia Samuels ran a perfectly judged Virgin London Marathon on Sunday to finish 4^th British women and 19^th overall. Sonia’s finishing time of 2.33.41 was especially impressive as it was her debut over that distance. Sonia’s patience and composure shone through as she started to pick off struggling athletes on the second half of the race.

The London Marathon isn’t one of the fastest big city marathons courses due to its twisty roads, so Sonia can take confidence that she has the ability to run quicker then 2.33.

Sonia plans to recover and then look at tackling some summer track races.

Joe McAlister wins the Titanic Quarter 10k

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:42:16 +0200

Brooks athlete Joe McAlister confirmed his pre-race favourite status with an emphatic victory in the 5th Titanic Quarter 10K Race which had yet another record of some 2000 runners. This is Northern Ireland's biggest 10k's and had a little extra buzz this year given that it is the centenary year for the sinking of the Titanic.

Joe won the race in a time of 30.40 which was made even more impressive as his legs had some residue from a hard half marathon when pacing Irish athletes in the Rotterdam Marathon just one week prior to the Titanic Quarter 10k.

He said; Rotterdam was certainly a hard work out but I took it easy in training this week. All the years of training mean I can come back quickly. I am delighted to win this race as the quality field contained the North's top 4 athletes.

Mark Kenneally opens with a great 10k

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:18:11 +0200

Brooks athlete Mark Kenneally ran a great opening 10k at the SPAR Great Ireland Run after a few months of troubling injuries. The challenging course isn’t one of the fastest 10k’s around but nonetheless Mark ran a respectable 29.23 to finish 7^th and claim the National title.

Already owning the Olympic A qualifying time for Ireland Mark plans to race a couple of track races over the next 4 weeks before a specific marathon block leading into London where he will do a fair number of road races.

The Great Ireland Run was won by Kenenisa Bekele in 27.49 which is the fastest time this year.

Zak Seddon comfortably wins the McCain Inter Counties

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Brooks athlete Zak Seddon ran a superb race at the McCain Inter Counties Cross Country and Challenge Final title in style on Saturday at Cofton Park, Birmingham.

Zak coached by his dad Jeff won by a comfortable 11 seconds and subsequently bagged the first medal of the day for Berkshire in the U20 men’s race with a fantastic finish.

Kieran Clements set the pace for the first half of the race with Luke Taylor and Harvey Dixon packing in well behind. Zak began to gain pace on the second lap taking Ian Bailey with him, as Clements started to fade. Extending his lead, Bailey couldn’t stick with him, and by lap three Zak had gained a significant lead and pushed on to finish in 24:50.

After the race he said: “I went into the race thinking a top ten finish, and I would be happy, so I am really happy to have won. I felt really good at the front, really comfortable and my confidence just grew. I really enjoyed it.”

“This sets me up well for the summer, the world junior steeplechase in particular, but my confidence is now sky high.”

Sonia Samuels finishes 3rd at the Nationals

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

After a troubled winter we were delighted to see Brooks athlete Sonia Samuels finish a close 3rd at the National Cross Country Champs at Parliment Hill.

This was Sonia's first race since returning from the UKA training camp in Iten, Kenya and it clearly shows that the ultimate goal of running the Olympic Marathon time for London 2012 is looking positive.

Read Sonia's National Cross blog; http://www.soniasamuels.com/

Brooks and Moving Comfort are proud to sponsor the Greater Manchester Marathon

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Brooks Sports and Moving Comfort can confirm our involvement the Greater Manchester Marathon. This iconic race takes place in just over 2 months and will be the first marathon to take place in the area in a decade.

Sponsoring partners include Brooks Sports and Up and Running. At a Supporter level Moving Comfort will also be involved. The addition of Moving Comfort allows the event to offer the uniqueness of a women’s only brand which will appeal to the ever growing number of female participants.

Places have been selling fast with nearly 7,000 runners so far registered to take on the 26.2 mile route through Trafford, the sporting heart of Greater Manchester, on Sunday 29^th April 2012. The race starts and finishes in Longford Park, Stretford, welcoming elite runners as well as anyone wanting to take on a personal challenge. The race limit is 8,000 runners and those wishing to take part and be on the start line should sign up quickly.

Simon Hill, MD of Xtra Mile Events commented: ‘We are very proud to welcome such strong partners on board to support the Greater Manchester Marathon. This is a historical event in its own right and I am pleased that we have partners and supporters on board who share our belief and passion and will grow this race with us over the years to come. A huge thank you to everyone involved!’

The marathon route is one of the world’s flattest and fastest, taking runners past the Imperial War Museum, the new Media City, Trafford Park and Dunham Massey. Entry fees are £44 for affiliated runners and £46 for non affiliated runners.

Gemma Kersey gains GB selection

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

We are delighted to hear that Brooks athlete Gemma Kersey has been selected to represent Great Britain and NI at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Velenje, Slovenia on Sunday 11 December.

Gemma had a great race at the U20 European trials on Saturday 26^th November in Liverpool finishing a superb 5^th.

Brooks Brighton 10k

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Brooks Sports is delighted to still be involved with this hugely successful event.

Sunday 20th November saw another Brooks Brighton 10k. The weather was incredible and we saw some great performances.

New Brooks athletes Ben Whitby and Sarah Tunstall finished 1st and 2nd respectively.

It was also great to hear that the Brighton Half Marathon has had to close entries as they have reached the 10,000 capacity.

Brooks Sports sign new athletes

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:00:00 +0100

We are delighted to welcome two new athletes to the Brooks team; Ben Whitby and Sarah Tunstall.

Ben has been involved in athletics for many years having many Great Britain vests notable at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games where he ran in the 3k Steeple Chase. Ben has run 8.32 for 3k Steeple Chase. After a break away from athletics Ben decided that he wanted to start running again. At the moment he is preparing to run a London 2012 Olympic Marathon time. Ben recently ran 2.16 in Berlin but was on for 2.12 with 10k to go.

Ben had a great run at the Brooks Brighton 10k on Sunday having won in 29.52.

Sarah is known more for her Mountain running exploits but has medalled at the European U23 Cross Country Champs in 2008. 2008 also saw Sarah finish 3rd at the World Mountain Trophy Trials Races. 2009 was an equally good year with Sarah finishing 2nd at the English and Inter Counties Cross Country Champs.

Sarah also had a good run in Brighton finishing 2^nd in 36.17