Congratulations to Ash Walden, Northern Masters M40 400 metre champion 2026. Ash ran one lap of the Trafford track last month in a M40 personal best time of 56.47 and is now rapidly closing in on his season’s goal of sub-56 seconds. Pushing Ash every step of the way this season have been fellow Vale […]
Author Archives: Ian Martin
05
Jun
Jun
This week I’ve been re-reading Daniel Friebe’s biography of Jan Ullrich, The Best There Never Was. Ullrich was an interesting character. East German, and a somewhat reluctant standard bearer for cycling in unified Germany, he was a powerful rider, with masses of potential, who ultimately spent most of his career riding in Lance Armstrong’s long shadow. Ullrich won the 1997 Tour de France aged 23 but never went on to win it again.
In Friebe’s book, the bit that really stands out for me is the description of Ullrich’s off-season.
Ullrich took the concept of an off-season to extremes. He would kick back and completely relax off the bike in winter, swinging from his race-ready Tour weight of 73kg to ten or more kilos heavier over winter. This included — according to cycling legend — a penchant for microwaving jars of Nutella and drinking the contents like hot chocolate through a straw.
Ullrich’s off-season has got me thinking about my own approach to taking time away from running as we move into summer here in the UK. I think I may be Jan Ullrich, but in reverse.
05
Jun
Jun
We have a number of junior athletes who are physiologically sprinters (powerful, fast-twitch dominant, and can muscle through a 150/200m) but who wish to run the 800. The goal for these athletes is to sharpen sprint speed (faster turnover, cleaner sprint mechanics) while building aerobic capacity for the 800 so they have a second gear. This involves teaching them to run relaxed with pace rather than fighting against it.
18
May
May
This Sunday’s Great Selby Bike Ride brought out one of Vale of York’s most varied group of riders yet. In the VOYAC peloton were three generations of Wigglesworths, Alan Sanderson (a.k.a Clara and Megan’s dad), and me (looking for more miles en route to Vatternrundan 2026). Our six riders were spread across two routes (25 and 45 miles) and united by their enjoyment of cycling and turning up to local events.
Before the official start at 10.00, there was time to soak up some May sunshine and have a chat with local MP Keir Mather, who was lining up for the 25-mile route himself. Over 100 riders took part in the annual event, organised by Elmet Lions and raising money for local charities.
11
May
May
It was great to be back with the Yorkshire Veterans Athletics Association (YVAA) community after the long winter layoff. As one runner remarked, “You feel like wishing everyone happy new year, then remember it’s April”. These masters runners hadn’t gathered since last autumn’s final race of the series at Ackworth, so the first YVAA Grand Prix of the season really does feel like a meeting of long-lost friends.
The first of ten multi-terrain Grand Prix races was hosted, as it is every year, at Honley by Holmfirth Harriers. The course is testing and hilly, with 1200 ft of total elevation up and down the Pennine hills. There are some tricky technical sections akin to a fell race that can at times take your mind away from soaking up the beautiful views. And there are llamas, which you don’t often see in the Pennines.
09
May
May
I can’t quite believe it’s been 5 months since Andy Sim surprised me at Selby Leisure Centre by pulling my name out of the actual London Marathon Ballot hat!
Since then, Vale of York women have been promoted at PECO, I’ve moved house, we’ve relocated athletics outdoors and introduced Bubwith as one of our new training locations.
So here we are, my final London Marathon blog.
06
May
May
Last month we said goodbye to Amelia Griffiths, one of our pioneering female Young Leaders, as she moved away from Selby ahead of starting university in September. Before she tackles her all-important A-levels and begins the next chapter of her life, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate everything she brought to Vale of York Athletic Community.
03
May
May
One week ago I crossed the London Marathon finish line. In the lead-up to the race I was in two minds: target a sub-3, or settle for a Good for Age. At 59, the M55 GFA standard is 3:12, so anything under 3:10 would hopefully secure my place for next year.
By race morning I’d made my decision: focus on the GFA. It came down to four factors:
A holiday in Madeira two weeks before the race where I’d done next to nothing. I felt stiff on my return, particularly in my left calf, and I couldn’t fully shake it.
It was a fairly warm day. I’m a bigger runner at just under 80 kg, and I knew this probably wasn’t going to be the day for a big sub-3 effort.
Starting at the back of Wave 3 in a very crowded field.
Most importantly, what would a sub-3 at 59 actually mean to me? There are far fewer runners doing this in the M60 age category and it would make for a better, more meaningful challenge to save myself this year and go for it properly next year.
So I ran London as a hard tr
03
Apr
Apr
Some of you will know Will Haw. He’s our 800m specialist who headed out to Michigan last year on an athletics scholarship at Northwood University, competing in one of the toughest NCAA Division II conferences in the country. He’s just wrapped up his first ever indoor track season, and has provided us with this update.
His headline number for the 800 is 1:52. He ran it five times indoors this season and Will says he’s happy with it. Though Will being Will, he’d have liked to go a bit faster.
31
Mar
Mar
Some athletes have a breakthrough season. Katie Adams is having a breakthrough two months.
Since the start of February 2026, the University of York Social Work student and Vale of York athlete has lined up for three 3000 metre races and raced faster in every single one.