We are pleased to announce the launch of the new UKnetrunner Online Shop.

In January, our chairman Alan talked about expanding the range of club-branded clothing. New items such as polo shirts, hoodies and beanies are now available from the club online shop (see link on left-hand menu).

All items will feature the club logo embroidered on the product and extra embroidery (e.g. your name) is available as an option. Note that these items are not held in stock, and there is a lead time. Initially, we will order these items from the supplier once we have a number of orders placed.

Matt Dunn is overseeing the online shop. Once you've placed an order and paid through PayPal, Matt will be in touch and will notify you of the estimated lead time for your order. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the online shop or any of the items available, please post on the club forums or contact Matt at mattd@uknetrunner.co.uk

Congratulations to everyone that took part in the Edinburgh Marathon on the hottest day of the year so far. Conditions were far from ideal for marathon running and it was always going to be more a case of survival than quick times.

Well done to Claire Hesketh who won the handicap event from Helen Cross. Both ladies competing in their first marathons and showing the boys how it's done. Below are the full results of the handicap...

Runner	Handicap	Race Time	Net Time
Claire Hesketh	0:27:42	3:52:58	3:25:16
Helen Cross	2:27:40	6:05:24	3:37:44
James Barnes	0:29:46	4:10:46	3:41:00
Stuart Graver	0:05:03	3:46:31	3:41:28
Matt Dunn	0:33:29	4:16:14	3:42:45
Shaun Bonner	0:14:35	3:58:47	3:44:12
Ann Hood	0:29:57	4:18:49	3:48:52
Mark Willcocks	1:01:00	4:53:05	3:52:05
Martin Walker	0:46:54	4:45:50	3:58:56
David Robertson	Scratch	4:02:57	4:02:57
Brigitte Groves	0:50:14	5:00:13	4:09:59

As usual for UKNR, there were plenty of PBs to shout about in May. All those entered on the website are listed below. A special mention for Mike Pullon who broke his 10k PB an impressive 3 times during May, as well as improving his 5k PB. Mike's been in great form this year and is now looking like a good bet for the Grand Prix. Mike is currently just one point adrift of leader Matt Dunn who debuted at 5 miles and set a new 10k PB, narrowly missing out on a sub-45 by 2 seconds.

Ian Thomas looks to be running away with the Grand Prix Group 2 title after a good 10 mile debut and another PB for 10k. Ian's edging closer to a sub-40 every month and it seems only a matter of time before he achieves his 2009 goal.

The Edinburgh Marathon was the big event for UKnetrunner this month with 12 members taking part. Scotland's premier marathon is a firm favourite with a number of runners returning each year. This year it doubled as the second UKNR Handicap event but hot conditions made it even more challenging than usual for 26.2 miles. The fact that Matt Dunn still managed to achieve a PB is remarkable. It was quite literally a baptism of fire for Claire Hesketh, Mark Willcocks and Helen Cross who were all participating in their first marathons. Those that took part are still in recovery and whilst I have a provisional handicap winner, please check back later for official confirmation.

Personal Bests
5k: Bill Preston (26:22), Mike Pullon (19:51), Rob Hundley (20:20)
5m: Jon Hullis (31:02)
10k: Ian Thomas (40:15), Stuart Graver (42:06), Mike Pullon (41:56, 41:35, 41:10), David Kindred (44:39), Rob Hundley (42:15), Mark Willcocks (51:00), Andrew Richardson (43:20), Matt Dunn (45:01), Andrew Smith (47:20), Neil Ramage (52:30)
10m: Stephen Price (56:05)
Half: Zoe Stockdale (2:11:22)
Marathon: Matt Dunn (4:16:14)

Distance Debuts
5k: Dom Stevens (22:52), Andrew Smith (22:46)
5m: Matt Dunn (36:29)
10k: Alasdair MacDonald (43:13)
10m: Ian Thomas (1:07:03)
20m: Ann Hood (2:56:28)
Marathon: Claire Hesketh (3:52:58), Mark Willcocks (4:53:05), Helen Cross (6:05:24)

Achievements
Nick Dunk: Finished off 3 marathons in 3 weeks and then committed to the South Downs Way 100 mile event in September 2010.
James Barnes: Marathon man James notched his 7th 26.2 for 2009 at Edinburgh. This was his third marathon in May, which included two in one weekend at White Peak & Windermere.
Stephen Price: Notched his 2nd race victory at the Aston-on-Trent 10k
Krissie Newton: Completed her first triathlon - well done Krissie, one event is tough enough for most.
Helen Cross: Set a world record! Running in the "Heroes Run", Helen (competing as V from "V for Vendetta") was part of a record-breaking gathering of people dressed as super heroes.

June Race Summary:
Notts 10m (05/06): Deano, Pete & Zo Stockdale, Jon Hullis & Pricey turn out for this flat race round Holme Pierrepont.
Sea Bank Marathon (07/06): Shaun Bonner tackles his Nemesis event in his second marathon in 8 days.
Humber Bridge Half (14/06): David Robertson, Deano, Mike Pullon, Ann Hood and Dave Mullaney all racing over the Humber.
Visegrad Marathon (21/06): Richard Beetlestone goes continental racing to Poland.... from Slovakia. He will become the first Brit to run over the Tatra mountains.
Holme Pierrepont Grand Prix (23/06-02/07): The Stockdales & Jon Hullis racing the full series and Pricey running the opening 10k race.

Ridgeway Relay - 21st June
This is the second year that UKnetrunner will be represented at this event. It's a 10 stage relay covering 86.5 miles from Ivinghow Beacon to Marlborough along the Ridgeway National Trail. It's very scenic, a lot of fun and you get to meet the very best of your UKnetrunner club mates.

If you are interested in joining the team we are still looking for another female runner to take part. If you are able to help, please contact David Kindred through the FORUM or by e-mailing david@uknetrunner.co.uk.

Equally, if you are local to the area and would like to support the team, please contact David and he will be able to confirm the estimated times of arrival along the route.

In a minor (and slightly nerdy) update to the site, the WAVA gradings in the age graded league/hall of fame are now all based on 2006 WAVA data. You may notice some minor wobbles - particularly at 5k, 10k and 12k which I think are now based on road times rather than track.

If you've had a massive wava-wobble in any of your times, let me know and I'll check my adding up.

After the success of the annual Not The Roman IX club handicap race, it was decided at the AGM to introduce other handicap events around the country to enable more of the club to participate.

May 31st will see the next installment of these great levellers as a number of UKnetrunners head north of the border to run the Edinburgh Marathon.

Each runner's handicap time will be based on their best half marathon time from 2009. If no half marathon has been run in 2009 then the runner's best half marathon time from 2008 will be used.

The best finishing time (taking into account each runner's handicap) will win a yet-to-be-confirmed prize. However, as with the NTRIX handicap, it's likely to be a trophy.

If you'd like to be entered in the Edinburgh Marathon Handicap, please let David Robertson know by e-mail, private message, or through the forum.

If you're interested in other possible handicap races, please click this link.