After the succession of heatwaves that we have had since May, and with temperatures still above average and drought conditions continuing, it seems hard to grasp that the autumn equinox is almost upon us (23rd September, if you’re interested). With the days getting shorter and cooler (relatively) it means that MABAC reverts from the midweek evening runs of the summer months to the more traditional Sunday morning events.This year, for the September run we had a new venue, or at least new for anyone who has been running with the Puffers for less than ten years, as I have been told that once upon a time, before I became a Puffer, it was the venue for Epsom Oddballs’ runs before they moved to Nonsuch Park. The September run has also usually seen a big fall off in the overall turnout after those of the summer. Last year, for example, it was less than half what it had been at Wimbledon the month before. This year, whether because of the novelty of the location, its proximity to some of the big clubs, the organisers (Chessington Unity, the newest members of MABAC but judging by today’s turnout with a very large membership) or just coincidence, we saw the biggest turnout of the year to date for a Sunday run, with just shy of 300 runners and walkers turning out. Although our own numbers were some way short of our record Puffer turnout at Wimbledon last month, one of the great features of the Puffers this season has been the consistently high turnouts we have achieved, enabling us to field full teams of ladies and men at all events. It has shown in the results and Sunday was no exception. Collectively we scored 323 points on the day, evenly split between the genders, and placing us in the middle of the points scored on the day (Does this make the Puffers the model MABAC club?). The consensus on the course seems to have been positive overall although it is narrow in parts, with a lot of hard surfaces and many unleashed dogs wandering around. And Chessington Unity must be complimented on their marshalling which was first class – the friendliest marshals I have ever encountered!To the results. First Puffer home, as at Wimbledon, was Dylan Lewis, 9th overall and maintaining both his and his family’s fine tradition in MABAC. Just three places behind him came David Ebert, who has been ever present this season, turning in consistently fine results. After David came Mitesh Mistry running in only his second MABAC but looking very much at home with a confident performance. Following Mitesh it was the turn of the ladies, Paula Holmes leading the way. Paula had run in the Sydney marathon just three weeks earlier and mere mortals might have been expected to be recovering from the flight home, if not the run, but in true Puffer spirit Paula turned out and turned in another fine performance. Just as creditable, but for different reasons, were the runs of Katie Wiggins and Katy Gibson, our next two ladies home, with Katie just edging Katy by a matter of seconds. Katie is yet to regain full fitness after a long absence, while it was Katy’s first MABAC since pulling a foot muscle in May. She arrived only intending to run one lap but adrenalin or competitive spirit took over and her position of 15th lady overall belied her lack of training. Alfie Day and Ian Holmes were our next two finishers, Alfie holding Ian off by just a few seconds at the finish. They were the last of our ‘extra-points scoring’ men. Vicki Francis was our next runner home, the time gap between her and Esme Holmes being even closer than that between Alfie and Ian. They in turn made our five ‘extra-points ladies,’ the ladies’ complement being rounded out by Barbara Roussouw. All six ladies were in the top 44 of a ladies’ field of 116 runners, a superb team performance. Rounding out our runners were Chris Dean, putting in a steady performance in his first run for us – welcome Chris, we hope to see you again – Laurence Flavell, Roger Clark and George James. Special credit must be given to Roger who, like Katy Gibson, arrived only intending to run one lap. But like Katy he turned in a fine performance, finishing in under 50 minutes. And mention must also be made of Chris Nash and Rob Lewis, our walkers. Well done all.As for the standings, with just two races left, there is still everything to run for. We remain 5th overall but just 70 points behind Runnymede and 119 behind Wimbledon in 3rd place, so good results in the remaining runs could still change everything. Next up is Nonsuch Park on 18th October, a course where Puffers have traditionally done well, followed by Wisley on 15th November – ‘our’ run and the season finale. So, please mark your diaries, come along and better still bring some friends. We will need lots of help at Wisley from non-runners too, more on that in a later message.

Years ago when I used to work in the civil service I recall a then Chancellor of the Exchequer dismissing some critical August press reports as the work of ‘teenage scribblers.’ Grown-ups, he said, were at the seaside with their families and buckets and spades. Nigel Lawson had never heard of MABACs, obviously, for the August run on Wimbledon Common traditionally sees one of the biggest turnouts of the year. This year’s event saw 351 runners and joggers, almost as many as last year and not far behind the 378 who were at Denbies in June, which was possibly a MABAC record. The extreme heat of the last few weeks had eased, an afternoon shower had cleared away the humidity in the atmosphere and an evening breeze kept both the temperature down and the midges away, all combining for near-ideal running conditions.

Our team were amazing today

It has been wonderful to see such big turnouts from Puffers at every MABAC event this season and Tuesday was no exception, with nineteen runners/walkers plus at least three others to give us moral support. This is the fourth year the June run has been held at Denbies vineyard and opinions about the course seem a bit like those for Marmite – some like it for the open terrain and views, others curse the long, understated hill that certainly takes its toll on the unwary. But its location and midweek timing have combined to make it one of the most popular events of the MABAC calendar.

We are already halfway through May, although based on the weather of late you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. In the MABAC calendar that means Farnham Park, what I think of as the ‘Goldilocks course’ – not too steep, not too flat, not too muddy but no soft sand either – and as Ken Swan has pointed out, shorter than most too at just under 7km.

Husband and wife Puffers duo Paula and Ian both took on the legendary 2026 London Marathon, making it a truly memorable day for their family.

A fine spring morning, albeit with a cold wind blowing, following weeks of little rain, made for near ideal running conditions for the third MABAC event of the year at Farley Heath. Long time Puffers will recall that it didn't use to be like this. For ten years from 2015, it was our home MABAC venue and traditionally the last event of the calendar, in mid-November. In later years Waverley Harriers helped with the organising until our move to Wisley last year since when they have been responsible for Farley Heath and the date has moved to April. November runs were notorious for the mud bath at the bottom of the hill in which Paula Holmes once (in)famously lost her shoe. Today the bigger challenge for runners is the soft sand near the start and finish, a consequence of the drier conditions in spring. 

The Puffers produced an excellent turnout and a strong collective performance at the Reigate MABAC Running League fixture, tackling a demanding multi-terrain course with determination and team spirit.

By tradition and/or convention, the MABAC year always starts with the run in Windsor Great Park. In the pre-Covid, pre-Brexit era, when the sun always shone, trains ran on time and after buying a pint of beer in a pub you would still have enough change from a £5 note for a packet of cigarettes, it was held in January. Snow on the ground was not unknown although ice and/or freezing rain were more common, and the course was longer than it is today. Now, in 2026, it is mid-February before it is run. Admittedly, it was originally scheduled for the previous weekend but was put back at the request of some of the bigger clubs, who were concerned that a clash with a Surrey League cross-country event would have meant their star runners were unavailable.

On Saturday night at a dinner at her golf club, my wife found herself talking to someone who runs with Dorking and Mole Valley AC. On learning I’m with the Puffers he told Won Kyong that it was a pity that I wasn’t there as he could have teased me about running with an ‘Oldies Club.’ My comment to Won Kyong on being told this was ‘Let’s see the results tomorrow.’ We now have them, and for the record, on the day we were third overall, very, very close behind DMV. I’m looking forward to the next golf club dinner and will make a point of attending. (Not that I’m competitive or anything like that!). We had a magnificent turnout at Wisley. According to the official results, there were 21 runners and 2 walkers/joggers for the Puffers, which I make to be the biggest turnout for us at a MABAC in my nine years as a Puffer. There were some great individual performances too, but this was our home event, which meant it fell to us to organise and marshal, and quite simply without the marshals it would not have happened. So I make no apology by starting by thanking all those who made it happen on the day. Chris Nash has been indefatigable ‘behind the scenes,’ helping with course planning and recce’ing. The day before, Roger Clark, Will Archer-Burton and Rob Lewis all helped set out the course, then Chris Nash was one of the first on the ground on Sunday morning to help with the all important car park marshalling. In this he was helped once again by Wade Pollard and between them they had all the cars neatly parked and ensured there were no collisions as runners rushed off afterwards. Out on the course, Edgar and Julie Northey are no longer regulars at the bridge since their move to Havant. But they still got up at dawn to drive up to marshal, with Julie for good measure once again supplying some of her famous biscuits for after-run nourishment.

A modest turnout of Puffers at Nonsuch this morning but we were represented in all categories! Compared to previous years Nonsuch had a very dry course with lots of cracks in the mud to contend with. Craig came in as the first puffer followed closely by Alfie. Our First lady home was Vicki, followed by David in touching distance behind her. Both were just ahead of Esme being the 5 puffer home. Katy was closing the gap having run her first lap with Thomas (9 years old). A massive thanks to Will AB for doing one lap despite an injury and parking in the wrong car park to transport PP’s table and banner!