A friendly running club based in Cirencester!

RSE Club Report – “If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”

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Quote in title by Thomas Edison

Cotswold Ultra Challenge 100k

Part of the Ultra Challenge series, this 100k challenge starts at the Cirencester Agricultural College before heading off for a loop of the Cotswold, featuring the stunning views and hills of the Cotswold Way. 2,000 participants took to the course, some running and some walking, with a range of ultra challenges available, including daylight-only, continuous overnight and half distance options available.

A huge well done to RSE’s Ben Mutlow who took on the continuous overnight option! Brilliant running!

  • Ben Mutlow – 16:34:01
So where do I start?! What a day, I never thought at any stage in my life would I run 100k! Firstly, who would want to and why? I’ve never experienced such different emotions during a race, I must admit at one point I nearly threw in the towel! I never want to see Tyndale Monument again or any hill for that matter (well for at least a while). The other factor was the heat! It was so hot out there, which cumulated in me drink my body weight every 10k 😂 I even had a chat with a guy from Greece and he said what stupid people run in this heat! On the plus side the race was well organised, great checkpoints with enough food (just your standard 8 bananas for the day 😁) and drink to keep me going.
Ben Mutlow

UK Ultimate Triathlon

A triathlon at the best of times is a tough challenge, but it takes a special type of iron-willed person to take on a ultra version! Featuring over 2 miles swimming, 112 miles cycling followed by a full marathon, the UK Ultimate Triathlon is an incredible challenge to take on.

Congratulations to RSE's Gareth Roberts and Sarah Reynolds for completing the course! An incredible achievement by both of you! Can you teach us how to do that in your coaching sessions?

  • Sarah Reynolds - 14:03:28
  • Gareth Roberts - 16:23:07

A full iron-distance triathlon in Shropshire. We started at 6.35am swimming 2.4 miles in Alderford Lake. Then through transition and onto the 112 mile, 4-lap bike ride on Shropshire roads, crossing into Wales for a few miles! Survived a torrential thunderstorm and made it onto the 26.2 mile, 6 lap run course. Walk/run with lots of encouragement from fabulous supporters and made it to the finish line!
Sarah Reynolds

Malvern Joggers 10k

This trail race crosses the Malvern Hills and is unsurprisingly undulating. The course is multi-terrain, including hard tracks and tarmac, but also fields and uneven ground. Runners are treated to picturesque views en route, making it a very popular race.

Well done to Cheri who completed the course in 58:33!

A lovely race! My colleague suggested that we run it together “taking it steady and enjoying the views”. I hadn’t looked at the elevation profile beforehand but assumed it would be quite undulating (spoiler alert: it was!). A nice mixture of footpaths, bridleways, fields and quiet lanes. Friendly atmosphere and well-marshalled. There was a nice glass medal at the finish line and a free vegetarian chilli wrap afterwards too, as well as a local brewery selling beers on tap.
Cheri Edwards

Cotswold Way Relay

Each year RSE enter the Cotswold Way Relay challenge, a 10 leg relay spanning the whole of the Cotswold Way. Each leg has a different length and difficulty, but every leg promises hills and stunning views along the Cotswold Way. This year we entered 2 teams, with the goal of simply having fun! The team spirit shone through with challenge, although some people could have shared their ice creams at the finish line…

 

Leg 1

  •  Kevin Joynes-Creed – 2:11:53
  • Jo Beames – 2:11:39
Leg 2
  • Liz Farooq – 2.19.44
  • Elaine Chapman – 2:12:30

Leg 3

  • Vanessa Poole – 1:36:41
  • Rosie Hartland – 1:25:52

Leg 4

  • Nadine Brown – 2:15:57
  • Andy Poole – 2:15:57

Leg 5

  • Ollie Hazel – 1:37:38
  • Sarah Page – 2:02:57

Leg 6

  • Rachel Bodey – 1:37:59
  • Fran Penny – 1:38:10
Leg 7
  • Kirsty Pitts – 1:28:51

Leg 8

  • Martin Sheriff – 2:06:39
  • Teresa Hazelwood – 2:35:50

Leg 9

  • Anna Field – 1:46:53
  • Anne Gardiner – 1:46:53

Leg 10

  • Ben Chapman – 1:41:10
  • Ellie Witnall – 1:46:55
My first CWR and I got to kick the day off with Leg One. It may have been an early start (we left town at 5:45 🥱) but what a stunning morning for a run on a stunning, but rather hilly, route with great company.
Kevin Joynes-Creed
Loved it! A well-marked stage so no navigation problems. The recces let me know what was in store so I knew what sustenance to take along with me! A proper toilet at the start and a cafe serving ice-cream at the finish - what’s not to love!! (Bellas Knapp but let’s not talk about that 😂)
Liz Farooq
Leg 5 - worth those hills for the fantastic views and obviously the bonus of the hills were the downs! Nice to have flat finish along the canal too
Sarah Page

Bourton Half Marathon

Some people may be deceived into thinking they know Bourton after running the 10k and mile race, but the surrounding area is anything but flat. Previously named the Bourton Hilly Half, the course is all on-road taking in the villages of Farmington, Clapton and Sherborne and features a few, very steep hills. The race is also part of the 2023 Gloucestershire AAA road race series.

Well done to the RSE runners who took on this vertical challenge!

  • Mark Garrett – 1:33:40 – County silver!
  • Nia Glover – 1:39:46 – 1st SL!
  • Sharon Smith – 1.49.52 – 1st LV65 and County gold!
  • Darren Jenner – 1:57:33 – County bronze!
  • Alan Powderhill – 1:57:47
  • Zoe Markham-Lee – 2:10:35
  • Gemma Wright – 2:10:36
  • Felicity Crotty – 2:39:22 
  • Liz Hulcup – 2:46:37 (Tail runner)
Haven't run this race for several years and I think there were more hills . Beautiful countryside lovely weather. Felt so happy and carefree until the last mile. You know what I mean!! So thrilled we won a Team prize.
Sharon Smith
Very hilly, but a lovely course and it wasn't too hot today.
Mark Garrett
Wow, Bourton is still hilly!
Gemma Wright

Westonbirt 10k

Part of a 5 race series hosted by Relish Running (there’s a special prize is you complete all 5), this race follows the pathways through the stunning arboretum at Westonbirt. The course is described as “varied and interesting” due to the different areas dedicated to specific species of trees, that make you feel as though you are on a trail run.

Well done to RSE’s Phil Newman for completing the course in a brilliant time of 51.30!

An early start of 8:30am with my son - really beautiful setting running around the arboretum, good setting, running alongside a 5k and half marathon.
Phil Newman

parkruns - 30/06/2023

Worcester parkrun

  • Phil Southworth – 25:29

Melksham parkrun

  • Cheri Edwards – 30:39

Witney parkrun

  • Darren Jenner – 24:53
  • Felicity Crotty – 34:42

Severn Bridge parkrun

  • Jon Campbell – 21:53
  • Steve Sandercock – 24:40
This novel and enjoyable run started on the Chepstow side and ran along path by the main motorway until just past half way across the old severn bridge, and then back. Great views over the water and a hard slog on the way out with the humidity. But a fast run in to the finish giving good times. A real tourist's park run, recommended!
Steve Sandercock

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

  • Kathryn Cowdall – 36:34
  • Helen Cue – 38:46

Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud

  • Paul Beaumont – 26:02

Seven Fields parkrun

  • Paul Billinghurst – 23:32

Old Railway Trail parkrun, Llangollen

  • Carol Sworn – 28:02
  • Andy Sworn – 36:46

parkruns - 01/07/2023

Cirencester parkrun – 200th parkrun!

  • David Witnall – 21:32
  • Elliot Gardiner – 21:51 – new personal CR!
  • Jon Campbell – 21:53
  • Daniel Drayton – 23:32
  • Paul Billinghurst – 23:41
  • William Cobbett – 24:05
  • Phil Newman -24:16
  • Steve Sandercock – 24:53
  • Sue Navin – 27:35
  • Linda Edwards – 31:44
  • Paul Robertson – 33:34
  • Kathryn Cowdall – 36:22 – 100th parkrun!!

Witney parkrun

  • Taryn Hancock – 29:38

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

  • Helen Cue – 36:45

Ifield Mill Pond parkrun

  • Phil Southworth – 25:01

Save the Date!

  • 13th August – Solihull half marathon and RSE coach trip!

The next RSE club report will be the 16th/17th July


If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to fill in the form below by Sunday 5pm.

Race Report Form