Author Archives: Dave Daniels

London Vitality 10k

The Vitality 10K London Run on Monday 27th May was an exciting 10k run that suitable for everyone. The race started on The Mall and finished on Spur Road opposite Buckingham Palace. Runners followed a clockwise route around the City of Westminster and the City of London. The course passed many of London’s famous sights including Admiralty Arch, Nelson’s Column, St Paul’s Cathedral, Mansion House, the Bank of England, the Old Bailey, Somerset House, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Representing RSE was Sandie Wood who completed the race in 57:36. She was followed by Tracy Webster who finisheded in a time of 1:01:51

Well done to you both.

Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo

The Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo 5.5miles multi-terrain race on Wednesday 29th May was held over an undulating course on Cleeve Common. The start and finish of the race was at Cleeve Hill golf club with the course being a figure of eight route run entirely on Cleeve Common, mostly on grass footpaths but with stretches of gravel and stones with the occasional incline.

This was the 2nd race in the short stuff specialist category for the club championships.

Representing RSE was Dave Witnall who completed the race in 40:17 finishing in a very impressive 9th place. He was followed by;

Mark Manley – 47:28

Sharon Smith – 50:20 and 1st LV65

Nadine Brown – 50:28

Gareth Roberts – 51:27

Ellie Taylor – 52:08

Kirsty Pitts – 52:22

Sarah Reynolds – 52:28

Rochelle Ravenscroft – 53:43

Amanda Tyler – 55:42

Laura Lucking – 56:00

Linda Edwards – 57:36 and 2nd LV55

Becca Wilson – 59:18

Felicity Crotty – 64:53

Caroline Joynes-Creed – 71:36

Kay Thompson – 80:41

A great turnout by RSE and well done to you all.

Run Fest Run

Run Fest Run 2019 took place at one of the South West’s largest and best preserved private estates, Bowood House and Gardens, over the weekend on 31st May to 2nd June. Draped in history and still home to Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne, Bowood House and its 100 acre ‘Capability’ Brown parkland was the perfect setting for the event.

The weekend was hosted by Vassos Alexander and Chris Evans with some top bands and live DJs. There were fascinating talks & discussions on running, fitness and wellbeing to inspire every member of the family by world class athletes including Steve Cram, Paula Radcliffe and Colin Jackson.

Feel Good Friday – The event started off with a sunset shuffle before settling down to listen to some inspiring talks, a grand opening ceremony & live music to prepare for a super Saturday full of fun and running.

Serious Saturday – Whether runners went for the 2.5k, 5k, 10k or half marathon route (or all of them!), the gorgeous grounds of Bowood treated runners and festival goers to some of the most picturesque vistas in the land..

Sunday Funday – Whether runners were feeling hazy, lazy or perhaps a little achy from the day before, it was time to put on their fancy dress costumes and get ready for the funniest fun run they would ever take part in!

Completing the Sunset Shuffle 5k were Kay Thompson, Kevin Joynes-Creed and Nadine Brown.

Completing the Glow Run 5k were Tracy Webster, Sandie Wood, Amanda Tyler, Kay Thompson and Rochelle Ravenscroft.

In the half marathon were were Dave Whitlow, Tim Hodgetts, Becca Hodgetts, Amanda Tyler, Kevin Joynes-Creed, Nadine Brown, Kirsty Pitts, Rochelle Ravenscroft, Tracey Pitts and Kate Potter.

The 2.5k race included Rory Brown, Nadine Brown, Christian Hine, Rochelle Ravenscroft, Josh and Harry Ravenscroft, Kay Thompson, Caroline Terry, and Pauline Tilbury

In the 5k were Christian Hine, Sandie Wood, Tracy Webster, Ted Pitts, Pauline Tilbury, Emma Hine and Kay Thompson.

The 10k included Caroline Joynes-Creed, Kevin Joynes-Creed, Sandie Wood, Tracy Webster and Mark Manley.

The Bug Run 5k was run by Ruth Herbert and Kate Potter.

RSE entered 2 teams into the team relay. Team 1 was Kirsty Pitts, Amanda, Ted Pitts and Dave Whitlow. Team 2 was Tracey Pitts, Nadine Brown, Kay Thompson and Kevin Joynes-Creed.

It is safe to say a great weekend was had by all attending.

Swindon Park Run

Steve Sandercock – 24:37

Caroline Sandercock – 36:03

Claire Collett – 53:02

Cirencester Park Run

William Gardiner – 27:24

George Rackley – 34:47

Littlehampton Prom Park Run

Felicity Crotty – 28:39

LPS Ashton Keynes Novice Duathlon

On Saturday 25th May the Ashton Keynes Novice Duathlon took place. This consisted of a 3k run, 14k cycle and finishing off with a further 3k run. The event took place around in the beautiful lakes of the Cotswolds.

Representing RSE was Mark Manley who was taking part in his first duathlon. He completed the race in 56:38 which was a very impressive 7th place overall and 1st in his age category.

Great effort Mark

Rock n Roll Liverpool Marathon

The inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool Marathon took place in 2014. It is now set to be an annual event with an option to run a half marathon.

On Sunday 26th May this years event took place. The start line was at Albert Dock, on the Liverpool Waterfront. From there runners were directed through Liverpool city centre, passing many of the city’s iconic sites such as The Cavern Club, where the Beatles once played, and Goodison Park, home of Everton FC. Other interesting locations were Stanley Park, Anfield (home of Liverpool FC), The Liver Buildings and Chinatown. The race ended as runners ran down the Waterfront promenade towards the finish line at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

Along the route runners were treated to live music from local bands.

Representing RSE was Rochelle Ravenscroft who was taking part in her first marathon. She completed the race in an unofficial time of 3:54:14 which is obviously a PB. She also completed the Rock n Roll Liverpool 5k race on Saturday 25th May in 24:06 which was again a PB.

Fantastic effort over a busy weekend of running from Rochelle.

Swindon Park Run

Claire Collett – 55:44

Cirencester Park Run

Ellie Taylor – 25:44

Sally Jamieson – 29:12

Tetbury Good Sheds Park Run

Felicity Crotty – 30:46

Cotswold Way Challenge

The Cotswold Way is a beautiful national trail of between 102 and 107 miles (depending on your route!) running from the picturesque town of Chipping Campden in the North to the stunning Georgian city of Bath in the south. En route the trail passes through stunning and quintessentially English countryside, beautiful Cotswold stone villages and along the majestic Cotswold hills.

For a great trail running challenge, Sarah Reynolds chose to cover the Cotswold Way over 4 days between Friday 10th to Monday 13th May.

A great effort well done.

Berkeley 10k

The Berkeley 10k took place on Monday 13th May. This was a fast 10k (two-lap) course around the historic town and countryside of Berkeley, Gloucestershire that provided a great opportunity for a PB.

Representing RSE was Elaine Chapman who completed the race in 49:12. She was followed by;

Steve Sandercock – 50:01

Sarah Page – 50:54 and a PB by 3 minutes!

Fantastic effort from you all.

Down to the Wyre 10k

This event took place on Saturday 18th May 2019.

Down To The Wyre 10K was a brand new race for 2019, and took place within the stunning Wyre Forest and was set to be one of the most highly anticipated 10K’s in England. The Wyre Forest is one of the largest, most ecologically significant oak woodlands in England providing runners with some unrivalled forest scenery.

Representing RSE and taking part in their first 10k trail race were Sandie Wood who completed the race in 1:02:38 and Tracy Webster who finished in 1:10:35.

Great effort

City of Gloucester 10k

The inaugural City of Gloucester 10K run took place on Sunday 19th May. This race was in the beautiful and historic city of Gloucester and was open to runners of all abilities charity, recreation runners, club runners, and Elite athletes.

The course was flat and fast and gave participants the chance to try for a personal best time whilst enjoying a spectacular sightseeing tour of Gloucester.

Representing RSE was Elliot Gardiner who completed the race in 49:56. He was followed by;

Linda Edwards – 51:59

Amanda Haines – 59:29 which was a PB and her second successive sub 1 hour 10k.

Well done to you all

Northleach 10k

On Sunday 19th May the Northleach 10k event took place. This was a multi terrain race that took runners through some of the lovely surrounding areas of Northleach and Eastington.

Representing RSE was Kevin Joynes-Creed who completed the race in 55:34. He was followed by;

Kay Thompson – 1:24:18. Kay had also completed the 3k fun run earlier in 24:35.

Caroline Joynes-Creed – 1:24:22

Also running was Kate Potter.

Great work from you all.

Cirencester Park Run

Andy Masser – 21:49

Haldon Forest Park Run

Felicity Crotty – 29:58

Bakewell Park Run

Caroline Joynes-Creed – 33:08 and a PB

Kevin Joynes-Creed – 33:09

Westonbirt 10k

The popular Westonbirt 10K returned to the National Arboretum on Thursday 9 May 2019 as part of the Forestry Commission Active Forests programme.

One of the most beautiful running routes in the UK, the national arboretum is the perfect location for sporting events, and runners taking part in this race were able to take in the world renowned tree collection at one of its most beautiful times of year, with spring blooms and flowering trees providing the backdrop to this popular 10K which was largely on flat terrain and hard paths.

Representing RSE was Jo Wood who completed the race in 49:10 which was 4 minutes faster than last year and 7th vet woman. She was followed by;

Sandie Wood – 57:37

Amanda Haines – 59:59 which was a new PB

George Rackley – 1:12:43

Kay Thompson – 1:20:29

Great running from you all.

The Marlborough Downs Challenge

The Marlborough Downs Challenge was a beautiful yet challenging event that took place on Saturday 11th May. The route was mostly off-road along tracks and footpaths with plenty of climbing – over 3000 feet for the 33 mile race as well as a shorter 20 mile route.  The route took in some of the finest Wiltshire countryside including Mid Wilts Way with superb views across the Vale of Pewsey West Woods, Gopher Wood, with its amazing wild garlic and two of the highest points in Wiltshire at Knapp Hill and Tan Hill, where the long and short courses diverge.

Representing RSE in the 33 mile race was Tim Hodgetts who completed the race in 5:31:10 and 26th place overall. He was followed by;

Henry Church – 5:32:24 and 29th place

Nadine Brown – 6:02:31 47th overall and 8th female

Representing RSE in the 20 mile race was Rebecca Hodgetts who completed the race in 3:40:02.

Fantastic effort from you all.

Two Tunnels Half Marathon

There are 3 different half marathon routes, known as Return Ticket, Hilly Ticket and City Ticket, being run through the Two Tunnels in Bath this year.
All the Half Marathon distance events are also part of the Challenge Series events; The Two Tunnels Challenge and Mini Challenge as well as the Beast of Bath Challenge.tails.

On Sunday 12th July RSE had a lot of runners taking part in one of the Bath Two Tunnels Races.  This was a multi distance event using the Two Tunnels Greenway path shared along Linear Park.  It included the Devonshire Tunnel which measures 408m long and the Coombe Down Tunnel measuring 1672m long.  The half marathon route was a 2 lap out and back course which meant that the runners pass through the tunnels 4 times during the race which made it the race with the longest underground section in Britain.  It was described as being perfect for setting a PB.

Sandie Wood completed the 5k race in 27:56 and in first place in the female 50-59 category. She was followed by;

Tracy Webster – 29:25

In the 10k Ted Pitts completed the race in 51:30. He was followed by;

Sandie Wood – 57:43

Tracy Webster – 1:01:19

First in for RSE in the half marathon was Tom Cooper in a time of 1:27:135 and in 9th place. He was followed by;

Dave Witnall – 1:28:59 in 10th place

Mark Garrett – 1:36:53 and 2nd in the male 50-59 category

Ben Chapman – 1:41:05

Dave Whitlow – 1:43:23

Rochelle Ravenscroft – 1:44:55 which was a PB

Ellie Taylor – 1:47:24

Kirsty Pitts – 1:50:30 which was a PB and 2nd in the female 50-59 category

Susannah Futter – 1:52:44

Amanda Tyler – 1:56:11

Linda Edwards – 1:59:22

Ryo Taylor – 2:06:46

Istvan Vegh – 2:16:26

Great turnout from RSE and good running.

Hullavington Half Marathon

The inaugural Hullavington Half Marathon was a road race over a gently undulating and picturesque course, which started and finished in the village of Hullavington, Wiltshire. Not only did all finishers receive a medal they were alse presented with a free cake. There will also be a supporting 5k run.

Representing RSE was Andy Masser who completed the race in 1:34:15, 11th place overall and 2nd in the MV50 category. He was followed by;

Vanessa Poole – 2:28:11

Caroline Joynes-Creed – 2:37:10

Kevin Joynes-Creed – 2:38:23

Fab running from you all.

Stroud Trail Quarter Marathon

Although 7 miles and not exactly the quarter marathon, this was a great introduction to trail running and took in some of the great Cotswold views at the same time.  Starting from the Stroud town centre, the Stroud Trail Quarter marathon joins the Cotswold Canal towpath to Capels Mill, then a steep ascent of 450ft onto Rodborough Common. The route continues to Amberley and then Minchinhampton Common before heading back to the town centre to the finish.

Representing RSE was Cheri Edwards who completed the race in 1:11:29

Great effort Cheri.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Great great results from a lot of runners this weekend. Definitely keeping me busy.

With PBs from Amanda Haines in the Westonbirt 10k, Rochelle Ravenscroft and Kirsty Pitts in the Two Tunnels half.

There were also some great placings in the races including Tom Cooper 9th and Dave Witnall 10th in the Two Tunnels half. We also had Mark Garrett in 2nd male and Kirsty Pitts as 2nd female both in their age categories. Of course not forgetting Andy Masser who came in 11th overall and 2nd in the male 50 category in the Hullavington half.

I would also like to mention Sarah Reynolds who has finished day 3 of a 4 day Cotswold Way 100 mile challenge. Only 33 miles to go!

Particular mention however needs to go to Sandie Wood took part in 3 races this week and even managed 1st in her category for the Two Tunnels 5k. Great running.

Cirencester Park Run

Kevin Joynes-Creed – 24:41 and a new PB

Anne Gardiner – 28:25

Sally Jamieson – 29:12

Amanda Haines – 30:50

Swindon Park Run

Steve Sandercock – 24:24

Caroline Sandercock – 34:04

Rutland Water Park Run

Felicity Crotty – 28~:38