Author Archives: Dave Daniels

ABP Newport Wales Marathon

The ABP Newport Wales Marathon returned for 2019 on Sunday 5th May, after the inaugural event proved a resounding success with runners and spectators alike. The national marathon of Wales is arguably one of the UK’s flattest marathons and boasted a fast, scenic route, with over 70% of participants claiming a PB in 2018.

Starting and finishing on Newport’s vibrant riverfront, – the route offered iconic landmarks, coastal wildlife, picturesque medieval villages and a high-profile opportunity for locals and visitors alike to experience the recently regenerated city-centre.

First in for RSE was Ollie Hazel in an impressive time of time of 3:18:15. He was followed by,

Gareth Roberts in 3:48:30 which was a PB by 27 minutes

Linda Edwards – 4:11:11

Rosie Oates – 4:29:09 which was a PB by over 15 minutes.

Fantastic effort from you all

Southampton Half Marathon and 10k

The ABP Southampton Marathon event on Sunday 5th May offered runners the choice of either a Marathon, Half Marathon or 10km races through the heart of Southampton.

All races started and finished in the heart of Southampton’s city centre with the run course passing iconic local landmarks including Bargate, QE2 Anchor and St Mary’s Stadium. Considered by many to be the race highlight was running both the ascent and more popularly the descent over the Itchen bridge, which was be closed exclusively for this unique event.

Representing RSE in the Half Marathon was Paul Coates who completed the race in 1:54:13.

Great effort Paul well done.

Winchcombe Cross Half Marathon

The Winchcombe Cross offered four options to enjoy the magnificent hills and trails in the Winchcombe area.  The ultramarathons comprise three or four out-and-back legs of between 5 and 7 miles each way to give approximately 36.5(ish) or 50 miles.  The four sections each offered some testing hills, beautiful views, and enjoyable trails.  The marathon followed the first leg of the ultra route and then joined together legs 2 and 4 as a loop, giving a handy 26.5 mile route (approximately).  The half marathon turned legs 2 and 4 into a loop for a tough 14.5 mile challenge.  Runners were warned – it’s hilly.

Representing RSE was Elaine Chapman who completed the half marathon in an unofficial time of 2:32:50 and 5th place in the ladies category.

Well done Elaine

Mentioned In Dispatches

It goes without saying that both Rosie Oates with a marathon PB by 15 minutes and Gareth Roberts with a marathon PB of 27 minutes rightly deserve to mentioned in dispatches this week.

However on a non running subject (but I do make the rules) I have to mention both Adrian and Teresa Hazlewood on the birth of Isla Lucy Hazlewood on Tuesday. Fantastic news and I am sure the whole club wish them the warmest congratulations and very best.

Cirencester Park Run

Wayne Edginton – 23:57

Jon Collins – 25:03

Susannah Earl – 25:17

Sarah Reynolds – 27:52

Vicki Mason – 27:57

Sally Jamieson – 28:23

Naomi Allen – 31:20

Elizabeth Lloyd – 33:31

Swindon Park Run

Steve Sandercock – 25:07

Caroline Sandercock – 34:36

Newport Park Run

Linda Edwards – 29:31

Haldon Forest Park Run

Felicity Crotty – 30:01

Hidden Glen 10k

The Hidden Glen 10K took place on Saturday 27th April in the spectacular Monachyle Glen. Starting at Monachyle Mhor Hotel, the out and back route initially followed the road alongside Loch Doine before returning to the hotel and heading deep into the Hidden Glen along rough trail tracks. The route followed Monachyle Burn as it wound its way through the glen. Reaching the turning point and high point of the route after approximately 6km. The downhill return to the hotel offered beautiful sweeping views of the glen, Loch Doine and Loch Voil. The terrain was a mix of tarmac roads, grass farm roads and rough trail tracks and included over 800 ft in elevation, very deep puddles and swollen burns (streams). 

Representing RSE was Kay Thompson who completed the race in 1:28:16.

Well done Kay

Shakespeare Half Marathon

The Shakespeare Half Marathon on Sunday 28th April gave runners the chance to experience the world famous Stratford upon Avon. The course passed some of the most historical buildings in the the country and through miles of beautiful Warwickshire countryside. It was was mainly flat and fast starting in the centre of the town, opposite Shakespeare’s old school and then through some quintessential English villages, where chocolate box thatch roof cottages, hump back bridges and pretty dry stone walls were a joy to behold.

First in for RSE was Dave Witnall who completed the race in 1:27:51 which was a PB by 87 seconds.

He was followed by Ellie Taylor in 1:51:19 and Ryo Taylor in 2:05:11.

Great effort from you all.

London Marathon

The London Marathon took place on Sunday 28th April. London’s marathon course is one of the most popular in the world and continues to grow. It is world famous and is one of the big six ‘World Marathon Majors’. Many people choose to run the London Marathon for charity fundraising reasons and this year the amount of money raised through charity sponsorship since the first London Marathon in 1981 passed £1,000,000,000.

First in for RSE was Nadine Brown who completed the course in an impressive 3:44:00.

She was followed by Wayne Edginton in 3:54:32.

Emma Hine in 5:14:23

Pauline Tilbury in 5:35:41

Fantastic effort from you all.

Mentioned in Dispatches

It goes without saying that Nadine Brown, Wayne Edginton, Emma Hine and Pauline Tilbury rightly deserve to be mentioned in dispatches this week.

By completing the race in a very good 3:44:00 Nadine has already achieved a good for entry time for the 2020 London Marathon although I am sure this time will be reduced in Berlin later this year (no pressure Nadine).

Emma suffered with injury in the build up to this marathon and was not even sure if she would manage 5 miles when she set off to London this weekend. Amazingly she not only completed the marathon but she managed to raise over £2000 for The Karen Morris Memorial Trust.

Pauline deferred her place from 2018 due to injury. Through a lot of hard work and dedication to stick with her training plan she was able to complete her first and I expect not her last marathon.

A great effort also from Wayne with a time of 3:54:32

Leicester Victoria Park Run

Jon Collins – 59:47

Cirencester Park Run

William Gardiner – 29:29

Sally Jamieson – 29:34

Felicity Crotty – 30:26

Elizabeth Lloyd – 33:49

Charley Trykush – 37:43

Lulworth Cove Ultra

On Saturday 23rd March the Lulworth Cove Ultra trail running event took place. With a distrance of 32.1 miles and a total elevation of 7208 feet this was not for the feint hearted. This race is one of the most beautiful and recognisable stretches of coastline in the country, situated right on the South West Coast Path in Dorset.

Starting at the Durdle Door car park, the race took racers on this stretch of coastline, almost all the way to Weymouth before continuing onto to Osminton Mills before leaving the coast for a while before joining the upper coast path and heading back to Lulworth Cove. Runners then started the second leg of their challenge, heading in the other direction along the coast path towards St Alban’s Head and Poole. They then continued through M.O.D land, which was a particularly tough section but well worth it, before looping back to Lulworth Cove to the finish line.

Representing RSE was Gareth Roberts who completed the race in an impressive 7:39:23. Very well done.

Forest of Dean Half Marathon

Sunday 24th March saw the Forest of Dean half marathon. This Spring Trails Half Marathon was run in the Forest of Dean and started on the road adjacent to the Speech House Hotel in the heart of the forest. The course then left the road to follow a loop of well maintained forest trails (with gentle inclines) before eventually leading back to the Speech House Hotel for the finish.

Representing RSE was Tracy Webster who completed the race in 2:23:52.

Great effort

The Big Cheese Trail Run

The Big Cheese Trail Run took place on Sunday 24th March. This 15 mile race included over 2000 feet of hill climbing. The race started at
Fairlands Middle School, Cheddar and the route included part of the Longleat Estate.

Representing RSE was Nadine Brown who completed the race in 2:32:20. Excellent effort.

The Westonbirt Duathlon

The Westonbirt Duathlon took place in the in the picturesque surroundings of Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, one of the worlds finest botanical collections of trees and shrubs on 24th March 2019.

The event was opened to seasoned triathletes and newcomers, with a course that was fast and included a 5km run route through the Arboretum before taking competitors through the transition and out onto the open rural roads for a 22km cycle followed by a repeat of the 5km run.

Representing RSE was Steve Phelps who completed the race in 1:37:20. He was followed by George Rackley in 2:02:45.

Great effort from both.

Tamar Trails Park Run

Felicity Crotty – 30:24

Swindon Park Run

Dave Witnall – 18:33 and a PB by 40 seconds

Caroline Sandercock – 38:09

Cirencester Park Run

Charlotte Austin – 34:41

Sharon Smith – 59:02