Author Archives: Dave Daniels

Escape From Wych Wood 10k

The Escape from Wych Wood 10k took place on Saturday 14th March on the outskirts of Taunton on the edge of the Black Down Hills. The 10k course, which was like running in a mud bath, consisted of a a run out to a circuit with a small lap before a big lap which added in the hill fort before returning to home.

Representing RSE was Zoe Markham-Lee who finished in an unofficial time of 1:23. Well done Zoe.

Berkeley 20/20

The Berkeley 20/20 took place on Saturday 14th March. This included both a 20km and 20 mile race.

The 20 km race ran through Berkeley village and then past the Salutation pub in Ham. It followed a one loop of a circuit around Bevington Deer Park on very flat and quiet country lanes. After the loop runners headed back but at Ham they cut back to the power station without going through Berkeley and then on to the finish.

Representing RSE was Sarah Reynolds who completed the race in 1:48:33.

The 20 mile race headed off from the start towards Ham without going through Berkeley itself. Runners then followed two loops of a circuit around Bevington Deer Park on very flat and quiet country lanes. After the two loops runners headed back via Ham and onto the finish.

Representing RSE was Kevin Joynes-Creed who completed the race in a 2:57:44 which was a PB by a magnificent 20 minutes.

Well done both of you.

Gloucester 20

The Gloucester 20 mile race took place on Sunday 15th March. This was the 3rd race in the RSE Endurance Race Schedule. Starting in Waterwells, Gloucester the race consisted of a 3 lap route around country lanes on what is a flat course with the exception of 2 small hills on each lap.

Representing RSE was Dave Witnall who finished in 2:18:13. He was followed by;

Mark Manley – 2:32:15

Sharon Smith – 2:45:46 and 1st in the LV65 category and a PB by 7 minutes

Elaine Chapman – 2:55:53

Ellie Taylor – 2:56:52

Tim Wainwright – 2:58:42

Sarah Page – 3:07:04

Istvan Vegh – 3:07:50 which was a PB

Linda Edwards – 3:10:58

Liz Farooq – 3:16:41 which was a PB

Cathy Steer – 3:17:24

Elisabeth Butler – 3:18:18

Kevin Joynes-Creed – 3:18:19

Great turnout from RSE and fantastic running in difficult conditions.

Bath Half Marathon

The Bath Half Marathon took place on Sunday 15th March. This was a ‘big city’ race, starting and finishing on Great Pulteney Street – a beautiful Georgian boulevard in the heart of Bath. This course was fast and flat with proven potential to set new personal bests.

Representing RSE was Nia Glover who finished in a time of 1:43:02 which was a PB by 7 minutes. Great effort.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Some great results from runners this week but it goes without saying the Kevin Joynes-Creed deserves a mention this week. Having completed the Berkeley 20 mile race on Saturday and achieving a PB he then took part in the Gloucester 20 mile the following day. Something I am sure his legs and every other part of his body is regretting now. Great effort Kevin. Now have a rest

Dudley Park Run

Linda Edwards – 29:14

Cirencester Park Run

Ben Chapman – 23:06

Rosie Oates – 23:26

Dave Witnall – 23:40

Nadine Brown – 27:06

Ryo Woodsell-Taylor – 28:17

Emma Hine – 28:39

Elizabeth Lloyd – 34:30

Charley Trykush – 42:23

Elaine Chapman – 44:14

Haldon Forest Park Run

Felicity Crotty – 29:01

Minchinhampton 10k

The Minchinhampton 10k road race took place on Sunday 8th March. Now in it’s 6th year this was a great pre-Easter event, on quiet country lanes in and around the beautiful Cotswold town of Minchinhampton. Surprisingly it contained only one hill and a few undulations which meant it was a reasonably quick course.

Representing RSE was Oliver Hughes who finished in a time of 52:38. He was followed by;

Amanda Ball – 1:04:05

Zoe Markham-Lee – 1:04:25

Well done all of you.

Cambridge Half Marathon

The Cambridge Half Marathon took place on Sunday 8th March. For the first time ever, the 2020 Saucony Cambridge Half Marathon took runners through two iconic colleges of the University of Cambridge – King’s College and Jesus College. The brand new route took runners on a journey through history and showcased the very best of what Cambridge had to offer.

Representing RSE was Rich Hobbs who finished in a time of 1:36:25. He was followed by;

Ellie Taylor – 1:47:27

Emma Hine – 1:59:17

Anne Gardiner – 2:09:07 in her first half marathon.

Fantastic effort from you all.

Chester 10k

The ALDI Chester 10K on Sunday 8th March was Chester’s only city-based 10K and was the first event of the Chester Triple Series. This fast course started at the iconic Chester Racecourse and headed north-west out of the City along wide roads before passing close to the picturesque village of Mollington, before returning to the heart of Chester City centre where it passed the historic Victorian town hall and Medieval Cathedral before heading to the finish.

Representing RSE was Felisity Crotty who finished in a time of 56:30 which was a minute faster than last year. Well done Felicity.

Grizzly 2020

The Grizzly 2020 at Seaton, Devon, on Sunday 8th March was not for the feint hearted with more than 3,000′ ascent in its 20 miles. There were two sections of beach, totalling well over a mile, two energy-sapping bogs where runners were often up to their waists in water and mud, and the infamous “Stairway to Heaven”, a steep path up the side of a cliff.

Representing RSE was Nadine Brown who finished in a time of 4:43:06 including a beer and crisp stop at 18 miles!! She was followed by Andy Sworn in 4:43:39 and Carol Sworn in 4:43:40.

Great effort from you all.

Seaton Park Run

Carol Sworn – 27:38

Tetbury Goods Shed Park Run

Dave Witnall – 18:55

Seven Fields Park Run

Nia Glover – 22:41 and first female runner

Gloucestershire AAA Cross Country Championship

The final race in the AAA Cross Country Championship took place on Sunday 1st March at Old Down Country Park, nr Thornbury. The course consisted of mown and fairly flat grass and tracks through woods. There were three hills on each large lap with most of the descent and ascent on grass or a grassy track.

The senior ladies race involved 3 large laps plus a short leg at the start and finish totalling 6.3k. Representing RSE was Rosie Oates who finished in a time of 31:19. She was followed by;

Sharon Smith – 33:50 and 1st in the LV65 category

Nadine Brown – 34:04

Elaine Chapman – 35:27

Kate Potter – 44:32 and 2nd in the FV70 category

A great effort from you all.

Newport Half Marathon

The Newport Half Marathon on Sunday 1st March gave runners the chance to see the iconic features of the City of Newport and the village of Caerleon, with all the proceeds going to support St David’s Hospice.

Representing RSE was Elisabeth Butler who finished in a time of 1:59:01 which was a PB and first sub 2 hour marathon. Great Effort Libby

Wigley Group Half Marathon – Warwick

The Wigley Group Half Marathon started at Warwick Racecourse on Sunday 1 March. The race followed its traditional route through the lovely Warwickshire countryside providing athletes with an excellent opportunity to compete in a slightly undulating, traffic free road race.

Representing RSE was Liz Farooq who finished in a time of 1:56:10 which was a PB and first sub 2 hour half marathon (by a long way). Well done Liz

Bath Two Tunnels

Cutting right under the city of the Bath, the two tunnels offer a truly unique running experience. The first tunnel, the Devonshire Tunnel is 408m long and the second tunnel, Combe Down Tunnel is 1672m long. On Sunday 1st March both 5K and 10k races took place.

The 5km headed steadily uphill towards the Devonshire tunnel, passing by Bloomfield Open space on the left hand side. After rounding the first tunnel runners emerged out in the wooded Lyncombe Vale area. There was a 1km open run along the elevated embankment and through cuttings heading towards Combe Down Tunnel. The turn around for the 5km was just before the entrance to the second tunnel. Runners then enjoyed a slightly downhill run back to the finish.

The 10km followed the 5K route however runners continued into the Combe Down tunnel. The race headed over Tucking Mill viaduct on a gentle downhill gradient towards Midford Station before making a U turn and retracing their steps through the two tunnels.

Representing RSE was Zoe Markham-Lee who completed the 5k in an unofficial time of 29:46 which was a PB, then a 10 minute break before starting the 10k which she finished in 1:02:38. Great effort Zoe.

Lydiard Park Run

Oliver Hughes – 38:19

Caroline Sandercock – 39:16

Worcester Park Run

Felicity Crotty – 30:50

Weymouth Park Run

George Rackley – 30:26

The Terminator 2020

The Terminator took place on Sunday 23rd February in Pewsey Vale, Wiltshire. This was a challenging multi-terrain course of around 12 miles, with a gentle start across fields and a canal towpath. It then got serious with several climbs and a sting in the tail. On the positive side there was a free shoe wash. 

Representing RSE was Kevin Joynes-Creed who finished the race in 2:13:02. He was followed by;

Nadine Brown – 2:15:18

Sharon Smith – 2:17:49 and second in the FV60 category

Oliver Hughes – 2:23:03

Carol Sworn – 2:23:41

Sarah Reynolds in an unofficial time of 2:25:39

Elaine Chapman – 2:29:17

Great effort from you all.

Wokingham Half Marathon

The Wokingham Half Marathon took place on Sunday 23rd February. This race is Berkshire’s traditional first post Christmas Half Marathon. The race started and finished at Cantley Park on fast, flat rural roads.

Representing RSE was Gareth Roberts who finished the race in a new PB time of 1:50:16.

Good running Gareth

Lydiard Park Run

Dave Witnall – 20:37

Ollie Hazel – 21:13

Colney Lane Park Run

Nia Glover – 22:45 and second female

Cirencester Park Run

Rich Hobbs – 22:44

Ellie Taylor – 29:27

Laura Peters – 30:23

Ryo Woodsell – Taylor – 30:25

William Gardiner – 31:38

Pauline Tilbury – 34:41

Oliver Hughes – 37:25

Elaine Chapman – 46:40

Tetbury Goods Shed Park Run

Sharon Smith – 25:31

Felicity Crotty – 28:54

Amanda Ball – 30:08

Zoe Markham-Lee – 31:14