Author Archives: Race Reporter

Goodwood Running GP – 50km Ultra Marathon

Located at the foot of the Sussex Downs, the track is the only classic circuit in the world to remain entirely in its original form. Goodwood Motor Circuit originally opened its gates to the public on September 1948, to host Britain’s very first post-war motor race meeting at a permanent venue. Paul Robertson decided to drive down there, abandon his car and  run round it  instead!  Here are his thoughts

Ultra Runners are insane. My first attempt going above Marathon distance and boy did it feel like a massive challenge. Only 5 more miles but I cannot describe how hard they were. Wind, rain and laps are not a good combination but these were muted by great support from the Run Through staff. Possibly the happiest water station I have ever encountered. I’m not convinced that Ultra Marathons are for me but looking back, I did not enjoy it at the time but I am enjoying the happiness of completion. Thanks to everyone at RSE for their well done messages after. You made the mental pain disappear very quickly after.

The day went like this

Started – Finished – Retired from Ultra Running…!!!!!

What a fantastic achievement!  Here’s Paul’s time: 05:48:52

had to

AVR Half Marathon Replacement Event

As the final race of the Club Championship, the AVR Wiltshire Half, was cancelled because of bad weather, an alternative was arranged.  Many thanks to the captains and marshalls who made this possible.   A number of RSE members managed to get out there.  Here are messages from  some of the particiapnts

Felicity Crotty

Today our lovely club put on a virtual race to make up for the cancellation of AVR HM last week. The route was 2 laps of Fairford 10k plus a little out’ n ‘back section to begin with. In Fairford the sun mostly shone, we were greeted by lovely marshalls Ellie, Pauline and Steve on the route, with Ben coordinating timings at the start / finish area. Great company from Zoe all the way round too. Glad to have a rest over Christmas now.

Alan Powderhill

A nice steady half ran with Darren Jenner to get the championship completed. Some tough hills on that Fairford course. Great route sorted by Ben & Elaine and brilliant help from the marshals. Well done to everyone for completing it in the drizzle.
Darren Jenner completed it  after a tumble at 6 miles!

Alan Powderhill        01:56:06

Darren Jenner           01:56:22

Elaine Chapman       02:04:51

Tim Wainwright       02:13:36

Zoe Markham-Lee   02:18:28

Felicity Crotty           02:18:39

The two captains who helped make it possible. Was the cuppa a better option?

Bromham Pudding run

The Pudding Run is a 10k race around the Wiltshire village of Bromham, in between the towns of Melksham, Devizes, Calne and Chippenham. The two lap course is flat and regularly produces personal bests for runners of all abilities.  Cheri Edwards ran it.

 I love this race! It’s a 2 (and a little bit) lap on quiet roads around Bromham, a small village in Wiltshire between Chippenham and Calne. It raises funds for the local primary school and is always well supported, with residents standing outside their houses; clapping, cheering, playing Christmas music, dressed up in festive costumes etc!

I’d describe it as fast and flat (although my legs disagreed with that around mile 4!) and appeals to those chasing a fast PB as well as those who want to complete their first 10k and everyone in between.

This is the fourth consecutive year I’ve ran it and it’s definitely the atmosphere that keeps me coming back. As well as the fact you get a Christmas pudding at the finish line

Cheri ‘s time:  00:51:40

Churn Project Santa 5k

The Churn Project is hoping that this will become an annual event at this time of year with people putting on their best Santa or festive costumes plus running shoes .Whether a seasoned runner, or just looking for some holiday cheer, the event is perfect for all ages and fitness levels.  There is a 1K route around the park for younger families to take part, so no-one is left behind.  Both the 1K and 5K runs started at 10.30am with a fun warm up session beforehand for everyone to get motivated.

Anne Gardiner

The Churn Project reaches many members of our community, so it is a worthwhile cause to support. Sadly, the rain increased just before the race, but there was a dancing warm-up, and the rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the many runners in fancy dress, including young children who participated in the 1k fun run. The huge puddles soaked us, but it was fun. Well done to Fran Penny as Run Director.

Sue Navin

In the Abbey grounds in the rain. Quite a task for the organisers to manage a 5k and 1k family race with a diversion to avoid a flooded area. 4 out and back laps with big puddles. I fell over trying to avoid a group of Santas and elves hurtling towards me. A great atmosphere and turnout despite the rain. Thank you to Anne for her company and encouragement

Anne Gardiner:  27:57

Sue Navin:          ?? 28 minutes ??

Sylvia Warman

I don’t imagine that the times matter to the runners that do it.  Maybe next year people could warm down there after a Cirencester parkrun  to help the support the Churn (or do I just feel a bit guilty for being away?).

Parkruns

Lydiard parkrun

Darren JENNER          00:26:34

Felicity CROTTY          00:29:41

Whiteley parkrun

Brett LYONS                 00:32:17

Cirencester parkrun

Phil HUDSON              00:22:38

Oliver HAZEL               00:24:01

Daniel DRAYTON        00:25:18

Steve SANDERCOCK  00:27:22

Robert BAKER             00:28:08

Sue NAVIN                   00:29:43

Liz HULCUP                 00.30.21

Andy SWORN              00:30:23

Vicki MASON              00:32:49

Samantha WARD       00:34:01

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

Helen CUE                    00:36:51

St Mary’s parkrun

Paul BILLINGHURST      00:23:20

Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud

Sharon SMITH                  00:27:30

Save the date!

Jan 18th –  Annual Awards evening

Thanks for reading! Apologies if I have missed something/got something wrong

If you are racing next week don’t forget to submit the race report form for your result to be included: https://www.runningsomewhereelse.com/race-report-form/

Race Results

The final race of the Club Championship, the AVR Wiltshire Half, was cancelled this weekend as Storm Bert battered the UK. Nevertheless, RSE runners managed to fit in some races on Saturday before the peak of the storm hit – and very sensibly Linda escaped to race in warmer climes in Italy!

Florence Marathon

• Linda Edwards: 4:30:32

“My running friend Susan from Stratford AC and I decided to run this marathon and combine it with the beautiful Lucca Walls Parkrun. Both cities offer a gourmet spectacle of architecture and culture.

The marathon started and finished at the Duomo also known as the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. The route passed the Palazzo Vecchio before heading out of the city and back through the city of renaissance. 

The route is fairly flat however there is a proportion of running on cobbles with uneven surfaces which proved a challenge on tired legs. It was also difficult dodging tourists trying to cross the marathon route between barriers.

I really loved the marathon for two reasons. Firstly the route was stunning taking in the ancient architecture and beautiful vista. Secondly I adjusted my nutrition plan before and during the race which helped me significantly finished with an official time of 4:30:32. This was not a PB but then again I am getting older!”

Draycote Water Half Marathon

• Liz Farooq: 02:08:50

“I had transferred my entry from the Solihull half to this event, hoping that it would keep me motivated to train as the days shortened and the colder weather kicked in. It was very well organised by Run Through and there were great marshalls all around the course, even in the horrendous conditions. 

Storm Bert certainly made its presence felt on the home straight (completed 3 times) but some aspects of the course were more sheltered. I know the reservoir well (home town turf) which has its good and bad points. I knew that it would be pretty bleak and exposed in the weather so I planned a great playlist! However, I also knew I’d be able to see the finish for all 2 and a half laps of it (hate this, prefer to see it with about 200m to go!) and that the course was the nasty uphill clockwise circuit. 

Anyway, the challenge made finishing it even more satisfying and I think I actually enjoyed it!”

Parkrun Results

Cirencester:

• Phil Hudson: 22:03
• Paul Billinghurst: 23:54
• Richard Hobbs: 25:27
• Paul Robertson: 25:57
• Jon Collins: 29:05
• Sarah Reynolds: 30:05
• Carol Sworn: 30:05
• Anne-Marie Davies: 30:31
• Samantha Ward: 32:41

Witney:

• Liz Hulcup: 31:06

Kingsway:

• Ben Mutlow: 26:47 (Ran in a dressing gown for his friend’s 100th Parkrun!)

Rogiet:

• Cheri Edwards: 25:24

Gloucester City:

• Vicki Mason: 27:58

Mura di Lucca:

• Linda Edwards: 29:52

Save the date!

28th Nov – Bicycle Maintenance Talk. Booking details are on ‘RSE Info’ WhatsApp.

29th Nov –  End of Season Disco and Karaoke, The Drillmans Arms, Stratton.

Jan 18th –  Annual Awards evening

Thanks for reading! If you are racing next week don’t forget to submit the race report form for your result to be included: https://www.runningsomewhereelse.com/race-report-form/

Nia 🙂

Races

The Sodbury Slog on November 10th is quite simply not for the faint-hearted. Forget roads – they’re for wimps – this is a lung-busting, trainer-ruining, hill-climbing, multi-terrain challenge held over and through some of South Gloucestershire’s most stunning countryside. Mud is not optional.

• Zoe Markham-Lee 2:03:39

” It starts after the last post is played at 11am. Full-on trail run over 10 miles, with mud everywhere and many people lose shoes and fall over! There’s also a trough of water and muck (yep, actual muck) up to the top of your legs. I had a 45 minute shower, had to wash my running clothes twice and my trail shoes are still wet a week after. But it is great fun! ” Zoe

Parkruns on November 16th.

Druids Challenge (Day 3)

Congratulations to Lesley Hinsley, who took on this tough race.

 “The Druids is a 3 day challenge covering the Ridgeway from Tring to Barbury.  I completed the 3rd day only 28.25 miles  from Didcot to Barbury shooting school. It’s a challenging course along the Ridgeway with plenty of elevation and some stunning scenery over the tops.
The weather was a perfect temperature and good under foot, due to a dry couple of weeks.
This is the 3rd time I have completed the course, beating my time in 2022 by just 4 minutes.
Loved the course and a huge thanks to Anna Field who kept me company for the last 10 miles.”

Lesley Hinsley

Park Runs

Tonbridge

Samantha WARD              00:33:08

Keswick

Anne GARDINER              00:25:07

Cirencester

Phil HUDSON                        00:21:31

Wayne HEWITT                    00:21:32

Jon CAMPBELL                    00:21:49

Paul BILLINGHURST         00:23:35

Paul ROBERTSON               00:25:11

Sharon SMITH                     00:26:24

Sarah REYNOLDS               00:26:46

Vicki MASON                       00:33:17

Sylvia WARMAN                 00:36:24

Higgison, Marlow

Cheri EDWARDS                00:26:25

Central Park, Plymouth

Darren JENNER                 00:24:39

Felicity CROTTY                 00:29:14

Witney

Liz HULCUP                       00:29:52