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Author Archives: Race Reporter

Racing in the Dark

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Well done to everyone who ran races this weekend. There was also RSE representation at 8 Park Runs across the country on Saturday.

Mark

Wiltshire 10 Mile

Well done to Cherie and Teresa for taking on the Wiltshire 10M this weekend, especially to Cherie, who decided to do it with 10 miles already in her legs!

Unofficial times:

Teresa      01:29

Cherie       01:31

 

“What do you do when there’s a 10 mile race scheduled for the day you need to do a 20 mile run? Run 10 miles before the race starts, naturally! So I drove to my friend Vicky’s house in Chippenham and then together we ran to Melksham for the race. It’s a popular race (400 runners I think?) and there was a good friendly atmosphere. I was delighted to see another RSE vest, Teresa, queuing for the portaloos. The race is a lollipop – out towards Lacock, a loop around the village and then back. Race HQ is in King George IV park, and the first few hundred meters follows the Melksham parkrun route, before taking you to the road and out of Melksham towards Lacock. It’s described as “fast and flat” but there’s certainly noticeable sections of uphill! As I was using it as a marathon training run I had no expectation of time or speed, just wanted to focus on feeling comfortable and fuelling properly. So I had a great time, chatting to Vicky and other runners and before I knew it we’d reached the start of the loop – just in time to see the leaders heading back! An enjoyable run, nice medal, fab choice of flapjack at the finish line too – plus the relief of knowing that the tapering can start now!”

Cherie Edwards

Westonbirt Arboretum 10K Night race

Congratulations to those hardy RSE runners who braved the night race at Westonbirt.

Wayne Hewitt                                  0:48:44

Edith Putt                                          1:01:57

Sylvia Warman                                1:11:23

Hannah Barrett                               1:13:36

Katherine Stratton                          1:13:36

 

“10km in the dark through the trees! Head or body torches were compulsory and the way markers were reflective. Very well organised with super enthusiastic marshals. I enjoyed this much more that the summer day light run I’d done here previously. Not a PB but best since 2023.”

Sylvia Warman

Park Runs

Oxford

Vicki MASON                        00:29:34

 

Eden Project

Darren JENNER                    00:25:30

Felicity CROTTY                    00:28:31

 

Exeter Riverside

David WITNALL                    00:23:12

 

Cirencester

James BALL                            00:20:45

Wayne HEWITT                    00:24:02

Daniel DRAYTON                 00:25:17

Paul BILLINGHURST          00:25:58

Sharon SMITH                      00:26:38

Steve SANDERCOCK           00:26:47

Paul BEAUMONT                 00:26:51

Jon COLLINS                         00:28:44

Sue NAVIN                             00:28:57

Maria YATES                         00:31:19

 

Seven Fields

Anne-Marie DAVIES            00:30:11

 

Denton Dene

Linda EDWARDS               00:29:36

 

Bicester

Liz HULCUP                       00:29:20

 

Lydiard Park

Jade BEAUMONT             00:26:57 (course PB)

Race Report – Lung-busting racing!

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Race Results

Lungbuster

The Lungbuster is a 9 mile off-road trail race taking place in Broad Hinton. It features the infamous “Lungbuster Hill” and takes place on farmland tracks, fields and woodlands.

  • Sue Navin: 1:50:17 – 1st LV70!
  • Jade Beaumont: 01:58:34
  • Sara Juggins: 2:06:21

“Beautiful weather, lovely countryside and friendly marshals, especially the very energetic ones encouraging us up the hill! But very wet, muddy and slippery and felt harder than last year. I was well past my best at the end. I’d been longing to see the finish for several miles but when I finally got near it I didn’t see it and had to be called back as I headed off down the track away from it…!” – Sue

“My first ever trail race! Loved it and hated it all at the same time!” – Jade

“It was a really tough one mainly because of the muddy conditions” – Sara

Warwick Half Marathon

  • Alan Powderhill: 1:46:01 – PB!
  • Elliot Gardiner: 1:55:57
  • Linda Edwards: 2:11:53

“A brilliant start to 2025 races for me, so shocked to have achieved a PB by over 3 minutes. Lovely race conditions, the route was very undulating but I used the downhill sections the best I could. Brilliant to have the legends for company too. A good day all round.” – Alan

“Used this race as a training run in the marathon training plan while still returning to full fitness. The plan was to maintain 9 min miles or under, so I was very pleased with the pacing and improvement on last weekend’s race. Definitely feeling stronger again with the endurance. Quite a hilly course but I used the downhills to my advantage. Really nice route around the surrounding area of Warwick that started and finished at the racecourse, well organised and a decent medal! Plus well deserved beer & cake at the finish!” – Elliot

“This lovely scenic route starts and finishes at the racecourse. It is a hilly route that gains elevation up to around 8 miles then there is an undulating downhill with a nasty hill at mile 11. It is definitely not boring and a great training run. It was well organised and a large medal to finish. I really liked the route and the challenge it brought.” – Linda

Parkrun Results

Tamar Trails:

  • Felicity Crotty: 30:52

Worcester:

  • Cheri Edwards: 25:24
  • Vicki Mason: 30:08

Cirencester

  • James Ball: 21:14
  • Phil Hudson: 22:45
  • Jon Campbell: 23:30
  • Daniel Drayton: 25:07
  • Phil Newman: 25:48
  • Paul Beaumont: 28:00
  • Robert Baker: 28:23
  • Jess James: 29:34
  • Samantha Ward: 32:32
  • Sara Juggins: 32:41
  • Charley Trykush: 54:15

Babbs Mill

  • David Witnall: 25:08

Stratford Park

  • Sharon Smith: 27:20
  • Cathy Steer: 37:29

Milford Waterfront

  • Rachel Weaver: 29:29

Seven Fields

  • Anne-Marie Davies: 29:30

Gloucester City

  • Liz Hulcup: 26:43 – Course PB!

Cheltenham

  • Jade Beaumont: 27:06

Race Report 26th Jan – a week of weather warnings

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Races

Boddington 10 miles, by CLC Striders.

The first of this year’s AAA road races

  • Gemma Wright  1:28:21
  • Liz Hulcup 1.33.46
  • Elliot Gardiner 01:29:01
  • Paul Beaumont 01:25:33.12  (chip 1:25:20)
  • Steve Sandercock 01:23:52 PB!
  • Zoe Markham-Lee 01.29.24 PB!

Gemma: This race was 4 laps of a course which doesn’t seem to bad on lap 3, but on lap 4 the mental battle is real lol

Elliot: First race of the year and first race in the marathon training plan. Never planned to race it as the fitness level is still low. So the goal was to stick to 9 min miles, just slightly quicker than Marathon pace. Pleased that despite the strong head winds and heavy legs, I managed to achieve it! Good marker to show me where my fitness is after 3 months injured…long way to go!
Seeing as I’m not a fan of laps, then I really didn’t enjoy the course but I did enjoy the free beer at the end! 🍻

Steve:  The course was 4 laps of a circular route plus some out and back. It was probably the fastest  course that I have run. The weather conditions were a bit ominous but although windy we all finished before the rain. There was a bunch of superfast athletes and the course record was broken by the first 3, and a winning time was 49m 55s!
For myself, I think I set off too fast and ended up having a struggle towards the end. It paid off though and I beat my pb by a minute and a half, so worth the effort

 Longleat 10k, by 2:09 events

  • Jade Beaumont 00:57:50

Jade: Hideous weather conditions and very hilly! You were only either running up or down! But really well organised and a nice lion medal!

Shipston 1X Road Running Race, by Stratford upon Avon Athletics Club

Shipston IX Road Running Race

  • Linda Edwards 1:29:50
  • Sarah Page 1:20:17

Replacing the ‘Not the Roman IX’, the inaugural Shipston IX  organised by Stratford upon Avon Athletics club started and finished in Shipston on Stour. The out and back with one loop race takes in 9 miles of stunning Warwickshire countryside passing through the village of Honington.
Although the route is described as mainly flat both Sarah Page and myself and every other runner who ran it would disagree. It was a hilly route and the winds were particularly challenging with little respite.
It was great to see Martin Page at the finish with Elsie as chief supporters.

 

Parkruns

Kingsway, Gloucester

  • Phil Hudson 23:25
  • Vicki Mason 30:51

Lydiard Park

  • Jo Wood – 24:56

Jo: No PB but a fantastic “mark in the sand” as regards timed event. Highly recommend adding a Park Run into your endurance race planning. Lydiard is on country paths which is welcome relief from mud – albeit wet feet !

Worcester

  • Darren Jenner 25:18
  • Felicity Crotty 29:55

South Shields

  • Naomi Allen 30:58

Didcot

  • Cheri Edwards 28:07

Cirencester

  • James Ball 20:37
  • Wayne Hewitt 23:36
  • Jon Campbell 23:48
  • Daniel Drayton 25:20
  • Robert Baker 27:59
  • Andy Sworn 30:06
  • Jess James 32:46
  • Amanda Ball 34:09
  • Jon Collins 36:52

Seven Fields

  • Anne-Marie Davies 31:29

Chipping Norton 

  • Liz Hulcup  31.15

 

Date for the diary – North Cerney Scamper 17th May

As i am writing the race report today, please excuse a shameless push for my village fun run!

North Cerney Village are organising another 5k/10k fun trail run on May 17th. Last years’ was really well supported and raised over £1k for the Primary School and Village Hall. Please do sign up and support us again, or just come along to cheer and eat the cake, or volunteer to marshal!
We have extended the age categories this year to be more inclusive, with cheap tickets for younger people age 12-18.
Thanks everyone, Jess James x

Celebrating RSE

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Linda Franks 5 mile Race  19/01/2025

The Linda Franks is a 5-mile road race comprising a fast two-loop circuit on largely quiet residential roads. The race commemorates the memory of a popular member of the host club, Almost Athletes, typically held on the Sunday closest to what would have been Linda’s birthday.  The event is well-known to club members having featured frequently in both the county and club championships.

RSE members taking part this year included Anne Gardiner, finishing in a great time of 40:18, gaining 1st place Lv65!  Here’s what she had this to say about it:

“Well, many of you will have done the Linda Franks on a very cold day; it was like that. 😏 However, there was a good turnout, the marshals are definitely heroes, and a friend was running the charity cake stall. The lack of ice made me a bit faster than in 2022. We are lucky that our RSE-hosted race (Fairford 10k) isn’t in January!”

 

Tempo 10k Winter Series, Ilmington, 19/01/25

The Tempo Winter Series comprises five 10k races at the same location, one a month from October to February.  Prizes are on offer at each race as well as across the whole series, and, excitingly, a pack of sausages is awarded to all runners crossing the finish line!

Running Race no. 4 was Liz Hulcup finishing in 1.01.27, 3rd place LV65 – well done Liz!

 

Parkruns 18/01/2025

Lydiard parkrun

Cheri EDWARDS     00:26:23
Vicki MASON           00:26:34

Riverside parkrun

Naomi ALLEN          00:29:52

Cirencester parkrun

James BALL              00:20:39
Phil HUDSON            00:22:45
Wayne HEWITT         00:24:21
Jon COLLINS            00:27:27
Phil NEWMAN           00:28:31
William COBBETT     00:29:12
Sue NAVIN                00:29:41
Paul BEAUMONT      00:30:11
Maria YATES             00:31:49

Liz HULCUP             00:52:41

Stonehouse parkrun

Felicity CROTTY        00:29:23

 

Running Somewhere Else Awards Ceremony 18/01/2025

The annual RSE Awards Ceremony is a chance for club members to get together for an evening in a social setting, see if they recognise each other dressed out of running clothes, and celebrate the achievements of the club and its members over the past year.  The event to celebrate the 2024 season was held at The Gateway Centre, South Cerney, with food and drink, the awards presentation, and later the opportunity for an unstructured efforts session on the dancefloor.

A huge thank you to the organisers, Pauline, Nadine, Kev and Tracey, for all their hard work to make the evening such a great success.  And a special shout out to Dave Witnall for providing most excellent chocolate brownies for dessert!

Awards were presented by our Chair, Vice-Chair and Captains to the top 3 athletes in each championship category, along with the award for the coaches’ most improved runner, and the Rochelle Ravenscroft Memorial Award to our Runner’s Runner as nominated and voted for by club members.

Running Somewhere Else Award Winners 2024:

Overall Championship – Ladies

  1. Nia Glover
  2. Jennifer Glass
  3. Elaine Chapman

Masters Trophy:  Zoe Markham-Lee

Overall Championship – Men

  1. Mark Garrett
  2. Darren Jenner
  3. Alan Powderhill

Endurance Expert – Ladies

  1. Zoe Markham-Lee
  2. Kirsty Pitts
  3. Elaine Chapman

Endurance Expert – Men

  1. Mark Garrett
  2. Darren Jenner
  3. Alan Powderhill

Short Stuff Specialist – Ladies

  1. Jennifer Glass
  2. Anne Gardiner
  3. Elaine Chapman

Short Stuff Specialist – Men

  1. Jon Last
  2. Mark Garrett
  3. Alan Powderhill

Most Improved Runner:  Felicity Crotty

Rochelle Ravenscroft Memorial Award to our Runner’s Runner:  Carol Sworn

Well done to all our award winners!  For information about this year’s championship, please see the club website or talk to our friendly club captains, Elaine and Ben.

Thanks for reading!  Rachel Bodey