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.
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.
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.
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
