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Race Report – 21/04/2025

RSE runners made the most of the 4 day weekend to enjoy the Westonbirt House Easter 10k and Half Marathon, including some runners from last year’s beginners group which started almost exactly a year ago to the day! The race looked like a great way to celebrate the 1-year anniversary.

Westonbirt House 10K

• Anna Field: 49:13
• Rachel Weaver: 57:56 – PB!

On Good Friday, I joined Katie and Kathryn for the 10k, whilst Hannah was out doing a great job on the Half Marathon. We all joined the beginners group exactly a year ago. I had previously run the route in December, so I knew what was coming. I ran that in just over an hour. It was great to meet up with Paul who’s been part of our running journey from the beginning. So, do I go with the 60 minute pacer or 58? I joined the back of the 58, keeping the orange 58 in view at all times! Happy to say, today I got a PB!

Westonbirt House Half Marathon

• Zoe Markham-Lee: 02:01:29

Lovely race on quiet roads and went past a pub I haven’t been in! (Yet…) Great medal and definitely did it for the bling. I really must taper now.

Parkruns

Eden Project

• Vicki MASON: 30:33

Stonehouse

• Darren JENNER: 24:22
• Felicity CROTTY: 28:44

Weymouth

• Kathryn COWDALL: 34:13

Cirencester

• Wayne HEWITT: 21:40
• Jon CAMPBELL: 23:03
• Phil HUDSON: 23:22
• Paul BILLINGHURST: 23:23
• Phil NEWMAN: 23:31
• Claire SHARP: 23:44
• Andy SWORN: 27:07
• Jade BEAUMONT: 28:33
• Anne-Marie DAVIES: 29:27
• Maria YATES: 31:04
• Paul ROBERTSON: 33:38

Jamaica Pond, Boston

• Linda EDWARDS: 33:12
• Cathy STEER: 33:14

Seven Fields

• Taryn HANCOCK: 43:56

Newport marathon

The ABP Newport Marathon is a firm favourite on the Welsh running calendar, boasting one of the flattest marathon courses in Europe.  The route  offers iconic landmarks, like the city’s Transporter Bridge and the stunning scenery of the Gwent Levels – with its coastal wildlife and picturesque medieval villages.  Sounds great to me (apart from the 26 miles bit). In 2025, Running Somewhere  Else was well represented with some excellent times.  Some great comments below.  Really like the honesty bit from Elliot and wouldn’t it be nice if Phil H’s meant there was hope for all of us!
Phil Hudson                                                                 03:35:17
Benjamin Mutlow                                                       03:55:03
Alan Powderhill                                                          03:55:08
Sarah Page                                                                   04:12:06
Phil Newman                                                               04:24:39
Elliot Gardiner                                                             04:27:36

Very early start, breakfast at 5 never my preferred option! We parked in one of the car parks close by so walked to event village- lots of helpful volunteers around to point you in right direction. Felt bit odd that the half marathon and marathon went off together and meant it was quite congested at the start- we followed the same route for several miles and when we split off it was clearly marked so would have been hard to take wrong turn. Route is flat and I understand has been changed this year again but took us round some pretty villages and countryside before coming back into Newport . Support was good but not overwhelming.
Sun came out for second half of race and it got quite hot. Well marshalled and plenty of water/toilet stations. Happy overall with my race and nice to get it done !

Sarah P

I did it! So pleased to get that sub 4. It got tough in the second half when the sun came out, but I was determined to keep the pacing as best I could. A brilliant day with fellow RSE runners.

Alan P

Well that was an interesting race, cracking first half, poor second half. It’s another marathon in the bank and the sprint finish with Alan at the end was fun!

Ben M

Beat my 28 year old self by 22 mins and a PB. Felt fabulous until 23 miles then I hit the WALL!
Great times and effort from the RSE TEAM

Phil H

Personal worst – plagued by injury during the training plan resulting in an epic fail on the sub 4 goal! Need to get fully fit before the next attempt!

Elliot G

Newport half marathon

The half marathon route showcases iconic landmarks of the City of Newport as it meanders along the river Usk pathways and through the City Centre.   The Pauls ran it.  Hope they enjoyed the warm ‘welcome in the hillsides’ that Wales is famous for!  (because that’s what it says on the website).
Paul Billinghurst    1:46:22
Paul Robertson      1:57:53

Parkruns

First of all a question. Cirencester had 331 runners/walkers – I haven’t seen a figure over 300 before.  Was this the highest number so far?
Worcester Pitchcroft
Cheri EDWARDS               00:25:27
Cirencester parkrun
James BALL                       00:18:57
Wayne HEWITT               00:21:08
Ben CHAPMAN                 00:23:22
Oliver HAZEL                    00:23:23
Antonia WINSTANLEY   00:23:25
Claire SHARP                    00:23:50
William COBBETT            00:24:52
Felicity CROTTY               00:29:10
Anne-Marie DAVIES        00:30:00
Maria YATES                     00:31:26
Paul ROBERTSON           00:31:28
Elaine CHAPMAN            00:31:30
Kathryn COWDALL          00:35:15
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
Helen CUE                         00:35:52
Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud
Jon COLLINS                    00:30:59
Evesham parkrun
Liz Hulcup                         00. 26.21

There was some impressive running this weekend. Well done!

Berkeley Fission 20

As well as the opportunity for a PB on a fast flat 20 mile course, this event is great for spring marathon prep. This was an RSE Club Championship race in the Endurance Expert category. There is also a half marathon option.

20 mile race

• Nia Glover 2.28.18
• Phil Hudson 2.37.54
• Al Powderhill 2.53.41 (PB by 13 minutes!)
• Darren Jenner 2.55.47 (PB by 2 seconds)
• Elliot Gardiner 2.57.48
• Sarah Page 3.07.10
• Zoe Markham-Lee 3.08.33  (PB by 12 minutes!)
• Gemma Wright 3.22
• Felicity Crotty 3.31.51 (PB by 20 minutes!)

Half Marathon

• Paul Robertson 1.45.17
• Dan Drayton 1.47.13

Phil H: Great event and good preparation for Newport. Conditions were perfect and great turnout from Team RSE. Really pleased with very consistent KM splits and exactly to plan.

Al :The aim was sub 3 today to give me confidence for the up coming marathon. Didn’t expect a 13 minute PB though. A brilliant day for RSE with some great PBs all over. 

Elliot:New 20 mile PB 🤩 (with an injury & not enough sleep!) 😅 Somehow managed to dig in and ignore the knee pain to get the sub 3 I wanted! 💪🏼 Good confidence booster that the sub 4 at Newport marathon is still on!🤞🏻

Sarah P: Good running weather, flat route round country roads and through villages. Ran with Zoe and Gemma for part of the race and grateful for their company as route pretty quiet. Happy with my time, last two miles managed to pick up the pace to finish strong.

Zoe: Quite a flat course and we luckily missed the rain. Lots of PB’s today. Now I need a bath with salts in. And a cheeky glass of red. For medicinal purposes…

Gemma: The race was great for the first half whilst I was running with Sarah and Zoe. The second half of the race was not my finest but I am very pleased that I got to the end, and happy for my fellow runners accomplishments. 

Felicity: If you’re training for a marathon the fission 20 race is a good one to do to help with your training! I was much less worried about the cut off this year and thought I should be able to improve on last years time. However I don’t think anyone expected me to get over a 20 minute PB!! Tired now!

Paul Robertson: It was nice to drop into the half marathon field today instead of the 20. Dropping to the half meant I had the privilege of witnessing our amazing team mates smash the field with their times! What a buzz, there’s nothing better than watching them all finish a gruelling run with PB’s and Smiles! Watching your friends compete these things is just an awesome feeling. Was already proud to be a member of this club but things like this just prove to me why I love it so much! 

Hampton Court Half Marathon

The ONLY Half Marathon to Start and Finish at a Historic Royal Palace!The Hampton Court Half Marathon follows a fast, flat and visually interesting course that borders the river-side grounds of the magnificent Hampton Court Palace

Linda Edwards represented RSE and ran the race as part of her marathon training programme….along with Henry VIII, it seems.

Highworth 5 Mile Race

• Mark Garrett 33.40

Mark:The lemon drizzle cup cakes were delicious.

Parkruns

Maidenhead

• Linda Edwards 34.17

Heslington

• Anne-Marie Davies 29.08

Cirencester

• Jon Campbell 21.48
• Phil Newman 23.32
• Claire Sharp 24.17
• Billie Cobbett 25.45
• Jon Collins 26.06
• Steve Sandercock 26.08
• Phil Hudson 26.27
• Andy Sworn 26.54
• Jade Beaumont 27.14
• Paul Robertson 32.29

Stratford Upon Avon

• Liz Hulcup 26.43

Save the Date

July 5th – Cotswold Way Relay.  Elaine is organising teams and can provide more information, or you can join the group on the WhatsApp community.

August 10th – Hart 4 Relay. See https://hart4.co.uk/ If you are interested in being part of an RSE team, join the Hart 4 group on the WhatsApp community

HOKA raffle – your chance to win a £130.00 HOKA voucher and contribute to this year’s club charity. Details are on RSE Info WhatsApp.

Happy running!

Anne 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️