Firstly, as this is my first bash at the weekly report, I’d like to thank Liz who I’m taking over from, and David Wright for his outstanding results service. He rarely misses a result, but I will still need personal stories/feedback/pics from you, our runners please, to make these reports more interesting for all our members. You can reach me via whatsapp or membership.cirenac@gmail.com.
The Bourton Half Marathon on Sunday 29th was a single lap road race on what the organisers understatedly call “undulating, sometimes hilly” rural roads. There were some spectacular views, fortunately still visible as the forecast rain held off. It was formerly promoted as the Hilly Half for good reason, and once again incorporated the Glos. County Half marathon championship, offering medals as well as the usual points towards the road race series. Maybe attracted by the prize money, some quality runners came from several surrounding counties.
All six of our runners came away with a medal, a great outing for the club, with our formidable ladies winning the team race prize.
1 L-r, C. Clark, C. Wilton, K. Jacobs 1st Ladies team
2L-r R Ranger, B Harris, C Clark, C Wilton, K Jacobs, D Bell
The hills didn’t seem to slow down Dave Bell, first home for the club, and a last-minute entrant after his planned race in Stratford was cancelled due to flooding. He was rightly chuffed with his 1:15:55 in 6th place and 1st MV35, surely well ahead of his Garmin watch’s predicted time after adjusting for the gradient?
Next in was ladies captain, Kate Jacobs, more than 3 minutes faster than the course record set last year. Unfortunately for Kate, in a stacked field the four ladies ahead of her also broke the old record, with only one earning the £100 on offer. 1st LV45 in the county champs was some consolation.
The rest of the ladies team all secured county 2nd places in their respective age categories, Charlotte Wilton LV45, Corinne Clark LV35 (despite saying on the starting line she was going to jog it – I must have misheard) , and Rachel Ranger LV50.
Rachel in particular “left nothing on the course” to finish well ahead of two rivals in the overall series, putting herself into contention for an overall medal going into the last race in Tewkesbury on 3rd November.
Lastly, Brian Harris was happy to pick up a county bronze MV60 with a steady run as he works his way back towards form after 3 weeks off injured following his ultra attempt in August. He was also pleased to finally meet afterwards a local running legend (and Bourton coach) Dennis Walmsley, also a V60 but >6 minutes faster!
Also out on a brutally hilly road course, but over 10km in Devizes, David Wright finished well up the field in 42:48 to take 1st MV65.
Plenty of club members were out Park running on Saturday 28th, (see details below). As the Cirencester course was flooded Brecon Musk had to take his mum Jo to Swindon to run his 25th Parkrun and also his last as a 7 year-old. After he took another 30 seconds off his PB, Jo’s thinking it may not be too long before she’ll be struggling to keep up. (Ed - I think she’s got a few years yet!)
Bourton Half Marathon
1 Ben Kruze (Stratford upon Avon AC) 1.12.18
6 David Bell (Cirencester AC) 1.15.55
29 Kate Jacobs 1.30.46 – 5th lady
48 Brian Harris 1.37.41
59 Charlotte Wilton 1.40.12
61 Corinne Clark 1.41.01
87 Rachel Ranger 1.52.43
Devizes 10km
1 Marcus Dunsford (Bristol & West AC) 34.12
34 David Wright (Cirencester AC) 42.48 - 1st V65
Cirencester AC Parkrun finishers:
Lydiard Park, Swindon: 113 Gordon Jones 26.05, 363 finished.
Tetbury: 35 Brecon Musk (J) 23.29, 36 Jo Musk 23.30, 50 Alan McAdam 24.58,
60 Rachel McAdam 25.36, 154 finished.
Berkeley Green: 20 Paul Timms 23.23, 61 Samantha Timms 29.37, 105 finished.
Stratford Park, Stroud: 36 Stephen Hale 26.13, 113 finished.
Grove Fields, Oxford: 26 Heidi Forbes (J) 26.20, 27 Rob Forbes 26.23, 103 finished.
Shorne Woods, Gravesend: 38 Martin Croucher 24.43, 234 finished.
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