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Liza - last of the Spring marathons

{Ed. I’ve delayed the report by a day this long bank holiday weekend, mostly so I could get some outdoor painting done before the temperatures dropped, but it also means we can include up some racing today at Milton Keynes.}

 

******************* SIZZLER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED *************************

 

Pam Wheeler has only had a few people come forward so far to volunteer at this year’s Sizzler. If you are available on Wednesday June 11th please don't leave it to the last minute to let he know.

 

Here's the original post



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PARKRUNS

 

Possibly boosted by the Lydiard Park event not happening, as well as some popular local runners’ milestones, Cirencester saw a much larger than usual field of 388 runners plus around 20 helpers. Or maybe it was the weather.


Congratulations to


  • Neil Broadley on his 100th milestone

  • New member Jonathan Higgs on his PB of 25.40, and

  • Jon Young - welcome back after almost 3 years


It was also good to see former members Paul and Rachel Barrow volunteering alongside Helen Manners, Rob Tuttle and tail walker Jos Randall (another double volunteer-then-run-elsewhere weekend for her).

 

Rich Allen decided to give the Seven Bridge event a go based on a friend’s recommendation whilst the weather was fine. It was a chance to test his legs ahead of the Bourton mile ths coming Friday and then the RAF Sprint Triathlon championships in the Outlaw event at Nottingham in two weeks time. Looks like the legs are in great condition, as he sliced more than 30 seconds off his Parkrun PB to finish 1st in 17.27, his first parkrun over the magic 80% age-graded. Good luck to Rich and all our other runners at the Bourton mile.

 

James Widdowson, running at Bournemouth just for fun rather than with full effort (due to being in “a self-inflicted delicate position”) recommends the course and especially its proximity to some lovely beaches afterwards. {James is running 5k each day in May for the charity CALM.}

 

Martin Croucher gave a clue to the rest of his weekend plans by running the Milton Keynes event ;-) - see below.

 

Last but not least, Phil Davey went all the way to Japan for his 501st parkrun –not entirely random as he has family out there.

 

 

Cirencester: 63 Paul Timms 24.00, 73 Jon Young 24.57, 82 Jonathan Higgs 25.40 (new PB),84 Rob Tuttle 25.42, 123 Brendan McCarthy 27.30, 128 Dorian Matts 27.36,155 Gordon Jones 28.33, 182 Pam Wheeler 29.37, 193 Kirsty Leggate 30.05,204 Samantha Timms 30.32, 245 Alex Willis (J) 31.40, 272 Neil Broadley (100th Parkrun) 33.31, 294 Ruth Fulford 34.39,388 finished.


Tetbury: 23 Edward Knight (J) 22.28, 49 Alan McAdam 25.19, 68 Rachel McAdam 26.59,184 finished.


Severn Bridge: 1 Rich Allen 17.27, 405 finished.


Bournemouth: 224 James Widdowson 26.15, 675 finished.


Linford Wood, Milton Keynes: 22 Martin Croucher 23.04, 327 finished.


Glossop: 47 Stephen Hale 25.36, 166 finished.


Yodogawa River Park Hirakata, Kyoto, Japan: 42 Phil Davey 23.18, 144 finished


 

 TRAIL RACES



Fi Collings was the only club runner this year in the 50k Marlborough Downs challenge.


4 May 2025, Marlborough Downs Challenge, 33 miles trail

1 Joseph Chambers (unattached) 4.46.41

42 Fi Collings (Cirencester AC) 6.31.58

79 finished



ROAD RACES

 

After her backwards London marathon last weekend, and with another parkrun volunteering stint as tailwalker under her belt, Jos Randall ran the Birmingham Half on Sunday finishing in 2.08.19.


 

Milton Keynes puts on a series of races every May bank holiday weekend, not just the Monday marathon, which is back to its stadium finish.

 

Martin Croucher decided to swap his usual marathon distance for a local parkrun on Saturday (see above), the Rocket 5km on Sunday followed by the Half M on Monday. Martin’s chip time of 20.10 for the 5k placed him well up the large field.  His HM time of 1.38.45 on Monday was also his best for 3 years despite his 5 marathons in 5 days just recently. A great advert for his ? 80/20 training approach.

 

4 May 2025, Rocket 5km, Milton Keynes

1 Jamie Prior (Bedford & County) 15.21 (chip 15.19)

132 Martin Croucher (Cirencester AC) 20.26 (20.10)

 

5 May 2025, Milton Keynes Half Marathon

1 Harry Smith (Southampton AC) 1.08.45 (chip 1.08.45)

283 Martin Croucher (Cirencester AC) 1.43.25 (1.38.45)

 

Whilst Martin was running the half, FV75 super-vet Liza Darroch and former newsletter editor was tackling the last big marathon of the Spring season (Ed. at least that I know of) .


Here is her report.


"The Milton Keynes marathon was, again, the final potential qualifier for the UKA National Masters Championship to be run in October in Chester. It was my third visit, the first I took super steady, the second , last year, I pulled out at around 10 miles, so this year I stood with thousands of others on the start line with something to prove. But with a glute/hamstring injury only just “sorted” the training was lacking and the potential unknowns.

I was therefore very pleased to have finished at all, but the forever undulating route and a strong wind took their toll and my 5:45 time was disappointing, although I am proud and pleased to have toughed it out.

The route is surprisingly scenic as it winds on tarmac cycle tracks past lakes and through parks and pretty villages. There are too many inclines and turns for a fast marathon but the lack of traffic makes it very pleasant and the finish in the Don’s stadium is fun.

Definitely not my finest run. But job done - with not too many complaints from my buttock!"



Whilst Liza may have been disappointed with the time, readers might be interested to know it is equivalent to around 3:20 for a non-veteran lady, using age-grading tables, which is pretty respectable most would agree.


Well done for toughing it out and finishing in one piece Liza!



5 May 2025, Milton Keynes Marathon, 26.2 miles road


1 Brandon Cuell (Fareham RC) 2.34.13 (chip 2.34.12)

1849 Liza Darroch (Cirencester AC) 5.58.40 (5.45.50)


 
 
 

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