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Writer's picturebrian17harris

Mostly Marathons and HM's

Firstly, results missing from last week's report

 

In my rush to watch the Strictly results “live” for a change last Sunday evening, I overlooked two road race results which came through from our fantastic results compiler after he had himself raced, despite feeling under the weather - David Wright’s time of 69:24 remarkably only earned him 8th place in the 60-69 vets category in the Cabbage Patch 10-mile race, missing out on a prize cabbage! The quality of the field in this historic race in Twickenham (near David’s old stomping ground) is demonstrated by the first two men in his category both beating 90% on an age-graded basis, the first home in <58 minutes!!

 

Brecht Grieten also reported that he “couldn’t really not run” in the Well Run 10km in Northleach, given the course went through his home village. Although somewhat off his best form after the arrival of his daughter earlier this year, his 4th place in 39:26 put him ahead of all the other affiliated runners. 

 

Now, onto this weekend’s results in chronological order – four races plus Parkrun. Remember you can see the complete results for the whole year on our website page here https://www.cirencesterac.com/results 


Parkruns


This week's results are below. It was great to see at Ciren Parkrun both first man and first lady home were from the club (Rob Forbes and Kate Jacobs) and also that recently injured Rachel Macadam (travelling to Lydiard Park this week) whilst originally intending to walk most of it ended up jogging most of it.

 

Snowdonia Marathon (Saturday)

 

Tom Purnell once again tackled the 40th edition of this demanding and spectacular route which encircles Yr Wyddfa – the highest peak in Wales. The course profile involves 2,750ft of climbing and the organisers reckon it equates to 29.32 flat miles (Ed. - anyone know how they work that out?). A few words from Tom -

 

“This was my 10th Snowdonia marathon, I was happy with my 3:04:55  result which happens to be exactly the same time as last year and my PB. The conditions were great, and I think I paced it well which meant I had some energy to get over the last climb. I’ll definitely be doing it again and can highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a road marathon with views and a sting in the tail.”

 

Despite the hills, this was the 5th fastest men’s marathon time this year, and an impressive 47th out of a huge field of 2,330.

 

 

Martin Croucher’s marathon Birthday outing to Eastbourne (Saturday race)

 

Believed to be the club’s most prolific marathoner ever (>150), how else was Martin Croucher going to celebrate his recent milestone birthday but with a long weekend away accompanied by some of his ultra mates all running the very hilly Beachy Head marathon (3875ft)? His 6th this year. One of them, Liza Darroch, kindly provided this report.

 

“A small and very relaxed group of trail runners went to Eastbourne to run the Beachy Head marathon.  This was a repeat visit to what is billed as “the country’s largest off-road marathon”.  Last time we were celebrating Martin Croucher’s 100thmarathon and this time his 50th birthday.  The mist and gloom stayed all day, but it is a beautiful route wandering inland to Alfriston before heading back along the Sussex coastline.   Marshalling and signage were excellent, and the event is rightly known for the endless supply of sausage rolls at the regular check points. In common with so many races, numbers were down from the previous 2,000’s but still over 1,000 finished, careering down a steep slope back into the town after struggling over the famous, but lumpy, Seven Sisters. 

Martin Croucher, Jo Roberts and Lara Tompson aimed to run wherever they could, but were well aware that several climbs and muddy slopes would reduce all but the fastest to a walk.  Much further back, Liza Darroch with ex member Sarah Whitehouse (but without an injured Rupert) alternated walking with jogging from the start.  The final result was a great day out for all and plans to return next year.”

 

 

L-R Sarah Whitehouse, Lara Tompson, Jo Roberts, Martin Croucher, Liza Darroch

 

Stroud Half Marathon – fundraising & club championships finale on Sunday

 

This year’s weather was almost ideal for the 41st edition of this ever-popular race, which had special significance this year.


 

The race was the focus for some impressive fundraising involving club members as explained by Clare Tapley -

 

“Despite being (very) long time members of Cirencester AC, Colin and I are also members of The South Cerney Stragglers - an informal running group that meets on a Monday at 7 pm at a different pub throughout the area, runs for approximately 5 miles off road and then regroups at the pub. 

 

Following my cancer diagnosis and having already entered the Stroud Half Marathon, one of our fellow Stragglers offered to fundraise for a charity of my choice.  I had a quick chat with my Oncologist - and hence the fundraising for FOCUS began.  On Sunday we had 15 people on the start line including Cirencester AC members Colin Tapley and Brendan McCarthy, and with Cathie Cowell providing amazing support, cheer and cake at the start/finish line.  

 

It was an incredible morning: we witnessed some amazing performances from our fellow Stragglers - the first came home in 1:37, for three runners it was their first ever half marathon, and we were also able to cheer in the Cirencester AC runners whilst raising funds for a fantastic cause.

 

I would very much like to thank those of you who have supported me through my treatment journey, and also all of you who have donated to either myself or Brendan.  I have attached my JustGiving link just in case anyone is interested, and hopefully I will be back out again with you all soon on a Tuesday or a Thursday - or possibly both.”



In term of race results, first home for the club was Aaron Willis in 1:18:30, earning him both a PB and 2nd in his MV40 category. Next home were two members more used to off-road endeavours - David Musgrove 1.24.18 and last-minute entrant Alex Banks 1.26.25, who says he thoroughly enjoyed it, presumably not just because he bagged a PB too.

Stroud HM 2024, B Harris A Banks A Willis

Unsure of his race fitness, Brian Harris lasted 8 miles within (overly optimistic) sight of the 1:30 pacer group before slowing considerably, but he held on to just nip inside his pre-race aspiration of 1:32, which on the day surprisingly earned him 1st V60 (in the absence through injury of last year’s category winner in sub 1:29).

(Ed. - apologies no bigger group photo).

 



Nick Wall was reasonably happy with his 1:59:38, finishing higher in the 60-69 category than his age would suggest. Jos Randall was our only lady running, bravely taking on her second HM in two weeks.

 

Lastly, as usual Stroud was the last race in the club’s 2024 road championship.


  • In a disappointingly uncompetitive men’s championship, Brian Harris (aged 62) took the 2024 men’s title, ahead of last year’s winner James Widdowson, with David Moss in 3rd place.  Brian & James were the only two to run at least 6 races. As mentioned last week, the coaches are hoping to encourage a better club representation in next season’s men’s road racing.

  • The ladies championship happily saw much better turnouts over the year - more women participated than men in every race except Fairford 10k & Stroud HM. A special commendation in particular should go to Charlotte Wilton for only missing one of the 12 races (being abroad is a pretty good reason). Unfortunately for Charlotte, she nevertheless only finished 2nd behind this year’s club champion, Ladies Captain Kate Jacobs, who scored the maximum 120 points. Rachel Ranger finished in third place.

  • Full details of the final championship standings can be found at the web page

  • Fun fact from putting the complete results together - 21 men and 10 ladies have done a marathon and/or ultra (or in many cases several) so far this year (but if they didn’t also run any of the specified club champs races they aren’t currently shown on the final standings, not sure it would legibly fit onto the webpage).

 

 

Calne Clock Challenge 10km (Sunday)


Barbara Thomas was the only club member running this race, finishing in 1.07.10.

 

 

 

Parkrun Results

Cirencester: 1 Rob Forbes 18.35, 4 Kate Jacobs (1st lady) 20.16, 16 Heath Forbes (J) 22.39,  25 Paul Timms 23.57, 38 Rachel Ranger 25.19, 75 Pam Wheeler 29.13, 117 Ruth Fulford 34.00

Lydiard Park, Swindon: 17 Andy Duff 20.02, 47 Corinne Clark 22.26, 101 Alan McAdam 25.34, 234 Rachel McAdam 32.24

Stratford Park, Stroud: 24 Stephen Hale 26.40

Chippenham: 165 James Hunton 34.40

Riddlesdown, Coulsdon: 76 Gordon Jones 28.48

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