Normal service resumed

After several quiet weeks, many of you were back out racing in the lovely sunny conditions this weekend, some finding it still a bit too hot.

Phoenix Summer Marathon Walton-on-Thames - Saturday 5th a.m.

Mike Hobbs returned to what is fast becoming his home course at Walton-on-Thames to increase his marathon tally for the year to 6. He didn’t win this time though, as there were several younger runners chasing London GFA times (the qualifying window ends this month).

“After nursing a niggly calf muscle for the last 2 weeks, I was happy with that. I had no idea if I'd even complete it! I went through halfway in 1.35, but couldn't quite hold on for a sub 3.10.”

Incredible consistency Mike – congratulations.

1 Bence Csiba (unattached) 2.50.14

5 Michael Hobbs (Cirencester AC) 3.10.49

66 finished

Cotswold Classic 10 mile – Saturday 5^th a.m.

On Saturday the runners in the Cotswold Classic 10-mile race at Witney had lovely sunny conditions for the undulating course. Just 3 men and one lady took part in what was a club championship fixture for the first time this year.

First home was club captain Aaron Willis -

“Nice course but not as brutal as I thought it might be. Not knowing what to expect I probably took it too cautiously to the main hill, but felt good in the last 3 miles. Unable to catch up with a group of runners ahead of me and stopped short of the line thinking two flags and a speed hump was the finish.”

Charlotte Wilton took it rather more steadily, having had less than a week since running the Sydney marathon. Her legs didn’t appreciate the downhill sections in particular, but it was a beautiful sunny day, so she still enjoyed it.

Casey Vatcher did well to run a strava PB, although he gave away his prime motivation “Amazing what people do for a free beer…” ;-))

After this fixture, the standings in the men’s club champs are unchanged (see elsewhere on website), but with two races to go Aaron Willis should overtake Brian Harris if he can run both, although Rich Allen is also potentially in the mix if he runs a fast marathon too.

In the ladies championship, by completing her 6^th club race Charlotte has leapfrogged Pam Wheeler into top slot, and must be hoping that Kate Jacobs has no plans to do a marathon in the next 2 months ;-))

12 Aaron Willis (Cirencester AC) 1.00.18 (1.00.17) – 1st V40

43 Casey Vatcher 1.09.08 (1.09.06)

193 Charlotte Wilton 1.27.33 (1.27.25)

280 Phil Davey 1.37.39 (1.37.15)

398 finished

Cranham Boundary Chase – Saturday 5^th p.m.

One of the oldest races around, like last year Severn AC’s race was in the county series but only attracted a rather modest field. Perhaps the horror of the last hill puts people off (apparently last year’s men’s winner even walked some of it).

Two club stalwarts were out chasing their respective age-group county medals.

·       Rich Allen finished in 6^th place, just 11 seconds behind the 1^st placed V45, and 18 s off his time last year when he was 1st V40. He maintains his 3^rd place ranking in what is a very competitive age group this year.

·       Having missed the last few AAA races, Kate Kilby resumed her winning ways and maintains the lead in her age group.

"little and large"

Barbara Thomas also made a welcome return to racing – we understand she may be aiming towards a spring marathon next year - good luck with your training Barbara.

6 Rich Allen (Cirencester AC) 34.10

53 Kate Kilby 49.36 – 1st FV65

70 Barbara Thomas 1.08.53

70 finished

Coln Valley trail races – Sunday 6^th morning

This series of family-friendly races to raise funds for Hatherop School rebuilding project is in its 3^rd year, once again organised by club member Rob Forbes.

There were plenty of Cirencester vests both on the course and on the podiums as well as familiar faces marshalling in the (rather too warm for runners) sunshine.

10k

In the longest distance Bill Leggate came 2^nd, whilst Storm Trow finished 1^st Lady.

Behind them Simon Campbell would have been pleased to finish ahead of fellow Fairford local Aaron Willis, but to be fair Aaron had raced a fast 10 miles the day before (see above). Or maybe Aaron had run in the Hawaiin shirt he donned to act as hare for the 2km race ?

Away game club kit? Not very aero, but love the colours ;-))

Strava feedback -

Aaron “Too old for double header weekends”

Bill “Hot work 🥵 Definitely not flowing but kept working hard and solid 2nd. Little bit quicker than last year”

Storm “🥇Lady,7th overall, but omg do I feel unfit 😅”

2 Bill Leggate (Cirencester AC) 38.24 – 1st V50

7 Storm Trow 45.19 – 1st lady

17 Simon Campbell 49.12

23 Aaron Willis 49.54

5km

The middle of the 3 distances saw the remainder of the Leggate clan running (Hamish not listed as he isn’t a member) as well as other juniors and not so juniors ;-).

Club juniors took all 3 places on the boys under-16 podium. Well done to Toby Conway, Bertie Andrews (out of shot below) and Ed Knight. It was a close thing between 2nd/3rd!

In the girls U16, former member Alice Averies (now with Swindon AC) was 1st, but well done to Annabel Campbell who was 2nd and Emily Averies in 3rd. [Sorry, no photo as a non-club junior couldn't be cropped out].

1 Harry Colson (unattached, J) 16.39

4 Toby Conway (Cirencester AC, J) 19.33

7 Bertie Andrews (J) 21.16

8 Edward Knight (J) 21.18

15 Annabel Campbell (J) 24.13

21 Benjamin Warboys (J) 25.06

25 Emily Averies (J) 26.21

39 Skye Coleman (J) 29.29

46 Philippa Leggate (J) 30.54

60 Kirsty Leggate 34.11

61 Amanda Naylor 34.11

63 Rachel Jones 35.41

78 Evie Mence (J) 46.59

2km fun steeplechase/hare race

 Aaron seems to have (been) volunteered to lead out this fun event (see above). Three club juniors including his son chased him around (but didn't catch him)

12 Alice Parry (Cirencester AC, J) 11.51

26 Annabelle Mence (J) 13.54

46 Alex Willis (J) 15.45

Other races

No feedback on these two performances

·       Joyce Matthews ran the Big Half marathon in London in 1.41.53, placing 2982/17867.

·       Keith Firkin clocked 38.52 in the Compton Bassett 5 mile race.

PARKRUNS

Not sure if there is an official t-shirt for it, but the Leggates surely deserve a notional Parkrun Tourist badge with their 5^th location in 5 weeks, returning from further afield to run at the Tetbury event, where Bill ran with his son (and/or was saving his legs for Sunday).

Parkrun Tourist family Leggate

Club numbers were down on usual, and we almost had as many volunteers as runners at Cirencester. No PB’s or milestones spotted.

Cirencester: 45 Paul Timms 24.04, 72 Alan McAdam 26.10, 100 Brendan McCarthy 27.29,185 Samantha Timms 31.21, 210 Alan Tompson 33.03, 304 Rachel McAdam 47.18,316 finished.

Tetbury: 72 Bill Leggate 28.32, 99 David Moss 30.48, 106 Kirsty Leggate 31.19,111 Philippa Leggate (J) 31.29, 165 finished.

Stroud, Stratford Park: 64 Stephen Hale 26.55, 181 finished.

Dudley: 24 Martin Croucher 23.09, 302 finished.

Cardigan, Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve: 42 Susanna Austin 27.27, 102 finished.

Fort V Wlochy, Warsaw, Poland: 3 Ben Francis 23.03, 35 finished.