Not the 40 o'clock news
- brian17harris
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
Those of a certain elderly vintage may twig the headline ;-))
With Saturday's anniversary parkrun already covered, and part 2 of the anniversary celebrations to come, here is the other racing news from our 40th anniversary week.
On Friday 27th, Jack Bonnick competed (through his employer) in a multi option day of activities at Dorney Lake
"The annual JLL Property Triathlon is back in 2025 for its 18th edition, proudly supporting our charity partner Age UK. With a variety of events from a sprint triathlon, duathlon, 2.2K swim, and even a fancy-dress prize, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect (sic) colleagues, meet new friends, and make valuable business connections. Join us on 27th June at Dorney Lake for an electrifying experience and to be part of something extraordinary!"
Jack finished a handy 6th in a very large field, with the bike being his most competitive leg (not a big surprise given some of his epic training rides recently). Whilst knocking several minutes off his previous best on this course, he wasn't satisfied with 6th and has a win in his sights next time - go Jack!
JLL Property Triathlon, 750m swim, 21.2 bike, 5km run
1 James Green (unknown) (10.24; 30.28; 17.11) 59.59
6 Jack Bonnick (Cirencester AC) (12.16; 32.02; 18.45) 1.06.06
Ann Sherrington was also competing on Friday, but in the multi-sport World Championships in Pontevedre in Spain, where she came 16th/32 in her W60-64 Age Group and was the 6th placed GB Woman. Her event involved a 1 k swim and 5 k run. Ann was delighted with her overall time of 48.43, but especially the swim leg of 17.49 (5km run 28.40).
"It was very hot and the tidal river was full of surprises re currents and whether we were in salt or fresh water. Choosing the best line was key to a good swim ( listening to the experienced Age Groupers worked here) and keeping cool on the run with lots of water on my head at every water station. There was just 18 seconds between me and the 3 ladies behind me at the end - having struggled a bit in the 1st lap I somehow managed to find a sprint finish in the last 50m and stay just ahead of them!"
***********************AWAY PARKRUNS*************************
On Saturday, whilst most of our parkrunners were at Cirencester (see separate newletter) the following members ran elsewhere, with no contest for the farthest flung location (Tom Morgan in a typically compact Japanese event).
Whilst the Tapleys were on holiday in South Shields, Colin came first in his age group appreciating some small consolation for getting older, whilst Clare who is on a couch to 5k recovery plan reported
"What a fantastic course. Tried to do the NHS Couch to 5k week 5 run 3 but the leap from 2 x 8 minutes to 1 x 20 min was too much with wind, some inclines and a lot of nerves."
Alex Banks did well to take 2nd place in a field of 350 in his first run at Chipping Sodbury.
Chipping Sodbury: 2 Alex Banks 19.06, 350 finished.
Marlborough Common: 20 David Moss 24.54, 171 finished.
South Shields: 38 Colin Tapley 24.05, 217 Clare Tapley 43.17, 238 finished.
Rinko Park, Yokohama, Japan: 33 Tom Morgan 28.43, 45 finished.
******************************************************************************************************************
On Sunday several members were racing in the heat.
Liza Darroch reports on her experience at Badminton (yes, where they usually have equine rather than human runners) where competitors could choose from four distances.
"This relatively local trail Half proved a tough one. The tracks and trails, the hills and the heat all were harder than I hoped, but Badminton Estate did not disappoint giving us fine vistas, meadows full of wild flowers and lots of birds providing vocal support. It is hard to fault the detailed and slick organisation of Relish Running.
I think I was probably the only 70+ female and was not last but can't say much more until the results are out as the 5, 10 k and Half and whole marathon groups set off in a complicated mix of waves making it impossible to know who was passing who!
It was a good day out but I am tired!! "
Liza was the only female runner over 70 in the half marathon.
Also running at Badminton, but over the shorter 10k was Barbara Thomas. Having run her first Cirencester Parkrun the day before she finished in the middle of the 23 runners in her FV60-69 age group in a time of 1:19:39.
29 June 2025, Badminton Half Marathon, Didmarton, 13.1 miles trail
1 Taikona Wheadon (unknown) 1.23.20
231 Liza Darroch (Cirencester AC) 2.48.23 – 1st FV70
256 finished
10km trail
1 David Withers (unknown) 40.22
321 Barbara Thomas (Cirencester AC) 1.19.39
405 finished www.relishrunningraces.com
Up in Gloucester, whilst the same Ben who won our senior sizzler race recently was picking up another prize, Richard Edwards ran his first race for 3 years (excluding parkruns).
29 June 2025, Gloucester 10km, road
1 Ben Robinson (Bristol & West AC) 31.05 (chip 31.05)
583 Richard Edwards (Cirencester AC) 1.05.55 (1.05.03)
848 finished www.rungloucester.co.uk
Further afield, Mike Hobbs was running another marathon, but not an easy one. He finished The Wales Marathon in Tenby very well up the field in a gun time of 3.29.07, which earned him 3rd in his MV50 category. He describes the run
"Tough! 🤪The course is very hilly, on the first long drag, it touches 15 percent. The last 5 miles were tough, a lot of the elevation is in the latter half of the marathon, and it got very warm!"
Ed. - Great job Mike, rather you than me uphill in that heat, although the aero top did help I understand !
29 June 2025, The Wales Marathon, Tenby, 26.2 miles road
1 Benjamin Goodfellow (Wrexham AC) 2.39.09
58 Michael Hobbs (Cirencester AC) 3.29.07
928 finished www.thewalesmarathon.com
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