Punishing Pennines & Parkruns

After a long read last week, the only official results you’ll see for this week are for parkruns, but there was one member competing elsewhere, and what an event!

Chris Illman took on the brutal Montane Winter Spine Challenger South which is

“a non-stop, 108 mile race along the Pennine Way. Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire at 08.00 on Saturday, runners have a time limit of 60 hours to get to the finish at Hawes. The race covers the southern section of the trail which features the iconic moorland of the Kinder Plateau, numerous National Parks, Malham Cove and Pen-y-Ghent. This challenging and technical section is a physically and psychologically demanding route that requires concentration, good physical fitness, resolve and respect. This becomes even more demanding with the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter in deep snow, storm force winds and driving rain. This is a notoriously difficult event and should be considered as having a similar degree of difficulty as the full Montane Winter Spine.”

Chris was well up the field in the early stages, but unfortunately had to withdraw at the Hebden checkpoint after an injury sustained in the snow/ice meant trying to move forward with any speed was just impossible. 19 competitors had already retired before then and 35 more retired with him.

Chris still covered just over 47 miles in under 15 hours, including 7,500ft of elevation, carrying his own food/shelter.  We presume some of our ultra readers will know how tough the course is even in good conditions, so they’ll particularly appreciate what a great effort it was. Let’s hope the injury isn’t too serious.

Chris Illman - Winter Spine South, Jan 26

Parkruns

Almost two dozen members braved the chilly but bright conditions at our local event this week. A slightly injured Bilbo Baggins was running with daughter Heidi, leaving the way clear at the front for Rich Allen to notch up another win. Kate Jacobs appears to be starting a parkrun streak as she was once again first lady home. Congratulations to them both.

Showing our strength in depth (at least compared to other parkrunners) club runners took 7 of the top 10 places on an age-graded basis with Wendy Nicholls, Charlotte Wilton, Pam Wheeler, Clare Stickney and Ruaridh Wright all doing well.

Clare did particularly well, knocking 5s off her previous PB from last summer.

It was also great to see Wendy Nicholls back running on the home course just over a year since last time – pictured below with running mates Charlotte and Kate.

L-R W. Nicholls, C. Wilton, K. Jacobs, Ciren parkrun 10.01.26

Cirencester: 1 Rich Allen 18.36, 7 Kate Jacobs (1st lady) 20.31, 14 Toby Conway (J) 21.58,17 Clare Stickney 22.16 (PB), 18 Charlotte Wilton 22.19, 22 Ruaridh Wright (J) 23.01,31 Wendy Nicholls 23.32, 38 Jon Young 24.02, 42 Paul Timms 24.21, 57 Rachel Ranger 25.29,70 Jonathan Higgs 26.07, 79 Rob Forbes 26.23, 85 Susanna Austin 26.44, 88 Dorian Matts 27.03,89 Nicola Wood 27.05, 90 Alan McAdam 27.05, 116 Rachel McAdam 28.31,158 Gordon Jones 30.09, 161 Pam Wheeler 30.13, 166 Amanda Naylor 30.21,197 Samantha Timms 32.35, 198 Kirsty Leggate 32.43, 231 Ruth Fulford 37.25, 257 finished.

Tetbury: 7 Ian Barrett 19.49, 40 Ben Hilditch 24.22, 50 Stephen Hale 25.13,125 Angela Hilditch 29.52, 241 finished.

Swindon, Lydiard Park: 97 David Moss 24.49, 449 finished.

Stroud, Stratford Park: 6 Casey Vatcher 22.42, 151 finished.

Milton Keynes: 315 Neil Broadley 29.28, 752 finished.

Terry Hershey, Houston, USA: 29 Tom Morgan 28.15, 105 finished

***************DATES FOR YOUR DIARY***************

Monday 26^th January - SOCIAL

This was floated in an earlier newsletter as a date for an informal (i.e. less organised) curry night - a group booking hasn’t yet been made. We will check restaurant availability soon, so if you are interested, look out for a whatsapp poll early next week.

If you aren’t on the club whatsapp, but are interested in coming please email membership.cirenac@gmail.com asap.

AGM - date TBC but likely in April.

May – We are hoping to put on the Chedworth races (5mi and 10mi) on Sunday 10th May 2026, rather than in September because the race calendar in that month is increasingly busy. Look out for more information in the next few weeks, but marshal volunteers will be needed please.

TBC May 30^th – (Saturday) again look out for confirmation from our chairman, but please keep this date free for a family-friendly club social event at Cirencester Rugby Club, going from afternoon into the evening and to include the 2025 annual awards (i.e. a change to the curry-awards format of the last two years).