There were lots of options for participants at the Phoenix Running Track Wars event at Walton on Thames on Friday. Martin Croucher chose the 6 hour event to complete his marathon number 122 in a real mind over matter challenge covering over 100 laps of a 400 metre track…..116 laps in fact.
When modest Martin was asked for a comment about his latest achievement, all he had to say was that the chilly evening air at 7.30pm rendered the pizzas at the food station a bit too cold to really enjoy. He rewarded himself later with a McDonalds feast.
Well done Martin.
10th March, Phoenix Track Wars XIV – Inspire, 6 hour timed challenge
1 Ciaran McAneny (Fairlands Valley Spartans) 6.02.40 – 36.8 miles
4 Martin Croucher (Cirencester AC) 5.11.43 – 28.8 miles
15 finished
One of our inspirational FV75 club members was in action at the weekend. Having run the qualifying time in a previous race, Ruth Fulford lined up in her England vest at the Chester 10k which was hosting the England Athletics Age Group Masters Championship.
Of course, the competition was very strong. Ruth reports that the conditions were lovely for the race. She was initially a little disappointed with her finish time but, on reflection, felt very happy to have qualified and she enjoyed the experience of getting to start right at the front of such a big race.
Congratulations to Ruth.
12th March, Chester 10k, 10k, road
1 Jonny Mellor (Unattached) 29.20 (29.20)
2148 Ruth Fulford (Cirencester AC) 1.02.28 (1.02.16)
3183 finished
A little closer to home, Gareth James was also in 10k action.
The nature of the Bath Two Tunnels event meant that Gareth didn’t have the luxury of the usual information from his watch while he ran. Instead, he ran entirely by heart rate.
He reports that he gave it everything he had and, despite a less than ideal build-up of feeling poorly for a couple of weeks, he felt it was the best race he has ever run!
12th March, Two Tunnels Return Ticket 10k, 10k, trail
1 Tom Mantle (Unattached) 35.15
66 Gareth James (Cirencester AC) 49.43
250 finished
In parkrun news, Ollie Campbell was 2nd at Coventry in a field of over 600.
Dave Musgrove crossed the line first at Cirencester where Rachel Ranger was 5th lady and there were solid runs from parkrun stalwarts Pam Wheeler and Lorna Harris in the sticky, heavy going conditions.
Nea Sneddon-Jenkins was 1st lady at Tetbury where Paul and Sam Timms each placed first in their age groups. Also with age group 1st places were Gordon Jones at Seven Fields and Kate Sackett at Durlston Country Park.
11th March, parkrun, 5k trail
Coventry parkrun
1 Grant Anderson (Unattached) 16.33
2 Ollie Campbell (Cirencester AC) 17.03
608 finished
Cirencester parkrun
1 David Musgrove (Cirencester AC) 19.35
23 Rachel Ranger 24.35
80 Gary Wood 30.30
85 Pamela Wheeler 31.19
110 Lorna Harris 35.25
137 finished
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
1 Jonathan Jamieson (Unattached) 17.30
15 Paul Timms (Cirencester AC) 22.44
16 Nea Sneddon-Jenkins 22.47
65 Samantha Timms 28.35
102 finished
Seven Fields parkrun
1 Gary O’Brien (Unattached) 17.50
40 Gordon Jones (Cirencester AC) 25.28
125 finished
Durlston Country Park parkrun
1 Julian Critchlow (Unattached) 20.55
20 Kate Sackett (Cirencester AC) 28.45
58 finished
To round off this weeks report, news of the final standings in the club and county cross country competitions following the final meet of the season at Over Farm last weekend.
In the club competition the top three male and female finishers were as follows:
1 Bill Leggate
2 Brecht Grieten
3 Dave Musgrove
1 Kate Jacobs
2 Tanya Everett
3 Karen Higuera
In the county competition Kate Jacobs was 1st LV45, Tanya Everett was 4th LV50 in her first season as a cross country competitor and Karen Higuera 2nd LV55.
Aaron Willis was 2nd MV40, and in the MV45 category Bill Leggate was 2nd overall and there were top ten finishes for Dave Musgrove and Simon Campbell.
Great efforts from all who took part across the winter season.
As ever, please send your running news to Rachel at rachelelisabethbarrow@hotmail.co.uk